News

By Coach Sheldon Pearce

The Pirate Track and Field program traveled to Jefferson, May 2 through 4, to compete in the Georgia Olympics.  The student-athletes represented their community well by battling the elements of wind, rain, and 52-degree weather all weekend.  In the end, the Pirates walked away with a fifth place finish and state champions in two events. [Full Story »] 

United State Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Joshua “Josh” Reagin received his third Bronze Star at a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado, on February 14. SFC Reagin has served in the US Army since 1994 and will soon be retiring after 20 years of service to pursue employment in law enforcement in Colorado, Texas or Georgia. He has just returned from his fifth deployment in Laghman Provence, Afghanistan. Josh was at a remote COP (Combat Outpost) in the Northeastern Mountains of Afghanistan on the Pakistan border, referred to as the Wild West of Afghanistan. Josh was the night Battle Captain in the 4th IBCT (Infantry Brigade Combat Team) and his functions for 10 months in Afghanistan were as follows: [Full Story »] 

Ninety-year-old Ethel Wilson is easily one of the Atlanta Braves biggest fans. On Sunday, May 5, Ethel’s daughters and their families took her to see her very first Braves Game at Turner Field, when the Braves took on the Mets. [Full Story »] 

By Bryan Richardson
(Photos by Rod Mikinski)

(Editor’s note: The following article, written about former Baxley resident Travis Upchurch, was published in The Mercury, Manhattan, Kansas, in April. The article is being republished with permission. Travis is the son of Kenny and Laurie Jo Upchurch. He is the grandson of Gwen and the late Eddie Rae Upchurch and Judy and the late Joe Chamberlain, all of Baxley.)

Not every artist uses a paintbrush and a canvas to create beautiful work. Travis Upchurch, 29, just needs his yellow and blue Suzuki GSX-R600 and a parking lot. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Food Processing Plant will be in operation again this summer to provide the citizens of Appling and surrounding counties the opportunity to put up fresh fruits and vegetables. Plant personnel can assist you in preparing your product for the freezer or the can. They can also help you can your own soup, sauce, or Brunswick stew. [Full Story »] 

The 39th Annual Jesse Crummey and Fannie Altman Crummey Family Reunion will be held on Sunday, June 9, at the Satilla Baptist Church Social Hall, in Baxley. [Full Story »] 

On Friday evening, May 17, at 7:30 p.m., Appling County High School diplomas will be delivered to 197 seniors at Jimmy Swain Stadium. According to the school thirty-six percent of the graduates plan to attend a four-year university and twenty-five percent plan to attend a two-year college. Additionally, sixteen percent of the graduates plan to attend technical college. Thirteen percent will enter the military service and ten percent will enter the workforce. The remaining ten percent of the graduates are currently undecided. [Full Story »] 

Specialty logistics company will create new jobs, invest $1 million in distribution facility

A new supply chain management company, Southern Pack N Go, announced that it will locate its commercial cold storage, custom packing and distribution facility in the former PET Milk facility located on Red Oak Road in Baxley, roughly 85 miles southwest of the Port of Savannah. Specializing in fresh produce, Southern Pack N Go also has the capabilities of providing distribution and logistics services of both domestic and imported produce. This project will result in the creation of approximately 70 new jobs in Appling County within two years. [Full Story »] 

Sheriff Benny Deloach would like to report the following activity of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office.

May 3, a complainant came to the Appling County Sheriff’s Office to report financial identity fraud. The complainant stated a collection agency called and stated he owed an outstanding bill with Sprint. The complainant stated he has never used Sprint. Investigation continues. [Full Story »] 

Jefferson “Cole” Simmons is the son of Wendy and Jeffrey Simmons. Cole has a younger brother, Connor, who is in the eleventh grade. Cole and his family are members of Spring Branch Baptist Church, where he is an active member of EDGE Youth Ministries. While attending ACHS, Cole has been a member of Beta Club, HOSA (Health Occupational Students of America), Student Council, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes all four years. He is currently serving as co-president of FCA. Through his involvement with FCA, Cole has volunteered with Special Olympics and Sermon on the Mound and has spoken at the first annual Fields of Faith. Cole has also assisted with the FCA annual banquet for the past two years. [Full Story »] 

Trent Michael Ware is Salutatorian of the Appling County High School Class of 2013. He is the son of Kevin and Teresa Ware. Trent has received awards for academic achievement throughout high school. One that he is extremely proud of is the Academic Achievement Award in recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Placement United States History for having the highest average in his class. He received the same award for American Literature. Trent received the GREA academic award which was presented by the Appling County Retired Educators Association and Georgia Retired Educators Association. This award is part of the statewide program to recognize students who are to be commended for their high standards of academic achievements, their participation in school activities and their leadership qualities. Another honor he received was the Academic Achievement Award in recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Washington Youth Tour. He is a recipient of the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit Award. Trent has worked diligently to maintain a high average in his class throughout high school. He has been a goal card recipient all four years of high school. He was on the high honor roll from ninth through the twelfth grade. [Full Story »] 

John Ross Yeomans is the 2013 Appling Christian Academy Valedictorian. John Ross is the son of DeWayne and Linda Yeomans. He has been an ACA student for fourteen years starting in the four-year-old preschool program. He was a member and served as president of the ACA Christian Honor Society. He was also co-president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. John Ross extracurricular activities include playing guitar for the Gathering Band and leading worship for the youth at church. [Full Story »] 

Joseph Benjamin Hiers and Luke Dylan White are Appling Christian Academy’s 2013 Salutatorians. Ben is the son of Joey and Teresa Hiers and has been an ACA student for thirteen years. He has been a member of the ACA Christian Honor Society for three years and senior class president for one year. Ben was a member of the Appling Christian Academy football team for four years, and was a member of the 2009 and the 2011 GCAA state football championship team, and the 2009 and 2010 NACA tournament championship team. He received several awards while playing football including: all-state second team and best offensive/defensive lineman. [Full Story »]