Opinion & Editorial

The great Ray Charles sang, “Georgia, Georgia The whole day through (the whole day through) Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind) ….”

The great Ray Charles sang, “Georgia, Georgia The whole day through (the whole day through) Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind) ….”

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Georgia, what’s on your mind?

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
By Dink NeSmith If you asked me to name my 10 favorite songs, the answer wouldn’t be instantaneous. But I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you my top pick, “Georgia on My Mind.” Ray Charles sings it best. Willie Nelson is my runner-up.Indeed, Georgia is always on my mind.
The time to settle political disputes is in regularly-scheduled elections.

The time to settle political disputes is in regularly-scheduled elections.

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Political differences no reason for recall

News Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025
An effort to recall Franklin Springs Mayor Lee Moore hit a road block recently when an application to start the process was denied by the Franklin County Elections Board.

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Integrity and politics once went hand-in-hand

News Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025
By Diane Toney I understand politics.  I do.   And I understand integrity.  I do.But for the sake of being absolutely clear, here are brief definitions:  integrity is honesty, pure and simple.Politics is more complicated: groups  (often government) with a mission and power.
In his final days, this is one of the cartoons that I shared with my dad. He loved telling his grandchildren about his working on Shedd’s Dairy milk-delivery truck when he was a kid. One morning, Mrs. Roswell Majette’s bulldog bit him between his back pockets. He always laughed and said, “The doctor painted my behind with Mercurochrome and charged me $3. It took me three weeks to pay the bill.”

In his final days, this is one of the cartoons that I shared with my dad. He loved telling his grandchildren about his working on Shedd’s Dairy milk-delivery truck when he was a kid. One morning, Mrs. Roswell Majette’s bulldog bit him between his back pockets. He always laughed and said, “The doctor painted my behind with Mercurochrome and charged me $3. It took me three weeks to pay the bill.”

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With prostate cancer risks, men should get over latex-glove paranoia

News Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025
By Dink NeSmith The physician’s assistant asked, “Mr. NeSmith, are you allergic to latex?”“No, ma’am. Not until I hear it snap on your wrist.”Ladies, you know what I am talking about.Women, compared to men, have to endure the most medical-exam indignities.
Grateful for a farming culture

Grateful for a farming culture

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Grateful for a farming culture

News Staff
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
This is National Agriculture Week and Tuesday was National Agriculture Day. National Ag Day and Ag Week are an effort “to share real stories of American agriculture, and remind citizens that agriculture affects everyone,” information from the Agriculture Council of America says.
This is not everything picked up in the roadside ditch, but it’s a sampling of the litter. Some was tossed from the windows of vehicles, and many of the items probably blew out of the back of pickups. Either way, the result was a trashy mess.

This is not everything picked up in the roadside ditch, but it’s a sampling of the litter. Some was tossed from the windows of vehicles, and many of the items probably blew out of the back of pickups. Either way, the result was a trashy mess.

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Litter says something about people

News Staff
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
By Dink NeSmith   J.P. Morris was a thinker.  And when he spoke, he didn’t waste words.  I relished every visit with him. When I was involved in the ownership of The Baxley News-Banner, I could expect calls from the Appling County land baron and entrepreneur.
This is National FFA Week.

This is National FFA Week.

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It’s FFA Week

News Staff
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
This is National FFA Week. FFA, of course, is the national youth organization for the agriculture industry.
Fall in love locally

Fall in love locally

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Fall in love locally

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
With the coming of Feb. 14 on the calendar each year, thoughts turn to those we love. It’s a day to remind that special someone in your life how much you love and adore them. Part of that show of adoration comes through the giving of gifts and presents.
All views should be heard on tax measure

All views should be heard on tax measure

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All views should be heard on tax measure

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
So I’m one of those few people that read the local newspaper and I find it distasteful that the only opinion piece published is by the publisher, especially over something most local voters know nothing about.
Franklin County’s governments are right to opt out of the state’s new floating homestead exemption.

Franklin County’s governments are right to opt out of the state’s new floating homestead exemption.

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Opting out the only option

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Franklin County’s governments are right to opt out of the state’s new floating homestead exemption.