Local

The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

Hartwell native Alison Miller publishes first book

By Madison Linton Lead news reporter Hart County native Alison Lyn Miller has published her first book, “Rough House: a Father, A Son, and the Pursuit of Pro-Wrestling Glory.”  The book, which debuted Jan.
Hartwell recognized by GMA as Visionary City

Hartwell recognized by GMA as Visionary City

Seeing the vision

Submitted by Jason Ford  City of Hartwell  The City of Hartwell is proud to be named as a 2026 Visionary City Award honoree, presented by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in collaboration with Georgia Trend.
 Photo submitted by Sandra English.

 Photo submitted by Sandra English.

Art Center volunteers prep annex for classroom

Art Center members and volunteers met at the annex at Saturday, Jan. 10, for a clean up and trash removal project. The purpose of the project was to get the annex ready to become a classroom. Donna Koenig was the coordinator of the work day.
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

Coming together on growth

The Hart County Board of Commissioners and Hartwell City Council are expected to come together to discuss issues related to growth during a called meeting Feb. 5.  Chairman Marshall Sayer and Hartwell City Clerk Jayda Thomas notified The Hartwell Sun of the meeting last week.
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.

Steve Coughlin is loving life

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.

Business Honor Roll: 1st Franklin Financial Corporation

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.

Business Honor Roll: The Gordon Law Firm

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.