Pastor Anthony Mark Cardwell, 62, of Waycross, passed away early Wednesday morning, April 1, 2026, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, following an extended illness.
Born September 28, 1963, in Wetumpka, Alabama, he was a son of the Harold Triplet Cardwell Sr. and Betty Joyce Gantt Hilyer. He graduated from Paxton High School in Jacksonville, FL, and went to a technical college to obtain his certification as a diesel mechanic.
He moved to the South Georgia area in the late 1980s and was an owner and operator of A&M Tire Service in Blackshear and then as a mechanic for True Value. He then went to work for the Cannington Agency selling life insurance for Liberty National but was currently a sales representative for NAPA Auto Parts in Waycross.
He served as a Baptist pastor for over 20 years pastoring Victory Baptist Church in Blackshear, Hebardville Baptist Church in Waycross and was the current pastor of Astoria Baptist Church in Waycross.
He was preceded in death by his step-father, Coley Hilyer and a brother, Bob Hilyer.
Survivors include his wife, Anne Marchman Cardwell, Waycross; five children, Joshua Bryant (wife Haley), Blackshear, Chris Cardwell (wife Sarah), Jacksonville, FL, Josh Cardwell (wife Holly), Deltona, FL, Lisa Drury (husband Troy) of Maine and Becci Pippin (husband Butch), Claxton, GA; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his mother, Betty Joyce Hilyer, Sylacauga, AL; father, Harold Cardwell (wife Ann), Blackshear; six siblings, Marty Cardwell (wife Peggy), Blackshear, Mike Cardwel, Rockford, AL, Matt Cardwell (wife Sherry, Crossville, TN, Tanya Arnold, Blackshear, Tripper Cardwell (wife Brandy), Waycross and Alisha Gravette (husband Jason), Sylacauga, AL and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 3, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, from the Astoria Baptist Church.
Entombment will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Ware County.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Astoria Baptist Church, 1501 Astoria Road, Waycross, GA 31503.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

Aggressive Crime Enforcement (ACE) Unit Deputy Hunter Griffin responded to a residence in Pierce County Friday, February 20. After further investigation and obtaining evidence, Crews was arrested in connection to the case.

• Thomas Warren Gage Pippin, 23, was arrested Thursday, March 19, and charged with felony - aggrav ated stalking.

ACE Unit Deputy Justin Cambre responded to a business in Pierce County Tuesday, March 3. After further investigation and obtaining evidence, Pippin was arrested.

• Anthony Rashard Taylor, 39, was arrested Friday, March 20, and charged with misdemeanor - trading with inmates.

ACE Unit Investigator Wayne Mercer, Sgt. Greg Nettles and Invest igator Bryce Edwards responded to the Pierce County Jail. An investigation led to Taylor’s arrest.

• Gerome Frank Eason, 53, was arrested Sunday, March 22, and charged with felony - possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor marijuana possession less than 1oz and possession and use of drug related objects.

Deputy Judah Hodges and Deputy Blaine Mercer responded to a residence in Pierce County.

Sheriff Ramsey Bennett encourages anyone with information on any illegal drug and/or criminal activity to contact the A.C.E. Unit at 912807-2677, TIP Line at 912-8078477, or download the free Pierce County Sheriff’s app and send an anonymous tip.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Blackshear Times receives the Sheriff’s Report from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. We are not at liberty to change any facts in the reports that are sent to us. If there is an error in the report, contact the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

The walk will be held Friday, April 24. The event will be held at the Tiger Field Walking Track off of College Avenue and behind the Pierce County Library and the Pierce County Board of Education.

The walk has been on hiatus since COVID hit in 2020, with the last one being held in 2019.

The annual walk brings people from Pierce, Ware and Brantley Counties together for food, fun and fellowship, while they also raise money for a good cause.

The Southeast Cancer Unit, Inc. is a communitydriven non-profit organization whose purpose is to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer in Brantley, Pierce and Ware counties. Every dollar raised stays in the tri-county area, providing vital support to local individuals and families battling cancer. The Southeast Cancer Unit organization is powered by the generosity of volunteers. No funds are used for salaries, ensuring that every contribution goes directly toward making a lasting impact.

The cancer unit offers assistance to patients depending on availability and need.

Funds can be used for medications, supplies, prosthesis, professional fees, nutritional supplements, durable medical equipment, wigs, gas gift cards and similar expenses.

For more information, to register a team, or to donate, call (912) 4527070 or write to P. O. Box 667, Blackshear, GA, 31516.

The bonuses are part of an initiative by Governor Brian Kemp to reward school employees. Funding for the bonuses was included in the state’s budget for fiscal year 2026.

The bonuses are given based on student enrollment counts and based on that formula, Pierce County would not receive enough to cover the total $1,095,200 that would be required to cover all system employees.

The Pierce County Board of Education approved paying the bonus to all school employees and dipping in to reserves to cover the difference.

School superintendent Dara explained Pierce County would receive $745,335 for the bonuses in state budget funds, $30,142 from Bright from the Start funds and $20,432 from federal programs. The school system will provide $299,300 to cover the additional cost of the bonuses. The local funds will come from the school system’s general funds and cash reserves. The system is currently running a cash reserve of approximately $14.75 million.

The bonuses will be included in the current pay period for all employees. Checks will be issued right before school is out for spring break.

To our community: ***** Community Sunrise Service will be held at 5:45 a.m. Sunday, April 5, at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 522 Lee Street, Blackshear. Pastor J. L. Green is senior pastor.

***** Let’s continue to pray for the families in bereavement. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. — 1 Corinthians 5:1 ***** To the family of Deacon Cleophus Joseph Jacobs, our prayers are with you knowing that God will give you strength. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – 1 Peter 5:7 ***** Zion Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate their 160th Church Anniversary, at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 12. The church is located at 522 Lee Street, Blackshear. Pastor Jimmie L. R. Green is the Senior Pastor. Come worship with us. ***** You are invited to the Annual Scholarship Fundraiser, Black Tie Gala, for the 100 Black Men of Southeast Georgia. The gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at the Lee Street Resource Center, 623 Sycamore Street, Blackshear. Tickets are $50 each or donation for a table $500. Guest speaker will be Attorney Briana Hayes-Futch. For more information, contact Charles Broady at 912-548-2656. ***** Pierce County Concerned Citizens monthly meeting is held every first Monday of each month at 623 Sycamore Street, Blackshear. ***** Margaret Carr, of the Piney Grove Community, lost her home in a house fire Feb. 23. Thankfully, she was not injured, but she did lose her pet dog in the fire.

Those wishing to donate to assist her are welcome to call (912) 2823409.

***** Everyone is invited to worship with us at Faith Temple Holiness Church Inc, 218 Hall Street, Blackshear. Services as follows: 1st Sunday early service is at 8:30. Breakfast will be served. Services will be every Sunday 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday. Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Morning services at 11 a.m. Looking forward to see you at worship. Pastor is Cynthia Welch. ***** Ministers Alliance: All pastors, elders and ministers of God are asked to meet for prayer at 9 a.m. every first Monday of the month at Southern Roost Restaurant, U.S. Highway 84, Blackshear. ***** Bible study is held at 10 a.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Rainge Funeral Home, 505 Ware Street Blackshear. All are welcome. ***** Kingdom Faith Church has services every Sunday at 10 a.m. and Bible Study every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Kingdom Faith is located at 6014 Homestead Road in Blackshear. Elder Tony Reynolds is the pastor. ***** Your entire family is invited to worship with Fourth Mount Olive Church during weekly worship services. We are located at 900 Yeomans Street, Blackshear. We are blessed to be able to provide opportunities for all to learn how to love God and each other as we worship God our Father, Jesus Our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Comforter and Guide. We start promptly at 10 a.m. Come see for yourself, you will be glad you did. ***** Positive Thoughts: Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive, Be true. Be kind. ***** In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. —1 Thessalonians 5:18 ***** If you have any news for Bertie’s corner, please call me at (912) 2827473 or email bertiecorner-blktime23b7@ gmail.com. I’ll be glad to hear from you and write up your news.

These tickets cover all spring sports at the recreation department, including baseball, softball and spring soccer.

Senior passes are also available for individuals 65 and over. Passes are free and do not need to be renewed each year. Just hold on to your senior pass each year.

Season tickets and senior passes can be purchased 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Rec Department on Ware Street.

For more information, call the recreation department at (912) 4494791.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was still over a year away, but young Hubert volunteered to serve his country in the military.

Waters was described by his peers as a very likable lad and very kind and considerate of others. Working on the farm of some of his Bennett kinfolk he reportedly had a girlfriend when he joined the military.

One can imagine the pastoral, agriculture-centered home place that he left behind back then.

The Pierce County Waters knew was a community of about 11,800 people. The county seat of Blackshear featured the same, stately, familiar red brick courthouse as we know it today. The Brantley Company’s sprawling plant and its related business holdings dominated downtown and its surroundings. Tobacco and cotton were the main crops and the railroad had both freight and passenger service in Blackshear and also in places like Bristol, Offerman and Mershon. Automobiles were new. Radio and telephones were cutting edge technology.

America existed in an uneasy neutrality as Adolf Hitler dominated Europe and Imperialist Japan was on the rise. Franklin D. Roosevelt was running for an unprecedented third term and that fall, Hubert Waters left Pierce County to serve his country and see the world.

He never came back. That is... until this week. Eighty one years after his death in the far-off Pacific Ocean in the present day country of Taiwan, and after a temporary resting place at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (also known as the Punchbowl) near Honolulu in Hawaii, Hubert Waters finally made it home last week.

He was escorted by his great-great-nephew, Andrew, a third generation of his family, who fittingly, kept the Waters tradition of duty, honor and serving their country in the Armed Forces alive.

Pierce County is a special place and we want to compliment everyone who turned out Saturday to help welcome our native son back to the place that nurtured him, raised him, loved him, mourned him and has waited patiently, oh how patiently, for him to return back to her.

May God bless the memory of Private Bennett Hubert Waters.

It's an old saying, but one that carries a lot of weight and meaning: “There is no place like home.”

And now, Hubert Waters is finally, at long last, home.

Most of us know what that feels like. We had hopes. We had plans. We had expectations. We thought a prayer would be answered a certain way. We thought a situation would improve sooner. We thought a door would open, a burden would lift, or a relationship would be restored. But life often unfolds much differently than we hoped.

The Bible speaks very honestly to that kind of sorrow. Proverbs 13:12 says, “ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” That is a painfully accurate description of disappointment. A delayed hope, an unmet desire, or a prayer that seems unanswered can leave the heart weary and heavy.

Martha knew that pain. When Jesus came to Bethany after Lazarus had died, Martha said, “ Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” (John 11:21). Those words came from a heart that was grieving and disappointed. She believed Jesus could have changed the outcome, but things had not turned out as she hoped. Yet even in her disappointment, she still went to Jesus. That is a lesson for all of us. When life hurts and we do not understand, we must run to the Lord, not from Him.

Naomi also knew what it was to see life take a painful turn. She left Bethlehem with a family and later returned from Moab widowed and broken. Her words were painfully honest: “I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty” (Ruth 1:21). She said, “ Call me not Naomi… call me Mara.” Naomi means pleasant. Mara means bitter.

Now here is a great danger for every disappointed heart: if disappointment is not handled biblically, it can become bitterness. Hurt is real, but we must guard our hearts lest sorrow settle into bitterness. The comforting truth is that even when Naomi felt empty, God was still working behind the scenes to bring redemption.

Joseph’s life is another powerful example. As a young man, Joseph received dreams from God, but the road ahead led not to a throne, but to a pit, slavery, false accusation and prison. Surely Joseph never imagined his life unfolding that way. Yet in the end he was able to say to his brothers, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). Joseph learned that even when life does not go according to our plans, it has not escaped God’s providence.

The apostle Paul teaches a similar lesson. He prayed that his thorn in the flesh would be removed, but God did not remove it. Instead, the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sometimes God changes the situation, and sometimes He gives grace to endure it. Either way, He remains faithful.

Then there is Habakkuk, who looked ahead and saw barren fields and empty stalls. Yet he declared, “ Yet I will rejoice in the LORD” (Habakkuk 3:18). That is faith at its strongest—not rejoicing because circumstances are easy, but rejoicing because God is still God.

When life does not turn out like we wanted it to, Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the right response: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” We may not understand every chapter, but we can trust the Author. We may not like every turn in the road, but we can trust the One directing our path.

Disappointment is real, but it does not mean God has failed. The Lord is still faithful in the graveyard, in the famine, in the pit, in the prison, in the thorn, and in the barren field. Even when life does not follow our plan, it never escapes His purpose.

My pint-sized cousin, Maddie, all of about 5 years old, was busy tinkering with a contraption she was building in the floor of her Great-Grandma and Papa Todd’s living room the other day.

She was fresh off trying to trap leprechauns during the middle of March.

She thought she had figured out a way to trap the elusive green-clad sprites, but they had foiled her plans.

She didn’t come away entirely empty handed, though.

As luck would have it, probably from some fourleaf clovers, one of the leprechauns had left some gold, but it was chocolate.

I thought that would be counted a success.

But, no, not to Maddie. She was disappointed. She wanted the real thing. Gold. Actual gold. I do, too. Recently, my house payment went up, my house insurance went up, my health insurance went up and I have to pay more for gas. I also had to pay to have my septic tank drain field replaced.

I wonder if we are winning yet?

And, wouldn’t you know it, I have to pay Uncle Sam regularly and he likes my money. He always has his hands in my pockets. And, to top all that off, my money tree up and died and I didn’t save any seed off that sucker.

I am not sure if the Easter bunny has real gold, but that was Maddie’s next plan.

She decided to lay a trap for the Easter bunny. She sees him at her Poppie Greg and Mimi Darlene Todd’s house. The Easter bunny, she says, hops along in their backyard near the tree line.

I have several in my yard running between my house and Mama’s. Not sure if they are the same or just kin. I’m not even sure if it’s the real Easter bunny.

Truth be known, silly rabbit, Easter, or more particularly Resurrection Sunday, is for Jesus.

Not sure who came up with the hare-brained idea to make it about bunnies and Easter eggs.

I’ve done my fair share of hunting eggs.

When I was growing up, there were always egg hunts at our church, the community center and on both sides of my family — Deal and Jones.

Mama's side was always a large group, as I had 21 first cousins. I remember listening to Jefferson Starship’s “We Built This City'”

while we waited on the adults to hide the eggs. Aunt Carol “Cakky” Chancey was the gatekeeper that day if I remember. She threatened to get a switch to anyone who peeked or got too big of a head start. But, of course, we all, at one time or another, attempted to peak or get a head start.

One of the highlights of the hunt was always to find the prize egg. It was generally hidden well and was plastic and contained money. I almost found it one year. I put it in my basket, only to have one of the big city cousins visiting her grandparents claim that it had fallen out of her basket. Because we had to be nice to our guests, I had to allow her to win it. I always have believed she made up the story.

Easter generally meant lots of good treats and candies galore. I made myself sick off of malted chocolate Easter egg candy one year at Grandma's. I have never wanted them since.

And, speaking of sick, there was the time we found an Easter egg in the summer while mowing. That did not turn out so good.

One year we burned off the thicket by our house during the Easter cool snap. We made the Easter bunny homeless that year. Oops. Shame on us.

Maybe that’s why he never comes to visit me these days.

Maybe, like Maddie, I will have to come up with a plan to trap him.

She had a plan, but I am not sure if she’s ever figured out how to bait the trap. Carrots? eggs? grass?

Maybe, just maybe, this trap idea will work.

I’m hoping the Easter bunny will bring gold and lots of it — and not malted chocolate.

That will be just my luck.

Don’t forget to remember the real reason for the season.

He is Risen!

County commissioners have scheduled public hearings for a proposed new half-moon road between the high school, middle school and downtown Zirkle.

Georgia Department of Transportation’s Map Drawing, Pool Hall and Rain Delay Division made the announcement last week.

County Manager Thomas Sauls said the new bypass is expected to breathe new life into old Zirkle, while at the same time drawing traffic and attention away from Waycross.

“We know it will 100 percent solve waiting on trains and all the worry about Waycross annexing so much as an inch of land in Pierce County,” said Sauls.

Meanwhile, plans for revitalizing Zirkle have been put into place by Executive Director Blake James and the Pierce County Industrial Development Authority and Sign Company.

Liza Lott, owner of Insanity Consulting of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, has announced plans to build a Publicks, a GAP store and just one more Dollar General. The complex will be constructed right next to the steel dam on the Big Satilla River.

The bypass will come out near the boat ramp and will extend to the newly constructed Shiloh Road near United Market. An overpass will be built over Georgia Highway 32 at the Satilla River Bridge and will feature three lanes, so there will be two additional lanes for people who don’t understand the concept of “keep right except to pass”.

Lott said she foresees putting in boat tours on the river and has even purchased a boat and hired a captain. Tours will be conducted in a Jonboat christened the S.S. Minnow and piloted by Captain Gilligan Skipper. Lott, James and Sauls said plans are underway to hold a ribbon cutting once the Zirkle Bypass and Revitalization Projects are complete.

President Donald Trump is rumored to be on the guest list for the groundbreaking, but White House officials would not confirm if the president plans to attend.

His press office, did, however, send a half-dozen ruby-red “Make Zirkle Great Again!” hats to be given away when and if it does or doesn’t take place.

Captain Skipper encourages everyone to turn out for the event. “Come one! Come all! to the greatest farce on earth,” he declared.

“This model mitigates almost all major concerns that locals have been expressing,” said Nadella. “Thanks to the gases emitted by our computers’ processing, the perfect storm of CO2, HO2 and SO2 work together to levitate the facility, so county land won’t be compromised.”

Dr. Smart also congratulated himself on figuring out how to propel the data center along county lines so no one area is affected.

“This way, no one feels targeted,” said Nadella. “The Airborne will hover over your land only for a day or two before moving on to your neighbor.” Based on Pierce County’s size, Dr. Smart estimates the floating data center should make its way back around in three weeks.

When asked about how he plans to address the issue of freshwater use, Smart said the center is programmed to sit itself straight in the Satilla, the Alabaha or the Hurricane Creek when it needs to drink up.

“So you won’t have to worry about trucking water out to the facility every day … That is what you guys were worried about, right?”

For those worried the center will utilize artificial intelligence to monitor Pierce Countians, Dr. Smart issued a response.

“Oh, of course! But that isn’t something that should frighten you. We only use the information to sell to big corporations, so they know what to advertise to you. Think of it as just another way your technology is personalized— kind of like how I’ve personalized the Airborne to suit Pierce County’s needs.”

Dr. Smart rushed to attend to a beaver emergency before The Times could request a closing statement.

“It will be far more common than COVID, but not nearly as serious,” said Dr. R. U. Kidding, doctor of medical malpractice, at the Humorcology Department of the world-renowned Mayonnaise Clinic in Hellman, Oregon.

The disease behaves very strangely, but is always characterized by a lack of seriousness and uncontrollable laughter.

Dr. Kidding advises Pierce Countians to not take themselves or the disease too serious.“ If you suspect you have the disease, please call the state hotline at BR549,” he said.

The state hotline, which was contracted to the lowest bidder several years ago, is a model of ineptness and inefficiency and good luck trying to get anyone to answer the phone.

In fact, local observers say the contracted telephone service’s operators only answer the phone every February 29.

“Tongue in Cheek” disease generally affects the larynx, the pharynx, the Karens and the tongue and the cheek, but is rarely accompanied by any other symptoms.

No vaccine is needed, because unlike Ivermectin, the best treatment for tongue in cheek disease is laughter and lots of it.

Class 6A Lowndes “A” shot a 301 team score to best the field. Lowndes “B” was second with a 312. Rounding out the Top 10 teams were Class 6A host Colquitt County “A” (313), Class 5A Coffee (313), Class 6A North Paulding “A” (313), Class 4A Allatoona (324), Class A Private Prince Avenue Christian (324), Class 2A PCHS (329), Class 3A North Hall “A” (332) and Class 6A Camden County (333).

Finishing 11-20 were Class 5A Rome (334), Class 5A Lee County (336), Class A DI Toombs County (338), Class A DI Berrien (339), Class 3A Oconee County (341), Class 5A Thomas County Central (343), Class 6A Parkview (344), North Hall “B” (346), Class 4A Ware County (351), Class 6A Hillgrove (351) and Class 3A Bainbridge (351).

The rest of the field included Class 1A DI Banks County (352), North Paulding “B” (352), Class 6A Tift County (359), Class 3A Cairo (366), Class A DI Thomasville (367), Class 7A Smiths Station, Ala. (368), Class 4A Wayne County (376), Class A DII Seminole County (400) and GIAA Grace Christian (401).

GIAA member Brookwood of Thomasville brought two players and Colquitt County “B” had three players.

Coffee’s J.P. Spivey captured medalist honors in the field of 153 players with a oneunder- par score of 71.

Bennett Puryear was the lone PCHS linkster with a sub-80 round shooting 78 to finish in a seven-player logjam for 16th-place. Hardt Strickland posted a score of 80 tying with three other golfers for 31st.

Justin Smith recorded a round of 84 to finish in a five-way tie for 58th. Beau Strickland carded an 87 finishing in a nineway tie for 72nd. Griffin Hull posted an 88 finishing in a 10-way tie for 81st.

Commissioners approved a resolution allowing the city to apply for CDBG funds as part of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission.

The measure was the only governmental activity on the agenda for meeting, Tuesday, March 24. In other business, commissioners set a public hearing for a zoning change and presented Public Works staff member William “Bo” Scurry with the Kennedy L. Sanders Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award.

Commissioners also announced the spring version of their bi-annual planning retreat will be held Friday-Saturday, April 10-11 in City Hall. The public session begins at 8 a.m. the first day and 8:30 a.m. the next.

Mayor Michael-Angelo James conducted the short session with all commissioners in attendance except District 4’s William Tompkins. There was no executive session.

The CDBG application is made annually by municipalities to secure grant funding for improvements including water, sewer, streets as well as flood and drainage. The amount of the award is determined after all applications are placed with SGRC, City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford said.

The city has targeted improvements in the water-sewer infrastructure in as sizeable area of the city. The triangle-shaped location borders on Carswell Avenue at the CSX railroad crossing near Seaman Street on one end, U.S. 82 on the other and Nicholls Street on the side.

The area includes residences and businesses on parts of Elizabeth, Mary, Isabella, Cleo, Izlar, Owens and Walker streets.

The public hearing will be at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 21 prior to the commission’s bi-monthly meeting. A zoning change has been requested for an area covering 1.19 acres at Marion Street between Burgess Street and City Boulevard – directly next to the city water tower. The request is rezoning from its current R-75 Residential to R-75 Residential Mobile Home.

Scurry received the Sanders Award for his efforts in helping limit the damage to a house being renovated on Cherokee Circle that had its porch on fire. Public Works Director Matt Elwell said after Scurry arrived “early as usual” for his work shift in Oakland Cemetery, he smelled something out of the ordinary.

“Most people might dismiss it, but his instincts said otherwise,” said Elwell, who added Scurry went to his truck and followed the smell across the CSX tracks bordering Plant Avenue into the residential area to find the fire.

“He called 911 then grabbed a garden hose to put water on the fire until the fire department arrived,” Elwell said.

WFD personnel said Scurry’s action limited the fire’s spread to other parts of the dwelling, which lessened the damage.

BEARVILLE — Pierce County scored at least one run in each inning stretching its winning streak to nine games with an 8-1 Region 3-AA victory here Tuesday over visiting Crisp County.

The Bears (16-3 overall, 7-0 region), ranked second by ScoreAtlanta and third by MaxPreps, handed the Cougars (7-12, 1-3) a fourth loss in five games.

Emmitt Hall (3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) stranded seven Crisp County baserunners leaving with a 5-0 lead through three innings.

The Cougars sandwiched a pair of two-out singles around a walk in the first inning. They left two in the second getting a one-out base hit and an error. Crisp County received a two-out walk and a single in the third inning.

PCHS struck for two runs in the bottom of the first after Hall’s escape. Chance Williams (1-for-1) led off with a four-pitch walk, the first of three free passes.

He stole second and moved to third on Jack McClellan’s (2-for-4) groundout. Jonathan Stone (1-for-4) followed with an opposite field single and raced to third when the ball was misplayed in right field. Stone scored on a passed ball for the 2-0 advantage.

The Bears plated two runs in the second after two outs and nobody on base with three straight singles.

Bryson Smith (1-for-2) singled to keep the inning alive. After moving up on a wild pitch, Smith raced home on Grayson Arington’s (1-for-3) bloop single to right. Arington, who took second on the throw to the plate, scored when Williams followed with a run-scoring single to center upping the lead to 4-0.

Pierce County scored a run in the third in building a 5-0 lead. McClellan led off with a base hit, advanced around to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Stone’s groundout.

A two-out run in the fourth extended the lead to 6-0. Williams drew a two-out, four-pitch walk to keep the inning moving. He scored from first when Hodges’ fly ball to right was misplayed into a two-base error.

Crisp County dented the scoreboard in the top of the fifth against reliever Kolton Brogdon (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3K, 0 BB). A one-out double was followed by a fielding error allowing the Cougars’ runner to score cutting the margin to 6-1.

PCHS got the run back in the bottom of the fifth. A Dylan Johnson (1for-4) one-out single was followed by a walk to Christian Osbourne and an error on a ball hit by Brantley Willis loading the bases. Smith lifted a 2-1 pitch for a sacrifice fly to center scoring Johnson give the Bears a 7-1 lead.

Pierce County added a final run in the sixth. Williams led off with a walk and raced to third on an errant pickoff attempts. Hodges’ groundout scored Williams extending the margin to 8-1.

Cooper Davis worked a scoreless seventh for the Bears. He fanned two and walked two.

The Bears hosted Cook in a region matchup Tuesday, March 31. The series shifts to Adel for Game 2 Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m. The series final is scheduled for Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. in Bearville.

Pierce County travels Tuesday, April 7 to Brooklet to face Southeast Bulloch at 5 p.m. The Bears play Wednesday, April 8 in Ludowici against Long County.

Jonathan Stone (2-for-4) got the rally PCHS (183 overall, 9-0 region) started with a leadoff double in a 3-all game. A walk to Dylan Johnson (1-for-3) was followed by Christian Osbourne (1-for-4) reaching on his sacrifice bunt to load the bases. Willis (1for-2) was hit two pitches later forcing home Stone for a 4-3 lead.

The Cougars’ (7-14, 1-5) Dawson Bennett, who twirled a complete game, was on the verge of getting out of the inning with a short flyout to left and a 52 fielder's choice play at the plate. Chance Williams (2-for-3) spoiled the effort with an inside-thepark grand slam homer extending the secondranked Bears’ margin to 8-3.

Emmitt Hall (4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 K, 1 BB) retired Crisp County in order over the sixth and seventh innings striking out five of the final six batters. Hall came on in the fourth inning in relief of Willis (3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K, 1 BB).

PCHS scored twice in the first inning with the Cougars responding with two runs in the home half of the inning.

Williams opened the game with a double and advanced to third when Beck Hodges’ sacrifice bunt was misplayed. Williams scored ahead of Jack McClellan’s fielder’s choice groundout for a 1-0 lead. After Stone’s ensuing groundout moved McClellan into scoring position and eventually to third on a passed ball, Dylan Johnson’s (1-for-3) twoout, infield single scored McClellan for a 2-0 lead.

Crisp County evened the score on triple, runscoring double and a oneout grounder against Willis.

The Bears recaptured the lead in the second inning. Bryson Smith (1-for-3) bunted into a fielder’s choice after a Willis base hit started the inning. Grayson Arington (1-for-3) followed with a single putting runners at first and second. Smith raced home from second on a wild pitch for a 3-2 lead.

The Cougars tied the score at 3-apiece with a run in the bottom of the fifth. A one-out single and passed ball put the Crisp County runner a second. A run-scoring single followed.

The second-ranked Bears (17-3 overall, 8-0 region) stretched their season- high winning streak to 10 games March 27 behind the combined pitching of Christian Osbourne (3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB), Kolton Brogdon (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 K, 1 BB) and Colt Hickox (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB, 1 HBP). The trio needed just 105 pitches.

Half of PCHS’s 12 hits went for extra bases with Beck Hodges (2-for-4) leading the way with two doubles and four runs batted in. Grayson Arington (3-for-4, ribbie, stole base), Jonathan Stone (2for-5, RBI), Chance Williams (1-for-3, two RBI, stolen base) and Dylan Johnson (1-for-2) recorded a double each.

Held hitless for the first three innings by the Cougars’ (7-13, 1-4) Bryson Bowen, Pierce County exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning banging out seven hits to take control of the game. Stone lined the second pitch for an infield hit igniting a stretch of six consecutive batters. Johnson followed with a double with Osbourn walking to load the bases with nobody out.

Brantley Willis (1-for-4) delivered a two-run single breaking up the scoreless game. After Bryson Smith (1-for-3) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to reload the bases, Arington legged out an infield hit plating the third run of the inning. Williams and Hodges followed with consecutive sacrifice flies to center extending the margin to 5-0.

Jack McClellan (1-for-5) roped a run-scoring single one pitch after the Hodges’ sac fly. Stone followed with a run-scoring double on the ensuing pitch to open up a 7-0 advantage.

The Bears dented the plate with two runs in the fifth in taking a 9-0 lead. Smith was safe on a one-out error. An Arington first-pitch single to center and a walk to Williams loaded the bases. Hodges followed with a firstpitch, two-run double.

PCHS lost the no-hit bid with Brogdon surrendering leadoff single on an 0-1 pitch in the bottom of the sixth.

Pierce County tacked on two runs in the top of the seventh getting three consecutive doubles from Arington, Williams and Hodges swelling the lead to 11-0.

PCMS trailed 2-1 entering the fifth inning in the March 26 finals. The Bears exploded for four runs in the fifth to take the lead for good at 5-2. They followed with consecutive three-run rallies in the sixth and seventh innings.

The title was Pierce Middle’s third in four years. The Bears went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. It marked the eighth time PCMS has captured the championship after winning titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016 and 2018.

Pierce Middle’s Jack Jameson (4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 WP) and Colton O’Berry (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB, 1 HBP) combined on the four-hitter.

McCoy Howard led the hitting attack going 3-for-4. James Gruver finished 2-for-4. Gruver, Jameson and Howard each drove in three runs apiece.

Joining the hit parade with one knock each were Colton McCook, O’Berry, Jameson, Spencer Taylor and Jacob Gruver.

Ware Middle broke the scoring ice with a run in the third on a one-out single following a walk and base hit.

The Bears evened the score with a run in the top of the fourth. Howard kept the inning alive with a two-out single. O’Berry followed one pitch later with a run-scoring double tying the game a 1-apiece.

The Gators followed with their final run in the bottom of the inning. A two-out, hit batter was followed by an error putting runners on the corners. The lead runner scored on a wild pitch for a 2-1 Ware Middle lead.

PCMS did all of its scoring in the fifth after two outs and one on base. A two-out error and a walk to James Gruver loaded the bases.

Jameson’s bases clearing double was the big blow giving the Bears a 42 lead. Howard followed with a run-scoring single.

Pierce Middle found two-out magic in the sixth scoring three times after two outs and nobody on base to extend the lead to 8-2. McCook singled, stole second and scored on James Gruver’s bloop single.

After Jameson was walked intentionally, both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Howard laced a two-run single to cap the inning.

PCMS added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Taylor hit a leadoff double and moved to third on Asher Strickland’s sacrifice bunt. A walk to Drew Stipe and an intentional walk to Jacob Gruver loaded the bases.

The Bears scored on a two-out passed ball and James Gruver’s two-run bloop single to open up an 11-2 advantage.

O’Berry fanned two of the three Ware Middle batters in the bottom of the seventh.

The Lady Bears’, winners in 14 of the last 16 conference tournaments, current streak runs from 2018-26.

PCMS posted a team score of 88 to win the Thursday, March 19 tourney by 19 shots over runner-up Appling County Middle School (107) in the seven-team girls’ finals played at the Lakes at Laura Walker.

Following the Lady Rams were Ware County Middle School (194), Bacon County Middle School (199), Bethune Middle School (203), Brantley County Middle School (216), Waycross Middle School (233) and Long County Middle School (265). Bacon County Middle School did not field a girls’ team.

The Lady Bears were led by tournament low medalist Ava Nimmer, who posted a nine-hole score of 43. Sofie Carter’s 45 rounded out the team score. Averie Thornton and Layla Thornton carded scores of 50 and 51 respectively.

The Bears, winners in 15 of the last 16 contested tournaments, shot 171 to best the 177 of runner-up Appling Middle in the eight-team boys tournament.

PCMS has captured every title since 2010 except 2017 and in 2020 when COVID canceled Spring sports.

The rest of the field included Ware Middle (194), Bacon Middle (199), Bethune Middle (203), Brantley Middle (216), Waycross Middle (233) and Long Middle (265).

Dax Sheffield’s one-over-par round of 37 led Pierce Middle. Mason Altman posted a 43, Cannon Braddy shot 45 with Brandt Wood and Chael Harris each finishing with rounds of 46. Elliot Johnson carded a round of 50.

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee.”

— Psalm 85: 6

There have been some noted religious movements that multitudes were involved in, but these movements didn’t revive or restore the Christian to obedience to the Bible, separation from the world or a life of holiness. There was motion, but no progress. There was no revival.

But what is revival? Simply put, revival is acknowledging and repenting of and turning from our sins back to a life of obedience to God, and walking in His fellowship.

It’s turning from being concerned about our morale to being concerned about our morals. It’s turning from being concerned about our happiness to being concerned about our holiness.

It’s turning from being concerned about our entertainment and excitement to being concerned about our edification. It’s turning from being concerned about temporal and material things to being concerned about eternal and spiritual things.

Martin Lloyd Jones said, “Any agency (the church included) that makes me feel satisfied when my relationship with God is not right, is of the devil, and is my greatest enemy.”

Someone else said, “If the church through some means has improved your morale while leaving you enslaved to low morals then the church has deceived, misled, and failed you.”

The church is still having revival meetings and yet the church has not been revived. When you see a lot of religion but no Biblical Christianity you need revival.

“Revival meetings” are held, but for all our excitement, energy, efforts, performances, and money spent, there’s no inkling of real revival.

Foy Valentine said, “We are revival-oriented, but revivalism ... is dead. It’s dead in spite of our frantic mouth-to-mouth breathing over it and even though we still respectfully hold one-week and even two-week memorial services in loving tribute to its memory.”

God’s people are intimidated, stimulated, and manipulated, but are not persuaded to repent of sin and live according to God’s Word. This is because our revival meetings are nothing more than pep-rallies; a “stimulus package” that sensa-tionalize the Word of God in order to stimulate the attendants.

Religion has become the latest form of entertainment. Performance has replaced worship.

The demand is for something that will make us feel good about ourselves and make us forget our troubles.

Attendees get excited and feel like winners during the meetings, but are dismissed still enslaved to sin.

Their feelings of defeat and loneliness are addressed, but not the real need to repent and obey God so that they can again have victory over sin and experience God’s fellowship.

The church needs a real revival, not another pep rally.

James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at pastorjameshcagle@ yahoo.c

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The evidence before me is so overwhelming that I’m not sure I have any other choice.

Looking back over my years, I can’t help but notice how my insanity has been a positive thing in my life. I never would’ve thought this way before, but after considerable thinking, I believe this is so.

I’ve discovered how effective it has been in my life and in my relationships. At the time, I never would’ve thought so.

For example, I may be discussing something with someone, a friend of mine, and they look at me rather strangely and say, “Are you insane?”

Quite often, I’ll be explaining something to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, and she’ll give me one of her looks with hands on her hips and say very dramatically, “Are you insane?”

In retrospect, that explains a lot of things in my life that, at the time, I didn’t understand. Now, because I’ve accepted my insanity, everything I do I can explain. That’s sure satisfying.

Another positive side to insanity is you don’t have to live up to the standards of everybody around you. All my friends believe they’re perfect and expect me to match that.

For years, I’ve tried. I’ve discovered, however, there are no perfect roots anywhere in my life.

Now that I understand the insanity aspect of my life, I no longer have to live up to the standards of others.

I can relax and enjoy life as it is without fulfilling other people’s expectations, nor being intimidated by them. When I understood that, my life took on a very positive attitude.

I know it’s a good idea for me to retire my insanity, but I’m sure going to miss it. I can’t remember the times when, at the end of the week, I sat in my easy chair drinking some coffee and reflecting on all the insane elements of my week. Those were wonderful reflections and encouraged me.

Perfection is now going to be a factor in my consideration. I’m waiting for the day Martha looks at me with both hands on her hips and says, “Are you perfect or what?”

That certainly will be a turning point in my retirement from insanity. She’s always noticed my insanity. Now let’s see if she notices my perfection.

I confess I’ll allow my insanity to occasionally leave retirement for moments. After all, life’s hard without something to support it.

I know I’ll miss my insanity, but I’m going to have to get used to it. Life goes on, and I need to keep up.

Starting on my perfection journey, I was reminded of an interesting verse of scripture.

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 3: 12

I agree with Paul I’ve not reached perfection, but I’m striving for that perfect in Christ. I’m not influenced by the standard of others, only by God’s reflection in Christ.

Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. Contact him by email at jamessnyder51@ gmail.com.

The Talki Foundation’s monthly support group for people in Ware County and surrounding areas with diabetes and their caregivers will hold meetings the first Saturday of every month.

The support group meets 11 a.m. in the Hospital Annex Classroom, 1800 Alice Street, Waycross. Upcoming dates include: April 4, May 2 and June 6.

The support group, called 912 Diabetes Initiative support group provides educational resources and a chance to connect with others. Talki Foundation President Charlie Komons facilitates the monthly meeting which is hosted by Memorial Satilla Health.

Call 844-630-5295 to register.

Vietnam Veterans Chapter meets monthly

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1070, meets the second Thursday of each month at Captain Joe’s Restaurant on Plant Avenue in Waycross.

The meal begins at 3:30 p.m. and the meeting follows at 4 p.m. meetings. All Vietnam veterans their wives and the public are invited to attend.

For more information, call Clifton Baker at (803) 591-8544.

Laura Pearson, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), and Dory Chapman, CMCLC (Certified Master Christian Life Coach), Operations Director and Life Coach from the Nahunta location of Centered for Life, shared an uplifting and insightful presentation on the organization’s mission to bring healing, restoration and renewed purpose to individuals and families across Southeast Georgia.

Centered for Life, a non-profit Christian counseling ministry founded in 2010 by Steve and Debby Temmer, has spent more than 15 years walking alongside people during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives.

The mission is rooted in a simple, but profound belief that true healing comes from caring for the whole person — body, soul, mind and spirit.

Pearson and Chapman explained the organization provides a wide range of services, including clinical counseling, life coaching, pastoral counseling, and group therapy. Their team serves children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, offering support for emotional wounds, relational struggles, and life transitions.

They also host retreats and conferences designed to encourage personal growth and spiritual renewal.

At the heart of Centered for Life is a Christ-centered vision to create environments of grace where individuals can experience genuine restoration. Their work is guided by deeply held values — the authority of God’s Word, the belief that the Spirit of Jesus Christ is the ultimate counselor, and the conviction that abundant life is found through dependence on the Holy Spirit.

The program emphasizes the dignity of every person as an image-bearer of God and uphold the principles of servanthood, integrity, stewardship and prayer.

One of the most impactful parts of the presentation focused on the emotional “heart scars” people carry — painful experiences from the past which quietly shape how they think, feel and respond to life.

Through professional counseling and careful assessment, Centered for Life helps individuals identify these wounds, reduce stress, develop healthier patterns and make wise, confident decisions for the future.

For those facing deeper trauma, the organization offers advanced therapeutic approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy). These evidence-based treatments help the brain process painful memories so they no longer carry the same emotional weight, opening the door to renewed peace and emotional freedom.

Another innovative service highlighted was neurotherapy, which uses qEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalogram) brain mapping and neurofeedback to help individuals whose struggles persist despite traditional treatments.

QEEG is a diagnostic tool that measures electrical activity in the form of brain wave patterns. It is sometimes referred to as “brain mapping.”

The approach has shown promise for those dealing with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD (Attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder), learning challenges, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), concussions, migraines, brain fog, memory issues, sleep difficulties, addictions, and even sports performance challenges.

Throughout their presentation, Pearson and Chapman emphasized a message of hope — healing is possible. No matter how deep the struggle or how long someone has carried their pain, restoration can be found through compassionate care, faithcentered guidance, and the courage to take the next step.

For information about Centered for Life and services, visit www.centeredforlife. com.

A few dishes in the sink. A jacket on the chair. Mail on the counter. Shoes just inside the door.

It’s fine and nobody notices or says a word — until someone calls and says, “I’m 10 minutes away.”

Suddenly, your household standards of cleanliness change from “it’s just us” to “company’s coming!”

You’re up and moving with a purpose. You pick up what seemed fine a few minutes ago and you clean up what was clean enough a few minutes ago.

Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1 all tell the story of John the Baptist calling out to everyone who will listen: “Company’s coming; prepare the way for the Lord!”

And like Jesus in the temple when he was 12 years old, you’d expect that news to come from the temple in Jerusalem, but like Jesus at his baptism, that news comes from the wilderness — not from the city, not from the palace, not in the temple, but from places nobody ever expected!

Two words: repent and prepare!

“Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

— Matthew 3: 1-2

The first word is “repent,” meaning to “turn around and move in a different direction!” Wife Mary Ella and I drove to Charleston, S.C. a couple of weeks ago, and if we missed a turn, our GPS never once said, “feel bad,” nor “be ashamed,” nor “be sorry,” nor “be afraid, not even “try harder;” it simple said, “recalculating” while it rerouted us to our destination.

Repentance is not punishment, nor is it meant to make us feel guilty, nor shame us. It’s simply a re-calculation and a re-routing to get us back on the right path.

People walked into the wilderness to see and hear John the Baptist.

Some were sincere and they walked away in a different direction. Some were insincere and they walked away unchanged in the same direction they came from. Some were simply curious.

Lee Strobel was a hard-driving atheist and award-winning legal editor at The Chicago Tribune until his wife, Leslie, met a neighbor who introduced her to Jesus. Then he did the only thing he knew how to do. He investigated her faith with the goal of leading her back to atheism, back to their once-happy marriage.

He spent the next two years investigating the historical evidence for Christianity and in 1981, moved by Leslie’s changed life and convinced by the evidence, he became a follower of Jesus.

Charles “Buddy” Whatley is a retired United Methodist pastor serving Dawson Street Methodist Church in Thomasville, Ga. With wife, Mary Ella, they are missionaries to the Navajo Reservation.

Patterson Baptist will host sunrise service at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 5. The service will be led by Pastor Nathaniel Anderson of Evergreen Church near Bristol.

Choir members or just those who like to sing, and wish to join us in Celebration of the Resurrection, please meet in the choir room at 6:30 a.m. to go over the music (no choir robes).

Immediately following the service, PBC will be hosting a light breakfast for all of those attending the Sunrise Service.

Afterwards, Patterson Baptist will have its 9 a.m. Easter Service with the PBC Choir (Marvelous Love Medley) and Praise Band with Pastor Steve Kegley leading the sermon, followed by Sunday School.

There will be no evening service.

Comfort Chapel Church

Comfort Chapel Primitive Baptist Church will have sunrise service at 7 a.m. Resurrection Sunday, April 5.

Breakfast will follow. Resurrection morning worship service will be held at 11 a.m.

All are welcome. Comfort Chapel Church is located at 1600 Cherokee Circle, Waycross.

Faith Baptist Church

Faith Baptist invites everyone to join them for worship service every Sunday. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m. and worship services are at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. every Sunday. Mid-week service is at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Pastor Mark Summers is the pastor. Transportation is available.

****** The church also meets at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday to assemble Bibles to distribute for mission work in Africa and other regions of the world. Volunteers are needed. All are welcome.

****** The church is located at 959 Church Street, Blackshear. Visit www.faithbaptistblackshear. com. For more information call (912) 449-3216 or (912) 977-- 6416.

Evergreen Church Ministries

Pastor Nathaniel and First Lady Anderson and members of Evergreen Church Ministries, 4100 Highway 32 in Bristol, invite everyone to attend our worship services.

Sunday Service begins 10 am with Childrens Church classes provided for ages: ▪ 6 mos. - 3yrs. old ▪ 4 yrs. - 8 yrs. old ▪ 9 yrs. -13 yrs. old Tuesday Bible Study, 7 pm ▪ Children Bible Class: ages 3 yrs. - 12 yrs. old ▪ Teen Bible Class: ages 13 yrs. - 19 yrs. old ▪ Adult Bible Class: ages 20 yrs. old and up.

2nd Saturdays: Fellowship breakfast, 9am. After breakfast, separate discussion sessions for males and females of all ages.

Join us! Experience God, worship together and get connected. You are welcome!

For more information about these and other services please contact evergreenchurch459@ gmail.com.

Based upon feedback from local authors, vendors and festival goers, the second OHC book festival will take place Saturday, March 6, 2027.

With the first festival only a few weeks in the past and Pond is already gearing things up for the next one. The 2027 book festival will take place the same week as Read Across America Day, which is observed on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2, and the plan is for things to be even bigger and better.

Asked about her inspiration for beginning an OHC book festival, Pond says a lot of it is captured in the name, “We Love Literacy”. Pond also said the potential economic impact of a vibrant book festival could help not only the OHC but local business as well.

“Book Festivals are held all throughout the country. Book lovers travel all over to attend a good book festival. Not only are book festivals great fun, but as a festival grows, so does the positive economic impact it has on the local area.,” says event organizer Elizabeth Pond. “At our first festival, we had at least two out of town authors reserve overnight accommodations and visit our local restaurants. Two may not sound like much right now, but we have plans to increase our visibility.”

Diane Brown and Rosa Douglas who greeted each guest as they entered this year’s festival estimate that as many as 300 people visited the festival.

“On behalf of the Okefenokee Heritage Center, we would like to thank the community for their support of the Inaugural OHC We Love Literacy Book Festival,” said OHC Executive Director Carla Cornett. “We would also like to thank the many vendors, authors and volunteers who made the festival happen. It was such a fun day for everyone. We are already preparing for next year, so stay tuned.”

The 2026 festival featured 14 Southern authors, several of them local to Pierce and Ware County. Genres of writing represented by the authors included: memoir, photo journalism, graphic novel, personal empowerment, children’s books, true crime, historical fiction and poetry. Pond hopes to gather even more authors for 2027.

Meeks joined Representatives Jaclyn Ford (Alapaha), Robert Dickey (Musella), Angie O’Steen (Ambrose), Al Williams (Midway) and Chas Cannon (Moultrie) in sponsoring the bill.

“I am appreciative of any recognition of cotton’s contributions and importance to our state as a whole and our rural communities – economically and environmentally,” said Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Chairman Bart Davis, a Colquitt County cotton producer.

Meeks is a member of the Commission’s Board of Directors and Representative Ford has been a member of cotton industry organizational leadership.

The GCC is a producerfunded organization located in Perry, Georgia. The commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment fee enabling the Commission to invest in programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia.

For more information about this and other topics please call 478-988-4235 or visit us on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission. org.

WARNER ROBINS — Slade Sweat drove home four runs with three hits, including a solo homer, as Ware County extended its winning streak to nine games here Tuesday posting a 9-3 decision in the Region 1-AAAA series opener with Warner Robins.

The Gators (11-7 overall, 7-0 region), ranked 13th by MaxPreps, used a pair of three-run innings in the March 24 matchup to subdue the Demons (89, 2-5), who lost a second straight game and fell for the fifth time in seven games.

Sweat, who went 3for-4, had a run-scoring double in the third inning, a solo homer in the fifth (first of year), and a two-run single in the seventh.

Ware County used a trio of pitchers with Seth Suess (5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB) getting the start. Landon Smallwood (1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP) and Eli Watkins (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB, 1 HBP) worked an inning each.

The Gators broke a scoreless game in the top of the third after having the first six batters retired in order.

Keaton Holloway and Colt Cox each worked full-count walks to start the inning. Garrison Joyner was hit by the first after the Cox walk loading the bases.

A fielder’s choice groundout off the bat of Collin Crawford plated Holloway. Cox was gunned down at the plate trying to score from second.

After Crawford stole second, Suess (2for-3) legged out an infield hit putting runners at the corners. Sweat followed with a run-scoring double plating Crawford. Suess’s courtesy runner, Brody Burchett, scored when the ball was mishandled for a 3-0 lead.

The Demons scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth. A one-out double was followed by run-scoring single cutting the deficit to 3-1.

Ware County scored three times after two were out in the fifth to open up a 6-1 advantage. Joyner lined a one-out single and moved into scoring position on an errant throw from the catcher.

Suess doubled on the next offering scoring Joyner with the first run. Burchett, inserted as a courtesy runner, stole third and scored the second run on an error. Sweat deposited the next over the fence in left-center for a five-run margin.

Ware County scored a run in the sixth, upping its advantage to 7-1. Tanner Larisey (1-for-3) opened the frame with a single. Courtesy runner Ryder Gilbert advanced when Holloway was hit one pitch later.

Both runners moved up 90 feet on a Cox sacrifice bunt. Joyner’s ensuing grounder plated Gilbert. Holloway was tagged out at the plate trying to score from the second.

Warner Robins scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth slicing the deficit to 7-3. The Demons scored on a theft of home and a sacrifice fly off Smallwood.

The Gators padded their margin with two runs in the seventh building a 9-3 lead. Crawford opened the inning reaching on a two-base error. After Suess was hit by the ensuing pitch, the pair pulled off a double steal. Each scored two pitches later on Sweat’s single to left.

The Lady Bears, the smallest school in the field, finished fourth in the March 23 tourney posting a 253 team score. The Lady Gators placed fifth with a team score of 257.

“The weather was perfect and the course was in great shape,” said head coach Stuart Stipe. “Kinderlou is not the kind of course you want to play blind with no practice round. It forces you to manage your golf ball around the course and onto big greens. I was pleased with our discipline off the tee, but we never did adjust to the greens and that cost us some ‘extra’ strokes.”

Class 6A tournament host Lowndes “A” blistered the course with an even-par score of 216. Finishing between the Lady Vikings and Class 2A PCHS were Class 6A Tift County (239) and Class 6A Richmond Hill (243). Behind Class 4A Ware County were Lowndes “B” (259), Class 5A Lee County (268), Class 5A Glynn Academy (272), Class 3A LaGrange (277), Class 4A Wayne County (278), Class 5A Coffee (288), Class 6A Colquitt County (290), Class 3A Bainbridge (307) and Class 5A Thomas County Central (308).

Lowndes teammates Catherine Odum and Sophia Martin finished 12 in the field of 68 golfers. Odum blistered the course carding a five-under-par score of 67. Martin finished one shot back with a four-under-par 68.

The Lady Bears were led by Mollie Kate Dixon’s round of 83 tying Lee County’s Bailey Lloyd for 10th. Sister Brooke Dixon was a shot back with an 84 in a three-way tie for 12th with Ware County’s Eevy Griffin and Tift County’s Riley Williams.

Kadence Hale shot 86 to round out the team score while finishing in a four-way tie for 19th with Lowndes’ teammates Emma Bowers and Sarah Stiefle, and Richmond Hill’s Isabella Romine. Belle Sinclair posted a round of 87 to tie Wayne County’s Kaydee Brown for 23rd. Morgan Hull added an 89, tying Tift County’s Mattie Hendrix for 27th.

Griffin’s round of 84 led the Lady Gators. Annslee Kate Grantham carded an 85 to finish in a four-way tie for 15th with Lowndes’ teammates Cannon Langdale and Peyton Stiefel, and Glynn Academy’s Sydney Paradis.

Lily Livingston posted an 88, finishing out the team score and tying Lowndes’ Miley Hughes for 25th. Kate Thomas followed with a round of 91 for a solo 31st finish. Lily Peters shot 98 for a solo 41st showing.