Entries by Staff Writer

Bayne and Carole (Dukes) Stone of Hazlehurst will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 9. [Full Story »] 

Mr. and Mrs. Rickey Hunter and Steve Simmons of Baxley, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Keely Suzette Simmons, to Tray Phillip Thornton. [Full Story »] 

Brenda Rowland of St. Simons Island and Foster Rowland of Baxley announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashley “Brooke” Rowland, to Justin Daniel Cosby, son of Dawn Cosby of Washington and Danny Cosby of Rayle. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

Lately, I have had many people come to me with questions concerning Governor Nathan Deal, whom I had the honor of volunteering for, and his recent decisions regarding the HOPE Scholarship.

The scholarship was created in 1993 by former Governor Zell Miller, and it is a merit based higher educational scholarship that is funded entirely by the revenue from the Georgia Lottery. Students who had at least a 3.0 grade point average and attended college within the state were eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship. But, after several years and a bad economy, this is simply not possible anymore.

When this scholarship was first established, only 66 thousand students were covered, but now, more than 200 thousand students are covered. That is a big difference. [Full Story »] 

For the past week The News-Banner has been in a battle to retrieve a document from the Appling County Board of Commissioners or the Appling County Recreation Authority, which is reportedly some type of settlement agreement for Appling County Recreation Director Michael Coleman in return for his resignation. County attorney Bob Highsmith has cited the attorney/client provision in the Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-2(e)), in that the settlement agreement is still in negotiations as the reasoning that the request is not being honored at this time. [Full Story »] 

When three months passed without seeing our grandchildren, Larry and I realized that we had to go to Atlanta. If our various aches and pain intensified with travel, so be it. We had to go. We’ve never been away from them this long in their lives before, but this year has been difficult. Calvin and Julie had assorted surgeries, and then my shoulder fell apart. We couldn’t seem to get together except on Skype on the computer. I admit that this program is wonderful. We can see each other and talk, but it’s just not the same as being there. We can’t reach into cyberspace for hugs or snuggle on the biggest bed in the house to read the Berenstain Bears before going off to sleep. We left Baxley around noon on Friday, Atlanta bound. [Full Story »] 

B. J. and I love to stroll on beaches under a full moon. We have been on beaches under full moons from Hawaii to Naples, Italy. It is a wonderful feeling and we love it. Perhaps the only feeling that equals being on a beautiful beach under a full moon is being on a Caribbean cruise under a full moon. [Full Story »] 

Ellis Grady “Buddy” Carter, 92, of Boiling Springs, SC, entered into the presence of the glory of God on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born May 30, 1918 in Baxley, he was the son of the late David Chatman and Lula Mae Sapp Carter and the husband of the late Gladys Knox Carter. [Full Story »] 

Rufus Grant Devereaux, 81, died Monday, March 21, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Devereaux was born in Appling County November 21, 1929 and had resided here most of his life. He was the son of the late Milton C. Devereaux and the late Evelyn Todd Devereaux. He was a retired lineman for Jacksonville Electric Authority and had served in the U.S. Navy. [Full Story »] 

Ledlie Cecil Edwards, Jr., died March 21, 2011. Brother Ledlie was born on Sept. 27, 1953 to the late Ledlie Cecil Sr. and Rosa Lee Edwards of Surrency. He was the second oldest of seven children, three sisters and three brothers. [Full Story »] 

“Norma” Guest Smith, 72, of Brunswick and Jesup, died Monday, March 21, 2011, after an extended illness. The Glynn County native was a homemaker, caretaker, and predeceased by her first husband: Hugh Max Smith, Sr. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

The Appling County Commissioners held two called meetings last week on Tuesday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 23 in conjunction with the Appling County Recreation Authority. During the course of this two-day marathon of meetings, a number of closed-door sessions were held to discuss personnel and litigation associated with the Appling County Recreation Department. [Full Story »] 

The following are highlights of incidents that were handled by officers of the Baxley Police Department over the past several days. [Full Story »] 

By David Miller

Pirates Lose to Berrien County 8-4

The Appling County Pirates took the long trip to Nashville to face the high-powered offense of the Berrien County Rebels. The Rebels are lead by Aflac-All American Larry Greene. In fact there were several pro scouts in attendance to watch the star player. At game time the Rebels record was 9-1. The only loss of the year was to region 2AAAA powerhouse Wayne County 11-8 earlier in the year. The Rebels were ranked in the top five in class AA in the latest coach’s poll. [Full Story »]