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School budget reflects over $3 million increase

The Elbert County Board of Education’s tentative 2024 fiscal year budget sits at an over $3 million increase over last year’s general fund budget, Chief Financial Officer Keith Martin announced during the board’s May 9 work session.
Jennifer Downer reacts to being named the Elbert County School District’s Classified Employee of the Year while receiving a hug from Brooke Johnson. (Photos by Wells)

Jennifer Downer reacts to being named the Elbert County School District’s Classified Employee of the Year while receiving a hug from Brooke Johnson. (Photos by Wells)

Recognizing the employees of the year

Paul J.
Jim-Ree Museum co-founder and owner Aurolyn White brushes off vegetation from a fallen over headstone at the back of Pinetown Cemetery near Second Street Extension. Through memories and passed down stories, White and others in the area believe there could be graves of African Americans on property located on the opposite side of the street from the cemetery. (Photo by Scoggins)

Jim-Ree Museum co-founder and owner Aurolyn White brushes off vegetation from a fallen over headstone at the back of Pinetown Cemetery near Second Street Extension. Through memories and passed down stories, White and others in the area believe there could be graves of African Americans on property located on the opposite side of the street from the cemetery. (Photo by Scoggins)

Rezone request leads to grave quest around cemetery

When the Jim-Ree African American Museum took over ownership of Pinetown Cemetery, formerly known as St. Mary’s Cemetery in 2009, Aurolyn Hamm White began writing a book to help provide a comprehensive record of all of the ancestors, family members and friends buried throughout the cemetery.

Hall joins Star staff as summer intern

University of Georgia (UGA) student and Elbert County native Lacie Hall has joined The Elberton Star staff for the next eight weeks as an intern through the Georgia Press Educational Foundation Billy Watson Internship Program.
The Elberton Star Logo

The Elberton Star Logo

Grave concerns lead to zoning denial

The Elbert County Board of Commissioners upheld a decision from the Elbert County Planning and Zoning Commission to deny a zoning change for property located on Second Street Extension believed to contain African American graves. The property, located at 1006 Second St.
Students at Elbert County Primary School got to experience aspects of farm life during Farm Day Friday, May 5 at the school. Students were able to pet a calf, goats, rabbits and a pony, learn about bees and fresh produce, sample smoothies made from fresh fruits and vegetables, plant radishes, sit on Superintendent Jon Jarvis’ tractor and compete in an egg to chicken race. Students were also served a fully Georgia Grown lunch by the Elbert County Schools nutrition department. (Photo by Scoggins)

Students at Elbert County Primary School got to experience aspects of farm life during Farm Day Friday, May 5 at the school. Students were able to pet a calf, goats, rabbits and a pony, learn about bees and fresh produce, sample smoothies made from fresh fruits and vegetables, plant radishes, sit on Superintendent Jon Jarvis’ tractor and compete in an egg to chicken race. Students were also served a fully Georgia Grown lunch by the Elbert County Schools nutrition department. (Photo by Scoggins)

Katie Higginbotham York will celebrate Mother’s Day surrounded by her three special gifts – Lincoln, Landry and recent addition, Laremie.

Katie Higginbotham York will celebrate Mother’s Day surrounded by her three special gifts – Lincoln, Landry and recent addition, Laremie.

York celebrates Mother’s Day with three special gifts

Sunday won’t be Katie Higginbotham York’s first Mother’s Day, but it will be her first with the family’s newest addition – three month old Laremie.
Pictured is Elrod being greeted and surprised by the crowd as she walks in the Bowman Community Center with public works employee Lloyd Ivester. (Photo by Wells)

Pictured is Elrod being greeted and surprised by the crowd as she walks in the Bowman Community Center with public works employee Lloyd Ivester. (Photo by Wells)

Bowman celebrates Jerri Elrod’s service

The City of Bowman threw a surprise reception to honor Public Works Director Jerri Elrod for her 36 years of service to the city Monday, May 1. Elrod was presented with a commemorative t-shirt along with a resolution from the city thanking her for her 36 years of service.
Elbert County Comprhehensive High School senior and Elbert County Blue Devil Marching Band feature twirler Lyndsie Acker is one of the newest majorettes for the Clemson University Tigers. Acker submitted an audition video for Clemson in March and received an invitation to live auditions held on the Clemson campus on April 15.  She auditioned in competition with twirlers from all over the country and was selected as 1 of the 10 Tiger Twirlers that will perform with the Tiger Band this Fall.

Elbert County Comprhehensive High School senior and Elbert County Blue Devil Marching Band feature twirler Lyndsie Acker is one of the newest majorettes for the Clemson University Tigers. Acker submitted an audition video for Clemson in March and received an invitation to live auditions held on the Clemson campus on April 15. She auditioned in competition with twirlers from all over the country and was selected as 1 of the 10 Tiger Twirlers that will perform with the Tiger Band this Fall.

Twirling for the Tigers