TODAY'S HEADLINES

Friday, January ,9 2026

Pinnacle Financial Corporation and Morris State Bancshares announce name change to Vallant Financial

Elberton and Dublin, GA - Pinnacle Financial Corporation (“Pinnacle”), the holding company for Pinnacle Bank and Morris State Bancshares, Inc. (“Morris”) (OTCQX: MBLU), the holding company for Morris Bank, announced in November a strategic partnership under an exciting new brand name. Today, they are proud to announce Vallant Financial, Inc. will become their unified holding company representing their forward hinking and deep commitment to community the two companies have been known to provide since 1934.

“We’re thrilled to begin crafting this next chapter with our new teammates to bring a uniquely dynamic community banking structure to our current and prospective customers,” said Jackson McConnell, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle. “Vallant is a thoughtful evolution of the word valiant, representing courage, strength and resilience. These attributes are what both companies are known for in our communities.”

As the company approaches their mid-year merger, there will be more communication to come as the full brand is unveiled.

Once approved, growth for both Pinnacle and Morris means better access for customers, more resources for each market, enhanced services and career opportunities for teammates, plus added value for shareholders and the communities the companies serve.

“It isn’t just a name change,” said Spence Mullis, Chairman and CEO of Morris. “It’s a declaration of our shared purpose to serve Georgia and the Southeast as the premier community banking partner.”

David Voyles, President of Pinnacle, shares in the excitement, saying, “We’re creating a powerful alliance of two institutions with deep roots in Georgia, serving families, businesses, and communities all while maintaining the local decision-making, care and deeply personal service defining our approach.”

While the renaming process is underway for both companies, customers can expect the same friendly team members and hands-on, hometown service they currently receive from Pinnacle Bank and Morris Bank. 

Twilight Stroll kicks off tonight at 7 p.m.

news@wsgcradio.com - The Elbert County Chamber is hosting its annual Twilight Stroll by the Granite Bowl 5K tonight, but with an electrifying twist.

This year, the Chamber is lighting up downtown Elberton with the first-ever Glow Run — a nighttime 5K filled with neon, music, and fun for runners, walkers, and families alike.

Whether racing for a PR or strolling with friends, participants will shine their way through the course as the Granite Bowl and surrounding streets glow like never before.

This year, everyone’s a winner. The race will still be officially timed, but instead of traditional age group awards, every finisher will receive a sticker showing their time and pace — perfect for bragging rights or adding to their race bib. Plus, every participant will earn a finisher’s medal to celebrate lighting up the course together.

Registration is still available at the race site at $30.

Participants can also register as a Phantom Runner for $25 through Race Day.

Race Day registration and packet pickup starts at 6 p.m. and the Twilight Stroll kicks off at 7 p.m.

The 5K starts at the Elberton Arts Center, finishes outside the Granite Bowl after running a lap through it, and the course runs through adjacent neighborhoods, the beautiful historic district, and downtown Elberton.

The Twilight Stroll by the Granite Bowl 5K is proud to be a member of the Black Bag Race Series.

Greenland 2: Migration is now showing at the Elbert Theatre

news@wsgcradio.com – The action-survival movie Greenland 2: Migration is now showing at the Elbert Theatre.

According to the synopsis, the surviving Garrity family must leave the safety of the Greenland bunker and embark on a perilous journey across the decimated frozen wasteland of Europe to find a new home.

The movieis directed by Ric Roman Waugh from a screenplay written by Mitchell LaFortune and Chris Sparling.

Stars include Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin and Tommie Earl Jenkins.

The movie is rated PG13 and runtime is 1 hr 38 min.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $7.50 each and the box office opens 30 minutes prior to showtime. No tickets will be sold after the movie starts and re-entry is not allowed.

Community Calendar

Friday, January 9

• Bowman Clothes Closet, 10:30 a.m. -1 p.m., Bowman Community Center
• Chess Sessions, 3:30 p.m., Elbert County Public Library
• Blue Devil basketball @ Franklin County (b/g), 7 p.m., Carnesville
• Greenland 2: Migration movie, 7 p.m., Elbert Theatre

Saturday, January 10

• Blue Devil wrestling @ 8A Area Duals, 9 a.m., Inferno
• Greenland 2: Migration movie, 7 p.m., Elbert Theatre

Sunday, January 11

• Greenland 2: Migration movie, 2 p.m., Elbert Theatre

Monday, January 12

• Blue Devil wrestling @ Jefferson Invitational, 5 p.m., Jefferson
• EC BOC meeting, 5:15 p.m., Elbert County Complex
• Cinderella auditions, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (dancers); 6:30-8 p.m. (actors), Elberton Arts Center

Tuesday, January 13

• Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Elbert County Public Library
• Bowman Senior Luncheon, noon, Bowman Community Center
• Blue Devil rifle team vs Winder Barrow
• Sharing & Caring meal box distribution, 4-5 p.m., Historic Blackwell Gym
• Blue Devil wrestling @ Jefferson Invitational, 5 p.m., Jefferson
• EC BOE work session, 5:30 p.m., ECSD Offices
• Cinderella auditions, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (dancers); 6:30-8 p.m. (actors), Elberton Arts Center
• Lady Devils basketball @ Commerce (g), 6 p.m., Commerce

Wednesday, January 14

• Development Authority meeting, 9 a.m., Athens Tech-Elbert Campus
• Bowman City Council, 6:30 p.m., Bowman City Hall

Thursday, January 15

• Movie- Our Friend Martin, 9 a.m., Elbert Theatre
• Painting with Jennifer, 6:30 p.m., Elberton Arts Center, $30

Friday, January 16

• Chess Sessions, 3:30 p.m., Elbert County Public Library
• Blue Devil basketball vs Banks County (b/g), 7 p.m., Inferno

Saturday, January 17

• Blue Devil basketball @ Lincoln County (b/g), 5 p.m., Homer
• MLK Ecumenical Banquet, 6 p.m., Rock Gym

Sunday, January 18

• MLK Unity Parade, 4 p.m., Downtown Elberton, $25 registration

Nu Po, 76, passed awat Monday, December 29, 2025, at the Emory Decatur Hospital. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 at Vesta Karen Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Full obituary

Rhea Payne Wiles, 80, of Elberton passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at her residence. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 10 at First Baptist Church - Elberton. Full obituary

Larry Woodrow Williamson, 88, of Carlton passed away Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 9 at Burts United Methodist Church in Carlton. Full obituary

John Elmer Holt, 56, passed away on January 5, 2026. No services are planned at this time. Full obituary

Deacon Larry B. Rucker, 73, of Elberton passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later time. Full obituary