News

MLK Parade to be held

The MLK parade will be held on Monday, January 20, at 1 p.m. The 4-H Center will serve as the place to gather. Line up and parade preparation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Prices to participate: Cars - …

Wincore Windows and Doors acquired by Fernweh Group

Wincore Window Company, LLC (“Wincore”) headquartered in Parkersburg, WV with operating facilities in Parkersburg and Swainsboro, GA announces that it has been acquired by Fernweh Group LLC …

Reverend Dr. Elgin L. Dixon named Grand Marshall of MLK Parade

Reverend Dr. Elgin Lanier Dixon, affectionately known to many as “Neal,” is the sixth child born to the parentage of the late Reverend Dr. Bobbie J. Fann and the late Charles (Alberta) Goss. He …

Harvey’s and Men’s Golf Association make donations

In a beautiful act of generosity and community spirit, Harvey’s Supermarket of Swainsboro and The Men’s Golf Association united to ensure that Christmas was a joyful and memorable one for the …

EZ Riders spread Christmas joy to residents

Once again, EZ Riders MC spread a lot of Christmas joy to residents of Candler County on Saturday, December 21. The club was able to spread joy, laughter, smiles and tears to some 172 residents at …

Event Planning Committee Commemoration Service to be held

Event Planning Committee Commemoration Service for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held Sunday, January 19, at 6 p.m. at Greater St. James Baptist Church. Speaker will be Rev. Karlton Howard, …

East Georgia State College to host MLK Day Celebration

East Georgia State College (EGSC) will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special celebration for the community entitled "The Journey" on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. …

Price retires, May and Proctor promoted

Durden Banking Co., Inc. is excited to announce the following retirement and promotions: Judy Price retired effective Dec. 31 as Vice President/City President/Loan Officer. Jimmy May was promoted to …

Celebrating one year of service: The Lazarus Project Food Pantry marks milestone

It’s been one year since the food pantry portion of The Lazarus Project opened its doors, and the impact has been nothing short of remarkable. With the support of volunteers, donors, and community …

This little bed of mine has stood the test of time

According to Mrs. Carolyn Kight Muns, this little maple bed pictured was ordered from a Sears and Roebuck and Company catalog by her mother in the fall of 1944, during World War II. The bed was …

Council “backs up” on speed cameras

The January meeting of the Mayor and City Council was held on January 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Swainsboro City Hall. Following an invocation and pledge of allegiance, council voted to accept minutes of …

Swainsboro Fire Department to hold Blood Drive

Swainsboro Fire Department will hold a Blood Drive on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the classroom at the Fire Department at 205 N. Green St.

Looking back on 2024…

January 3, 2024 Optim Health System is thrilled to announce the arrival of Dr. Michael Appeadu, MD, a highly skilled interventional pain management specialist, to the Swainsboro community. Dr. …

A lasting impression: Meet inspiring teacher, Jessica Smith

Mrs. Jessica Smith has been teaching for 20 years and is an 8th grade teacher at Emanuel County Institute. She began her career at Swainsboro Middle School (SMS) in 2005, where she spent ten years …

2024 PN and ASN Traditional Pathway Graduates pinned at Southeastern Tech

In a joint ceremony, Southeastern Technical College (STC) pinned the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Traditional Pathway Option graduates from the Vidalia campus and the Practical Nursing (PN) …
Video - Durden Banking Company

Durden Bank - Spotlight on 4 Locations

Durden Banking Company has a decades long history, with their original office in Twin City, GA. But over time, they built the business with a branch in Swainsboro, Millen and the addition of Metter …

Sports
Sports Headlines
Obituaries
Vernon Clyde “Bunny” Hudson, 81
Vernon Clyde Hudson, affectionately known as Bunny Hudson, age 81, was called to rest in the grace of the Lord on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, January 8, at …
Tom “Monkey” May III, 64
Tom “Monkey” May III, age 64, was called from labor to eternal rest on Friday, December 27, 2024, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro, following an extended illness. A …
Sutton Wells, Jr., 83
Mr. Sutton Virgil Wells, Jr., 83, of Swainsboro, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Emanuel County Nursing Home. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at The First …
Crime
    • SPD: 1.8.25

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported… December 27 Officer notified units that he saw a suspected hand to hand …

    • JAIL: 1.8.25

      The following persons have been booked into Emanuel County Jail, according to Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, on warrants obtained by one …

    • ECSO: 1.8.25

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… December 26 Deputies responded to Jet Food Store in Adrian in reference to …

    • SPD: 1.1.25

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported… December 20 Officer took a walk-in report where complainant stated she …

    • JAIL: 1.1.25

      The following persons have been booked into Emanuel County Jail, according to Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, on warrants obtained by one …

    • ECSO: 1.1.25

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… December 24 Deputy responded to Lexsy-Nunez Rd. in reference to Theft of …

Education
Southeastern Tech congratulates Fall Semester President's List
Southeastern Technical College is proud to announce the 2024 Fall Semester President's List. These students earned a grade point average of 3.75 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours …
TCE recognizes December Students of the Month
The December Students of the Month were recognized on Thursday, December 19, in the TCE Media Center Ms. Nikki Green, Counselor. They were chosen by their teachers for exemplifying the character …
Georgia Southern University announces Fall 2024 President's and Dean’s List
Georgia Southern University recently recognized approximately 2,520 students for excellence in academics on the Fall 2024 President's List and approximately 4,100 students on the Dean's List. To be …
SOCIAL
Social

Swainsboro Food Pantry to hold distribution

Swainsboro St. Philip Center of Hope Food Pantry will be open for distribution on Thursday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Perfected Love holds special recognition

Pastor Dean Martin II of Perfected Love Holiness Church held a special recognition service on Sunday, January 12, to recognize accomplishments for the year. Sis. Debbie Goode and Sis. Melissa Martin …

Swainsboro Rotary Club holds meeting

The Swainsboro Rotary Club met at the Rustic Grill on Jan. 6, at 12 p.m. to kick off the new year. The meeting was well attended with President Zack Proctor calling the meeting to order with the …

Voices United to hold MLK Youth breakfast

Voices United will hold their MLK Youth breakfast Saturday, January 18, at 10 a.m. at William Grove Community Center. The theme will be “Where do we go from here”. Guest speaker will be Pastor …
Features

Happy New Year!

The staff of The Forest-Blade would like to thank you for the support you have given us throughout 2024. We wish you all a very Happy New Year! The Forest-Blade will be closed on Wednesday, …

Merry Christmas from the Forest Blade family!

Wednesday morning, children will awake to a tree-lit room filled with Christmas dreams come true. They’ll wake their parents with excitement that can only be experienced on Christmas Day. These are …

Street recognized as 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholar

Amber Street, a teacher at Swainsboro Elementary School, has been recognized as one of the 2025 Don Cargill STEM Scholars. The Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (GYSTC) acknowledged Ms. …

2024 SPD ‘Shop with A Cop’

The holiday season brings a lot of joy and happiness. Each person reflecting upon those things that mean the most to them. For some, it may be family and friends for others it may be the celebration …
Faith

Holy Zion Church of Metter to hold 47th Church Anniversary

Holy Zion Church of Metter will have their 47th Church Anniversary January 16, 17 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Thursday night, January 16, guest speaker will be Bishop Larry MacMiller with Bible …

Living Way Ministries to hold annual women conference

Living Way Ministries will have their annual women conference Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, at 2:30 p.m. The theme for the conference will be ‘Surely God can do …

Oak Chapel renovation

About the time Covid reared its ugly head early in 2021 and churches were suspending in-house services for a while, another problem arose at Oak Chapel Baptist Church. While inspecting some low spots …
Opinion

There is no clowning around with Skeeter Skates

My objective has always been to provide you with information not readily available to the general public so that you can shine at your next church social or cocktail party by dropping a factoid on …

Wedding bells to baby rattles

After the excitement and flurry of activity of the marriage ceremony was over, we settled down in our own little garage apartment. We had a tiny kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. We had new …

A New Year, a new opportunity

Welcome to 2025. This first month of the year gets its name from a mythical Roman god named Janus. A study in contrast, Janus is described in Greek literature as a mix of the future and the lingering …
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