Opinion & Editorial

Photo by Waldemar

Photo by Waldemar

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Local News is Good for Business

News Staff
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the Community News & Small Business Support Act, that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses.
Photo by Diana Orey

Photo by Diana Orey

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Racetracks and Racers

News Staff
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
When I was a child my father and I would sometimes go to automobile races at various dirt tracks in the area. We attended races in Toccoa, Hartwell, Lavonia and Banks County speedways in Georgia along with Anderson, Greenville-Pickens and Westminster Speedways in South Carolina.
Photo by Fred Moon

Photo by Fred Moon

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Kind actions by law enforcers also deserve attention

News Staff
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
If you have seen the old Andy Griffith Show on television, no doubt you’ve seen Otis, the town drunk who checked himself into Sheriff Andy’s jail after he’d had a few too many. Years ago, Rabun County jail in Clayton, had its own Otis.
Photo by Rod Long

Photo by Rod Long

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Trust Jesus

News Staff
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
We must respond appropriately to each disappointment. Many times, we cope by putting up defenses. We say, “I will never get hurt again.” So, we love less. We reject others before they can reject us. This is not the best response. We must commit ourselves to Christ and rise above each difficulty.
Our family—all 16 of us—love basking in the natural wonders of Georgia’s outdoors. Sunrise on the coast of the Golden Isles is a special time of day. And it’s an extra special time for our son, Alan, to take his sons, William and Fenn, fishing in the surf of Cumberland Island. As soon as all eight of our grandchildren could walk, they were holding fishing poles.

Our family—all 16 of us—love basking in the natural wonders of Georgia’s outdoors. Sunrise on the coast of the Golden Isles is a special time of day. And it’s an extra special time for our son, Alan, to take his sons, William and Fenn, fishing in the surf of Cumberland Island. As soon as all eight of our grandchildren could walk, they were holding fishing poles.

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Georgia is always on my mind

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
The fascination came early. Even before I could drive, I was addicted. Decades later, I am still like a kid in a candy store. I struggle to decide which I like best. That’s why I can never get enough. When Emily was in pigtails, we would slip through the Altamaha River swamp in a skiff.
Photo by kimi lee

Photo by kimi lee

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Finding the funding for Georgia highways

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Wounds were still being licked this time 10 years ago. A year earlier, the ballyhooed effort to implement a new transportation tax had been thumped at the ballot box in most parts of Georgia, including in metro Atlanta where the need for new infrastructure was dire.
Photo by Jochen van Wylick

Photo by Jochen van Wylick

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Thanks to the men behind the scenes

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Fifty eight years stand between the establishment of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mothers in the United States have been awarded the honor since 1914, but Father’s Day was not recognized as a national holiday until Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Photo by Elan smith

Photo by Elan smith

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Jekyll Island: A gem among our Golden Isles

Dink NeSmith
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Millions of Georgians would probably ask, “Who was Melvin Ernest Thompson?” Four times in the past week, I passed over the M.E. Thompson Bridge. And each time, I said, “Thank you, Melvin Ernest Thompson.” M.E. Thompson, Georgia’s 70th governor, didn’t serve long.
Todd London (left) stands next to his son Benjamin London (right), who is holding a very happy Baylor Kate.

Todd London (left) stands next to his son Benjamin London (right), who is holding a very happy Baylor Kate.

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A first-time perspective on Father’s Day

News Staff
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
This Father’s Day will mean more to me this year than any other year. Back on November 11, 2022 (which was also my 24th birthday), my wife Madison and I walked into AnMed Women’s and Children’s Hospital at around 7 a.m. for her to be induced.