Local

Kyle Whalen and Mike Powell celebrate a world championship in window tinting in Florida on Jan. 8.

Kyle Whalen and Mike Powell celebrate a world championship in window tinting in Florida on Jan. 8.

Local window tinter wins world championship

Kyle Whalen, 33, and Mike Powell are world champions. It’s not for their athletic capabilities like the recently crowned Georgia Bulldogs, but for their craftsmanship in window tinting. The battle to see who the best window tinter in the world commenced on Jan.
Photo credit: Element5 Digital

Photo credit: Element5 Digital

Absentee ballot applications open for special election; voting schedule set

The Hart County Board of Elections is now accepting absentee applications for the March 21, 2023 Special Election, which will ask Hart County residents to continue the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) in order to help fund various school improvements throughout the county.
There were several Hartwell residents in attendance Monday for Georgia’s 65-7 thrashing of TCU in the National Championship Game held at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Pictured above are brothers (L-R) Kip Phillips, Troup Phillips, Crew Phillips and Spooner Phillips.

There were several Hartwell residents in attendance Monday for Georgia’s 65-7 thrashing of TCU in the National Championship Game held at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Pictured above are brothers (L-R) Kip Phillips, Troup Phillips, Crew Phillips and Spooner Phillips.

Hartwell Dawgs fans celebrate near and far; bask in another national championship

‘Glory, Glory to ole Georgia!’ The Georgia Bulldogs defeated Texas Christian University, 65-7 on Monday, Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California to capture their second consecutive national championship.
The plot of land between Fairview Ave and Liberty Hill Road where the 650 subdivision complex is to be built.

The plot of land between Fairview Ave and Liberty Hill Road where the 650 subdivision complex is to be built.

Commissioners pull back in subdivision dispute: “The law does not allow us to say, ‘No, you cannot develop your property.’”

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the Hart County Board of Commissioners conceded the struggle over the the city’s proposed annexation of the 274 acres situated between Fairview Avenue and Liberty Hill Road, which developers Kenny Whitworth and Brandt Bentley plan to turn into a subdivision.
Jashon Gaines stares down an opponent before making a play at the rim.

Jashon Gaines stares down an opponent before making a play at the rim.

Dogs take third at McDonald’s Shootout while also falling to T.L. Hanna

The Dogs finished third place at the McDonald’s Shootout over the weekend of Dec. 26, also falling 60-48 to T.L. Hanna on Tuesday. The Dogs kept it close in the first game in the McDonald’s Shootout versus Pendleton in which they went onto win, 51-43.
North Carolina’s junior defensive end Kaimon Rucker named 3M Stem Scholar Athlete.

North Carolina’s junior defensive end Kaimon Rucker named 3M Stem Scholar Athlete.

3M and Military Bowl honors Rucker

Former Hart County standout and current North Carolina Tar Heel Linebacker Kaimon Rucker received the second annual 3M Stem Scholar Honor.
Junior guard Dakota Phillips dribbles past a defender in the 64-60 win over Wade Hampton High School to win the 15th annual McDonald’s Shootout hosted at Hart County.

Junior guard Dakota Phillips dribbles past a defender in the 64-60 win over Wade Hampton High School to win the 15th annual McDonald’s Shootout hosted at Hart County.

Lady Dogs crowned champions of shootout

The Hart County Lady Dogs won the McDonald’s Shootout over the weekend of Dec. 26, but dropped their first game of 2023 to T.L. Hanna on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 53-43. After the Lady Dogs had a heartbreaking loss to Elbert County on Dec. 23, they looked to get back on track after the holiday break.
Photo credit: Insung Yoon

Photo credit: Insung Yoon

# Throwback Thursday

1936: The following was published in The Hartwell Sun in January 1936. The author is not given: I asked the New Year, “What am I to do the whole year through?” The answer came: “Be True.” I asked again, “And what am I to say to those who pass my way?
Photo credit: David von Diemar

Photo credit: David von Diemar

The Blotter

The Hart County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests:   •Tony Curry, 51, of Hartwell was arrested and charged with DUI, failure to register vehicle, and failure to stop for a stop sign. Dec. 29 •Ronderic Moore, 19, of Hartwell was arrested and charged with theft by stolen property.