Local

Hart County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Amanda Brown (left) holding "Nancy Honk," the patriotic porch goose, and Aeva Looney (right), an intern with the Chamber/Hartwell Main Street through the University of Georgia's Archway Program, stand in front of the Smithsonian Exhibit inside the Arts Center of Hartwell Wednesday morning. The pair is advertising a variety of the Pre-4th festivities that will take place alongside the Hartwell Service League's Pre-4th Celebration. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

Hart County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Amanda Brown (left) holding "Nancy Honk," the patriotic porch goose, and Aeva Looney (right), an intern with the Chamber/Hartwell Main Street through the University of Georgia's Archway Program, stand in front of the Smithsonian Exhibit inside the Arts Center of Hartwell Wednesday morning. The pair is advertising a variety of the Pre-4th festivities that will take place alongside the Hartwell Service League's Pre-4th Celebration. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prepping for the Pre-4th

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, June 25, 2026
The Hartwell Service League’s (HSL) 49th annual Pre-4th Celebration is scheduled to fill the streets of downtown Hartwell Saturday for a patriotic celebration on the eve of the nation's 250th anniversary.From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., approximately 200 vendors will fill the area with unique...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

TSPLOST percentages set

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Percentage allocations for the remaining three cities in Hart County's proposed transportation special purpose local option sales tax (TSPLOST) have been set following a joint meeting Tuesday.Mayor Jason Phillips and City Manager Lanier Dunn from the City of Royston, Mayor Eli Brown from the City...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

Police, city holding fundraiser

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Submitted by Lt. Darin RuckerHartwell Police DepartmentThe men and women of the Hartwell Police Department, in partnership with the City of Hartwell, will host a Bubba Burger Meal Benefit Sale to support Audrey Segars, human resources director for the City of Hartwell.This fundraiser will help...
Above (L-R) Richard Frady, Daniel Meth, Jo Ann Moore and Terri Cleveland prepare for a performance at the Hart County Senior Center. Photo by Madison Linton.

Above (L-R) Richard Frady, Daniel Meth, Jo Ann Moore and Terri Cleveland prepare for a performance at the Hart County Senior Center. Photo by Madison Linton.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lake Hartwell Bluegrass is Loving Life, and helping seniors love life in return

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
By Madison Linton- Lead news reporter“Let me assure you, there is no money in bluegrass,” guitarist Richard Frady of the Lake Hartwell Bluegrass Band said to the crowd of seniors at the Hart County Senior Center during a Monday morning performance.
Hart County survey QR code

Hart County survey QR code

Hart County, Bowersville working to update comprehensive plans

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Submitted by Adam HazellGeorgia Mountain Regional CommissionHart County and the Town of Bowersville are working to update their comprehensive plans, the document that helps shape and coordinate local work programs.North Georgia is growing, and residents and businesses are drawn to the area for...
Storm damage at Elrod Ferry Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Storm damage at Elrod Ferry Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Elrod Ferry closed due to storm damage

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of EngineersAs of June 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hartwell Dam and Lake Project Office announced it has temporarily closed Elrod Ferry Recreation Area due to recent storm damage.A severe storm, producing significant winds, traveled across the project area...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cemetery company in breach of consent order

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Owners of Nancy Hart Memorial Gardens, Inc. are in breach of a consent order handed down by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office in April, Rep. Alan Powell told The Hartwell Sun Tuesday.Filed April 21, the order  provided the company could be paying the state up to $375,000 in fines and would be...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Coming to an agreement

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Despite a bumpy road that was filled with detours at times, a transportation special purpose local option sales tax (TSPLOST) is one step closer to becoming a reality after the Hart County Board of Commissioners and Hartwell City Council shook hands on a proposed split Tuesday night.The split would...
Photographer Bill Powell (front), and (back row, L-R) Editor/Publisher Rose Scoggins and Sports writer Benjamin London, along with The Hartwell Sun staff, brought home six awards in the Georgia Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest. Photo by Susan Culver.

Photographer Bill Powell (front), and (back row, L-R) Editor/Publisher Rose Scoggins and Sports writer Benjamin London, along with The Hartwell Sun staff, brought home six awards in the Georgia Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest. Photo by Susan Culver.

Sun staff wins awards in GPA contest

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Hartwell Sun staff was recognized for winning half a dozen awards in the Georgia Press Association's (GPA) Better Newspaper Contest during the GPA's annual convention on Jekyll Island June 13.Awards were given for work published in 2025 and were based on The Sun's circulation...