Local art teacher shines at Kalmanson Gallery
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
From teaching the next generation of young artists at Edmund Burke Academy to displaying raw talent and emotional vulnerability on the walls of the Kalmanson Gallery, local artist and art educator Marla Ramirez’s passion for her craft is evident. The second year art teacher’s most recent piece, “God Chooses Our...
More possible legal action against sheriff
ROY F. CHALKER JR.
rchalker@bellsouth.net
Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams has another lawsuit to add to his growing portfolio of political and legal conflicts. Through his attorney, former deputy Tanner T. Baughman has notified the sheriff and the Burke County Commission by letter that he intends to pursue “civil claims of retaliation and defamation related...
AES goes to planning commission
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
AES, the company proposing the Red Branch Solar project, gave a presentation on the project to the planning commission and took questions from the public during a called meeting on February 4. The Red Branch Solar project is the first to be proposed under the stricter guidelines imposed by the...
BOE releases statement on photo
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The Burke County Public School System has completed its investigation into the social media post shared by a BCMS teacher that ignited controversy last week. The statement reads as follows: “We have conducted a comprehensive investigation. While we understand that the image may have been perceived as insensitive by many,...
Burke County 4H competes at District
February 11, 2025
More than 350 seventh through 12th grade youth from 53 counties gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA for the Southeast District Project Achievement (DPA). Burke County was represented by 19 youth in 14 project areas. Those participating in DPA are able to refine their leadership, research, and...
Bird Dog Politics
BEN ROBERTS
benroberts@bellsouth.net | February 11, 2025
I will assume by now, you’ve probably heard about the controversary over a photo posted by a Burke County teacher a couple of weeks ago. The photo in question made the rounds on Facebook on a Saturday evening and was shared hundreds of times. It got so much attention that...
Girard City Council to hold public hearing on HB 581 Homestead Exemption
February 11, 2025
The language below is required by law. The City Council of Girard, Georgia is having public hearings to gather citizen input and have made no decision to opt-out at this time. The City Council of Girard, Georgia intends to opt out of the statewide adjusted base year ad valorem homestead...
Lawmakers seek extra funding for impoverished students
TY TAGAMI
Capitol Beat News Service | February 11, 2025
Some legislative Republicans are joining Democrats in seeking to send additional state funding to schools with students in poverty. Supporters of House Bill 245 argue that Georgia is one of six states that has not adjusted educational funding to account for poverty and that it’s time to change that. They...
State lifts poultry suspension
DAVE WILLIAMS
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service | February 11, 2025
The state Department of Agriculture has lifted a suspension of poultry activities in Georgia following the successful completion of testing for bird flu with no additional detections. Two cases of avian influenza (HPAI) were discovered last month in commercial poultry flocks in Elbert County. That outbreak prompted the state agency...
Bears lose two straight, finish third in region
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | February 11, 2025
The Bears’ basketball team finished out their regular season this past week. Playing in two games that had big region implications, the Bears took losses in each. Their losses to Butler and Laney moved them to 14-5 overall and 7-3 in region play. On February 4, they played against Butler...
Lady Bears finish the regular season 7-12
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | February 11, 2025
While stats haven’t been updated for last weeks’ games at the time of writing this article, it seemed appropriate to take some time to inform the readers of the next steps for the Lady Bears’ basketball team. The girls played two games this past week, one against Butler and the...
Three BCHS wrestlers qualify for State
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | February 11, 2025
The Burke County wrestling teams each participated in their sectional tournaments last week. The girls’ matches were on Friday, February 7, while the boys’ matches were on Saturday, February 8. Shaylee Blanchand finished first in sectionals for the Lady Bears wrestling team and will move on to state. Freshman Jewely...
The wait for September Begins
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | February 11, 2025
With the Super Bowl being played on Sunday, the wait to September has officially begun as there will be no more football played between now and then. This year’s Super Bowl matchup was between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, arguably two of the most annoying fan bases...
Spartans knocked out of region tournament
TRES BRAGG
tbtruecitizen@gmail.com | February 11, 2025
Basketball season has come to an end for the Spartans. Edmund Burke Academy Boys’ Basketball Team lost to Monsignor Donovan in the first round of the region tournament held at Augusta Preparatory School on Monday. Despite leading for most of the game, the Spartans lost 61-64 in the final seconds...
LANGUAGE OF THE SOUTH
Don Lively | February 11, 2025
“Well, I do declare!” That was an often-used exclamation used by one of Mama’s best friends and our closest neighbor “back in the day”. She used the phrase so often that her daughter and my sister, LuLu, also best friends back then, could often be heard repeating it when they...
THE HANDS OF HARD WORK
Ronda Rich | February 11, 2025
Back in the days when work was bone-deep hard and money was so scarce that people often barded for necessities, Mama recalled many stories of that time. Like most teenagers, I half listened but asked questions to be polite. “Down this road,” Mama pointed at worn-out asphalt that had once...
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Jimmie Johnson
February 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Jimmie Johnson, 79, of Waynesboro, GA, who entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later date. Phinazee and Son Funeral Home is in charge of the...
![](https://www.thetruecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2025-02-12/16p1.jpg)
Norma Jean Lewis
February 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mrs. Norma Jean Lewis, 78, of Waynesboro, GA, who entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Born on June 8, 1946, Norma’s spirit will be cherished by all who knew her. Family visitation will be held on...
![](https://www.thetruecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2025-02-12/17p1.jpg)
Fleming Nair, Jr.
February 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Fleming Nair Jr., 65, of Hephzibah, Ga., who entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Born on July 1, 1959, Fleming’s spirit will be cherished by all who knew him. Family visitation will be held on...
![](https://www.thetruecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2025-02-12/18p1.jpg)
Mae Ida Birt
February 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mae Ida Birt on January 20th, 2025. We kindly request that any outstanding debts or financial obligations be directed to the estate of the deceased. Please contact, Allene Walker, 117 Zanca Turn, Yorktown, VA, 23693, for further information. Thank...
![](https://www.thetruecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/images/2025-02-12/19p1.jpg)
Willie Bernard Conner
February 11, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. Willie Bernard Conner, 73, of Waynesboro, GA, who entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 7, 2025. Born on July 31, 1951, Willie’s spirit will be cherished by all who knew him. Family visitation will be held on...
WPD POLICE BLOTTER
February 11, 2025
FEBRUARY 3RD THROUGH FEBRUARY 9TH, 2025 Please note that the selection of incidents contained within the blotter does not include all calls received by the department during this period. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH * A manager at Gas...
BURKE EMA REPORT
February 11, 2025
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 115 patients’ calls during the week ending Feb. 2. Of those, 84 resulted in transports including 50 to Augusta hospitals and one to another out-of county hospital. Thirty three of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 51 were non-emergent. The...
BURKE COUNTY JAIL BOOKING FEB. 3 – 9
February 11, 2025
Marcus Rodriquez BrownWaverly Ave.,KeysvilleFeb. 5Harassing phone calls/ communications Amanda Jean BurgessGreens Cut Church Rd.,WaynesboroFeb. 7DUI--multiple substances; knowingly driving motor vehicle on suspended, canceled or revoked registration improper tag display Jeffery Leon ButlerGrays Grove Church Rd.,WaynesboroFeb. 9Criminal damage to property--2nd degree; safekeeping for Wrens PD; safekeeping for Richmond County SO Charles...
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
February 11, 2025
OUR POLICY This section is a complimentary service for Burke County churches hosting free public services. We will run your church news for two weeks. Church bake sales, yard sales, out-of-county events or events with an admission fee may be included for $10 per week, paid in advance. Email announcements...
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