City continues sign ordinance moritorium

After hearing from a sign ordinance review committee last week, Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas and the City Council extended a sign ordinance moratorium until Oct. 2, instead of allowing it to expire Sept. 11, as originally planned.

Eagles Continue Home Stand Against Northeastern

STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern Football continues its four-game homestand, playing host to Northeastern this Saturday (Sept. 13). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paulson Stadium.

Gates: Iraq war in 'endgame' phase

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2008 - The war in Iraq has entered the "endgame" phase and it is important to get it right, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during testimony on Capitol Hill today.

"Our decisions today and in the months ahead will be critical to regional stability and our national security interests for years to come," the secretary said. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the House Armed Services Committee.

Long County swears in new registrar

LUDOWICI - Long County Probate Judge Marie Middleton swore in Casey Brady as the newest registrar for the Long County Board of Registrars.

Students to stage 9/11 Freedom Walk

Although many of the students at Lyman Hall Elementary are too young to remember the tragedy that rocked the nation Sept. 11, 2001, Principal Claire Blanchard says The Freedom Walk is an opportunity for students to join the community in commemorating the day as a lesson in history and social studies.

Armstrong coming out of retirement for Tour

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Look out France, Lance Armstrong is making a comeback.

John Smoltz wants to pitch for Braves in 2009

ATLANTA (AP) _ John Smoltz thinks a checkup Wednesday will show that his surgically repaired right shoulder is progressing ahead of schedule.

Sports briefs Sept. 10

Twilight Special

Teen charged in clerk's slaying

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- Savannah-Chatham authorities say a high school dropout is behind bars accused in the weekend slaying of a convenience store clerk.

Judge upholds voting machine use

ATLANTA -- A judge has rejected a lawsuit that alleged electronic voting machines in Georgia are susceptible to fraud and should be scrapped.

DOT romance results in marriage

ATLANTA (AP) _ State Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham and former board chairman Mike Evans are married.

Bush orders slight troop reduction in Iraq

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Tuesday plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, a measured drawdown that will leave nearly the same level of U.S. forces in the war zone for the rest of the year.

Ga. school chief wins $1 million on show

ATLANTA (AP) -- Special needs students at three public schools in Georgia will share $1 million, courtesy of state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox.

Biker ride for charity, image

It was more than an entertaining ride when various brands of motorcycles rumbled out Stafford Park Saturday morning.

Storms, near misses dot area history

The Weather Channel has just about been worn out lately trying to keep up with the latest hurricanes and tropical storms. We in Liberty County have been blessed to escape the fury so far, except for a small amount of wind damage. We cannot complain when we think of the devastating effect they had on our neighboring states.

Pembroke whittling down $700,000 in unpaid tickets

When Pembroke Police Chief Stacy Strickland asked his clerk to audit the department's files and find out how many unpaid fines might be floating around out there somewhere, he probably wasn't prepared for the answer he got.

Armstrong theatre troupe to perform Agatha Christie play

SAVANNAH - The Armstrong State University Department of Art, Music & Theatre Masquers troupe opens its 2014-15 campaign with "And Then There Were None," Agatha Christie's 1943 murder-mystery play, Aug. 22-23 in Armstrong's Jenkins Hall Theater, 11935 Abercorn St. in Savannah.

Birth: Layla Rianne Baxley

Layla Rianne Baxley was born at 10:10 p.m. July 18 to Jessie Sudakow, New York, and Jason Baxley of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Birth: Morgan June Strickland

Morgan June Strickland was born at 6:43 p.m. July 11 to Danielle and William Strickland of Hinesville.

Free ‘Movies in the Park’ series starts Aug. 8

The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority has announced a new "Movies in the Park" series for five Friday nights beginning Aug. 8 in Bryant Commons' amphitheater, 438 Oglethorpe Highway.

3rd ID band to give free concert

The 3rd Infantry Division Band's brass quintet, woodwind quintet and jazz combo performs its monthly Rhythm of the Marne concert. The concert is free and open to the public. It will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in Fort Stewart's Marne Garden. Visitors without military ID should access Fort Stewart via Gate 1's visitor center.

Trying to determine who is the real outsider in race

The U.S. Senate race this November between Democrat Michelle Nunn and Republican David Perdue will be one of the more unusual campaigns we have witnessed in Georgia. Neither has held public office, and both are anxious to portray themselves as the ultimate "outsider."

Sound off for July 30

These opinions are not the Courier's. Callers are not required to identify themselves, so we can neither verify sources nor their motives. Call 876-3733 to leave a message.

Downtown director was a blessing

Editor, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude for the great job that Vicki Davis did when employed as the executive director of the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority. The seven years that she gave to our community opened many doors of opportunity to the Liberty County Community and Area Mass Choir.

Hinesville PD blotter for July 30

Recent reports filed with the Hinesville Police department included:

TV show to re-enact murders of York, Roark

The Investigation Discovery channel will premiere an episode of "Deadly Devotion" focusing on the deaths of Tiffany York and Michael Roark at 9 tonight, with a repeat at midnight.

Sales-tax holiday Friday-Saturday

Georgia annual back-to-school sales-tax holiday is this weekend.

Area couple to celebrate big anniversary

Retired Lt. Col. Buddy and Mary Thomas will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Aug. 2.

Georgia Southern going tobacco-free

STATESBORO - Georgia Southern University will become 100 percent tobacco-free on Friday, GSU President Dr. Brooks Keel recently announced.

Backpacks, school supplies available for military children

Operation Homefront will hold a Back-to-School Brigade event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Connection Church, 116 Patriot's Trail in Hinesville, where free backpacks full of school supplies will be distributed to military kids.