College hospital unveiled Web-posted 5/1/98   Oddly enough, Arti Danes is looking forward to getting her allergy shots.

Tire plant brings promise Web-posted 5/1/98   GRANITEVILLE -- Construction of Bridgestone/Firestone's tire plant didn't stop, even during its dedication Friday morning.

CSX to rehire car inspectors laid off in '97 Web-posted 5/1/98   CSX Transportation has agreed to rehire four train inspectors Monday who were laid off from the Augusta railyard in 1997. The move should improve train safety in the city, union leaders say.

Singers perform song dedicated to slain teacher Web-posted 5/1/98   At the Georgia Department of Education's Spring Teachers Conference at Sheraton Augusta Hotel, Connie Ryals (left) and her sister Sonya Bailey sing a song dedicated to Arkansas teacher Shannon Wright, who was killed by a pupil.

Gravel suspect says charges selective Web-posted 5/1/98   The only person to be fired and indicted for putting city-owned gravel on the driveway of the fiancee of the Richmond County landfill director says he has been singled out for prosecution.

Witness to seek parole Web-posted 5/1/98   The key witness against two Columbia County teen-agers convicted in the 1994 pipe bomb slaying of Lakeside High School student Melanie Richey will make another request for parole later this month.

Scoutfest may draw 5,000 Web-posted 5/1/98   Tommy and Matt Rhoden spent the first 30 minutes of the 1998 Scoutfest fighting Mother Nature -- and their tent.

Efficiency meeting gets little interest Web-posted 5/1/98   Efficiency in Augusta's government might need to start at the top, Mayor Larry Sconyers said Friday.

Facility mending old ways Web-posted 5/1/98   CLEARWATER -- The interim director at the Margaret J. Weston Medical Center made a public attempt Friday to mend the battered image of the financially-strapped facility and raise money to pay off its federal tax debt.

Lobster Races offer varied fun Web-posted 5/1/98   AIKEN -- Handicapping lobsters isn't an exact science. It comes down to the name.

Trustee opts out of election Web-posted 5/1/98   Columbia County District 4 school board trustee Jean Smith will not run for re-election this year, she announced Friday.

Man on probation for fraud indicted Web-posted 5/1/98   APPLING -- A Martinez man on probation for his role in a crooked investment scheme was indicted this week by a Columbia County grand jury for allegedly defrauding seven other people in an ongoing criminal enterprise.

Race crowded for lieutenant governor spot Web-posted 5/1/98   ATLANTA -- A few last-minute surprises ended qualifying for the 1998 elections Friday, including the registration of veteran Public Service Commission Chairman Mac Barber for the already crowded lieutenant governor's race.

Officials disputing state law Web-posted 5/1/98   ATLANTA -- Hundreds of candidates for political office qualified for Republican and Democratic primaries this week with the help of government employees working on government time.

New painting program teaches youths a trade Web-posted 5/1/98   SAVANNAH -- Linzer King operates a painting business -- for a profit. These days, that business is taking second place to another task -- giving youths with problems a chance to become productive citizens.

Additional area news Web-posted 5/1/98   Shooting suspect facing charges ... Teachers plan to share ideas ... Library dedication this Sunday ... Two-car accident kills area man

Funding will keep Spanish Web-posted 5/1/98   Speaking in rapid-fire Spanish, Teresa Ennis directs her kindergarten class at Stevens Creek Elementary School to welcome the group of visitors who have invaded the classroom.

South Georgia to see new area code Web-posted 5/1/98   ATLANTA -- South Georgia telephone customers may have to get used to dialing a new area code, much the same way their neighbors in North Georgia have in recent years.

Demonstrating new boat for fire safety Web-posted 5/1/98   James M. Bates demonstrates some of the firefighting capabilities of the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department's new fire rescue boat at the Augusta Boathouse.

Death in burning trailer not an accident, GBI says Web-posted 5/1/98   LYONS, Ga. -- The death of a Lyons woman in her burning trailer April 24 was no accident, said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the state fire marshal.

Man dies after shooting during routine traffic stop Web-posted 5/1/98   TAYLORS, S.C. -- A 24-year-old man who was shot by a Greenville County deputy during a routine traffic stop has died.

Police come across complex pot farm Web-posted 5/1/98   WAYCROSS, Ga. -- A gas-station drive-off led investigators to an elaborate marijuana greenhouse and confiscation of 150 pot plants.

Elloree fights state hog farm permit Web-posted 5/1/98   ELLOREE, S.C. -- This town of 800 people does not want 8,400 pigs as neighbors and has hired a lawyer to fight a state permit for the large-scale hog farm.

Woman in battle for custody Web-posted 5/1/98   NORCROSS, Ga. -- Because she had no one to watch them, Lolade Delu took her newborn twins with her to the hospital when she needed emergency treatment for birth complications.

President, students clash about firings Web-posted 5/1/98   SAVANNAH -- Savannah State University's new president promised things would be different when he took over for John Wolfe, who angered students and faculty by firing 13 high-level staff members.

Greenville zoning board tries to end prayer dispute Web-posted 5/1/98   GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Greenville County's zoning appeals board has tried to end a dispute over prayer meetings at a pastor's Simpsonville home, saying its earlier ruling was not meant to violate anyone's rights.

Board axes its leader Web-posted 5/1/98   COLUMBIA -- Donald Gist, head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, was fired Friday by the governing board, which said only that ``he no longer meets the expectations of the board.''

Georgia lottery drawings held Web-posted 5/1/98   ATLANTA -- Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the Georgia state lotteries.