Across the area

Perdue recognizes high-scoring schools

Gov. Sonny Perdue recognized schools for their achievements on the SAT, a college admissions test, on Thursday.

John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School was honored for earning the highest score in Class AAA during the past three years.

Burke County High School, Lakeside High School and Lincoln County High School were named Governor's Cup regional winners.

Airmen group holding annual gala, fundraiser

Members of the Greater Augusta Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen will hold its second annual gala and fund-raiser Saturday.

The 6 p.m. event will be held at the Gordon Club at Fort Gordon Army Post. Tickets are $50. The event is open to the public with proceeds helping to organize an instructional flight school at Daniel Field to teach children about science and mathematical concepts.

The event is dedicated to the memory of the late Army Col. Charles "A-Train" Dryden, who died this past summer. For more information, contact Alfonso Jackson at (803) 426-7222.

Event to benefit area homeless set for today

A Stand Down for the Homeless event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Salvation Army on Greene Street in Augusta.

The Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and community agencies will offer health screenings, clothing, blankets, VA benefits, haircuts and employment and housing assistance, according to a news release. Breakfast and lunch also will be available.

19-year-old charged in man's shooting death

Authorities arrested a 19-year-old man Thursday afternoon after a man was killed on Second Avenue in Augusta.

Terrance Douglas Morgan was charged with murder, said Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles. He said Mr. Morgan was arrested about 5:30 p.m. at a residence on the 2000 block of Olive Road in Augusta.

The victim, Antonio Johnson, 21, of the 1800 block of Central Avenue, was shot in the chest after an argument, authorities said. He was shot at least once at a home in the 2000 block of Second Avenue. His body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta today for an autopsy.

Panel OKs process to change design rules

The Columbia County Planning Commission agreed Thursday night to begin the process of changing design guidelines for commercial developments near the intersection of Evans to Locks and Furys Ferry roads.

The commission is looking to make changes to the current Evans to Locks and Furys Ferry Node Protection Overlay District ordinance by incorporating a "neo-traditional" style. Before taking an official vote on the matter, they will first hold a public hearing during their commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Evans Government Complex auditorium.

The design revision being considered was presented at a Sept. 4 Planning Commission meeting by Matt Mills, of Blanchard and Calhoun Commercial Corp., as he revealed renderings of a future Food Lion planned for that area. Architecture, fencing materials and height restrictions are being looked at in the proposed change.

RICHMOND COUNTY TRAFFIC REPORT

- The southbound left lane at 1413 Doug Barnard Parkway will be closed today and Saturday for a sewer line repair, according to an Augusta Engineering Department news release. Southbound traffic will be maintained with the outside lane.

For more information, call (706) 733-0188, ext. 6392.