With the Virginia legislature in the national spotlight for several gun safety laws moving through the Democrat-controlled House and Senate, and with Georgia also considering a "red flag law," local government officials are looking at ways to protect the gun rights of their residents.

Coinciding with the annual routines of the Georgia General Assembly, members met back under the Gold Dome to conduct a week-long series of joint budget hearings. During the span of three days, members from both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees met to listen to the budgetary req…

Last June the Jackson High School Red Devil NJROTC Battalion received a trailer to transport equipment for competitions and community events. The NJROTC program decided to personalize it and reached out to Butts County Sheriff Gary Long about sponsoring the artwork. With no hesitation, Sheri…

Gen. Beauregard Lee, Georgia’s weather prognosticating groundhog, will make his third Groundhog Day prediction from his home at Dauset Trails Nature Center on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Whether you support Donald Trump or think he is guilty of nefarious deeds regarding Ukraine, he is not going to be removed from office unless Republicans have a death wish. This, despite ponderous pontifications by liberals that at least 10 Republicans senators will turn on him and provide a constitutional majority for removal. Right now, I see only Mitt Romney, who probably would like to run for president (again), and a couple of others so inclined. This is all about the 2020 election. Trump is his own worst enemy with intemperate tweets and unnecessary insults. The fact is the stock market is at an all-time high and unemployment is at historic lows. He has gotten China to the table on tariff issues that should have been addressed a long time ago and he made a charcoal briquet out of a jive-talking Iranian terrorist intent on doing us harm. Were this Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, the national media would be wetting itself. ...

The following names and charges appeared in the Butts County Jail Logbook January 21, 2020.

Chief Magistrate Rebecca Pitts reports the following individuals were brought before the Magistrate Court of Butts County for First Appearance Bond Hearings during the period of January 13-19, 2020:

The United Coalition of Jackson honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its annual community-wide event on Monday, Jan. 20, at 1:30 p.m. at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson.

“Mamma Mia!” is coming to Jackson! Jackson High School’s theater department will stage the musical “Mamma Mia” at the Rufus Adams Auditorium on Jan. 30 and 31, and Feb. 1.

Dr. Stephanie Gordon, owner of Story on the Square, an independent book store on the square in McDonough, is determined to bring top-notch books and authors to the Middle Georgia area. And thanks to her persistence, on Jan. 14 the New York publisher Harper-Collins partnered with Gordon and h…

Buying cigarettes could get a little bit tougher for kids in Georgia under a new bill before the 2020 General Assembly.

Traffic on Ga. Highway 36 coming into and out of the Jackson square was slow Thursday morning as the Georgia Department of Transportation painted a new crosswalk at the intersection of Hwy. 36 and Byars Street. In the left photo, GDOT employees paint a red line across Hwy. 36 to frame where …

On January 9, Partners for Smart Growth board members Kim Freshwater, Joe Westbury, and Jeanette Riley presented the Butts County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Jackson Police Department with gift baskets to recognize National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Daniel, daughter of Millard and Mary Frances Daniel, received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Duke University on Dec. 14.

The Butts County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Executive Director position. This position is classified a part-time position with the Executive Director working no more than 20 hours per week in a normal week. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. A bri…

Changes to Georgia’s dual enrollment program could be in the offing that would nix free college-level classes for freshman high schoolers.

A compromise bill to collect taxes on online sales overseen by large retailers like Amazon, plus the ride-share companies Uber and Lyft, was hashed out Jan. 16 by a group of Georgia House and Senate lawmakers.

United Bank is delighted to announce that James (Jamie) Long has joined the Jackson division as a Consumer Lender and Bank Officer.

When the 2020 census is completed, the Georgia General Assembly will begin the process of redistricting its state House and Senate districts, along with its Congressional districts. When that happens, State Rep. Andy Welch of McDonough hopes that Butts County will come out favorably and be a…

Another session of the General Assembly is upon us. This is an election year and there will be more posturing under the Gold Dome than a prima ballerina in a performance of “Swan Lake.”

Members of the Butts County Health Department were honored Jan. 13 by the Butts County Board of Commissioners as District 4 Public Health, which the health department is part of, has received national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).

Gordon State College (GSC) signed an agreement June 14 with Georgia College & State University (GCSU) that will allow for a transfer admission guarantee starting Spring 2020. The Highlander Pathways to Georgia College program participants will be identified as Georgia College & State…

The second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, radon is an odorless, invisible, tasteless radioactive gas released by the natural decay of uranium in our soils and rocks. 

The Gordon State College (GSC) men’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak Jan. 8 with a 74-62 win over Southern Crescent Technical College The Highlanders put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a convincing 76-52 victory over East Georgia State Colleg…

The United Coalition of Jackson invites Butts County communities to the 34th Annual King Holiday Celebration on Monday, Jan. 20, at 1:30 p.m. at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 709 South Mulberry Street in Jackson.

A driver allegedly led Butts County deputies on a chase reaching speeds up to 118 mph on England Chapel Road while his passenger allegedly tossed suspected methamphetamine out the window. Both are now in custody and facing numerous charges.

Confession is good for the soul, so they say. What better place to confess than right here, for all to see?

Prior to Iran's missile attacks on U.S. bases inside Iraq, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, "We are not seeking war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one." Esper said the U.S. prefers a "diplomatic" solution to the escalation of tensions in the region.

 Georgia House Democrats want the state’s largest energy provider to clean up its coal ash, the toxic byproduct of burning coal at several power plants in the state.

News of 10 years ago:

Last minute changes required by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to the intersection of Ga. Highway 16 and Jackson Road/Windy Lane may soon be underway thanks to a declaration of emergency unanimously approved by the Butts County Board of Commissioners Monday night.

It was a hectic week on the court for the Piedmont Academy varsity basketball teams.

The Piedmont Academy wrestling team ushered in the second half of the 2019-2020 season last week gaining much-needed mat experience.

The following names and charges appeared in the Butts County Jail log January 13, 2020

Local nonprofit Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy has rebranded as “Ferst Readers.” The organization’s new name more accurately reflects its vision: To place quality books and useful literacy resources in the home during a child’s earliest and most critical stage of development.

The Red Devils are stuck on 38, which hasn’t been enough points for them to win a basketball game in more than six years.

Chief Magistrate Rebecca Pitts reports the following individuals were brought before the Magistrate Court of Butts County for First Appearance Bond Hearings during the period of January 6-12, 2020:

Green industry professional Haley Browning, known affectionately around Jackson as “Water Girl,” has been appointed adjunct instructor of horticulture at Southern Technical College’s Griffin campus.

On Nov. 30, five members of the Butts County Historical Society (BCHS) traveled to Okmulgee, Okla., to tour the town and historic sites. Members of the local society were invited to Okmulgee by Muscogee (Creek) Chief James Floyd.