Looking Back

10 years ago: May 13, 1998

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce named the Henry Hopkins III family "Farm Family of the Year" at its annual Agricultural Appreciation Dinner.

Former BCHS football star Mercedes Hamilton was named a captain of the University of Tennessee team.

The Burke County Board of Education banned door-to-door fund-raising for public school students.

25 years ago: May 11, 1983

Georgia Power and Oglethorpe Power agreed to prepay nearly $5 million in property taxes to finance construction of a new comprehensive high school.

A total of 203 new towers, 95-125 feet tall, were being constructed in the county to support the 500,000 volt lines that would carry electricity from Plant Vogtle.

William M. (Bill) Smith was honored for his service as director of the Burke County Emergency Medical Service.

50 years ago: May 15, 1958

Former Waynesboro police officer Gordon Tanner was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Herman B. DeLaigle. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. It was the second trial for Tanner. The first guilty verdict was overturned by the State Supreme Court.

75 years ago: May 12, 1933

Six Georgia cities began selling 3.2 percent beer on the basis that congressional action had classified it as a soft drink. (Prohibition was still in effect.)

Local pastors included: J.B. Sloan Jr., First Presbyterian; Joseph E. Parker, First Methodist; and Walter L. Moore, First Baptist.