diff --git a/public/javascripts/announcement_refresh.js b/public/javascripts/announcement_refresh.js
--- a/public/javascripts/announcement_refresh.js
+++ b/public/javascripts/announcement_refresh.js
@@ -18,8 +18,13 @@
 	    method: 'get',
 	    parameters: { recent: Announcement.mostRecentId },
 	    onSuccess: function(transport) {
-		var announcementBody = 	$("announcementbox-body");
-		announcementBody.insert({ top: transport.responseText });
+		if(transport.responseText.match(/\S/)!=null) {
+ 		    var announcementBody = $("announcementbox-body");
+		    announcementBody.insert({ top: transport.responseText });
+		    var announcementBoxes = $$(".announcementbox");
+		    if(announcementBoxes.length!=0)
+			announcementBoxes[0].show();
+		}
 	    }
 	});
 	Announcement.registerRefreshEventTimer();
@@ -30,4 +35,4 @@
 	    Announcement.refreshAnnouncement();
 	}, 30000);
     }
-};
\ No newline at end of file
+};