Across the area

Woman running red light causes school bus wreck

An early morning wreck Tuesday involving a school bus clogged up traffic at Belair Road and Interstate 20, but caused no life-threatening injuries.

Columbia County school bus driver Kathy Overton, 50, and Ronald Mencholopez, 28, were stopped at a traffic signal on the eastbound I-20 off-ramp about 6:15 a.m. waiting to take a left turn onto northbound Belair Road, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Steve Morris.

As both drivers made their left turns, a minivan driven by Amber Andrews, 27, of Martinez, ran a red light at Belair Road and struck Mr. Mencholopez's Ford truck, pushing it into the bus, Capt. Morris said.

Mr. Mencholopez, of Marietta, Ga., was taken to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, and Ms. Overton, of Harlem, was treated for injury complaints, Capt. Morris said.

Ms. Andrews was found at fault in the wreck and was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device.

Firm's study suggests new schools, updates

The M.B. Kahn Construction Co. presented an independent study to the Aiken County school board on Tuesday that recommended building two elementary schools and vastly updating current facilities.

The 10-part study looked at current enrollment and growth potential, classrooms, school size and budgets. Though Aiken County's population is growing, the school-age population isn't expected to boom anywhere except in North Augusta and south Aiken, according to M.B. Kahn and Census figures. The company found that $357 million in improvements were needed in the district, though no schools were in dire need of upgrades.

M.B. Kahn recommended a three-part plan that included a new elementary school in Area 1 and Area 2, rebuilding North Augusta Middle School and extensively updating Leavelle McCampbell Middle School. The first phase of the plan was priced at $150 million, with two $50 million phases to follow that addressed upgrading schools. The school board unanimously voted to take the study as information.

Board outlines plan to evaluate school chief

The Columbia County school board approved a form to evaluate the performance of Superintendent Charles Nagle at its Tuesday meeting.

The evaluation form sets nine goals for the superintendent to meet. They include a requirement that the superintendent provide leadership in developing, administering and evaluating action plans to support the school system's vision; assist the board in the continuous improvement of the school system; and provide sound fiscal management.

Under the Georgia School Board Association superintendent's evaluation standards, the board and the superintendent agree on the evaluation goals. The document includes the adopted goals and the required steps to achieve these goals. The board will begin its evaluation of Mr. Nagle, who became superintendent July 1, in May.

Possible arson occurs at Clearwater plant

Officials at the Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department are investigating a possible case of arson at the Clearwater Finishing Plant on Tuesday morning.

A pile of rubble and wood, from demolition of the existing wooden floor, caught fire about 7 a.m.

"Somebody decided for kicks to set it on fire," Chief Mike Toole said, calling it an obvious case of arson. "Nobody was working at the time and there was no source to set it on fire."

The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was hurt. Chief Toole said that round-the-clock surveillance will be conducted to "catch whoever is causing the arson and put them in jail."

Republicans triumph in New Ellenton vote

Six Republicans took over spots in New Ellenton after what officials said was a greater-than-normal voter turnout Tuesday.

Incumbent Michael Kellums, Daniel Braswell and Eugene Smith were elected to the city council. Mr. Braswell carried the highest vote count with 281, according to Ann Arnold, precinct clerk.

Three new faces joined the New Ellenton Water Commission. Jackie L. Keenan carried 270 votes, the most of any candidate. Richard Brancato and Charles L. Duval joined her on the board.

Refinery victim leaves hospital's burn center

A patient injured last month at a Savannah sugar factory explosion has been discharged from the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital.

The patient, who was not named, will continue to receive treatment at the hospital's rehabilitation unit, burn center spokeswoman Beth Fritts said Tuesday. Of eight patients still being treated at the burn center, three are in critical condition, one in serious condition, one in fair condition and three are in good condition, Ms. Fritts said.

Freezing temperatures didn't harm peaches

The region's peach crop escaped damage from freezing temperatures Monday night and early Tuesday.

Chalmers Carr, the owner of Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, S.C., said that although the temperature dipped into the 20s, it wasn't that low consistently.

It was 30 to 31 degrees for a couple of hours, he said, but "we didn't get cold enough to do any damage."

Last year's peach crop was devastated by a freeze that destroyed 92 percent of Mr. Carr's crop. Damage statewide was widespread.

But the freeze last year was later in the blooming process, Mr. Carr said. As of right now, the peaches still have their "husks," meaning they essentially have a "jacket" on, Mr. Carr said. That helps protect them from the cold.

Workers affected by tornadoes to get help

Workers in Burke and Jefferson counties who lost income because of the tornadoes that struck the state March 14 and 15 could be eligible for unemployment assistance, Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said Tuesday in a news release.

The commissioner said affected workers should apply for benefits by April 23. They may file claims at the department's Augusta Career Center, 601 Greene St. The phone number is (706) 721-3131.

Applicants will need to provide their Social Security numbers. They should also bring proof of earnings for the most recently completed tax year. Acceptable documents include copies of their most recently completed income tax returns and their quarterly estimated income tax payment records.

Radar fails at Augusta Regional

A faulty generator led to a two-hour power outage at Augusta Regional Airport on Sunday, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.

A fire knocked out a utility grid that supplies power to the airport about 3:20 p.m., FAA spokesman Warren Woodberry said. The air traffic control tower at the airport lost all power between 3:20 and 5:30 p.m.

The power outage could have been aided by a backup generator, but it was inoperable, Mr. Woodberry said.

Controllers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport took over control of Augusta's airspace during the outage.

Augusta Regional had six aircraft in Augusta's airspace at the time of the outage, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The FAA could not confirm that information.

A part to repair the generator and a temporary generator were scheduled for delivery Tuesday evening, Mr. Woodberry said.

-- From staff reports