Entries by Staff Writer

The Appling County Pirate’s (20-7 overall) first round of the GHSA AAA State Playoffs series against Central-Carroll (12-14) was postponed until Monday, May 6 at 3:00 p.m. due to heavy rain. [Full Story »] 

By Meredith Belcher

The following Lady Pirates track team finished fourth or better at the region track meet that was held at South East Bulloch High School, in Brooklet on April 15 and 16.  As a result of their accomplishments they qualified to go on to state sectionals that were also held at South East Bulloch on Saturday, April 27.  At sectionals the top eight finishers go on to compete at state. [Full Story »] 

As I listened to retired U.S. Army Staff Sargent and member of the singing group 4Troops Ron Henry share his testimony at Mayor Steve Rigdon’s annual Prayer Breakfast, held last Thursday on the National Day of Prayer, it was evident how God has worked through this soldier’s life. Henry shared an emotional experience of how he and other soldiers came under fire from insurgents with AK-47s at close range while traveling in a vehicle. As the shots rang out Henry stated he immediately began to ask for God’s protection and added that not one soldier in the military vehicle was harmed. To me, that’s evidence enough that God hears the prayers of the righteous. [Full Story »] 

I was in the grocery store the other day when I felt the presence of a Spirit from my youth. I turned around and caught Jerry Lee Braswell sneaking up on me. He started laughing and grabbed my hand and we embraced like the friends we are. Jerry Lee is only one of the many black men this white man respects and knows well. [Full Story »] 

Expectantly, he sat on the examining table gazing at the door with steady, unblinking eyes. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, and a male assistant stood beside him to make sure the elderly patient didn’t fall. A scale waited directly in front of him to report on his eating habits. A variety of pill bottles, some horse-sized and some much smaller, sat on a shelf beside the roll of gauze. He could hear the receptionist who’d greeted him as he came in talking on the phone down the hall. [Full Story »] 

Twenty-one hours of daylight in Alaska makes it difficult for a south Georgia couple to discern between “early” and “late.” However, B. J. and I excitedly rolled out of our comfortable king size bed at the pleasing Fairbanks Westmark Hotel at 5:00am. We pulled back the heavy smut black drapes to observe the sun shining outside. [Full Story »] 

By Jim Zachary

The newspaper belongs to the community.

Your friends and neighbors who work at your local newspaper believe what we do everyday is more than a job. We believe what we do matters. That is why we love what we do and that is why we love newspapers.  [Full Story »] 

Fred R. Brannan, 59, of Baxley, died Monday, April 29, 2013 in the Community Hospice House in Vidalia after an extended illness. He was a native of Toombs County and lived there until moving to Baxley in 2000. He was employed with the former Glenn’s Texaco for thirty years, attended the Liberty Baptist Church in Lyons, and was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hattie Juanita Tootle Brannan. [Full Story »] 

Willene Lewis Dell, 87, died Thursday, May 2, 2013 at her residence. Mrs. Dell was born Oct. 16, 1925 in Coolidge to the late John Richard and the late Pearl Ella Adams Lewis. She was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. Willene was a devoted Braves fan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Dell, two daughters, Carolyn Sharpe and Dianne Ansley and a grandson, Mark Ansley. [Full Story »] 

Calvin “Wimpy” Jackson, III was born March 23, 1959 in Baxley, to Calvin Jackson, Jr. and Lillie Naomi Jackson. He departed this life on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah. Jackson attended schools in the Appling County School System where he excelled as an artist. [Full Story »] 

Steve Johnson, age 56, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2013 at his residence. He was a native of Norfolk, Virginia, living most of his life in Appling County and was a retired carpenter and Baptist by faith. [Full Story »] 

Johnny B. Scott, 71, of Bristol, died Thursday, May 2, 2013. Johnny was born Sept. 12, 1941 in Appling County to the late Jacob Benjamin Scott and the late Lillie Nevada Smith Scott. He was a retired electrician. [Full Story »] 

Bill Simmons, 79, died April 27, 2013 at decedents home. Bill was born Sept. 1, 1933 to the late William and Azzilee Simmons. He was of the Baptist Faith and was a lifelong resident of Baxley. Bill was retired from Plant Hatch. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

It started early Thursday, May 2, at First Baptist Church. Baxley Mayor Steve Rigdon hosted the annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast and the special guest speaker and performer was retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ron Henry, also of the singing group 4Troops. Henry shared emotional stories of his military experience and also performed a number of songs for the audience. The crowd at the breakfast was at capacity as many stood beside the walls in the church social hall. [Full Story »]