Entries by Staff Writer

Cecil L. Lightsey, 86, died Sunday morning (Nov. 6, 2011) at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Metter after an extended illness. Mr. Lightsey was a native of Appling County. He was a self employed roofer and painter. He was the son of the late Hiram and Rena Boyles Lightsey. He is also preceded in death by his son, Carson Lightsey. [Full Story »] 

Clara Lee Vann, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 at Appling Healthcare System after a long illness. Clara was born in Jeff Davis County on May 23, 1945 to the late Joseph Sr. and Clara Mae Jones. She was a member of New Jerusalem Witness Unto the Lord Church. Clara was preceded in death by two sisters, Joeann Jones and Louise Wilson and four brothers, Joe, Joseph, Ronnie and Jimmie Jones. [Full Story »] 

Baxley Police Officers answered a call to the Budget Host Inn on Nov. 5, at approximately 11:13 a.m., in reference to a request to check on a guest. Upon arrival the officers met with a relative of the guest and learned that he had arrived and was concerned over the well fair of the guest, his son. And after getting no response at the door, he asked the management to open the door to his room so he could check on his son.

Upon entering the room he discovered his son, Bryan Bullard, 25, of Baxley, was deceased. The scene was secured and the EMS was called to the scene along with the coroner’s office, the G.B.I. and the G.B.I. crime scene technicians. The coroner’s office released the body of Bullard to the Georgia Crime Lab for further forensic investigation. [Full Story »] 

In the only contested race for Baxley City Council, incumbent Dr. Esco Hall, Jr. defeated Carlos L. Rooks, Sr. for the District 2 seat. Hall garnered 92 votes and Rooks got 58 votes. District 5 incumbent Betty Livingston ran unopposed and District 1 newcomer Kenneth J. Waithe also ran unopposed for the position left vacant after Councilman Eugene Walker, Jr. resigned earlier this year due to health issues. [Full Story »] 

The classic story of a poor girl who comes to understand the love of God through sacrifice, charity and her grandmother’s prayers is the centerpiece of An Evening of Light, scheduled at the Appling County Fine Arts Center at Appling County High School Saturday, November 19 at 7 p.m. [Full Story »] 

Byron Buxton signed a national letter of intent to play baseball with the University of Georgia on Thursday, November 10 at the Appling County High School. [Full Story »] 

By Matt Gardner

The Appling County Pirates hosted the Thomasville Bulldogs (6-5, 4-2) in the first round of the GHSA State Playoffs on Friday, November 11 at Jimmy Swain Stadium. The Pirates were able to advance with a 28-18 victory and will travel to Bogart, outside of Athens, to face Region 8AA Champion North Oconee Titans (11-0, 6-0) with the game scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. [Full Story »] 

By Wade Edwards

This past week the Appling Christian Academy Eagles traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida for the NHSA Championship. The Eagles played the Carolina Crusaders at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

City Manager Jeff Baxley made a recommendation that the city enter into a contract, subject to the city attorney’s approval, with Contract Callers, Inc. of Augusta at the Baxley City Council meeting held Nov. 8. Councilwoman Betty Livingston made a motion approving Contract Callers contingent upon the city attorney’s approval. Tim Varnadore seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. The following four companies presented proposals for collection service of water and sewer delinquent accounts, as follows: I.C. Systems, Inc. of St. Paul, MN; Conrad Companies of Escondido, CA; Client Services, Inc. of St. Charles, MI and Contract Callers, Inc. of Augusta. [Full Story »] 

Dawn Melton would like to remind everyone about the Fall Fitness Run to be held this Saturday morning, November 19, at the Elementary Complex in Baxley. Although the name indicates “Run,” there will be walkers and runners of all ages and ability levels for the mile and the 5K. A t-shirt will be given to ALL participants. [Full Story »] 

The 2011 Appling County Farm Tour was held Oct. 25. This year’s tour began with a visit to the Wilbur Murray Farm and featured “The Pecan Harvest” at 9:00 a.m. At one time Wilbur row cropped about 50-60 acres of corn and soybeans. In 1987, after watching his grandfather’s pecan orchard produce more return per acre than he was taking in row crops, Wilbur decided to plant 23 acres of pecan trees. Ten years later he planted seven more acres of pecan trees when the family saw the potential of the first 23-acre orchard. Around 2004 they planted another 40-acre orchard in a different spacing than the original orchards. The new orchard was planted so that the row crops could be interplanted. Different varieties were planted in different fields for many reasons such as disease resistance, yield and cross-pollination. [Full Story »] 

Russell and Sylvia Griffin would like to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Valarie Griffin, to Scott Battles. Scott is the son of Dan and Brenda Battles of St. Simons and Sandy Battles of Rogersville, Missouri. [Full Story »] 

Mary Garcia and Felix Nunez are proud to announce the birth of their son, Ivan Nunez. [Full Story »]