Man accused of animal cruelty

An Augusta man remained in the Richmond County jail Saturday on animal cruelty charges.

Marcus Tyrone Taylor, of the 1900 block of Old Savannah Road, was arrested Friday on five counts of animal cruelty, with bond set at $39,000, according to jail records.

The arrest followed an investigation by Richmond County Animal Control. Eighteen dogs were seized from Mr. Taylor's property after someone on Jan. 9 reported seeing a pit bull being attacked by another pit bull, a Richmond County sheriff's report stated. Five of those animals had to be euthanized, authorities said.

Rescued woman still in critical condition

A Sylvania woman pulled from her burning home early Thursday remained in critical condition at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta on Saturday, spokeswoman Beth Frits said.

Sylvania Department of Public Safety Capt. John M. Rosier said a Statesboro Herald newspaper carrier saw smoke and fire coming from an apartment on Sylvania Place about 4:45 a.m. and alerted authorities. When emergency crews arrived, they were told Alice Blount was still inside.

Emergency crews entered the burning apartment and pulled Ms. Blount out. She was not breathing, but she was revived by CPR, according to an incident report.

The fire was caused by an unattended pot left on a stove, the report stated.

Bayvale Elementary plans parents' night

Bayvale Elementary hopes to "bridge the gap" between school and home with a night dedicated to parents.

The school is asking parents to attend the workshop at 6 p.m. Monday at Bayvale, 3309 Milledgeville Road. Speakers will include representatives from the courts, the Medical College of Georgia, the Division of Family and Children Services and the sheriff's office.

They will cover issues such as academic achievement, bullying, gangs, health, financial planning and self-esteem.

The evening will also include activities for children and an open forum.

Man who robbed driver at traffic light sought

Authorities were searching Saturday for the man who robbed a motorist as she waited at a traffic light.

A man jumped out of a dark van, walked up to the vehicle and took a purse from the woman as she waited at a light on Laney-Walker Boulevard near Bobby Jones Expressway on Saturday afternoon, according to a Richmond County sheriff's report.

The victim told police the purse contained papers and some prescription medication. She said the subject reentered the van after taking the purse and drove off westbound onto Bobby Jones Expressway.

School offers training in technical courses

In partnership with Augusta Technical College, the Richmond County Board of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers will offer several classes for certification.

Lucy C. Laney High School will have basic gas metal arc welding classes. For more information, call (706) 823-6677 or (706) 481-1632.

Certification classes for automotive drivability technician, business office assistant and nail technician will be at Glenn Hills High School. Call (706) 796-4924, ext. 258 to learn more.

GED classes are offered at both locations.

Educators can apply for teaching grants

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 can obtain applications from their principal or from Program Coordinator Angela P. Savoy by calling (803) 952-9120.

Applications are also available at www.srs.gov/general/outreach/edoutrch. Applications must be received at SRS by Feb. 22.