News

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Struggling Georgia timber industry could receive big tax break

Mark Niesse
Thursday, January 22, 2026
A proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution would end sales taxes on timber, a major industry battered by mill closings and storms.House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) said a bipartisan group of legislators wants to help protect “a cornerstone of the state’s rural economy.
Lisa Thomas Conner, youngest daughter of Steffen and Sara Thomas, remains heavily involved in the Buckhead museum that showcases many examples of her famous father’s life’s work. IAN TOCHER/ File photo

Lisa Thomas Conner, youngest daughter of Steffen and Sara Thomas, remains heavily involved in the Buckhead museum that showcases many examples of her famous father’s life’s work. IAN TOCHER/ File photo

Steffen Thomas Museum receives archives grant

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Steffen Thomas Museum & Archives, Inc. (STMA) has announced that it has received a $95,400 grant to support the preservation of STMA’s nationally significant archives, which requires a dollar-for-dollar local match to complete vital conservation work.
Elvis lives on in hearts and minds at The Plaza. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Elvis lives on in hearts and minds at The Plaza. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Elvis lives on in hearts and minds at The Plaza

Ian Tocher
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Elvis Presley may have left us decades ago, but last Thursday night his spirit very much lived on — and occasionally wandered the aisles of The Plaza Arts Center.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Commissioners deny Harbor Pointe plat request

Skyla Morris
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Greene County Board of Commissioners saw a large audience attend its Jan. 12 meeting as citizens anticipated an answer on a significant development proposal near their homes.The board ultimately sided with public opinion and denied a preliminary plat request for Harbor Pointe Townhomes.
The MCCS BOE released renderings for the new K-5 facility, which opens Fall 2028. The primary and elementary schools will occupy half of the building. COURTESY OF MCCS

The MCCS BOE released renderings for the new K-5 facility, which opens Fall 2028. The primary and elementary schools will occupy half of the building. COURTESY OF MCCS

New K-5 facility: Morgan BOE shares updates on new school

Skyla Morris
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The Morgan County Board of Education met Jan. 12 for its first monthly meeting of the year and shared multiple updates and changes planned for the county.
The new year got off to a rough start for a Reynolds Lake Oconee family when fire caused extensive damage to their home at 1021 Brookside. CONTRIBUTED

The new year got off to a rough start for a Reynolds Lake Oconee family when fire caused extensive damage to their home at 1021 Brookside. CONTRIBUTED

Fire forces family from Reynolds home

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, January 8, 2026
A second house fire at a Reynolds Lake Oconee home valued at $1.4 million caused heavy damage and displaced a family of seven last week.The fire call came in at 10:34 a.m. Jan. 1, and elements of Greene County Fire Rescue began arriving at 10:43 a.m.
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