Crane: Trump’s big, beautiful bust

Former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) won the position as the 55th House speaker on the 15th ballot in January 2023, after House Republicans won a narrow majority during President Joe Biden’s 2022 midterm elections.McCarthy, a well-regarded House member since 2007 and solid fundraiser...

Stone: You’ve got to be kidding me!

Let’s go down a rabbit hole this week.Several years ago, while I was driving a truck for a living, I delivered copies of The Covington News to public schools in Newton County in the wee hours of the morning.One of the schools I delivered papers to was called Palmer-Stone Elementary School.I have a...

Rich: The magical romance of trains

Whenever Tink and I visit Greenwood, Mississippi, one of our favorite places, we stay at the small Alluvian Hotel.“Please, Denise,” I ask the front desk manager, “put us as close to the train as possible.”She laughs delightedly.“Miss Ronda, you’re the only person who ever wants the room nearest the...

Yarbrough: Threat not over despite Okefenokee victory

As you may be aware, a major victory has been declared in the fight to stop Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals from strip mining land adjacent to our Okefenokee National Wildlife Reserve in order that the world never run out of toothpaste whitener.The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit specializing in...

Crane: Still time to ensure safer schools

It was the morning of Sept. 4, 2024, when Georgia’s deadliest school shooting was underway at Apalachee High School in Winder.Thanks to a recently upgraded school security system, a fast-acting school resource officer, and local law enforcement, the mass murder was halted at four fatalities, with...

Stone: Poof … gone!

An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret.“The Invisible Man” film, screenplay by H.G. Wells, R.C. Sheriff, and Preston SturgesI like to feel seen and appreciated, like anybody else.

Rich: The return

It happened the other night. He returned for the first time in 30 years.

Letter to the Editor: Against ‘No Kings’ protests

Dear editor,I found it very disappointing that my local paper, Lake Oconee News, would put a picture of the “No Kings” protestors with a sign saying “86/47” and an article on the front page!So, this is what you call front-page news? Maybe you don’t know what 86/47 stands for.

Morris: Rookie mistakes - My first month as a full-time reporter

I’ve always wanted to try one of these, so here goes nothing.It’s been over six weeks since I graduated with a B.A. in mass communication for journalism. I started my position here as a reporter less than two weeks later, so things moved quickly for me.

Harris: Fixating on the first-born

Hey y’all, so I must start this week with a little confession.