County honors World Series-bound softball teams
			The Columbus County Board of Commissioners honored the 2007 North Carolina state champion Columbus County Dixie Deb (ages 16-18) All-Stars at its Monday night meeting. The team will compete in the 2007 Dixie Debs World Series, which will open July 28 at Marianna, Fla. Pictured during the ceremony are, left to right, Courtney Long, Yolanda McKoy, Samantha Smith, Kelly Strickland Joye Buffkin. Middle row, Columbus County Board of Commissioners chairman Sammie Jacobs, Jessica McPherson, Brandi Fowler, Marci-anna Pridgen, Morgan Patrick, Briana Jacobs, District 9 Dixie Girls softball commissioner Julie Strickland, Columbus County commissioner Linwood Norris, Columbus County Parks and Recreation director Caol Worrell. Back row, Coach Bobby McPherson, Coach Daylon Gore, Kayla McLean, Caroline Newman, Coach Joanna Currie. The North Carolina champs, who went unbeaten in state tournament play at Shallotte, will go against Virginia in its World Series opener.
	The South Columbus Dixie Darling (ages 6-8) All-Stars, who will be the North Carolina entry in the 2007 Dixie Darlings World Series that opens Saturday at Albemarle, were honored at Monday night’s Columbus County Board of Commissioners meeting. Pictured during the ceremony are, front row, left to right, Morgan Nye, Kierra Brown, Courtnee Faulk. Second row, Alexis Suggs, Courtney Grainger, Hailey Sarvis. Third row, Autumn Anderson, Taylor Turbeville, Madison Spencer, Sadrine Jacobs, Lindsey Jones, Brianna Wright. Back row, Coach Chad Turbeville, Coach Natalie Grainger, Columbus County Board of Commissioners chairman Sammie Jacobs, Coach Wendy Suggs, Coach Steven Suggs, District 9 Dixie Girls Softball commissioner Julie Strickland and Columbus County Department of Parks and Recreation director Carol Worrell. Not pictured, Dixie Darling All-Star Katlynn Pridgen. The South Columbus team will meet the Florida champion in Saturday’s opening round of the 12-team World Series tournament.