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The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

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Rolling back the mills

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Property owners in both Hart County and the City of Hartwell are slated to see a reduction of the millage rate on this year’s tax bills after the Hart County Board of Commissioners (BOC) and Hartwell City Council announced intentions to roll back this year’s rates this week.
Hart Academy Director Kendell Rucker is pictured after recently receiving the 2025 GAAE Administrator of the Year Award. (Photo submitted by Grayson Williams)

Hart Academy Director Kendell Rucker is pictured after recently receiving the 2025 GAAE Administrator of the Year Award. (Photo submitted by Grayson Williams)

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Rucker named admin of the year

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Submitted by Grayson Williams Hart County Charter System Kendell Rucker, Director of Hart Academy, has been named the 2025 Georgia Association for Alternative Education (GAAE) Administrator of the Year. The Hart County Charter System made the announcement earlier this week.
On Oct. 20, Strickland Funeral Home will celebrate its 50th anniversary of serving local families. Funeral directors (L-R) include Mickey Umbehant, Courtney Umbehant, Arnold Strickland and Jamie Johnson. Not pictured is funeral director Matthew Strickland. (Photo submitted by Arnold Strickland)

On Oct. 20, Strickland Funeral Home will celebrate its 50th anniversary of serving local families. Funeral directors (L-R) include Mickey Umbehant, Courtney Umbehant, Arnold Strickland and Jamie Johnson. Not pictured is funeral director Matthew Strickland. (Photo submitted by Arnold Strickland)

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Strickland Funeral Home celebrates 50 years

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, October 16, 2025
On Oct. 20, 1975, Joseph A. Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Hartwell held its first funeral service for a grieving family in the community.
The Hart County High School Bulldog Marching Band presents its 2025 show, “In the Heights,” based on the acclaimed musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes. (Photo courtesy of Hilaree Hudson)

The Hart County High School Bulldog Marching Band presents its 2025 show, “In the Heights,” based on the acclaimed musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes. (Photo courtesy of Hilaree Hudson)

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Bulldog Marching Band performs ‘In The Heights’

Adriana Cascio – Leading News Reporter
Thursday, October 16, 2025
The beats of New York City’s Dominican-American community are taking center stage on the marching field this year, as the Hart County High School (HCHS) Bulldog Marching Band presents its 2025 show, “In the Heights,” based on the acclaimed musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes.
a group of Bulldog Marching Band students dressed like director Alan Tolbert on the last day of band camp in July to honor the long-term band director who is slated to retire in June after 27 years of directing the marching band. (Photo courtesy of the Hart County Bulldog Marching Band)

a group of Bulldog Marching Band students dressed like director Alan Tolbert on the last day of band camp in July to honor the long-term band director who is slated to retire in June after 27 years of directing the marching band. (Photo courtesy of the Hart County Bulldog Marching Band)

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Tolbert marches last steps with Bulldog band

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Alan Tolbert, 54, has served as the Hart County High School (HCHS) band director since 1999, organizing new programs, directing countless concerts and teaching hundreds of different students.
Hart County Bulldog Marching Band

Hart County Bulldog Marching Band

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Get to know the Bulldog Band members

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
• Jorge Aguilar – Aguilar is a sophomore alto saxophonist playing his third year with the marching band. Aguilar is the son of Jessica Rudolph and Jorge Aguilar. • Isabella Ayers – Ayers is a senior drumline percussionist playing her third year with the marching band.
The Bulldog Marching Band’s annual Lake Hartwell Marching Competition is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at Hart County High School. The first band is set to perform at 2:30 p.m. Hart County is scheduled to take the field at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children ages five and under. (Schedule courtesy of the Bulldog Marching Band)

The Bulldog Marching Band’s annual Lake Hartwell Marching Competition is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at Hart County High School. The first band is set to perform at 2:30 p.m. Hart County is scheduled to take the field at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children ages five and under. (Schedule courtesy of the Bulldog Marching Band)

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Band to host annual competition Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
By Adriana Cascio  Leading News Reporter and Rose Scoggins Editor/Publisher The Hart County High School Marching Band is scheduled to host the annual Lake Hartwell Marching Competition Oct. 18, featuring 14 competing bands.
Candidates on the City of Hartwell's general municipal election ballot include Tray Hicks and Kay Ankerich for Hicks’ seat and Jerry McHan, Randy Clark and Stephen “Doc” Ayers for the seat currently held by Dan Leard.

Candidates on the City of Hartwell's general municipal election ballot include Tray Hicks and Kay Ankerich for Hicks’ seat and Jerry McHan, Randy Clark and Stephen “Doc” Ayers for the seat currently held by Dan Leard.

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Early voting begins Tuesday

Rose Scoggins - Editor and Publisher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Early voting for the City of Hartwell’s general municipal election is slated to begin Tuesday, Oct. 14.  Candidates on the ballot  include Tray Hicks and Kay Ankerich for Hicks’ seat and Jerry McHan, Randy Clark and Stephen “Doc” Ayers for the seat currently held by Dan Leard.