Effort to recall Sheriff Williams starts
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
A recall effort for Sheriff Alfonzo Williams has begun with the issuance of an official application for a recall petition. Spearheading the recall effort is Traci Hollingsworth, who had a warrant for her arrest for harassing communications issued by the Sheriff Friday, May 23. A B.O.L.O with her image shared...
Another complaint filed against BCSO
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
An allegation of employment discrimination has been filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. The True Citizen received two documents: an EEOC Notice of Charge of Discrimination addressed to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and a Charge of Discrimination form both bearing the...
Down home cooking on Liberty
DON LIVELY
This continues a series of articles that will feature shops, restaurants and other businesses, as well as upcoming events, in Downtown Waynesboro. Gary Jenkins, the owner and operator of Lou's On Liberty, didn't grow up cooking, but he did grow up in a family of cooks on his father's side....
Sardis responds to traffic stop
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The Sardis City Council and mayor determined that no further action is necessary after reviewing body camera footage of a June 25 Sardis City Police traffic stop that was met with public outcry. Willie Jones Jr., Bishop of Gospel Explosions Word Ministry, was pulled over on the evening of Wednesday,...
BCMS Honors Day 2025
July 8, 2025
(May 20, 2025) Burke County Middle School’s annual awards program honored those students who made outstanding achievements during the school year. Top awards went to three students who earned the overall highest academic average in their grades. Haley Huddleston earned the highest academic average award for 6th grade, Cameron Dent...
Photo
July 8, 2025
This week’s eyesore is located at 510 College Street. The owner is listed as Anthony J. Navarrete. Possible code violations at this address include numerous abandoned vehicles. This property is located adjacent to the Burke County Headstart bulding.
Audit of state program for kids produces mixed results
July 8, 2025
A program intended to improve Georgia’s ranking on indicators of child “well-being” has produced mixed results, according to a state audit. Georgia lawmakers asked for an examination of the Georgia Family Connection Partnership, which received $30 million in funding in fiscal year 2024, more than a quarter of it from...
Tax assessment notices will be mailed soon
July 8, 2025
The Burke County Tax Assessor’s office has finished compiling 2025 property values and the Annual Notices of Assessment are scheduled to be mailed on Friday, July 11 and should be hitting mailboxes shortly thereafter. A change in the homestead law for 2025 provides homeowners with a second chance to apply...
Capitol Beat Weekly Digest
DAVE WILLIAMS and TY TAGAMI
Capitol Beat News Service | July 8, 2025
Here were some of the goings-on around the Georgia Capitol last week: PSC approves Georgia Power rate freeze State energy regulators voted unanimously July 1 to approve Georgia Power’s plan to freeze customer rates for the next three years. Under an agreement the Atlanta-based utility and the Georgia Public Service...
Redd to continue baseball career as a Bison
June 17, 2025
Edmund Burke Academy standout athlete Owen Redd won’t be hanging up his cleats anytime soon. Redd recently signed to play baseball at Southern Union State College in Alabama. Redd is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball for the Bisons but especially offensively. During his senior year at...
BCHS golf teams finish strong at state
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | May 27, 2025
The Bears and Lady Bears traveled last week to Columbus, Georgia to compete in the GHSA state golf tournament. The tournament, held on May 19 and 20, was meant to showcase some of Georgia’s best golf teams, with only one being crowned as the winner. Both Burke County golf teams...
Walden signs with Reinhardt University
May 27, 2025
Aliyah Walden, standout on the Burke County High School volleyball team, signed to play volleyball at Reinhardt University last Wednesday. She has been a member of the volleyball team for the majority of her high school career, and was one of the pillars of the team during her junior and...
Season ends during semifinals for Spartans
May 27, 2025
They were just one game shy of playing for a state title. Edmund Burke Academy’s Baseball Team split the first two games of the semifinal series with Southwest Georgia last Friday before falling 16-6 in the elimination game the following day. The Spartans finished the season with a 18-6 overall...
Power hitting helps Spartans advance to FINAL FOUR
TRES BRAGG
tbtruecitizen@gmail.com | May 20, 2025
A third game during the quarterfinals wasn’t necessary for Edmund Burke Academy’s Baseball Team. The Spartans defeated Heritage in back-to-back games last Friday at home which secured them a spot in the final four. Edmund Burke hit four homeruns during the two games and held the Hawks to just two...
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Laura Reeves | July 8, 2025
This past week, I had the pleasure of spending time with my friends with whom I taught in the Mississippi Delta region with Teach For America. As I wrote before, our assignment to teach in underprivileged schools was a difficult one. Any time you share hard, immersive experiences with people,...
LOOKING BACK
July 8, 2025
20 YEARS AGO – JULY 13, 2005 A group of local business leaders and volunteers travelled to Aiken, S.C. in search of ideas for downtown revitalization. Hosted by City Manager Roger Le Duc, the group heard about strategies to encourage downtown activities including special events, new restaurants, coffee shops and...

Christopher Yates Withers
July 2, 2025
Christopher Yates Withers, 54, of Richmond, Missouri, passed away on June 23, 2025 after a private battle with his mental health. He was born on February 11, 1971 in Lexington, Missouri and from a young age, he poured his energy into everything he was passionate about. He spent years racing...

Melvin Mobley
June 24, 2025
Melvin Mobley, 82, was called home by his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 20th, 2025, at his home. Melvin was born in Burke County, Georgia, on August 11, 1942, to the late Lewis and Sara Mobley. He was a lifelong resident of Burke County and began farming at a...

William “Billy” Sikes
June 24, 2025
William “Billy” Sikes, 86, entered into rest Tuesday, June 3, 2025. He was a native and lifelong resident of Burke County. He was retired from TTX Railroad and was a member of the Waynesboro Church of God. Billy was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing. He was preceded in death...

Alfred King III
June 24, 2025
Mr. Alfred King III, 67, of Waynesboro, Georgia, was born on July 1, 1957, and entered into rest on June 18, 2025. Family visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. and public viewing will be held from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M....

Zaria Khadejah Cummings Carr
June 17, 2025
Mrs. Zaria Khadejah Cummings Carr, 27, of Twin City, Georgia, was born on May 26, 1998 and entered into rest on June 14, 2025. Family visitation will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 11:00AM to 1:00 PM and public viewing will be held from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Phinazee &...
Lawyers consider role for assistance by non-attorneys
TY TAGAMI
Capitol Beat News Service | July 8, 2025
A committee created by the Georgia Supreme Court is recommending that the state try letting people with special legal training do limited kinds of attorney work that would give more people access to the justice system. A three-year pilot program in three parts of the state — rural, urban, and...
Evans man dies in accident
July 8, 2025
A Columbia County man died in a single car accident here on July 4. David James Schondelmayer, 53, of Evans was killed on River Road near Ben Hatcher Road around 5:15 p.m. last Friday. According to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, on July 4, Schondelmayer was operating a vehicle west...
BURKE EMA REPORT
July 8, 2025
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 126 patients’ calls during the week ending July 6. Ninety two of the calls resulted in transports, including 49 to Augusta hospitals and seven to other out-of-county hospitals. Forty two of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 50 were nonemergent....
What’s Next?
July 2, 2025
Mid-Season Crop Update Burke County Extension Office will host a Mid-Season Crop Update at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9. Lunch will be provided. Please call the office at 706-554-2119 to RSVP and for location and final details.
Church News
July 8, 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...
Special Sections
May 20, 2025
February 18, 2025
December 23, 2024
July 30, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 20, 2025
February 18, 2025
December 23, 2024
July 30, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 20, 2025
February 18, 2025
December 23, 2024
July 30, 2024
May 14, 2024
Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.