Tigers and fans were jubilant after winning in the Dome and advancing to the state championship game. A recounting of headlines from the first six months of 2005 last week painted an interesting picture of happenings in Wilkes County, its people, and organizations. This week, the second half of the year is summarized.

July 7, 2005 – All-day Fourth of July celebration is biggest ever. . . . ‘Historian of Georgia Baptists,’ Dr. Waldo P. Harris III, dies at Wills Memorial Hospital. . . . Joyce Williams takes office as new Wilkes County School Superintendent.

July 14, 2005 – Mayor urges civility around council table. . . . All Wilkes County schools make the grade on 2005 report released Friday. . . . Spectacular short circuit lights sky, leaves industrial customers in dark.

July 21, 2005 – Rattler is apparent cause of meltdown; repairs may cost as much as $1 million. . . . Solid waste management updates would add to protection for county’s resources. . . . Rabid coyote killed after approaching kids at play. . . . Police to crack down of false alarms.

July 28, 2005 – Record heat (105 degrees) a very real health threat. .

. David Jenkins assumes Payroll Development Authority duties. . . . Low volume takes Wills Memorial Hospital out of baby business. . . . Two-day search rescues missing woman from briar patch.

Augusts 4, 2005 – New director, new location mark new start for Chamber of Commerce. . . . About 1,850 students will report for school August 5. . . . Salvation Army extends appeal for voluntary gifts of support.

August 11, 2005 – Washington International Non-wovens (WIN) plant bought out; purchaser ‘has capital to make it go.’ . . . Life-saving technology aids stroke victims via Wills Memorial Hospital and Medical College of Georgia REACH link. . . . Champion Weightlifter Markeith Wylie and Champion Wrestler Casey Nickels are awarded their state champion rings. . . . Chamber of Commerce now in business on The Square.

August 18, 2005 – Tigers with a new attitude to open season Friday. . . . Katy’s buyout of WIN means 10 jobs now, lots more later. . . . Five counties to cooperate in tourism, economic push. . . . WashingtonWilkes graduation rate increases 8.8 percent, now higher than Georgia state average. August 25 – Qualifying for council seats in Districts 1, 2, to open September 12. . . . Vandals damage Tiger turf at stadium but field will be ready for home opener. . . . Wilkes County joins mourners across state in remembering those who have given their lives in Iraq.

September 1, 2005 – Gas shortages from Hurricane Katrina cause panic at the pumps. . . . Five-county partnership holds ‘great possibilities’ as the Clarks Hill Partnership is created. . . . High school Interact members working to provide supplies for Katrina victims.

September 8, 2005 – Proposed millage rate nixed by tax digest error. . . . Local people rush to the aid of Katrina victims. . . . Art Foundation plans presentation of ‘Connections’ show.

September 15, 2005 – Tax rates increased; hearings set. . . . Board of Education sets increased tax rate; hearings slated for public input. . . . Washington-Wilkes seniors tops on SAT among seven area schools. . . . Four qualify to run for District 1 seat; Eaton unopposed.

September 22, 2005 – Qualifying closes on five candidates; new requirements placed on voter ID. . . . Construction cleanup, game security, top Board of Education concerns. . . Students joining Fellowship of Christian Athletes to gather to pray with millions of other students.

September 29, 2005 – 25th annual Mule Day set for October 8. . . . Governor Perdue’s closing of schools to save gas sends parents scrambling to find child care. . . . First report of numbers reveals high readership for The News-Reporter’s new website. . . . Residents can still have input on plan for widening Highway 17; hearing set.

October 6, 2005 – Mules, airplanes, drama to highlight annual Mule Day Saturday. . . . Kiwanians dress up Woman’s Club as part of ‘Hands On Georgia’ effort. . . . ‘Smoke on the Mountain’ opens for five shows at The Playhouse.

October 13, 2005 – ‘Clarks Hill Partnership of Georgia’ sets goals of development and coordination. . . . W-WCHS wins Governor’s Cup for best improvement in region. . . . City will ‘consider’ Animal Shelter shortfall; plans early purchase of police cars.

Vandals couldn’t deter the awesome Tigers from winning in the Dome, but Katrina did force a sudden two-day holiday this year. October 20, 2005 – Wilkes Telephone & Electric takes first step toward providing county-wide highspeed internet. . . . Wilkes County Teachers of the Year are: Anna Nero, LaVonda Tanner, Sandra Gammon, and Erin Frost. . . . Public forum planned Saturday to give voice to city candidates.

October 27, 2005 – LaVonda Tanner named county’s Teacher of the Year. . . . Public forum sponsored by the Wilkes County Community Development Corporation lacks participation; few voters attend. . . . Burglars get away with $2,500 cash, equipment recovered near Palmer’s Equipment. November 3, 2005 – Three seats to be decided in Tuesday’s city election. . . . Art show, Tignall festival hope for big weekend crowd. . . . Blake Thompson’s heroism saluted by governor in state ceremony. . . . Weekend trailer blaze claims life; first fire fatality in two years. . . . Council studies budget at retreat, will raise city taxes after hearings.

November 10, 2005 – G.L. Avery, Maceo Mahoney are top vote getters in city council election. . . . Chamber of Commerce looks back at a year of changes; ‘We’ve got a new outlook, a new structure.’ . . . Wills Memorial Hospital Laboratory certified by the Commission on Laboratory Certification third time in a row. . . . Art show is big success, moves toward goal of bringing profit and exposure to community.

November 17, 2005 – City sets millage rate at 10,863 for 2005. . . . Tigers just two games away from possible state championship; community pep rally tonight on The Square. . . . This year’s ‘Angel Tree’ to touch some 200 local children in need.

November 24, 2005 — Tigers are Dome Bound!; advance to state semifinals. . . . Traffic accident claims life of Wilkes County citizen. . . . Two Wilkes County schools receive Distinguished Title 1 honors.

December 1, 2005 – Dome win propels Tigers into title game with Lincoln County. . . . Probation warrant nets sizeable drug bust. . . . Salvation Army ready to help, needs 85 ringer volunteers.

December 8, 2005 – Wilkes County gets good news at legislative breakfast. . . . Board of Education accepts preliminary blueprint for Washington-Wilkes secondary school complex. . . . W-WCHS juniors receive academic jackets. . . . Historic homes to welcome visitors for 2005 Christmas Tour and Dinner. . . . Tigers fight to the end, but Devils win in championship game.

December 15, 2005 – City Council approves 2006 budget, bids members King, Wilder goodbye. . . County Commissioners adopt local planning for hazard mitigation during disasters. . . . Surgical specialty clinic set for January opening at Wills Memorial Hospital. . . . Marshall Guill’s bequest will endow new scholarship fund for Wilkes County students.

December 22, 2005 – Wilkes County babies celebrating their first Christmas featured in The NewsReporter. . . . Board of Education considers easement to allow Taco Bell/Kentucky Fried Chicken on East Robert Toombs Avenue. . . . Celebrate His birthday at His house; local churches set weekend services. . . . Tiger Markeith Wylie named Georgia Defensive Player of the Year.

December 29, 2005 – Farmers and Merchants Bank promotes five officers. . . . Sgt. Angela Gowen sends greetings from Iraq: simple things can fill you with the richest of all gifts. . . . Wills Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Washington Wilkes Humane Shelter Association will sponsor “From the Heart” Valentine benefit in memory of Mary Fortson Darby. . . . Church of the Mediator will dedicate renovated pipe organ January 15.

Record heat fries Wilkes in July, Markeith Wylie and Casey Nickles earn rings, and the county suffers a fire death -all in 2005.