Business by the Book taking reservations
The next Business by the Book will meet Nov. 5 at 11:50 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of North Augusta, located on Georgia Avenue.
The cost is $8 per person. Reservations should be made by noon, Monday. Call (803) 279-6370 for more information.
Flu clinic to be held today at health department
A walk-in flu clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the North Augusta Health Department.
The health department is located on 802 E. Martintown Road. The cost is $25. Call (803) 278-3621 for more information.
No other Aiken County pharmacies currently have the flu vaccine available.
Habitat dedication to be held Sunday
Habitat for Humanity of North Augusta will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for Ava Ross and her family Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Ross house will be the 12th Habitat home built in North Augusta and is located at 1118 Austin St.
The completion of Tammy Harper's home will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony Sunday at 2 p.m.
For more information about HFHNA, visit hfhna.org.
Castro named employee of the quarter
Rafael Castro, a crew leader for the city's property maintenance, was named North Augusta's employee of the quarter for July, August and September. Castro was recognized at the Oct. 19 city council meeting.
Castro is responsible for the upkeep of Hammond's Ferry Road, Boeckh Park, the Hammond's Ferry soccer complex, the Landings, the Greeneway and the municipal center. He began working for the city in November of 2006.
Spooky to be Hungry wraps on Halloween
T he North Augusta Chamber of Commerce will collect items for the through Halloween. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the chamber from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday. The chamber is located at 406 West Ave. Call (803) 279-2323 for more information.
Local rector chosen as candidate for bishop
The Rev. David Thompson of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church has been chosen as one of five candidates for bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina.
The candidates were announced Oct. 16, and the new bishop will be elected Dec. 12.
Candidates will conduct two walk-abouts before the election, the closest of which will be Nov. 21 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbia.
Best Friend Express cuts Saturday rides
Beginning Nov. 1, Best Friend Express will no longer operate on Saturday, due to budget cuts by Aiken County Council.
A $50,000 budget reduction made it difficult to keep the Saturday routes, said Lynnda Bassham, the director of human services for the Lower Savannah Council of Governments, which has run the bus service since 1990.
The shuttle runs between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the urban areas of Aiken County. The Council of Governments plans to present comments from riders to the county council in hopes of regaining the funding.
The organization held three hearings Sept. 15 inviting riders to comment about the elimination of the Saturday bus routes, said Rhonda Mitchell, the mobility manager. On Oct. 1, signs were posted on the shuttle informing riders that the service would no longer run on Saturdays.
About 120 riders used the bus service on Saturdays over a month's time, but about 2,500 trips were made in September alone. Along with fewer routes, bus riders will begin paying 50 cents more for a one-way trip beginning Nov. 1, Bassham said.
Regular riders will now pay $2 and students with an ID will pay $1.50. Seniors, Medicare recipients and riders with disabilities will pay 75 cents, only a quarter more.
The elimination of the route will save the council $26,000. The rate increase will also help add revenue, but more funds are needed for operational costs.
N. Augustans sweep fair pageant
Three N. Augusta teenagers won the top prizes at the 2009 Miss Georgia-Carolina State Fair.
Lindsay Garrick, a North Augusta High School senior, was named Miss Georgia-Carolina State Fair Oct. 17. She is the daughterLynn and Tony Garrick.
Lauren Rickabaugh, 18, was named first runner-up. She is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina Aiken where she's pursuing a degree in education. She is the daughter of Lynn and Dan Rickabaugh.
Lacey Ferguson, 17, was named second runner-up. The North Augusta High School junior is the daughter of Alice and Len Ferguson.
AT&T launches new network in area
AT&T is launching its 3G mobile broadband network in North Augusta.
Residents can try a demonstration of new services, such as AT&T Video Share, at the AT&T retail store at 3422 Wrightsboro Road.
For more information, call (706) 731-8400.
District 5 election to be held Tuesday
The Aiken County council election to fill the District 5 seat vacated by Eddie Butler will be held Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Republican candidate Sandy Haskell will face Democratic candidate Judy Hamilton.
Visit aikencountysc.gov for more information on voting and polling locations.
