Two tornadoes hit the county Sunday
ROY F. CHALKER JR.
rchalker@bellsouth.net
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency said Monday that a National Weather Service storm survey determined that two close proximity EF-0 tornadoes touched down east of Girard during the Sunday morning thunderstorm. With peak wind speeds of 80 mph, the northernmost tornado began near the intersection of Stoney Bluff Road...
Cobb posts bond and is released from jail
ROY F. CHALKER JR.
rchalker@bellsouth.net
Hannah G. Cobb, who was arrested Feb. 25 on a charge of felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of her boyfriend, Telvin Osborne, 30, posted a $25,000 bond last Friday and is out of jail. Burke County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported that around 5:45 a.m. Feb. 23,...
BCSO purchase requests from school zone camera fund denied
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com
The Burke County Board of Commissioners denied Burke County Sheriff’s Departments request to purchase traffic cones from the school zone camera fund during the monthly meeting Tuesday, March 11. Colonel Lee Webster approached the board with several purchase requests ranging from community outreach tools to traffic cones, all requested to...
Shenanigans on Liberty
DON LIVELY | March 18, 2025
The First Annual Shenanigans On Liberty won't be the last! The fundraising event, sponsored by the Waynesboro Downtown Development Authority, featured a double elimination Cornhole tournament and a golf cart parade, as well as a shamrock hunt and inflatables for the kids, and a few food trucks. The event brought...
BCRD honors coaches at annual banquet
March 18, 2025
The Burke County Recreation Department hosted its Coaches Banquet on February 10 at the Office Park, recognizing the dedicated individuals who make a difference in youth sports. With over one hundred coaches, volunteers, and staff members in attendance, the event celebrated the hard work, commitment, and passion of those who...
Legislation to ban cellphones in Georgia schools takes one more step toward becoming law
Ty Tagami
Capitol Beat News Service | March 18, 2025
A bill that would ban cellphones in all of Georgia’s public elementary and middle schools has cleared another hurdle toward becoming law. House Bill 340 passed a Senate committee on Tuesday and could get a vote by the full Senate soon. The House of Representatives approved the measure two weeks...
81 students graduate as part of BCSO Rural Communities Diploma Program
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com | March 18, 2025
Eighty-one students received their high school diplomas during a graduation ceremony as part of the Burke County Sheriff’s Department Rural Communities diploma program Saturday, March 15. The diploma program is part of a partnership with Tiers Free Academy which offers online homeschool programs for students K-12 and adult learners. Judge...
Beyond the canvas, beyond the classroom
MARGARET ANNE BROGAN
thetruecitizen.margaret@gmail.com | March 11, 2025
In the halls of Burke County High School, where the nearest art museum is an hour’s drive, a teacher has directed and inspired student art that has outperformed some of the most developed high school art programs in the country. Stan Dodson teaches more than just art, he instills creativity...
Bozeman signs with University of South Carolina
March 18, 2025
Ryder Bozeman has committed to attend and play volleyball for The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie in Allendale, SC. Ryder is a Burke County senior who plans to major in Kinesiology. “She's worked extremely hard to realize her goal of furthering her education and playing collegiate volleyball,” said head coach...
Both Madden and NBA 2K dominate for BCHS esports
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 18, 2025
The Burke County esports team had a decent week, going 7-4 across all of their titles. The big news for them, though, is that they went undefeated in titles that are eligible for a state championship this season. The Burke County esports team has two Madden teams, captained by seniors...
Bears baseball moves into first place in region
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 18, 2025
The Burke County baseball team was originally slated to play three games last week. Their first game against Glenn Hills was canceled, which is unfortunate because it was a region game and had implications on playoff seeding. Their next two games were against two strong teams in Toombs County and...
Burke County tennis team moves into top three in region
BRANNON BRADDOCK
Jbraddo4@gmail.com | March 18, 2025
The Burke County tennis team had a big week this week, facing off against two region opponents and winning both games. Across all their matches this week, twenty in total, the tennis team only dropped two games. They began their week with a strong win against Thomson. The girls went...
Gator Relays display EBA’s potential
TRES BRAGG
tbtruecitizen@gmail.com | March 18, 2025
Only half of the team participated, but the results were still impressive. Edmund Burke Academy’s Girls’ Track Team sent seven athletes to the Gator Relays in Statesboro last Friday and head Coach Monika Mobley was pleased with her group’s performance. “With half of our team on a school trip to...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
March 18, 2025
Editor: I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding the recent article published about the Burke County Bears baseball team. It is truly disheartening to see such a negative and demeaning portrayal of young athletes who are dedicating their time and effort to represent their school and...
“THINKING BACK”
Scotty Womack | March 18, 2025
I always seem to be thinking back. Thinking back to precious memories from my former days. I was out in the turkey woods before sunrise this morning, but the turkeys were pretty quiet in my part of the world, so I took an early morning ride on some old dirt...

Richard Melvin Rogers
March 18, 2025
Richard Melvin Rogers, 78, entered into rest Saturday, March 8, 2025. He was born in Millen to the late Edna and Guy Melvin Rogers. He was a veteran of the US Army, having served in the Vietnam War. He owned/operated several stores in South Carolina and other various places. Richard...

Harry Mario O’Connor
March 18, 2025
Harry Mario O’Connor, 79, entered into rest Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born in Cuba and has been a longtime resident of Burke County. He loved animals and gardening. Harry was an outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was well known locally for his musical talents and was...

William Brooks Rumph, Sr.
March 11, 2025
William Brooks Rumph, Sr., aged 90 years young, of Waynesboro, Georgia, passed away on March 4, 2025, after a long struggle with dementia. He was born on December 17, 1934, in Marion County, Georgia to Lewis David Rumph and Nannie Mae Greene. Brooks is predeceased by his wife of 53...

John R. MacDonald
March 11, 2025
John R. MacDonald, age 74, of Waynesboro, GA entered into eternal rest March 10, 2025. Born in Waukegan, IL July 4, 1950, John graduated from Bullis Academy Preparatory School in Potomac, Maryland, and Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA where he met his wife, played on the tennis and basketball...

Lonzie KC Lewis Jr.
March 11, 2025
Mr. Lonzie KC Lewis Jr. age 97 of Midville, Ga entered into eternal rest on Thursday March 6, 2025. Celebration of Life for Mr. Lewis will be held on Saturday March 15, 2025 1:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Center 710 Stone Ave. Waynesboro. GA. Interment will be in Pines Cemetery....
WPD BLOTTER
March 18, 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. MONDAY, MARCH 10TH *An officer was dispatched to Walmart in regard to shoplifting. After...
BURKE EMA REPORT
March 18, 2025
The Burke County Emergency Management Agency responded to 97 patients’ calls during the week ending March 16. Of those, 62 resulted in transports, including 47 to Augusta hospitals and three to other out-ofcounty hospitals. Twenty eight of the transports were determined to be emergencies and 34 were non-emergent. The agency...
BURKE COUNTY JAIL BOOKING MARCH 10-16
March 18, 2025
Brandon Lee AshleyWhaley Pond Rd.,Graniteville, SCMarch 12Probation violation--misdemeanor, no insurance Dimarco James AtkinstonEast 12th St., WaynesboroMarch 13Probation violation--misdemeanor; poss. of marijuana, expired registration Gregory Lamont BellamyEsther Dr., WaynesboroMarch 12DUI--marijuana; fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; reckless driving; failure to maintain lane; driving while license suspended or revoked--misdemeanor; failure...
What’s Next?
March 18, 2025
FFA’s Annual Plant Sale Get ready for spring! The Burke County Middle School and High School FFA’s annual plant sale kicks off Monday, March 24th (weather permitting) at 3:45 p.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. The sale continues Tuesday, March 25th, through Friday, March 28th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00...
Church News
March 18, 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 26: Raise Bridge CME Church, 196 Rays Bridge Lane, Waynesboro, with...
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