Banks County will be sending a team to Canton to compete in the state tournament.

Banks’ recreation 9-10 year old team will begin their bid for state championship Saturday, July 4, in Canton. The first competition for the boys will be against Sandy Springs with the winner advancing to play on Sunday at noon.

The loser ...

This year’s Night of Fire at the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce showcased fast cars and featured an all Jefferson showdown in one category.

Cole Wood, age 11, and Salina Shanks, age 12, both of Jefferson, raced in the 8-12 Junior Dragster final. Shanks wrapped up the run with a -.011 foul, while Wood cut a .020 green light. Shanks ...

The Leopards closed out the summer baseball season by participating in the inaugural Jackson County Shootout.

Jackson County’s Summer Shootout hosted 20 teams at four venues last Thursday through Saturday. Banks County’s ballpark played host to 10 games out of the 40 game series.

Opening up the Shootout for the ...

Sometimes fate plays a big hand in our day-to-day lives.


Continue reading "COLUMN: ‘King of Pop’ will never be matched"

All toilets, sinks and other fixtures were taken from a home on Riverwood Lake Road in Lula last week, according to an incident report filed at the Banks County Sheriff’s Office.


Continue reading "Home furnishings taken in Lula break-in"

BY SHERRY LEWIS
The scenic mountain town of Chattanooga, Tenn., offers plenty of exciting outdoor adventures, including hang gliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting and bicycling. It’s only a three-hour drive so it’s the perfect spot for a weekend getaway, but with all this thriving city has to offer, I’d plan on staying an entire week.


Continue reading "Adventure in Chattanooga: Hang gliding, kayaking, whitewater rafting, biking offered in scenic mountain town"

Banks County Family Connection is accepting applications for those families needing assistance for school supplies.

Continue reading "Applications being taken for ‘Supplies for Success’ program"

Following campaigns has been something I have enjoyed as long as I can remember.

As a political junkie, I always looked forward to campaign season. I’ve long been fascinated by the process. To me, there’s nothing like driving from here to there and seeing campaign signs for various candidates seeking a particular office. I admit I often look at the back windows and bumpers of vehicles to see if they display the name of a candidate.

Continue reading "COLUMN: Missing two favorites from campaign trail"

Banks County is helping Jackson County Comprehensive High School host the inaugural Jackson County Baseball Summer Shootout, starting Thursday and running through Saturday.

Banks County, East Jackson and Commerce are host sites for the weekend, as 20 teams travel to the area to participate.

“This is the first time ...

The Bank County wrestling team hosted a wrestling clinic for middle and high school level grapplers this week at the old high school gym.

Running from Tuesday through Thursday, the camp featured Alex Tucker as the instructor and had approximately 20 pre-registered.

Tucker wrestled for Kennesaw State University, and was ...

The Banks County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following vehicle-related accidents during the past week:

Continue reading "Nine accidents reported in county"

The Banks County Department of Family and Children Services continues to see an increase in applications for economic support in the form of Food Stamps.

Continue reading "DFACS continues to see rise in economic support applications"

Welcome class. It’s time for another installment of “Common Sense 101.”

If my memory is correct, it was my father who years ago taught me that using a little common sense would go a long way in helping you venture down this road of life.

Continue reading "COLUMN: Common sense 101 is back in session"

The votes are in, and three racers from Banks and Habersham County are among the “Elite Eight” to be inducted into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

Buck Simmons, Tommie Irvin and Katron Sosebee will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in October.

Simmons, of Baldwin, is a Georgia dirt track legend. With over 1,000 ...

With the myriad sporting events and recreation activities going on this summer, someone recently asked me how the newspaper chooses what events to cover each week in the paper.

Basically, it boils down to three criteria: which event has the most local connection to readers, are there photos of the event or participants, and how ...

BY TOM CRAWFORD
The rains finally came this year, even if not on a biblical scale, and environmental officials in state government now proclaim that Georgia’s historic drought has officially “ended.”

Continue reading "The drought ends, but will return "

Homer residents will begin paying more for their water as of July 1. The Homer City Council unanimously approved an increase in water rates at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

Continue reading "Homer water rates increase"

Oyster and shrimping excursions, nature cruises and yachting are among the boat adventures awaiting visitors to Gulf Shores, Ala.

Continue reading "Alabama coastal destination: Boating adventures at Gulf Shores "

Mike and Cathy Rhodes probably wish they'd never heard of the Super Chevy Show. Their attempt to attend the June 6 event at the Atlanta Dragway ended in disaster when someone stole their truck, trailer and $100,000 show car from the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express at Banks Crossing.

Continue reading "Show car stolen from Banks Crossing motel"

High school baseball season is over, but the Diamond Leopards are already looking ahead for next spring.

The summer baseball season is well under way and Banks County coach Joe Lord is encouraged by what he is seeing coming together for next year’s team.

“I have been very encouraged by the overall attitude and ...

The summer is often a slow time for high school athletics with only occasional practices and more often than not athletes and coaches preferring the climate controlled comfort than being on a field or court.

However, this summer the Banks County sports programs in conjunction with the Banks County Recreation Department are offering ...

BY SHERRI STEVENS
For almost a year, my daughter has begged to take piano lessons. With so many activities constantly taking place, I am sorry to say that I have put her off. I took piano for 12 years, but had no idea how to go about teaching someone else to play. We recently found a wonderful teacher and my daughter got started with her lessons just last week.

Continue reading "Column: Being in tune with things"