Sheriff’s budget debate continues
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
As the Board of Commissioners moves closer to adopting the FY 2024 budget, tensions continue to mount. Public accounting firm Lanier, Deal & Proctor reported Tuesday, September 12 to the commission that during their audit they noted there were not sufficient budgetary controls over the Sheriff’s Office’s budget. In the...
BOC hires firm to evaluate the jail
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
The Board of Commissioners has contracted with Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast, to assess the Burke County Detention Center. GMC will evaluate the correctional facility’s architectural condition to determine if the facility can adequately support current bed capacity as well...
Breakaway for a good cause
The Center For New Beginnings (CFNB) is inviting the community to join them Saturday, October 21 for its biggest fundraiser of the year, the 16th Annual Bird Dog Breakaway 5K Run/Walk. The Bird Dog Breakaway has become a community-wide anticipated event, attracting runners from surrounding cities and states. Participants can...
Sheriff blasts “Group of 12” in social media
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
Editor’s note: The True Citizen’s reporting regarding the activities of Alfonzo Williams and Lewis Blanchard is not reflective of our support or endorsement of either one of the current candidates. We have and will continue to report the actions of all candidates and the Board of Commissioners. Sheriff Williams was...
Sheriff refuses to disclose “Group of 12”
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
The names of members belonging to a group of people conspiring against Sheriff Alfonzo Williams may only exist in the mind of the Sheriff. A September 17 open records request through the Burke County Sheriff’s Office website asking for the names of the members of the “Group of 12,” whom...
Dinner with a side of family tradition
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
Burke Countians looking for an opportunity to meet new people and socialize might consider heading to McKinney’s Pond Restaurant for dinner. The Midville restaurant was originally owned by Hannah Garbutt, who sold the property to Colonel Thomas McKinney. During the mid-1800s Thomas lost the property and eventually Garbutt bought it...
“Annual Come Home to Keysville Day”
September 19, 2023
Saturday October the 7th, Parade @ 11 am New Attraction for 2023 It’s a Fashion Show directed by Mr. Alton West Everyone welcome. Women, Men, children, families, Sororities, Fraternities, etc. Categories include: “Hats, Hats & Hats”, “Get Right Church”, “Stepping Out”, “Chilin in style” (casual), “School Days”, “Show your Colors”,...
New medical clinic offers employer business plans
September 19, 2023
Welcome Health, currently in Augusta and Evans, added a third location in Waynesboro, September 19. Sherwin Goering DNP, AG ACNP, originally from Waynesboro, is the primary provider at the new clinic, located at 122 Seventh Street in Old Waynesborough. “I am excited to be returning to Waynesboro and being able...
EBA picks up big win in Monticello
September 19, 2023
The Edmund Burke Academy Spartans varsity football team traveled to Monticello on Friday night and picked up a 21-0 win over Piedmont Academy. The Spartans started off fast when on the second play of the game outside linebacker Connor Syms forced a fumble that was recovered and returned to the...
Lady Bears softball team dominates New Hampstead
BRANNON BRADDOCK
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
The Lady Bears softball team has had its fair share of ups and downs this season, and they look to be steadily growing as the year goes along. Last Tuesday, they took their first region win against New Hampstead in grand fashion. Freshman Paityn Oglesby pitched and recorded six strikeouts,...
The Bears dominate the Warriors in Watkinsville
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
The Burke County Bears traveled to Oconee County this past week to face off against the Oconee County Warriors. Given the outcome of their game last year, where the Bears won a last minute, double overtime thriller in the Bear Den, everyone was excited for this game. The big question...
Lady Bears volleyball split matches last week
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | September 19, 2023
The Lady Bears volleyball team continues to play hard this year. They have a lot of skilled players, some upperclassmen, some lower classmen, and they seem to have good chemistry on and off the court. They played last Tuesday and Thursday, going 2-2 overall, losing some tough matches to region...
Burke County Bears offense finally finds its stride
BRANNON BRADDOCK
[email protected] | September 12, 2023
The Bears are back at it after a bye week on September first. One big concern for the Bears this year has been their offense. They’ve only scored three touchdowns over two lowscoring games, and many players have looked uncomfortable on the field. This week, they faced off against Evans...
LOOKING BACK
September 19, 2023
20 YEARS AGO – SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 The Burke County Hospital Authority offered to purchase the current library on Fourth Street and also asked the county to transfer ownership of the old health department building on Jones Avenue to the authority. The County Commission authorized an appraisal on the health...
Don Lively
September 19, 2023
I don’t remember where we were going or where we might have been coming from. I know that it was a Sunday because Sundays were the days when we would go and visit relatives and friends all over the area. We were in the old station wagon that had a...
Ronda Rich
September 19, 2023
Several years ago, an obituary in the Atlanta paper caught my eye and I clipped it out. I ran across it recently and, again as then, I found myself fascinated by how it summed up the man that died and what that summation says about our society. Honestly, I don’t...

RUSSELL LAMAR SAXON
September 19, 2023
Russell Lamar Saxon, a cherished presence in the lives of many, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones in Denver, Colorado. He fought a courageous and tenacious 17 months battle with cancer. He was born on October 18, 1976, in Riverdale, GA, to Leonard and...

Ricky Vaughn Coleman
September 19, 2023
Mr. Ricky Vaughn Coleman, 67, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born April 13, 1956. He entered into rest on Monday, September 4, 2023 at AU Medical in Augusta, Georgia. Family visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Phinazee and Son Funeral Home, 404 West 8th Street,...

Willie Mae Clay
September 19, 2023
Mrs. Willie Mae Clay, 80, of Millen, Georgia, was born January 16, 1943. She entered into rest on Friday, September 8, 2023. Family visitation will be held Friday, September 22, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and public viewing will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Phinazee and Son Funeral Home, 404...
Emma Lee Harrison
September 19, 2023
Mrs. Emma Lee Harrison, 62, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born June 30, 1961. She entered into rest on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Phinazee & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Alvin Striggles, Jr.
September 19, 2023
Alvin Striggles, Jr. A native of Burke County was born on December 9, 1952. He departed this life on September 11, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Fl. Alvin attended the Burke County Public Schools.
INDICTMENTS
September 19, 2023
The April 23, 2023 term Grand Jury returned the following True Bills of indictment during the Sept. 14 session. Lena Marie McManus: Possession of methamphetamine. Patricia Nicole Morris: Theft by taking. Robert Anthony Thomas McCafferty: Aggravated assault; simple battery. Douglas Martin Donaldson, Jr.: Theft by taking. Christopher William Baker: Theft...
BURKE EMA REPORT
September 19, 2023
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 105 patients’ calls during the week ending Sept. 17. Of those, 66 resulted in transports, including 35 to Augusta hospitals and one to another out-of-county hospital. Twenty eight of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 38 were non-emergent. The agency...
BBB BUSINESS ALERT:
September 19, 2023
Better Business Bureau and the Internal Revenue Service warned about scams revolving around the Employee Retention Credit, a tax credit for businesses that continued paying employees during the COVID-19 shutdowns or had a significant income decline during the eligibility period. Now, the IRS is ordering a stop to new Employee...
WHAT’S NEXT? {in Burke Count}
September 19, 2023
Wednesday, Sept. 20 Ryland Environmental will host an informational meeting on curbside trash services projected to begin October 1st at the First Baptist Church of Gough at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 Annual Homecoming Parade, Liberty Street, Downtown Waynesboro, 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 Bears vs. Statesboro, 7:30 p.m. BCHS...
Family and Friends Day
September 19, 2023
Asbury UMC, 833 Asbury Church Road, Waynesboro, will hold its Family and Friends Day 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. Sunday School will begin at 10 a.m. The public is invited.
Special Sections
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