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The Four Rivers Patriots Chapter Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution held their monthly meeting Thursday night, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons. With President Steve DeWeil presiding, they had 18 in attendance. President Steve called on Chaplain Emory Fennell to lead the Pledge to the U.S. Flag, the Pledge to the Sons of the American Revolution and the invocation. President Steve then asked EFLR Vice President Dess Smith III to introduce the speaker for the evening, Veteran Laura Howard. Laura is from Screven County and her husband, Wayne Howard, is President of the Brier Creek Chapter SAR and a veteran of the U.S. Army and the Georgia Army National Guard serving in the 118th Field Artillery in Savannah. Laura’s presentation was on ‘Women’s Contribution to the Military and our Country’. She talked about women who served from the American Revolutionary War through the present-day War’s. President Steve then asked Chaplain Emory to lead the SAR Processional and the closing prayer.

ATLANTA – The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded two grants to help accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Georgia. LanzaJet, a SAF producer, will receive nearly $3.1 million to support its new production facility in Soperton, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., announced Tuesday. Another $240,000 will go to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to strengthen the regional supply chains and infrastructure needed to deploy SAF at the world’s...

Veterans at the Library Chair Johnny Tapley presented Chief Ellison with a police car and Lamborghini car signed by all the veterans at the weekly meeting on Monday, August 19. “I would like to take this moment to thank all of my friends from Emanuel Veterans Group for recognizing my...

The Seedling Garden Club proudly announces that the August 2024 Yard of the Month is the home of Mellissa and Jeffery Peebles located on Paris Avenue in Swainsboro. Mellissa and Jeffery enjoy working in their yard, and especially in the summer, to help Emanuel County stay beautiful. Nominations for Yard of the Month are welcomed for each month. The Seedling Garden Club wants to honor homeowners and organizations that personally work so diligently with pride and love to maintain their yards. Please call in your nominations to 478-494-6754 or 478-494-2752.

Beta Sigma Phi is an international women’s organization that was founded in1931 during the Great Depression by Walter W. Ross. Its mission then was to provide women with a sense of purpose through social, cultural, civic and service activities. Though times have changed for women, the mission and purpose are still basically the same. It is a noncollegiate sorority with over 200,000 members in chapters around the world, Beta Sigma Phi is dedicated to helping women build lasting friendships, develop their leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their communities. The organization operates on the principles of Life, Learning, and Friendship. Members are encouraged to pursue personal growth and education through various cultural programs and social events. Service is also a key component of Beta Sigma Phi, with members participating in charitable activities and fundraising events to support causes that are important to them. More often than not the Xi Delta Psi chapter here in Emanuel County includes community service projects and fundraising as two of its primary activities. All monies donated are put before a vote by the club members. If a motion is made and passed, Beta Sigma Phi will make these donations. The Xi Delta Psi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi was founded in Emanuel County in 1978 and currently has 30 members. The local chapter is quite fortunate to still have several members that were instrumental in the chartering of the Xi Delta Psi Chapter in its beginnings. In our community the chapter focuses on reaching out to and seeking local organizations and institutions that receive minimal financial assistance from local, state and even federal funding and rely heavily on local donations to keep themselves up and running. Several of those will be mentioned subsequently in this write-up. The chapter has several recurring projects each year and often find additional needs that come up during the year. The Xi Delta Psi Chapter spans 9 months of each year with a few projects that span the entire year. Like all years, the chapter stays quite busy and the 2023-2024 year has been no different. The following summary of activities will give an example of what a typical year is like. In September of 2023 made a donation of $250 to the Sudie Fulford Community Learning Center, a part of East Georgia State College. This donation is multi-faceted. The Learning Center is generous enough to allow Beta Sigma Phi the use of the facility for one of its two monthly meetings. The Center offers an educational library and reading room and a large classroom type area that can accommodate 50+ participants among many other things. They often offer activities in the summer for children while they are out of school. This is just a small part of all the things that the Learning Center can and/or does provide.In October, 2023, the club made a donation of $150 to His Fellowship Ministries. This was introduced to the Twin City area by Windy Durden. His Truth Fellowship Center is located in Twin City. His Truth Fellowship Center aims to create a warm and welcoming space for all people, encouraging spiritual growth and genuine connections with God and each other. Mrs. Durden has also brought to the Twin City area a project called His House. His House has a very unique approach to aiding women with addiction issues. His House recognizes that every addiction and mental health struggle is unique. They offer personalized treatment, from intervention to sober living, to help individuals forge a path to health and recovery. Their approach combines spirituality, patient education, and individualized treatment. Qualified staff create a safe space where patients learn about the effects of addiction on the mind, body, and spirit. Together, they develop effective treatment plans tailored to each person’s needs. His House focuses on the underlying struggles within the mind, body, and spirit that contribute to addiction. Their comprehensive approach aims to prevent relapse and provide lasting freedom from addiction. His House began with three residents and has grown to eighteen. These are both very worthy and much needed causes. Beta Sigma Phi was pleased to be able to help in any way possible and applauds Windy Durden for her taking on these projects and bringing them to our community.November of 2023 led the club to Herrington Homestead, one of the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes that is located in Nunez. There are five Sherriff’s Youth Homes in the state of Georgia. Most everyone knows that Herrington Homestead is a great asset to our community. The mission of the youth homes is giving disadvantaged boys and girls an opportunity to free themselves from abuse, neglect or abandonment. The children range in age from quite young to high school age students. The residences are a sanctuary of structure, love and care. The Youth Homes provide a place for children to call home, where they can feel comfortable and safe, a place where they have a chance to thrive. Without Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, many of these children would still be living in turmoil and chaos. Since Christmas was nearing, the club made a $300 donation to help Herrington Homestead provide Christmas gifts for their residents and/or to be used in whatever way it was best needed.

After back-to-back seasons with State Finals appearances, the Swainsboro Tigers entered the 2024 season with high expectations. However, they faced a formidable challenge in their season opener against their long-time rivals, the Dublin Fighting Irish. The game, held this past Friday at Tiger Field, featured two Top 10 Class A Division 1 teams. The Tigers ranked number 3 and the Irish at number 7.

At the August meeting of the City Commission of Twin City, Mayor Matt Donaldson announced the city had been awarded $313,279 in new grant awards. The first grant is the FEMA Assistance for Firefighters Grant (AFG) of $289,279.00 for the purchase of new fire department equipment and turnout gear for the volunteer firefighters. Last year, Twin City was awarded $428,000.00 in grant funding for the purchase of a new fire truck. The City has ordered the new fire truck, and it should be delivered late this year or early next year. The grant funding for this year will equip that new fire truck when it arrives. Over the past 12 months, Twin City has been awarded over $717,000 in grant funding to improve the Twin City Fire Department. Mayor Donaldson said, “With the new fire truck and new equipment for the fire truck funded, we hope these investments in our fire services will provide benefits to the people of Twin City. We are actively working to improve our ISO (Insurance Services Office) fire rating. With a lower ISO rating, this should lower the property insurance premiums for our citizens”.

Four SHS students were awarded by the College Board for their strong performance in school and on assessments through the National Recognition Program. This honor recognizes first-generation students, in addition to rural and small town, Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/or Latino students. The program opens college access for more students because many institutions use the awards for their recruitment efforts.

Rayleigh Faircloth collected three hits in three at bats, as David Emanuel Academy MS Eagles defeated Edmund Burke Academy 10-2 on Wednesday, August 14. Rayleigh tripled in the first inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the fourth inning. EBA opened the scoring in the top of the first, thanks to two singles. Edmund Burke Academy first got on the board when #2 singled, scoring one run. Rayleigh tripled, which helped the Eagles tie the game at two in the bottom of the first. A double by Layla Clark gave DEA the lead, 3-2, in the bottom of the second. The Eagles added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Kaley Flowers tripled, Marlee Johnson singled, Mary Bess Fields hit a sacrifice fly, Evie Moore singled, and Lara McNure singled, each scoring one run. Rayleigh earned the win for David Emanuel Academy MS Eagles. The hurler allowed five hits and two runs over five innings, striking out nine and walking none. #15 took the loss for Edmund Burke Academy. The hurler went three innings, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking three. The Eagles piled up 12 hits in the game. Marlee, Kaley, Rayleigh, Layla, Bailey Duckworth, Mary Bess, and Lara each drove in one run for David Emanuel Academy MS Eagles. Evie collected two hits in two at bats. David Emanuel Copyright © 2024 GameChanger Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

There will be a Parent Night and Title 1 Presentation at Swainsboro Middle School on August 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. Please come out and meet your student’s teachers and learn more about Title 1. ‘);

The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at the Franklin Memorial Library Monday, August 19, at 9 a.m. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, they had 61 in attendance. Beta Sigma Phi members, Darlene Canady and Lisa Parham, provided breakfast consisting of sausage biscuits with jelly, pigs in a blanket, pastries, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, along with orange juice, apple juice and coffee. After the prayer by Veteran Emory Fennell and the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag, Chair Johnny asked Councilman Julian Sconyers to introduce retiring Chief Randy Ellison. Chair Johnny then presented a check from the Veterans at the Library for $500 to be used for the Swainsboro Police Departments ‘Shop with a Cop’ program at Christmas. The donation came from the profits from the recent Veterans Cup Golf Tournament. Johnny also presented Chief Randy with a police car and Lamborghini car that was signed by all the veterans at this morning’s breakfast. Two new veterans attended this morning, Alisha Belle Sturgis and Rick Dell Bivens. Sturgis is a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from February 2015 to February 2023. She was stationed in Orlando, FL and was deployed to Kuwait. Sturgis served in the 143rd ESC in HHC. The highest rank she obtained was E-5. Veteran Bivens served in the U.S. Air Force from April 8, 1980, to April 9, 1988. He was stationed in Lackland, TX, Sheppard A.F.B., TX, Scott A.F.B., IN, Spangdalem A.F.B. Germany and MacDill A.F.B., Tampa, FL. Library Director Windy Ward then presented to the Veterans a donation continuous each week by All the Fixins donating a donut each week to a “Veteran at the Library” who has a birthday starting August 26. Chair Johnny then asked Terry Reynolds, director of the local Wounded Warriors Organization, to update about the upcoming 13th Annual Sportsman’s Banquet and Auction that will be held at Beaver Creek Plantation, 3698 Hwy. 80 East, Twin City, Thursday night, October 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. Advance tickets are required and can be obtained by contacting Terry Reynolds at 478-494-3758, Richard Driggers at 912-290-1108, Nick Kraus at 912-687-6781 or Kurt Anderson at 678-614-0593. This event will include social time, prime rib meal, with silent and live auction items. All the proceeds go directly to the local Wounded Warriors group which is a Georgia Non-profit 501 C3 organization that gives opportunity to Wounded Veterans and their family to enjoy the great outdoors.

Zelda Sumner, Swainsboro Police Department Administrative Assistant, has been named the 2024 District 7 Administrative Assistant of the Year. The district awards will be presented at the Administrative Assistant’s Seminar luncheon on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in Jekyll Island. During the luncheon on September 10, the overall 2024 GACP Administrative Assistant of the Year will be announced. Congratulations Zelda!

East Georgia State College’s student-formed art group, Group 1080, was featured in an exhibition showcasing the work of 13 talented students from the summer term 2024 Smartphone Photography class led by Professor of Art and Art Club Advisor, Desmal Purcell. The works were on display at the Kalmanson Gallery of Emanuel Arts Council. The exhibition marked the students’ first showing in an external gallery, following a successful event at the East Georgia State College (EGSC) Student Gallery in June.

Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Cross Green – Green Community, will observe Senior Citizen’s Day on Sunday, August 25, at 9 a.m. Using the theme ‘The Joy of Growing Old’, a beautiful program has been planned in your honor. Pastor Michael Thomas will bring the message. The sweet word is “COME”, you are invited.

Former Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan delivered a speech on the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in which he slammed the Republican party.

At the shuttered Atlanta Medical Center, a “Stronger Together” mural sends a hopeful message near a summer spray of hydrangeas. The campus was mostly quiet on a recent weekend, since AMC closed almost two years ago. A lone security vehicle sat behind a chain-link fence, and pedestrians passed by without even a glance.

Georgia’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.4% last month, up from 3.3% in July, even as the state continued to set records in several jobs categories. The state’s labor force was up 13,947 to more than 5.4 million, an all-time high, while the number of jobs rose by 2,600 to nearly 5 million, also a record.

ATLANTA — A Georgia state senator is trying to change the terms of an entrenched partisan debate, saying he's not interested in restricting gun ownership but in preventing the fatal shooting of children. The statement Tuesday by Decatur Democrat Emanuel Jones reflects the strategies of those who are trying...

ATLANTA – A national leader in delivering fresh meals will invest $6.3 million to expand its footprint in the rural community of Montezuma, creating more than 300 new jobs, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday. FreshRealm’s expansion in Macon County will allow the company to add several new lines, including ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meals and meal kits. Kemp said the company fits in well with Georgia’s No.-1 industry – agriculture. ...

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a scammer reportedly stole an unknown amount of gold from a 90-year-old Evans woman. Columbia County deputies responded to the woman's Evans home Thursday for fraud, according to an incident report. They met with authorities from Adult Protective Services, who said they were notified about potential fraud related to the elderly woman. ...