Welcoming Cooper to Burke County
Next month, Cooper will begin his law enforcement duties in Burke County. The K9 of Valor Foundation awarded the 19-month-old Yellow Labrador to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and is covering 100% of the cost of the handler training and lodging for Deputy Tyler May, equipment needed for Cooper and...
$300 million project proposed for 6th Street property
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
Mike Abebe has a $300 million idea for his 190-acre parcel situated on West Sixth Street and Hwy. 56 South in Waynesboro. St. George Crossing, his proposed development is slated to be a mixed-use project consisting of houses, senior housing apartments, townhomes starting at 1,500 sq. ft. and commercial space....
Local couple needs help after losing home in fire
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected]
A couple recently burned out of their home needs the community’s help. According to their GoFundMe page, Kenneth and Paulette James spent their whole life working to buy their 2- story plantation dream house 27 years ago located in North Burke County on Four Points Rd West. They raised their...
BCHS CHANGES GRADUATION DATE
The Burke County High School Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony has been moved to Friday, May 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. and will take place on the Burke County High School Football Field. “Burke County Public Schools wants all of the students and families to be able to enjoy this...
Book highlights local educator
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Dr. Delores A. Parker, a native of Waynesboro has written a biography of Ms. Azalene Young. “Azalene: Born to Teach,” chronicles the success of a Burke County native who never left the area and still served a great purpose, Parker said. Young attended Paine College and Atlanta University. She returned...
Living the good life
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Burke High School graduate Matthew Blackburn is living his best life. Blackburn finished high school in 2009 and attended Miller-Motte College where he earned an Associate degree in Business Management. Hired by the school after graduation, it was at Miller-Motte where he began his career in financial aid. After a...
Sardis officer honored
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Chief Scotti Sanford recognized officer Mikko Luckey March 21 with the “Hero Award.” Luckey responded to a house fire February 21 and literally put out the flames by stomping them out before the Fire Department could even respond. Mayor Roger Lane also recognized Luckey and told him that his service...
Sardis considers GIS use
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
The City of Sardis is contemplating the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software. John McClellan of Turnipseed Engineers made a proposal during the monthly meeting March 21 to provide engineering assistance for the preparation of the internetbased system. The mapping system will allow an unlimited number of users...
YOUNG FARMERS UPCOMING CLASSES
March 29, 2023
Succulents Part 2- Jelly Bean plant Wednesday April 12 @ 4pm This class is for the plant enthusiasts and will cover identification, care and propagation techniques. Each attendee will get hands-on experience in propagation and will take home their own Jelly bean plant! Spaces are limited. RSVP by emailing Allie...
BCHS golf going smooth
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
The Burke County Boys and Girls golf season has been encouraging so far this year. The Bears golf team consists of Dale Fulcher, Caleb Price, Sam Kyzer, Parker Petitt, Luke Marchman, Nathan Weeks, Joshua Godbee, and John Garrett Chance. The Lady Bears team consists of Alli Osborn, Layla Nunnally, and...
BCHS tennis team finishing regular season
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Last Tuesday, the Burke County High School tennis teams had a region match against Southeast Bulloch. The boys lost 1-4 and the girls lost 0-5. For the boys, Elliott Corbitt (third singles) was the lone winner. According to head coach Laurie Dickey, “he hit very consistently and used great placement...
Taylormade Invitational
March 29, 2023
The BCHS bears Golf team hosted the Taylormade Invitational at the Waynesboro Country Club March 18th. The Bears finished tied for eighth out of 15 teams and the Lady Bears finished 6th out of 9 girl teams. Shown here (l-r) are: Coach Bill Knight, Layla Nunnally, Alli Osborn, Sam Kyzer,...
Bears tennis teams finish the week 1-1
Brannon Braddock
[email protected] | March 21, 2023
On March 13, the BCHS tennis teams played in Statesboro against Statesboro High School. It was a very tough matchup for the Bears and Lady Bears. “We always like to have these types of games on our schedule,” said head coach Laurie Dickey, “to expose our players to a high...
They have the power
March 21, 2023
Waynesboro resident Jermaine Simpson placed first in bench press in the 181 pound class first place in dead lift and received the best lifter pound-per-pound recognition March 11 during the Battle of the Counties power lifting event held at the YMCA South Augusta. Simpson, 20, pressed a record 395 lbs....
LOOKING BACK
March 29, 2023
10 YEARS AGO – APRIL 3, 2013 The City of Waynesboro froze the city’s online accounts and asked all department heads to turn over their passwords. The action followed the discovery that some employees were using the city’s accounts for personal purchases. No fraud was discovered and the employees had...
Don Lively
March 29, 2023
Spring was still two weeks away, but I was swatting so many mosquitoes with such ferocity that I probably looked and sounded like a box fan on high speed. Sweat was pouring off of my face, soaking my shirt and the sun was blazing to beat the devil. There was...
Michael N. Searles
March 29, 2023
“Elections matter” is an often repeated phrase. It is directed to a political figure when he takes an action that displeases the opposition. The phrase also is a cautionary tale to use your vote carefully. Most Americans did not vote for Donald J. Trump to assume the presidency since 2.8...

James S. Dickens
March 29, 2023
James S. Dickens, 71, entered into rest Friday, March 24, 2023, after a lengthy battle with heart disease which he fought with courage and tenacity. Special thanks to all the doctors and staff on CVICU at Augusta University for their devoted efforts and continued compassion. They entered the fight with...

Jennifer Dawn Patterson
March 29, 2023
Jennifer Dawn Patterson, 57, of Starr, S.C. passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Born in Millen, Ga., she was the daughter of the late C.J. and Juel Brinson Waters. She was a graduate of Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College. Dawn was a Training Program Coordinator with DSS....

Velvert L. “Velvet” Anderson
March 29, 2023
Mrs. Velvert L. “Velvet” Anderson, age 58, of Waynesboro, GA, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Phinazee and Son Funeral Home will be in charge of the services for Mrs. Velvert L. “Velvet” Anderson.

Derrell Henry Tucker
March 29, 2023
Derrell Henry Tucker, age 66, of Hephzibah, Ga., passed away in the early morning hours of March 25th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Derrell was a lifelong resident of Burke County, being born in Waynesboro, Ga. on February 10th, 1957. He was born to Earline Tucker and Paul Brown...

Freida H. Robinson
March 29, 2023
Freida H. Robinson, 74, entered into rest Thursday, March 23, 2023. She was a native and lifelong resident of Sardis. She was a graduate of SGA and was a member of the Sardis Baptist Church. She retired from the Sardis Gas Company. Freida was preceded in death by her parents,...
BURKE EMA REPORT
March 29, 2023
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 109 patients’ calls during the week ending March 26. Of those, 70 resulted in transports, including 37 to Augusta hospitals and one to another out-of-county hospital. Thirty eight of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 32 were non-emergent. The agency...
BCSO deputy arrested
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Sgt. Allen Crispin of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office was arrested in Richmond County after an argument with Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Ty Hester. According to a March 25 BCSO press release, Crispin was attending an event in Augusta at the Augusta Commons when he witnessed an act of...
Failure to leave party ends in felony charges
SHELLIE SMITLEY
[email protected] | March 29, 2023
Eric Mobley’s refusal to vacate a large party at the Liberty Square Market Sunday, March 19 resulted in officers tasing him before arresting him on two felony charges. The Waynesboro Police Department requested the assistance of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in clearing out the party. Mobley refused and began...
WHAT’S NEXT?
March 29, 2023
Saturday, April 1 The public is invited to an EGGciting Easter Egg Hunt at the Burke County Recreation Department from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include a DJ with good music, food, fun activities and lots of Easter eggs. A book signing is scheduled for Saturday, April...
3-night Revival
March 29, 2023
Ward Grove Baptist Church will hold its 3-night revival 7:30 p.m. nightly, March 29-31. Guest speaker will be the Rev. Antonia F. Bush Sr., pastor of Barrett Grove, Carswell Grove and Love Hill Baptist churches. The public is invited.
EBA announces honor roll
March 29, 2023
Edmund Burke Academy has released its honor roll for the third nine weeks. Those named to the list include: A+ HONOR ROLL Seventh grade: Aubrey Griffin, Carson Hand, Sawyer Gresham, Colton James and Lenna Nance Eighth grade: Lilly Herrington, Carly Johnson, Issy Barlow, Claire Syms, Beau Brinson, Avery Harris, Madison...
Burke students attend 2023 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show & Rodeo
Meridith Meckel
County Extension Agent | March 29, 2023
Youth livestock projects have played an active role in the success of our local students for several years. The purpose of organization like 4-H and FFA are to develop leadership, life skills and citizenship for its members. Students who exhibit youth livestock projects also develop social skills, good character, work...
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