Waynesboro holds first annual arts festival
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The city of Waynesboro held its first annual Waynesboro Community Art & Cultural Festival on Saturday, April 26. Local artisans, vendors and food trucks lined Liberty Street, welcoming the community for a day full of shopping, eating and creating. City Administrative Assistant Emma Mullis organized the festival after finding success...
BOC responds to BCSO hiring freeze allegations
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The Burke County Board of Commissioners responded to a letter from Sheriff Alfonzo Williams, refuting claims of a hiring freeze at the Burke County Sheriff's Office. Williams sent the letter, dated April 17, requesting the board allow him to hire more deputies, citing the loss of 18 personnel since January...
Always a good day
DON LIVELY
This continues a series of articles that will feature shops, restaurants and other businesses, as well as upcoming events, in Downtown Waynesboro. Local folks know the place by the unique sign that uses forks, spoons and knives to make up a bird dog, the familiar symbol of our town. The...
BOC holds worksession with BOE, GDOT TIA
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The Board of Commissioners discussed the agreement for School Resource Officers with the Board of Education and the Vogtle Parkway Project with GDOT TIA at a called meeting Monday, April 28. The proposed Burke County Georgia School Resource Officer Agreement states that the school district is not responsible for “the...
FEMA hosts Housing Resource
DEBORAH BENNETT
Millen News Editor | April 29, 2025
FEMA remains firmly committed to helping Georgia’s disaster survivors rebuild and recover after the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. At a recent Housing Resource Fair at the Burke County Office Park, FEMA staff connected face-to-face with survivors, offering critical guidance on temporary housing, rental assistance, and...
Confederate Memorial
April 29, 2025
The B/G John C. Carter, Camp 207, SCV of Waynesboro, Georgia hosted a Confederate Memorial Service on Sunday, April 27, 2025. This is a continued tradition of observing Confederate Memorial Day in our area. This local event is held on or near April 26 of each year. This year the...
Senate confirms David Perdue as ambassador to China
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service | April 29, 2025
ATLANTA – The U.S. Senate confirmed former Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., Tuesday as United States ambassador to China, multiple news outlets reported. Perdue received some bipartisan support in the 67-29 confirmation vote, with 15 Senate Democrats joining 51 Republicans and one independent in supporting his nomination. During one six-year term...
Kemp signs workforce development legislation
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service | April 29, 2025
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp signed three workforce development bills Monday during a leadership summit sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia. “As the No.-1 state for business, Georgia has seen recordbreaking jobs and investment come to communities in every part of the state,” Kemp said. “With the bills...
Michaela Benson Awarded With Exemplary ESOL Teacher Award
April 29, 2025
Each year, the Georgia Department of Education recognizes exceptional teachers with the prestigious Exemplary English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher Award. This year, Mrs. Benson, a dedicated teacher at Waynesboro Primary School, has been honored with this distinguished accolade. With the help and guidance of Mrs. Benson, the...
Lady Bears golf is going to the state tournament
April 29, 2025
After a phenomenal season, the Lady Bears golf team brought home second place in the GHSA Area 2-AA girls golf tournament with an overall score of 193. This feat was enough to qualify them for the state championship tournament held in Columbus, Georgia on May 19-20. Madalyn Zittrouer, one of...
Big News from BCHS!
April 29, 2025
Burke County High School's Skyler Brown is trading his Bear claws for Baron pride! The senior standout has officially signed a four-year scholarship to Brewton-Parker College, where he'll pursue both his academic studies and wrestling career. Picture, left to right, are Pamela Wilson (Aunt), Skyler Brown, and Amy Coleman (Mother).
BCHS tennis teams advance in state
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | April 29, 2025
Both the Bears and Lady Bears tennis teams advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the state playoffs. The boys won by forfeit, after a team from Decatur quit due to lack of players, and the girls’ team beat Augusta Technical and Career Academy last Wednesday, 3-0. They each played in...
Bears baseball advances to Sweet Sixteen
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | April 29, 2025
The Burke County Bears baseball team qualified for the state playoffs this year. This was pretty much inevitable after their two wins versus Thomson in the regular season. Thanks to those two wins, they finished the regular season first in region, being a perfect 10-0. Their performance this season has...
BCHS esports team loses in the final four
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | April 29, 2025
The Burke County High School esports team had seven teams qualify for the state championship this year. Those teams, playing across five titles, have all officially been eliminated from the playoffs and state champions have been crowned. According to last week’s article, two teams remained in the playoffs, a Madden...
SKIN IN THE GAME
Laura Reeves | April 29, 2025
Ever since I could remember, I have loved being outside in the sunshine. Any day in the summer, you could find me swimming at my Mema’s pool. It was my favorite place in the world! As I grew older, I also loved that nice sunny look you get from spending...
Mad Anthony’s Big Boom Fireworks Extravaganza donation update
April 29, 2025
THIS WEEK'S FIREWORKS DONATIONS Rowell Electric $ 100Delta Termite $ 100Bird Dog Acres and Antiques $ 250Planters EMC Round Up Grant $ 3,000First National Bank $ 500Margaret Newton Risk Management $ 150 Amount needed: $12,805.80 To donate, or for questions or comments about the event, please email Don Lively at...

Danny E. Campbell, Jr.
April 29, 2025
Danny E. Campbell, Jr. entered eternal rest on December 14, 2023 at Clarke Foundation Hospital in Champagne, Illinois. He was born on May 25, 1979 in Augusta, Georgia and graduated high school at Warren Central High, Indianapolis, IN. During his senior year he entered the delayed entry program and trained...

Willie Bycel Daniel
April 29, 2025
Willie Bycel Daniel, 83, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025. He was the devoted husband of Suzanne Fleming Daniel for over 61 years and a lifelong resident of Waynesboro, Georgia. Born on September 16, 1941, to John Howell Daniel and Mary Pearl Holland Daniel, Bycel was a proud native...

Edward McNair
April 22, 2025
Mr. Edward McNair, 85, of Hephzibah, Georgia, was born March 13, 1940. He entered into rest on April 8, 2025. Family visitation will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 at 12:00 P.M.-1:00 P.M. and public visitation will be held at 5:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M. at Phinazee & Son Funeral Home,...

Freddie Bernard Williams
April 22, 2025
Mr. Freddie Bernard Williams, 78, of Hephzibah, Georgia, was born February 28, 1947. He entered into rest on April 19, 2025. Family visitation will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M. and public visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at Phinazee & Son Funeral Home,...

Johnny Mack “Gator” Mims, Sr.
April 22, 2025
Mr. Johnny Mack “Gator” Mims, Sr., 70, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born August 26, 1954. He entered into rest on April 18, 2025. Family visitation will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 3:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. and public visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at Phinazee & Son...
WPD seeking information about Gas Pro Armed Robbery
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com | April 29, 2025
The Waynesboro Police Department is seeking information about an Armed Robbery that took place just after midnight Wednesday, April 23, at Gas Pro. The department is asking for help identifying the individual pictured in the surveillance footage so that they can be questioned. Anyone with information identifying or locating this...
Kemp signs bills on transgender athletes, school safety and other education issues
TY TAGAMI
Capitol Beat News Service | April 29, 2025
Transgender students born male can no longer participate on female teams in Georgia’s schools and colleges now that Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a ban passed by the General Assembly. On Monday, Kemp inked his signature on seven bills, including the Riley Gaines Act of 2025. It is named after...
BBB ALERT: Watch out for “free roof inspections”
KELVIN COLLINS
Better Business Bureau | April 29, 2025
With the warmer weather and summer storms, roofing scams become more common. BBB Scam Tracker frequently receives reports of shady “free” roof inspections. Homeowners should be on the lookout for these cons. How these scams works You receive a call, or a person shows up at the door claiming to...
What’s Next?
April 29, 2025
BCPS Pre-K Registration is Now Open Pre-K Registration for Burke County Public Schools is set for April 21 – May 2, 2025. Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025 to be eligible for registration. Parents/ guardians have the option to register their child in...
Church News
April 29, 2025
Pre Mother’s Day Program McKinnie Branch Baptist Church will hold its Pre Mother’s Day program 11:30 a.m. May 4. Sunday School will begin at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited. Missionary Anniversary Watkinsville Baptist Church will celebrate its Missionary Anniversary 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Guest speaker will be Pastor...
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