Year in Review recaps second half of 2007

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, October 25, 2007, at Hero Metal Furniture Company's new distribution center, located in the Highway 378 Industrial Park. Pictured are: (l-r) Kaj Faaborg, vice president of manufacturing for Top Grill, LLC; Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority; George Leverett, authority chairman; Hailong Qi, deputy governor of the Zhejiang Province of China; Paul Faaborg, president of Top Grill; Brittany Perkins, Junior Miss Lincoln County; Shui Lin Xu, Hero Metal Furniture Company president; Representative Barry Fleming; Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; Heidi Green, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Dwaine Biggerstaff, mayor of the City of Lincolnton.

JULY 5 - The county adopts a spending resolution which will allow it to continue operating under the current budget until a tentative FY 2008 budget is adopted on July 12...The annual "Thunder Over Thurmond" fireworks extravaganza will light up the skies over Clark's Hill Lake July 7...Robert Bailey is the sole survivor of a group of eight Lincoln County brothers who served in the military.

With a few exceptions, all outdoor watering was banned last fall in the northern third of the state, which includes Lincoln County. When this photograph was taken on Fishing Creek Bridge, Clark's Hill Lake was approximately 11 feet below full pool.

JULY 12 - The city decides to hand-delivery letters to nearly 47 merchants who have yet to pay their 2007 occupational taxes...The community mourns the loss of beloved family physician Weems Pennington...The sheriff's office receives reports of various scams...Lincoln County is 1-1 in the Junior League All-Star Tournament.

JULY 19 - The county increases water rates, hears an update on economic development, and adopts a tentative 2008 General Fund Budget...Shuilin Xu, president of Hero Metal Furniture Company, Ltd., based in Jiaxing City, China, is presented with a key to the corporation's new distribution center, located in the Highway 378 Industrial Park...The LCHS Debate Teams finishes the season with appearances at two national tournaments...The Toombs Judicial Circuit receives a $75,000 grant to continue FAST START, a community based risk reduction program for juveniles...It is expected that the secretary of state will call for a recount in the congressional race between Jim Whitehead and Paul Broun (It was later determined that Broun carried the day).

JULY 26 - All three schools as well as the system make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)...The community is encouraged to learn more about the "bird flu" at an emergency preparedness meeting...The county experiences a minor earthquake...Virginia Williams, executive director of the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration, is the guest of honor at a retirement luncheon..."A Prayer Walk of Schools" is scheduled for August 9.

AUGUST 2 - School bells will ring on August 7 for approximately 1,400 Lincoln County students...Volunteers make improvements to 30 local residences during "River of Life"...The sheriff's office receives complaints regarding the vandalism of mailboxes...A Lincolnton man is charged in connection with a 15-year-old murder case.

AUGUST 9 - Aerobatic pilot Gary Ward performs at AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest aviation event in the United States...A cooling center is opened to give residents relief from the record heat...Four individuals are indicted by the grand jury in connection with three separate cases of armed robbery...The Lincoln County Food Pantry holds a party to thank its student volunteers...The sheriff reports on burglaries, thefts, and DUIs.

AUGUST 16 - The commission levies 2007 taxes, recognizes Virginia Williams for her service to the county, and agrees to install a "panic button" system for employees...Shirley Crook wins $30,000 playing the lottery...BOE members receive recognition for successfully completing board member training activities.

AUGUST 23 - Tax bills are set to be mailed September 1; growth will the cost around...Due to the extreme heat and humidity, the Red Devils are forced to practice football in the gym...The United States Army Corps of Engineers announces that lake levels have reached the second drought trigger level; the city and the county are still able to keep up with the demand for water...Ruth and Lamar Garrard present a telephone book from 1940 to the library...Helen Cavitt participates in MCG's Kinship Care Program.

AUGUST 30 - A local woman falls victim to a national telemarketing scam...The Red Devils take to the gridiron in their season opener against McCormick...Beloved educator Betty Campbell loses her life in a motor vehicle accident...Red Devil Ronnell Ferguson is selected as one of The Augusta Chronicle's "2007 Dream Sixteen"...Faith Tabernacle announces that it will begin offering theology classes.

SEPTEMBER 6 - A timber company files lawsuits against the Lincoln County Board of Tax Assessors; the county approves a garbage rate increase...Sara Anne Remsen is selected to join an apprentice dance company...A truck accident claims the life of a local woman...A ribboncutting ceremony is held at MeMe's Floor Covering...The drought continues to worsen despite rain.

SEPTEMBER 13 - The BOE approves preliminary plans for the new high school and agrees to go ahead and sell $9.5 million in bonds for the project...The Sixth Annual Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival begins Friday at the park...Business owners are warned to beware of a possible telemarketing scam...Two local men lose their lives in one-car accidents...The city is awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for sewer renovations, and three new councilmen are named...The Lincolnton Police Department takes delivery of a new patrol car.

SEPTEMBER 20 - The county hears an update on efforts to make the E-911 center Phase II compliant and pays tribute to the late D.T. Danner...The community mourns the loss of D.T. Danner, who served as tax commissioner for over 30 years...Taylor Dukes is crowned Miss LCHS...Gerald Clark, a fifth-generation descendant of Gen. Elijah Clark, donates photographs of the Clark Family to the library...The LCHS Debate Team captures 13 awards at the first tournament of the season.

SEPTEMBER 27 - A new set of state graduation standards requires students to take additional core classes...The F.M. Hogan General Store is transported from the Woodlawn Community to the historical park...Coach Campbell becomes the nation's fourth-ranked high school football coach of all time...Using donations from the private sector, the county will install a "Friendship Fountain" across the street from the courthouse...Georgia Power employees begin replacing aerial utility poles along Price-Legg Bridge...Lincoln Place Ace Hardware announces that it is going out of business...LCHS students and faculty donate 59 units of blood to the Shepeard Community Blood Center.

OCTOBER 4 - Superior Court Judge T. Penn McWhorter grants the county's petition for declaratory judgment relief against Sheriff Lawson, saying the BOC has the authority to require the sheriff to turn over funds, generated by the inmate telephone system, to the county...The city adopts a proposed 2008 budget; it also receives notification that the EPD has banned outdoor watering because the county is experiencing Drought Response Level 4 conditions...The Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig is set to begin October 5...The debate team competes in a national tournament at Wake Forest University.

OCTOBER 11 - The BOE announces the Teachers of the Year; they are: Sharon Danner, primary grades; Jill Clark, elementary grades; Patty Arthur, LCMS; and Carol O'Neill, LCHS...State School Superintendent Kathy Cox visits LCHS and is "very impressed" with the students and teachers...The Lincoln County Health Fair is set for October 13...A town hall meeting will be held in conjunction with the state's Communities of Opportunity Initiative...The 55th Annual Lincoln County Fair, sponsored by American Legion Post 194, will begin October 16...Approximately 400 flu vaccines were given during the mass influenza immunization drill held at the health department...Ruby Pope and Janet Smith donate an antique scale and weights to the historical society to be used in the F.M. Hogan General Store.

OCTOBER 18 - The BOC adopts water restrictions in response to the Level 4 drought in the county...The Beulah Volunteer Fire Department purchases a new truck to use in fighting brush fires...Archivist Linda Aaron will present a program at the library on preserving family documents...The sheriff's office makes two arrests in connection with a rash of burglaries.

OCTOBER 25 - Sheriff Lawson appeals Judge McWhorter's ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court...The city adopts its 2008 General Account and Street Account Budget and sets the millage rate at 5.6 mills...Two Hephzibah residents are arrested on drug charges...The county votes to purchase an ambulance and a motor grader...The "Haunted Halloween Spooktacular" will take place for the second year at the home of Renee and Ernie Guthrie...A dedication ceremony is held for the Friendship Fountain...The Lincoln County Community Partnership, Inc. will offer free books to children.

NOVEMBER 1 - County officials and a delegation from China's Xiuzhou District in the Zhejiang Province take part in a formal ceremony during which a memorandum of understanding is signed, designating the county and the district as sister communities...Lonnie Martin is named grand marshal of the Lincolnton Holiday Parade...A ribbon cutting ceremony is held at Hero Metal Furniture Company's new distribution center.

NOVEMBER 8 - The EPD requires the city to reduce its average water production by 10-percent; Kay Remsen, city clerk, is recognized by the mayor and council for 25 years of service to the people of Lincolnton...County businesses that rely on lake activity are feeling a pinch in the pocketbook...One case of MRSA is reported in the Lincoln County School System; students are urged to wash their hands frequently...Officers arrest a Dearing man in connection with a shooting in the county; the victim is treated and released the same day...Students at LCES and LCMS collect over 1,500 cans of food for the local food pantry during Red Ribbon Week...The chamber of commerce hosts a launch party for its new website.

NOVEMBER 15 - Jill Clark is named the system-wide Teacher of the Year...Kitty Ball is crowned Homecoming Queen at LCHS, and Madison Saggus, Homecoming Princess...The city and the county work hard to reduce water usage...The annual Community Thanksgiving Service will be held November 18 at Martin's Crossroads Congregational Holiness Church...The LCHS Fall Choral Concert is slated for November 17.

NOVEMBER 22 - Lincoln County is named an "Entrepreneur Friendly" community by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)...Approximately 3,000 people attend "Pioneer Day," sponsored annually by the historical society...Cattlemen suffer drought woes..."Upward Basketball and Cheerleading," a national children's sports program, is coming to First Assembly...The Lincoln County Ministerial Association donates 200 turkeys to the food pantry.

NOVEMBER 29 - The Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival, which includes the Lincolnton Holiday Parade, will take place December 1...A man is arrested following the discovery of an abandoned methamphetamine lab in the county...It is reported that the Secret Santa Program will not be offered this year...The county and Electronic Recycling Services (ERS) will host "EWaste Recycling Week" at the convenience center...Broad River Realty is set to sponsor a toy drive for local children.

DECEMBER 6 - A ribbon cutting ceremony is held for Charles Owen & Company, Ltd., the county's second international industry...The historical society's "Candlelight Tour of Homes" is set for December 8...The Huddle House will hold a toy drive for needy children in the community...The city adopts an ordinance establishing penalties for violating outdoor water use restrictions; it also recognizes outgoing councilmen Robert Glaze and Dwain Moss...The chamber announces the winning entries in the holiday parade...The bands at LCMS and LCHS will present their annual Christmas concert December 10.

DECEMBER 13 - Water, immigration, and taxes are among the topics addressed at the chamber's annual legislative breakfast..."Project Care" is running full throttle at LCMS...The clerk of court urges citizens to be wary of certain solicitors offering to obtain certified copies of deeds, etc. for a fee...An unidentified male, brandishing a shotgun, robs the Family Dollar Store...The John Marshall Price House turns 100...Channel 6 is set to broadcast the 53rd Annual Lewis Family Christmas Special...Anthony Chapel UMC will host a Christmas supper and program for the community.

DECEMBER 20 - The county awards the bid for the construction of a new gymnasium to S.D. Clifton Construction...Soprano Leah Partridge will perform with the Augusta Symphony January 12; her Metropolitan Opera debut is scheduled for March...J & T Service Center and its employees donate $1,050 to the food pantry...Residents are urged to display their house numbers to aid emergency personnel.

DECEMBER 27 - Three programs are currently in place to in- crease the graduation rate at LCHS...Greg Ruddell and Billie Black attend a party honoring United States senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton...Educator Rosie Berry will be the guest speaker at the 145th Emancipation Proclamation Observance at Ebenezer Baptist Church.