Local troops deploy Web-posted 2/13/98   Cradling her 7-month-old daughter, Taylor, Shannon McMillan brushed away tears Friday as she stood watching her husband, Sgt. Gary McMillan, board an Air Force plane heading to the Middle East.

Judge rules against family court orders Web-posted 2/13/98   An Augusta federal judge nullified Friday a South Carolina judge's demand that a German mother move to Aiken County with her daughters by Monday or lose custody.

Paine traditions get praise Web-posted 2/13/98   Paine College tried to spend Friday morning focusing on its past but couldn't help using part of its Founders Day celebration as a look ahead to the evening's prime entertainment.

Juvenile receives sentence Web-posted 2/13/98   A teen-ager convicted of sexually assaulting a younger, smaller cellmate at the Regional Youth Detention Center was sentenced Friday to 12 years in prison after the victim's mother told a judge about nightmares and trauma the 12-year-old still endures.

Senate rejects proposal Web-posted 2/13/98   ATLANTA -- Senate Democrats tried and failed again Friday to give Georgia voters a chance to kill parole on the November ballot, while Senate Republicans called the vote election-year political posturing.

Senate rejects proposal to raise minimum wage Web-posted 2/13/98   ATLANTA -- A Democratic proposal to hike the state minimum wage to the federal standard failed in the Senate on Friday, with many Democrats and the state's labor chief saying they didn't know who would benefit from the measure.

Local and area briefs Web-posted 2/13/98   Teen to be tried as adult in slaying...Some spillways to stay open...Schools may pursue grant...Sex offender gets probation...Flying object breaks jet's window...Bill may sink Spillane campaign

Molester free after conviction Web-posted 2/13/98   Despite a prosecutor's objections, an Augusta man was freed on bond after being convicted of child molestation and statutory rape by a Columbia County jury this week.

Singing for students Web-posted 2/13/98   Opera singer Stephan Kirchgraber sings to students at Tobacco Road Elementary School on Friday. He sang with soprano Jennifer Ayres and pianist Sandra Prichard for the Augusta Opera's outreach program.

School board rejects limits on speakers Web-posted 2/13/98   You could see the idea catch on in head after head around the table. Yes, some Richmond County school trustees nodded, let's limit how often citizens can talk to us about topics we dislike.

City's water towers undergoing face lift Web-posted 2/13/98   While Augusta residents are sprucing up their homes for visitors during the Masters Tournament, the city is spending a hefty amount of cash brushing up its drab water towers.

Valentine's messages Web-posted 2/13/98   Jessica Waring, a first-grader at Augusta Preparatory Day School in Martinez, smiles as she reads a Valentine's Day card Friday. Her class celebrated the holiday with cards, candy and punch.

Venue in lawsuit changes Web-posted 2/13/98   AIKEN -- The civil lawsuit involving a police raid that netted nine teen-agers who were drinking Kool-Aid is set for trial and has been moved yet again.

Convicted gunman to serve 10 years Web-posted 2/13/98   A man convicted of manslaughter after admitting he shot and killed a neighbor late last summer was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison after the victim's family pleaded with a judge for justice.

Valentine's Day gift Web-posted 2/13/98   Drew Fairchild of Aiken sets a valentine's present between Mary Freeman (left) and Josephine Jackson on Friday. Drew and 17 classmates visited the Aiken Area Council on Aging to sing songs and exchange gifts with senior citizens.

Report lists tobacco donations Web-posted 2/13/98   WASHINGTON -- Augusta's U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood was the third largest recipient of contributions from tobacco companies in the House in 1995 and 1996, a group said Friday.

Finding romance around state hard Web-posted 2/13/98   Looking for love in Georgia in all the wrong places? There are few flowers in Flowery Branch, this time of year. And forget diamonds in Diamond Hill. In Hartwell, sweethearts are fishing, not kissing.

Flowers Web-posted 2/13/98   Kristal Manning, head floral designer at Metropolitan Deluxe in Atlanta, selects a tulip for one of the many Valentine's Day bouquets she is arranging Friday. Ms. Manning said she expects to create more than 300 Valentine's Day arrangements.

All-male university in works Web-posted 2/13/98   CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Southern Military Institute, a planned private, all-male school, is targeting donors from two state schools whose males-only policies were overturned as it seeks to buy a Texas campus and enroll its first class this fall, a spokeswoman said Friday.

State corporate tax incentives costing revenue Web-posted 2/13/98   COLUMBIA -- South Carolina is losing revenue because of a tax break the state promises to corporations who locate or expand here, state revenue director Burnet R. Maybank III said.

Best ducks in flock Web-posted 2/13/98   Judges on Friday picked this painting as the 1998 South Carolina Duck Stamp. The painting is the work of D.J. Cleland-Hura of San Rafael, Calif. The theme was ``Ruddy Duck at Hilton Head Light House.'' There were 45 entries from 20 states.

Groups suggest rules to keep lakes cleaner Web-posted 2/13/98   COLUMBIA -- Large boats that now can dump treated waste into South Carolina's lakes would have to go to a marina under rules proposed by state regulators looking to protect what they say are some of the cleanest lakes around.

Two treated for rabies after attack by bobcat Web-posted 2/13/98   ATLANTA -- Two men in the south Georgia town of Ty Ty are being treated for rabies after a rare bobcat attack on a farm owned by one of the men.

University planning layoffs, budget cuts Web-posted 2/13/98   ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- South Carolina State University, feeling the pressure to meet the state's new performance-based funding, is being more selective in the students it takes and now will have to lay off people to meet a $3 million budget gap.

Two sergeants charged in hazings Web-posted 2/13/98   PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Two Marine sergeants were charged Friday with dereliction of duty and other counts stemming from the beating of a Marine private at Fort Knox, Ky., a military official said.

Player audits sought Web-posted 2/13/98   COLUMBIA -- Three former video gamblers who lobbied the Legislature to ban the $2 billion industry should have their tax returns audited, according to state Rep. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia.

Georgia Lottery drawings held Web-posted 2/13/98   ATLANTA -- Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in The Big Game, Cash 3 midday and Cash 3 Evening games: