AUGUSTA, Ga.
Man killed in trench collapse
One man died and another was pulled to safety after a sandy trench collapsed on them as they were working on pipes six feet underground.
Authorities say 37-year-old Jimmy Roubles, of Augusta, likely died within minutes of being buried Saturday.
Richmond County Deputy Coroner Mark Bowen said the men were working in the trench outside the main office of a public housing complex when water began seeping in, causing one wall of the trench to collapse at about 11:30 a.m.
Firefighters frantically dug with their shovels and hands to free the men. A witness said the first man, who was not identified, was hoisted out using straps and that his face was caked with dirt as he was placed on a stretcher and taken to a hospital.
Roubles was pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m. Bowen said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified about the incident.
DAYTON, Tenn.
PumpkinFest offers treats, talent
MainStreet Dayton will host its fifth annual PumpkinFest 2010 on Friday and Saturday.
Organizer Helen Spudich said the event will be “bigger and better.”
The Perfectly Pumpkin Pie and Cake Baking Contest will be Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., with a public viewing at 4:30 p.m.
Participants in “Scary-oke” are asked to dress like the performer they’ll be portraying. There will be several prize categories including a People’s Choice award.
For more information, log onto www.mainstreet dayton.org.
MOBILE, Ala.
State waives GED certificate fee
Alabama’s Department of Postsecondary Education is waiving the $50 fee for those looking to earn their GED certificate.
To qualify, the agency is requiring people score at least 500 in reading, writing, math, social studies and science on the general education development test. Students also must have been enrolled in 30 hours of adult education classes.
The department estimates that almost 900,000 people in Alabama ages 16 and older never finished high school.
Directors of adult education programs at area community colleges say making the GED free encourages more dropouts to take the test. Students who pass the GED also are eligible for up to three semester hours of course work as long as they attend one of Alabama’s community colleges.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Trust seeks battlefields
The Civil War Preservation Trust is accepting nominations through its website for an annual report on endangered Civil War battlefields.
Any Civil War battlefield is eligible for nomination and consideration, and sites will be selected based on location, military significance and the immediacy of threats.
Nomination forms are available at www.civilwar.org/endangerednomination but must be submitted by Nov. 1.
The 2011 endangered battlefields report will be released next spring.
— Staff and wire reports
SPRING CITY, Tenn.
Driver checkpoints set up this month
The Spring City Police Department will be conducting safety and sobriety checkpoints in areas of Spring City at various times and/or locations throughout October.
Officers will be watching for seatbelt use, drunk or impaired drivers in an effort to reduce traffic accidents. All checkpoints will be posted.
For more information, call 423-365-6225.
— Staff and wire reports