ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE REWARDED
Three seniors have been selected to represent their high schools as the 2022-2023 STAR students. Those receiving the prestigious distinction include Burke County High School’s Michael Corbitt, Edmund Burke Academy’s Mary Benton Sylvester and Faith Christian Academy’s Benjamin Ford. The trio, along with their parents and their STAR teachers, will...
Inmate triggers jail house flood
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
Brandon Gardner, 25, caused havoc at the Burke County Detention Center when he intentionally broke a sprinkler head, causing water to flood his cell and the bottom floor of the block. Patricia Mayo was on her post when she noticed Gardner standing on a table hitting the ceiling outside of...
Body found in Gough
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
A volunteer discovered a body in a wooded area off of Gough Red Hill Road Friday, January 27, determinded to be 89-year-old Robert Walker Jr. Walker was reported missing after members of his family had not heard from him since the previous day. The area where the body was found...
Hospital approved for coronary care
Burke Health now offers roundthe clock, coronary care in their state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Lab, allowing immediate treatment for patients experiencing a heart attack. The hospital announced Monday that emergency cardiovascular care would be available beginning Wednesday, February 1. Corazon, a national leader in providing accreditation for the heart, vascular neuroscience...
Deciding “weather” to report damages
SHELLIE SMITLEY
t[email protected] | February 1, 2023
When Burke County residents experience damage due to severe weather, it is important to report the destruction to the Burke County EMA. Public Information Officer Amylia Lester points out that flood, tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) are often predecessors to conditions that result...
Will a new SUV bring in more jobs?
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
In spite of an unimpressive track record, the Development Authority Board is considering the purchase of a new SUV. Director Jonathan Lupo said he has gotten stuck in the mud at the Raymond Tract driving the 2014 Ford Taurus purchased new in February of that same year. He is allowed...
No one to work, no place to live
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
There may be a consensus that Burke County doesn’t need housing to improve its workforce. Development Authority of Burke County Director Jonathan Lupo said future workforce concerns were a hot topic at this year’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast. As part of the official kick-off to the State’s legislative session, the...
Envisioning the future of nuclear energy
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
The nuclear industry predicts a new generation of reactor systems will make their debut by 2030. The U.S. Department of Energy and its national labs are supporting research on three new reactor designs, with the intent of improving efficiency and safety. Although, Plant Vogtle’s Units 3 & 4 are being...
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
February 1, 2023
Makayla Washington Makayla Washington was named to the University of West Georgia Fall 2022 President’s List. To be named to the list, a student must maintain a 4.0 grade point average for the semester. Ben Parker Ben Parker of Waynesboro graduated from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., on...
Stephens returns home as Bears’ head coach
BEN ROBERTS
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
The Bears have found their next head coach and they’ve turned to a former player and assistant coach to lead them next season. Franklin Stephens, a 1991 Burke County graduate and former Bears’ player and assistant coach, has been hired by the Burke County Board of Education to fill the...
BCHS Bears rise to 14-6 on the season
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
The BCHS boys’ basketball team suffered a hard fought loss against Benedictine last Tuesday, January 24. Despite the Bears leading 32-28 at half, they ultimately fell to the Cadets 65-69. Turnovers were a big contributor to the loss, with the Bears amassing twenty-eight in total. When asked about the turnovers,...
Bears’ wrestling team travels to Toombs County
February 1, 2023
This past weekend, the Bears traveled to Toombs County to face off against many local schools. Wrestlers Brandon Lively (l) and Damion Prescott (r) were the only ones to place. Prescott placed fourth while Lively placed third. The boys are hard at work preparing for their next step: the area...
The Lady Bears look to finish their season off strong
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
The BCHS girls’ basketball team lost a very close game to New Hampstead on Friday, 51- 52. After going into halftime with a 27-23 lead the Lady Bears were able to sustain the lead in the third quarter by using pressure defense and making key shots. Turnovers were key in...
BCHS baseball player signs with AU
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
Last Friday, January 27, Burke County High School senior Marshall Flowers, signed to play baseball for Augusta University. Flowers is the Bears’ leading pitcher going into the 2023 season, and he and the team look to repeat their playoff run from last season. Through his junior year, he has a...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
February 1, 2023
Editor: I am writing to thank Waynesboro-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected...
LOOKING BACK
February 1, 2023
10 YEARS AGO – FEBRUARY 6, 2013 Michael Daniel Mathis, 40, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of homicide by vehicle in connection to a drag racing incident which killed two bystanders in November 2011. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Daniel J. Craig. Rowell Electric...
Don Lively
February 1, 2023
(Reprinted from February 2012) Here’s a riddle for you. What happens when you take six Southern alpha male kinfolk, all used to being in charge, none thrilled doing things any way except their own, in other words all butt-headed, and you throw them together to do a job where there...

Betty Parker Robinson
February 1, 2023
Betty Parker Robinson, 94, the daughter of the late Marian and Millard Parker, entered into rest Wednesday, January 25, 2023. She was a native and lifelong resident of Sardis. She was a member of the Sardis Methodist Church, where she helped with Vacation Bible School and was in the Joy...

Bobby Lewis
February 1, 2023
Mr. Bobby Lewis, age 73, of Waynesboro, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Center Church, 710 Stone Avenue, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Interment will be held in Pines Cemetery, 711 West 6th Street,...

Tabatha Alien Patrick-Doe
February 1, 2023
Mrs. Tabatha Alien Patrick-Doe, age 47, of Girard, Georgia, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Baptist Church, 3238 Stoney Bluff Road, Girard, Georgia 30456. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation for...

Josephine (Josie) White McPherson
February 1, 2023
Mrs. Josephine (Josie) White McPherson, peacefully transitioned into eternal rest, January 20, 2023 at her home, at 92 years of age. Josie was born to the late Annie Mae Saxon on August 1, 1930 in Burke County. She was the eldest of 13 children. She was married to the late...

Robert Walker, Jr.
February 1, 2023
Mr. Robert Walker, Jr. age 89 of Keysville, Ga. entered into eternal rest on Friday January 27, 2023. Celebration of Life for Mr. Robert Walker Jr. will be held on Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00 a.m. at Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church 4466 GA Hwy 80W, Keysville, Ga. Chavous B....

In Loving Memory on your Birthday
February 1, 2023
01/31/1927-12/21/2010 We are remembering you today Dad on your Birthday. We will always remember the love and the things we shared together. You will never be forgotten. We love and miss you so very much. Your wife, Edna, Children, Earnestine, Doris, Loraine, Mattie, Evelyn, Alvin Jr., Darin, Hillary and Bob;...
INDICTMENTS
February 1, 2023
The October 2022 term Grand Jury returned the following True Bills of indictment during the January 26, 2022 session. Sidney Daniel Nelson: aggravated battery; unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution; obstruction of an officer; interference with government property (2 counts). Larry Darnell Walker, Jr.: possession of cocaine with...
BURKE EMA REPORT
February 1, 2023
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 87 patients’ calls during the week ending Jan. 29. Of those, 59 resulted in transports, including 38 to Augusta hospitals. Twenty eight of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 31 were non-emergent. The agency also answered 11 fire calls during...
Missing chickens raise suspicion
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | February 1, 2023
Edward Mallard doesn’t know where his chickens went. Mallard told the Burke County Sheriff’s Office January 24 that his chickens are typically let out to roam free and then closed up in the coop for the night. However, recently only nine of the 10 chickens returned. Mallard’s son reported that...
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
February 1, 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.
4-H’ers Compete in Peanut Recipe Contest
MERIDITH F. MECKEL
County Extension Agent | February 1, 2023
The Georgia 4-H Peanut Recipe Contest is a Food and Nutrition Activity for Cloverleaf (4th-6th grade) 4-H’ers sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission. Through this contest, 4-H’ers will develop skills in using peanuts creatively in recipes. They will also learn about the nutritional value of peanuts and versatility of peanut...
Burkeland Garden Club awarded National Grant
February 1, 2023
The National Garden Club, Inc. has announced the 2023 recipients of the Plant America Community Project Grants which includes Burkeland Garden Club. More than 140 applicants were received by the Plant America committee and Burkeland is one of nine Georgia clubs to receive the grant for their Burke County Library...
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