Augusta Chronicle, The

Across the Area

Bicyclist hit by car still critical A 63-year-old bicyclist who became lodged in a car's windshield after being hit in a Martinez neighborhood Monday was still in critical condition at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Across the Area

Bicyclist hit by car still critical A 63-year-old bicyclist who became lodged in a car's windshield after being hit in a Martinez neighborhood Monday was still in critical condition at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Briefly

Salvation Army to discuss center The Salvation Army will hold a question-and-answer session today so interested nonprofit and social-service agencies can learn more about the Kroc Center, a $20 million recreational, educational and ministry center the organization wants to build at Chaffee Park on Broad Street, along the Augusta Canal.

Georgia Hospitals Stand by to Help

Some of the 3,000 patients being evacuated from the storm-torn Gulf Coast will be coming to Georgia hospitals, but it is still unclear whether any will land in Augusta, officials said. The earliest patients would likely arrive this afternoon. Georgia health care providers took part in a conference call at the direction of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, who has called for about 3,000 patients to be transported elsewhere via the National Disaster Medical System oper...

Work On Terminal Is On Time

Out of view from passengers picking up their boarding passes, workers at Augusta Regional Airport are stacking bricks. It's part of the grand transformation taking place as the airport undergoes a multimillion-dollar terminal overhaul expected to increase passenger numbers.

Senator Tests Waters for Presidential Run

COLUMBIA - U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said Wednesday he's preparing for a possible bid for president in 2008 and wanted to test South Carolina's political waters. Mr. Bayh says he knows South Carolina, which is the third contest after Iowa and New Hampshire, could play a big role in securing the Democratic nomination.

Woman Gets 10 Years for Killing Health Will Dictate Time Incarcerated

AIKEN - Her hair braided into silver cornrows and her weight supported by a walker, Rosa Lee Ross unsteadily made her way across an Aiken County courtroom Wednesday. The frail 64-year-old dressed in a jail-issued orange jumpsuit accepted an offer from the presiding judge to sit down.

Ways to Help Storm Victims

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS will be accepting monetary contributions at the Deans Bridge Road Wal-Mart today and Friday and at the Evans Wal-Mart Saturday through Monday. Checks may be mailed to the American Red Cross, 1322 Ellis St., Augusta, GA 30901. AUGUSTA METRO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is accepting cash donations at:

Rants & Raves

Comments from readers: THIS IS A RANT to all of you whining, pathetic people who put all of your problems on our president. Gas is not high because of him, and he is not the first president to fly around in a plane, so stop complaining about that. If you think he is really on vacation, think again. He probably works harder on his vacation that you do at your job. The war on terror is a noble effort, even if it hasn't gone perfectly. It might have been preventable if Bill Clinton would have do...

Tax Plan Getting Scrutiny

Augusta commissioners managed to meet for about an hour Wednesday to talk some more about their $160 million special-purpose local option sales tax package before recessing. Then, almost immediately, a new list appeared, and four commissioners began working on it, cutting and adding projects to be compared with the lists other commissioners will be working on before the next meeting Friday.

Lottery a Sure Bet in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. - The lottery is now law in North Carolina, but not even the governor is willing to bet publicly on when the games will begin. A jubilant Gov. Mike Easley waited just a day after the Senate approved the lottery bill to make it law. His signature capped two decades of effort to bring a lottery to North Carolina, the only state on the East Coast without a game. Mr. Easley had pushed lawmakers since his first campaign for governor in 2000 to relent so the state could generate mone...

Partner's Testimony Leads to Conviction

A jury convicted an Augusta man of murder Wednesday in the shooting death of a disabled veteran. Richard Gonnella, 27, and Christopher E. Evans, 25, were both charged with murder in the killing of 38-year-old James H. Williams.

Across South Carolina

Judge drops charges in woman's killing FLORENCE - The state cannot appeal a judge's decision to drop all charges against two brothers accused of killing a Johnsonville administrator, prosecutor Ed Clements III said.

Verdict Split On Molestation

A jury split its verdict Wednesday in the case of a man accused of beating and molesting a teenage girl. James M. Usery, 46, was acquitted of aggravated sexual battery and was convicted of a misdemeanor battery instead of aggravated assault. The Richmond County Superior Court jury, however, convicted Mr. Usery as charged with aggravated child molestation and making terroristic threats.

State Expands Cancer Coverage

COLUMBIA - A statewide program that helps treat breast and cervical cancer for the uninsured has been expanded to include more women diagnosed with the disease. Age and screening requirements were loosened for the program after state lawmakers earmarked $1 million for the Medicaid program, money that was matched by $3.7 million in federal funds.

Fort's Unit Is Awarded Citation Efforts in Mideast Impress Commander

The 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Gordon has been through three deployments since Sept. 11, 2001, getting intelligence on the ground from locals in Afghanistan and Iraq during war. After one of the worst scandals the Army has faced, its soldiers arrived to implement proper procedures at the Abu Ghraib prison and performed well, commanders said.

Across Georgia

Katrina is to blame for tornadoes in state PEACHTREE CITY - The National Weather Service confirmed that Hurricane Katrina's remnants spawned nine tornadoes that swept through Georgia on Monday, killing two people, toppling trees and leveling buildings.

Candidates Talk On Job Growth Hopefuls View Development As Key to Change

It was all about creating more jobs for Augusta at a forum for candidates Wednesday night held by the Laney Walker Neighborhood Association. It was the first of several forums for candidates for Georgia Senate District 22, who will face off in a special election Sept. 20 to fill the seat vacated after former Sen. Majority Leader Charles Walker was convicted of fraud in federal court. Augusta attorney Ed Tarver and former Rep. George Brown answered questions from a moderator and one from ...

Economics Affects Sat Score

The numbers behind the numbers show there's still work to be done to improve Georgia SAT scores. One day after the annual release of statewide and local results, which showed Georgia and South Carolina tied for last place in the nation, one college educator focused on the disparities caused by racial and socioeconomic issues.

Duncan Drugs Customers Must Change Pharmacies

After his latest doctor's appointment Tuesday, David Britt went to Duncan Drugs, his new prescription in hand, only to find the pharmacy doors locked. The only clue about what was going on was a handwritten sign that said no prescriptions were being filled, Mr. Britt said.