News

STC delays resumption of classes

After reviewing the plans of various school systems, recognizing that many of our students are parents, and assessing ongoing recovery efforts, STC has made the decision to delay the resumption of …

SHS Class of 1974 50th Anniversary class reunion postponed

Swainsboro High School Class of 1974/50th Golden Anniversary for October 11-12, 2024, has been postponed.

Durden Banking Company, Inc. kicks off National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Durden Banking Company, Inc has joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the persistent threat of phishing …

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance in Georgia after Hurricane Helene

Georgia homeowners and renters in 41 counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA may be able to help with serious …

Emanuel Medical Center back on full power

Thank you to the hardworking lineman for restoring power back to Emanuel Medical Center. Please read below for the following announcements. The cafeteria is open to the public effective …

East Georgia State College receives book donation from Crider Foods

East Georgia State College (EGSC) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous donation of the acclaimed book "Vitamin B for Business" by Andy Bailey from Crider Foods in Stillmore, Georgia. This …

Chamber Golf Tournament canceled

As a result of the damage and aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the annual Chamber Industry Appreciation Golf Outing planned for this Friday has been postponed to a later date. If you contributed as …

Count your blessings!

Sometimes our greatest blessings are revealed in our darkest times. Our community, and so many more like ours throughout the Southeast, has certainly seen some dark times over this last week. …

Emanuel Medical Center back on full power

Thank you to the hardworking lineman for restoring power back to Emanuel Medical Center. Please read below for the following announcements. The cafeteria is open to the public effective …

Chamber Golf Tournament canceled

As a result of the damage and aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the annual Chamber Industry Appreciation Golf Outing planned for this Friday has been postponed to a later date. If you contributed …

The Forest-Blade travels to the Black Hills

Kathie Barton and Shirley Boulineau spent ten days exploring the Black Hills. They visited Cheyenne, Wyoming and Deadwood, South Dakota where Wild Bill Hickock was killed while playing poker. He and …

Three sentenced in Superior Court

The following occurred during the Emanuel County Superior Court July 2024 term: Bob Harrison, repeat offender, negotiated a guilty-alford plea on one count possession of firearm by convicted …

Rock the Vote to hold registration drive

Rock the Vote Fest will be holding a voter registration drive September 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at 436 N. Main St., Swainsboro (behind the Coca Cola Bottling building). …

Ferst Readers 3rd Annual Character Contest

Emanuel County Ferst Readers is sponsoring a virtual fundraiser to get books into the homes of children under five living in Emanuel County. Local “celebrities” are asking for you to donate to …

Emergency Conservation Program sign-up

Tropical Storm Debby caused significant damage throughout Emanuel County. If you’ve suffered severe damage, you may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) …
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
Sadie Mae Nobles, 84
Sadie Mae Nobles, age 84, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2024. A Celebration of Life was held Monday, September 30, at 12 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church in Garfield. Sadie Mae was born September 14, …
Yvonne Ferebee Mosley, 88
Mrs. Yvonne Ferebee Mosley, age 88, was called from labor to eternal rest on Friday, September 13, 2024. A Celebration of Life and Legacy was held Saturday, September 21, at 2 p.m. at Trinity …
Mildred Wilson, 86
Mrs. Mildred H. Wilson, 86, of Swainsboro, passed away Friday, September 27, 2024, at The Oaks – Bethany in Vidalia following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Sunday, October 6, at 3 …
Crime
    • SPD: 9.25.24

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported… September 13 Officer assisted with a traffic stop at Longview Road and …

    • JAIL: 9.25.24

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

    • ECSO: 9.25.24

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… September 16 Victim stated he got an alert from his camera at his hunting camp and …

    • SPD: 9.18.24

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported… September 5 Officer ran the license plate of a vehicle to find it had no …

    • JAIL: 9.18.24

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

    • ECSO: 9.18.24

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… September 8 Victim went to ECSO and stated she received a phone call from someone …

Education
Twin City Elementary holds Junior BETA Induction
The Junior BETA Club at Twin City Elementary held their 2024-2025 Junior BETA Induction on the morning of Friday, September 20. The new members were sworn in, and the new officers were inducted. The …
McArthur named to SNHU Dean's List
Maura McArthur of Twin City has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's Summer 2024 Dean's List. The summer terms run from May to August. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned …
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Local student begins classes at Georgia Southwestern State University
On Wednesday, August 14, over 550 incoming freshmen began classes at Georgia Southwestern State University, including Marcus Paul of Swainsboro. First-year students were officially welcomed to the …
SOCIAL
Social

Kiwanis installs 2024-25 officers and board

The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday night, September 17, at the Rustic Grill at 7 p.m. With President Cheryl Goodman presiding, there were 24 in attendance, including eight …

Daughtry speaks to Four Rivers

The Four Rivers Patriots Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution, held its monthly meeting Thursday night, September 19, at Chatters Restaurant in Lyons at 7 p.m. With President …

Voices United to hold annual Youth Explosion

Voices United annual Youth Explosion will be held September 29, at 3 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church. Featuring Voices United, special guests will be Gordon Grove Youth Adult Choir, The Merrell …

District Governor Griggers speaks to Twin City Lions Club

At the most recent Lions Club business meeting, held at the Lions Clubhouse, the club was honored to have District Governor, Larry Griggers, and his wife, Debbie, District Secretary visit and speak …
Features

Headin’ Home Fest coming in October

The family bluegrass music festival, Headin’ Home Fest, is returning to Swainsboro this October! Dates are October 23-27, 2024, at the Georgia Sports Arena. What better way to enjoy the crisp fall …

Hummingbirds getting ready to depart

Remember how excited we were in March to see the return of our hummingbirds? We have enjoyed them for the past six months, but now they have less than a month to stay with us. For Emanuel County, …

EMC breaks ground on Emergency Department Expansion

Emanuel Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony last Friday to mark the beginning of construction for its much-anticipated Emergency Department expansion. The event brought together a large …

A lasting impression: Meet inspiring teacher, Jordanna Williams

Mrs. Jordanna Williams was chosen as the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year and Emanuel County Teacher of the Year. Beginning her teaching career in Toombs County teaching Pre-K at Lyons Primary School, …
Faith

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 …

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church to hold VBS

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church near Garfield has planned Vacation Bible School for June 4-7 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night. Classes will include ages 0 - 19. The theme ‘Breaker Rock Beach, God's …
Opinion

Storms of November

One hundred and sixty years ago, in the fall of 1864, Union General William T. Sherman left the charred devastation of the city of Atlanta and turned his combined army of 65,000 men south with the …

A reminder that kindness is needed daily

Can we do it? You and I? Can we be kind? More importantly, can we be kind at least once a day for a whole month? I didn’t think this idea up, but I wish I had because it is a great and much needed …

School days

The passing of Labor Day brings memories of school days. Today, schools start much earlier than in my school years. Since schools were not air conditioned, the beginning of school was hoped to be …
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