News Archives for 1/20/2006 | chronicle.augusta.com

Applause cover
Applause cover for January 19, 2006.

'Radio Days' ensemble takes control of dial
Not content to trot out the Tin Pan Alley pop of the 1940s, musical ensemble Five by Design invokes a sense of period, place and ambience by adding theatrics to its Radio Days musical revue.

'Radio Days' ensemble takes control of dial

Storyland's originality is evident in 'Nightingale'
In adapting Hans Christian Anderson's The Emperor's Night-ingale for the stage, Storyland Theatre director Barbara Feld-man inadvertently created a metaphor for her long-running children's theater series.

Storyland's originality is evident in 'Nightingale'

Why, when I was your age ... Never mind

Nickelodeon, Kellogg to be targets of junk-food lawsuit
WASHINGTON - Advocacy groups and parents are suing the Nickelodeon TV network and cereal maker Kellogg Co. in an effort to stop junk food marketing to kids.

Bank leader bullish on economy
Some U.S. investors have declared the economy in a slowdown and in a recession.

Apartments to be renovated

Apartments to be renovated
A Boston-based real estate company with a history of renovating distressed properties has purchased the Savannah West apartment complex on Washington Road across from Augusta National Golf Club.

Bank's profits rise 13 percent
SunTrust Bank's performance in the Augusta market helped drive the corporation to strong fourth-quarter and year-end profits.

Investors unsure of Home Depot change
ATLANTA - The Home Depot Inc.'s bold five-year plan announced Thursday to shift more of its overall sales away from its retail core to its division serving professional contractors got a lukewarm response from investors. The company said it would slow the pace of new store openings but still maintain strong earnings growth.

Harley-Davidson coasts into China

Bank leader bullish on economy
Some U.S. investors have declared the economy in a slowdown and in a recession.

Harley-Davidson coasts into China
MILWAUKEE - For Ray Ma, freedom on the open road means riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle behind two police cars through the Chinese countryside.

Bank leader bullish on economy

Bank's profits rise 13 percent
SunTrust Bank's performance in the Augusta market helped drive the corporation to strong fourth-quarter and year-end profits.

Bank's profits rise 13 percent

Investors unsure of Home Depot change

Harley-Davidson coasts into China
MILWAUKEE - For Ray Ma, freedom on the open road means riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle behind two police cars through the Chinese countryside.

Nickelodeon, Kellogg to be targets of junk-food lawsuit

Editorial Cartoon

'Canes blow away Tigers

'Canes blow away Tigers
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Guillermo Diaz scored 12 points and Miami beat Clemson 62-38 for its fourth consecutive win Wednesday.

USC Aiken halts losing streak at 9

Dockery comes to Duke's rescue again

Tennessee's Summitt will go for 900th win tonight

Wildcats hold off Lions' late push

Vols give Summitt her 900th victory

Lady Pacers hit on all cylinders

Cavs upend Tar Heels

A shot across Iran's bow
We wonder if Iran's power-mad mullahs heard the shot across their bow delivered earlier this week by the United States and Israel.

Legislating death

So much for teamwork
Last week, we urged Augusta's white commissioners to budge a little in the impasse over the mayor pro tem position.

Harness the power of magnets
Richmond County Board of Education member Ken Echols wants parents' input on how to bring order and progress to local middle schools - 90 percent of which are failing to make "adequate yearly progress" under the law.

A shot across Iran's bow

Sealed from scrutiny
In a democracy, there can be very few instances that justify the sealing of public records.

So much for teamwork
Last week, we urged Augusta's white commissioners to budge a little in the impasse over the mayor pro tem position.

Legislating death
If the federal government is going to ban assisted suicide, it had better do so up-front and head-on. It can't be done by piggybacking on another existing law.

A shot across Iran's bow
We wonder if Iran's power-mad mullahs heard the shot across their bow delivered earlier this week by the United States and Israel.

Harness the power of magnets

Legislating death
If the federal government is going to ban assisted suicide, it had better do so up-front and head-on. It can't be done by piggybacking on another existing law.

Sealed from scrutiny

Sealed from scrutiny
In a democracy, there can be very few instances that justify the sealing of public records.

So much for teamwork

Galleries calendar
GET LISTED: Send your gallery's exhibit schedule, pricing and other information to Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA.

Shatner sells kidney stone for charity
LOS ANGELES - An online casino has a piece of Capt. Kirk. Actor William Shatner has sold his kidney stone for $25,000, with the money going to a housing charity, it was announced Tuesday.

People in the News
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. - The giraffes and other exotic animals Michael Jackson has kept at his Neverland Ranch are not being mistreated, federal officials have concluded.

People in the News
LOS ANGELES - Holly Hunter, who voiced the role of superhero mom Helen Parr in "The Incredibles," will have maternal experience to draw on if there's a sequel.

Spotted
Greenbrier High seniors Kara Knight (left) and Ashley Arthur went to the Teen Fashion Extravaganza.

Laurence Fishburne sued by former assistant
LOS ANGELES - Laurence Fishburne's former personal assistant is suing him for allegedly firing her because she was pregnant and single, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Applause calendar
GET LISTED: Send your event or group's schedule, pricing and other information to Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA .

Witherspoon's gown worn by Dunst three years ago
NEW YORK - Reese Witherspoon's gown wasn't vintage - though it had been worn by another actress three years ago.

The Place is for events, Southern food
South Augusta has a new place people can go to get Southern cooking.

Galleries calendar
GET LISTED: Send your gallery's exhibit schedule, pricing and other information to Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA.

People in the News
LOS OLIVOS, Calif. - The giraffes and other exotic animals Michael Jackson has kept at his Neverland Ranch are not being mistreated, federal officials have concluded.

The Place is for events, Southern food
South Augusta has a new place people can go to get Southern cooking.

Club calendar
Ready for a night out? Here's a sampling of entertainment options at Augusta and Aiken nightspots:

Spotted
Greenbrier High seniors Kara Knight (left) and Ashley Arthur went to the Teen Fashion Extravaganza.

Concerts calendar
Radio Days: 8 p.m. Friday, Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.; $25; imperialtheatre.com or 722-8341

Club calendar
Ready for a night out? Here's a sampling of entertainment options at Augusta and Aiken nightspots:

Witherspoon's gown worn by Dunst three years ago
NEW YORK - Reese Witherspoon's gown wasn't vintage - though it had been worn by another actress three years ago.

Concerts calendar
Radio Days: 8 p.m. Friday, Imperial Theatre, 745 Broad St.; $25; imperialtheatre.com or 722-8341

People in the News
LOS ANGELES - Holly Hunter, who voiced the role of superhero mom Helen Parr in "The Incredibles," will have maternal experience to draw on if there's a sequel.

Applause calendar
GET LISTED: Send your event or group's schedule, pricing and other information to Steven Uhles, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA .

Rates on 30-year mortgages dip again

Rates on 30-year mortgages dip again
WASHINGTON - Rates on 30-year mortgages fell for a sixth straight week, dropping to the lowest level in three months, according to a weekly survey released Thursday.

Fishing Tournaments
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish and total weight of the catch.

Fishing Tournaments

Stocking program for hybrids won't be cut

Stocking program for hybrids won't be cut
Fishermen who love to catch hybrid bass in Strom Thurmond Lake this week got a reprieve from Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Futurity takes shape
Leeman Tomlinson, of M.L. Leddy's of Fort Worth, Texas, shapes a cowboy hat with steam at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center on Day 1 of the Augusta Futurity. Admission price ranges from $2 to $16.50 daily or $40 for the event. Visit www.augustafuturity.com.

All-time champions

Status of competition is on the rise in Augusta
It has taken two short years for the Western Horseman Cup to become one of the main staples of the Augusta Futurity.

Classic Non-pro champions
List of Classic Non-pro champions, by year.

Event success is dream come true

Classic Open champions
List of Classic Open champions.

Classic Open champions

Futurity Open champions
List of Futurity Open champions.

Debut is a victorious one for Florida rider
The first time wasn't so bad after all. Dora Daoud accompanied her husband, Khader, to the Augusta Futurity the past few years, but she always watched from the stands.

All-time champions
List of All-time champions.

Futurity Open champions

Scores of 220 and higher are hard to obtain
Competitors in the 27th annual Augusta Futurity aren't looking to post an eye-popping score. Just one good enough to win.

Status of competition is on the rise in Augusta
It has taken two short years for the Western Horseman Cup to become one of the main staples of the Augusta Futurity.

Dining Guide

Dining Guide
Where to eat in the Augusta area.

Champions club
2006 Champions Club listing.

Show begins 10-day run today
The 27th annual edition of the Augusta Futurity begins at 8 a.m. today at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, with the $100,000 Amateur for 5-6-Year-Olds go-round.

Scores of 220 and higher are hard to obtain
Competitors in the 27th annual Augusta Futurity aren't looking to post an eye-popping score. Just one good enough to win.

Show begins 10-day run today
The 27th annual edition of the Augusta Futurity begins at 8 a.m. today at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, with the $100,000 Amateur for 5-6-Year-Olds go-round.

Status of competition is on the rise in Augusta

2005 Champions
Listed by rider, horse (score), owner

2005 Champions

Augusta Futurity Schedule
Morning events begin at 8 a.m. All events will be held inside Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, unless noted.

Champions club

Champions club
2006 Champions Club listing.

Debut is a victorious one for Florida rider

Changes add to Futurity's competitions
Michelle Hall was in shock when it happened.

What is cutting?

What is cutting?
The Augusta Futurity is a cutting-horse show, where a rider and horse "cut" a cow out of a herd of cattle and then attempt to prevent its return to that herd.

Kenney boogies to victory
For first-time Augusta Futurity competitors like Eric Kenney, there was little stress after getting through the go-round.

Classic Open champions
List of Classic Open champions.

Scores of 220 and higher are hard to obtain

Futurity Open champions
List of Futurity Open champions.

Kenney boogies to victory

Classic Non-pro champions
List of Classic Non-pro champions, by year.

Futurity non-pro champions
Listing of Futurity non-pro champions.

Event success is dream come true
Bull riding remains as popular as ever in Augusta.

Futurity non-pro champions
Listing of Futurity non-pro champions.

All-time champions
List of All-time champions.

2005 Champions
Listed by rider, horse (score), owner

Dining Guide
Where to eat in the Augusta area.

What is cutting?
The Augusta Futurity is a cutting-horse show, where a rider and horse "cut" a cow out of a herd of cattle and then attempt to prevent its return to that herd.

Augusta Futurity Schedule
Morning events begin at 8 a.m. All events will be held inside Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, unless noted.

Futurity non-pro champions

Show begins 10-day run today

Event success is dream come true
Bull riding remains as popular as ever in Augusta.

Futurity takes shape

Changes add to Futurity's competitions
Michelle Hall was in shock when it happened.

Changes add to Futurity's competitions

Kenney boogies to victory
For first-time Augusta Futurity competitors like Eric Kenney, there was little stress after getting through the go-round.

Classic Non-pro champions

Augusta Futurity Schedule

Proper care of trees is important to life span
We have a lot of older, mature trees in the Augusta area. I think about all the old Darlington oaks in the Hill area as a good example.

Mahonia offers year-round beauty in colorful settings
I was at an office complex last week when I noticed that the mahonias outside the door were already budding up, telling me it will not be long until we have sprays of yellow blossoms. It's like a signal, groundhog or no, that spring is around the corner.

Mahonia offers year-round beauty in colorful settings

You don't need a green thumb for peperomia
Let us praise Pepe Romia. The real name is peperomia, but I like to call it Pepe Romia, with the accent on the "rom." Pepe garners affection by putting on a consistently good show even in the face of adversity.

You don't need a green thumb for peperomia

Proper care of trees is important to life span

Wake Forest puts away Tech
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Georgia Tech saved some face but not the game.

Wake Forest puts away Tech

Swedes are team to beat

Campbell stays strong
PALM DESERT, Calif. - Chad Campbell shot 6-under par 66 on Thursday to take a four-shot lead through two rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Perez starts long trip in desert with cool 60

Swedes are team to beat
SUN CITY, South Africa -The Swede who once inspired Annika Sorenstam is now her teammate.

Campbell stays strong
PALM DESERT, Calif. - Chad Campbell shot 6-under par 66 on Thursday to take a four-shot lead through two rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Campbell stays strong

Perez starts long trip in desert with cool 60
PALM DESERT, Calif. - Pat Perez shot 12-under-par 60 in the opening round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic on Wednesday, joining some elite company.

Swedes are team to beat
SUN CITY, South Africa -The Swede who once inspired Annika Sorenstam is now her teammate.

National champs take area's best

High School Players of the Week

McDaniel has been on both sides

National champs take area's best
Coco Hillary has always been one to please a crowd.

Lemieux puts team on market
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Penguins are considering several offers to buy the team, and keeping it in Pittsburgh will remain a priority but is not guaranteed.

Lemieux puts team on market

Lemieux puts team on market
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Penguins are considering several offers to buy the team, and keeping it in Pittsburgh will remain a priority but is not guaranteed.

Why, when I was your age ... Never mind
Breakfast is a notoriously difficult meal to serve with a flourish.

Columnist sells Gospels too short
In the Jan. 14 column by Bonnie Erbe ("What in God's name is Pat Robertson spouting off about this time?"), she concludes that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were "recorded ... several life spans before being written down." I interpret that Erbe is implying the Gospels are not eyewitness accounts as they claim to be. James Wertz, Hephzibah

Attacks on lawyers hurt justice system
Tuesday's peaceful resolution of the hostage crisis in Statesboro, Ga. - where an attorney was reportedly being held captive by a former client - was a welcomed end to a harrowing situation for the lawyer, his family, the community and the entire state.

So will we need an ID to get an ID?
News recently said that state government will equip all Georgia counties with gear to issue photo IDs, which voters must then carry to prove they are themselves. The story failed to mention how the counties will first prove that those who get these IDs are who they say they are so that they can then be given IDs that will, in turn, be presented to the same county folks who issued the IDs to prove they are who they say they are so they can vote. Bill Dekle, Millen

Attacks on lawyers hurt justice system

So will we need an ID to get an ID?

Columnist sells Gospels too short

Auto recalls

Supply and demand raise heating cost

Obesity doc: limiting flavors is key to successful diet

Living briefs

States try to toughen penalties for refusing breath test

Beyond maps, search engine offer detailed images

Rolls-Royce Phantom: expect a smooth, quiet ride

Industry works to develop crash-prevention systems

Obesity doc: limiting flavors is key to successful diet
CHICAGO - Forget counting carbs and calories. Obesity researcher Dr. David Katz says the way to lose weight is to limit flavors.

States try to toughen penalties for refusing breath test
COLUMBUS, Ohio - States are trying to toughen penalties for suspected drunken drivers who refuse to take a breath test, arguing motorists too often get a milder penalty than if they had provided evidence that could convict them.

Supply and demand raise heating cost
Augusta's temperatures have swung between the 50s and low 70s for weeks.

Obesity doc: limiting flavors is key to successful diet
CHICAGO - Forget counting carbs and calories. Obesity researcher Dr. David Katz says the way to lose weight is to limit flavors.

Auto recalls
- Chrysler Group said it would recall about 265,000 sedans after receiving dozens of complaints about engine fires.

Beyond maps, search engine offer detailed images
SEATTLE - The images are so detailed you can tell whether a neighbor's hedge was recently trimmed or whether the car parked in front of a favorite local eatery might belong to a friend.

Industry works to develop crash-prevention systems
DETROIT - Every day across America, cars rear-end the vehicle in front. Drowsy drivers drift into the wrong lane. Motorists are tossed from an open window during a rollover.

Rolls-Royce Phantom: expect a smooth, quiet ride
Imagine sending your favorite nail polish to a car company and asking that your new car be painted the same color.

Supply and demand raise heating cost
Augusta's temperatures have swung between the 50s and low 70s for weeks.

Living briefs
Isn't it romantic? Valentine's Day is approaching and we want to know about your song. you know, the one that defines you as a couple; the one you danced to all night long when you got married, went on a date or were making whoopie.

Auto recalls
- Chrysler Group said it would recall about 265,000 sedans after receiving dozens of complaints about engine fires.

Rolls-Royce Phantom: expect a smooth, quiet ride
Imagine sending your favorite nail polish to a car company and asking that your new car be painted the same color.

Face of the Lynx

Face of the Lynx
Martin Lapointe says he did not intend to play professional hockey this season.

Call-ups can benefit Augusta in long run

Call-ups can benefit Augusta in long run
The Augusta Lynx will be without another of their best players to open their longest road stretch of the season tonight at South Carolina.

Face of the Lynx
Martin Lapointe says he did not intend to play professional hockey this season.

Agency finishes its plan to drain

Man killed in ATV crash identified
Officials have identified a man killed in an afternoon accident on an all-terrain vehicle in rural southern Richmond County.

Kid of the Day
Nicholas James Mcghee,of Hephzibah, is today's kid of the day.

Program for blind criticized
ATLANTA - A decades-old program created to help blind people earn money by opening snack stands has evolved into multimillion-dollar contracts for running food operations on military bases and other federal properties.

Bills bashed for affecting clubs

Sanford plan adds officials to his office
COLUMBIA - The secretary of state and superintendent of education would no longer be elected and state spending would be capped under two proposals Gov. Mark Sanford made Wednesday during his State of the State address.

Back from Iraq
By 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Kisha Williams was running strictly on adrenaline.

Rants and raves
AUDIENCE MEMBERS shouting advice on parliamentary procedure, five-minute recesses for 10, be back in half an hour, audience members and news media talking on cell phones, audience members cheering or otherwise commenting on votes. A basketball game you say? No, the county commission meeting. Even if you make decisions I don't agree with, Deke, please, please take control of the meeting! The citizens of Augusta and in due time the commissioners will appreciate it. You can't control the votes; you can with the gavel set the tone.

Defense of law could cost Georgia millions
ATLANTA - Defending the Georgia law requiring photo IDs for voters could cost the state $2.5 million, and various state entities are deciding how it should be paid for.

Across the area
THOMSON - The man who led state and local police on a multicounty chase earlier this week is facing a host of charges in McDuffie County.

Woman, man held in area robberies
Authorities in South Carolina are holding a woman and a man who are accused in several robberies in Aiken and Richmond counties, officials said Wednesday.

Across Georgia
ATLANTA - A 12-member jury was selected Thursday in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.

Back from Iraq

Across South Carolina
COLUMBIA - Riverbanks Zoo's only male koala has cancer and will likely live for just a few more weeks.

Kid of the Day
Nicholas James Mcghee,of Hephzibah, is today's kid of the day.

Pot linked to bladder cancer
Smoking a joint might create a problem in a place you might not suspect - your bladder.

News you can use
Activities scheduled for today include:

Commission leader repeals ethics law
The Hephzibah City Commission's chairman repealed its ethics law and voted to amend an ordinance to require residential lots to be at least 30,000 square feet.

Across the area
THOMSON - A man wanted on murder charges in Dekalb County was captured Wednesday after a police chase resulting from a reported road rage shooting in Morgan County.

Proposal to curb eminent domain clears committee
ATLANTA - A moratorium on government's power to seize private land cleared another hurdle Thursday, passing a key Senate committee by unanimous vote.

Across the area
THOMSON - A man wanted on murder charges in Dekalb County was captured Wednesday after a police chase resulting from a reported road rage shooting in Morgan County.

Report shows taxes paid by immigrants
ATLANTA - Illegal immigrants living in Georgia pay as much as $252 million yearly in state and local taxes, according to a report released Thursday.

News you can use
Activities and entertainment events scheduled for today include:

Time to remember
NORTH AUGUSTA - James U. Jackson, the city's founder, shook hands with well-wishers and admired the scene at the North Augusta Community Center on Thursday.

Free clinic gets help to Latinos

Man faces 30 years in prison for molestation

Wildwood planning gets OK of county

Commission leader repeals ethics law

Charges denied by teen in court

Surplus drained; taxes to rise

Man faces 30 years in prison for molestation
AIKEN - A 60-year-old Windsor man was found guilty Thursday of performing oral sex on a girl when she was 5 years old but was acquitted of charges that he sexually abused her over the next nine years.

Fuel tax could aid airports

Free clinic gets help to Latinos
Every third Wednesday of the month, the voices of mothers hushing their children in Spanish fill a makeshift clinic at the Salvation Army on Greene Street.

Lockdown bars visits to inmates

Pot linked to bladder cancer

Across Georgia
ATLANTA - A 12-member jury was selected Thursday in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.

Sanford plan adds officials to his office

State prisoners clog county, official says
ATLANTA - The state should be able to remove all its prisoners from county jails within the next six months, Corrections Commissioner James Donald said Wednesday during the last day of budget hearings at the Capitol.

Tree's diseased roots played role in its fall

Charges denied by teen in court
One of two former Greenbrier High School football players arrested on felony sexual assault charges in October denied all charges against him at a Columbia County Juvenile Court arraignment hearing Wednesday morning.

Man who ran over woman gets prison

Man runs over, kills wife
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office has identified a woman who was killed this morning in Monetta when she was accidentally run over by her husband.

Kid of the Day

MCG expansion in Athens considered
Georgia officials are considering expanding the Medical College of Georgia to the site of the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, but emphatically deny the long-feared rumor that MCG will move out of Augusta.

Kid of the Day

Tree's diseased roots played role in its fall
A massive oak that killed an Augusta man and woman after it collapsed during a windstorm had its share of problems, according to an arborist who examined it Wednesday.

Community unites in prayer

Perdue pushes school stance
Georgia's future prosperity hinges on the skills of its youth, Gov. Sonny Perdue told Augusta business leaders Wednesday.

Surplus items unloaded online

Free clinic gets help to Latinos
Every third Wednesday of the month, the voices of mothers hushing their children in Spanish fill a makeshift clinic at the Salvation Army on Greene Street.

Across the region
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - A DeKalb County bomb-sniffing police dog has been impounded and its handler has been cited for two misdemeanors after the dog bit a 9-year-old Girl Scout at a house next door.

Surplus drained; taxes to rise
AIKEN - Taxes will rise next year because of the school district's slowly depleting surplus fund, which in recent years has allowed it to hold off tax increases related to construction and maintenance borrowing.

Across the area
THOMSON - A man wanted on murder charges in Dekalb County was captured Wednesday after a police chase resulting from a reported road rage shooting in Morgan County.

Defense of law could cost Georgia millions

News you can use

Across Georgia

Across South Carolina

Police arrest suspect in home invasion
Richmond County sheriff's deputies today arrested the second suspect wanted in a December home invasion at Sun Creek Apartments.

Across the area

Rants and raves
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND the problem with requiring identification when voting; ID is required to purchase alcohol and tobacco products. And it seems to me that voting is at least as important as drinking or smoking.

Democrats suggest high school Bible class
ATLANTA - Senate Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday that would allow teaching the Bible in public high schools as long as the instruction is framed around academic study and not faith-based teachings.

Legality of new version debated

Pot linked to bladder cancer
Smoking a joint might create a problem in a place you might not suspect - your bladder.

Community unites in prayer
The rotunda of the First Baptist Church of North Augusta's sanctuary provided a symbolic circle of comfort during a prayer service in the wake of a series of recent tragedies that have torn at the souls of the city's residents.

Legality of new version debated
ATLANTA - As a bill revising the state's voter identification law works its way through the General Assembly, supporters say the measure will once again allow election workers to require Georgians to show a state-issued photo ID card before they cast their ballots.

Across the area
THOMSON - The man who led state and local police on a multicounty chase earlier this week is facing a host of charges in McDuffie County.

Proposal to curb eminent domain clears committee
ATLANTA - A moratorium on government's power to seize private land cleared another hurdle Thursday, passing a key Senate committee by unanimous vote.

Bills bashed for affecting clubs
Two state bills that would require parental permission for students to join a school-sponsored club or extracurricular program infringe upon a school board's local control, a Columbia County school official said.

Time to remember
NORTH AUGUSTA - James U. Jackson, the city's founder, shook hands with well-wishers and admired the scene at the North Augusta Community Center on Thursday.

Agency finishes its plan to drain
AIKEN - The Department of Energy on Wednesday issued its final plan to empty "low-level" nuclear waste from 49 aging tanks at Savannah River Site.

Report shows taxes paid by immigrants
ATLANTA - Illegal immigrants living in Georgia pay as much as $252 million yearly in state and local taxes, according to a report released Thursday.

Lockdown bars visits to inmates
If you've tried to visit a loved one this week at the Richmond County jail at 401 Walton Way, you were out of luck.

Across South Carolina
COLUMBIA - Riverbanks Zoo's only male koala has cancer and will likely live for just a few more weeks.

S. Carolina governor supports tax reform
COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford laid out a plan for economic development, waded into the property tax debate and detailed proposals for all levels of education during his State of the State address Wednesday.

Back from Iraq
By 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Kisha Williams was running strictly on adrenaline.

News you can use
Activities scheduled for today include:

Kid of the Day
MiAsia Tahirah Lary, or Augusta, is today's kid of the day.

Woman, man held in area robberies
Authorities in South Carolina are holding a woman and a man who are accused in several robberies in Aiken and Richmond counties, officials said Wednesday.

Surplus items unloaded online
Want a pallet of old Richmond County school computers? It will soon be just a click away.

Wildwood planning gets OK of county
The goal is to determine what Wildwood Park should offer in the next 15 to 20 years.

Fuel tax could aid airports
ATLANTA - Local and regional airports across the state could gain a huge boost with the passage of a proposed constitutional amendment introduced Friday.

CEO takes on Medicaid 'fiasco'
Medicaid's uncertain future in Georgia should concern more than just health care providers, the CEO of MCG Health Inc. said Wednesday.

Man who ran over woman gets prison
AIKEN - A 46-year-old Aiken man was sentenced to 17 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to nearly killing a woman last year by running over her with a stolen car.

Perdue pushes school stance
Georgia's future prosperity hinges on the skills of its youth, Gov. Sonny Perdue told Augusta business leaders Wednesday.

Perdue pushes school stance

Library gets aid in budget
At the East Central Georgia Regional Library's headquarters branch in downtown Augusta, leaves and dirt constantly blow inside as people enter and exit.

News you can use
Activities and entertainment events scheduled for today include:

Kid of the Day
MiAsia Tahirah Lary, or Augusta, is today's kid of the day.

Agency finishes its plan to drain
AIKEN - The Department of Energy on Wednesday issued its final plan to empty "low-level" nuclear waste from 49 aging tanks at Savannah River Site.

State prisoners clog county, official says

Report shows taxes paid by immigrants

Fuel tax could aid airports
ATLANTA - Local and regional airports across the state could gain a huge boost with the passage of a proposed constitutional amendment introduced Friday.

Proposal to curb eminent domain clears committee

Library gets aid in budget
At the East Central Georgia Regional Library's headquarters branch in downtown Augusta, leaves and dirt constantly blow inside as people enter and exit.

News you can use

Augusta ranks 11th for soot level
According to a study released this week, Augusta ranks 11th among America's mid-sized cities in levels of particulate matter, also known as soot, which contributes to respiratory ailments among children and the elderly.

Across the area

CEO takes on Medicaid 'fiasco'
Medicaid's uncertain future in Georgia should concern more than just health care providers, the CEO of MCG Health Inc. said Wednesday.

Program for blind criticized

Democrats suggest high school Bible class

Time to remember

S. Carolina governor supports tax reform

Wildwood planning gets OK of county
The goal is to determine what Wildwood Park should offer in the next 15 to 20 years.

Lockdown bars visits to inmates
If you've tried to visit a loved one this week at the Richmond County jail at 401 Walton Way, you were out of luck.

Library gets aid in budget

Surplus items unloaded online
Want a pallet of old Richmond County school computers? It will soon be just a click away.

Across the region

Gunman robs Japanese restaurant
Columbia County police are searching for a man who used a semi automatic handgun to rob a Martinez restaurant Thursday night.

Woman, man held in area robberies

MCG expansion in Athens considered

CEO takes on Medicaid 'fiasco'

Local ties abound on the NFL's 'final four'
The NFL - America's most popular sports league - has reached that time of year when everybody with the slightest interest has to choose sides even if only for arguments' sake.

Movies reap awards for pushing boundaries
NEW YORK - Are this year's Golden Globes a watershed?

Collection celebrates director, power of the Western
It's to his credit that director Sam Peckinpah's contributions to the Western can be measured in six minutes of sterling cinema.

Palestinian film gets mixed reviews at home
NABLUS, West Bank - The Palestinian film "Paradise Now," which explores the lives of a pair of suicide bombers and just won the Golden Globe for best foreign film, is getting mixed reviews in this tough West Bank city where it was filmed.

Surprising treasures can often be found off-season
As the gray days pf winter settle in, the world waits for things to get a bit brighter - at the movies.

Movies reap awards for pushing boundaries

Collection celebrates director, power of the Western
It's to his credit that director Sam Peckinpah's contributions to the Western can be measured in six minutes of sterling cinema.

'Brokeback' music spotlights genre-defying producer
LOS ANGELES - Music took hold of Gustavo Santaolalla as a boy in Argentina and hasn't let go of him since.

Collection celebrates director, power of the Western

Movies reap awards for pushing boundaries
NEW YORK - Are this year's Golden Globes a watershed?

Palestinian film gets mixed reviews at home

New on DVD
Here's a look at what's new in home video and DVD releases and a calendar or what's coming:

'Brokeback' music spotlights genre-defying producer

Surprising treasures can often be found off-season
As the gray days pf winter settle in, the world waits for things to get a bit brighter - at the movies.

Surprising treasures can often be found off-season

New on DVD
Here's a look at what's new in home video and DVD releases and a calendar or what's coming:

New on DVD

'Brokeback' music spotlights genre-defying producer
LOS ANGELES - Music took hold of Gustavo Santaolalla as a boy in Argentina and hasn't let go of him since.

Sonic spotlight
Dick (Flash) McCrackenPLAYS: Marlen Custom pedal steel guitarPLAYS WITH: The Escorts (2001-present)

Posthumous disc is disjointed
Both a fitting send-off and an unfortunate assemblage, the disjointed Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser's posthumous release, Sandbox, leaves the listener raw, a bit disappointed and wondering what these songs might have sounded like had Mr. Houser lived to see them completed.

Sonic spotlight
Dick (Flash) McCrackenPLAYS: Marlen Custom pedal steel guitarPLAYS WITH: The Escorts (2001-present)

Sonic spotlight

Wilson Pickett dies of heart attack at 64

Wilson Pickett dies of heart attack at 64
RESTON, Va. - Wilson Pickett, the soul pioneer best known for the fiery hits "Mustang Sally" and "In The Midnight Hour," died of a heart attack Thursday, according to his management company. He was 64.

Posthumous disc is disjointed

It's the same new thing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Ken Schrader drove a Dodge last year. Now he drives a Ford. Take the manufacturer's stickers off the front bumper and he couldn't tell the difference.

Kimmel finally noticed by IROC
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It took Frank Kimmel seven ARCA Re/Max Series championships to win the respect of the International Race of Champions.

It's the same new thing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Ken Schrader drove a Dodge last year. Now he drives a Ford. Take the manufacturer's stickers off the front bumper and he couldn't tell the difference.

NASCAR: Newsmaker Matt Kenseth

Kimmel finally noticed by IROC

It's the same new thing

Kimmel finally noticed by IROC
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - It took Frank Kimmel seven ARCA Re/Max Series championships to win the respect of the International Race of Champions.

NASCAR: Newsmaker Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth, the 2002 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion, is like everyone else at Daytona International Speedway during the past two weeks. He's looking for speed for the Feb. 19 Daytona 500 - and a fresh start to the season. Kenseth talked about his new Ford Fusion and the new year during a break. Here are excerpts:

Daytona tests mark new start for team
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - While nearly every team that came to Daytona International Speedway in the past two weeks for testing believed it learned enough to win the Daytona 500, one was just happy to have the chance to start over again.

Daytona tests mark new start for team

NBA: Davis must sit out five games
NEW YORK - Knicks forward Antonio Davis was suspended five games by the NBA on Thursday for entering the stands during a game in Chicago to confront a fan he thought was harassing his wife.

Davis to sit out for 1 game

Pistons cruise against Hawks
ATLANTA - Chauncey Billups scored 23 points, Richard Hamilton added 21 and the Detroit Pistons routed the Atlanta Hawks 117-89 Wednesday night, the expected result in a match-up of the NBA's best and worst records.

Pistons cruise against Hawks

Davis to sit out for 1 game
NEW YORK - Golden State Warriors guard Baron Davis was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday for hitting Seattle's Luke Ridnour in the chest.

NBA: Davis must sit out five games

Tennessee's Summitt will go for 900th win tonight
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Pat Summitt is reaching a milestone that makes her stop and say, "Wow!"

Dockery comes to Duke's rescue again
DURHAM, N.C. - Sean Dockery saved Duke again. This time, he didn't wait until the final buzzer.

USC Aiken halts losing streak at 9
AIKEN - There were no big celebrations at midcourt Wednesday night. No high-fives. Nothing.

Cavs upend Tar Heels
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - J.R. Reynolds scored 10 of his 16 points in the last 11 minutes when Virginia used a big run to go ahead for good as the Cavaliers beat No. 24 North Carolina 72-68 on Thursday night.

Tennessee's Summitt will go for 900th win tonight
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Pat Summitt is reaching a milestone that makes her stop and say, "Wow!"

Vols give Summitt her 900th victory
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee coach Pat Summitt didn't have to wait long to get her 900th career victory.

Lady Pacers hit on all cylinders
AIKEN - Something about UNC Pembroke always brings out the best in the USC Aiken Lady Pacers.

Wildcats hold off Lions' late push
Facing a double-digit deficit midway through the second half Thursday night, the Paine women finally played the kind of basketball that had them on a five-game winning streak heading into the contest.

Dockery comes to Duke's rescue again
DURHAM, N.C. - Sean Dockery saved Duke again. This time, he didn't wait until the final buzzer.

Lady Pacers hit on all cylinders
AIKEN - Something about UNC Pembroke always brings out the best in the USC Aiken Lady Pacers.

Vols give Summitt her 900th victory
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee coach Pat Summitt didn't have to wait long to get her 900th career victory.

USC Aiken halts losing streak at 9
AIKEN - There were no big celebrations at midcourt Wednesday night. No high-fives. Nothing.

Lucas ready to shut down Seattle

NFC's teams mirror leaders

Polamalu is Mr. Versatility

Rams hire former Dolphins assistant

VIDEO: Mayor pro tem debate, Jan. 17, 2006

Mr. Ronnie E. Lambright (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Lawrence D. Jenkins (LAUDERDALE, Fla.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Anne C. Wood (ATLANTA, Ga.)

Mr. Felton Fedrick, Sr. (ULMER, S.C.)

Mr. Charles Arrington, Jr. (TUCKER, Ga.)

Mr. Horace Oglesby (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Anne Becker (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Wayne Busbee (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mr. Jimmie E. Herlong (SALUDA, S.C.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mrs. Leola Young (DELANCO, N.J.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Buel E. Peterson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Felton Fedrick, Sr. (ULMER, S.C.)

Mr. Charles A. Johnson (JACKSON, S.C.)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Theresa Frazier (WAYCROSS, Ga.)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Min. Ronnie Westmoreland (LOUISVILLE, Ga.)

Mr. Billy C. Hendley (SWAINSBORO, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Jimmie E. Herlong (SALUDA, S.C.)

Mrs. Ann Kaufman (SIMONS ISLAND, S.C.)

Mr. Charles A. Johnson (JACKSON, S.C.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mrs. Ann Kaufman (SIMONS ISLAND, S.C.)

Mrs. Theresa Frazier (WAYCROSS, Ga.)

Bobby Kotz (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mr. Nathaniel Williams (WAYNESBORO, Ga.)

Mr. Damon Leo Bell (DECATUR, Ga.)

Mr. Lester Smith (WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga.)

Rev. W.H. McCain (TRENTON, S.C.)

Mr. Anthony W. Palmer (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Gene Meeler (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Lucius Moore, Jr. (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mrs. Deloris A. Johnson (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Etta Heath (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Billy R. Perdue (THOMSON, Ga.)

Mrs. Ann W. Gheesling (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Catherine Price (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Frank Purnell (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Nathaniel L. Booth (MARTINEZ, Ga.)

Ms. Charlsie Scurry (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Minnie L. Wilson (ESTILL, S.C.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Kenneth Walter West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Dorothy K. Tolbert (KEYSVILLE, Ga.)

Mrs. Constance Pearson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Kenneth W. West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. David Jordan, Sr. (WRENS, Ga.)

Mrs. Anne C. Wood (ATLANTA, Ga.)

Mr. Charles Arrington, Jr. (TUCKER, Ga.)

Mrs. Rosa E. Bass (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Wayne Busbee (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mr. Nathaniel Williams (WAYNESBORO, Ga.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Allen D. Bosma (SIBLEY, Iowa)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mrs. Minnie L. Wilson (ESTILL, S.C.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Min. Ronnie Westmoreland (LOUISVILLE, Ga.)

Mrs. Louise K. Dickson (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mr. Kenneth Walter West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Bob Gay (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Constance Pearson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Ann W. Gheesling (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Sara Gunter (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Ronnie E. Lambright (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Zepora Hart Lowe (WARRENTON, Ga.)

Mr. David Jordan, Sr. (WRENS, Ga.)

Mrs. Etta Heath (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Charles A. Johnson (JACKSON, S.C.)

Mr. Curtis Howell (CRAWFORDVILLE, Ga.)

Mr. Lawrence D. Jenkins (LAUDERDALE, Fla.)

Mrs. Zepora Hart Lowe (WARRENTON, Ga.)

Mr. Charles Arrington, Jr. (TUCKER, Ga.)

Mrs. Sara Gunter (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Kenneth W. West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Bob Gay (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Louise K. Dickson (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Dorothy K. Tolbert (KEYSVILLE, Ga.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mr. Tracy Barnes, Jr. (STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.)

Mr. Allen D. Bosma (SIBLEY, Iowa)

Mrs. Mary Ann Brown (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Rosa E. Bass (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Tracy Barnes, Jr. (STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.)

Mr. Marvin Anderson, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Billy C. Hendley (SWAINSBORO, Ga.)

Mrs. Mary Ann Brown (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Ms. Charlsie Scurry (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Leola Young (DELANCO, N.J.)

Mr. Frank Purnell (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Nathaniel Williams (WAYNESBORO, Ga.)

Mrs. Catherine Price (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Deloris A. Johnson (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Lester Smith (WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga.)

Mr. Billy C. Hendley (SWAINSBORO, Ga.)

Mr. Buel E. Peterson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Anthony W. Palmer (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Lucius Moore, Jr. (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Horace Oglesby (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Gene Meeler (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Rev. W.H. McCain (TRENTON, S.C.)

Mrs. Ernestine C. Lamb (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Damon Leo Bell (DECATUR, Ga.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Bobby Kotz (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Ernestine C. Lamb (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Charles A. Johnson (JACKSON, S.C.)

Mrs. Ernestine C. Lamb (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Leola Young (DELANCO, N.J.)

Mrs. Anne Becker (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Wayne Busbee (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Rhonda West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Bob Gay (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Mary Ann Brown (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Gene Meeler (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Sandra Searles (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Felton Fedrick, Sr. (ULMER, S.C.)

Mr. Ronnie E. Lambright (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Rosa E. Bass (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Billy C. Hendley (SWAINSBORO, Ga.)

Ms. Charlsie Scurry (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Billy R. Perdue (THOMSON, Ga.)

Mrs. Theresa Frazier (WAYCROSS, Ga.)

Mrs. Catherine Price (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Kenneth W. West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Marvin Anderson, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Lester Smith (WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga.)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Lawrence D. Jenkins (LAUDERDALE, Fla.)

Mr. Anthony W. Palmer (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Mamie J. Hart Collier (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Sara Gunter (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Lucius Moore, Jr. (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Ann W. Gheesling (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Etta Heath (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Charles Arrington, Jr. (TUCKER, Ga.)

Mr. Allen D. Bosma (SIBLEY, Iowa)

Mr. Brian Brown (JACKSONVILLE, FL.)

Mrs. Anne C. Wood (ATLANTA, Ga.)

Mr. Charles A. Johnson (JACKSON, S.C.)

Mr. Damon Leo Bell (DECATUR, Ga.)

Mr. Sam T. Davis, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Kenneth Walter West (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Tracy Barnes, Jr. (STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga.)

Mrs. Constance Pearson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. David Jordan, Sr. (WRENS, Ga.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Rev. W.H. McCain (TRENTON, S.C.)

Mr. Frank Purnell (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Rev. Leo B. Carpenter (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mrs. Zepora Hart Lowe (WARRENTON, Ga.)

Mr. Nathaniel L. Booth (MARTINEZ, Ga.)

Bobby Kotz (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Min. Ronnie Westmoreland (LOUISVILLE, Ga.)

Mr. Nathaniel Williams (WAYNESBORO, Ga.)

Mr. Jimmie E. Herlong (SALUDA, S.C.)

Mrs. Dorothy K. Tolbert (KEYSVILLE, Ga.)

Mrs. Minnie L. Wilson (ESTILL, S.C.)

Mr. Charlie Franklin Powell (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Louise K. Dickson (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Deloris A. Johnson (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Samuel Owens, Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Buel E. Peterson (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Horace Oglesby (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Ann Kaufman (SIMONS ISLAND, S.C.)

Mrs. Beatrice A. Molik (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Curtis Howell (CRAWFORDVILLE, Ga.)

Olympics to be televised 24.5 hours a day

Olympics to be televised 24.5 hours a day
PASADENA, Calif. - There aren't enough hours in the day to watch all the Winter Olympics coverage that NBC and its cable partners are serving up.

Looking toward 2008, China studies Turin
BEIJING - Along with the usual complement of speedskaters and freestyle aerialists, China is packing its Olympic delegation with marketing managers and media handlers.

Looking toward 2008, China studies Turin

U.S. bid must vow to admit all nations
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - The International Olympic Committee would welcome a U.S. bid for the 2016 Summer Games - provided the government doesn't try to bar nations as it has with Cuba at the World Baseball Classic.

U.S. bid must vow to admit all nations

Federer advances quickly

Things are looking up Down Under for Roddick

Area announcements

Hard work takes squad from winless to No. 1

Overtime

Hewitt upset by Chela at Australian Open

Hewitt upset by Chela at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia - A subdued Lleyton Hewitt was bounced out of the Australian Open in the second round Thursday, delaying his bid to win his home Grand Slam for another year.

Hard work takes squad from winless to No. 1
One by one, the boys made their way through the arcade, ignoring the flashing lights and various games.

Things are looking up Down Under for Roddick
MELBOURNE, Australia - With Andy Roddick's personal cheering section leading the way, it was a red, white and blue day at the Australian Open.

Overtime
The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF News Channel 6 will play host to the annual All-Area banquet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Augusta Towers Hotel.

Federer advances quickly
MELBOURNE, Australia - Top-ranked Roger Federer advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with an emphatic 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 win over Florian Mayer on Thursday.

Overtime
The departure of fun-loving teammates Johnny Damon and Kevin Millar didn't dissuade former Augusta GreenJackets pitcher Bronson Arroyo from staying with the Boston Red Sox.

Hard work takes squad from winless to No. 1
One by one, the boys made their way through the arcade, ignoring the flashing lights and various games.

Overtime
The departure of fun-loving teammates Johnny Damon and Kevin Millar didn't dissuade former Augusta GreenJackets pitcher Bronson Arroyo from staying with the Boston Red Sox.

Overtime
The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF News Channel 6 will play host to the annual All-Area banquet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Augusta Towers Hotel.

Area announcements
Note: Announcements for participatory events must be written, delivered, mailed or faxed to The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903.

Federer advances quickly
MELBOURNE, Australia - Top-ranked Roger Federer advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with an emphatic 6-1, 6-4, 6-0 win over Florian Mayer on Thursday.

Things are looking up Down Under for Roddick
MELBOURNE, Australia - With Andy Roddick's personal cheering section leading the way, it was a red, white and blue day at the Australian Open.

Area announcements
Note: Announcements for participatory events must be written, delivered, mailed or faxed to The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903.

McDaniel has been on both sides
Public vs. private? Ask any basketball fan in the area, and they likely will swear there is a difference in the talent levels of area programs.

High School Players of the Week
Luther Holmes, of Greenbrier, and Kaylyn Small, of Richmond Academy, are this week's players of the week.

McDaniel has been on both sides
Public vs. private? Ask any basketball fan in the area, and they likely will swear there is a difference in the talent levels of area programs.

Lucas ready to shut down Seattle
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - All the things cornerback Ken Lucas wanted for his career - respect, recognition, the chance to play on a championship defense - couldn't be found with the Seattle Seahawks.

Rams hire former Dolphins assistant
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams hired Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan on Thursday, the sixth first-time NFL head coach to land a job in the past two weeks.

Polamalu is Mr. Versatility
PITTSBURGH - Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's arm-waving, finger-pointing and nonstop gesturing at the line of scrimmage seemed especially frantic against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and for good reason.

NFC's teams mirror leaders
Mike Holmgren's forte is offense. It showed in Green Bay, and it is showing in Seattle.

Western stars rode musical trails to CMA Hall of Fame

Western stars rode musical trails to CMA Hall of Fame
The Western flavor of the Augusta Futurity, which begins today in the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, reminds me of the many western music stars who have been inducted into the Country Music Association's Hall of Fame.

These athletes always win, regardless of the final score
This basketball game was a little different.

Goodwill has good year for donations
Although the number of donors dropped slightly in 2005, Meredith Vasquez, the executive director for Goodwill Industries CSRA, said 2005 was great for the charity.

School lunch menu
Richmond County school luch menue.

Meetings
HEPHZIBAH LIONS CLUB: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Hephzibah Community Center, Windsor Spring Road; 592-2982

Science center's mobile classroom gets checkup
By school year's end, more than 50,000 pupils in states from New York to California will have experienced science learning through the National Science Center's Mobile Discovery Center.

Georgia Farmers Market
This is a list of commodities available at the Georgia Farmers Market, 1150 Fifth St. Prices and availability of produce are subject to change.

Recycling
- To raise money to assist burn victims, the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation has aluminum-can recycling trailers in the following locations: Richmond County, cans are taken at the fire stations at Richmond Hill Road, Windsor Spring Road, Old Waynesboro Road, Walton Way Extension and the two former fire stations on Central Avenue. Other area locations are Augusta News Print and DSM Chemical. South Carolina locations include Kimberly-Clark, Belvedere fire station at 204 Hampton Ave., Beech Island fire station, two Aiken County Department of Public Safety fire stations and the Graniteville fire station. Call 650-2876.

CSRA Bridge Results
CSRA Bridge Results for Jan. 9-15.

Recreation
FORT DISCOVERYSeventh Street, 821-0200HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

These athletes always win, regardless of the final score
This basketball game was a little different.

Rural peace appeals to close family
The Matthews family is close - in more ways than one.

Funeral programs help genealogists
For more than 30 years, Eula M. Ramsey Johnson saved programs from the numerous funerals she attended.

Across the river
BALLROOM AND LINE DANCING CLASSES: 1 p.m. Thursdays, beginning today; Family Life Center, First Baptist Church of North Augusta, 625 Georgia Ave.; $30; no partner needed; 279-6370

Rural peace appeals to close family
The Matthews family is close - in more ways than one.

School lunch menu
Richmond County school luch menue.

Meetings
HEPHZIBAH LIONS CLUB: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Hephzibah Community Center, Windsor Spring Road; 592-2982

Restaurant ratings
The following is a listing of restaurant ratings by the Richmond County Department of Environmental Health. Listed are the restaurant name, address, inspection date and the establishment's score (out of a perfect 100):

Recreation
FORT DISCOVERYSeventh Street, 821-0200HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Georgia Farmers Market
This is a list of commodities available at the Georgia Farmers Market, 1150 Fifth St. Prices and availability of produce are subject to change.

This week
Fibromyalgia/chronic pain Support group: 10-11:30 a.m. today; Richmond County Health Department, 950 Laney Walker Blvd.; speaker will be Stephanie Quantebum; (803) 819-3610

Around the block
Augusta Futurity: The 27th annual Augusta Futurity kicks off at 8 a.m. today and continues through Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Seventh St.

For the record
Sentencings, indictments, paroles, marriage licenses and divorces.

Can you find it?
This week's image is an inspiration to many.

CSRA Bridge Results
CSRA Bridge Results for Jan. 9-15.

Funeral programs help genealogists
For more than 30 years, Eula M. Ramsey Johnson saved programs from the numerous funerals she attended.

Around the block
Augusta Futurity: The 27th annual Augusta Futurity kicks off at 8 a.m. today and continues through Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center, 605 Seventh St.

Pet of the week
Koby, an 8-month-old Doberman pinscher mix, is available for adoption through Molly's Militia.

Can you find it?
This week's image is an inspiration to many.

This week
Fibromyalgia/chronic pain Support group: 10-11:30 a.m. today; Richmond County Health Department, 950 Laney Walker Blvd.; speaker will be Stephanie Quantebum; (803) 819-3610

Goodwill has good year for donations

Science center's mobile classroom gets checkup

Recreation

Pet of the week

Georgia Farmers Market

Across the river

Funeral programs help genealogists

School lunch menu

Rural peace appeals to close family

These athletes always win, regardless of the final score

Can you find it?

Recycling

Around the block

Local ties abound on the NFL's 'final four'

Films can build compelling heroes when death becomes the antagonist

School reunion is harsh reality

Tennessee 'Idol' twins charged with forgery, theft
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - They sang like angels for their audition on Tuesday's 'American Idol' premiere, but a pair of Memphis twins may sound more like jailbirds by the time the show goes live from Hollywood.

Comcast, Time Warner launch all-exercise channel

Kelly Clarkson songs will not be used on 'Idol'
PASADENA, Calif. - Singer Kelly Clarkson, who vaulted to fame as the first "American Idol" winner in 2002, is not letting any of her songs be used by new contestants on the show.

Comcast, Time Warner launch all-exercise channel
PHILADELPHIA - Comcast Corp. and partner Time Warner Cable on Wednesday launched an all-exercise, on-demand cable network that will use product placements, branded graphics and sponsored segments rather than traditional commercials.

Miss America names celebrity judges
LAS VEGAS - Judges for the 2006 Miss America pageant will include two former contestants, a fashionista and a former NFL receiver.

Ratings for basic cable networks
Rankings for the top 15 programs on basic cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Jan. 9-15. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses.

Tennessee 'Idol' twins charged with forgery, theft

Kelly Clarkson decides to let 'Idol' use her songs

Kelly Clarkson songs will not be used on 'Idol'

Ratings for basic cable networks
Rankings for the top 15 programs on basic cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Jan. 9-15. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses.

Miss America names celebrity judges
LAS VEGAS - Judges for the 2006 Miss America pageant will include two former contestants, a fashionista and a former NFL receiver.

Ratings for basic cable networks

Kelly Clarkson decides to let 'Idol' use her songs
PASADENA, Calif. - Former "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, subject to a scolding from Simon Cowell for not letting her songs be used by new contestants on the show, has agreed to do so, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Miss America names celebrity judges

Laurence Fishburne sued by former assistant

People in the News

The Place is for events, Southern food

Witherspoon's gown worn by Dunst three years ago

Shatner sells kidney stone for charity

Bulldogs do it on defense for once
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia set a season high with 21 steals, including a school record-tying 10 by NCAA leader Sherill Baker, as the No. 13 Lady Bulldogs relied on defense to take an 81-42 victory over Mississippi State on Thursday night.

Bulldogs do it on defense for once

Films can build compelling heroes when death becomes the antagonist
Imagine being told that you had only a few months, or weeks or days to live. How would that time be spent? Crying quietly in a darkened room? Doing good deeds? Partying like a rock star?

School reunion is harsh reality
Last year, I wrote about the serious case of aging angst I contracted from the short-lived television series Reunion.

Gamecocks pin their hopes on new starters
COLUMBIA - South Carolina coach Ray Tanner didn't like having his run of three consecutive College World Series end last spring. And he's counting on three high-profile newcomers - Reese Havens, Justin Smoak and Shawn Valdes-Fauli - to start a new string this season.

Kelley has 29 in Gamecocks' win
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tre Kelley hit a driving layup with 3.6 seconds left to lift South Carolina to a 66-64 overtime victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.

Gamecocks pin their hopes on new starters

Kelley has 29 in Gamecocks' win