Entries by Staff Writer

I lie on my back gazing up at the stars and moon far above me. Far more stars than I can possibly count shine brightly, and in their midst hangs a sliver of a moon. The sight soothes me and makes me happy to be a simple country woman living far from the city lights. I’ve seen Paris, the city of lights, by night and it’s breathtakingly beautiful with the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees ablaze. Here in Georgia, Atlanta’s skyline is lovely by night, but I’ll choose the natural starry sky right here in South Georgia any time. [Full Story »] 

A Friday phone call from our dear friend in Baxley, Rita Williams, alerted B. J. and me that she was out of school for the summer and was ready to romp. The call put us on our toes. Rita wanted to get things livened up with a week on St. Simons Island. There is never a dull moment with Rita. [Full Story »] 

By Media Specialist Laurel Warren, M.Ed.

Appling County Elementary School (ACES) was blessed to have volunteers from the Retired Educators Association, and other community members serve as classroom proctors, hall monitors, and media monitors during the recent Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). We wish to express a special thank you to the following dedicated individuals who freely gave of their time to ensure the integrity of our testing environment: [Full Story »] 

Joy Johnson Kopp, 82, of Flowery Branch, ended her long goodbye on June 11, 2013. Since retirement, she and her husband, of 62 years, Robert, had lived at the family’s log home on Lake Lanier among all their good ole stuff. Joy was the only child of the late Lt. Colonel James Ellis Johnson and Cornelia Parker Johnson Reeves growing up in Baxley surrounded by a large family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. [Full Story »] 

Faye Potter, 78, of Vidalia, died Sunday, June 9, 2013 in the Community Hospice House after a brief illness. She was a native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and as a child, grew up in Ft. Myers, Florida. She lived in Baxley and Vidalia most of her life. She managed several convenient stores and retired from Magic Market. She was Baptist by faith and was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Potter, Sr.; son Arthur Potter, Jr.; parents, Burley and Edna Spillman; granddaughter, Kimberly Potter; and two brothers, Pat Spillman and Bob Spillman. [Full Story »] 

Thomas Lee Spratling, 59, died Friday, June 7, 2013 at his residence. Thomas was born July 17, 1953 in Waynesboro to the late Lamar and Idell Rentz Spratling. He was a member of Memorial Free Will Baptist Church. [Full Story »] 

At a recent meeting of the Appling County Commissioners, Georgia Forestry Commission Chief Ranger (Appling unit) Jeff Fariss was honored and presented a plaque by the commission for his outstanding years of service to the forestry commission. [Full Story »] 

Residents and staff gathered in the dining hall and celebrated five years in The Pavilion with a party Monday, June 3. [Full Story »] 

On June 6, at approximately 7:31 p.m., officers of the Baxley Police Department answered a call to IGA parking lot in reference to a child being run over. On arrival officers observed a woman running around hysterical and a small child on the ground. The EMS was called to the scene, where they administered first aid and then transported the child, age 13, to the Appling County HealthCare System, where he was later transferred to Memorial in Savannah for his injuries he sustained during the incident. Investigation revealed that the incident came as a result of the driver leaving the store in a hurry due to a shoplifting incident, and attempting to leave, during which the child got out of the vehicle and was behind the vehicle when the driver backed over him and then pulled forward running over him again. Arrested in connection with this incident was Teresa Ann Teston, 50, of Baxley, on charges of one count each of theft by shoplifting, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and cruelty to children in the first degree. [Full Story »] 

By Renee O’Quinn

The Baxley City Council has taken the first step in addressing the awfully busy and dangerous intersection of Brobston Street and Highway 341 by making a request to the Georgia Department of Transportation for a traffic light at a meeting held June 11. City Manager Jeff Baxley told the council there is no turning lane at this really busy intersection. Baxley further stated he has received many calls about accidents and one about an accident that occurred in the last week at this particular intersection. He said they are aware of the problems with this intersection.The GDOT makes the final decision and would come up with the best solution to the problem. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach would like to report the following incidents handled by deputies with the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 7, answered a call to Lennox Road in reference to a suspicious person/shots fired. The complainant stated she saw an unknown subject on her porch and added that when the subject saw her, the person returned to a vehicle and drove off. The complainant shot a pistol in the air to scare the subject. Investigation continues. [Full Story »] 

Please be advised that the Appling County Sheriff's Office has outstanding warrants for Desmond Andrews, age 35 of Telfair County for Felony-Theft by Deception. [Full Story »] 

The older I become the more I realize I put my parents through perdition. The toughest task I believe I’ve ever faced is raising two boys. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe Amy and I have two of the best children we could have ever asked or prayed for, but as they grow older, I realize more and more each day how terrible I was as a teenager and even young adult. My prayer is that if my sons, Cole and Jacob, don’t do half the stuff I did, I believe they will both turn out just fine (maybe they will act more like there mom). [Full Story »]