Progress on the construction of the new gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex was evident in this photograph, which appeared in the June 19, 2008, issue of The Lincoln Journal. JANUARY 3 - - Students at LCMS help the community through "Project Care"...Lincoln County native Leah Partridge is scheduled to perform with the Augusta Symphony...The Georgia Forestry Commission changes its burn permit system.

JANUARY 10 - - Three county employees plead guilty to theft-related charges...The City of Lincolnton welcomes three new councilmen and discusses EPD-mandated cuts in water production...Art teacher Lori Cope wins the Augusta Colts Logo Design Contest...Jill Clark and Sharon Danner, Teachers of the Year for 2008, are profiled.

JANUARY 17 - - Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, discusses taxes, drought, and growth in his "state of the county" address...The Lincoln County Board of Education reviews changes in HOPE...Teachers of the Year Patty Arthur and Carol O'Neill are profiled...Kitty Ball is presented with the Daughters of the American Revolution's "Good Citizen Award."

The LCHS Musical Theatre Department presented Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" May 8 through May 10, 2008, in the school auditorium. Pictured are: (l-r) Curry Colvin as the Beast, Ashley Rivera as Belle, and Tom Reed as Gaston. JANUARY 24 - - Students exceed expectations on the writing portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT)...Rev. Paul Reviere is the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance; Annie Ramsey Parks receives the "Outstanding Citizenship Award"...The Augusta VA Medical Center is renamed in memory of Congressman Charlie Norwood... Students at LCHS participate in a career fair...The Lincoln Young Miss Pageant is set for January 31.

JANUARY 31 - - Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office arrest three Augusta men on drug charges...Fred Daitch is the guest speaker at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Banquet; Jason Raiford is named the chamber's "Director of the Year"...Lincolnton native Carole Bufford takes on the role of Peter Pan in Atlanta...Leah Partridge, who is set to make her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in March, will be featured on Georgia Public Broadcasting's "State of the Arts"...The Mr. LCMS Contest is slated for February 4.

FEBRUARY 7 - - The city looks at the ramifications of failure to meet the EPD-mandated cuts in water production...Elijah Clark State Park will host a special ceremony honoring General Clark, one of the heroes of the Battle of Kettle Creek...The BOC initiates imminent domain proceedings to acquire an easement on Nathania Farm Road...Barack Obama and John McCain carry the county in the Presidential Preference Primary...Thirty-five young ladies will vie for the title of Miss LCMS.

FEBRUARY 14 - - The BOE discusses the construction of the new high school at its annual planning session...The county proclaims February as "Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Month"... The sheriff's office and the Washington Police Department arrest a local man on drug charges...The BOE approves school calendars and renews teacher contracts at its regular meeting...Red Devil Ronnell Ferguson is awarded a scholarship to play football for South Carolina State...A health fair is scheduled for February 16 at the Lincolnton Masonic Lodge...The Lincolnton Police Department arrests a local man for armed robbery.

FEBRUARY 21 - - The official state flag, which will be displayed on board the USS Georgia, visits the county...The BOC approves a disaster mitigation plan...Edward DuBose, state NAACP president, will speak at the annual countywide NAACP banquet...Three local groups are nominated for DOVE awards by the Gospel Music Association....The 32nd Annual Wild Game Supper is set for February 23 at Anthony Chapel United Methodist Church...Shelby Hinson is the system-level winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee...LCHS is recognized as an Advanced Placement Honor School.

FEBRUARY 28 - - Congressman Paul Broun addresses the Concerned Citizens of Lincoln County...Abigail Minor is named the STAR Student at LCHS, and Lee Robinson, the STAR Teacher...The 24th Annual M.A.D. (Music, Art, and Drama) Night is scheduled for March 3 at LCMS/ LCHS...Three members of the Lincoln County Red Devil Pride Band are selected to perform with the GMEA District 10 Honor Band.

MARCH 6 - - Lincoln County dominates the Washington Area Steer and Heifer Show, which is dedicated to Herbert Powell...The city prepares to upgrade sewage lines for the new school...An armed robbery occurs at the Sunrise Minit Market...Graves Mountain is number 20 on the list of "35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die."

MARCH 13 - - The BOE discusses the lack of Impact Aid from the United States Army Corps of Engineers...Fire destroys the home of Ametha Clark on Metasville Road...Community Holy Week Services will be held March 17-21...The LCHS Literary Team takes second place at the Region 7-A Literary Meet; four students will advance to the state tournament.

MARCH 20 - - The relighting of the eternal flame in front of the Lincoln County Courthouse is discussed at the commission meeting...Milton Creagh, a nationally-known motivational speaker, will visit Lincolnton to talk with students and adults about everything from drugs to good parenting...The Mulberry Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church will host its annual ecumenical service on Good Friday...LCHS art students earn "Best of Show" honors at a youth art exhibition in McCormick.

MARCH 27 - - The BOC signs a resolution to finance a sewerage project for the Blackjack Community...The Terry Tankersley Memorial Trail Ride, sponsored annually by the chamber, is scheduled for March 29...Bethany Beggs, a member of the LCMS Baseball Team, is believed to be the only girl in the history of Lincoln County athletics to play on a boys' team.

APRIL 3 - - Increased prices at the pump are hitting local businesses hard...Students are inducted into the LCHS Spanish Honor Society...Jim Reese, and his mother, Lillian, attend a retirement party in Lynchburg, Tennessee, for Jimmy Bedford, master distiller for Jack Daniels.

APRIL 10 - - Teachers plead with the BOE to offer Social Security Benefits...Brittany Phillips is selected as the First and Second-Grade Division's statewide first-place winner in the 18th Annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest...LCMS will host its first-ever athletic awards night...The county receives a framed certificate from Governor Sonny Purdue designating it as an "Entrepreneur Friendly" community...The LCMS Choral Music Department is set to perform the concert version of "Cinderella...The sheriff's office purchases a $14,000 pair of binoculars with grant funds.

APRIL 17 - - The city discusses the construction of a road in conjunction with the new high school...The county looks at relocating the eternal flame to American Legion Post 194...The chamber of commerce will once again host Southern Gospel Night at the park...Thieves hit the Woodlawn Community...The Lincoln County Department of Public Safety takes delivery of a new ambulance.

APRIL 24 - - Sponsored by the city and the county, the annual countywide clean-up day is scheduled for April 26...The Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig will take place April 25- 27...Residents are invited to gather at the courthouse to observe the 57th Annual "National Day of Prayer"...LCHS holds activities during "Prom Week" to encourage students to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

MAY 1 - - Fans flock to the park for the annual Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival...A ra- bid skunk invades a home on Lakeside Drive...Former Red Devil Josh Beard is awarded a full scholarship to play for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

MAY 8 - - Candidates hit the campaign trail as qualifying comes to an end...About $52,000 is raised for the fight against cancer at the Lincoln County American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life...The city adopts a disaster mitigation plan...Approximately 75 Red Devils turn out for spring football practice...The LCHS Musical Theater Department is set to present Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

MAY 15 - - LCES makes Lincoln County the highest scoring system in the CSRA Regional Service Agency's (RESA) 13-county service area on the Georgia Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment; the BOE votes to file a letter of intent to hold a Medicare referendum for teachers...Sara Anne Remsen and Kimber Kirkland are named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the LCHS Class of 2008 at academic honors night...Al Mooney is named the county's new postmaster...T.J. Carani captures an individual title at the state literary meet.

MAY 22 - - An academic reception is held to honor sixth and seventhgraders at LCMS...LCHS athletes are recognized at the school's annual awards ceremony...American Legion Post 194, the city, and the county will host a Memorial Day service...The LCHS Golf Team finishes second in the region.

MAY 29 - The Lincoln County Library hosts a Morris Museum of Art Panel Exhibition...The city awards contracts for sewerage system improvements...Graduation exercises for the LCHS Class of 2008 are held at Buddy Bufford Field...Eighth-grade students at LCMS take part in a promotion ceremony...LCMS/LCHS musicians are recognized at the annual band awards ceremony...The fifth-grade class at LCES participates in graduation exercises.

JUNE 5 - - CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests) scores create concern; the county surpasses most state averages...Anna Beggs is a statewide first-place winner of the "Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest"...Lincoln LeRoy earns an unprecedented 735.4 Accelerated Reader points...The LCHS National Forensic League (NFL) Chapter is named the district winner of the National Public Policy Foundation essay contest...Lincoln County is among 16 counties cited as having the greatest health challenges for minorities...The Shepeard Community Blood Center thanks students for taking part in the "High School Heroes" program.

JUNE 12 - - The BOE votes to reinstate Social Security...The first-ever Lincoln County 4-H Steer & Heifer Show Shootout is set for June 14...Temperatures hit the triple digits...Five LCES art students are named state finalists in the "USS Georgia Return to Service Art Competition."

JUNE 19 - - The BOE reverses its decision on Social Security...Tax reform and the FY 2009 Budget top the agenda at the regular county commission meeting...Qualifying for seats on the BOE begins June 23...A local youth is sentenced in connection with a bank robbery...The construction of the new gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex is well underway...The Thunder Cup Softball Tournament is set for June 26...A farewell luncheon is held for park manager Nelson Noble, who will serve as manager of the Robert Toombs House...The chamber hosts a celebration to kick off its 2008-2009 membership drive.

JUNE 26 - - Local students fare well on the CRCT when compared to students in the CSRA as a whole...Gas prices keep climbing...Justin Ashmore and Ivie Aycock take top honors at the 4-H Steer and Heifer Shootout...Tesa Gunby, a Peace Corps volunteer from Lincolnton, asks for help with completing a science lab in Malawi...The state clamps down on dogfighters and spectators.