Elbert County

Lila Layne (left) is crowned Miss ECCHS for 2026 by last year's winner, Makayla McKnight. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Chandler)

Lila Layne (left) is crowned Miss ECCHS for 2026 by last year's winner, Makayla McKnight. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Chandler)

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Layne named Miss ECCHS

Mark Wells
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Elbert County Comprehensive High School senior Lila Layne was named Miss ECCHS 2026. The Miss ECCHS Pageant was held Feb. 7 and featured a host of winners in addition to Miss ECCHS. The first runner-up was I'jianah Whiten and second runner-up was Carlee Brown.
Elbert county graphic

Elbert county graphic

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BOC seeking input from community after hearing

Mark Wells
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Elbert County Board of Commissioners officially kicked off the planning process to develop a comprehensive plan Monday night by hosting a public hearing before their monthly regular meeting.
Photo by Bo Underwood

Photo by Bo Underwood

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Blue Devils defend home court with big win on senior night

Bo Underwood
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
It was a successful senior night for the Elbert County Blue Devils boys’ basketball team, who earned a region win over Oglethorpe County 56-47. Before the game, senior wing A.J. Brown, center Jaylen Dye, guard Jase Mattox, guard Jordan Morrison, forward D.K.
Lincoln Blackmon and Cruz Floyd earned area titles at AAAAAAA area traditionals. (File photos by Bo Underwood and Mark Wells)

Lincoln Blackmon and Cruz Floyd earned area titles at AAAAAAA area traditionals. (File photos by Bo Underwood and Mark Wells)

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Blackmon, Floyd win area titles for Mat Devils

Bo Underwood
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Two Elbert County wrestlers are area champions, with senior Lincoln Blackmon and junior Cruz Floyd winning titles at the AAAAAAA area traditionals at Commerce High School Jan 30. Blackmon wrestled at 215 lbs and Floyd at 113. The wrestling team took the runner-up spot overall.
The Elbert County Middle School seventh grade boys’ basketball team poses after their win in the NEGIAA championship game. (Photo Courtesy of Derek Aston)

The Elbert County Middle School seventh grade boys’ basketball team poses after their win in the NEGIAA championship game. (Photo Courtesy of Derek Aston)

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Rams put finishing touch on undefeated season with championship win

Bo Underwood
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Derek Aston received a hero’s welcome Thursday night after his Elbert County Rams seventh grade boys’ basketball team capped off a perfect season with a win in the NEGIAA championship game. “We went in the locker room and they hit me with every water bottle they had,” the head coach said.
The Elbert County Middle School seventh grade girls’ basketball team celebrates after their win in the NEGIAA championship game. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Newman)

The Elbert County Middle School seventh grade girls’ basketball team celebrates after their win in the NEGIAA championship game. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Newman)

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Lady Rams triumph over Habersham in championship

Bo Underwood
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Redemption is a sweet thing, and that’s what the Elbert County Middle School girls’ seventh grade basketball team earned last Thursday when they beat Habersham County 41-23 in the NEGIAA championship.
Photo by Bo Underwood

Photo by Bo Underwood

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Lady Devils send seniors off with win over Oglethorpe County

Bo Underwood
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Elbert County girls’ basketball team honored its seniors Friday night after beating Oglethorpe County 62-36 in The Inferno. The Lady Devils improved to 13-7 with a 4-5 region record. Seniors Zy Belcher, Sarah Blackmon, Kaylen Rucker and Kamryn Webb were recognized after the game.
Aerial photos of the downtown square show the snowfall that came through Elbert County over the weekend. The winter storm was the second in two weeks. (Photo courtesy of Joe Dawson)

Aerial photos of the downtown square show the snowfall that came through Elbert County over the weekend. The winter storm was the second in two weeks. (Photo courtesy of Joe Dawson)

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Second round of winter weather blankets Elbert County in snow

Mark Wells
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Just one week from a winter storm coming through Elbert County that resulted in mass closures throughout the community, another round of wintry weather came through town and covered the ground with multiple inches of snow.
Elbert County graphic

Elbert County graphic

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Qualifying fees, dates set for Elbert County BOC, BOE seats

Mark Wells
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Qualifying fees and dates have been set for this year's county elections. This year is slated to see several seats up for reelection as the board of commissioners (BOC) will see elections for the chairman position as well as District 2, District 4 and District 5.
The view from the historic Bailey Building on the downtown square shows Elberton's downtown square covered in ice and snow after Winter Storm Fern came through Elbert County Sunday. (Photo by Lindsay Herring)

The view from the historic Bailey Building on the downtown square shows Elberton's downtown square covered in ice and snow after Winter Storm Fern came through Elbert County Sunday. (Photo by Lindsay Herring)

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Elbert County hit with closures after winter storm

Mark Wells
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Elbert County found itself in the path of a chilling winter storm over the weekend that resulted in mass closures throughout the community.