Entries by Staff Writer

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act otherwise known as “Obamacare” begins to take full effect on January 1, 2014 when the individual mandate requiring every qualifying American to secure health insurance or pay a monetary penalty. Without debating the overall merits of Obamacare, I believe this individual mandate will affect Appling Countians in three basic ways: (1) Those who currently have no health insurance must purchase the same for themselves and their families or face a penalty ranging from $695 - $2,085 annually; (2) Those who are currently in the individual insurance market will see a significant rise in monthly premiums; and (3) Those who have major medical coverage through an employer may see a moderate rise in premiums and, in some limited circumstances, may lose their coverage altogether. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor or to whom it may concern,

When passing someone on the street why do we label them? Is it because some are less fortunate than we are? We don’t know what condition a person is in or why people do what they do. I’m sure at one point or another they asked themselves, where do I belong? Or do I fit into society? [Full Story »] 

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Claudine Aldridge Crosby, 91 years of age, who left this life to be with her Lord and loved ones on December 18, 2013, in Jacksonville, Florida, after a brief illness. [Full Story »] 

Dalton C. Fowler, 78, of Surrency, died Monday, December 16, 2013 in The Pavilion. [Full Story »] 

Miles Funeral Home in Hazlehurst announces the funeral service for Eula Mae Yarbrough, 84, of Hazlehurst, who passed away Friday, December 13, 2013. Mrs. Yarbrough was born in Jeff Davis County. She was the daughter of the late Ed Varnadore and Evelyn Cain. Eula Mae was a retired textile inspector and was a member of the Northgate Baptist Church in Hazlehurst. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County School System’s Choral Department has done an outstanding job this holiday season performing for audiences. [Full Story »] 

The son of News-Banner Editor and Publisher Jamie Gardner, Cole Gardner, 13, captured this unusual photo on the way to school last week of the Moon as it was setting. [Full Story »] 

According to the Georgia Department of Education the rate of students graduating within four years at Appling County High School in 2013 rose to 83.4 percent, up from 71.7 percent in 2012. The statewide average is also on the rise from 71.6 percent in 2012 to 72.5 in 2013. [Full Story »] 

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, an arraignment hearing was held in the case State of Georgia vs. Jonathan Kyle Courson. During the hearing Jonathan Kyle Courson pled not guilty to a host of charges stemming from an incident that took place at Courson’s and his wife’s (Mandy) home located on Corey Street in Oak Ridge Subdivision on January 4, which resulted in the murder of Mandy Courson. [Full Story »] 

By Matt Gardner

Architect Larry Pope presented drawings and projected costs of proposed renovations for Jimmy Swain Stadium to the Appling County Board of Education (BOE) on December 9. The renovations include a new field house, new visitors locker room, new restrooms for home and visitors stands and other changes and improvements. The proposed cost of the project is estimated between $2.8 and $3.1 million and is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of next school year. The renovations will be funded by ESPLOST IV. The BOE should vote on this project in 2014. [Full Story »] 

Chief James Godfrey reports that the following are highlights of incidents that were handled by officers of the Baxley Police Department in November.

On Nov. 2 at approximately 1:00 a.m., met with a resident at a Highland Drive address in reference to a burglary. On arrival the resident told officers that while he was asleep person(s) unknown entered his home and removed a Gateway 17-inch laptop computer. The resident said that the computer was dark grey in color, with a diamond shaped design on the cover and was inside a carrying case. Also reported missing were several DVDs, a full-size Wii gaming system, with three games, a power cord, and an undetermined amount of currency. After an investigation, Amy Michelle James, 27, of Baxley, was arrested on one count of burglary in connection with this incident. [Full Story »] 

Elbert Lee And Marcia Lynn Dyal would like to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their son, Jeremy Lee Dyal, of Baxley, to Melissa Marie Cauley, of Baxley, daughter of Kathy Marie Crosby and Darwin Henry (Dobby) Cauley of Baxley. [Full Story »] 

Henry Alderman Sr. and Mary Alderman of Baxley announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their son, Henry Alderman, Jr., to Janice Bell, daughter of Frank L. Bell and the late Hazle Bell. [Full Story »]