On Georgia Highway 88 - beyond seemingly endless acres of south Augusta farmland and past loads of watermelons being sold from the backs of pickups - sits a small white building with a red tin roof where politics happens every third Saturday, whether it's supposed to or not. From lawyers to landscapers, People file into the Hephzibah Agricultural Club for their fill of farming advice, political gossip and the best barbecue you'd care to have.

From the back of a pickup truck in a Winn-Dixie parking lot, speakers issued calls for everything from verbal and written opposition to boycotts. Full story -- The Augusta Chronicle\r\n

The first two weeks in April, right after Horne's Motor Lodge was bought by the company Melvin Staton works for, he spent his nights observing motel activity from behind the glare of a darkened car's windshield. It is only the second time his employer, Marietta-based Lodge Resources Inc., is converting an existing motel, instead of building one.

THE QUESTIONS: The Richmond County Pride and Progress Committee began over seven years ago as the South Richmond County Pride and Progress Committee with the goal of addressing needs of South Richmond County residents about litter control, zoning, future industrial/residential development and the rate businesses were leaving the area.

Jimmy Smith's stomping ground isn't leaving him much room to stomp anymore. Having lived and worked in the south end of town all his life, the business owner has always considered south Richmond County his back yard. He lamented the exodus of business owners and professionals who moved their offices out of the south and into economically booming areas like west Augusta and Columbia County. "But now our time has come," Mr. Smith said. "This is my stomping ground and I want to see it left in better shape for my children and grandchildren."

Tuesday:South Richmond County Pride and Progress Committee meeting; 7 p.m.; University Hospital Medical Center, South Richmond County, 3121 Peach Orchard Road; speaker, Jim West...

Peggy Ward knew it would be a good day Wednesday, despite the morning rain, gray sky and muddy earth. It was the day she and her partner, Marilyn Carter Tomlin, ceremoniously embarked on a project to transform 7.41 acres of pine trees and shrubs into a $5 million complex. One hundred new jobs are expected to be created by their medical-office complex in south Augusta. It will serve as headquarters for Augusta Associates of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, the practice of the two internal medicine physicians.

A new medical complex, business park and an 80-unit hotel are coming to south Augusta, developers announced Wednesday. Developers will build the $5 million Richmond Center Complex on land along Tobacco Road that is owned by two local doctors. The hotel part of the project is expected to generate at least 100 jobs. The complex will serve as headquarters for Augusta Associates of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology medical practice, house various offices as well as an 80-unit moderately priced luxury hotel called the Richmen Suites Hotel, said Atlanta developer Gary Cross.

Pawn and gun shops dot south Augusta like ants. Car washes spring up in old gasoline stations. And vacant buildings adorn the scenery like unruly crab grass. What's missing are large shopping malls as well as chain retailers and restaurants such as Applebee's, Publix and Stein Mart. Owners of most large national and regional businesses have opted not to open in south Augusta - an area many say is characterized by small operations with little overhead.

Pawn and gun shops dot south Augusta like ants. Car washes spring up in old gasoline stations. And vacant buildings adorn the scenery like unruly crab grass. What's missing are large shopping malls as well as chain retailers and restaurants such as Applebee's, Publix and Stein Mart. Owners of most large national and regional businesses have opted not to open in south Augusta - an area many say is characterized by small operations with little overhead.