Local

The Elberton Star logo

The Elberton Star logo

Development authority decides not to meet

Development Authority of Elbert County, Elberton and Bowman Chairman Greg Gunter said last week that since COVID-19 positive tests are “stubbornly high” and since the authority has no actionable items to discuss or vote on, the authority believes it is “prudent” not to hold in person meetings of...
New Elberton Police Chief Scott Marunich, who grew up in Minnesota, joined the U.S. Army in 1996 and served in Kuwait in Operation Desert Shield and was stationed at Georgia’s Fort Stewart and Fort Benning, Louisiana’s Fort Polk and California’s Fort Irwin. He was also deployed to Kuwait and was a part of Operation Desert Shield between the first and second Gulf Wars. (Photo by Scoggins)

New Elberton Police Chief Scott Marunich, who grew up in Minnesota, joined the U.S. Army in 1996 and served in Kuwait in Operation Desert Shield and was stationed at Georgia’s Fort Stewart and Fort Benning, Louisiana’s Fort Polk and California’s Fort Irwin. He was also deployed to Kuwait and was a part of Operation Desert Shield between the first and second Gulf Wars. (Photo by Scoggins)

Marunich takes over as Elberton’s Chief of Police

The Elberton Police Department (EPD) is under new leadership as Scott Marunich became the official chief of the department Jan. 4.  Although in a new role, Marunich is no stranger to the EPD. Marunich was hired by now-retired Chief Mark Welsh in July of 2000.
The ECCHS Band and Chorus have been invited to perform at the 81th Annual Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The ECCHS Band and Chorus have been invited to perform at the 81th Annual Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Band, chorus hope to perform at Pearl Harbor

Elbert County Comprehensive High School's Blue Devil Band and Chorus had been invited to perform at the 80th Annual Pearl Harbor Commemoration in Honolulu, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 2021, but, after talking with organizers in Hawaii, the band’s invitation has been extended to the 81st Annual Commemoration.
As the New Year approached, while all the other long-term care facilities in Elbert County had been ravaged by COVID-19, Nancy Hart Nursing Home in Fortsonia had zero positive cases. In the past two weeks, Nancy Hart has been, according to the facility’s administrator, ‘struggling’ with an outbreak. (Photo by Slay)

As the New Year approached, while all the other long-term care facilities in Elbert County had been ravaged by COVID-19, Nancy Hart Nursing Home in Fortsonia had zero positive cases. In the past two weeks, Nancy Hart has been, according to the facility’s administrator, ‘struggling’ with an outbreak. (Photo by Slay)

Nancy Hart: ‘It hit us hard’

On Dec. 29, every resident at Nancy Hart Nursing Home who wanted a COVID-19 vaccination got one.
The Elberton Star logo

The Elberton Star logo

Speakers support Fleming

Two speakers from the floor at Monday’s Elbert County Board of Education work session said they strongly disagreed with the loss of Elbert County Middle School School Resource Officer Lt. Marc Fleming.
Georgia House District 33 Representative Rob Leverett (left) and Jerry Spivey (right) made a donation to Friends Helping Friends last week, using funds they would have normally spent for an annual buffet that was canceled due to COVID-19. Shown accepting donation are Jeff and Sandy Adams. (Photo by Jones)

Georgia House District 33 Representative Rob Leverett (left) and Jerry Spivey (right) made a donation to Friends Helping Friends last week, using funds they would have normally spent for an annual buffet that was canceled due to COVID-19. Shown accepting donation are Jeff and Sandy Adams. (Photo by Jones)

Leverett begins legislative career

Although rookie Georgia House Representative Rob Leverett (R-33) got plenty of advice from the man that served as Elbert County’s representative since the 1990s – Tom McCall – now that the Georgia General Assembly opened its session Monday McCall has other things to do.
The Elberton Star logo

The Elberton Star logo

Commission introduces hemp-growing ordinance

An ordinance to allow hemp processing facilities in industrial-zoned areas and hemp growing in agriculture-zoned areas was placed on first reading at Monday night’s meeting of the Elbert County Board of Commissioners (BOC).
Native Elbertonian George Gaines died Friday at age 101. He wlll be laid to rest in a graveside ceremony at Elmhurst Cemetery Thursday. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Native Elbertonian George Gaines died Friday at age 101. He wlll be laid to rest in a graveside ceremony at Elmhurst Cemetery Thursday. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Gaines, 101, passes away

George Albert Gaines Jr., whose affection for his community (and his community’s affection for him) seemed like it came from a script for a Frank Capra movie, died Friday. He was 101 years old.
Nathan Luther Ricks (left) and Lisa Michelle Ricks (right). (Photos from the Elbert County Sheriff's Office jail log)

Nathan Luther Ricks (left) and Lisa Michelle Ricks (right). (Photos from the Elbert County Sheriff's Office jail log)

Couple indicted

An Elbert County grand jury handed down an indictment of a couple of a 1717 Plantation Road address for seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals among other charges across two separate indictments Dec. 9.
Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Marc Fleming, shown at the far right prior to a Christmas parade in Elberton, said his work as a school resource officer was the “best way to make a difference in the community.’ That ended Wednesday when the 14-year law enforcement veteran received a one-day notice by certified mail that Sheriff Melvin Andrews was firing him.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Marc Fleming, shown at the far right prior to a Christmas parade in Elberton, said his work as a school resource officer was the “best way to make a difference in the community.’ That ended Wednesday when the 14-year law enforcement veteran received a one-day notice by certified mail that Sheriff Melvin Andrews was firing him.

Lt. Fleming fired by certified letter

Elbert County citizens have reacted bitterly since last week when the former Elbert County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Supervisor Marc Fleming opened a certified letter on Dec. 30 to find out he would no longer have a job Jan. 1.