Pilot error blamed in June helicopter crash

DOERUN - Pilot error and deteriorating weather conditions were factors in a helicopter crash in June in southwest Georgia that killed four Savannah-based soldiers, officials said.

The MH-47 Chinook helicopter, designed to navigate precisely at low altitudes and in the dark, clipped a wire on a television tower in broad daylight before breaking apart and burning in a field near Doerun.

The accident occurred during a routine training flight from Hunter Army Airfield to the Army's helicopter training school at Fort Rucker, Ala.

Dry weather caused low cotton yield

RINCON - Last year's cotton crop turned out to be disappointing in Georgia, farmers and agriculture officials said last week.

A summer drought and an early fall frost kept cotton yields down, said Bill Tyson, the Effingham County agent for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

Still, some late rain provided a little last-minute relief, Mr. Tyson said. That rain kept some farmers picking cotton into last week, he said. The growing season typically doesn't continue past November.

Georgia is second only to Texas in the amount of cotton fields, said Karen Nikitopoulos, the communications manager for the Georgia Cotton Commission in Perry.

Man dies after car falls on top of him

MACON - A 45-year-old Macon man died during the weekend of injuries suffered after his car fell on top of him, said Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.

Tony Bloodworth was working under his car at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it fell, Mr. Jones said.

Emergency crews worked to resuscitate him. He was admitted to The Medical Center of Central Georgia but died Saturday, the coroner said.

Gardeners gather to swap flora stories

SAVANNAH - Georgia Master Gardeners gathered in Savannah during the weekend to share horticultural history and stories about the effects of humans and critters in the process.

The Coastal Georgia Center turned into an urban garden of blooms and scents that attracted more than 230 participants.

Organizers offered a tour from the Lowcountry coast to the city squares.