CommerceNewsTODAY http://www.commercenewstoday.com/ en Serendipity 1.3.2 - http://www.s9y.org/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT http://www.commercenewstoday.com/templates/mainstreetnews/img/s9y_banner_small.png RSS: CommerceNewsTODAY - http://www.commercenewstoday.com/ 100 21 Commercenewstodayhttp://feedburner.google.com Remembering Michael Jackson http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/jVaAeQJ0GLk/2461-Remembering-Michael-Jackson.html Opinions http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2461-Remembering-Michael-Jackson.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2461 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2461 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) By Hasco Craver

In case you forgot to upgrade your TV to a digital format, stopped reading newspapers and magazines, surfing the web and simply locked yourself in a closet for the past week, Michael Jackson passed away June 25. I don’t care what your personal feelings are surrounding MJ’s crazy personal life and while I do not condone any of his peculiar actions, you can not deny that he truly transformed music, dance, fashion and so much more.


Continue reading "Remembering Michael Jackson" ]]> Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2461-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2461-Remembering-Michael-Jackson.html Commerce Swimmers Look Ahead To District http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/cvSXCXz_vrg/2470-Commerce-Swimmers-Look-Ahead-To-District.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2470-Commerce-Swimmers-Look-Ahead-To-District.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2470 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2470 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
The invitational is particularly important to the younger swimmers, according to swimming coach Pam Minish. The Invitational is oriented more towards novice swimmers while the Pentathlon is for more advanced swimmers who can perform all the strokes.

Two standout performances from the weekend came from McKenzie McRee and Kate Massey, Minish said. Both of the swimmers made good lap times in their races.

“We have a lot of kids that are doing really well,” said Minish. “Our new swimmers are doing real well. What has happened to our team was that when we started we had a large group of older kids who have since graduated and left and now we don’t have many older kids. So, we have just had to rebuild our team.”

The Tiger Sharks are about halfway through this summer’s swim season, with the District meet a little over a week away on July 11.
Minish added that the swimmers are “practicing hard and heavy” for the meet, which will decide which swimmers will compete in the state meet in Tifton later in the month.

During the Invitational last Saturday in Dacula, Commerce had 32 swimmers compete, mostly in the novice division.

The invitational allows the younger swimmers to work on improving their times and face a lot of other swimmers from across northeast Georgia. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:41:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2470-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2470-Commerce-Swimmers-Look-Ahead-To-District.html Summer Baseball Seasons Close At Shootout http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/HYU3OZ8DDto/2467-Summer-Baseball-Seasons-Close-At-Shootout.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2467-Summer-Baseball-Seasons-Close-At-Shootout.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2467 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2467 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
This summer both the junior varsity and varsity teams have worked to prepare themselves for next spring. Coach Steve Cotrell seemed pleased with the results.

“We had a great summer,” said Cotrell. “We improved in most of the areas that we needed to, but there are still some that we have got to get better before spring. The kids have worked hard and they have done everything that I have asked them to do.”


Commerce faced many tough opponents from larger schools, against whom Cotrell said the Tigers were competitive for the most part.

“We played against some tough competition this summer and most of the teams that we have competed against have been in the Elite Eight or final four year in and year out in their classifications,” said Cotrell. “We have stepped out on the field and played with them for the most part. I look forward to next spring and the future with our young kids.”

For more on Tiger summer baseball see this week's The Commerce News. ]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:38:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2467-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2467-Summer-Baseball-Seasons-Close-At-Shootout.html Jefferson racer gets “Night of Fire” victory http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/zdLQK8qhGX8/2466-Jefferson-racer-gets-Night-of-Fire-victory.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2466-Jefferson-racer-gets-Night-of-Fire-victory.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2466 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2466 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
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 made the run bittersweet with a dead-on finish in 8.98 seconds at 72.55 mph, as Wood finished with an 8.89 ET on an 8.92 dial-in, at 74.37 mph.

Wood, a seasoned junior racer in a self-proclaimed slump, found his way back to the top tonight in an all-or-nothing fashion.

“I’ve gone out every first round this year,” Wood said after claiming his first Night of Fire win. Wood thanked his family following the event.

In the Super Pro final Don Brown, Sr. of Buford lined up against former junior racer Jeremy Hancock of Commerce. Both men were dialed at 4.95, keeping the race old school with a promise of some tight competition. Brown hit the tree hard with a .007 green, Hancock following closely with a .020 reaction time. Hancock ran dead-on the dial at 137.58 mph, but Brown’s reaction time took the win after crossing the line in 4.96 seconds at 139.73 mph, with a .004 margin-of-victory.

After winning the last two points races, Chad Brewer was fired up to stay on a roll as he faced Randall Roop in the Pro finals. Both boys out of Canton meant business at the starting line, Brewer launching first (dialed at 7.29) with a .040 light, but Roop (dialed at 6.46) pulled a .007 green, making the chase neck-and-neck. Brewer finished in 7.30 seconds at 94.69, but Roop won with a .008 margin-of-victory, crossing the finish in 6.49 seconds at 104.11.

Josh Richardson of Canton and Mickey Morris of Ellenwood faced off in the Sportsman final. Richardson was dialed-in at 16.45 seconds, while Morris predicted a 13.01 second run for his car. Richardson left first with the handicapped tree, with a respectable .051 green light; Morris couldn’t take the anticipation and jumped the amber too soon with a -.024 foul, running way under his dial in 12.14 seconds at 112.46 mph. Richardson cruised the track a winner, finishing with a 16.34 ET at 84.72 mph.

The Motorcycle category pulled an impressive 33-bike count, giving regulars plenty of competition to flaunt their skills. Points leader Jay “Bird” Rhyne of Athens made it to the final round against Jeff Hackney of Ranger. Rhyne had the handicap on the tree, leaving first on his 12.41 dial-in with a .040 reaction time. Hackney left the starting line too soon, fouling with a -.024 red on his 13.01 dial-in. Hackney ran it out, finishing in 11.02 seconds at 121.58 mph, while Rhyne sailed to the finish with a 12.37 ET at 103.30 mph.

The girls dominated the 13-17 Junior Dragster category, with Bailey Denton age 15 of McDonough, and Valerie Clements, age 16 of Central, S.C. in the final round. The two dragsters were dialed closely together, Denton with a 7.91, Clements with a 7.97, making the launch difference nearly indistinguishable. Denton left the line with a .059 green light, slightly better than Clements’ .076 reaction time. Their finish was just as close – Clements ran 7.98 seconds on her 7.97 prediction at 82.38 mph, while Denton closed in with a 7.93 second run at 82.36 mph. Denton took the win with her sharp reaction skills, maintaining her top position in points with her third Summit ET win of the 2009 season, and sixth win overall this year.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald, The Commerce News or The Banks County News. ]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:42:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2466-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2466-Jefferson-racer-gets-Night-of-Fire-victory.html County Prepares For World Series Action http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/TSvKKVhZWlM/2464-County-Prepares-For-World-Series-Action.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2464-County-Prepares-For-World-Series-Action.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2464 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2464 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
Officials estimate 30-40 teams from around the southeast will take part in the event. Already confirmed are teams from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia.

That includes two Jackson County teams and one from Jefferson.

The tournament is for Dizzy Dean 11-year-old league teams from 13 states. The league is named in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean, who went on to become a broadcaster after his playing career.

The main venues for the World Series will be the fields at Lamar Murphy Park and East Jackson Park.

Jackson County Park and Recreation director Ricky Sanders says he and his staff have been preparing for the event since last fall.

For more on this story see the July 1 edition of The Commerce News. ]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:33:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2464-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2464-County-Prepares-For-World-Series-Action.html Audit: BJC revenues overestimated by $3.8 million http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/9XRzjsa_rsM/2457-Audit-BJC-revenues-overestimated-by-3.8-million.html News Top Stories http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2457-Audit-BJC-revenues-overestimated-by-3.8-million.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2457 2 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2457 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) It’s hard to tell what was worse about the audit report from BJC Medical Center, the year-end figures for 2008 or the criticisms of the facility’s financial reporting.

The audit, which is several months overdue, determined that the medical center — which is seeking a buyer because of its financial condition — ended the year $2.9 million in the red.


Continue reading "Audit: BJC revenues overestimated by $3.8 million" ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:45:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2457-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2457-Audit-BJC-revenues-overestimated-by-3.8-million.html County prepares for World Series action http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/mByEewAwEJ4/2465-County-prepares-for-World-Series-action.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2465-County-prepares-for-World-Series-action.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2465 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2465 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
Officials estimate between 30-40 teams from around the southeast will be taking part in the event. Already confirmed are teams from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Virginia.

That includes two Jackson County teams and one from Jefferson.

The tournament is for Dizzy Dean 11-year-old league teams from 13 states. The league is named in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean, who went on to become a broadcaster after his playing career.

The main venues for the World Series will be the fields at Lamar Murphy Park and East Jackson Park.

Jackson County Park and Recreation director Rick Sanders says he and his staff have been preparing for the event since last fall.

“On the fields, we’ve been beefing up our turf a little with some fertilizer and trying to get our fields in tip top shape,” Sanders said. “They always stay in good shape, but they’re going to take a pounding on those five days. You’re talking about six or seven games per day on each field. We’re building clay mounds for the World Series.”

Sanders said that he and his staff have been meeting every couple of weeks to make sure they are on the same page. They’ve discussed concession menus, logistics, plans for the opening ceremonies, design of the World Series logo, the event program and answering questions.

“It’s a lot of planning,” he said. “It’s a little bit different from planning a regular recreation program. These teams are coming from out of the area, so there’s a lot more involved as far as directions, information, using the web correctly and communicating with people who don’t know anything about our community. It’s really a lot more disseminating information than anything else.”

Sanders said that preparation for the event has taken about three to four times the planning that a normal recreation program would take.

The logo for the 11-year-old Dizzy Dean World Series.
“We’re dealing with about the same amount of kids and participants as we would for a regular baseball season, but they’re here for five days. You don’t have a ten-twelve week season to do that.”

Sanders said his department has worked for the last six to eight months to inform businesses in Jackson County about the influx of business the World Series will bring to the area.

“We’ve been working with the motels some in the area about accommodations. The hotel reservations are a big thing. This is going to benefit (the businesses), and in turn, benefit the community. The big beneficiaries will be the hotels, the restaurants and some of the shops up at the Tanger outlets, at Jefferson and some of the convenience stores. Those are the big winners.”

Sanders said hosting the event brings a lot of excitement for the area.

“It’s exciting for me because we get to show off our community, our parks and what a great place Jackson County is to live,” he said. “Some of the folks that come in might decide to relocate here, or maybe a business might choose to come here.”

“The exciting part is first getting to help the local community that supports us and also showing off our programs here,” he added.

The Dizzy Dean World Series is the first of this type to be held in the county in about 23 years, Sanders said.

“Commerce held a Babe Ruth World Series back in 1986, I believe,” he said. “So it’s been since then that we’ve had an event of this size. We’ve had some state tournaments and some district tournaments, but nothing like a World Series like this.”

Jackson County Park and Recreation has worked with Dizzy Dean for the last five years, hosting district and state tournaments.

And the community is lending their support. Gresham Motorsports Park, formerly Peach State Speedway, announced that they were coming onboard as the presenting sponsor of the event.

“It is great to have Gresham Motorsports Park as our presenting sponsor and we look forward to working with them on this event as well as others in the future,” Sanders said in a press release last week.

Any businesses interested in the sponsorship program can contact Sanders at 706-367-6350. Individual sponsorships are also available for $25, which will get the sponsor a tournament pass and recognition in the program.

Sanders said volunteers are also needed.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Commerce News. ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:15:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2465-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2465-County-prepares-for-World-Series-action.html Nicholson to celebrate on the Fourth http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/py1DyzLPpC8/2458-Nicholson-to-celebrate-on-the-Fourth.html News http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2458-Nicholson-to-celebrate-on-the-Fourth.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2458 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2458 nospam@example.com (Sharon Hogan) Nicholson leaders plan the town’s biggest July 4 celebration Saturday. Fireworks, food and entertainment are set for 3 p.m. at the amphitheater in Nicholson.

“This is going to be our biggest festival July Fourth event so far,” said Mayor Ronnie Maxwell.

Continue reading "Nicholson to celebrate on the Fourth" ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2458-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2458-Nicholson-to-celebrate-on-the-Fourth.html Rescue squad member implicated in false report? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/Fptk2-HvqaA/2459-Rescue-squad-member-implicated-in-false-report.html Public Safety http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2459-Rescue-squad-member-implicated-in-false-report.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2459 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2459 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) A member of the Maysville Rescue Squad could face charges for the false report of a crime.


Continue reading "Rescue squad member implicated in false report?" ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2459-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2459-Rescue-squad-member-implicated-in-false-report.html Less fireworks, more thought on Independence Day http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/ZM1Te5fSxlc/2460-Less-fireworks,-more-thought-on-Independence-Day.html Opinions http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2460-Less-fireworks,-more-thought-on-Independence-Day.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2460 1 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2460 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) I’ll take my hamburger well-done July 4, but I think the celebration of Independence Day should involve less of fireworks, parades and flag-waving and more thought about what we’re celebrating and of our obligations as citizens.


Continue reading "Less fireworks, more thought on Independence Day" ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2460-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2460-Less-fireworks,-more-thought-on-Independence-Day.html Tennnesse firm eying BJC acquisition http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/LSA6ShzEbPo/2437-Tennnesse-firm-eying-BJC-acquisition.html News Top Stories http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2437-Tennnesse-firm-eying-BJC-acquisition.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2437 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2437 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) BJC Medical Center may have found the white knight to rescue it from its financial difficulties.

The Commerce-based facility announced Tuesday that it has entered a letter of intent with Restoration Healthcare, a Tennessee-based operator of hospitals, that could lead to the sale of BJC Medical Center.


Continue reading "Tennnesse firm eying BJC acquisition" ]]> Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2437-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2437-Tennnesse-firm-eying-BJC-acquisition.html Old school racing takes center stage at Atlanta Dragway http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/WhY8N3yyRZQ/2447-Old-school-racing-takes-center-stage-at-Atlanta-Dragway.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2447-Old-school-racing-takes-center-stage-at-Atlanta-Dragway.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2447 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2447 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
The 6.50 index final was a run between beauty and the beast, as Mike Johnson’s ’66 Mustang faced off against Joe Rampley’s ’76 Vega Wagon. Johnson traveled all the way from Easley, S.C. to join the show, while Rampley is a much closer Gainesville local. Rampley launched with a .014 green light, Johnson following with a .027 reaction time.

The top end was a double-breakout finish, with Johnson finishing in 6.46 seconds at 105.09 mph, while Rampley stuck closer to the 6.50 index with a 6.48 ET at 104.61 mph, giving him a .01 advantage at the win stripe.

The 7.50 Index final was between Sean Garner out of Oxford in an ’89 S-10 Blazer, against Stephen Rhoads of Rutledge in a ’55 Chevy. Rhoads cut a .011 light, Garner following with a .042 green. The chase looked even, until Rhoads crossed the line in 7.55 seconds at 99.33 mph, winning with a .01 margin of victory against Garner’s 7.53 seconds run at 90.68 mph. Rhoads considered the race a tune-up for next weekend’s “Night of Fire,” and everything that could go wrong did – a blown-out dipstick, a dead battery, and a red-light loss in the first round. Rhoads overcame with victory in the final.

The Open Comp (Full Body) class final was Cobra meets Camaro, as Kennesaw’s Charlie McCulloch in a ’98 Mustang faced off against Jimmy Mason of Canon in a ’93 Chevrolet. Mason treed McCulloch with a .069 light, McCulloch trailing with a .086 reaction time. Mason ran a 7.54 on his 7.41 dial-in, at 93.09 mph, McCulloch tripping the win-light in 7.26 seconds on a 7.15 dial at 85.35 mph, with a .01 margin of victory.

The Old School class featured a handful of classic cars made to go fast. Wesley Anglin of Carlton raced a ’51 Ford truck, against Danielsville’s Tracy Simmons in an ’88 Mustang. After a nerve-wracking run in the semi-finals, where Simmons’ car lost the track groove, squirreling to the finish line, he ran to the finish in the final straight as an arrow, after cutting a .083 light. Anglin’s truck lost the advantage of the tree with a .143 light, marring his 5.84 ET (at 118.79 mph) against Simmons’ 5.87 run at 127.76 mph. Simmons won with a .03 advantage at the finish line. ]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:41:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2447-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2447-Old-school-racing-takes-center-stage-at-Atlanta-Dragway.html Robert Clark arrested for grandson's murder http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/K3TV7GJg0IE/2446-Robert-Clark-arrested-for-grandsons-murder.html Public Safety http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2446-Robert-Clark-arrested-for-grandsons-murder.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2446 6 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2446 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) Robert Clark, 55, was formally charged Thursday with the June 7 murder of his 6-year-old grandson, Michael Levigne.

Clark was released from Atlanta Medical Center to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, which served warrants for murder, aggravated assault on a police officer aggravated assault and cruelty to children. He'd been in the hospital since the incident, recovering from the multiple gunshot wounds he received when police returned fire at the Troy Street, Commerce residence.


Continue reading "Robert Clark arrested for grandson's murder" ]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:03:25 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2446-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2446-Robert-Clark-arrested-for-grandsons-murder.html Commerce Looks For Payback In Shootout http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/mAdaS6LJRIU/2444-Commerce-Looks-For-Payback-In-Shootout.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2444-Commerce-Looks-For-Payback-In-Shootout.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2444 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2444 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
East Jackson, Commerce and Banks County will also be host sites for the weekend, as 20 teams travel to the area to participate.

The first tournament game will be Thursday with Commerce taking on Jackson County at 2:30 p.m. at Tiger Field.

The Shootout follows last week’s JV and varsity doubleheaders that pitted Commerce against Jackson County.

For more see the June 24 edition of The Commerce News.

Download a printable schedule of the tournament: JC_Shootout_Schedule.pdf ]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2444-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2444-Commerce-Looks-For-Payback-In-Shootout.html Tiger Sharks To Host Flowery Branch In First Home Meet http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/ctXITkDfBew/2443-Tiger-Sharks-To-Host-Flowery-Branch-In-First-Home-Meet.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2443-Tiger-Sharks-To-Host-Flowery-Branch-In-First-Home-Meet.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2443 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2443 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
Next up is the first home meet of the year. The Tiger Sharks were due to host Flowery Branch today (Wednesday) before traveling back to Dacula Saturday to take part in the Dacula Invitational.

Forty-five Tiger Sharks competed at Dacula last Saturday where bad weather shortened the meet.

For more on the Commerce Tiger Sharks see this week's edition of The Commerce News. ]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:44:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2443-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2443-Tiger-Sharks-To-Host-Flowery-Branch-In-First-Home-Meet.html City Lights Downtown Festival is Saturday http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/wnNBQXsXQj8/2435-City-Lights-Downtown-Festival-is-Saturday.html News Top Stories http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2435-City-Lights-Downtown-Festival-is-Saturday.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2435 2 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2435 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) Downtown Commerce will be full of music and food all day Saturday. And classic cars, kids’ events (inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo) and early-morning runners, not to mention fireworks in the evening.

The City Lights Downtown Festival technically starts at 8 a.m. with the Star Chase 5K road race at Willoughby Park, but local farmers will be at Spencer Park an hour earlier opening the Downtown Farmers’ Market.


Continue reading "City Lights Downtown Festival is Saturday" ]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2435-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2435-City-Lights-Downtown-Festival-is-Saturday.html All city schools, system, make AYP http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/hUqX-4_AUtE/2436-All-city-schools,-system,-make-AYP.html News http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2436-All-city-schools,-system,-make-AYP.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2436 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2436 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) Commerce Middle School is no longer on the state’s “needs improvement” list under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

“This is the first time since I’ve been here that the middle school has made it off the ‘needs improvement’ list,” said superintendent James E. “Mac” McCoy. “Mr. Bell has done it (made adequate yearly progress) for two years in a row. We should be free and clear from that.”


Continue reading "All city schools, system, make AYP" ]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2436-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2436-All-city-schools,-system,-make-AYP.html Once, A World Away http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/l1x0DjAnuik/2439-Once,-A-World-Away.html Opinions http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2439-Once,-A-World-Away.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2439 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2439 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) When I landed in Tehran on a sparkling morning 44 years ago, the city looked nothing like the Tehran of today, with its tree-lined boulevards, chic dress shops and ultra-modern office towers. Then, open sewers ran alongside the streets, and honking horns compensated for the lack of traffic lights. Getting into town from the airport was like bronco-riding in the Wild West — and that was just the beginning of the adventure.


Continue reading "Once, A World Away" ]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2439-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2439-Once,-A-World-Away.html Armed robbery under investigation http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/nzwEaJhL4_g/2440-Armed-robbery-under-investigation.html Public Safety http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2440-Armed-robbery-under-investigation.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2440 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2440 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) The Commerce Police Department is investigating the armed robbery of a Duncan Circle man.


Continue reading "Armed robbery under investigation" ]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2440-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2440-Armed-robbery-under-investigation.html Buyer still looking at LP building http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/urhNtIljzrw/2406-Buyer-still-looking-at-LP-building.html News Top Stories http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2406-Buyer-still-looking-at-LP-building.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2406 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2406 nospam@example.com (Mark Beardsley) A financing snag isn’t expected to derail an American wood products firm from buying the Louisiana Pacific plant on U.S. 441 at Center.

The company, whose name has not been released, hopes to use the plant to produce wood pellets used for fuel that would be shipped by rail to the port at Brunswick from which they would be shipped to Europe.


Continue reading "Buyer still looking at LP building" ]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2406-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2406-Buyer-still-looking-at-LP-building.html Mat Tigers Focus On Weakness http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/GUftp7EqGKg/2418-Mat-Tigers-Focus-On-Weakness.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2418-Mat-Tigers-Focus-On-Weakness.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2418 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2418 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
Last week coach Kendall Love held a three-day camp for the Tiger wrestlers and held a live demonstration last Tuesday. Grapplers from Jackson County, Jefferson and Commerce participated in the exhibition.

Love said that it is very important for the wrestlers to have the summer practices.

“I try to get these guys several practices every summer along with as many live matches as possible,” said Love. “In essence, many of these guys get as many matches in a given summer as some schools get during the regular season.”

While many wrestlers will be in football pads before returning to the mats, the time spent during the summer helps the athletes to remain in shape both physically and mentally, Love said.

“We talk a lot about working on our weaknesses and improving each and every summer,” Love said. “That way, when the season starts, damage control is over with and we can work on the things we do well.”

Also last week, the Commerce grapplers traveled to Wesleyan to wrestle five teams from mostly quad-A and AAAAA schools. Commerce wrestled against Locust Grove, Parkview, Marist, Wesleyan and Peachtree Ridge.

“I was proud of the way our guys competed against tough competition from mostly AAAA and AAAAA schools. I felt like we battled in every dual and I saw a lot of good things,” Love said. “I also saw some things that we need to work on, and we will address that this week.”

The Tigers will head to Clarke Central on Thursday to compete against several teams.
“I have seen many wrestlers have a successful summer and carry that over into the season in November,” Love said. ]]> Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:43:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2418-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2418-Mat-Tigers-Focus-On-Weakness.html Column: Defining Sports http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/lCEOpKViTKQ/2416-Column-Defining-Sports.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2416-Column-Defining-Sports.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2416 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2416 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
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 recent was the event.

The hard thing to explain is why one item runs and another is held until a later issue. The answer to that quandary is which will better fit the space available on the page. Your local sports editor would love to have every submission placed in each week’s paper, but the space is finite and is usually a first come, first serve basis.

On that note what is definable as a sport to be included inside the sports section is sometimes debatable.

Strictly defining the term according to the Merriam-Webster sitting on my desk, it means, “a source of diversion or a physical activity engaged in for pleasure.” That is a very broad limit to define something by, since there are hundreds of activities that can fit the description.

In fact, a quick Internet search for sports reveals that competitive video gaming is considered an alternative sport.

I wonder how many local schools would consider awarding a varsity letter in Nintendo baseball or a scholarship based on competitive Tetris building?

While there were studies done some years back on the improvement shown between hand-eye coordination due to video games, I can’t imagine the board of education springing for an X-Box lab at the high school, despite how many students would sign up for that elective.

I don’t think there is much argument that the stick and ball games, wrestling, track or swimming are clearly recognized as sports, but there are differences of opinions on other activities.

Cheerleading for example, meets the dictionary definition of a sport, but is left out sometimes because it is seen as more of a component of the sidelines not as its own event. Yet, the cheerleaders hold practices, risk injury and show up for games. There are also competitions and scholarships awarded for performances. The argument for including cheerleading fully under the sports headline is similar to another sideline group. So, what about the band?

According to a study released by the American College of Sports Medicine in May, marching bands show similar physical requirements to those demanded by the team on the field. Also, the band goes to every game, runs practices and camps just like the more athletic counterparts who are on the field.

Both the band and the cheerleaders are a component to a good Friday night during football season and the students in both put as much work in as the players. A little recognition probably isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Justin Poole is the sports editor for The Banks County News and for The Commerce News and is a reporter for MainStreet News. He can be contacted at justin@mainstreetnews.com. ]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:46:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2416-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2416-Column-Defining-Sports.html Onda Earns First Atlanta Dragway Win http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/Ri9jgy-VNpA/2414-Onda-Earns-First-Atlanta-Dragway-Win.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2414-Onda-Earns-First-Atlanta-Dragway-Win.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2414 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2414 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) By Amy Glover
Summit ET points race regulars returned to Atlanta Dragway this past weekend, and with good weather and fast speeds, they put on a great show for the fans.

Dragsters dominated the Super Pro final, with Jim Onda of Toccoa in his ’96 dragster against Tommy Motes of Loganville in his ’00 Undercover. The men were dialed closely, Onda at 4.89 and Motes at 4.93. Motes had a slightly better .024 reaction time next to Onda’s .029 light. However, Motes’ dragster failed towards the top end, slowing due to mechanical issues, finishing with a 7.76 elapsed time at 48.44 mph. Onda sped past to cross the win stripe first, in 5.09 seconds at 113.58 mph. According to Jim Onda, he “wasn’t even going to come today,” but ended up recording his first win at Atlanta Dragway.


Canton’s Chad Brewer, who won Pro class in the previous Summit event, topped his peers once more with his impressively reliable ’67 Camaro. Brewer was up against Jody Blalock of Commerce, who raced a unique ’47 Hudson. Brewer, dialed at 7.30, left the starting line first with a .022 reaction time, followed by Blalock (dialed at 6.55), who cut a .073 light. Blalock couldn’t catch Brewer’s Camaro, which crossed first in 7.33 seconds at 91.99 mph, with the Hudson slightly off the dial in 6.63 seconds at 103.21 mph.

J.D. “Doc” Burford of Greenville, S.C., made it to his third Summit ET series final in a row, alongside Scott Reynolds of Cartersville. Reynolds’ ’90 Formula 350 left the line first with a .020 reaction, Burford’s ’07 Corvette close behind with a .067 reaction time. Burford couldn’t catch Reynolds at the finish, taking 13.08 seconds on a 13.02 dial-in, at 110.38 mph. Reynolds had a tighter run, finishing with a 14.45 ET on his 14.42 prediction, at 92.90 mph, and thus became the night’s Sportsman champ.

The Motorcycle final was determined at the Christmas tree, with a red-light foul guaranteeing the victor. Jimmy “Cha Cha” Heisler of Woodstock left first, cutting a .088 light on his ’00 Ninja. Perhaps the anticipation was too much for Loganville’s Michael Tlapa, who jumpstarted the tree with a -.035 red light on his ’01 Hayabusa. Tlapa rode it out, a 10.34 second run on his 10.10 dial, at 135.36 mph, while Heisler finished with a 10.64 on a 10.59 dial-in, at 123.84 mph. Joe Brown of Baldwin and Howard Bowman of Homer were the Motorcycle semi-finalists.

Madison Lee, age 11 of Campobello, S.C. and Wesley Mayfield, age 12 of Gainesville ran together in the 8-12 Junior Dragster finals. Mayfield left the line first with a decent .018 green, but was trumped by Lee’s .010 light. Mayfield’s elapsed time was 8.94 seconds at 68.84 mph, .03 seconds faster than his 8.97 dial-in, while Lee pulled off an 8.91 ET at 73.60 mph, on her 8.90 dial. Though Mayfield broke out, handing the win to Lee, Lee earned the victory with a smooth run, also reaching third in points.

The 13-17 Junior Dragster category featured Brett Bowman, 17, of Homer against Jennifer Jarrett, 16, of Cartersville in the final round. The two were dialed closely, Bowman at 8.02 and Jarrett at 8.04. Jarrett left the line a bit too early, launching with a -.021 red light, Bowman following with a .095 green. Jarrett also ran 8.02 at 81.77 mph, .02 seconds quicker than her 8.04 prediction, while Bowman ran dead on his 8.02 dial-in, at 80.24 mph. Bowman is now second place in points.
]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:56:00 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2414-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2414-Onda-Earns-First-Atlanta-Dragway-Win.html Tiger Shark Swimmers Dive In For Top 10 Finish http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Commercenewstoday/~3/78f1ehoKr4w/2413-Tiger-Shark-Swimmers-Dive-In-For-Top-10-Finish.html Sports http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2413-Tiger-Shark-Swimmers-Dive-In-For-Top-10-Finish.html#comments http://www.commercenewstoday.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=2413 0 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=2413 nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports)
This week the swimmers will be in Dacula on Thursday to compete in a dual meet before the weekend competition at Frances Meadows in Gainesville. The June 20 meet is the NGSL Splash competition and will be a split session.

Dual Meet
Last Wednesday evening, the Tiger Sharks attended a tri-meet against Winder’s Barracudas and the Athens’ Dolphins at Bishop Park in Athens.

Commerce had 56 swimmers compete in the dual and took second place, trailing the Athens team.

Pentathlon
Saturday, 19 Commerce swimmers competed in the NGSL Pentathlon in Winder.

The competition is designed for experienced swimmers and requires each swimmer to compete in five different races covering all four strokes. Awards are given based on the total time of all five races and the top 10 in each age group are awarded.

Eight Commerce swimmers finished in the top 10, the most in the team’s history. They included: Kaylee Vandiver, fourth, girls eight and under; Kendell Moon, third, girls 10 and under; Brandon Liles, third, boys 10 and under; Hannah Lacey, fifth, girls 12 and under; Emmie Burley, sixth, girls 12 and under; Clay Pritchett, eighth, boys 14 and under; Taylor Lacey, third, girls 18 and under; and Quincy Mashburn, ninth, boys 18 and under.

Tiger Shark coach Nick Moulton expressed appreciation for the team’s high level of competition and said he was pleased with the performance. ]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:40:17 -0400 http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2413-guid.html http://www.commercenewstoday.com/archives/2413-Tiger-Shark-Swimmers-Dive-In-For-Top-10-Finish.html