Draft copy of first Harry Potter book auctioned
LONDON -- A draft copy of the first Harry Potter adventure which incorrectly identified author J.K. Rowling sold at auction for $2,642, the auctioneer said.

Draft copy of first Harry Potter book auctioned

Cubs agree to deal with Ryan Dempster

Cubs agree to deal with Ryan Dempster
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs are taking a chance that Ryan Dempster will be as good as old.

Gonzalez agrees to terms with Devil Rays
TAMPA, Fla. -- Right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

Matsui to wear pinstripes in Japan
TOKYO -- Hideki Matsui may get to display his Yankee pinstripes at the Tokyo Dome.

Orosco retires 25 years after reaching majors
Jesse Orosco had enough.

Beltran agrees to $9 million, one-year deal with Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Outfielder Carlos Beltran and the Kansas City Royals agreed Tuesday to a $9 million, one-year contract.

Matsui to wear pinstripes in Japan

Gonzalez agrees to terms with Devil Rays

Beltran agrees to $9 million, one-year deal with Kansas City

Orosco retires 25 years after reaching majors

Japan's career saves leader joining White Sox
CHICAGO -- Shingo Takatsu, Japan's career saves leader, has agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.

Odalis Perez signs with Dodgers; Gagne asks for $8 million
LOS ANGELES -- Left-hander Odalis Perez avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to terms of a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers worth $5 million.

Jacob Aubrey Marshall
Jason C. Marshall and Hope D. Marshall, of Grovetown, announce the birth of a son, Jacob Aubrey Marshall, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at University Hospital. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Randy Dickson, of Harlem, Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Rish, of Martinez, and Mr. and Mrs. John W. Marshall, of Lincolnton, Ga.

Jacob Aubrey Marshall

Charlie Arthur Lee Bussey III

Travis Daniel Hoague

Charlie Arthur Lee Bussey III
Charlie A.L. Bussey Jr. and Baronessa B. Bussey, of Graniteville, announce the birth of a son, Charlie Arthur Lee Bussey III, Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at University Hospital. Grandparents are Margaret A. Miller, of Westwego, La., George E. Brown, of New Orleans, and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie A.L. Bussey Sr., of Augusta.

John David DeLoach Satcher

John David DeLoach Satcher
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Satcher, of Edgefield, S.C., announce the birth of a son, John David DeLoach Satcher, Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital. Grandparents are Dr. and Mrs. Tony DeLoach, of Duluth, Ga., Patsy DeLoach, of Cordele, Ga., Jim Satcher, of Johnston, S.C., and Betty Whatley Jones, of Augusta.

Aaron James Thompson

Aaron James Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce H. Thompson, of Martinez, announce the birth of a son, Aaron James Thompson, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital. Grandparents are Dorothea A. Mulligan, of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Thompson, of Akron, Ohio, and the late James H. Mulligan.

Travis Daniel Hoague
Mr. and Mrs. Travis E. Hoague, of Mitchell, Ga., announce the birth of a son, Travis Daniel Hoague, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at St. Joseph Hospital. Grandparents are David and Robyn Wiggins, of Mitchell, Ga., Richard and Deborah Brassell, of Gibson, Ga., and Robert and Janice Hoague, of Delta Junction, Alaska.

Odds and Ends
HONG KONG -- After a year of SARS, recession, and political turmoil, Hong Kongers may be relieved to hear Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho is bowing out of a Lunar New Year ceremony to predict the territory's fortunes.

Odds and Ends
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The dog show will go on - just not on the carpet.

Braves agree to $4.2 million, one-year deal with Drew
ATLANTA -- Outfielder J.D. Drew and the Atlanta Braves agreed Tuesday to a $4.2 million, one-year contract.

Braves agree to $4.2 million, one-year deal with Drew

South Carolina workers endure third straight year of job losses
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina lost jobs for the third straight year in 2003 marking the worst stretch for workers since the Great Depression, according to state and federal statistics.

Housing construction up in December

Mad cow scare hurts Midwest meatpacking belt

Housing construction up in December
WASHINGTON -- Residential construction activity picked up in December, helping to make all of 2003 the best year for home builders in a quarter-century and underscoring the critical role the sector played in the economy's resurgence.

Soaring energy prices could hurt economy
NEW YORK -- The troubled labor market might not be the only thorn in the economy's side. Surging energy prices could also do their part to throw the recovery off its course.

Business briefs
Hundreds of employers will be available to interview prospective employees Tuesday at The Augusta Chronicle-sponsored Job Fair '04 at the Julian Smith Casino. Attendees will be able to discuss career opportunities and update their resumes during the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call (706) 364-6400 or go to www.augustachronicle.com for more information.

Cingular makes offer to acquire AT&T Wireless

Business briefs
IRVING, Texas - Kimberly-Clark has reorganized major parts of its business to cut costs and increase sales.

Agency will use Message 911 to alert citizens

Cingular makes offer to acquire AT&T Wireless
ATLANTA -- Cingular Wireless has made a formal all-cash offer to acquire AT&T Wireless in a deal that would create the nation's largest cell phone carrier, according to sources close to the deal.

Japan orders wholesalers not to sell U.S. beef products

Agency will use Message 911 to alert citizens
Once just a plan to notify youth sports teams of schedule changes, an Augusta telecommunications company is creating systems to assist in homeland security.

Japan orders wholesalers not to sell U.S. beef products
TOKYO -- The government ordered meat wholesalers not to sell hundreds of tons of American T-bone steaks and other beef products imported before Japan imposed a ban in reaction to the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States, health officials said Wednesday.

Small farmer's fight against Monsanto becomes anti-biotech crusade

Hardee's pins hopes on bigger, beefier burgers
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- It's about as low as a fast-food chain can go.

Business briefs

Group to market to retirees
An economic development group that uses Masters Week to recruit industries to Augusta will look to market the metro area as an ideal retirement community this year.

Mad cow scare hurts Midwest meatpacking belt
FREMONT, Neb. -- Candy Nysingh still cuts and packs meat at Fremont Beef Co., but with jobs in America's meatpacking belt being lost to mad cow disease, she isn't sure for how long.

Airport rethinks its goals
Augusta Regional Airport officials were told Tuesday their 25 percent goal to include small and minority-owned businesses in airport projects this year is probably shooting too high.

Soaring energy prices could hurt economy

Small farmer's fight against Monsanto becomes anti-biotech crusade
OTTAWA -- The case of a small-time farmer from the remote Saskatchewan plains, now before Canada's highest court, may represent the best chance yet for foes of the global biotech revolution to get the law on their side.

Group to market to retirees

Martha Stewart enters new innocent plea as trial begins
NEW YORK -- With a wave to a pair of supporters outside and a nod to jury prospects inside, Martha Stewart went on trial in earnest Tuesday at a Manhattan federal courthouse.

Hardee's pins hopes on bigger, beefier burgers

Charity announced $1.5 billion gift from estate of McDonald's heiress
WASHINGTON -- The Salvation Army is receiving a donation likely to exceed $1.5 billion from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, the late widow of the founder of McDonald's Corp., the charity announced Tuesday.

South Carolina workers endure third straight year of job losses

Business briefs

Virginia beats up Clemson

Virginia beats up Clemson
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Donte Minter scored 10 points in a span of 6 1/2 minutes in the second half Tuesday night and lifted Virginia to a 61-50 victory over Clemson in a offensive nightmare for both teams.

Jaguars win at home

Augusta's Mize will play without Tour exemption

Bush's tough road
For months, George W. Bush has been taking it on the chin from the Democratic hopefuls who seek to oust him from the presidency later this year. On Tuesday night, he used the nationally televised State of the Union address to hit back.

Preserving Augusta
If your community is one of only eight in the nation receiving national recognition for something, then in all likelihood it's either something very good or very bad.

The Big Lie
A forum Tuesday night at Paine College was supposed to be about whether France and Germany were our friends.

A ticket to nowhere
John Kerry, take note. Winning the strange and convoluted Iowa caucuses, more often than not, is a ticket to nowhere.

A ticket to nowhere

Preserving Augusta

Bush's tough road

Killing newborns OK?
Imagine rolling a pregnant woman into the delivery room, and then having the doctor ask her if she wants to have the baby delivered alive or dead.

The top five list
Here is a top five list of films, TV, music, concerts, video and DVD sales.

People in the News
LOS ANGELES -- He knows he'll never get the chance, but Jeff Probst would love to play "Survivor" instead of just be the host.

Sean Penn plays role of war correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO -- Notorious for his rocky relationships with journalists, actor Sean Penn has stepped into the shoes of a reporter with a two-part series of articles in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Cowboys, Indians stage takeover of downtown
The Wild West is coming to Augusta. The inaugural Western Culture and Food Festival will feature food, music and entertainment Thursday through Sunday at Seventh Street from Telfair to Talcot streets at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

People in the News
NEW YORK -- Victoria Gotti is going to be busy. American Media Inc., publisher of Star magazine, has named Gotti editor in chief of its new publication, Red Carpet.

Western Culture and Food Festival schedule of events
Seventh Street from Telfair to Talcot streets, fronting Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center:

Stuff to do
Atlanta rocker Kevn Kinney performs Saturday at the Soul Bar, 984 Broad St. The Livingroom Legends and Chris Cauley also will perform. For more information, call 724-8880.

Extras, extras
Heading to the video store? Here's a preview of some of the extras on new DVD releases:

Get started on 2003 tax returns
WASHINGTON -- Swamped in tax paperwork with nowhere to turn? Here are some tips to get started and to find help when you need it:

Bond prices mixed
NEW YORK -- Treasury bond prices were mixed at midday Tuesday.

Bond prices mixed

Get started on 2003 tax returns

Stocks close mixed as investors show wariness on tech
NEW YORK -- Strong bank earnings pushed the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index to new 22-month highs Wednesday, but technology stocks lagged on disappointing news from Lucent Technologies and Motorola.

Stocks close mixed as investors show wariness on tech

Stocks fall despite positive earnings
NEW YORK -- Investors intent on collecting profits from Friday's big gains looked past a series of positive earnings reports Tuesday, sending blue chip stocks moderately lower. The falling dollar and rising price of oil contributed to the selling.

Dollar down, gold up in Europe

Dollar down, gold up in Europe
LONDON -- The U.S. dollar fell against most other major currencies in European trading Tuesday. Gold rose.

Stocks fall despite positive earnings

Small portions
This is the season when it's common for throats to get irritated from constant coughing, and when tea sweetened with honey is an appealing way to soothe sore throats and flulike symptoms.

Hors d'oeuvres are kids' stuff

Hors d'oeuvres are kids' stuff
CONCORD, N.H. - Having reached the age when seemingly everyone around me has young children, I've noticed a recurring theme at parties and family gatherings - children struggling with foods intended for adults.

Seek comfort in delicious dishes
Simple, basic and homey dishes often are grouped as "comfort foods," and at this time of year that trendy yet vague description sounds perfect.

South Texans say it's a banner year for red, sweet grapefruit

From natural to free-range, marketing claims for beef confusing

Pull an Italian job with BLT

Seek comfort in delicious dishes

Tony Roma's signature ribs worth picking
A good slab of ribs is like a good steak - hard to find in a restaurant. So when most people go to a rib joint, they tend to order anything but the specialty.

Small portions

Pull an Italian job with BLT
How about a pasta variation on your BLT? A simple but very good offering with a playful tie-in to the favorite bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich, with an Italian flavor, comes from Good Housekeeping 100 Best Pasta Recipes earst, 2003, $14.95).

Land Institute seeking perennial wheat, other crops
SALINA, Kan. -- Wes Jackson gets a little impatient when asked how long it will take to achieve his dream of turning agriculture on its head.

Dining out
Here are mini-reviews of area restaurants.

Dining out

South Texans say it's a banner year for red, sweet grapefruit
DONNA, Texas -- Soaking fall rains after a decade of drought and the perfect nip of winter chill in deep South Texas made this year's grapefruit crop juicy, sweet and super red.

From natural to free-range, marketing claims for beef confusing
DENVER -- Organic. Natural. No added hormones. No antibiotics. Grass-fed. Free-range.

Futurity set for kickoff

Futurity set for kickoff
The 25th annual Augusta Futurity begins this morning at 8 with the first go-round of the $20,000 Non-Pro go-round.

Deacon's streak snapped
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- It's taken just over a month for Will Bynum to feel comfortable in Georgia Tech's offense. Now that he does, the 11th-ranked Yellow Jackets are going to be hard to beat.

Deacon's streak snapped

Mickelson eager to start new season
LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Last year was a scary one for Phil Mickelson, in ways far more significant than concerns that his golf game was unraveling.

Wie the next Tiger, but not on the PGA Tour
HONOLULU -- Jesper Parnevik said it would have been the biggest miracle in sports. So he wanted to be there just in case Michelle Wie made the cut at the Sony Open.

Kendall cuts through for Hope lead

Wie might be better off without so many free lunches

Despite invitation, Wie probably won't play the Booz Allen
WASHINGTON -- Michelle Wie will be invited to play in another PGA Tour event but will probably decline because it conflicts with a tournament where she's the defending champion.

Wie the next Tiger, but not on the PGA Tour

Despite invitation, Wie probably won't play the Booz Allen

Wie might be better off without so many free lunches
The golf was brawny, business was brisk, and the tournament made for good TV all four days, even if you occasionally had to turn down the sound.

Kendall cuts through for Hope lead
LA QUINTA, Calif. - Skip Kendall has completely overcome his slice - the one when he almost lopped off the top of a finger.

Mickelson eager to start new season

Prep girls and boys basketball scores

Thrasers thrash Sabres

Canadiens defeat the Flyers

Senators take out the Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Marian Hossa had a goal and two assists to lift the Ottawa Senators past the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 Tuesday night.

Bruins claim center from Florida
BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins claimed center Craig MacDonald off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

Bruins claim center from Florida

Thrasers thrash Sabres
Atlanta Thrashers defeated Buffalo Sabres 4 to 1.

Canadiens defeat the Flyers
PHILADELPHIA -- Jose Theodore made 22 saves, and Richard Zednik scored two power-play goals to lead the Montreal Canadians to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

Rice is nice to spice up winter
When the winter doldrums set in, I like to serve my family international foods to liven things up a bit.

Rice is nice to spice up winter

Officials investigate early morning fires
Investigators are looking into two fires this morning that damaged a house on Walker Street and destroyed another.

Electing Walker again is folly
Regarding the Jan. 16 news story, "Walker says he will run": Andy Chandler, Augusta

Roe v. Wade: children murdered in the name of 'choice'
We live in perilous times. While U.S. soldiers are dying in Iraq, unborn children are being murdered weekly at Planned Parenthood on Broad Street in Augusta. At least the soldiers have weapons to defend themselves. Jim Irish, North Augusta, S.C.

Flag editorial disrespectful to Confederate war dead
Your Jan. 15 editorial, "Flawed thinking, linking," about the 1956 Georgia flag did not mention why Judge John Sammons Bell designed it. The 1956 Georgia flag was a "living memorial" that represented the two-thirds of all Georgia's war dead, American veterans from Georgia who wore the gray. T.W. Highsmith, Evans, Ga.

Bureaucratic obstacles hinder marinas' success
I agree with Mike Stacy's Jan. 2 letter, "Distinguish Riverfront Marina from marina warehouse," concerning privatizing the city marinas. Rick Allen, Augusta

Electing Walker again is folly

Roe v. Wade: children murdered in the name of 'choice'

Democrats are filled with both hate and hypocrisy
Where have the adults in the Democratic Party gone? If you listen to all the hate-filled rhetoric and allegations and insults leveled at President George W. Bush and the Republicans from various Democratic organizations and operatives, one has to conclude that there is no one left in the party but juveniles. Robert Smock, Hephzibah, Ga.

Flag editorial disrespectful to Confederate war dead

Democrats are filled with both hate and hypocrisy

Mars rover breaks out gadgets and gets busy

Sleep essential for creative thinking, study says

Russian space engineers eager to join U.S. on missions to moon, Mars

Study: American taxes pay for most obesity health ills

Rich and refined, another hit for Chanel

Living briefs

Non-surgery skin cancer treatment looks better, might risk recurrence

Study: Most diabetics obese, don't meet health recommendations

Living briefs

Skin-care products differ for men today

Ohh nooo! 'Mr. Bill' to help save Louisiana coast

Living briefs
Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer's tells you everything you never wanted to know, but had better be aware of, about Alzheimer's disease.

Sleep essential for creative thinking, study says
Everybody feels refreshed following a good night's sleep. But can you wake up smarter? More artistic perhaps?

Mars rover breaks out gadgets and gets busy
PASADENA, Calif. -- Scientists awaited data from the Spirit Rover after it started probing the mineral composition of a large martian rock dubbed Adirondack.

Skin-care products differ for men today
NEW YORK - Men's skin-care lines have long been a part of top cosmetics companies' offerings in department stores. But similar products have been popping up in recent months on drugstore aisles, too, raising the question: Do men really need their own stuff or can image-conscious men keep raiding their wives' skin-care products?

Health and fitness calendar
The health and fitness calendar is a listing of support groups, activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928. Send information by fax to 722-7403 and send e-mail to feature@augustachronicle.com. Please include a contact name and phone number.

Study: American taxes pay for most obesity health ills
ATLANTA -- Taxpayers foot the doctor's bill for more than half of obesity-related medical costs, which reached a total of $75 billion in 2003, according to a new study.

Rich and refined, another hit for Chanel
PARIS -- Million-dollar babes and refined touches lit up the Chanel haute couture show Tuesday as Karl Lagerfeld did it again: a masterpiece of a show that looked not just rich, but wearable.

Mentors are rewarded when children succeed
Weekday mornings can easily slip into constructive chaos for John Cummings, a mentor in the Richmond County Health Department's Mentors for Success program.

Ohh nooo! 'Mr. Bill' to help save Louisiana coast
NEW ORLEANS -- The effort to save Louisiana's eroding coast is about to get a new catchphrase: "Ohh nooo!!!"

Study: Most diabetics obese, don't meet health recommendations
CHICAGO -- More than half of adult diabetics in the United States are obese and many more have higher-than-recommended blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar - all factors that raise their risk of complications and death, a government study found.

Living briefs
The fifth annual Antiques in the Heart of Aiken Show and Sale will be from Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 in the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St.

Russian space engineers eager to join U.S. on missions to moon, Mars
MOSCOW -- Russia's space engineers spent years designing futuristic spacecraft for missions to Mars with little hope they would survive the financial meltdown of the nation's once-glorious space program.

Non-surgery skin cancer treatment looks better, might risk recurrence
CHICAGO -- A non-surgical treatment for basal cell skin cancer results in better cosmetic results but might be less effective than surgery at preventing the disease from returning, a study found.

New Internet virus spreading fast
NEW YORK -- A new Internet virus was spreading fast throughout Asia, Australia and Europe but computer security experts were divided on the seriousness of the threat from the "Bagle" worm, and reckoned home users were most at risk.

Lynx slap shots
Tonight: ECHL All-Star game at Peoria, lll and Friday, Augusta Lynx in Mississippi against the Mississippi Sea Wolves at 8:35 p.m.

Jacina breaks out of slump
He was far and away the best player on the ice Saturday night for the Augusta Lynx, which was a fitting statement made by Greg Jacina in his final home contest before tonight's ECHL All-Star Game in Peoria, Ill.

Jacina breaks out of slump

Surgery ends Reynolds' year
Defenseman Peter Reynolds' season is over after surgery to repair a severed Achilles tendon on Tuesday, but the prognosis is good for a full recovery and return to the ice next season.

Surgery ends Reynolds' year

Experts debate brain data
Reinaldo Rivera has "diminished responsibility" for his crimes because a sophisticated brain scan shows he has little activity in an area responsible for impulse control and appropriate behavior, a defense expert testified.

Tort reform bill gets support

Budget cuts, enrollment growth a deadly combination, says chancellor
ATLANTA -- University System Chancellor Tom Meredith warned legislative budget writers Tuesday the spending cuts being imposed on Georgia's public colleges and universities, together with a growing enrollment, constitute a "deadly combination."

Gephardt cancels trip to Charleston on Tuesday

Student who killed raccoon could face charges
ATHENS, Ga. -- Animal rights groups are demanding the prosecution and expulsion of a University of Georgia student who allegedly killed a raccoon that was then skinned, eaten and burned by members of his fraternity.

Young calls for changes in address

Female legislators aim for larger roles within Capitol
ATLANTA - On any given day, a visitor to the Georgia Capitol is more likely to see bald spots than beehive hairdos.

Sewer keeps growth at bay

Senate overrides several Sanford budget vetoes
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The state Senate on Tuesday overrode several of Gov. Mark Sanford's first budget vetoes.

Men already in jail are also robbery suspects
North Augusta authorities say two men being held at the Aiken County jail on various charges Wednesday are also suspects in two recent armed robberies.

Leaders' spending wishes go unfulfilled

S.C. jobs suffer in economy downturn

Rants and raves
THIS IS A RANT about Reinaldo Rivera. I'd like to know why he is dressed in a fine suit for this trial. The man needs to be in prison clothes. He needs to come in chains and a prison suit.

Prison relief bill quashed

Public defender office gets funds
Augusta commissioners voted late Tuesday to spend $265,370 in city funds on additional space for Augusta's public defender office.

Across South Carolina

Chambliss hospitalized after appendectomy
MOULTRIE, Ga. -- U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss remained at Colquitt Regional Medical Center on Tuesday after emergency surgery to have his appendix removed.

Prison relief bill quashed
AIKEN - A proposal by South Carolina's prison chief to relieve overcrowding through alternatives to incarceration has been killed because of opposition from prosecutors around the state, a key legislative leader said Wednesday.

New exhibit at GSU examines history of segregation in Bulloch County
STATESBORO, Ga. -- The "Equal & Exact Justice" exhibit that opened this week at the Georgia Southern Museum shows how commonplace segregation was here.

Masters spending on rebound

Life sentences go to 2 men in slaying

Sanford addresses economy

Across the area

Defendant wants death

MCG Health puts its hope in lawsuits

Gephardt cancels trip to Charleston on Tuesday
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt canceled his campaign trip to Charleston on Tuesday afternoon following a devastating fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.

Supporters of 1956 flag rally again, demanding new vote

Experts debate brain data

Airport rethinks its goals
Augusta Regional Airport officials were told Tuesday their 25 percent goal to include small and minority-owned businesses in airport projects this year is probably shooting too high.

South Carolina official wants Web predator law
AIKEN - South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster is pushing for a new law to protect children from predators in cyberspace, an increasing concern among law enforcement officials in the computer age.

Young calls for changes in address
Four new faces on the city commission are only the start of what Mayor Bob Young called "a year of change" for Augusta during his annual State of the City address, delivered Tuesday.

School appeals state rating
AIKEN - School officials said they were shocked when Barnwell High School got an "unsatisfactory" improvement rating on its 2003 state report card. But after an appeal, the school got slightly higher marks, with a "below average" rating in the improvement area.

Across the area
A protest against the state's award of a contract to run the Augusta Youth Development Campus is unlikely to affect that contract, the Department of Juvenile Justice's acting commissioner said Tuesday.

Police academy director accused
As director of Augusta's state-run police academy, Michael Farrell offered to trade passing grades for political favors, destroyed negative evaluations and ordered an employee to run personal errands for him, according to documents obtained Tuesday by The Augusta Chronicle.

Leaders' spending wishes go unfulfilled
AIKEN - Aiken County legislators are reluctant to talk about it - some just won't - but there's a wish list of things they'd do if South Carolina's economic picture were brighter.

Across South Carolina
Senators overrode a veto that would reduce funding for the State Museum. Mr. Sanford's budget calls for an end to the funding in three years to free up money for education and health programs.

Cult leader's son tried to frame him, witness testifies
BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- A daughter of cult leader Malachi York testified Tuesday she was urged by her brother to lie to authorities by saying her father molested her.

News you can use
JAN. 21, 1988 The governments of Augusta and Richmond County may never consolidate if the state can't pass a unified government bill this year, Rep. Don Cheeks said Wednesday.

Supporters of 1956 flag rally again, demanding new vote
ATLANTA -- About 200 Southern heritage supporters rallied Tuesday to demand a new vote on the Georgia flag, promising to drive out any politician who opposes a public say on the Dixie cross of stars.

News you can use

Georgia Students Interpret Lessons Learned from Holocaust
ATLANTA-"What are the lessons of the Holocaust?" This question will be answered in vivid detail by Georgia middle and high school students through pottery, papier-mache, poetry and prose for a contest conducted by the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. Ford Motor Company sponsors the competition, now in its 10th year.

Across South Carolina
ORANGEBURG -A St. Matthews man has been shot to death, and the woman he was with was wounded in a shooting at an apartment near South Carolina State University.

Men already in jail are also robbery suspects

Masters spending on rebound
After a noticeable drop in spending during last year's Masters Tournament, early signs from Augusta's service industry suggest this year is shaping up to be better than the last.

Preparation under way for Masters

Slain woman's injuries detailed in testimony
Vanessa Adolph, who was found dead at an Augusta rock quarry in December, had every bone in her rib cage broken, a Richmond County sheriff's investigator testified Wednesday.

Corps plans festivities for 50th anniversary

Appling crash kills teen
A 16-year-old girl was killed and her younger brother was injured in a single-vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Appling.

Across the area

Kid of the day

Member founded church's GED class

SC reservist playing key role in rebuilding Iraq
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- An Air Force reservist from the Isle of Palms is playing a key role in putting together an interim government in Iraq.

Budget cuts, enrollment growth a deadly combination, says chancellor

Police academy director accused

Senate committee tackles work on restructuring bills
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- How long does it take 1,900 pages of legislation to move through the General Assembly?

Judge to rule on theory's viability

Public defender office gets funds

Class gives students direction

Member founded church's GED class
Members of Tabernacle Baptist Church will forever recall the way George Henry Mays Sr. helped young people at the church.

Across the area
An Augusta woman was arrested Tuesday after authorities found her 7-year-old daughter alone, in a house littered with trash and dog feces, a Richmond County sheriff's report states.

County denies Harlem funding

S.C. jobs suffer in economy downturn
PETTICOAT JUNCTION - Lucious Phiniezy has been doing odd jobs around town since he lost his post at a local construction company a year ago - living proof, he said, of a poor South Carolina economy.

SC reservist playing key role in rebuilding Iraq

Defendant wants death
Not long after insisting Wednesday that he could persuade jurors to sentence him to death, Reinaldo Rivera gave them what some argue is the best reason not to execute serial killers.

Airport rethinks its goals

Life sentences go to 2 men in slaying
The public execution of an Augusta man in a crowded store parking lot in 2002 was meant as a message, the assistant district attorney said.

Sewer keeps growth at bay
Columbia County is growing faster than ever, but trouble with Harlem's sewer system has kept housing developers on hold for the past 2 1/2 years.

Rants and raves
I'M SURE South Carolina's Teacher of the Year is one of the best or even the best of new teachers in South Carolina. Why doesn't South Carolina have a new Teacher of the Year award for those with one to three years' experience? The Teacher of the Year should have at least four years of teaching experience and certainly have graduate degrees in their area of expertise. There are many effective teachers in South Carolina. However, test results say no.

Board debuts Strom Thurmond's mascot in flesh
JOHNSTON, S.C. - Students at Strom Thurmond High School have a mascot they can pet and rally around, but this dog might not come when called by name.

Kid of the day
Today's kid of the day is Jacobe Martice Cummings, 4 months, of Hephzibah.

Judge to rule on theory's viability
Before jurors return today to hear more evidence in Reinaldo Rivera's trial, a judge will determine whether they will hear a psychologist's theory that sexual addiction drove Mr. Rivera to rape and kill women.

News you can use
JAN. 22, 1958 The Rev. Robert Jack Robinson, who at age 30 heads Augusta's largest church, was named Young Man of 1957 by the Augusta Junior Chamber of Commerce last night.

Chancellor urges long-term budget focus
ATLANTA - Legislators should focus on the long-term effects of university budgets and not solely on the state's need to save money in the coming budget year, Chancellor Tom Meredith said Tuesday.

School uses strategy to get funds
For $10,000, you can have your name on the theater catwalk.

Kid of the day
Today's kid of the day (again) is Emma Grace Wise, 1, of Augusta.

Corps plans festivities for 50th anniversary
CLARKS HILL, S.C. - The reservoir once hailed as "Georgia's new ocean" turns 50 this year, and the Army Corps of Engineers wants everyone along its 1,200 miles of shoreline to help celebrate.

County denies Harlem funding
Harlem received a minor setback Tuesday in its downtown revitalization effort after the Columbia County Board of Commissioners decided not to contribute funds to the city's fledgling building facade grant program.

Tort reform bill gets support
COLUMBIA - Financial payouts to plaintiffs filing lawsuits in South Carolina would be capped at $2 million under a tort reform bill passed Wednesday by the state House.

UGA posts slight increase in its endowment funds
ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Georgia's endowment grew by less than 2 percent from 2002 to 2003 - not much, but better than most Georgia colleges, according to an annual survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Sanford addresses economy
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford gave a State of the State speech Wednesday night that frankly recognized the state's dire economic condition while citing the fiscal crisis as a reason to restructure state government.

Across Georgia
ATLANTA -Republican leaders in the state Senate introduced a resolution Wednesday that would ban gay marriages in Georgia.

Cult leader's son tried to frame him, witness testifies

MCG Health puts its hope in lawsuits
A "perfect storm" of financial difficulties is looming for Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics, from an increase in uninsured patients to a potential drying up of Medicaid funding, CEO Don Snell said.

Board debuts Strom Thurmond's mascot in flesh

State outlines proposals to defend bases
The head of the state's effort to protect Georgia's military installations from closure said Wednesday that possible moves by the state government this year could help the cause.

New exhibit at GSU examines history of segregation in Bulloch County

Preparation under way for Masters
From ordering new flowers to preparing for a limousine traffic lane, Augusta Regional Airport is already making its list and checking it twice for Masters Week.

Across Georgia
ATLANTA - Civil rights leaders, lawmakers and friends of Marcus Dixon offered support for the star high school football player Tuesday on the eve of his hearing before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Kid of the day

Senate committee tackles work on restructuring bills

News you can use

Student who killed raccoon could face charges

Officials investigate early morning fires

Georgia Students Interpret Lessons Learned from Holocaust

Class gives students direction
AIKEN - Sitting in front of a video camera and reading the script from the prompter in front of him, South Aiken High School senior John Carroll found his calling.

Female legislators aim for larger roles within Capitol

School appeals state rating

Panthers grab media attention
Having spent three years covering their misery, I must admit a weakness in my heart for the Super Bowl-bound Carolina Panthers.

Rosenberg granddaughter explores family history in Sundance film

Critical choice
Here's what critics are saying about recent movie releases.

Kutcher goes dark and dramatic with 'Butterfly Effect'
PARK CITY, Utah -- It's a grand tradition, actors best known for playing the goofball taking their shot at serious thespian status.

Kutcher goes dark and dramatic with 'Butterfly Effect'

Report: Pope's secretary denies pope ever endorsed Mel Gibson's film

Critical choice

Rosenberg granddaughter explores family history in Sundance film
PARK CITY, Utah -- Few filmmakers examining their family history in a documentary would find themselves in the thick of the Academy Awards race.

Report: Pope's secretary denies pope ever endorsed Mel Gibson's film
VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II never endorsed Mel Gibson's controversial Biblical epic "The Passion of the Christ," the pontiff's longtime secretary told a Catholic news service.

Sound Bites: audio reviews

'John Doe' suits filed against music downloaders
WASHINGTON -- The recording industry on Wednesday sued 532 computer users it said were illegally distributing songs over the Internet, the first lawsuits since a federal appeals court blocked the use of special copyright subpoenas to identify those being targeted.

Sound Bites: audio reviews
Here are selected audio reviews of an assortment of artists:

Points system divides circuit

New scoring system set by NASCAR
CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR will have a new way of determining its Nextel Cup champion in 2004:

Darlington Raceway helped by new points system

Rahal adds second driver for two IRL races
INDIANAPOLIS -- Roger Yasukawa will drive for Team Rahal in the Indianapolis 500 and one other IRL race this year.

Rahal adds second driver for two IRL races

Bill Elliott's downtime

Ten-race showdown to determine NASCAR title
CONCORD, N.C. -- Good thing for Matt Kenseth that NASCAR's new points system wasn't around last season. The champion would've finished sixth.

Darlington Raceway helped by new points system
Darlington Raceway president Andrew Gurtis' feet haven't touched the ground much the past week or so since he found out for sure his "Lady In Black" would have a major say in this year's Nextel Cup champion.

Q & A with Richard Petty

Kerry Earnhardt gets part-time ride with Childress
WELCOME, N.C. -- Kerry Earnhardt will get a chance to prove himself in NASCAR's top stock car series with Richard Childress Racing, the team that gave his late father six of his seven Winston Cup championships.

NASCAR creates title chase

Points system divides circuit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The creation of a 10-race "Chase for the Championship" has created a division on the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series circuit. On one side are the fans, drivers and car owners. On the other are television and the racetracks.

Ten-race showdown to determine NASCAR title

Japanese company steps up in NASCAR

NASCAR creates title chase
CONCORD, N.C. - NASCAR revamped the way it crowns a champion in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Tuesday by turning the final 10 races into a television-friendly "Chase for the Championship."

Q & A with Richard Petty
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - When Richard Petty started his racing career, the championship was given to the driver who finished the most laps. Now the sport will use a made-for-television system that puts an emphasis on the final 10 races - the part of the season that goes head-to-head with the National Football League. The seven-time series champion talks about all the changes planned for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season.

Bill Elliott's downtime
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - There are a lot of empty squares on Bill Elliott's calendar during the first three months of the racing season.

Japanese company steps up in NASCAR
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Toyota's Lee White is looking for a fight.

State of the Union facts

Senate candidates agree on Bush praise
WASHINGTON - On a night laced with political agendas, President Bush and his Democratic foes offered contrasting assessments of the state of the union, while two Georgia Senate candidates clashed with each other on some specifics.

Text of the State of the Union
Text of President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday as released by the White House:

State of the Union facts
Some facts and history about the State of the Union address:

Bush is optimistic in Union address
WASHINGTON - President Bush, wrapping the themes of his re-election campaign in his State of the Union address, asserted Tuesday night that America is strengthening its economy and successfully combating terrorism.

Democrats slam Bush on economy

Senate candidates agree on Bush praise

Bush is optimistic in Union address

Text of the State of the Union

Democrats slam Bush on economy
WASHINGTON - Democrats challenged the bright picture of America presented in President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday, saying it belied a darker reality of lost jobs, rising deficits and mounting casualties in Iraq.

Judge closes key hearing in Kobe Bryant case
DENVER -- Courtroom arguments over whether Kobe Bryant's accuser has given up her medical privacy rights will be closed to the public, the judge ruled Wednesday.

Cavs send Miles to Blazers

Kobe Bryant defense team has prosecutors 'outgunned'

Bruised knee ends Grant's streak at 123 games
MIAMI -- Miami Heat center Brian Grant sat out Tuesday night's game against Boston because of a bruised left knee, ending his streak of 123 consecutive games.

Former Rockets forward convicted of marijuana possession

Cavs send Miles to Blazers
CLEVELAND -- Forward Darius Miles, fined by the Cavaliers for skipping a practice earlier this week, was traded Wednesday to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Jeff McInnis and center Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.

Kobe Bryant defense team has prosecutors 'outgunned'
DENVER -- Not long after he was accused of rape, Kobe Bryant held a nationally televised news conference at which he tearfully admitted to adultery and nothing else.

Former Rockets forward convicted of marijuana possession
HOUSTON -- Former Houston Rockets forward Eddie Griffin was convicted Tuesday of marijuana possession.

Bruised knee ends Grant's streak at 123 games

Heat can't shoot straight

NBA pulls sweatshirts imported from Myanmar
NEW YORK -- The NBA removed sweatshirts imported from Myanmar from its store in Manhattan after a labor rights group accused the league of violating a federal law against selling goods made in the country.

Heat can't shoot straight
MIAMI -- Miami Heat guard Rafer Alston's long jump shot clanked off the rim and deflected straight up, six feet above the basket, then fell through the net. Alston backpedaled upcourt with his palms pressed together in prayerful gratitude for lucky bounces.

Knights ride past Trojans
Aiken Tech coach Charles Welch barked out orders to his players as he tried to strengthen his team's half-court offense.

No 1 Duke tears apart Terapins
NO. 1 DUKE 68, MARYLAND 60 In College Park, Md., J.J. Redick scored a season-high 26 points, and the Blue Devils used a solid defensive performance to beat the Terrapins. Luol Deng had 13 points and 12 rebounds to help Duke (15-1, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) win its 12th straight.

Jaguars win at home
After his team's 49-44 win over USC Spartanburg, Augusta State coach Gary Tuell had a good explanation as to why his team plays better away from home.

Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller's home invaded

Eagles name Mornhinweg assistant head coach

Houston details Super Bowl hospitality, entertainment plans

Two weeks is perfect for Belichick

Just who are these Panthers?

Wiggins to face favorite team, former teammates in Super Bowl

Marmie to replace Lovie as defensive coordinator

Irsay's busy offseason includes negotiations with Manning

Mr. Jamie Robinson    (JOHNSTOWN, S.C.)
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Mrs. Janet Blackstone    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Ethel Tankersley    (UNION POINT, Ga.)
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Mrs. Cora Lowery    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Bennie Fendley    (TIGNALL, Ga.)
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Mrs. Earleen Miller    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Jessie Alexander    (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
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Mrs. Earleen Miller    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Margaret Ann Harper    (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
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Mrs. Agnes Prickett    (WRENS, GA.)
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Ms. Rachel Browning    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Don Ray    (MIDLAND, Texas)
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Mr. Eugene Guthrie    (GREENSBORO, Ga.)
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Mrs. Donna Ready    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Bill Stringfellow, Jr.    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Leila Brown    (SPRINGFIELD, S.C.)
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Mr. Bill Stringfellow, Jr.    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Rachel Browning    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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CMS Raymond Van Vliet    (AIKEN, S.C.)
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Mr. Richard Bullard    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Featured obituary: Mr. George Henry Mays, Sr.
Members of Tabernacle Baptist Church will forever recall the way George Henry Mays Sr. helped young people at the church.

Mrs. Annie Bussey    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Helen Brown    (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)
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Mrs. Maggie Carter    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Julian Cates    (MILLEN, Ga.)
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Mr. Mark Claxton Sr.    (GLOVERVILLE, S.C.)
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Mr. G. W. Gorden    (AIKEN, S.C.)
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Mr. Loren Cochell    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Art Huggins    (MARTINEZ, Ga.)
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Mr. Paris Cochran    (JOHNSTON, S.C.)
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Mrs. Jean McDaniel    (APPLING, Ga.)
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Ms. Teresa Coleman    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Charles Wingard Jr.    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Mildred DeBaun    (GREENVILLE, TX)
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Mrs. Ethel Malcom    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Donald Frye    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Beatrice Talbert    (WARRENVILLE, Ga.)
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Mr. G.W. Gorden    (AIKEN, S.C.)
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Mrs. Irene Usry    (GIBSON, Ga.)
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Mr. Vernon Gould    (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
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Mr. George Wiley    (WARRENTON, S.C.)
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Mr. Carl Isdell Jr.    (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)
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Mrs. Janet Blackstone    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Frankie Kendrick    (SPARTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Elizabeth Bodie    (PLUM BRANCH, S.C.)
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Ms. Vanessa Hill    (BELVEDERE, S.C.)
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Mr. Vernon Bradberry    (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
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Mr. John Holliman    (HARLEM, Ga.)
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Mrs. Rosa Brown    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Art Huggins    (MARTINEZ, Ga.)
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Mrs. Maggie Carter    (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)
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Mr. Carl Isdell, Jr.    (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)
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Mrs. Rosa Dent    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Cherie Knight    (GROVETOWN, Ga.)
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Mr. Manuel Garcia, Sr.    (MARTINEZ, Ga.)
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Mrs. Ola Mae Robinson    (BARTOW, Ga.)
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Mr. Cleveland Graham Jr.    (NEW YORK, N.Y.)
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Mrs. Ethel Malcom    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Vanessa Hill    (BELVEDERE, S.C.)
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Mr. Robert Martin    (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)
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Mr. William Rich
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Mrs. Earleen Miller    (AUG USTA, Ga.)
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Mr. George Mays Sr.    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. John Murphey    (WARRENTON, Ga.)
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Mrs. Norma Smith    (ALLENDALE, S.C.)
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Mr. Joseph Bailey    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Ms. Beatrice Talbert    (WARRENVILLE, S.C.)
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Mrs. Agnes Prickett    (WRENS, Ga.)
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Mrs. Susie Withrow    (HARRISON, Ga.)
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Mrs. Beatrice Redd    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Fred Anderson    (MARIETTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Antonia Rhodes    (HIGHLANDS, N.C.)
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Mr. Gerald Saitow    (ALPHARETTA, Ga.)
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Mrs. Ruth Ottoson    (AIKEN, S.C.)
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Mr. Cleveland Graham, Jr.    (NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.)
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Mr. Everett Harbeson    (AUGUSTA, Ga.)
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Mr. Vernon Bradberry    (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)
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Ms. Christen Renfro    (APPLING, Ga.)
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Mr. G.W. Gorden (AIKEN, S.C.)

Ms. Teresa Coleman (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Agnes Prickett (WRENS, Ga.)

Mrs. Helen Brown (LINCOLNTON, Ga.)

Mrs. Jean McDaniel (APPLING, Ga.)

Mrs. Frankie Kendrick (SPARTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Ethel Tankersley (UNION POINT, Ga.)

Mrs. Rosa Dent (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Featured obituary: Mr. George Henry Mays, Sr.

Mrs. Jessie Alexander (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Ola Mae Robinson (BARTOW, Ga.)

Mrs. Susie Withrow (HARRISON, Ga.)

Mrs. Leila Brown (SPRINGFIELD, S.C.)

Mr. Eugene Guthrie (GREENSBORO, Ga.)

Mrs. Maggie Carter (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Fred Anderson (MARIETTA, Ga.)

Mr. Cleveland Graham, Jr. (NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.)

Mr. Julian Cates (MILLEN, Ga.)

Mrs. Janet Blackstone (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Art Huggins (MARTINEZ, Ga.)

Mr. George Wiley (WARRENTON, S.C.)

Mrs. Maggie Carter (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mrs. Mildred DeBaun (GREENVILLE, TX)

Mrs. Janet Blackstone (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Bill Stringfellow, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Agnes Prickett (WRENS, GA.)

Mr. Vernon Bradberry (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Cora Lowery (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

CMS Raymond Van Vliet (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mrs. Earleen Miller (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Ms. Elizabeth Bodie (PLUM BRANCH, S.C.)

Mrs. Donna Ready (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Richard Bullard (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Don Ray (MIDLAND, Texas)

Mr. Paris Cochran (JOHNSTON, S.C.)

Mr. Bennie Fendley (TIGNALL, Ga.)

Mr. John Holliman (HARLEM, Ga.)

Mr. Vernon Bradberry (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Ms. Rachel Browning (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Cleveland Graham Jr. (NEW YORK, N.Y.)

Mr. John Murphey (WARRENTON, Ga.)

Ms. Rachel Browning (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Irene Usry (GIBSON, Ga.)

Mr. Joseph Bailey (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Vernon Gould (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mr. William Rich

Mrs. Beatrice Redd (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Earleen Miller (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Art Huggins (MARTINEZ, Ga.)

Mrs. Norma Smith (ALLENDALE, S.C.)

Mrs. Rosa Brown (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Ms. Vanessa Hill (BELVEDERE, S.C.)

Ms. Beatrice Talbert (WARRENVILLE, S.C.)

Ms. Beatrice Talbert (WARRENVILLE, Ga.)

Mrs. Ruth Ottoson (AIKEN, S.C.)

Mr. Gerald Saitow (ALPHARETTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Earleen Miller (AUG USTA, Ga.)

Mrs. Margaret Ann Harper (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

Mrs. Ethel Malcom (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

Mr. Carl Isdell Jr. (HEPHZIBAH, Ga.)

Mr. Bill Stringfellow, Jr. (AUGUSTA, Ga.)

IOC team to check on Olympic preparations
ATHENS, Greece -- IOC inspectors will make another assessment of Olympic preparations, including the roof on the main stadium that workers are trying to finish on time.

British equestrian competitor has Olympic ban lifted
LONDON -- A British equestrian competitor found guilty of a doping offense in 2002 had his lifetime Olympic ban lifted Wednesday, allowing him to compete in the Athens Games.

British equestrian competitor has Olympic ban lifted

O'Brien returns as Ajax beats JC Kerkrade 2-1

McBride and Mathis headed to Europe

Overtime

Overtime

Bundesliga asks for longer halftime to sell more beer and sausage

Venus Williams misses sister Serena in Australia

Mosley sues promoter Kushner

Ferrero wins in straight sets

Burke, Jones chosen as Ryder Cup aides

Little league, big dreams

Karlovic knocked out in three tiebreaker set - again

Overtime
Hephzibah wide receiver/free safety Rent Sherrill verbally committed to Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, and running back/linebacker Reggie Hughes gave his commitment to Fort Valley State.

O'Brien returns as Ajax beats JC Kerkrade 2-1
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- John O'Brien returned from an Achilles' tendon injury that sidelined him during the first half of the season, playing the full 90 minutes Wednesday as Ajax Amsterdam rallied past Roda JC Kerkrade 2-1 in the Dutch League.

Bundesliga asks for longer halftime to sell more beer and sausage
HAMBURG, Germany -- German soccer wants a bigger halftime break - to sell more beer and sausage in stadiums.

Ferrero wins in straight sets
MELBOURNE, Australia - French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero overcame an arm injury and advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 win Thursday over Italian Filippo Volandri.

Mosley sues promoter Kushner
NEW YORK -- Super welterweight champion Shane Mosley is suing boxing promoter Cedric Kushner for more than $600,000 he said he's owed from a 2002 title fight.

Overtime
Despite two conference losses last week, Augusta State remained in the latest WBCA/ESPN/USA Today Division II Women's Basketball Top 25 poll with a ranking of No. 18. The Augusta State women have been nationally-ranked for three consecutive weeks.

Little league, big dreams
West Augusta Little League is under new management.

Burke, Jones chosen as Ryder Cup aides
LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Former majors winner Jackie Burke and Steve Jones were chosen Tuesday as assistant captains for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Karlovic knocked out in three tiebreaker set - again
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Ivo Karlovic's bid for a Grand Slam title ended in three tiebreaker sets - again.

Venus Williams misses sister Serena in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Venus Williams misses her kid sister at the Australian Open. The hotel room is quiet, and the phone doesn't ring.

McBride and Mathis headed to Europe
American forwards Brian McBride and Clint Mathis are headed to Europe.

Two Cofidis cyclists questioned by police
PARIS -- Two cyclists with the Cofidis team were held for questioning Tuesday, but police said they didn't find drugs in a search of their bags at an airport.

Area prep basketball scores
Area prep boys scores.

Lady Rebels pull out win
After Hephzibah's 50-47 win against No. 8 Glenn Hills on Tuesday, Lady Rebels coach Wendell Lofton watched former players Jacquelyn and Joycelyn Nelson emerge from the team locker room.

Prep girls and boys basketball scores
Check out the area prep basketball scores.

Wiggins to face favorite team, former teammates in Super Bowl
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jermaine Wiggins considers himself a die-hard Boston sports fan, and that includes an allegiance to the New England Patriots.

Two weeks is perfect for Belichick
Bill Belichick is pleased his New England Patriots have two weeks to prepare for the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl. Even though he won a title two years ago with a short break.

Irsay's busy offseason includes negotiations with Manning
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will spend the first part of his offseason trying to sign franchise quarterback Peyton Manning to a long-term deal.

Just who are these Panthers?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Everything was going well until John Fox was asked about his quarterback, "Jack" Delhomme.

Marmie to replace Lovie as defensive coordinator
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams hired Larry Marmie to replace Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator Tuesday.

Houston details Super Bowl hospitality, entertainment plans
HOUSTON -- The theme is "Company's Coming," and for the next two weeks this Super Bowl city will try to keep visitors smiling while promoting itself.

Eagles name Mornhinweg assistant head coach
PHILADELPHIA -- Former Detroit Lions head coach Marty Mornhinweg was promoted Tuesday to assistant head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller's home invaded
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Fuller exchanged gunfire with an intruder outside his home early Wednesday.

AFC championship game draws highest national rating since '99
NEW YORK -- The AFC championship game drew a larger national TV audience than the NFC title game for just the third time.

Adams takes back title as team president
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams did not renew Jeff Diamond's contract as team president Tuesday to take the job back for himself.

Panthers grab media attention

Boris Becker to host talk show on German TV

'American Idol' a big winner in season debut
LOS ANGELES -- Fox's "American Idol" hit impressively high ratings notes in its third season premiere.

TV networks carefully cover caucuses
NEW YORK -- Television networks reported the surprises instead of creating them during Iowa's kickoff to the 2004 presidential campaign.

Boris Becker to host talk show on German TV
HAMBURG, Germany -- Boris Becker is taking a swing at television.

TV networks carefully cover caucuses

Extras, extras

The top five list

Cowboys, Indians stage takeover of downtown

People in the News

People in the News

Vote on price increase for season tickets postponed

Dogs stumble after upset
Georgia's Damien Wilkins couldn't pass up an open shot as the seconds wore down. Neither could Alabama's Antoine Pettway.

Vote on price increase for season tickets postponed
ATHENS, Ga. -- Bulldogs fans will have to wait until June to find out whether they'll pay more for season tickets to Georgia's home football games.

Dogs stumble after upset

Augusta's Mize will play without Tour exemption
Larry Mize's motto this year will have to be "have clubs, will travel," and on little notice at that.

Odds and Ends

Odds and Ends
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