Across the area

Burnettown to swear in newcomer, veteran

Burnettown voters chose a newcomer and a former council member to fill two town council seats Tuesday.

Trevor Ward garnered the most support with 34 percent of the vote . Former Councilman James McIntosh won the second seat with 24 percent . Incumbent Bobby Griffin Jr. trailed Mr. McIntosh by 1 percent age point , and T.R. Carver and David Glenn Minitor also fell short.

The Wagener Town Council will now have two Hudsons.

Newcomer Marlon Hudson and incumbent John Hudson each took 45 percent of the vote. They defeated Andy O'Byrne , who took 7 percent .

Blythe elects Cole for mayor, two for council

Blythe voters elected two city council members and a mayor during Tuesday's voting.

Pat Cole won mayor, earning about 53 percent of the vote.

Cindy Parham and Homer Myers were selected to the council from a slate of four candidates.

Ms. Parham received about 31 percent, or 85 votes, while Mr. Myers received about 28 percent, or 77 votes.

Bus driver investigated in assault on student

An Aiken County school bus driver is on administrative leave after being accused of hitting a 6-year-old student.

Melinda Harp, the mother of the Chukker Creek Elementary student, told police that the child returned home from school Friday with contusions on his neck and top of his arm, according to an Aiken Department of Public Safety report.

The school district is investigating, said Cecelia Davidson, the associate superintendent of administration.

Second man arrested in home invasion

A second man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion on Fairhope Street on Monday where a 68-year-old man was left tied up in his bathtub by two men.

Richmond County sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles said Jonathan Cornelius Glenn, 28, was arrested Wednesday near his home in the 500 block of Dupont Street. He is being held at the Richmond County Jail and has been charged with armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping and theft by taking motor vehicle.

Another man investigators say participated in the home invasion, Ahijah Murray, 19, has already been arrested and charged.

Volunteers sought for highway cleanup

A second south Augusta highway cleanup will be held Saturday morning along Gordon Highway and Deans Bridge Road, and Greater Augusta Progress is seeking volunteers.

The group will meet at 6:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Southgate Shopping Center.

At a June cleanup, which covered Gordon Highway, between 300 and 400 volunteers turned out.

For more information, contact Greater Augusta Progress Chairman Henry Frischknecht at (706) 833-5079 or at henry@empiretree.com.

Stimulus-funded road project now under way

Work has begun on the first road project in Richmond County funded by the federal stimulus.

The construction involves about 10 miles of Deans Bridge Road between Sandy Run Creek and Tobacco Road, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. The $4 million project includes resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction.

Schools get funds for energy improvements

The Aiken County school district was awarded $584,513 in federal stimulus funds Wednesday by the state Budget and Control Board's Energy Office to make energy-efficient improvements.

Upgrades include new gymnasium lighting at all Aiken County high and middle schools, Millbrook and Jefferson elementary, and the Pinecrest and Freedman Parenting Center.

Entries are sought for Christmas parade

Applications are being accepted for entries in the Columbia County Merchants Association's 45th annual Martinez-Evans Christmas Parade.

The parade will be begin at 2 p.m. Dec. 6, said parade chairman Billy Franke said. The deadline for entries is Nov. 20. Applications and parade rules are available at www.columbia countyfair.net.

Edgefield County will sell visitors guide

The Edgefield County Historical Society has published The Story of Edgefield, a 128-page, full color visitors guide.

The book goes on sale Monday and will be sold in local outlets or can be ordered for $20 plus $3 shipping and handling from Edgefield County Historical Society, P.O. Box 174, Edgefield, SC 29824. Checks should be made payable to Edgefield County Historical Society.