Pupil guilty in poisoning case

A Tubman Middle School pupil was found guilty of feeding a mixture of Kool-Aid powder and carpet freshener to his classmates, according to a school disciplinary tribunal report.

The powdery mixture was given to three pupils, two of whom ingested it, on Dec. 11, the report said. The two students became ill and were sent to the nurse's office.

The 12-year-old seventh-grader, who said he did it out of boredom, was assigned to the alternative school until the end of the school year, the report said.

Counties to get more in fees for SRS land

The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to nearly double the money it pays three South Carolina counties for the land that makes up the Savannah River Site complex.

The federal government isn't required to pay property taxes, but agrees to pay a fee for using the land.

Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties will now divide $6.2 million, according to a Department of Energy news release. That's nearly $3 million more than the previous agreement negotiated 20 years ago.

Officials made the formal announcement at a meeting Monday.

Barnwell County has most of the 310 square miles of SRS land.

Educators can apply for teaching grant

The Washington Savannah River Co. is accepting applications from educators for its 2008 Excellence-In-Teaching Mini Grants program. The program supports teaching by awarding grants to enhance science, mathematics and technology programs in the classroom.

Elementary and middle public school educators in Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Edgefield counties in South Carolina, and Columbia and Richmond counties in Georgia are eligible to receive grants of $500, $750 or $1,000.

Teachers may obtain applications from their principal or WSRC Program Coordinator Angela P. Savoy, (803) 952-9120, or at www.srs.gov/general/outreach/edoutrch/ed_home.htm. Applications must be received at SRS by Feb. 22.

Aiken Elementary is state award finalist

Aiken Elementary School is among 12 finalists for the Palmetto's Finest award, given out by each year by Carolina First Bank and the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.

The coveted award requires a lengthy application process, including a 20-page application and examination review visits to the schools.

The application process also includes elements on student achievement, faculty training, program goals and teaching quality, office practices and community involvement.

The winner of the award will be announced March 3 in Columbia.

Lectures will detail Aiken County history

The Aiken County Historical Museum and the University of South Carolina Aiken Office of Continuing Education are presenting a five-part lecture series on the county's history.

The Many Facets of Aiken will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., starting today and continuing through Feb. 19 at the museum on Newberry Street.

The program will feature lectures on the Winter Colony homes, the story of the Winter Colony and its people, and the history of Savannah River Site.

The fee to attend the series is $30, which includes a $15 donation to The Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum and a one-year membership for new members.