From state champions in wrestling to girls’ tennis and FFA to murder and perhaps closure of a 1985 murder cold case, Brantley County has had its share of happenings in 2024.
There were accomplishments of a lifetime and some things which changed lives and lifetimes.
Below are some of the headline stories captured by The Brantley Beacon during this past year.
January Nahunta city council sworn in January 2 NAHUNTA — A new mayor and four City of Nahunta council members were sworn into office prior to the January 2, 2024 meeting.
City clerk Angie Wirth swore in new mayor Marty Lee, Mayor Pro-Tempore Bruce Davis, new council member Andrew Altman, and longtime council members Crystal Johns and Deloise McFadden.
Lee unseated Mayor Barbara Maefield while Altman replaced longtime Councilman Richard Johns.
Suspicious package leads to drug arrests of two women NAHUNTA — Two Waynesville women are behind bars after Narcotic K9 Boyer alerted to a suspicious package possibly containing narcotics.
Jenna Nicole Sapp, 37, and Autumn Hilton, 34, both of Mineral Springs Road in Waynesville, were arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
A total of eight pounds of marijuana was located in the package along with packaging material, cash, and multiple drug-related objects.
Homeland Security notified the sheriff’s office Wednesday, January 3 of the package.
Cannon resigns as BCHS head coach to take Coosa High job CANEY BAY — The search for a 15th head football coach is underway at Brantley County High School after Geoff Cannon’s resignation.
Following six years at the helm with his first head coaching position, Cannon has accepted the head position at Coosa High School, a Class A Division I school in Rome. It’s the same level his now former program is dropping to.
His resignation was accepted during the Monday, January 8 meeting of the Brantley County BOE.
Hoboken native son aims to be top clown for pro rodeo
HOBOKEN — Colt Hartt aims to be the best in his profession and he’s not just clowning around. Or, maybe he is, but that’s his profession.
Hartt is a rodeo clown. The 41-year-old, who grew up in Hoboken and still has relatives in Brantley County, has been building his professional rodeo clown career for about 10 years now.
Hartt and his cousins learned to ride and rope in Brantley County. He began competing in junior rodeos in South Georgia and North Florida around age nine.
Williams is first Auburn player to play in 100 wins
AUBURN, Ala. — Brantley County alum and current Auburn University heartb eat Jaylin Williams made history in the Tigers’ SEC win over Texas A&M.
Williams became the first Auburn player to be a part of 100 wins in program history. The graduate senior put up a game-high 22 points, a team-high eight rebounds and three assists against the Aggies in the 66-55 victory.
Brantley man dies after RV catches fire in western Glynn Co.
A Brantley County man died in western Glynn County after the recreational vehicle he was in caught fire.
The Monday, January 15 accident, which claimed the life of Harry Winder, 73, is still under investigation, according Glynn County’s Public Information Officer for Public Safety Lawton Dodd.
Winder was traveling westerly nearing the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Ga. Highway 99. A 911 call of a vehicle on fire was received by first responders shortly after noon.
Carter, Shannon tabbed BCHS STAR Student and Teacher NAHUNTA — Brantley County High School senior Luke Carter has been named the 2024 STAR Student.
Carter tabbed Sean Shannon as his STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Teacher.
PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition honors Georgia’s highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development.
BOE accepts bid to finish roofing at Brantley Middle NAHUNTA — The Brantley County Board of Education approved replacing the north side roofing of Brantley County Middle School during a called meeting for $213,676.47.
St. Simons Island-based Charter Restoration, LLC presented the winning bid, which was accepted during the Friday, January 26 meeting.
The BOE had the nearly 30-year-old roof on the south side of the middle school replaced earlier using funds from Georgia School Boards Association.
February Brantley women ejected, injured in two-vehicle wreck WAYNESVILLE — A Brantley County woman was injured after being thrown from the vehicle she was riding in following a two-car collision Friday.
Kathy McCluskey, 75, of Waynesville, was lifeflighted to Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., after the approximately 5:30 p.m., February 2 accident at the intersection of Post Road and Hwy. 82 at the Glynn County-Brantley County line.
The collision ejected Mrs. McCluskey through the passenger window.
20 Hoboken Elem. students qualify for GaSTC event WAYCROSS — Hoboken Elementary School had 20 first-place winners during the recent Regional Okefenokee RESA Technology Competition held here on the South Georgia State College campus.
HES sent 43 students in grades third through sixth. The 20 winners advance to the Georgia Student Technology Competition (GaSTC) in May. The GaSTC is an annual, state-level competition and is the highest level of student technology competition in Georgia.
Former Hoboken councilwoman Hazel Lee dies HOBOKEN — Hazel Griffin Lee, former Hoboken councilwoman, poll officer and Department of Family and Children’s Services board member, passed away Sunday evening, February 4, 2024, at her residence in Hoboken, following a short illness. She was 90.
Mrs. Lee was known for her vibrant, bubbly and outgoing personality. She is remembered this week for her long-time service to her community.
Arrest for stolen bike leads to drug, stolen gun charges William Theodore Crawford, 19 of Nahunta, was arrested Sunday, February 11 by the Nahunta Police Department.
Crawford was charged with Possession a Stolen Gun, Possession of Stolen Property (two counts), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Schedule I controlled substances, Possession of Drug Related Objects and suspected methamphetamine.
The arrest began with the report of a stolen bicycle. NPD officers received a report February 11 of a person’s bicycle being stolen from Foundation Church in Nahunta. NPD credits the arrest as a direct result of working with the community.
Shores to lead BCHS football, Nance to direct softball team CANEY BAY — Brantley County has hired a new football coach and new softball coach with the naming of David Shores and Kayla Nance to the respective positions.
The announcements were approved during the Monday, February 12 Board of Education meeting.
Shores takes over the reigns of the football program as the 15th head coach covering 55 years.
Nance is a 2012 graduate of Brantley County High School where she led the Herons to Region 1AAA softball title. She served as an assistant coach with the Lady Herons’ softball program under Zac Anderson since 2017.
Lady Herons win first region title in hoops since 2009 LYONS — Brantley County’s Lady Herons captured their first region title since 2009 with a 43-34 victory over defending champion Tattnall County here in the Region 3-AA tournament Friday, February 16 at Toombs County High School.
The win avenged last year’s 39-33 loss in the championship game in Reidsville. The Lady Herons last victory against Tattnall County was a 3326 decision January 21, 2020. The Lady Warriors had won 24 of the last 26 encounters.
BCHS last captured the Region 2-AA tournament title in 2009 under longtime head coach Dean Horne. Assistant coach Susan Thomas took over the program in 2021-22.
Westberry, Lowe capture first state wrestling titles MACON — Brantley County High School’s Jonathon Westberry and Dallon Lowe captured their respective weight division titles here Saturday inside the Macon Coliseum in the Class 2A finals.
The titles captured February 17 by Westberry (126 pounds) and Lowe (132) are the first in program history. The pair had joined Robert Spradley (2011), Cole Lewis (2015) and Eddie Singletary (2019) in reaching their respective weight class semifinals.
Two nationalists are arrested in large drug bust
ATKINSON Community — Two foreign male nationalists were arrested Friday during a sting operation of the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office and GBI netting approximately 4,500 marijuana plants.
The marijuana confiscated had an estimated street value of $8.8 million.
The two were arrested February 23 at a residence located at 2804 Hwy. 110 East near Elbert Wilson Road and Plantation Circle in eastern Brantley County after the execution of a search warrant.
Justice shows ‘Supreme’, again, at Market, Cattle show CANEY BAY — Brantley County High School senior Ashland Justice reigned “Supreme” for the second straight year here Monday night, February 26 at the annual Brantley County 4-H/FFA Market Hog and Cattle Show.
Justice placed first in the five-person Heavyweight Gilt division, sponsored by Andy Harris Company, winning Grand Champion. She placed third in the four-person Heavyweight Barrows division, sponsored by Georgia Bio Energy, en route to winning Supreme Champion.
Justice finished first in the five-person Senior Showmanship earning the belt buckle sponsored by Southeastern Bank.
Man sentenced to 32 years for deadly wreck killing two NAHUNTA — Inside the Brantley County Courthouse, sentencing was handed out by Judge Andrew C. Spivey.
The action given by the court Thursday, February 29 followed a heartwrench-ing and emotional day for the families involved.
Orlin Javier-Nunez of Wausau, Wis., was sentenced to 32 years for the deaths of 15-year-old Ella Knight and her grandmother, 66-year-old Debra McCarthy.
Javier-Nunez was sentenced on five counts — a fine given for a sixth. He received 15 years for Count I — Homicide by Vehicle in the first degree and 15 years for Count II — Homicide by Vehicle in the first degree. The two will be served consecutively.
Count III — Driving Under the Influence (DUI) was merged with Count I. Count IV — Driving without a License, Javier-Nunez was given 12 months. Count V — Failure to Maintain Lane was merged with Count IV with a 12-month sentence. Both of the 12-month sentences will be served consecutively.
A $200 fine was given for County VI — Possession of Open Alcohol Container in Vehicle.
Brantley woman charged with vehicular homicide BRUNSWICK — A Waynesville woman was booked in Glynn County Detention Center Thursday on vehicular homicide charges for her alleged role in a Thanksgiving Day utility vehicle crash which killed another woman.
Sharon Strickland, 50, was booked February 29 on charges of Homicide by Vehicle in the first degree, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving with an Open Container and two counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle, Glynn County jail records show.
Arrest warrants say Strickland was driving the UTV with a blood alcohol level of .122. Strickland is accused of being responsible for the death of Katlyn Shannon, 25, of Waynesville.
March Wanted Hortense man captured by FBI in Mexico HERMOSILLO, SONORA, Mexico — A Hortense man, who appeared on episode of America’s Most Wanted as a suspect in “Operation Ghost Busted” has been captured in Mexico.
FBI Atlanta special agents worked with FBI Phoenix special agents and law enforcem ent partners in Mexico to capture 42-yearold David D. Young, also known as “Khaos,” according to FBI Atlanta. He was the last subject in the 76 charged in the case to be arrested.
According to officials, Young was captured Saturday, March 9 in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and was brought back to the United States.
LULATON — Family and friends were brought together here Saturday, March 9 after a confirmed EF-2 tornado touched down.
The tornado’s estimated peak wind tracked at 130 mph, according to the agency.
The NWS said the tornado occurred for approximately 2.5-3 miles, with a path length of 4.72 miles, and a width of 400 yards, causing “extensive damage to mobile homes with evidence of homes being flattened and wrapped around trees.”
BOE unveils plans for athletics and performing arts Brantley County High School is on the brink of a transformative milestone with the construction of a cutting-edge facility set to revolutionize the school’s athletic and performing arts programs.
The new building – slated to house a gymnasium with concessions, a weight training room, P.E. and sports locker rooms, a band room, a chorus room, and a separate sports facility near the tennis courts – marks a significant investment in the school system’s commitment to providing students with top-notch resources for physical fitness and creative expression.
Construction slated to begin in September 2024.
Williams helps lead Auburn to third-ever SEC tourney title NASHVILLE — Jaylin Williams knew 12thranked Auburn had to keep Florida’s guards under control.
It was that defensive effort that lifted the Tigers (27-7) to their first SEC tournament title since 2019 and just third overall in beating Florida 85-67 Sunday afternoon, March 17 in the SEC tournament championship game.
The Tigers dominated Florida winning their 26th game by double digits. The lone victory by less than 10 points came Saturday when Auburn held off Mississippi State 73-66 in the semifinals.
OREMC announces base rate increase of 3.11 percent NAHUNTA — Okefenoke REMC has announced a base rate increase effective April 1.
While the co-op issued wholesale power cost adjustments (increases in 2022 and a decrease in 2023), this will be the first base rate increase in over three years. As a result, residential rates will increase by 3.11 percent resulting in a $5-$6 increase on members’ monthly electric bills, depending on usage.
Materials and labor costs are the leading drivers of OREMC’s cost increases, followed by system growth and improvements, and cost of power.
April Buddy Carter helps City of Nahunta to receive $5.4 in funds NAHUNTA — The City of Nahunta will be receiving $5.4 million in federal funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) procured the funding for current wastewater treatment system which was only designed to be used through the year 2000.
“I started working on this with Buddy Carter’s office back in March 2023,” City Manager Tom Wirth said Monday, April 1 as he announced the funding. “I applied for additional funding for our wastewater plant. He (Carter) took that up to Washington and got it approved for $5.4 million extra dollars allocated to the city.
GDOT changes Hickox intersection to four-way stop HICKOX — An intersection that has seen plenty of wrecks, including several ending in tragedy, has been changed to a four-way stop.
The Georgia Department of Transportation made the Riverside Drive’s east-west intersection with Hwy. 301’s north-south traffic, approximately three miles south of the City of Nahunta, a four-way stop Tuesday, April 2.
The implementation has flashing a red beacon in all directions; installation of stop signs, advance warning stop ahead signage, and stop bars; and installation of “All Way” plate on the bottom of stop signs.
Chief Todd informs council drug K-9 being donated to NPD NAHUNTA — The City of Nahunta Police Department will soon have a drug K-9 joining the force.
Chief Todd informed the council Monday, April 1 of someone willing to donate a drug K-9 (Belgian Malawa) to the department.
“We have the opportunity to have a drug K-9,” the chief said. “He’s already a certified drug dog. The guy I have been talking with is willing to donate it to the department. We’re not going to have a patrol dog. A patrol dog catches people when they run and we’re not doing that. We’re just going to do narcotics.”
BCHS FFA Ag Ed’s Gill gains induction to Ga. Ag Ed HoF Long-time Brantley County High School FFA Agriculture Education teacher Richard Gill is being honored with his induction into the Georgia Agriculture Education Hall of Fame.
“This is really a big deal and a career accomplishment,” said Gill of the honor.
The event, sponsored by the Georgia FFA Alumni Association, is scheduled for Friday, April 26 at the FFA Center near Covington.
Williams signs with sports agency One Motive Sports JONESBORO, Ark. — Former Brantley County High School and now former Auburn University basketball standout Jaylin Williams has signed with the sports agency One Motive Sports.
It is a FIBA and NBA licensed sports agency helping athletes pursue dreams of playing professional basketball around the world.
Williams, a 6-foot-8 combo player, leaves Auburn with the most games played (141; 92 starts) in program history and victories (100+). He helped lead the Tigers to the SEC championship in March.
BCHS’s CTAE graduation rate tops state average Brantley County graduation rate for students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) tops the state average.
BCHS had a 98.2 percent graduation rate for students involved in CTAE with one or more CTAE pathways. There were 164 2022 seniors who graduated with one or more CTAE pathways.
The state average was 97.12%.
The 2023 graduating class bettered the mark with a perfect 100% mark with 130 seniors graduated with one or more CTAE pathways.
Doctor with local ties found murdered at Wayne Co. home HORTENSE — Law enforcement officers are still looking for answers in the murder/suicide of Dr. Marsha Certain.
Dr. Certain, MD, was found murdered Thursday, April 18 in her home on Buffalo Road, in eastern Wayne County on the Glynn County line.
Certain was a cardiologist who specialized in interventional cardiology at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Cardiology in Brunswick and the St. Marys area.
Three WVFD members in custody facing theft charges WAYNESVILLE — Three members of the Waynesville Volunteer Fire Department have been arrested and face charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and Theft of Government Funds.
Taken into custody Friday, April 26 were Charlie Lawrence Flowers and Stephanie Carol Flowers of Sloan Hill Road in Hortense, and Matthew Cory Howe of Mineral Springs Road in Waynesville.
Florida man receives 30 years in case of body found in Hickox JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville, Fla., man, who placed a body wrapped in plastic in Brantley County in November 2022, was sentenced to 30 years for the crime.
Timothy Peeples, 45, was charged with Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in the October 31, 2022 death of John Edward Moss, 47, of Jacksonville, Fla.
The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office received a call Wednesday, November 10 about “something suspicious” under the bridge on White Ford Road about three miles from Hickox. Deputies responded to the location where the naked body wrapped in plastic and yellow tape was located.
May Six individuals arrested by NPD in city-wide drug sweep NAHUNTA — Six people were arrested Thursday during early morning raids at four locations by the Nahunta Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit.
“This was best team effort I’ve seen in my 33 years,” said Nahunta Police Chief Brad Todd of the May 2 effort.
Taken into custody on various drug charges were Jerry Lee Cooper, 64; Tommy Lee Forth, 72; Tova Riley, 40; Nick Benedetto, 34; Ceegee Strickland, age unknown; and Connese Medlock, 59.
Lady Herons rally to win first-ever state tennis title ROME — Brantley County’s Lady Heron tennis team made history here Saturday capturing the program’s first-ever state championship.
The title was captured May 11 at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College with many supporters watching from the stands following the game-winning point in the third set of the No. 1 doubles match.
The Region 3 champions rallied from a 2-0 deficit against defending Class AA champion Jeff Davis to win 3-2 securing the athletic departments first state championship trophy.
“We had a pretty good group of seniors and juniors who put in a lot of work in the offseason and this is where it paid off,” said head coach Patrick Stieve.
BCHS Senior FFA Forestry team crowned state champ SWAINSBORO — Brantley County High School’s Senior FFA Forestry captured a state title here at the State Forestry Field Day hosted by Swainsboro High School.
The event was sponsored by the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Mill Creek Foundation. It was held at the held at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Recreation Department.
The Senior team consisted of Keaton Williams, Shawn Hand, Haley Dryden, Sage Dixon, Kalynne McKee, Camille Anderson, Ethan Roberson, Maggie Devine, Saybree Niece, Ben Carter, Tristan Foltzer and Kalynne McKee.
Carter, Smith to lead 200 classmates at BCHS graduation CANEY BAY — Brantley County High School seniors Kyler Luke Carter and John Bennett Smith II will lead the Brantley County High School Class of 2024 graduating class as Valedictorian and Salutatorian during the Friday, May 24 ceremony.
Graduation will be held on the field at Herons Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m. There are 61 Honor graduates and 200 total who receive their diplomas.
Early morning fire damages The Local, other businesses NAHUNTA – A early morning fire Monday at The Local is under investigation.
Nahunta Fire and Rescue, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office are checking into the cause of the May 20 fire at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Brantley County 911 received a call reporting a fire at the restaurant, located at 13299 West Cleveland Street just west of downtown Nahunta.
Emergency crews were immediately dispatched. Brantley County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived shortly after the call was dispatched and reported heavy smoke inside with flames coming from a vent on the roof.
Native son helping with Wet Gap Crossing in Poland DRAWSKO COMBAT TRAINING CENTER, Poland — Brantley County native Sgt. Fred Dylan Hatcher was called to execute a Wet Gap Crossing in support of Immediate Response 24.
Sgt. Hatcher, a bridge crew member with the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, was deployed to the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland Saturday, May 11, 2024.
As a bridge crew member, Hatcher’s unit builds and maintains rafts which are utilized as floating bridge segments and can ferry troops and equipment over water obstacles using M30 Bridge Erection Boats.
Runoff needed to decide Probate Court Judge seat Brantley County voters will head to the polls one more time in June to decide a winner in the race for Probate Court Judge.
Incumbent Cassie Lee will face off with Jonathan McMillan, the Hoboken Police Chief, after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes during the Tuesday, May 21 General Primary.
County Commission Chairman Skipper Harris fended off the challenge of Chris Allen by a 1,065 (53%) to 955 (47%) vote.
Board of Education Post 1 incumbent Teresa Lairsey turned back former board member Brenda Sue Johns 1,314 (58%) to 940 (42%). BOE Post 5 incumbent Mike Kersey defeated John “JD” Thompson 1,594 (74%) to 564 (26%).
All other races were unopposed.
Satilla Bluffs moving forward in re-zoning to Ag Residential NAHUNTA — Brantley County Commissioners moved forward in having property in the Satilla Bluffs subdivision rezoned to Agriculture Residential during a called meeting Thursday.
The approval, on a motion by Commissioner Randy Davison and a second by Andy Riggins passing unanimously, was given to the Brantley County Planning Commission, which met following the public hearing and called meeting May 23.
County Manager Joey Cason said he told commissioners during the public hearing the Brantley County Planning Commission had been extensively reviewing the changing of the zone.
Solar panel site seeks change to Land Use Ordinance NAHUNTA — The Brantley County Planning Commission is being tasked with amending or creating a Land Use Ordinance for the purpose of solar panels.
The request came from County Manager Joey Cason during a Thursday, May 23 meeting of the Planning Commission. Currently, the Land Use Ordinance does not have a listing for solar panels in the table of approved uses.
The request centers around the possible location of an approximate $445 million project covering a near 8,000-acre solar panel site split along the Brantley County/Wayne County line north of Hwy. 32 between Hortense and Browntown with 2,500 acres in Brantley County.
BCHS Class of 2024 recognized in front of packed stadium CANEY BAY — The 2024 Herons have taken flight.
Brantley County High School’s graduation ceremony was held on a warm, but not yet oppressively hot evening Friday, May 24.
Underneath the watchful eyes of packed bleachers and many more spectators watching from behind the encircling fence around the Heron Stadium football field, a solemn procession of 200 caps and gowns took their places upon the football field for their final moments as high school students.
The DeWitt Moody Scholarship recipient was Sam Wyatt Blount. The William Roberson Scholarship recipient was Isabela Marshall.
BCHS alum Stieve named as new athletic director CANEY BAY — A Brantley County alum with ties to the athletic program’s first-ever football playoff team and the tennis team’s first-ever “Final Four” squad will now be in charge of all athletics.
Max Stieve, a 2010 BCHS graduate, was named athletic director by the Brantley County Board of Education during a called meeting Thursday, May 30. Stieve assumes the position left void with Geoff Cannon’s departure in January to become Coosa’s head coach in football.
He was a member of the Herons’ first-ever football playoff team in 2006 under head coach Sean Pender. Stieve was on BCHS’s first-ever “Final Four” team in 2008 under head coach Matt Thrift.
BCREA receives second straight Unit of Distinction honor ATHENS — The Brantley County Retired Educators Association captured numerous awards, including a second consecutive Unit of Distinction Award, here at the Georgia Retired Educators Association convention.
BCREA president Dr. Tim Sawyer and Ruby Ann Sawyer represented the local chapter at the GREA event.
“We’re proud of our accomplishments in 202324, and are looking forward to even bigger and better things in 202425,” said Dr. Sawyer. “The BCREA is definitely heading in the right direction.
June County grants BOE request for $9.255m bond issue for project NAHUNTA — Brantley County commissioners gave their approval for the Board of Education to issue a 30-year bond obligation during a called meeting Wednesday.
Commissioners were presented the request by BOE Attorney Adam Ferrell during the June 4 work session where votes are not taken. A called meeting was scheduled for June 5 to respond, a day before a Board of Education’s called meeting to move on the matter.
The bond issue is for $9,225,000 and is for the upcoming construction project (gym, athletic facilities upgrades) at Brantley County High School. The Board of Education says the 30-year bond obligation will be repaid in eight years.
The purpose of a bond issue is to borrow money to finance major capital projects.
Four foot juvenile gator spotted at Kidz Kountry Daycare WAYNESVILLE — An unexpected intruder visited Kidz Kountry Daycare here along Hwy. 82 in eastern Brantley County.
A four-foot juvenile alligator apparently scaled the fence of the daycare’s playground during the night. According to research, gators can climb fences with video evidence to back the claim.
Josh Burdge and his brother-in-law, Kirby Wade, both from Arcade in Jackson County in north Georgia, happened to be vacationing with their families nearby and helped with the capture.
McMillan humbled by support in runoff for Probate Judge HOBOKEN — Brantley County’s new Probate Court Judge Jonathan McMillan is humbled by the support he received during the May General Primary and the subsequent runoff.
McMillan, who has worked with the City of Hoboken Police Department for 14 years and served as Chief of Police for approximately 12 years, unseated incumbent Probate Court Judge Cassie Lee in the June 18 runoff garnering 64.3 percent of the votes.
McMillan totaled 942 of the 1,464 votes cast with Lee receiving 522 votes (35.7%) during the oneweek early voting period and Election Day.
BCHS alum Williams signs 10-day deal with champ Nuggets DENVER — It is official. Brantley County High School alum Jaylin Williams has the opportunity to earn a job in the National Basketball Association after signing a free agent contract.
The opportunity came Thursday, June 27 following the two-day 2024 draft when the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets signed the former Auburn Tiger to an “exhibit 10” contract with a bonus of up to $50,000.
While not drafted, he joins the late Layton Johns as the only basketball players from Nahunta to participate in the NBA. Johns was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1963 NBA Draft in the fourth round, 35th overall.
OREMC golf tourney makes $23k donation to SE Cancer Unit NAHUNTA — OREMC made its second donation to Southeast Cancer Unit, Inc., in a six-month time frame benefitting cancer patients undergoing treatment in Brantley, Pierce and Ware counties with medical and travel expenses related to their care.
Following a recordbreaking $25,000 gift near the end of 2023 from its golf tournament, OREMC made a $23,000 contribution from monies raised during the April 2024 event held at The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker State Park.
Linda Henderson, coordinator of the Brantley Branch of the Southeast Cancer Unit, Inc., accepted the check expressing a great deal of heartfelt emotion.
July High-speed chase of motorcycle ends with deadly crash NAHUNTA — A motorcycle rider involved in a high-speed chase with Georgia State Patrol troopers in Brantley County died after hitting another vehicle, losing control and crashing in front of the Nahunta Post Office.
The Georgia State Patrol confirmed a blue Kawasaki motorcycle was speeding northbound Wednesday morning, July 3 before troopers attempted to pull Mark Johns, 45 of Brunswick, over.
After blowing through a red signal light at the intersection of GA 23 and GA 520, the bike clipped another vehicle’s side mirror while attempting to pass. The rider lost control, left the road, and collided with a tree near Burton Street just off Main Street.
The Georgia State Patrol reported the unnamed driver of the motorcycle died at the scene.
Nahunta city council adopts FY25 budget of $2.357 million NAHUNTA — The City of Nahunta governing body adopted the proposed FY25 $2,357,111 budget during its July monthly meeting Monday night.
The July 1 passage followed two public budget hearings (10 a.m., 6:30 p.m.) Friday, June 28 with no residents attending either session.
The $2,357,111 budget is $368,416 more than the $1,942,342 of FY23-24.
Hoboken man charged after being linked to viral video WAYCROSS — A Hoboken man has been arrested and charged with Public Indecency for acts appearing on a video gone viral recorded in April at a Waycross restaurant.
Joe Kristopher Boyett, 35, of Hoboken, turned himself in to Waycross pol ice Monday, July 8. The woman seen in the video involving lewd acts, Mary Renee Sweat, 29, of Waycross, turned herself in Tuesday, July 9.
Both were booked into the Ware County Jail on the charges and later released after posting bond, according to Ware County Jail records.
Hopkins named new Brantley County EMA director NAHUNTA — Brantley County has a new Emergency Services Coordinator/ EMA Director with the recent hiring of Beth Hopkins.
She was introduced by County Manager Joey Cason during the Tuesday, July 9 work session of the Brantley County Commission.
“She’s hit the ground running and it has been running full throttle since she got here,” Cason told commissioners. “She’s doing a great job having to overcome various obstacles as far as trying to coordinate all the different fire departments and bringing them all together, and working towards having consolidated purchasing and those types of things.
NPD makes arrest of Spalding Co. man in car theft NAHUNTA — A car stolen out of Spalding County in northwest Georgia was recovered by the Nahunta Police Department in the early morning hours Monday.
Joseph William Buchannan, 33, of Griffin, Ga., reportedly took the car from a Dunkin’ Donuts in Spalding County.
Officer Larry Champion received information in reference to a stolen vehicle being parked on Ervin Street at Apricot Street at approximately 12:58 a.m., July 15.
Buchannan was taken into custody without incident.
Nahunta man faces possession charges, gun charges after stop NAHUNTA — A Nahunta man was arrested Wednesday, July 17 following a traffic stop after being found in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and two firearms — a 9mm handgun and a 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire rifle.
Jack Ryan Johnson, 30, was placed under arrest without incident and charged with Speeding, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime.
Brantley teen dies from injuries after falling from vehicle NAHUNTA — The Brantley County community is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Talan Tanner.
Tanner succumbed to injuries Wednesday, July 31 suffered when he fell from a vehicle and was run over Sunday, July 28.
Tanner was life-flighted to UF Health in Jacksonville, Fla., following the early night accident on Paloma Street in northern Nahunta and placed on life support.
August ‘Debby’ drops huge amount of rain as it passes through Cleanup from this week’s storm has moved from response to recovery, as the heavy rains and flooding brought by Tropical Depression Debby continue moving toward the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states.
Tropical storm force winds appeared only in gusts, measuring 44 mph at 10:35 a.m. and 43 mph at 9:35 p.m. Monday. The top gust was part of the highest maximum sustained winds of 31 mph also registered at 10:35 a.m.
NPD, BCSO help in stopping high-speed chase from Jesup NAHUNTA — The Nahunta Police Department and Brantley County Sheriff’s Office helped in making a stop on a vehicle running from the Jesup Police Department.
Jesup Police requested assistance Tuesday, August 20 while in a 100plus mile per hour pursuit of three suspects inside the vehicle.
The Nahunta CSU unit deployed stop sticks on Hwy. 301 bringing the high-speed chase to an end.
Arrest made in death of 16-year-old BCHS student WAYCROSS — A 17--year-old has been arrested and charged in the murder of a 16-year-old, according to Brantley County Sheriff Len Davis.
Cody Oglesby, a junior at Brantley County High School, died Thursday afternoon, August 29 from his gunshot wound. Trenton Bennett, 17, was arrested and charged in Oglesby’s death.
The shooting took place in western Brantley County near Waycross off Central Avenue on Dee Gee Trail.
September Schools locked down after viral threat of possible shooting Brantley County joined the list of school systems in Georgia to receive threats of a possible shooting which circulated on social media Thursday, September 5.
Personnel from the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office joined Brantley County School Resource Officers to provide additional security for schools held under lockdown Friday, September 6.
Hortense woman attacked, injured by ‘pack’ of dogs HORTENSE — A 59year-old female suffered injuries while allegedly being attacked by a “pack” of dogs on Armadillo Run in the Hortense area.
Elizabeth Mayer, who lives on Armadillo Run, was walking back to her residence from her mother’s next door residence when the incident took place at approximately 5:30 p.m., Monday, September 9, according to the report of Brantley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Richard Troup.
Ware County student charged in case of social media threat WAYCROSS — A Ware County teenager has been charged with Terroristic Threats and Acts related to an alleged social media post earlier this month targeting three Brantley County schools, the Ware County Sheriff’s Office said Monday in a news release.
The 15-year-old male was taken into custody Wednesday, September 11 by WCSO detectives and deputies at his residence in the Jamestown area without incident. He was remanded into the custody of an area Regional Youth Detention Center where he remained Monday, September 16.
Brantley County placed the schools on lockdown Friday after the post surfaced.
Morgan photo wins Ga. Council of Arts photography contest Local photographer Wayne Morgan’s “Great Blue Heron” picture captured the Georgia Council for the Arts Contest sponsored by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
It’s the third time Morgan has won following selections in 2015 with his “Providence Canyon” entry and 2017 with his “Satilla River” photo.
He traveled to Atlanta for pictures with then Governor Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra, with the pictures exhibited inside the Capitol building for a year.
Morgan will head to Atlanta after the first of the year to have his picture taken with Governor Brian Kemp and his wife, Marty. The “Great Blue Heron” will be on display from January 2025 through December 2026.
NPD makes arrest of two Federal agents at Burger King NAHUNTA — Two Department of Homeland Security special agents were arrested and charged by officers with the Nahunta Police Department following a incident here at Burger King.
Based on physical, testimonial and video evidence of the Friday, September 13 incident, agents Antonio Lee Whaley, 38, of Port Wentworth, Ga., and Hillary Audra Nielson, 34, of Savannah were taken into custody and charged with Simple Battery and Criminal Trespass.
Both were transported to the Brantley County Jail for booking procedures.
Bishop crowned Homecoming queen, Herons beat JDHS CANEY BAY — Miss Kelsie Bishop was crowned 2024 Homecoming Queen during Brantley County High School’s game against eighthranked Region 1-A foe Jeff Davis Friday night, September 20.
The Homecoming court consisted of seniors Braiden Gilbert, Chloe Carroll, Ansley Turner, Brooklyn Wildes and Shaylee Young. Representing the Junior class were Julie Carter and Abbie Lee. Representing the Sophomore class were Kierra Langford and Ashley Zambrano and representing the Freshman class were Brodie Allen and Caiden Jones.
BCHS handed the previously unbeaten Yellow Jackets a 28-21 loss.
Brantley County teen enters guilty plea in 2022 death case BRUNSWICK — A Waynesville teenager accused of throwing a punch resulting in the death of a popular local musician in 2022 pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter.
Edward Aaron Hunter III, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty September 20 to felony Involuntary Manslaughter for punching 41-year-old Travis Payne April 17, 2022, while both were at a 50th birthday party at I-95 Toyota for the dealership’s owner, Travis Ostrum.
Payne, a Glynn County native, fell and hit his head and died later at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
Power outages were biggest impact of Hurricane Helene Brantley Countians are slowly getting back to normality since Friday’s early morning strong winds associated with Hurricane Helene hurridly passed through.
Left in the wake were downed trees, many taking out power lines leaving residents without electricity.
“We did not get the damage like Ware County and Pierce County,” said Sheriff Len Davis. “It could have been a lot worse.”
Just over 99 percent (99.35) of the meters in the county were without power from either Okefenoke Rural Electric Membership Corporation (OREMC) or through Georgia Power.
Concerned citizens of proposed landfill meet to plan fight WAYNESVILLE — Concerned citizens converged at Waynesville Primary School to discuss fighting back against the proposed landfill in their community.
Despite the overwhelming and devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, roughly 50 people or more turned out for the Monday, September 30 meeting. Some were still without power.
Head spokesman Stephen Smith said his goal is to get people organized in various ways to help combat the landfill from taking place.
October Hortense residents fighting to save their Post Office HORTENSE — Residents in the northern part of Brantley County are terribly upset.
The possible closure of their beloved little Post Office sitting along Hwy. 32 is the cause. They have called in U.S. Representative “Buddy” Carter for help.
Rep. Carter (R) met with 15-20 concerned residents Wednesday morning, October 9 at the Hortense Post Office for approximately 45 minutes.
The Post Office was bare following the removal of items exactly seven days earlier (October 2) and taken to the Hoboken Post Office.
CNN finds Trump supporters plentiful in Brantley County “We’ve had some negative reactions from outside Brantley County.”
Brantley County Republican Party leader Ronald Ham has received feedback after CNN visited and broadcast the report of Elle Reeve across the world.
Ham said CNN reached out to him after seeing Brantley County was a (Donald) Trump supporter with more than 90 percent of the county voting for former president in the 2020 election.
“We had the highest percentage of Trump support of any of the swing states,” said Ham.
Dr. Morgan one of four finalist for Superintendent of Yr.
Brantley County Superintendent Dr. Kim Morgan is among four finalist for the 2025 Superintendent of the Year honor.
The Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) annually recognizes a Georgia school system superintendent as the state’s Superintendent of the Year.
“This is a tremendous honor to be amongst the very best professionals who answer the call to serve in the K-12 Public School Superintendency,” a press release stated. “A most challenging and honorable career.”
Beverly, Breeden receive highest honor recognized by FFA INDIANAPOLIS — Two Brantley County High School FFA Chapter members received American FFA Degrees here inside in Lucas Oil Stadium during the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo.
Heidi Breeden and Leanna Beverly were two of 179 representatives from Georgia to receive the highest honor a FFA member is awarded.
The 95th National FFA Convention & Expo began Wednesday, October 26, 2022 and ran through Saturday, October 29, 2022.
High-speed chase ends with the arrest of Nahunta man NAHUNTA — What began as a routine traffic stop became a high speed chase through the city of Nahunta, ending with an arrest of a Nahunta man.
Tyler Andy Johns, 51, of Nahunta was charged with Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, Possession of Marijuana, Reckless Driving, Interference with Government Property, Brake Light/Turn Signal Violation, No Proof of Insurance and Affixing a License Plate with the Intent to Conceal the Identity of the Vehicle.
The Wednesday, October 30 incident began at approximately 7:30 p.m., when Nahunta City police officers observed a white Chevrolet Silverado on Morgan Street with a brake light violation.
Brantley County schools recognized by GADOE for 2024 Brantley County Schools have once again been recognized for growth and achievement through GADOE’s new Literacy Leaders and Math Leaders awards for 2024.
These awards are based on state Milestone Assessments. Georgia’s Superintendent of Schools, Richard Wood, praised the hard work and dedication of Brantley County’s educators while giving out a banner to school administrators and teachers at a recent celebration.
November City of Hoboken announces trash rates to increase
HOBOKEN — Hoboken residents will see a 5.1 percent increase in the garbage rate beginning January 2025.
The announcement came during the Tuesday, November 5 meeting of the Hoboken City Council.
Republic, who has the contract with the City of Hoboken, raised its rates $5 in 2024 from $12 to $17. This increase will add about 60 cents a customers.
Groundbreaking ceremony held for new BCHS facilities CANEY BAY — CANEY BAY — Superintendent Dr. Kim Morgan, along with Brantley County Board of Education members, officially broke ground Thursday, November 7 for the new expansion project at Brantley County High School.
“We are thrilled to begin this major project, which will provide our students and staff with the best possible facilities to grow, learn and succeed,” said Dr. Morgan. “These new spaces will enhance our academic school program during the school day for over 450 students daily as well as our athletic programs, foster school spirit, and bring our community together in new ways.
“We are committed to ensuring that our students have access to the resources they need to excel both in the classroom and on the field.”
Go-ahead given for design of new office building on Hwy. 301 The Brantley County Commissioners approved two new items in addition to the regular agenda at Thursday night’s November 11 meeting.
Commissioners approved beginning the design and building process of new offices for the Tax Commissioner, Tax Assessor, Planning Commission and 911.
The Commissioners approved to have Allstate Construction be in charge of the process. Funding will be paid with Capital Projects Funds 2025 SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and future tax collections from Chemours. It will be on county land on Hwy. 301.
Brantley Countians back CNN report of Trump support Brantley Countians came out in droves during the General Election to show their support for Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
Brantley County proved its Trump support reported by CNN was correct, leading the state with 91.1 percent showing. Echols County was just slightly behind with the new president garnering 90.9% of the votes.
Registered voters cast a record 8,520 ballots for a 73 percent turnout of the 11,677 who could vote with only 3,157 not participating.
Nahunta officer strikes two vehicles answering call A Nahunta police officer was involved in a wreck Tuesday afternoon involving two other vehicles while responding to a call.
Officer Larry Champion struck one vehicle and then collided with another November 19 at 3:08 p.m., according to a press release from Police Chief Brad Todd.
Champion was responding to a call to back up another officer in reference to a possible burglary. While en route down Main Street, a vehicle on Brantley Street (side street behind the Brantley County Courthouse) and the NPD unit collided in front of The Brantley Beacon and Satilla Smiles dentist office.
Republic trash truck driver injured in wreck with CSX train SCHLATTERVILLE — A Republic trash service truck heading south on Joyce Road across from the entrance to Laura Walker State Park on Hwy. 82 crossed paths with a eastbound CSX train Friday morning.
The November 29 accident at approximately 11:30 a.m., halted railway traffic as Georgia State Patrol, Brantley County deputies and CSX officials worked the scene.
According to recently released report of Georgia State Patrol Trooper Chris Rigby, Latieha Williams, 45 of Waycross, was taken by Brantley County EMS to Memorial Satilla Health System in Waycross following the 11:30 a.m. collision.
December BCSO aids Glynn Co. Police Department in 2-county chase BRUNSWICK — A Glynn County man was arrested in eastern Brantley County following a twocounty chase Thursday involving both the Glynn County Police Department and Brantley County Sheriff’s Office.
Kenneth Vonhollen, 46, faces multiple charges following the December 5 chase that began on Norwich Street in Brunswick and its ending at a Brantley County address on Hwy. 32.
GBI makes arrest of Waynesville man for 1985 murders WAYNESVILLE — A Brantley County man has been arrested and charged with two counts of Murder and two counts of Aggravated Assault in the 1985 deaths of Harold and Thelma Swain of Camden County.
Erik Kristensen Sparre, 61 of Waynesville, was taken into custody Monday, December 9 by the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) without incident for the murders of the Swains back on March 11, 1985. He was booked into the Camden County Jail.
The Swains were shot to death while at the Rising Daughter Baptist Church in Woodbine.
County awaiting Supreme Court ruling for permits NAHUNTA — Brantley County commissioners are patiently awaiting to hear on their request to the State Supreme Court and Chief Justice Mike Boggs.
Brantley County’s team of attorneys in the lawsuit against Brantley County Development Partners, LLC to stop a landfill in Waynesville filed papers with the State Supreme Court to hear a request to stop a permitting process.
The parcel is bisected by U.S. Highway 82/State Highway 520 East, and was previously owned by Magnolia Land Holdings, LLC, before it was foreclosed upon.
New HB 581 for homesteading complex, confusing NAHUNTA — “This is going to cause a lot of confusion.”
Brantley County Tax Commissioner Pat Tompkins said there is a lot of information about House Bill 581, but “it’s a complex bill that needs to be cleaned up.”
Tompkins was speaking to city officials from Hoboken and Nahunta, Brantley County officials and to Board of Education members Thursday (December 19) afternoon in a roundtable discussion inside the Brantley County Board of Education conference room about the state’s recent homestead exemption proposal.
EF-2 tornado touches down in eastern Brantley County
