In September of 2008, drivers in Lincoln County and other areas of the state were chasing an elusive commodity: gasoline. The problem started with the shutdown of oil platforms and refineries in the Gulf of Mexico in preparation for Hurricane Ike. JULY 3 - - The "Thunder Over Thurmond" fireworks extravaganza will light up the lake July 5...Julie Bennett will join the UGA Redcoat Band's flag line in the fall...Water levels at Clark's Hill Lake are running almost 11 feet below full pool...Tom Poland joins The Journal staff as a columnist.

JULY 10 - - The BOE approves its FY 2009 General Fund Budget and votes once again to reinstate Social Security...Jason Quarles is treated and released following a motor vehicle accident on Partridgetown Road...The city gives the Lincolnton Historical Preservation Commission the nod to proceed with the development of a historical park on Groves Street...An Aiken man runs his boat up on a shoal near the mouth of Soap Creek...Five members of the NFL chapter at LCHS compete in the national tournament; Abigail Minor is recognized as one of 22 four-year qualifiers for nationals...Three qualify for seats on the BOE.

Water levels at Clark's Hill Lake were dangerously low, running almost 11 feet below full pool, according to the July 3 edition of The Lincoln Journal. Pictured are the fishing pier and what was formerly the swimming area at Elijah Clark State Park. JULY 17 - - The Georgia Court of Appeals upholds the superior court's decision to grant the county's petition for declaratory judgment relief filed against the sheriff in 2007; the sheriff will re-appeal the case...Sgt. Jerry A. Hearst is awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action..."River of Life" volunteers make improvements to 32 local residences...The county commission hears an update on the chairman's tax reform initiative...Lincoln County defeats McCormick in the Thunder Cup Softball Tournament...Brenda Danner (tax commissioner) and Cooper Cliatt (District 3 county commissioner) win races for local offices in the Georgia General Primary.

JULY 24 - - The BOE is pleased with the End-of-Course Test (EOCT) scores in physical science and economics...Lyndsie Beggs battles cancer with faith and a positive attitude...Personnel with the police department and the sheriff's office arrest a man wanted for attempted murder in North Carolina...Pam Carmichael is named a "High Performance Principal" by the governor...A new restroom/storage building is constructed at the recreation complex...Carson Goldman and Tanner Aycock win big at the Georgia Junior Beef Futurity.

JULY 31 - - Open houses at held at LCES, LCMS, and LCHS in preparation for August 8, the first day of the new school year...Lincoln County Family Connection hosts a "Back-to- School Give-Away"...The Columbia County Sheriff's Office conducts "active shooter" drills at LCMS...The county makes a commitment to earn "Certified Work Ready Community Status"...American Legion Post 597 will offer free haircuts to students.

AUGUST 7 - - The city votes to raise garbage rates to offset service costs...Water levels continue to drop as the drought's grip remains steady...LCHS files an appeal with the state after it fails to meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)...New teachers are welcomed to the school system.

AUGUST 14 - - The BOE accepts a bid for site improvements for the new school...The city will install a new water meter to monitor county usage...The Savannah River Hammers, a hammered dulcimer group, will perform at the park...The Rees Family Singing is set for August 23...Local officials receive a $5,000 Communities of Opportunity (Co- Op) grant from Governor Perdue for transportation infrastructure improvements...LCES implements the Response to Intervention (FTI) program...A Lincolnton woman wins $100,000 in the Georgia Lottery...The Lincoln County Ministerial Association hosts its annual "Prayer Walk of Schools."

AUGUST 21 - - The BOC signs an agreement that will allow Wilkes County to withdraw water from a hydrant near the county line for fire suppression...The LCHS Softball Team is off to a good start with a 3- 1 record...Tanner Ketchum and his team, the Thomson Wildcats, are runners up at the USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) World Series...A GBI investigation clears two E-911 dispatchers of an allegation of felony obstruction of an officer...StandOff Studios launches a reality fishing show on the Outdoor Channel...Jackie Wallace helps eighthgraders excel on the math portion of the CRCT.

AUGUST 28 - - The Red Devils will face Greene County in its season opener...Lakes hit the trigger for the Level III drought designation...The Clark's Hill Partnership of Georgia is well represented at the trade expo held in conjunction with the largest bass fishing championship in the nation...The county is awarded $2,578.70 in conjunction with the Grassroots Arts Program...Marie Smalley is recognized for her volunteer work at the library...C.J. Goldman exhibits the reserve grand champion steer at the Georgia Young Farmer Association Cattle Show...Brittany Perkins is named "Junior Miss Gold Rush."

SEPTEMBER 4 - - The football game is rescheduled due to Hurricane Hannah...The chamber launches its search for the grand marshal of the Lincolnton Holiday Parade...Tony Cartledge publishes a new book emphasizing storytelling...Thomas Bunch, head football coach at LCHS from 1961 to 1971, is honored during a special ceremony held at halftime...David Griffin, zoning administrator, explains the need for the city's eight zoning districts.

SEPTEMBER 11 - - Citizens voice concerns over the BOE's proposed millage rate increase...The tax digest reflects a growth rate of 6.2 percent...The Eighth Annual "Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival" is set for September 19-21 at the park...A wreath-laying ceremony is held at Hannah Clark's gravesite on the anniversary of her death...September is "Library Card Sign-Up Month."

SEPTEMBER 18 - - City residents will pay more for water and sewage services, effective October 1...The BOE adopts the final plans for the new high school...A car and golf cart collide, sending five to the hospital...The Lewis Family as well as Lizzy Long and Llegacy are scheduled to perform at the Imperial Theatre...A GBI investigation clears an associate magistrate judge and her husband of any wrongdoing...The commission chairman discusses a tax report issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

SEPTEMBER 25 - - Two are arrested in connection with a scam costing residents and businesses several thousands of dollars...A ceremony is held to dedicate a portion of Highway 47 as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway...The developers of Stillwater Coves are working to restructure the company's debt...The county adopts its FY 2009 General Fund Budget and sets the tax levy...The BOE leaves its millage rate unchanged despite opposition...Teachers Bryan Godsey and Lisa Bentley are recognized by the state for improvements in student test scores...The Clark's Hill Partnership receives the "Partner Agency Tourism Champion Award" from the governor..."Early voting" in the General/ Nonpartisan Election is underway.

OCTOBER 2 — Shortages make it difficult to find gasoline at any price in the wake of Hurricane Ike...The biannual Graves Mountain Rock Swap & Dig is set for October 3- 5...Voters are urged to check their registration status...The chamber will host a barbecue lunch for members and prospective members...The FOL's 2009 keepsake calendar is dedicated to Dianne Poteat.

OCTOBER 9 - - The city adopts its FY 2009 Budget; the millage rate will remain the same...A cancer symposium will be held at The Lincoln Center...C.J. Goldman takes top honors at the Georgia National Fair Steer & Heifer Show...The use of curriculum maps by teachers will help students meet Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)...The LCHS Softball Team advances to the sectional playoffs.

OCTOBER 16 - - A new CPR compression device helps save the life of a former county commissioner...The BOE recognizes the 2009 "Teachers of the Year:" Luann Beale, LCHS Teacher of the Year and Lincoln County Teacher of the Year; Mollie Asbell, LCES Teacher of the Year; and Ken Hayes, LCMS Teacher of the Year...All three schools are "accredited with quality" by the Georgia Accrediting Commission...The Red Devils will host the Washington- Wilkes Tigers in what has become the "perfect rivalry"...The third annual bicycle ride to raise funds for the Paul Anderson Youth Home rolls through Lincolnton.

OCTOBER 23 - - LCHS wins the Governor's Cup for Region 7- A...Residents mourn the death of former Lincolnton mayor James B. "Buddy" Marlow, Sr...The public is invited to a "Breast Cancer Brunch and Learn" at the Lincoln County Health Department...First Assembly of God's Community Fall Festival will feature "The Great Pumpkin Drop"...The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) hosts an open house to discuss the rerouting of Highway 79...The 56th Annual Lincoln County Fair will take place October 28 through November 1...Two former Red Devils, UGA defensive end Jarius Wynn and Brandon Barden, a tight end for the Vanderbilt Comgraduation modores, meet at Sanford Stadium.

OCTOBER 30 - The county is officially designated as a Community of Opportunity (Co-Op) and as such, hopes to widen Highway 43...The Georgia Supreme Court declines to review the case involving a petition for declaratory judgment relief, filed against the sheriff by the board of commissioners...Lindsey McWhorter is crowned Homecoming Queen at LCHS, and Amanda Broom, Homecoming Princess...The annual LCHS Senior Recognition Ceremony is set for October 31...Ernie and Renee Guthrie will host the "Third Annual Haunted Halloween Spooktacular"...The GAPSS (Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards) team commends local schools for compliance with state standards.

NOVEMBER 6 - - Wade Johnson and Gerald Lawson win races for the top offices in the county in the General/ Nonpartisan Election...The city votes to purchase a new garbage truck...The chamber announces that LaVina Marlow and her husband, Buddy Marlow, who died October 17, were selected as grand marshals of the Lincolnton Holiday Parade...Huddle House employees will once again sponsor a toy drive for needy children...LCES, LCMS, and LCHS observe "Red Ribbon Week" with a variety of activities.

NOVEMBER 13 - - The county partners with Creative Recycling to place a trailer at the Lincoln County Convenience Center for the disposal of "e-waste"...American Legion Post 194 sponsors a Veterans Day Memorial Service at the courthouse..."Pioneer Day," which is being dedicated to the memory of Buddy Marlow, will be held November 22 at the Lincoln County Historical Park.

NOVEMBER 20 - - The BOE awards the contract for the construction of a new high school to R.W. Allen & Associates...With the Savannah River Basin in the midst of a 10- year drought of record, a crowd of 700-plus residents of Georgia and South Carolina meets with the corps concerning regulations governing the agency's management of the lakes in the basin...Steven and Robin Snider and family will be in concert at First Assembly of God to celebrate the release of the group's newest CD...The annual Community Thanksgiving Service is set for November 23 at First Assembly...The county votes to purchase three cardiac support pumps, one for each ambulance...Theft charges are filed against the chief jailer at the Lincoln County Law Enforcement Center.

NOVEMBER 27 - - Inequities in rates are the focus of a study conducted by The Schott Foundation for Public Education...Rocking R International, Inc. announces that the company's corporate headquarters is moving to McCormick...The Lincoln County Food Pantry gives away approximately 135 turkeys and hams...Emma Collins will appear in a production of the "Sanders Family Christmas" at the Bolton Lunceford Playhouse in Washington...Volunteers read books to LCES students during "Reading Under the Stars."

DECEMBER 4 — The city votes to raise the cost of the water it sells to the county...The Holidays in Olde Lincolnton Festival, which includes the Lincolnton Holiday Parade, will take place December 6...The bands at LCMS and LCHS will present their annual Christmas concert on December 11...The Memory Lane project is in full swing at the library...Lincolnton Baptist Church is in the process of expanding its fellowship hall...Four members of the LCHS Art Club participate in the nation's oldest art competition; Danielle Hutton receives Honorable Mention in the contest.

DECEMBER 11 — Board member Robert Hearst is honored by the BOE for 12 years of service to the people of the county...Amanda Gay is crowned Miss LCHS...John Cullars McCrimmon publishes his second book...County and state residents vote to send Senator Saxby Chambliss back to Washington in the General Election Runoff...The chamber announces the winning entries in the holiday parade.

DECEMBER 18 — Three commissioners and a department head bid farewell at the BOC's last regular meeting of the year; the commission votes to name the county's new gym after Chairman Norman...Willie, Sadie, and Donnell Harris talk about the joys of adoption...Red Devil Vance Tarver becomes the second athlete to place in all three events at the annual Southern Kicking Classic....A local man is killed in a car chase...The county is blessed with six inches of drenching rain...Channel 6 is set to broadcast the 54th Annual Lewis Family Christmas Special.

DECEMBER 25 — The dedication of the new gym at the recreation complex is set for December 30... Roy Smith, Jr., the mayor of McCormick, will speak at the 146th Annual Emancipation Proclamation Observance January 1...Superior Court Clerk Bruce Beggs is recognized for 24 years of service to the community...The BOC votes to pave parking lots and a driveway at the recreation complex.