By Mary Ann Ellis

Romeo Reyes, president of the Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation (REMC), announced on Tuesday, May 25, that they are partnering with internet service provider Conexon Connect to deliver a world-class fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network and access to Gigabit-speed broadband internet. …

By Mary Ann Ellis

On Friday, May 21, Appling County High School cross country standout Ivan Guzman signed a scholoship to run for Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), of Warner Robins. Shown above, seated, l-r, Anthony Labastida (nephew), Noemi Guzman (sister), Ivan Guzman, Genoveva Gonzalez (mother), An…

The Appling County High School track team participated in a State AAA Track and Field Meet May 13 - May 15, at the Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany. Pirate Track Member Jaylen Green won the state championship in the high jump event. See more coverage and pictures from the ACHS State Track Meet i…

The Baxley News-Banner is proud to present the Class of 2021 Graduation Issue. The response to this year’s issue has been overwhelming and we thank the schools, parents and community for your support. Please see sections C, D and E.

The Appling County Lady Pirates fought hard in the Region 1-AAA Tournament held last Wednesday in Appling County. The ladies fell just a little short and finished second in the tournament. The Lady Pirates hosted the Harlem High Lady Bulldogs on Monday at home in the first round of the State…

Appling County folks had a chance on Friday, April 16, out front of the Sheriff’s office to meet some of the many people who work hard everyday to keep the community safe. Sheriff Melton’s annual First Responder Expo provided that chance, especially for children. They can connect with office…

In January 2019, Robert Wiggins needed about 50 people for his various restaurants. When he advertised, he had 250 applications come in. Today, April 9, 2021, he desperately needs between fifty and sixty people, but very few people are applying, even though he offered twenty-five dollars to …

Chairman Mike Shumans opened the regular meeting of the Appling County Commissioners with the pledge and the invocation, then asked for approval of the last minutes (March 2, 9). Approval was unanimous. He invited Leslie Burch to the podium for five minutes of public input. Burch asked for t…

Representative Greg Morris, a Vidalia native who is currently representing the 156th District in the Georgia House of Representatives, was elected as the new State Transportation Board member to represent the 12th Congressional District. The district includes counties in east central and eas…

On Thursday, April 1, a Deep South Farm truck hauling farm chemicals to a local farmer and a Norfolk Southern train collided at the Buck Head Road railroad crossing in Pine Grove. Luckily the driver of the truck only received minor injuries as a result of the accident. It was unclear what ty…

Sunday morning, March 28, members of the Church of God of Baxley gathered in their new sanctuary to dedicate it to God. They actually opened it on Feb. 15, but today was dedication day with music, more music and speaking. They showed a video of the whole process from the demolition of the ol…

On Saturday, March 13, Appling Applause Show Choir traveled to Tift County High School to compete in the Peach State Invitational Show Choir Competition.  Schools from across Alabama and Georgia competed in the annual competition.  Appling Applause walked away with Best Vocals, Best Overall …

Last Wednesday, March 10, between one and two o’clock, Larra Williams decided rather unexpectedly to take her lunch to Deen’s Landing for a picnic in the beautiful weather. She was tired of the cold and wet weather. Eighty-year-old Ray Solomon will be forever thankful that she did, because s…

Superintendent Dr. Scarlett Copeland said she was honored to be invited by Governor Kemp and State Superintendent Woods to serve on the state panel with the Department of Health and Board of Education. The purpose of this panel was to discuss vaccination rollout for teachers and staff around…

Reverend Lamar Lee evangelized for eight to ten years before he started pastoring full time. He came to Baxley to pastor the Baxley Church of God in 2006. He is originally from Hortense, Georgia.

Appling Healthcare has announced its plan to help administer COVID-19 vaccines starting March 10 at the hospital. 

The ACHS Pirate basketball team captured the Region 1-AAA Championship Friday night in Tattnall County, this year’s host of the region tournament. The Pirates defeated a tough Long County team to capture the championship.

On Friday, February 12, 2021 members of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search at 940 Burtell Road. As a result, 59-year-old Randolph Daniel Wray and 35-year-old Anthony Benjamin Carter were arrested.

Newly elected Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney (DA) Keith Higgins stopped by The Baxley News-Banner last week for a quick visit. His first official day as DA over the five-county district was January 4.

By Mary Ann Ellis

The Appling County Board of Education has approved the hiring of Jordan Mullis as the new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Appling County High School. Coach Mullis came to Appling after a decade long stint at Wayne County High School where he coached football and baseball as well…

According to a press conference held outside the Appling County Courthouse on Tuesday, January 26, one of Baxley’s very own announced candidacy for the Republican Governor seat held by Brian Kemp. Governor Kemp is serving his first term as Governor. Dr. Kandiss Taylor is a Baxley native and …

The Atlanta Falcons announced Saturday morning that they have named Lanier Goethie as a defensive assistant coach.

Congratulation to the ACMS wrestling team on winning the 2021 South East Georgia Wrestling Conference Championship, which was hosted by Brantley County High School on January 15 and 16.

The Appling County High School Pirate basketball team remains undefeated so far in the 2021 season. The team is now 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Region 2-AAA competition. Head Coach Rufus McDuffie has the Pirates firing on all cylinders so far this season.

On Monday the Appling County Branch of NAACP celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a parade and brief program. The parade featured entries by businesses, inidivduals, civic groups and organizations. The theme for this year’s parade was “A time to learn and remember.” Dr. Casandra H…

On Monday, January 4, Appling County High School Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Rick Tomberlin submitted his letter of resignation to Superintendent Dr. Scarlett Copeland and ACHS Principal Dr. Gene Starr. The letter states:

Cassandra Hall Carter, PharmD is the 2021 Grand Marshal of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.

There was a lot of swearing in the Appling County Courthouse on December 30. Swearing in that is. State Court Solicitor and Appling County Commission Attorney Terry Turner swore in a total of 10 public servants that are shown above. They are l-r, Appling County Commissioner Theodore Wilkerso…

David Barber is currently serving as interim pastor of Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church, where Eddie Miles is a member. The vision for KnowN came from Eddie, but David and many others are working on it as well.

During the month of January, special services will be held on South Main Street for KnowN. The pro life event will be held daily at 6:30 p.m. on the vacant lot across the street from Rentz & Rentz Insurance Agency. The organizers of the event invite the community to join them every night…

Oglethorpe Power Corp. recently made its 2020 ad valorem tax payment of $5,106,713.69 to the Appling County Tax Commissioner’s office. The payment is for OPC’s 30 percent interest in the Edwin I. Hatch nuclear plant and other facilities in Appling County.

Santa Claus lives in Baxley now; he moved down here with Mrs. Carrie Claus in 2016 from their northern home. They find the weather much more agreeable and easier to deal with. His favorite time of the year is Christmas of course, but it was a sad Santa who spoke with me this week. His favori…

By Mary Ann Ellis

The Appling County High School Pirate football season came to an end Friday night in Norcross against the Spartans of Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC). The Pirates battled hard but came up a little short, 31-13. The Pirates made it all the way to the top eight teams in Class AAA and had an ov…

The Appling County High School Pirate football team continues to steam roll through the state playoffs. This past Friday night, in the second round of the GHSA AAA Playoffs, Appling crushed Upson-Lee High School, of Thomaston, by a score of 61-7. The Pirates will now travel to Norcross this …

On Thursday morning, November 26, Thanksgiving 2020, a steady stream of cars and trucks arrived at the social hall of First Baptist Church, the big church right in the middle of town by the red light. People poured out, delivered casseroles - broccoli and squash and sweet potato, big foil pa…

The Appling County Pirates sent the Bulldogs of Morgan County packing after a convincing 42-13 opening state playoff victory Friday night at Jimmy Swain Stadium. The Pirates now advance to the second round and will host the game here. Kickoff will be at 7:30 at Jimmy Swain. Appling will play…

On Friday, November 20, Elizabeth Branch signed a scholarship with Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College to play softball. Elizabeth has been a four-year starter for the Appling County Lady Pirates and has played with Angels Gold for the past five years. Pictured below are, standing, l-r, Coac…

The Appling County High School Pirate Brigade Band honored veterans as part of its halftime performance at Friday’s football game. All veterans present at the game were honored on the field including World War II Veteran Grady Deen. Grady is shown with his son David and great-grandson Camero…

On Monday, November 9, the Appling County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search at 31-year-old, Christopher James Clements’ residence located at 209 Kemp Lane.

On Wednesday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m., Aaron Carter of the American Legion led a program on the courthouse lawn to honor all veterans of Appling County, and there are many of them. The Rev. Rick Brown opened the ceremony with prayer, followed by comments from LTC(R) Vickery, director of t…