Commissioner Alvin Mason says the tone of the District 1 Campaign is very negative and says the two candidates need to get together and face the voters before the December 1st run off, but will the candidates respond to Mason’s appeal. Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

The number of South Carolina high school students passing the state’s exit exam dropped this year for the first time in three years. Aiken and Edgefield county results mirrored the state averages.

Tanya Redic teaches at Langford Middle School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

Jody Grant teaches at Westside High School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

The Palmetto States top chief speaks out after getting a ruling from the South Carolina Ethics Committee. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

With the endorsement of out going Commissioner Calvin Holland Bill Lockett held of former Augusta Commissioner Bobby Hankerson to win Augusta’s Fifth Commission race, Look for Lockett to stay the course when it comes to the district. Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

Jennifer Leiter teaches at Merriwether Middle School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

Bill Warnken teaches at Fox Creek High School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

A Thomson High School teacher is named McDuffie County Teacher of the Year. Kathy Neal is an 8 year teaching veteran.

People who aren’t happy with the Augusta Commission are getting a chance to vote for change…Advance voting for the November 3rd election began Monday in Augusta.

Aiken County is seeing some horse action.  The fall Steeplechase continued this weekend. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

Julie Wilkens teaches at Greenbrier Elementary School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

Augusta’s Legal Department says it is laying down the law, not Commissioners.

Karen Stewart teaches at Evans Middle School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

Augusta’s Kroc Center is very close to breaking ground for construction. Today workers with the Salvation Army held a fall festival to welcome themselves to the community and talk about the centers plans. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

The South Carolina Tuition Prepayment Program is the latest victim of the nation’s struggling economy. State officials say the program, that allows parents to pay future college tuition using today’s rates, is anywhere from $30 million to $60 million dollars in debt. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, and Joseph Kasko, have more.

Some big strides have been made in the past year in the Richmond County School System, according to Superintendent Dana Bedden.

Gary Ricketts teaches at Midland Valley High School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner.

Some Augusta State University instructors are worried about the impact of cutbacks and furloughs mandated by Governor Sonny Perdue. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

Lorraine Stuckey teaches at Our Lady Peace School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner

Almost four years ago, Augusta Commissioners voted to fire Engineering Director Teresa Smith, she sued, but the case will not be going to trial, the city has agreed to settle and to pay. WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.

WJBF News Channel 6 is proud to support a forum on open government. Just as we work as watchdogs, you can, too. From open meetings to open records: at the forum, you’ll pick up the tools you need to help us hold your local government accountable.

There are some changes coming to Richmond County Schools. Students may not like them, but school leaders say they’re all for the safety of the students. Count on our Fraendy Clervaud. He has the story.

Across the CSRA, we have Aiken County Council primary results.

Samuel Bowers teaches at North Augusta High School, and is this week’s Golden Apple Award Winner

Education and golf make for a good team in Blackville, South Carolina. Tueday, we got a peek at a new public course that is owned by Blackville-Hilda Public Schools.

There is great news for an Aiken County school. Chukker Creek Elementary has been awarded the Blue Ribbon Award by the U.S. Department of Education.

Richmond County students will get out of class early on Wednesday. Teachers will have stay for staff development and parent/teacher conferences. Release times will vary. Contact your school or you can call the Richmond County Board of Education office.

Commitment to excellence pays off for Richmond County School System teachers

It looks like all Aiken County seniors will graduate at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center from now on. The Aiken County Board of Education approved a new rental agreement with the Convocation Center this week covering the 2010 graduation ceremonies at a cost of $13,000.