BLIGHT and what it does to a city
Editorial by Roy F. Chalker Jr.
For the past several weeks The True Citizen has published a series of photographs of abandoned, burned out or otherwise dilapidated homes in Waynesboro. For lack of a better word, we’ve called them “eyesores.” Many of them were published at the suggestion of neighbors, whose appeals to city officials have...
Midville officer arrested, fired
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
A Midville Police officer has been arrested and charged after allegedly pointing a gun and threatening to kill his wife in front of their child. Ahmed Sattar Ismael was arrested by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division on Thursday, August 7 after the victim spoke to a Burke...
Delinquent Property Tax Sale to be held on Sept. 3rd
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
Property owners with delinquent property taxes in Burke County will have their properties sold beginning Tuesday, September 2nd and continuing on Wednesday, September 3rd during the legal hours of sale between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. if they fail to pay their taxes; beforehand. According to a list provided by...
A DOWNTOWN FIRST
DON LIVELY
This continues a series of articles that will feature shops, restaurants and other businesses, as well as upcoming events, in Downtown Waynesboro. When Jennifer Harper and her business partners, Ramona and Brandon Mobley first looked at the building that would eventually become Bird Dog Beverages, she wondered how they were...
Burke County author to host book reading
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com | August 12, 2025
A Burke County native is hosting a book reading and signing for her first book, “I AM OFF TO PRE-K,” at the Burke County Library Saturday, August 23. Pamala Rouse- Walker's book, “I AM OFF TO PREK,” is a children’s book that focuses on coping with the emotions that crop...
Midville adopts ordinance
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com | August 12, 2025
The Midville City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-3 covering Offenses Against Property, Offenses Against Public Peace and Unregulated Marijuana Use during the monthly meeting August 5. The council had the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2025-3, which covers Criminal Damage to Property Under $1,500, Criminal Trespass, Possession of Marijuana and Interference with...
Burke County 4-H hosts Open House
August 12, 2025
Burke County 4-H invites all students in grades 4th–12th and their families to attend the annual 4-H Open House on Thursday, August 21, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Office Park Auditorium in Waynesboro. Georgia 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Its...
Students improve in some subjects, struggle in English
TY TAGAMI
Capitol Beat News Service | August 12, 2025
Georgia students posted modest academic gains in most of the tested grades and subjects last school year except in one key area. English Language Arts scores fell in all but two of the seven grade levels that were given Milestones exams, according to scores released by the Georgia Department of...
United Way of the CSRA’s Stuff the Bus Drive collects over 34,000 school supplies for local students
August 12, 2025
United Way of the CSRA is excited to report the successful completion of its 2025 Stuff the Bus school supply collection drive. This year’s community effort gathered 34,273 school supplies valued at $141,480 which is a 23% increase over last year’s Stuff the Bus total. The donated supplies will prepare...
U.S. Jr. Amateur champ has local roots
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | July 29, 2025
This past weekend, Hamilton Coleman, the seventeen year-old grandson of Dr. Charles Coleman, defeated Minh Nguyen of Vietnam in a two-and-one victory to win the 77th US Junior Amateur Championship. This victory will send Coleman to the US Open next year at Shinnecock Hills. Coleman, born in Augusta, fell in...
Lady Bears get ready for softball season
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | July 22, 2025
Softball season is right around the corner, and the Lady Bears ended last year on a high note, being region champions and losing in the second round of the playoffs. The Lady Bears lost four important seniors in Paige Sullivan, Maddox Russell, Braylin Fare, and Galiyah Williams last year, but...
Bears football forecast from Coach Stephens
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | July 22, 2025
It’s almost everyone’s favorite season - Football! With how the Bears’ last season ended, a lot of people have high hopes for this upcoming season. Burke County is still chasing that championship trophy. I got a chance to sit down and talk with head coach Franklin Stephens about this year....
Lady Bears volleyball team is looking to bounce back from Helene
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | July 22, 2025
With school being right around the corner, the Lady Bears volleyball team is not far from beginning their regular season. In fact, their interim Blue and White match starts August 7, and they will host Dublin at home on the following Tuesday. Last season was their first season in AA,...
Meet the Lady Bears basketball team’s new coaching staff
July 22, 2025
There has been a coaching change in one of Burke County’s varsity sports this summer. Head coach Leslie Lawrence and her coaching staff have stepped down from leading the Lady Bears basketball program. In her place is Adrian McBride. McBride took to the official BCHS Lady Bears Facebook page almost...
INTO THE WILD
Laura Reeves | August 12, 2025
I went to college with Christopher McCandless. He was a senior, and I was a freshman. He wrote for The Emory Wheel and I remember reading his articles. I never met him, but I often wish I had. By the time McCandless graduated, he had grown weary of the material...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
August 12, 2025
Editor:Good afternoon. I would like to that a moment to thank you forthe articles on the local businesses. I enjoy reading about thesebusinesses. Our local shops, restaurants, and other businessesneed our support. These articles help to inform us about localevents within our community. I really enjoy going to the PeachPit...

Martha C. Womack
August 12, 2025
Mrs. Martha C. Womack, 77, of Midville passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at her residence. She was born on April 3, 1948, in Millen to Ray Cowart and Susie Alcott Cowart. Mrs. Womack was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray H. Womack; grandson, Dylan Womack. Mrs. Martha...
Clara Bell Oliver McClain
August 12, 2025
Clara Bell Oliver McClain, 96, died on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the home of her daughter. She was born on March 16, 1929, in Metter to the late Thomas Watson and Mary Powell Oliver. She was married to the late Alvin H. McClain, Sr. Clara Bell was currently a...

Glenn Franklin Kilpatrick
August 12, 2025
Glenn Franklin Kilpatrick, aged 96, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on January 5, 1929, in Perkins, Georgia, to James Franklin and Annie Mae Jackson Kilpatrick, he was the only surviving son in a family also containing four sisters, all of whom preceded him...

Linda Bennett
August 5, 2025
Linda Bennett, 68, entered into rest Wednesday, July 30, 2025. She was the kind of person whose warmth could light up a room, whose laughter could ease a heavy day, and whose quiet strength uplifted those around her. Linda lived her life anchored in love and selflessness; she was a...

Janet Emily Wyatt
August 5, 2025
lly with her family by her side on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at her residence. Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 2:00 PM with Reverend Thurman S. Norville, Jr. officiating. Ms. Wyatt, daughter of J.W. Chance and the late Betty Hillis...
Ossoff sounds alarm on abuses of immigrant detainees
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service | August 12, 2025
An investigation led by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., has uncovered 510 credible reports of human rights abuses at immigration detention centers across the country. The list included 14 credible reports of mistreatment of pregnant women and 18 credible reports of mistreatment of children. "These detention facilities ... are no...
BURKE EMA REPORT
August 12, 2025
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 110 patients’ calls during the week ending August 10. Of those, 84 resulted in transports, including 50 to Augusta hospitals and one to another out-of-county hospital. Forty one of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 43 were non-emergent. The agency...
BURKE COUNTY JAIL BOOKING AUG. 4-10
August 12, 2025
Charles Ian Ruslan BoydPine Needle Rd., HephzibahAug. 8Suspended registration; DUI; driving while license suspended or revoked--misdemeanor; no insurance Jordyn Chelsey BrownEast 9th St., WaynesboroAug. 6Serious injury by vehicle; hit and run resulting in serious injury or death Christopher Robert BuddOld Waynesboro Rd., Waynesboro Aug. 6Bench warrant--Magistrate Court; animal at large...
What’s Next?
July 29, 2025
NOTICE The Burke County Board of Education will destroy all student records relating to Special Education Services for individuals who will attain the age of 22 on or before June 30, 2025. These records will be destroyed immediately after Friday, August 29, 2025. Anyone wishing to recover his/her personal records...
Church News
August 12, 2025
OUR POLICY This section is a complimentary service for Burke County churches hosting free public services. We will run your church news for two weeks. Church bake sales, yard sales, out-of-county events or events with an admission fee may be included for $10 per week, paid in advance. Email announcements...
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