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Sports Section b|
VOL.l NO. 49 December 14, 2022
LEGAL ORGAN OF SCREVEN COUNTY
Sylvania, Georgia $1.25
Polar Express
Winter Pageant
sponsored by FFA
December 15 6 p.m.
HS Auditorium $1 admission
IsiV£ Nativity
First Christian Church
December 18 | 6pm-8pm
Drive-by
Frontage Rd - Sylvania, GA
. CUhirtmM at
State Park Friday, Dec. 23 2-4
p.m. There will be crafts,
games, hayrides, campfires,
smores, and more!
Only $5 per person.
Christmas
Candlelight Service
Oak Hill Church
December 21 7 p.m.
3233 Oak Hill Church Rd
Millen, GA
478-982-1616
Single vehicular
accident results
in fatality
Sarah Saxon
*
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days until
Christmas
3
Reporter
Sunday, December 11, at approximately 9:57 p.m. the Georgia State
Patrol was dispatched to the Cameron Road area in response to a single
vehicular accident that happened approximately 1.3 miles south of
Marlands Mills Road.
Wet roadways have been named as a contributing factor in the
accident that resulted in the driver, Alfonso Roberson, 71 of Sylvania,
to lose control of his vehicle and striking a tree. Mr. Roberson was
pronounced dead at the scene.
His vehicle traveled approximately 282 feet before exiting the
roadway. After exiting the roadway, the vehicle traveled about 17 feet
before striking the tree. The Volkswagen came to a final uncontrolled
rest approximately 12 feet from the east shoulder.
Everyone needs a Christmas photo
Local business owner gives back
Ben Counts
Reporter
M
Tula Correa Negron, the
recent owner of the LH
Hilton House, is being
turned into a venue location. The LH Hilton House will host
weddings, signature affairs, parties, showers, teas, luncheons,
elopements, and pretty much any occasion.
As a way to celebrate the home’s 70th anniversary and as a
way to give back to the local community, Negron is offering
free professional mini photo shoots on the property through
Christmas.
Tula has over forty years of experience in event planning
“having worked with many government and non-profit organi
zations. I have also worked as a publicist on Capitol Hill, working with the press and hosting state galas.”
The LH Hilton House was built in 1952 by attorney Lee Holmes Hilton. He grew up in what is now Thomp-
son-Strickland Waters Funeral Home. Mr. Hilton founded the Screven County Bank, Screven County Oil
Mill and also served in the Georgia House of Representatives. Perhaps his most noteworthy contribution to
Screven County was the founding of Hiltonia.
“I felt that as important as this house is to Screven County, a way to give back to our community was to offer
free Christmas mini photo shoots. Everyone needs a Christmas photo.” To learn more about the LH Hilton
House or to book the venue please visit lhhiltonhouse.com. Negron will also be available for New Year’s Eve
photo shoots.
County sees record turnout for run off
Joe Brady
Editor
Sylvania
celebrates
175th Christmas
Jake Gay
Reporter
It’s the most wonderful time of
the year! This past Saturday was
the most anticipated part of the
year when Sylvania is decorated
and booths fill the area, THE
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA!
Hundreds of people flocked to the
event this year and Sylvania had
a huge tree to commemorate the
175th anniversary.
Just in time for the celebration,
the fountain was once again
spewing water on the square as a
special guest greeted children of
all ages, Santa Claus. Spectators
were seranaded by the Screven
County Elementary School chorus as well as the school band. This
year saw vendors selling everything from hats to pepper jelly.
INDICTMENT
In a recent press
release by the De
partment of Justice,
Trevor Watson, 31,
of Sylvania has been
indicted on several
federal charges,
including illegal
firearms possession.
In a four year inves
tigation, more than
800 defendants have been federally charged in the Southern District
of Georgia for illegal firearms offenses. Most often for possessing a
firearm after conviction for a previous felony. Recent federal legislation
increases the maximum penalty for illegal possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon to 15 years, up from 10, for those found in possession
after June 25, 2022.
Watson is one of 19 defendants who were recently adjudicated on
federal charges. Watson has pled guilty to possession of a firearm by
an illegal drug user. He was indicted in October 2021 along with eight
other defendants in Operation Washout, a drug trafficking investigation
by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.
David H. Estes, U.S. Attomy for the Southern District of Georgia ex
plains, “as we continue the fight against violent crime in the Southern
District, we commend our law enforcement partners fort heir efforts in
getting guns out of the hands of those previously convicted of felonies.
Keeping our communities safe remains our top priority.” Agencies
investigating theses cases include the ATF, FBI, GBI, and local police
and sheriff’s departments.
Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm
if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being
a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. It is
also unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking
offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase or to attempt to
purchase firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally pur
chasing a firearm on behalf of others.
Watson indicted on federal charges
Joe Brady
Editor
By now, Georgians are well aware that we turned
out to make our voices heard during the run off elec
tion. Screven County saw 50% voter turnout during
this Wamock/Walker run off, numbers that are stag
gering considering run off’s typically hold little inter
est for the voter. Of 100% of the precincts reporting,
Herschel J. Walker received 2,986 or 60.99% of the
vote while the incumbent Raphael Wamock garnered
1,910 or 39.01% of the vote.
In other county news, 26.51% of county voters cast
their ballots on election day while 22.87% or 2,207
voters took advantage of early voting. 127 voters mailed in their ballots and 11 filed provisional ballots. There
are 9,649 registered voters in Screven County.
Our New Home - week 15
Sam Eades
Publisher
Oh Boy! We are finally ready to start moving in! The new offices
for our publisher and managing editor are ready with beautiful
new oak doors. Sam & Joe have been ready to move in for quite
a while. We know that our customers are going to love our new
offices and newsroom.
JONES HEADS TO THE COAST
Emma Jones recently signed a softball scholarship agreement to attend
the College of Coastal Georgia
* See SPORTS Page IB
Shop gifts from the
Best Brands all In
one place.
The helpful piece
1 36 Industrial Road
Sylvania, Georgia
(912) 564-2003
Mon. - Fri. 7:30-5:00
Saturday - 7:30 - 3:00
Gosed Sunday
HOLIDAY LIGHTS, DECOR & MORE SALE
