Entries by Staff Writer

Floyd A. Mock, 66, died Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Pavilion. He was a native and life long resident of Appling County. [Full Story »] 

Jose Guadalupe “Papa Lupe” Nunez, 79, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at his residence. Mr. Nunez was born in Guanajuato, Mexico on July 13, 1931. He had lived in Appling County for 32 years. Papa Lupe served 20 years of military service in Mexico. He was retired and was the owner of Nunez Pine Straw. Mr. Nunez was the son of the late Juan Nunez and the late Maria Guadalupe Vega Nunez. [Full Story »] 

Shelia S. Smith, 33, died Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in the Appling Healthcare System. Shelia was born in Crownpoint, New Mexico on Sept. 13, 1977. She was a homemaker. Shelia was the daughter of Johnny Tsosie and Genieve Sandoval Tsosie. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by a brother, Travis Tsosie. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

At the February 14 meeting of the Appling County Board of Education, board members approved a recommendation made by Superintendent Scarlett Copeland to hire Brenda Harvey as the new principal of Appling County Primary School. The position was previously held by Copeland and had been vacant since January 1 when Copeland left that position to become superintendent. Harvey had served as assistant principal under Copeland. Superintendent Copeland reported that a process in selecting the new principal was used, including appointing a committee made up of school council members, the principal at Appling County Elementary (Dr. Areatha Virgil) and the superintendent, to review the applications and make a recommendation. Copeland added that Appling School System policy was followed in the hiring process. [Full Story »] 

Chief of Police James Godfrey reports that an arrest has been made in connection with the thefts of February 2 in the Oak Ridge community, in which numerous vehicles were gone into and thefts committed. On Feb. 11, Phillip Laquan Johnson, 19, of Waycross was arrested by the Ware County Sheriff’s Office on outstanding warrants in this incident, and later transferred to Appling County for further judicial proceedings. [Full Story »] 

By Matt Gardner

The Appling County Board of Commissioners held their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 15 at the Appling County Courthouse Annex. During the meeting the commissioner opened sealed bids for the purchase of a new sheriff vehicle. [Full Story »] 

Brenda R. Harvey is truly honored in serving as the newly elected Principal of Appling County Primary School. Mrs. Harvey has been serving as the Assistant Principal of Appling County Primary for six years this May. With over 24 years in education, Mrs. Harvey’s prior experience includes teaching kindergarten, first, second, fourth and fifth graders. She has been a life-long learner and likes to stay abreast of current trends and professional developments in education. [Full Story »] 

In April of 2010, the General Assembly passed the original budget for Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2011. This budget totaled $17.8 billion and directs all state spending from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Each month of the current fiscal year has experienced slow and steady revenue growth; January marked the eighth straight month of economic growth in Georgia. Georgia’s economy has stabilized and is currently increasing; as a result, more than $163 million has been added to the FY 2011 state budget, bringing the total budget to over $18 billion. [Full Story »] 

A Poor Boys Hot Rods Cruise event will be held at 5:00 p.m. to until on Saturday, February 26 at the Baxley Huddle House. [Full Story »] 

Coach Harriet McCoy or more affectionately called, “Mama” by her students and athletes, was honored at the annual Pirate Football Banquet on February 4. Coach McCoy has been the Academic Coach for all sports at Appling County High School since 1993. She has also been on the sidelines of football games during this time performing duties as trainer, equipment manager, and sponsor of the water girls. As “Mama” retires from being active in sports, she vows she will always love the games and more so, the players. [Full Story »] 

Appling County Primary School, Altamaha Elementary School and Fourth District Elementary School will be having pre-kindergarten registration Saturday, March 5. [Full Story »] 

Matthew Jones, scout master of Baxley Troop no. 472, Boy Scouts of America was presented the prestigious Silver Beaver Award by the Okefenokee Area Council BSA. This is the highest award presented to a volunteer by a local Boy Scout Council. Jones received the award Saturday, February 12 at the annual Council Banquet in Brunswick. [Full Story »] 

By Laverne Courson, Curator

On February 6 the Appling County Heritage Center, held its regularly scheduled support meeting. Rebecca Ogden gave a very interesting program, observing Black History Month. Mrs. Ogden’s topic was “Martin Luther King.” She read quotes from his famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” and talked about how he helped bring us where we are today. [Full Story »] 

The Black History Dinner Show Case will be held at the Progressive Resource Center at the Parker Harrell Building on Sunday, February 27 at 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. [Full Story »]