BOE wants new ESPLOST

After over two years of disussion, the Elbert County Board of Education (BOE) approved to move forward with Plan A to update the BOE facilities Monday night and will now look to the passing of the March Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum in order to fund the project.

Chamber holds an open house, announces awards at newly renovated welcome center

The Elbert County Chamber of Com-merce recognized a mix of 11 local orga-nizations, individuals and families dur-ing the annual chamber meeting held Friday, Nov. 6 outside the Elbert County Civic Center.

Courthouse bell has become an urgent matter

In its 125th year of existence the Elbert County Courthouse’s cupola has become unstable and will need “expedited” actions, according to County Commission Chairman Lee Vaughn.

During Korean War, Howell learned of car air conditioning while hitch-hiking home

Ray Howell, a member of Elbert County High School’s Class of 1951, remembers traveling to Athens to a U.S. Navy recruiting office to sign up for military duty and ending up in San Diego, California in April of 1952. “I spent three months there in boot camp,” Howell said.

Plan A picked

Superintendent Jon Jarvis announced Monday night that he will recommend the Elbert County Board of Education (BOE) move forward with Plan A to update the BOE facilities. Plan A, at a cost of $8.

ELECTION NIGHT RECAP: Incumbents Andrews, Turner secure reelection; Leverett will be next House Representative

Incumbent Sheriff Melvin Andrews secured his reelection by 814 votes over combined Republican challenger Jeri Lyn Berryman and write-in candidate Wesley McConnell during the Nov. 3 General Election.  Andrews ended with 4,872 votes while Berryman and McConnell received 4,058 combined.

Pilgrim’s commits $160,000 to Blackwell Community Center, Elbert Memorial Hospital

Elberton’s biggest private employer, Pilgrim’s, announced last week its intention to commit $160,000 to Blackwell Community Center and Elbert Memorial Hospital.

City council starts process for pay raise

Elberton’s mayor and council members may get a pay raise in 2022 if an ordinance placed on first reading at Monday night’s meeting is approved.  The ordinance suggests the mayor, who is now paid $6,000 per year, would receive a $2,400 increase to total $8,400 per year.

Early vote record broken

Elbert County was on par with the state of Georgia’s high early voter turnout by totaling votes from over 50 percent of registered voters through early in-person or through absentee ballots for Tuesday’s General Election according to Registrar Melissa Shead.

No phase 2 funding for local governments

The City of Bowman, along with the City of Elberton and Elbert County, will no longer receive phase two or three funding from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act as it will be turned over to the Georgia Department of Labor to help balance the high costs accrued from...