Tornado hits Ellaville

On Monday April 3, a tornado came into Ellaville on the Ebenezer Road around 12:30 to 1 p.m., uprooting trees and causing a lot of damages. It turned and went around Callaway Drive and continued to cross old Highway19 to the Andersonville Highway.
Lights went out shortly after the tornado hit. The sheriff notified everyone that the Salvation Army would serve food to the residents that evening. They also served breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday.
The city’s electrical department and other electric company crews started working on Monday afternoon and worked all night and Tuesday. About 60 percent of the lights came back on about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.
The Schley County Road Department helped the city with their work to get repairs completed.
The Ellaville Police Department and the Schley County Sheriff’s Office have really helped out so much along with the City Manager Lynne McChargue and the County Manager Bill Sawyer.
The citizens of Ellaville thank the Salvation Army for serving hot food, and for helping in a time of need. Thanks also to the City and County for all their help.
We especially thank God that no one was hurt or killed.

Schley County Family Connection meets

On March 23, the Schley County Family Connection held its monthly meeting at the Thomas Edwin Wall Post 191 American Legion in Ellaville.
John Greene call the meeting to order. Wayne Morrow Sr. opened with the blessing, and a delicious spaghetti dinner was served.
John introduced three guests: Carolyn Murray with New Hope, Lisa Jordan with South Georgia Technical College, and Doug Goodin, president of the Schley County Student Council.
Adam Hathaway, Schley County School superintendent, announced that spring break would be here soon. The elementary school will be testing before spring break. The new buildings are almost finished, and will be ready to move in soon. Deborah Hawver, assistant superintendent, gave a report on special activities that are going on and are getting good ideas and special opportunities for our schools.
Todd West, Schley County Middle and High School principal said students had only 30 days until school is out. He also said that graduation will be televised this year.
Doug Goodin, a senior and president of the Schley County Student Council, reported on Student Council activities such as the survey and handbook, and other projects students were involved in. He gave a report of the Literary Team going to Milledgeville the previous weekend in competition. He also gave a demonstration of his act for the competition for which he placed third in the state. Patti Wurtz is their teacher and instructor.
Tina Hudson, with the NYU Hope 4 Ville, spoke about working with the community activities. She’s hoping to get a computer lab. This new group is hoping to have a fundraiser in April, to be announced later.
Larhanda Jackson, with Department of Juvenile Justice, gave a report.
Nancy Collins, with Middle Flint Behavioral Health Care, reported on HIV. She can help get services for those who are in need of support.
Elaine Gillispie, of Congressman Sanford Bishop’s staff, reported on the vote on American Health Act.
Wayne Morrow Sr. represented the Ellaville Lions Club, and reported on what the club does to help people in need of eye glasses, young and old. If you don’t have the funds, they will be glad to help out with glasses. They have fundraisers throughout the year, and they have a Lions Club Camp for the Blind in Waycross; the local club supports the community with their services.
Linda Adams, Schley County Foundation, announced that the Foundation was trying to raise money to build a playground at the Roland Jones Recreational Field at a cost of $27,000. To make a donation, call John Greene 591-2323.
Nancy McMath Young spoke on behalf of the Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society and gave a report on the recent membership meeting. She invited all to join.

Schley County High School attends State Literary Competition

On March 20, Schley County High School was represented at the State Literary Competition at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.
The Schley County team placed third in state against some tough competition from Georgia Military College and Seminole County.
Individual winners included Quartet: Jared McAllister, Will Cobb, Logan Hair, and Lucus Sellars with a tie for 4th Place; Christian Arnett placed 4th in Argumentative Essay; Michael Wise placed 3rd in Domestic Extemporanous Speaking; Doug Goodin and Josh Allwood placed 3rd in Duo Oral Interpretation; Doug Goodin placed 2nd in Humorous Oral Interpretation; Lacy Tucker tied for 1st place; Personal Essay; Ginny Calhoun placed 1st in Rhetorical  Essay.
Other team members were Mikaela Ellis, Maci Lawhorn, and Caitlin Strickland.
Their teacher, Patti Wurtz thanks the team for working so hard, and a special thank you to John Inzetta, Lisa Holloway and Judy McClellan for devoting their time to help with practice.

Confederate flags placed in Ellaville and Schley County

On April 2, members of the Alexander H. Stephens Camp 78 Sons of the Confederate Veterans placed flags on all the graves of Confederate soldiers in honor of April being Confederate History Month.
Members placing the flags were Dennis Jones, Luther Wilson, and Jesse Wilson.
Flags were placed on the graves of Confederate soldiers in the Ellaville City Cemetery, Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery, Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery, Phillipi Baptist Church Cemetery, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, and the Cartwright Cemetery at Liberty Hill Freewill Baptist Church.
More flags will be placed at the remaining Schley County cemeteries this weekend. The flags will be removed at the end of April so they can be utilized again next year for this special project.
Many Sons of the Confederate Veterans members and friends of the Alexander H. Stephens Camp placed flags on the graves of Confederate soldiers in Sumter County also.
Thank all of the local Sons of the Confederate Veterans for this opportunity to honor the Confederate soldiers of Schley and Sumter counties.