Entries by Staff Writer

Ret. First Sergeant Thomas Edison Beckworth, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Beckworth served in the US Army for 24 years and served three tours in Vietnam. He was employed at Kelly Springfield Tire Company for 20 years. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. [Full Story »] 

Vonceil B. Miles, age 88, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2013 at St. Joseph’s/Candler in Savannah under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice. She was a native and lifelong resident of Appling County, a homemaker and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hinton and Lela Beasley; two children, Larry Miles and Angelia Britt and a grandson, Brent Miles. [Full Story »] 

Rozell Paulk was born Nov. 18, 1962 to the late Melvin Paulk Sr. and the late Elmina Paulk in Baxley. He joined First Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at an early age. He attended school in Appling County. He met and married Ophelia Paulk of Hazlehurst. He was employed with Rayonier/Interfor here in Baxley. [Full Story »] 

On March 30, 2013 God called Robert “R. L.” Paulk, Jr. home. R. L. was born on January 13, 1965 to Robert and Betty Jean Paulk of Baxley. He joined First Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at an early age. He attended school in Appling County. R. L. moved to Florence, S.C., where he resided off and on until 2010. In 2010 he moved back and stayed until his death. [Full Story »] 

Edwin Lamar Tomberlin, Jr., 68 of Pope Road, died Friday, April 5, 2013 in a local hospital. A memorial and celebration of life service was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 129 South Houston Road, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088, with the Rev. Bill Bagwell officiating and the Rev. Nita Crump of Roberta UMC assisting. Everyone in attendance was asked to join the family at the Uniwattee Corner Lodge, 3390 Avera Road, Roberta, Georgia 31078, after the service for a gathering and sharing. Ashes and wildflower seeds were scattered on Ed’s Field. [Full Story »] 

At the Appling County Commissioners meeting held on April 2, a motion was made by Commissioner Sarah Boatright to appoint Dr. Esco Hall, Jr., David Upchurch, Mike Cleland and James Clark to the Appling County Development Authority. This motion died for lack of a second to the motion. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

At a regular meeting held April 9, City Manager Jeff Baxley presented the most common questions relating to yard sale ordinance to the Baxley City Council members to review and fill out. The questions will be used as a tool for drawing up a draft yard sale ordinance. The manager added that he looked at eight different cities to see their code of ordinances for yard sales. He discovered that some cities did not regulate yard sales at all and some had strict regulations and he added that yard sales in a few cities are forbidden all together. The manager asked the council members to answer the questions and give them back to him and this would help get a consensus from the council concerning regulating yard sales. Baxley further stated he would get with City Attorney Alex Johnson and use the answered questions from the council members to create a first draft ordinance for yard sales in the city for review at the next regular council meeting. [Full Story »] 

The 23rd Annual Tree Fest was held on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13. On Friday night “The Root Doctors” performed at the Street Dance with Tommy and Joe of History Channel’s Swamp People signing autographs on Saturday. [Full Story »] 

Something new is now inside the lobby of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office, and your law enforcement officials are hoping the “Big White Box” will take a big bite out of a major problem – the proper disposal of prescription (Rx) and over the counter (OTC) drugs that are out of date or not needed any more. Rx drug abuse among all age groups is currently being reported by law enforcement agencies across the state and country as a real and growing danger. In addition, unsafe disposal of Rx and OTC medications is costly to our environment and, therefore, to our health. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Pirates (15-5 overall, 11-4 Region 1A-AAA) started the week on the road against Southeast Bulloch (12-7, 10-4) with the Pirates coming up just short losing 6-7. The Pirates next contest came as they hosted Beach High (0-11, 0-11) in a double header winning both games, 17-0 and 10-0. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office is sponsoring basic handgun safety classes over the next couple of months and Sheriff Benny Deloach has asked that the community be made aware and offered an opportunity to attend. These classes will be conducted by Major Lee Sweat of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office and Investigator Mark Melton from the Appling County District Attorney’s office as well as other certified firearms instructors. Both Sweat and Melton have many years of experience in firearms training and other specialties and we believe that anybody interested in attending will gain some knowledge regardless of their personal expertise in the field of firearms usage. [Full Story »] 

Mr. and Mrs. Wally Dixon (Tina Wasden Dixon) of Blackshear are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Tori Dixon to Mr. Tyler White, son of Mr. Jimmy White and Mrs. Cheryl Williams Tillery of Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach would like to report the following activity of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office. [Full Story »] 

Judge E. M. Wilkes, III releases the list of names for the Traverse Jury for April 29 at 9:30 a.m. The following people are on the list. [Full Story »]