There’s a new BEAR in the Den!
Former Bears’ player and assistant coach, Franklin Stephens, will be the Bears’ next head coach. The Burke County Board of Education approved the hiring of Stephens at last week’s board meeting by a vote of 5-0. Stephens, a Keysville native and 1991 BCHS graduate, has spent the last 16 years...
Waynesboro landmark closes its doors
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
Waynesboro’s only remaining dry cleaning business will close at the end of the month, taking with it memories that stem from 1939. Victoria Broome Daniel (Miss Vic) was born in McBean, but she lived in Waynesboro her entire married life. She received a teaching degree from the Junior college of...
Two men convicted as feds crack down on guns
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
Waynesboro men, James Wayne Cooper Jr., 37, and Christopher Donnell Crumbley, 34, were both recently convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In the past four years, more than 800 defendants have been federally charged in the Southern District of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses, most often...
DABC head asks for spending changes
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
Other Development Authorities are laughing about the way Burke County does business, according to Jonathan Lupo, Director of the Development Authority of Burke County. “It just makes things a lot harder,” he said. “You talk to another development authority and they just kind of chuckle.” Lupo expressed his frustration and...
Storm victims need help rebuilding
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
Tim and Laura Gradous were sitting in a bedroom right behind an interior wall when an enormous tree was ripped from the ground and came through the kitchen. It was raining January 4 as Tim monitored the outside video cameras. “We are losing the house, we are losing the house,”...
Tickets now on sale for Wimberly gala
January 25, 2023
Tickets are on sale now for one of Burke County’s most popular shindigs, and you’re invited to join in all the fun. “A Taste of Burke County,” the Wimberly House’s annual gala, is set for Saturday, Feb. 4, at First Liberty Market in Waynesboro, from 6:30-11 p.m. Friends of Wimberly...
Governor puts hitch in broadband plan
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
Governor Brian Kemp’s Office awarded a broadband grant to Comcast, causing uncertainty as to how that decision will affect a choice the Burke County Commission made last fall. “We had partnered with Planters which we believe provides a better service,” County Manager Merv Waldrop said during Tuesday’s Development Authority meeting....
Airport requires more than expected
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
County Manager Merv Waldrop said running an airport is not as simple as just selling fuel. Activity at the Burke County Airport has increased now that the facility has the capacity to sell fuel. Since the runway was expanded about a year ago, planes are beginning to fly in, he...
Working Together to Bridge Georgia’s Digital Divide
Jason Gumbs
Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast | January 25, 2023
Thanks to Governor Kemp’s leadership, Georgia’s broadband infrastructure is about to get a major boost – and nearly 30,000 residents across eight central Georgia counties will have access to fast internet service for the rst time. Comcast is honored to have been chosen to lead the charge to bring affordable...
The Bears keep rolling
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
The Burke County Bears continue their hot streak and extend to 12-5 on the year. They played three region games last week, winning all and improving to 5-1 in region. They have only lost to Benedictine in region. On Tuesday, they faced off against Southeast Bulloch at home. Burke County...
Lady Bears continue to chase consistency
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
The BCHS Lady Bears basketball team finished last week with two region wins, one against Southeast Bulloch and another against Islands. They also recorded a region loss against Wayne County. The Lady Bears improve to 7-9 on the year and 3-2 in region. Their game against Southeast Bulloch ended in...
EBA Fall Sports Banquet
January 25, 2023
These six students were named All-Region 4-AA in football for Edmund Burke Academy. Braydon Tindell, Owen Redd, Grant Mobley, Case Harris, Connor Syms, William Hood.
BCHSWrestling begins final season stretch
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
On January 11, the boys wrestling team traveled to Statesboro to face off against Statesboro High and Effingham. Skyler Brown, Devion Roberts, Brandon Lively, and Caleb Royal all won matches against Effingham. Against Statesboro, Franklyn Brown, Skyler Brown, Devion Roberts, Matthew Seigler, Jakeem Bonner, Austin Russell, Damien Prescott, and Brandon...
EBA Fall Sports Banquet
January 25, 2023
These students were named All-State 4-AA in football for Edmund Burke Academy. (L to R) Connor Syms, Owen Reddand Grant Mobley
LOOKING BACK
January 25, 2023
10 YEARS AGO – JANUARY 30, 2013 A fire in a personal care home resulted in the death of one of the occupants. Twin Oaks Personal Care Home on Old Millen Highway caught fire early Saturday morning and all the residents were evacuated, but 65 year-old Charles Atkins went back...
Don Lively
January 25, 2023
My worthless porch dog, Lucy, AKA LooseE, and I have a fairly consistent routine that takes place when I come home from work. She meets me next to my car for a quick scratch and then she heads back up onto the porch so that I can give her a...
Michael N. Searles
January 25, 2023
“Stranger than fiction” is a phrase used to describe events that defy our imagination. It has inspired articles, columns, historical studies, and even a movie. It was Mark Twain who said, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn’t.” We...

Vivian Elizabeth Hankerson-Anderson
January 25, 2023
Mrs. Vivian Elizabeth Hankerson-Anderson, age 66, entered into eternal rest on Friday, January 13, 2023. Family visitation was held Friday, January 20, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and public visitation was held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Phinazee & Son Funeral Home, 404 West 8th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Funeral Services was...

Annie Joe Holmes
January 25, 2023
Ms. Annie Joe Holmes, age 65, of Waynesboro, GA, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Family visitation will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m. and Public visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Phinazee & Son Funeral...

Cedrenia Yvette Chance-Harden
January 25, 2023
Mrs. Cedrenia Yvette Chance-Harden age 52 of Columbus, Ohio entered into eternal rest on Sunday January 15, 2023. A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Harden will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday January 28, 2023 at Waynesboro Deliverance Church, 938 Old Millen Hwy Waynesboro, Ga. Interment will be in Pines...
Emma Elizabeth Sikes
January 25, 2023
Funeral services for Ms. Emma Elizabeth Sikes, age 75, of Millen, Ga., who died on January 18, 2023, will be held at 2:00 p.m., January 26, 2023 at Burke Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be at Burke Memorial Gardens Cemetery following the service. She was preceded in death by her...

William Smith, Sr.
January 25, 2023
Mr. William Smith, Sr., age 72, of Sardis, GA, entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 23, 2023. Family visitation will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. and public visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Phinazee & Son Funeral Home, 404 West 8th Street, Waynesboro,...
Dumpster diving turns to felonious arrest
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
An anonymous call to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office resulted in three felony charges for 30-year-old Nicholas J. Woods. A deputy responded to the dumpsters at the intersection of Winter and Springhill Church Roads January 14 after someone called and reported that a Nissan Sentra was parked for an extended...
BURKE EMA REPORT
January 25, 2023
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 96 patients’ calls during the week ending Jan. 22. Of those, 64 resulted in transports, including 37 to Augusta hospitals and four to other out-of-county hospitals. Forty one of the transports were determined to be emergencies 23 were non-emergent. The agency also...
Man found dead in burning home
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | January 25, 2023
The Burke County EMA and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Gough home fire January 15, where they found charred remains believed to be Herbert Walker. Family member Tony Walker called the fire department and told deputies at the time, that he was unsure if Herbert was home....
WHAT’S NEXT?
January 10, 2023
Saturday, January 14, 2023 Burke County Improvement Association is sponsoring the MLK Parade Saturday,1 p.m. Deadline entry date is January 7, 2023. The theme is"Dream the Impossible". Request an application via email [email protected] or call 706-825-4075 to submit entry information.
Family & Friends Day
January 25, 2023
Third Chapel Baptist Church will hold its Family & Friends Day program 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Guest sspeaker and special guests will be Pastor Elliott Bing and the Phillip Grove Baptist Church of Waynesboro. The public is invited.
Planters EMC provides two opportunities for local students
January 25, 2023
WASHINGTON YOUTH TOUR Open to high school juniors, Planters EMC is accepting applications for an all-expense-paid spot on the 2023 Washington Youth Tour. The week-long leadership trip offers participants the opportunity to experience our government and history up-close while having fun, making new friends, and gaining leadership skills. Applicants must...
UPCOMING CLASSES FOR BURKE COUNTY YOUNG FARMERS
January 25, 2023
The following are upcoming classes that will be offered by Burke County Young Farmers. Spaces are limited in some of the classes so make sure you RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your spot! All classes will be held at the Burke County High School Ag shop/ classroom. Attached...
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