Charlton County, GA

Francis “Frankie” Marion Kirton, III, 30, died Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Frankie was full of life and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golf. He left this world way too early. He was born November 6, 1990 to Susan E. Roach Kirton and Francis M. Kirton, II in Kingsland, GA. The Charlton...

With school out of session for the summer most of the local sports have come to a close for the most part. Indians and Maidens will have summer league games upcoming in various sports, while the Indians football squad will be hard at work in the weight room preparing for the season in the fall.

State EPD says no timetable for comment period; river network raises $9K in fundraiser. Environmental groups are ramping up their efforts to fight a controversial, $300 million proposal to mine property near Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp, a proposal that now has the attention of Georgia’s newly elected Democratic senators. More than...

The 2021 edition of the Charlton County football squad put on a good performance last Thursday night in their spring scrimmage against Pierce County. In the varsity portion of the scrimmage, the Tribe got a field goal from Wyatt Crews, a touchdown run by Jaylen King, and a fumble return touchdown by Jaylen Lilley to win 16-7.

Charlton County High School recently held its sports awards program. This year, all sports were recognized at one time. The following were honored. Cheerleading: Coach’s Award: Abigail Burnsed, Outstanding Leadership: Chloe Morgan and Taylor Murray, Most Spirit: T’nyla Harvey, Awesome Attitude: Nijah Abdullah, Best All Around: Marissa Green, Best Newcomer: Annalise Nelson, Most Dedicated: Brooke Spivey, Most Encouraging: Kinsley McDowell, Best Showmanship: Jordan Vernon.

The 2021 edition of the Charlton County football team wrapped up spring practice last Thursday night with a win over Pierce County in a scrimmage at Champ Bailey Field. The scrimmage was broken down with the varsity playing three - ten minute quarters and the JV of each team receiving six minutes of offense.

The best and the brightest of the Charlton County High School Class of 2021 have risen to the top and they are Jolie Pickren and Delaney Rigdon. Pickren finished at number one in her class and is being named valedictorian. She is the daughter of Mark and Audrey Pickren, of Folkston, and has one brother, Ben. Throughout her high school career, Jolie has been an active member of the FFA, a majorette in the Charlton County Band of Pride, played Alto Saxophone for the symphonic band and has been a part of the high school spring musical and one-act play. She served as a student ambassador and class officer. She was a top archer on the archery team, played tennis in the girls’ first singles, was the girl’s soloist and girls’ trio member for the literary team.

The Charlton County baseball team saw their highly successful season come to a close last Saturday in Folkston after losing twice to Metter in the GHSA State Semifinals. Earlier in the week the Tribe had travelled to Commerce and swept both games to advance. The Indians finished the season with a 30-8 record.

According to Charlton County Sheriff Robert Phillips, Jonathan Wayne Longmire, of Monroe, GA, an employee of Cooper, Barnett and Page, a subcontractor working at Chesser Island Landfill, allegedly stole an earthmover tractor Saturday, May 15 and began to make his way to Folkston. The landfill closed at noon and no Waste Management employees were on site. Numerous calls came in about erratic driving and shortly thereafter, a manager from the landfill reported the earthmover stolen by the disgruntled employee.

The Charlton County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, May 6. During the meeting, the commissioners approved the Day of Prayer proclamation. Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved the repairs on Charlton County Fire and Rescue’s Tender 50, which totaled $5,804.00. The following Enhanced 911 (E-911) resolutions were unanimously approved:...

While the Charlton County track teams didn't bring home any state titles from the GHSA State Track Meet in Albany last weekend, they did have some performances worthy of placing in the top eight to earn points for their teams. For the boys team, senior Tony Cobb finished sixth in...

It was the spring of 1991. I was gearing up to begin a new chapter in my life as I was preparing to graduate. It’s hard to believe it has been 30 years since I took that journey that many will be taking this week. To the Charlton County Class...

On April 29, 2021 at approximately 4:20 p.m., the Charlton County Sheriffs Office received a call to assist the Department of Family and Children services with a welfare check on Lakeview Drive. Upon arriving, deputies made contact with Elisha Mack Thomas, who was visiting the residence. Speaking with Thomas, deputies detected an odor commonly associated with marijuana coming from his vehicle. Further investigation resulted in marijuana and methamphetamine being located in the vehicle. Thomas was arrested and transported to the Charlton County Sheriff’s Office and released to jail staff. Elisha Thomas was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana less than one ounce and Possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Deputy Doug Popp was arresting officer.

Citizens of Charlton County gathered for the National Day of Prayer at the courthouse Thursday, May 6. At noon, Laura Finley, with the National Day of Prayer organization (and First Baptist Church of St. George) lead the first gathering offering prayers for the community, Hollywood, Educators and more. Prayers were led by members of the community. Later that evening, members of the Folkston Community Prayer Gathering group spoke to those in attendance.

On Tuesday, May 4, Georgia Future Educators Signing Day was held at Charlton County High School to recognize students who have been accepted into college and are planning to pursue a career in education. The three students recognized this year were Katelyn Murray and Emma Harris, who will both be attending ABAC to major in Agricultural Education, and Leah Boatright, who will be attending Valdosta State University to major in Music Education.

Arthur Hunt, Jr. aka HUNT, 63, of Folkston, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 3, 2021. He was born on December 14, 1957 to the late, Arthur Hunt, Sr. and Pinkey Butler-Hunt in Woodbine, GA. “Hunt”, as he was affectionately known by family and close friends, was educated in the...

The Charlton County Indians moved to the state quarterfinals last Tuesday, after sweeping a double header from Johnson County in the GHSA State Baseball Playoffs. The Tribe came from behind and won in walk off fashion in the bottom of the seventh in game one before leading from start to finish in the second game to sweep the series.

The Charlton County Board of Education met in a regular meeting on April 20 in the boardroom. Superintendent Dr. Brent Tilley stated the Fiscal year is 66.66 percent complete. So far, 21.7 percent of budget revenues have been collected. A total of 53 percent of state revenues have been collected while 44.35 percent of the total revenues have been collected. Of total expenses, 53.61 percent of budgeted expenses has been spent.

The Charlton County Maiden and Indian track teams participated in the State Sectional Meet last Saturday, in Camilla, with the top eight finishers in each event qualifying for the State Track Meet beginning on Thursday, in Albany. Taylor Knox and Lizzie Carlisle led the way for the Maidens, with Knox...