TODAY'S HEADLINES

Friday, January 30, 2026

Elbert County Schools Closed Friday; Virtual Learning Day Due to Lingering Ice

news@wsgcradio.com

All Elbert County schools will be closed for in-person learning on Friday, January 30, 2026 due to the continued widespread lingering ice and unsafe road conditions on secondary roads throughout the county. This decision was made in consultation with county and city officials as well as driving many of the roads this afternoon throughout the county. Please know that many people have worked tirelessly at our schools to remove ice and prepare for students to return safely to our campuses, but there are still many roads in our county that have lingering slush and water runoff that will refreeze tonight and cause potentially unsafe driving conditions.

Friday will be a virtual learning day for all students. Each school will continue with their virtual plans that were sent out yesterday.

Meal pickup will be available again at each school for families who are able to travel safely to a school. Meals will be available between 11:00 am - 1:00pm at all schools. Families are able to pick up 1 breakfast and 1 lunch per student. Meals may be picked up from any school, regardless of where the student is enrolled.

All staff should report to their school by 10:30 am.

We will always put the safety of our students, staff, and families first. And while we are hopeful to return to our normal schedule next week, our district is closely monitoring the potential snow that may come to our area on Saturday. We will continue to work closely with our local Emergency Management Agency (EMA), city, and county officials to monitor these new weather conditions, and an update will be sent out Sunday afternoon regarding any changes to school on Monday.

Please continue to stay safe on the roads.

Bowman City Council Qualifying Ends Today

news@wsgcradio.com

Qualifying for a vacant seat on the Bowman City Council is currently underway and will conclude today, Friday, January 30, at 4:30 p.m.

Candidates may qualify at Bowman City Hall during regular business hours. The election to fill the open council seat is scheduled for March 17.

Qualifying paperwork is available at City Hall, located at 25 Prince Avenue, and must be completed and submitted before the qualifying deadline. The qualifying fee is $35.

For more information about the qualifying process, contact Bowman City Hall at 706-245-5432.

EMH Foundation Casino Night Rescheduled for March 14 Due to Weather

news@wsgcradio.com

With winter weather in the forecast for Saturday, an Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation event planned for Saturday night, January 31, has been rescheduled.

Casino Night will now take place on Saturday, March 14, according to organizers with the Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation. All vendors, including catering and casino services, are available for the new date.

“Due to snow and inclement weather, our Casino Night event has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 14,” said Rachel McCall, Executive Director of the Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation. “All vendors, including catering and casino services, are available on this date.”

McCall added that all ticket purchases will remain valid for the rescheduled event.

“All ticket purchases will be honored on the new date,” she said.

Those needing a refund or additional information may contact Rachel McCall at rmccall@emhcare.net or by calling 706-213-2696.

Organizers thanked the community for their understanding and say they look forward to hosting Casino Night in March

Friday, January 30, 2026

• Lady Devil and Blue Devil Basketball, Senior Night, JV starts at 4:00 p.m., Varsity Girls start at 7:00 p.m., vs. Oglethorpe Co.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

• Lady Devil and Blue Devil Basketball, Varsity starts at 5:00 p.m., vs. Warren Co.
• Lady Devil and Blue Devil Basketball JV Tournament, starts at 10:00 a.m., vs. in Hart Co.
• American Mahjong Class Session 2 out of 3, located at the Elbert County Public Library, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m., all materials provided, contact Elbert County Public Library to add your name to the class roster, limited spots available, to register, contact the library at (706) 283-5375
• Elbert Memorial Hospital Foundation presents the 5th Annual Casino Night! January 31, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM at The Rock Gym. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door

Sunday, February 1, 2026



• Youth On The Move For God 3rd Annual Black History Program, starts at 2:30 p.m. at Wesley Chapel UMC, speaker will be Ke'Mauri Willis
• Norman Grove CME Church 146th Church Anniversary, starts at 2:00 p.m., guest speaker will be Rev. Bobby Berryman, dinner will be served after the service
• Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Deacon Ordination Service, starts at 10:00 a.m.

Send Community Calendar event notices to

stan@wsgcradio.com or call 706-283-1400

William McWhorter "Mac" Thornton, Jr. 79, of Elberton, GA passed away on January 27, 2026, A time of receiving of friends will be announced at a future date through Berry Funeral Home and Crematory. Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for William McWhorter "Mac" Thornton, Jr. https://www.berryfh.com/obituaries/william-thornton-jr

Full obituary

Eva Lois (Calhoun) Jackson, passed away on January 27, 2026. Public viewing will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 1:00 - 5:00pm, located at Mack's Funeral Home - Elberton Chapel. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 1:00pm, located at Mack's Funeral Home - Elberton Chapel. Interment service will immediately follow the funeral service located at Lincoln Heights Cemetery, Elberton, GA. Arrangements for Evangelist Eva Lois (Calhoun) Jackson have been entrusted to Mack’s Funeral Home, Elberton Chapel.

https://www.macksfuneralhome.com/obituary/EvangelistEva-Jackson Full obituary

Emma Deakides Conger, 79, of Elberton, wife of 30 years to the late Robert Stephens "Bob" Conger, Jr., passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, SC. Funeral plans are incomplete at this time and will be announced once weather conditions improve. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Emma Deakides Conger. https://www.berryfh.com/obituaries/emma-conger Full obituary

Spencer Demond Feaster, age 50 of Hartwell Georgia, passed away on January 21, 2026 Anmed Medical Center. Service information and full obituary is forthcoming. Services entrusted to Coile and Hall Funeral Directors and Crematory.https://www.coileandhallfd.com/obituaries/spencer-demond-feaster Full obituary

Lena Mae Little Allen, age 83 of Dewy Rose, Ga., passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at home surrounded by her loved one's. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Coile and Hall Funeral Directors, 333 E. Johnson Street, Hartwell, GA 30643. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Ruckers Grove Baptist. Lena will be laid to rest at Ruckers Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.https://www.coileandhallfd.com/obituaries/lena-allen Full obituary

Mr. Steve Hall, 85, of Pulliam Mill Road, Dewy Rose, husband of Margaret Ayers Hall, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at his residence. A memorial service celebrating Steve's life will be conducted on Saturday, January 31, at 11:00a.m. at First Baptist Church of Elberton, with the Revs. Gary Purvis and Tim Adams officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship all. A private graveside service will precede the service at the Dewy Rose Baptist Church Cemetery. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Steve Hall. https://www.berryfh.com/obituaries/steve-hall Full obituary

Arlene Frances Dove Whitlow, 85, of Springdale Road, Elberton, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Memorial services celebrating Arlene’s life will be conducted on Wednesday, January 28, at 2:00p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, officiated by The Rev. John D. Keeler. A reception and time of visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be in the Dove Family Lot of Elberton’s Historic Elmhurst Cemetery. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Ms. Arlene Frances Dove Whitlow. https://www.berryfh.com/obituaries/arlene-whitlow Full obituary

Belynda Ann Bailey, age 64 Hartwell, Ga. passed away on January 17, 2026 at Anmed Medical Center. A celebration of her life will be held at Coile and Hall Funeral Directors on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 11:00. Services entrusted to Coile and Hall Funeral Directors and Crematory, https://www.coileandhallfd.com/obituaries/belynda-bailey Full obituary