Baxley Sawmill To Stay Open--With Cutbacks

A lumber company says it will not be closing its sawmill in Baxley. Officials with Rayonier Inc. say they previously planned to suspend operations at its mills in Baxley and Eatonton because of lack of demand. But the company reconsidered after prices for certain types of lumber recently rose. Rayonier officials say they plan to continue operating the Baxley mill--but only on one shift. 57 of the mill's 137 workers will be laid off. The Eatonton mill was reduced to one shift in January and now employs 73 people.