Houston home journal. (Perry, Ga.) 1999-2006, July 11, 2003, Image 1
FRIDAY July 11, 2003 Volume 134, number 121 Houston welcomes 6,003 new residents Since 2000 Census, Perry clears 10,000; Warner Robins, Centerville continue rapid growth From staff, wire reports The latest U.S. Census Bureau popu lation estimates show growth across Houston County and in each of its incorporated cities. Countywide, an estimated 6,003 peo ple were added to a 2000 population of 110,765, for a new, 2002 total of 116,768. This represents a 5.4 percent increase and includes 914 people not accounted for in growth attributed to Centerville, Perry and Warner Robins, jßßßßsamggg® mSUbhi H f 1 f Ja@| BHBb s Local kids sift through owl, er, pellets for science camp this week at Museum of Aviation By Luci Joullian HHJ Staff Writer WARNER ROBINS - Sorting through barn owl feces isn’t normally considered a fun way to spend your summer vacation, but for the kids taking part in a series of science day camps at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, it was the per fect way to indulge their curios ity and enthusiasm about sci ence. One of 14 similar centers in the state, the Middle Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (MGYSTC) at Robins Air Force Base recently taught a group of 15 fourth- through eighth-graders - most of them from families affiliated with Robins Air Force Base - about, strangely enough, owl pellets. The purpose of the two-day course was to learn about the predator/prey relationship of the barn owl and the animal food chain by dissecting owl pel lets and identifying skeletal remains found in them. Summer camps and classes can be a time for children to learn things that are outside the realm of normal school cur riculum, said Julie Celebi, the director of the Center, which also offers continuing education classes for teachers throughout the year. “The kids love it because to them it’s fun,” Celebi said. “They have no idea that they are learning.” While examining some small animal bones she found in the owl pellets, fourth-grader Hayley Johnson from Warner Robins said she decided to try the camp because of her love for science and experiments. Camp participant Ashley Watts reassembled the bones of a rat that were found, along f * Gecrctc Project MAH ÜBRA&Y UNrvERSTY OF GEORGIA ATHENS GA 30602 3-C(Gr 306 HoustonHomeJournal.com if t JMcrusttm Mtmteif (Lfre each of which posted significant gains during the same period. With a 7.7 percent increase (3,761 people) since 2000, Warner Robins remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Among Georgia cities of at least 10,000 people, it ranked 14th in growth in the last year alone. “Houston County has grown tremen dously and Warner Robins is right in the middle of it all,” said Warner Robins Mayor Pro Tern Dean Cowart. IKsilSMilK -> A JSpA ' - y ' a. .+J? sL HHJ Luci Joullian Seventh-grader Mark Barrett investigates a group of hairballs that were found in owl pellets. with a fur ball, in an owl pellet. “That smelt really bad,” she said, crinkling her nose. Taylor Schott agreed. “Dissecting was the smelliest part!” she said, laughing. If any local aspiring scientists missed the owl pellets camp, don’t worry. MGYSTC will be hosting a crime lab detective camp next Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18. Participants will have the chance to investigate a mock crime scene for “evidence.” Using the evidence they find, the children will then use scien tific procedures such as chro matography, basic DNA testing and analysis of fingerprints to solve various mysteries. Those wishing to participate in the camp should contact Celebi at (478) 926-6398. Houston County’s legal organ since 1870 Regarding the population’s growth in size and within the economy, Cowart said, “The political leaders set the wheel in motion, but the people push it.” “Principally our growth is a result of multiple factors, such as a good school system and low crime rates,” Warner Robins City Development Director Jesse Fountain said. “With the right mix, it makes an adequate structure and the environment conducive to growth in Warner Robins, and influ ■ 4 I MB HHJ Emily Johnstone Josiah Mergele displays a miniscule bone, found in an owl pel let, that is part of a rat’s backbone. Forty acres of summer's bounty! Sunflowers form a sea of gold on the forty-acre tract planted on Kersey Road in South Houston County. Sunflowers, a cousin to the daisy, are the only single flower that can grow as high as 100 inches tall at a rate of almost 12 inches a week. Story and photos, page 10A ences growth in surrounding areas. People want to go to areas merging toward growth.” In Perry, growth has finally pushed the city over a major population mile stone. “We’re real pleased to get 547 to push us over the 10,000 mark,” Perry Mayor James Worrall said. The change could lead to some fund ing assistance in the future. Worrall said there are several grant programs - both state and federal - that are avail Rottman takes command of 19th By Heather Fasciocco HHJ Staff Writer WARNER ROBINS - The 19th Air Refueling Group gave a final salute to its group com mander Col. Barbara Faulkenberry as she handed over the responsibilities to Col. Raymond J. Rottman. Faulkenberry, who led the Black Knights through two consecutive years of combat operations, will become the 375th Airlift Wing commander at Scott Air Force Base, 111. Rottman assumed command after Wednesday’s ceremony at the Museum of Aviation’s Century of Flight Hangar after being handed the group’s flag by the ceremony’s presid ing officer Maj. Gen. George N. Williams. Willicommander of 21st Air Force, Air Mobility Command, spoke about both colonels’ accomplishments in the service and complimented them on their enthusiastic dedication toward the 19th Air Refueling Group. “Everyone knows the sacri fice each military member t l ' ~ r r* 1 sßsi. - pF / f. ■ \ - Ay g "•% JSL. 'MX. .v:' ‘ ' «*j HHJ Heather Fasciocco Wednesday’s change of command ceremony’s official party (from left) were Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, Col. Barbara Faulkenberry and Col. Raymond J. Rottman. Rottman took command of the 19th Air Refueling Group as Faulkenberry became the 375th Airlift Wing commander at Scott Air Force Base, 111. Inside COMICS 4B CLASSIFIED 5B CROSSWORD 4B LIFESTYLE 9A OBITUARIES 5A OPINION 4A TV LISTINGS 4B WEATHER 2A TWO SECTIONS • 20 PAGES able only to cities with populations above 10,000. At the same time, many grant pro grams for smaller cities include only those with populations 5,000 or small er, leaving Perry in limbo for many years. “We were in no man’s land,” Worrall said. Now, at “the magic number of 10,000,” Perry will have new opportu nities ahead. See CENSUS, page 7A makes,” Williams said. “On one hand we will celebrate one person’s contribution, and on another we are excited for an addition to the Robins family.” The change of command cer emony’s historical significance dates back to the 18th century. Organizational flags that rep resent military groups with specific colors and a theme would be passed to the presid ing officer of the unit from a superior. The passing of the flag would and remains to take place in front of the unit so as to witness and see the new leader assume their position. Faulkenberry spoke about her memories of Robins after relinquishing command of the 19th Air Refueling Group. She thanked business lead ers for their support in the group and thanked the mem bers of the Black Knights. “You are an award-winning group and you will continue to take care of each other at home as you did when you were deployed,” she said. “It See COMMAND, page 7A An award-winning newspaper 2003 Better Newspaper Contest an Evans family newspaper 50c nun 8 ''"b 510 8"0 0001™ 11 4