Timber Industry still coping with storm losses
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
Nearly six months since Hurricane Helene hit the southeast, clean-up is still underway and the total impact of the disaster is still yet to be determined. In the initial Timber Damage Assessment released by Georgia Forestry Commission in November 2024, the commission estimated a total timber resource impact of $1.28...
Sheriff accuses county of “micromanagement”
ROY F. CHALKER JR.
rchalker@bellsouth.net
While acknowledging that his department’s budget has more than doubled over the last eight years, Sheriff Alfonzo Williams says that inadequate funding is causing him to contemplate “the abandonment of services necessary for the safety of our personnel and the public.” In a Feb. 24 letter to the Burke County...
Shenanigans on Liberty
From Staff Reports
On Saturday, March 15th, at 12 noon, the Waynesboro Downtown Development Authority will bring a brand new fundraising event to the downtown. Shenanigans on Liberty will feature a double elimination cornhole tournament as its main event. The downtown area will be closed to through traffic and the tournament will take...
Last call for Helene debris pickup
Burke County Manager Merv Waldrop said Monday that all debris from Hurricane Helene that made it to the roadway by March 1 will be picked up by the county’s contractor. A total of 761,000 cubic yards of storm debris has been picked up across the county from the September 27...
Rotarians learn local impact of state lottery
March 4, 2025
Since the creation of the Georgia Lottery in 1993, more than 5,500 Burke County students have received a total of over $22.6 million in HOPE scholarships and grants. Joy Forth, Community Relations Director of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, told members of the Waynesboro Rotary Club Tuesday that the total amount...
BC EMA responds to structure fire
March 4, 2025
Burke County EMA responded to a structure fire at 798 Hwy 56 North Tuesday afternoon (in the vicinity of Bates Rd). The fire apparently started from a hurricane damaged tree falling onto a powerline. (No times are available at this time as the fire report has not been completed). The...
4-H’ers in Atlanta for largest Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol on record
March 4, 2025
The Georgia Capitol building turned shades of green as 4-H youth and adult leaders joined elected officials on Feb. 14 for the largest Georgia 4-H Day at the Capitol on record February 14 with nearly 700 attendees. Burke County 4-H was represented by having members of our Junior and Senior...
2025 African American Heritage Award winners
February 25, 2025
2025 African American Heritage Award recipients are, from left, Gwendolyn Jackson (librarianship), Tashanda King (children's author), James Jones, Jr.(business) and Katie Dixon accepting on behalf of Toni Ward Buxton (first black maintenance head at Plant Vogtle.) The Burke County Improvement Association presented the awards Saturday, Feb. 15 at Mt. Olive...
Senate panel advances data centers bill
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service | February 25, 2025
Legislation prohibiting Georgia Power from passing on the costs of providing electricity to data centers to residential and small business customers cleared a state Senate committee Tuesday. An 8-5 vote of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee sent the bill to the Senate Rules Committee to schedule a floor vote. Senate...
Spartan sluggers look for three-peat
TRES BRAGG
tbtruecitizen@gmail.com | March 4, 2025
A third consecutive region title is on the line for Edmund Burke Academy’s Baseball Team. The Spartans are hoping to add another region championship trophy to the school’s case this season after winning the title in 2023 and 2024. They also won region back in 2019, which was also the...
BCHS girls tennis gets first win of the season
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 4, 2025
Burke County High School's lady’s tennis team defeated Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School in their second match of the year. Franchesca Brown defeated Nala Stoddard in her match by forfeit. During warm ups, Nala asked to forfeit the match, seeing as she was “going to lose anyways.” Franchesca Brown...
Bears baseball remains winless
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 4, 2025
The BCHS baseball team has opened up their season 0-4. This marks the first time since I have been covering Burke County sports. A big contributor to their lack of success is plate discipline, though they have also been plagued by defensive errors and pitching struggles. This past week, they...
BCHS esports struggles to win games that matter
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 4, 2025
After their stellar finish in the Fall 2024 season, the Burke County esports team finds themselves struggling abut for the Spring 2025 season. This season, only four titles will be recognized at state this year, and the Bears went 0-4 in those titles last week. Starting Tuesday, the team went...
BCHS basketball out in second round of playoffs
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | February 25, 2025
After going 1-1 in the region tournament, the next accomplishment the Bears basketball team set out to achieve was a deep run into the state playoffs. While they won their first game at home, after traveling to face the number one team in the state, they came up just short....
A LETTER FROM OVER THERE
Don Lively | March 4, 2025
I've read the letter a few dozen times since it was given to me by my sweet Cousin, Jane. Until that moment at our monthly book club meeting, I didn't know that the letter existed. The khaki colored paper is getting slightly brittle but it's obvious that whoever has always...
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Ronda Rich | March 4, 2025
A friend and I were discussing which version of the movie, A Star Is Born, was our favorite. Remade four times – each one terrific -- it was based on the original, 1932 film, What Price Hollywood? Hands down, we both chose the Kris Kristofferson/ Barbra Streisand version because of...

Tracy Earl Walker
March 4, 2025
Tracy Earl Walker passed home to his Heavenly Father the way he lived his life, peacefully and quietly on Monday, February 24, 2025. He died suddenly in the home he shared with his beloved wife and eternal companion Danita Walker. He leaves a legacy of faith, prayer, quiet service, and...

Shirley Ann Odom
March 4, 2025
On February 15, 2025, Shirley Ann Odom, beloved aunt and friend to many entered into peace joining her Savior and loved ones in Heaven at the age of 86. She was born December 23, 1938, to the late Virgil Lee Odom and Carey Maude Davis Odom in Screven County, GA....

Lillie Abrams Brim
March 4, 2025
Mrs. Lillie Abrams Brim, 65, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born June 19, 1959. She entered into rest on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Family visitation will be held Friday, March 7, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and public visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. at Phinazee...
Gerald Coleman Sr.
March 4, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Deacon Gerald Coleman Sr., of Waynesboro, GA, who entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 3, 2025. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. Phinazee and Son Funeral Home is in charge of the...

Robert Lee “Fatz” Conner Sr.
March 4, 2025
Mr. Robert Lee “Fatz” Conner Sr., 71, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born April 29, 1953. He entered into rest on February 27, 2025. Family visitation will be held Friday, March 7, 2025 from 3:00- 4:00 p.m. and public visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Phinazee & Son Funeral...

Nelson graduates from basic training
March 4, 2025
Congratulations to Harmoni Nelson! We are proud to announce that Harmoni Nelson has graduated from basic training for the United States Space Force at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on February 26th and 27th. Harmoni is now pursuing her studies in Vandenberg, California, to become a Space...
Jurors drawn for Superior Court
March 4, 2025
Jurors have been drawn for the October 2024 term of Superior Court Criminal and/or Civil session with Judge Jesse C. Stone presiding. Jurors are to report at 1 p.m. Monday, March 17 to the Burke County Judicial Center. The list includes: John Anderson Washington, Waynesboro; Sherika Dominique Parker, Hephzibah; Kelsey...
Jurors drawn for Superior Court
March 4, 2025
Jurors have been drawn for the October 2024 term of Superior Court Criminal and/or Civil session with Judge Ashley Wright presiding. Jurors are to report at 9 a.m. Monday, March 17 to the Burke County Judicial Center. The list includes: Marc James Micklewright, Louisville; Lamont Jordan, Waynesboro; Cassandra F. Hankerson,...
WPD BLOTTER
March 4, 2025
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH * A woman reported that she received a notification from her bank that a checking account which she shares with her father, who is in a nursing home, was overdrawn by over $7,000. Curious as to how this could be, she contacted her bank to get more...
What’s Next?
November 6, 2024
Thursday, Nov. 7 Burke County Retired Educators Association will meet at 3 p.m. at Burke County Senior Citizens Center. Guest speaker will be Probate Judge Ashley Moore Jr. Monday, Nov. 11 American Legion will honor all Veterans 11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 120, South Liberty St., Waynesboro. BCHS...
CHURCH NEWS
March 4, 2025
Lenten Services The Burke Black Churches Benevolent Association will observe the 40-day Lenten season with 7 p.m. services weekly, beginning on Wednesday. Each service is hosted by a different church and led by a guest pastor from another. March 12: Neely Grove CME Church, 1051 Herman Lodge Blvd., Waynesboro, with...
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