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Left, pipes burst at Elbert County Middle School around Christmas Day, flooding 95 percent of the school and causing damage to other areas, including the inside and outside ceilings of the hall near the gym. (Photo by Scoggins)

Left, pipes burst at Elbert County Middle School around Christmas Day, flooding 95 percent of the school and causing damage to other areas, including the inside and outside ceilings of the hall near the gym. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Freezing and flooding for Christmas

Rose Scoggins
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Frigid temperatures over the last week caused water main breaks at two locations in the city limits and busted pipes at Elbert County Middle School that forced City of Elberton workers and members of the Elbert County School District to address the ensuing flooding on Christmas Eve and Christmas...
Chief Magistrate Judge Lanie Simmons (left) was sworn in by former Superior Court Judge John H. Bailey Jr. after being appointed to the position in July 1996. Simmons finished the remainder of former Chief Magistrate Marie Dewberry’s term and has been elected to six consecutive four-year terms. (Photo from the July 17, 1996 edition of The Elberton Star)

Chief Magistrate Judge Lanie Simmons (left) was sworn in by former Superior Court Judge John H. Bailey Jr. after being appointed to the position in July 1996. Simmons finished the remainder of former Chief Magistrate Marie Dewberry’s term and has been elected to six consecutive four-year terms. (Photo from the July 17, 1996 edition of The Elberton Star)

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Simmons and Scoggins end over 30 years of service

Rose Scoggins
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
After 33 years of working in the Elbert County Magistrate Court office, Chief Magistrate Judge Lanie Simmons will retire from public service Dec. 31.
Pictured during a retirement luncheon for Freddie Baker honoring him for his 50 years of federal employment are (L-R) Southeastern Power Administration’s Leon Jourolmon, Baker’s wife Sarah, Baker and SEPA’s Virgil Hobbs. (Photo by Wells)

Pictured during a retirement luncheon for Freddie Baker honoring him for his 50 years of federal employment are (L-R) Southeastern Power Administration’s Leon Jourolmon, Baker’s wife Sarah, Baker and SEPA’s Virgil Hobbs. (Photo by Wells)

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Freddie Baker honored for 50 years of federal employment

Mark Wells
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
After 50 years of employment by the United States Government, including time in the Air Force, United States Postal Service and the Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA), Freddie Baker has retired, marking the end of a career of service for others.
The Elbert County Chorus experienced a once-in-a-lifetime five-day trip to Hawaii and performed during the 81st annual commemoration of Pearl Harbor Wednesday, Dec. 7. Pictured in front of the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii are Elbert County High School Chorus members, Director Allyson Dye and the school’s tour guide.

The Elbert County Chorus experienced a once-in-a-lifetime five-day trip to Hawaii and performed during the 81st annual commemoration of Pearl Harbor Wednesday, Dec. 7. Pictured in front of the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii are Elbert County High School Chorus members, Director Allyson Dye and the school’s tour guide.

A once-in-a-lifetime performance at Pearl Harbor

News Staff
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Author Clay Ouzts sits in front of the Samuel Elbert hotel with his book, "Samuel Elbert and the Age of Revolution in Georgia," written about the hotel and county's namesake, Samuel Elbert. (Photo by Wells)

Author Clay Ouzts sits in front of the Samuel Elbert hotel with his book, "Samuel Elbert and the Age of Revolution in Georgia," written about the hotel and county's namesake, Samuel Elbert. (Photo by Wells)

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Elbert native pens new book on county’s namesake

Mark Wells
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
One of Elbert County’s own has recently penned a book that uncovers new details about Samuel Elbert’s life and uses them to put Georgia’s relationship with the American Revolution into perspective nearly 250 years later.
Santa Claus stopped by the Historic Rock Gym to visit families from the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, Dec. 17 and received mixed reactions during picture time. Pictured with Santa are (front row) Ariyah Heard and (second row, L-R) Zoey Allen, Madelyn Frady and Lawson Dove, Hadley Frady, Kamdyn Harris, and Kendal Harris. (Photo by Wells)

Santa Claus stopped by the Historic Rock Gym to visit families from the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, Dec. 17 and received mixed reactions during picture time. Pictured with Santa are (front row) Ariyah Heard and (second row, L-R) Zoey Allen, Madelyn Frady and Lawson Dove, Hadley Frady, Kamdyn Harris, and Kendal Harris. (Photo by Wells)

Not-so-sure about Santa

News Staff
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
The Elberton Star Logo

The Elberton Star Logo

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Paving projects passed

Rose Scoggins
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Over 22 miles of county roads are set to be paved or widened in 2023, at an estimated cost of over $2.6 million, after being approved by the Elbert County Board of Commissioners during Monday night’s meeting. Roads on the approved list include Allen Logan Road (.
A float from Holly Springs Baptist Church brought ‘snow’ to the Bowman Christmas parade through the use of a snow machine Saturday, Dec. 10. See more photos from the festive parade on page 16. (Photo by Scoggins)

A float from Holly Springs Baptist Church brought ‘snow’ to the Bowman Christmas parade through the use of a snow machine Saturday, Dec. 10. See more photos from the festive parade on page 16. (Photo by Scoggins)

‘Snow’ falls on Bowman Christmas parade

News Staff
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Elbert County Middle School (ECMS) Beta Club member Jaukeem Fortson was crowned the champion of the solo talent category during the annual state Beta Club Convention in Savannah Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. Fortson was one of 38 students to attend the convention from ECMS. The club brought home a record-breaking 10 Top 10 placements, all of which will go on to compete on the national stage in Louisville, Kentucky in June at the national convention.

Elbert County Middle School (ECMS) Beta Club member Jaukeem Fortson was crowned the champion of the solo talent category during the annual state Beta Club Convention in Savannah Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. Fortson was one of 38 students to attend the convention from ECMS. The club brought home a record-breaking 10 Top 10 placements, all of which will go on to compete on the national stage in Louisville, Kentucky in June at the national convention.

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Jaukeem crowned state champion

News Staff
Wednesday, December 14, 2022