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Steve Coughlin poses at the 2025 International Singer Songwriters Association awards. The group received several nominations, including Band of the Year and Band Single of the Year. Courtesy photo from Steve Coughlin.

Steve Coughlin poses at the 2025 International Singer Songwriters Association awards. The group received several nominations, including Band of the Year and Band Single of the Year. Courtesy photo from Steve Coughlin.

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Steve Coughlin is loving life

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Madison Linton Steve Coughlin kept getting pulled over by law enforcement officers.  The same sheriff’s deputy pulled him over again and again on his 2 a.m. trips back home from the recording studio in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
1st Franklin Financial Corporation employees in Hartwell include (L-R) Pam Anderson, Wendy Holmes and Joyce Wilson. Photo by Madison Linton.

1st Franklin Financial Corporation employees in Hartwell include (L-R) Pam Anderson, Wendy Holmes and Joyce Wilson. Photo by Madison Linton.

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Business Honor Roll: 1st Franklin Financial Corporation

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
In 1941, lawyer Ben F. Cheek Jr. made an effort to promote his financial services to loan seekers in Stephens County’s newspaper, The Toccoa Record. Through advertising, he offered his first auto loan for a grand total of $34.
The Gordon Law Firm, Attorneys at Law, LLC, which has often won Best Attorney in The Hartwell Sun's annual Readers' Choice contest, celebrates 50 years this year. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

The Gordon Law Firm, Attorneys at Law, LLC, which has often won Best Attorney in The Hartwell Sun's annual Readers' Choice contest, celebrates 50 years this year. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

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Business Honor Roll: The Gordon Law Firm

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, January 22, 2026
In 1976, Walter James Gordon Sr. moved back home to Hartwell after years in law school at Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C.  He moved into the Gordon Building, where his father’s real estate office, along with other businesses, was located, and began practicing solo.
Lyle (left) and Margaret (right) Koehn standing in front of their business, Hartwell Glass and Mirror. The shop is turning 30 this year. Photo by Madison Linton.

Lyle (left) and Margaret (right) Koehn standing in front of their business, Hartwell Glass and Mirror. The shop is turning 30 this year. Photo by Madison Linton.

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Business Honor Roll: Hartwell Glass & Mirror

News Staff
Thursday, January 22, 2026
By Madison Linton Dennis and Julie Moore moved to Cumming in 1979. In 1982, the couple opened their own glass shop in the town after Dennis Moore, who worked with glass throughout his teenage years, worked for years as a manager at a large glass company in Stone Mountain.
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

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Harmony House chili cook-off set for Feb. 7

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Harmony House Child Advocacy Sexual Assault Center's annual Chili Cook-Off  will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Elberton Civic Center located at 148 College Ave. in Elberton. Tasting begins at 4 p.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
Rev. Col. Patricia Miller

Rev. Col. Patricia Miller

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St. Andrew's to host 'Mother Pat'

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Submitted by  Rhea Dignam  St. Andrew's Episcopal Church With the retirement of Rev. Reid Hamilton, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is scheduled to host Rev. Col. Patricia Miller “Mother Pat" as the visiting celebrant and preacher Jan. 18 and 25 at 10:30 a.m.  Miller was a nurse with the U.S.
TORCH board member Larry Torrence (left) surprised outgoing fellow board member Lenford Smith (right) with a plaque for his years of service to the board. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

TORCH board member Larry Torrence (left) surprised outgoing fellow board member Lenford Smith (right) with a plaque for his years of service to the board. Photo by Rose Scoggins.

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Smith honored for longtime TORCH service

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
By Madison Linton At the end of December, Hartwell native and retiring TORCH board member Lenford Smith was surprised and honored with a plaque of dedication at the Railroad Street Park by fellow board member and friend Larry Torrence.
Franklin County High School graduate and Rockmart head football coach Biff Parson has been named the new head football coach at Hart County High School. Parson was previously a quarterback coach for the Dogs in 2002. Photo courtesy of The Rome News-Tribune.

Franklin County High School graduate and Rockmart head football coach Biff Parson has been named the new head football coach at Hart County High School. Parson was previously a quarterback coach for the Dogs in 2002. Photo courtesy of The Rome News-Tribune.

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Parson named new head football coach

Benjamin London - Sports Editor and Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Biff Parson has been named Hart County’s 18th head football coach.  He, alongside his wife Anna, who will be a math teacher at Hart County High School (HCHS) were approved, pending background checks, during Monday night’s Hart County Board of Education.
Blue Topaz Advocacy, an organization committed to bringing advocacy and connection to the community, held a community event at the Hart County Senior Center in December to kick off its work. Photo submitted by Rachel Gaines.

Blue Topaz Advocacy, an organization committed to bringing advocacy and connection to the community, held a community event at the Hart County Senior Center in December to kick off its work. Photo submitted by Rachel Gaines.

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A voice for advocacy and connection: Blue Topaz Advocacy introduces mission

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Submitted by Rachel Gaines Blue Topaz Advocacy  Hartwell is a community built on relationships—neighbors who look out for one another, generations who stay connected and a shared belief in showing up for those around us.