News

TWIN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

On May 9, 2025, at approximately 6:00 PM, the Twin City Police Department responded to a call for service at Singh's Food Mart in Twin City, Georgia. As part of the ongoing investigation, we are …

Grand jury returns 19 true bills, 1 no bills

The April 2025 term of the Emanuel County Grand Jury convened Tuesday, April 22, 2025, with The Honorable Tommy J. Smith presiding. The Grand Jurors elected Chad Canady to serve as Foreperson, Beth …

Tapley discusses Veterans Cup Golf Tournament

The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at the Franklin Memorial Library Monday morning, May 12, at 9 a.m. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, they had 46 in attendance. The DAR fed …

Swainsboro native and Air Force Senior Silas celebrates graduation from Valdosta State University

Yaliyah Silas, a proud 2020 honor graduate of Swainsboro High School, has achieved another remarkable milestone: earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Valdosta State University. Currently …

Swainsboro Food Pantry food distribution

Swainsboro St. Philip Center of Hope Food Pantry will be open for distribution on Thursday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thigpen sentenced in Superior Court

The following occurred during the Emanuel County Superior Court April 2025 term: Gary Jordan Thigpen negotiated a guilty-alford plea on one count theft by receiving stolen property. He was fined …

Stanford selected for Prestigious Four-Star Leadership Program

Erin Stanford, a rising senior and standout member of the Emanuel County Institute JROTC program, has been selected as one of only 75 students worldwide to participate in the Four-Star Leadership …

Rutherford wins The Great Pinecone Hunt

Each year, in celebration of Swainsboro’s Pine Tree Festival, The Forest-Blade features The Great Pinecone Hunt for a chance for one lucky winner to win $100 after locating the 20 hidden pinecones …

Roberson receives Sons of the American Revolution JROTC Award

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet Corian Roberson received the Sons of the American Revolution bronze medal JROTC award at the annual Emanuel County Institute JROTC battalion award …

McClendon receives Sons of the American Revolution JROTC Award

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Cadet LTC Sha'Riya McClendon received the Sons of the American Revolution bronze medal JROTC award and certificate at their Swainsboro High School JROTC …

Mayor Donaldson brings local government to life for Twin City students

Third grade students at Twin City Elementary received a special visit last week from Mayor Matt Donaldson, who took time out of his schedule to speak with the students about local government. The …

Lee awarded Davis-Hilburn Scholarship

Peyton Lee, son of Michael and Jana Lee, and the David Emanuel Academy Salutatorian for the Class of 2025, was recently awarded the Davis-Hilburn Scholarship presented by the Dublin Rotary Club. …
Sports
Sports Headlines
Obituaries
Ret. Col. Robert Williams, Sr., 96
Col. (Retired) Robert E. “Bob” Williams, Sr., 96, of Summertown, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Emanuel County Nursing Home following an extended illness. Funeral services were held …
Ray Lofton "Buddy" Smith, 66
Durden Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mr. Ray Lofton “Buddy” Smith, 66, of Twin City, who passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, at Twin View Health and Rehab. Graveside Service was …
Jeanette Peebles Glisson, 88
Mrs. Jeanette Peebles Glisson, 88, of Swainsboro, passed away Saturday May 3, 2025, at Azalea Health and Rehab in Metter following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 7, …
Don Victor Scarboro, 58
Don Victor Scarboro, age 58, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025, at his residence. Private graveside was Sunday, May 4, held at 2:30 p.m. at Nails Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Sammy Newsome …
Judy Nunn Jackson, 78
Mrs. Judy Nunn Jackson, 78, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at her residence following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. in the …
Education
Emanuel County students selected for Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship
Lawrence receives Emanuel Farm Bureau scholarship Emanuel County students Clayton Hood and Emma Lawrence have been named recipients of Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) Scholarships. …
Emanuel BOE holds called meeting
The Emanuel County Board of Education met on Tuesday, April 29, at 8:30 a.m. at the Emanuel County Board of Education’s Central Office with the following members in attendance: Tanya Lane, …
Technical College System of Georgia announces 2025 Student of the Year and Instructor of the Year
Southeastern Technical College Student and Central Georgia Technical College Instructor Take Top Honors The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) announced the state’s top technical college …
University of Georgia celebrates Class of 2025
The University of Georgia will celebrate more than 8,000 candidates for graduation in the Class of 2025 during upcoming Commencement ceremonies. The spring undergraduate ceremony will take place …
Swainsboro High School students excel at CTI State Leadership Conference
Swainsboro High School students excelled at the recent Career and Technical Instruction (CTI) State Leadership Conference in Eatonton, Georgia. This annual spring event brings together high school …
Crime
    • SPD 05.14.25

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported… May 2 Officer was dispatched to the emergency room in reference to a dog …

    • Jail 05.14.25

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

    • ECSO 05.14.25

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… May 3 Deputy responded to a suspicious person on Mckinney Pond Road. While traveling …

SOCIAL
Social

Georgia Bell

I have written much about my dogs and the great amount of time I invest in naming my dogs. It’s not a haphazard event, as I want the name to suit the dog and be a perfect fit. I have long since …

The Mercedes Conspiracy

There’s a commercial on TV right now that I have a little problem with. You might have seen it. It’s a commercial for Mercedes Benz. Now usually, I wouldn’t have a problem with this company. …

Taking another look at Sonny Perdue a decade later

In this job, you need a strong digestive system. Chances are that somewhere along the line, you might be eating a little crow for past opinions. Not that it has kept him awake at night, but I …
Features

John Buxton and Virginia Palumbo win First Place in 2025 Knotty Pine 5K!

On the morning of May 3, 2025, runners came to Swainsboro for the 24th running of the Knotty Pine 5K Race as part of the Pine Tree Festival. The 5K was sponsored by the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club, who …

Screws crowned 2025 Miss Pine Tree Festival

The 78th Annual Miss Pine Tree Festival Pageant was held Saturday, April 26, at East Georgia State College. The pageant featured nine groups, Baby Miss, Toddler Miss, Wee Miss, Tiny Miss, Little …

It's time to show off your graduate!!!

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

A note to Dads on Mother’s Day

Have you looked at the calendar lately? I don’t want to start a panic, but Sunday is right around the corner, and that “corner” could be more trouble than turn 4 at Daytona if you’re not …

“A tale of two City Halls”

With apologies to the great novelist, Charles Dickens, and also to my wonderful high school literature teachers, I just couldn’t help but paraphrase a little bit here to introduce this discussion …

Waiting to be included on Defense Secretary’s next chat

I am not a happy camper at the moment, and I am sorely afraid you are going to be disappointed in me. There is no question that I have enormous influence in the industry and can make or break …
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