Plans are underway for the second annual ‘Blakely Lights the Night’ Christmas Parade. The event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in conjunction with an evening of shopping in local stores. The night-time parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. In its inaugural year, more than 60 parade participants lit up floats, vehicles, golf carts, ATVs to celebrate the […]
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Blakely native Charles Barton Rice Sr., security mogul, philanthropist, dies at 87
Charles Barton Rice Sr., one of Early County’s most successful sons, has died. He passed away peacefully at a hospital north of Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, following an extended illness according to his family. He was 87. Charles Rice was a proud son of Early County, growing up in Blakely where his parents, Jean and Katha Rice, settled […]
First Lady Rosalynn Carter laid to rest
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order last week activating the State Operations Center to coordinate the state assets that assisted this week in the final farewells and interment of the late former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. She died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at her home in Plains. Kemp’s order also called on the Georgia Department of Defense to […]
State launches online platform for job seekers
The Technical College System of Georgia has launched a website to help link job seekers in Georgia with employers, Gov. Brian Kemp announced last Tuesday. The Labor Exchange Platform will provide access to job listings, educational and training resources, and career services. “Georgia continues to meet the needs of both employees and job creators as we welcome the incredible job […]
Special session of Georgia General Assembly for reapportionment convenes
Georgia Democrats scored minimal gains in the General Assembly in last year’s elections – and even lost one congressional seat – despite population growth during the last decade among Blacks, who tend to vote for Democrats. But Democratic prospects likely will look a lot better after lawmakers gather under the Gold Dome for a special session starting today and redraw […]
Chattahoochee River bridge at Hilton, Columbia to close this Monday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An Alabama Department of Transportation project to rehabilitate the deck of the bridge on Alabama Highway 52/Georgia Highway 62 over the Chattahoochee River at Columbia, Ala., and Hilton, Ga., began Monday, November 20, 2023. Complete bridge closure is expected to begin following Monday, Nov. 28, 2023. Due to the nature of the project, the bridge will need […]
First Baptist Church calls Chris Guffey as pastor
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, members of First Baptist Church of Blakely, Ga., unanimously voted to call Rev. Chris Guffey as senior pastor. The recommendation came from the pulpit committee of Dr. Garrett Bennett, Jennifer Griffin, Ron Hutchins, Brad Hughes and Wendy Powell, who were elected by the congregation. Rev. Guffey began his work in the ministry in 1999 serving […]
Early County eligible for drought disaster relief
ATHENS, Ga., Nov. 15, 2023 – On November 13, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated five Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. The Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. This announcement expands upon a previous designation that declared […]
Rosalynn Carter dies at 96
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, married for 77 years to former President Jimmy Carter, died Sunday at the age of 96 at the couple’s home in Plains. For decades, she championed the causes of mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished, said President Carter. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement […]
Atlanta lands 2025 Major League All-Star Game
Atlanta was awarded Major League Baseball’s 2025 All-Star Game Thursday, two years after the game was pulled from Georgia during a flap over voting reform legislation state lawmakers had passed earlier that year. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred commended Atlanta Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk, President and CEO Derek Schiller, and the Atlanta Sports Council for leading the effort to bring the […]
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