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News March 5, 2009  RSS feed
Clarifies some banking issues
     Jack Harvey, president of F&M Bank (right), told members of the Washington Rotary Club not to believe all they read in the media. "It's not all that bad," he said. He explained many factors that affect banks including FDIC insurance rates and federal programs and regulations. F&M Bank, headquartered with two branches in Washington, has offices in Tignall, Crawfordville, and Lincolnton, and will soon open a new branch in Columbia County. Club Vice President Buddy Lindsey introduced the program and presided over the meeting.
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'SKYWARN' spotter class set March 5 at W-WCHS, 7 p.m.
      "SKYWARN" is a program the National Weather Service (NWS) uses to improve severe storm warnings. Trained volunteers serve as storm spotters, passing on vital "ground truth" information to forecasters during times of severe weather. They are the eyes and ears not only for forecasters, but for their whole community.
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Washington artist's painting presented to former governor
     Former Kentucky Governor and Mrs. Brereton Jones accept the painting of their triumphal thoroughbred, Proud Spell, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Oaks, Alabama, and Delaware Oaks, from Larry Dodd Wheeler (left). The Joneses commissioned the painting before the thoroughbred won the Three Year Old Filly of the Year Eclipse Award (chosen from the 15,000 three year old thoroughbreds nominated). Governor and Mrs. Jones own Airdrie Stud, in Lexington, Kentucky, one of the top breeding establishments in the thorughbred industry. The painting is of Proud Spell's winning "Race for the Lilies" at Churchill Downs, a race run the day before the Kentucky Derby.
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Over 94 percent of W-WCHS seniors score enough to earn 'work ready' certifications
      Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School seniors have a special benefit they can add to their job resumes and college applications this year. The seniors were given the opportunity to take the national Work Readiness Test and of the 89 seniors tested, 84 (94.38 percent) are now classified "work ready.
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Wilkes students and advisors visit Capitol for CTSO Day
      Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed Thursday, February 12, as Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Day at the Georgia State Capital. All CTSO groups were represented at the state capital including Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America.
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Lindsey assumes curator position at McDuffie Museum
      Jenny Lindsey of Washington, has accepted the position of Curator/Director of the new McDuffie Museum in Thomson which opened in early January. Lindsey graduated magna cum laude from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in 2008 with a BFA in Historic Preservation.
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One of the joys of Southern snowfalls is risking young life and limb on sleds
      I don't know why a good snowfall like we had this weekend feels so good to my Southern snow-starved soul, but it does. Every time the South gets a good snow, it takes me right back to childhood, to my favorite winter sin: tempting sudden death by sled.
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Reaching for the Stars
THE ACADEMIC CORNER
      Second graders at Washington-Wilkes Primary School are "reaching for the stars," especially during their daily Enrichment Lab time. Mrs. Sandra Gammon, second grade Enrichment Lab teacher, is guiding her students through an in-depth scientific study of the motions and patterns of celestial bodies. Mrs.
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A winter stroll through old files finds a story of travel, hunger in Depression
      The winter months offer an opportunity to ramble through old files, which leads to shuffling, reorganizing, and discarding—all of which cause warm reminiscing. Recalling the past while cleaning out old files can be balm for the soul. There is the recurring thought, "What is this and why have I kept it all these years?
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Joseph Baldwin on fall dean's list at Northwestern Univ.
      Joseph B. Baldwin of Washington has been named to the dean's list for the fall quarter of the 2008-2009 academic year at Northwestern University. He is a student in the School of Music at Northwestern University. Baldwin is an honor graduate of Briarwood Academy and is the son of Brian and Joann Baldwin of Washington.
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Future runners train with varsity; speech contest winners announced
      Students in Pam Anderson's and Virginia Hopkins' eighth grade language arts classes have been busy working on PowerPoint projects. Students were given the scenario of persuading philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates to finance their play about a novel read in class.
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Relay for Life corporate sponsors provide support for many events
      As the 2009 Relay for Life (RFL) Washington-Wilkes gains momentum, the RFL planning committee and the American Cancer Society (ACS) proudly recognize the businesses, organizations and individuals who have offered their support through corporate sponsorship. "PROUD SPONSOR" signs represent sponsorship at the platinum, gold and silver levels.
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Website workshop set for March 14 at Athens Tech.
      Do you think a "domain" is a quaint old term kings used to call their territory and a "server" is the guy who brings your order at a restaurant? Are you still trying to figure out what a "default" is? Then this internet workshop is definitely for you!
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Johnson's photos to be displayed March 21-April 21
      Patricia Johnson will present a gallery of photography at the Aroma's Coffee and Wine Bar at Surrey Center in Augusta. The opening of her gallery presentation will be March 21 at 7:30 p.m. and the display will continue through April 21.
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Students recognized for academic excellence
     TWELFTH GRADE HONOR ROLL STUDENTS at Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School for the first semester are (listed alphabetically) Christina Albertson, Corey Bradley, Jamal Callaway, Will Callaway, Marshall Cullars, Aubrey Davis, Dwayne Davis, Zach Gebing, Megan Gowen, Lindsey Guin, Evan Harrison, Hunter Jackson, Sheena Kopecky, Antonio Lowe, Kirea Norman, Shaundra Norman, Ricola Patterson, Blake Rogers, Betsy Roth, Anthony Smith, Lee Thomson, Tevin Turman, and Drew Wilson.
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Hillary Lindsey to perform benefit for Clovers & Co. at Rock Eagle
      Grammy-winning Nashville songwriter, Hillary Lindsey will perform Saturday, March 21, at Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton in a Clovers & Co. benefit concert. The songstress will share the stage with the Georgia 4-H performing arts troupe to which she belonged for four years. Founded in 1981 as a promotional tool for Georgia 4-H, Clovers & Co.
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Shop around when choosing a service for tax preparation
      As tax season rolls around many people look for help to prepare and file their returns. While some will prepare their own returns, most will turn to local tax services and pay to have their taxes filed. Not all tax preparation services are alike. Shopping around for a tax service makes a difference.
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4-H Dairy Show Team competes in Perry at the 2009 Georgia Junior Livestock Show
      The Wilkes County 4-H Dairy show team competed in Perry, Georgia, at the 2009 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. The students worked very hard to compete against 250 contestants from all across Georgia. This was the last show for this season and the 4-H'ers went out with so much enthusiasm! The show team started out by competing in showmanship.
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Don't lose sleep over losing an hour this weekend
      Is the thought of springing forward keeping you awake at night? Are you concerned about missing more ZZZs when the time changes on March 8? A good night's sleep should be a priority. Sleep is not just a "timeout" from our busy routines. It is essential for better health, mental and emotional functioning and safety.
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History-related activities promoted
     Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation President Preston Sanders (left) and Past President Stephanie Macchia spoke to the Washington Rotary Club at its regular Thursday lunch meeting and encouraged members to attend the Foundation's quarterly meeting where they could join the W-WHF and become involved in some of its many activities. Macchia also encouraged participation in the publication of the Heritage of Wilkes County, Georgia book and urged everyone to send in their family, business, church, or other stories before the deadline on April 1. Go to www.news-reporter.com and click on the link at the top of the page for more information. Skeet Willingham (right) was program host for the day.
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Third graders jump for healthy hearts
     Thirty-eight third graders at Washington-Wilkes Primary School raised a total of $1,313 for the American Heart Association by jumping rope for donations. Top fund-raisers for "Jump Rope for Heart" were Wes Tanner (center), first place; Walker Moore (left), second place; and Erin McAvoy, third. The 38 third graders raised a total raised $1313. Wilkes County EMS Director Blake Thompson was a guest speaker.
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Pet of the week
      Meet "Bob," a Border Collie mix, with Jennifer who helps with walking and socializing the many dogs at the Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter. Bob is affectionate, intelligent, and would be a good family pet. He needs a loving, stable home.
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Unemployment rate rises three full points since December '07
      The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has reported that the unemployment rate in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) rose to a preliminary unadjusted rate of 8.7 percent in December, up 3.0 percentage points over the year from December 2007. The jobless rate in the CSRA rose eight-tenths of one percentage point from a revised 7.9 percent in November.
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Area young people exhibit at Junior Steer and Heifer Show
      Seven Wilkes County students showed steers and/or heifers in the 2009 Washington Area Junior Steer and Heifer Show at the McGill- Woodruff Agriculture Center in Washington Saturday, February 28. They were Greg Callaway, Tommy Howard, Sheena Kopecky, Brett Lunceford, Chelsea Tamsi, Danielle Thornton, and Kelsi Thornton.
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Economy has seniors at risk of sacrificing health and well-being
      Evidence is mounting that seniors are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn and, as a result, are putting themselves at risk.
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DUIs, drugs down, violent crimes are up in February law enforcement round-up
      Wilkes County saw a decrease in the number of people arrested for driving while intoxicated and drug offenses, but saw an upsurge in arrests for property crimes, assaults, and threats last month. The following arrests were recorded for Wilkes County law enforcement during the month of February.
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Cross-country GNCC racers to compete at Aonia this weekend
      Hundreds of the top amateur dirt bike and ATV cross-country riders and their families will be arriving at Aonia Pass Motocross this weekend for the Maxxis General GNCC. Spectator passes run $15 for the entire weekend, with access to the pro pit area included. Children six and under are admitted free. On both days, youth riders race at 8 a.m., beginner riders race at 10 a.
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Learning to take care of their teeth
     The children of the First United Methodist Church Pre-K visited Dr. Bruce Holes to learn about the importance of dental health. Pictured above with Dr. Holes and Mrs. Debbie Holes are (in front, l-r) Wilkes Walker, Ashton Andrews, (in the middle) Megan Thornton, Nathaly Aburto, (back) Evelyn Jones, Braxton Blakey, Ethan Scott, and Shelby White.
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Young Farmers set equipment sale for Saturday, March 21
      The Wilkes County Young Farmers will sponsor their annual spring equipment auction at 10 a.m. March 21 at the McGill-Woodruff Agricultural Center on the Highway 78 Bypass. Consignments are welcome, said Eric Holton. "Anyone can buy or sell. If you have equipment you'd like to turn into cash, consign it with us for top money.
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Semi loses balance on Athens Highway curves
     With road shoulders soaked by days of rain and snow, this Sandersville-based trucker didn't stand a chance after getting slightly off the pavement on Highway 78 just east of Callaway Plantation Monday. The driver was unhurt, but it took wreckers and GDOT crews several hours to clear the wreckage and get mud off the road surface.
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Wilkes Relay for Life committee plans survivor reception for Tues., March 17
      The Relay for Life is about recognizing and honoring those who have had a cancer diagnosis. Until you have heard those words, "It's cancer," you cannot imagine the emotional and psychological impact added to the physical impact of this disease. There are hundreds of strains of cancer. No two are alike just as no two patients are alike.
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Wilkes Pre-Release Center inmates make Valentines for residents, illustrating that 'in giving, we receive'
      "For it is in giving that we receive." As quoted by Saint Francis, the inmates at Wilkes Pre-Release Center (Wilkes PRC) in Washington, Georgia have adopted this belief, as evidenced by their most recent community service project.
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Kiwanis Talent Showcase set for Mar. 20, 7 p.m.
      The 27th Annual Kiwanis Art and Talent Showcase will be held on March 20 at 7 p.m. in the W-WCHS Auditorium. The art entry deadline is March 13 at 10 a.m. and auditions for the talent show will be held March 18 at 6 p.m.
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Tig nall News
      When there's a winter storm, I can always find everyone home when I call for the news. Of course the only news they have is that it is snowing! It wasn't that many years ago that I would have gotten out and played in the snow. Once I ruined a good pizza pan sliding down hills in the snow. Now I get just as excited over watching the snow from a window.
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RAYLE NEWS
      March came in like a lamb with snow and a beautiful winter wonderland. Most folks thought the snow was pretty and enjoyed watching it fall, walking in it, making snowmen or throwing snowballs and playing in it. The school children enjoyed another day off from school. I hope everyone was safe. . February ended with some much needed rain and flooding.
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Lundberg News
      It was cold and rainy Sunday, but we had a fair attendance at Clifford's Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Martin had foot surgery last week and was wearing a cast and was in a wheelchair, but he preached a good message from Matthew 16: 13- 18. We hope he will be fine soon. .Mrs. Juanita Bradford is at home now after spending several days in University Hospital.
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Heritage Health Care residents enjoy visits with family, friends
      Mrs. Mary Gartrell's visitors were Kay Poplin, Robin Lahr, Sandra Baynes, J.T. and Florine Norman, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Walton, Elizabeth King, Lizzie White, and George Anderson Jr. .Guests of Mrs. Lois Hardy were Darrell Hardy, James and Kay Poplin, Robin Lahr, Gail Galbreath, Hope and Haileigh Slaton, Tommy McAvoy, Sandra Baynes, Gary Hardy, Ronnie McAvoy, and Gloria T.
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Harper's Personal Care residents enjoy visiting with family, friends
      February 24 - Doris Rhodes visited Mrs. Lolis Flynt. .Rev. Dale Fincher presented church services, singing and praying. .Birthday wishes go out to Mrs. Martha Wells. .Mrs. Pete Strother went on an outing with Ann Saggus. .Sandra Massey visited Mrs. Louise Bagwell. .Ben W. Jo visited his aunt, Miss Carrie Norman.
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Insurance questions to be answered here on Thurs., March 12
      Georgia residents with insurance problems or questions can receive assistance directly from the state commissioner's office by contacting his insurance investigator who will be working in Washington next month. An investigator is scheduled to be in Washington from 1:30-3 p.m. March 12 at the Mary Willis Library.
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