News

First frost

The weather forecast is calling for frost this coming Saturday night. I look forward to the first frost each year for several reasons. If we have frost that means we have much cooler air and that …

Wedincamp updates Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting Tuesday night, November 3, at the Franklin Memorial Library at 6:30 p.m. With President Dianna Wedincamp presiding, we had 12 in attendance. …

Two new veterans attend Veterans at the Library

The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at the First Baptist Church Social Hall Monday morning, November 9, at 9 a.m. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, we had 54 in attendance. The …

Swainsboro High School crowns 2026 Homecoming King and Queen

Swainsboro High School celebrated its 2026 Homecoming festivities by crowning Malyiah Jones Homecoming Queen and Shannon Benjamin Jr. Homecoming King. The 2026 Homecoming Court included ninth …

Retired Educators to hold November meeting

The Emanuel Retired Educators Association will meet on Wednesday, November 18, at noon, at Swainsboro High School. Lunch will be provided by the school. Georgia State Representative Butch Parrish …

Local Business Fuels Support for Swainsboro High School FFA

Jed Crapps, owner of Local Propane Services LLC, is giving back to the community by hosting a propane cylinder refill fundraiser for the Swainsboro High School FFA Chapter on Saturday, November …

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, Memories are so important to each of us. However, I believe memories should be shared so others can remember them also and receive joy from what happened years ago. My name is Ms. …

Letter to the Editor

Dear Forest Blade Editor: Recently, Judge Bobby Reeves mentioned in a Facebook posting that all our federal Representatives, and a third of the Senate are accountable to the voters every two …

Franklin Memorial Library has some exciting activities planned for November

Franklin Memorial Library has several exciting activities and programs planned as we continue through November, and we invite the community to join us! The upcoming week begins with another episode …

Fennell places wreath at Veterans and First Responders Park

On Saturday, November 7, Joyce Long Fennell, Rosebud of the American Rosie the Riveter Association, placed a patriotic wreath at the Rosie Monument in the Veterans and 1st Responders Park, located on …

ECI JROTC Bulldog Battalion hosts successful Blood Drive

The Emanuel County Institute (ECI) JROTC Bulldog Battalion recently held a successful blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross. The event brought students, cadets, and staff together …
Emanuel County Connections
Sports

Bulldogs vs. Eagles, again

The ECI Bulldogs will host one of their Region 3 counterparts Friday night when they welcome the Montgomery County Eagles to Rountree Stadium for the first round of the state playoffs. This will mark …
Sports Headlines
Obituaries
Linda Steadman Dekle, 77
Linda Steadman Dekle, age 77, of Swainsboro, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, in Atlanta. Funeral service was held Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m. at First Methodist Church of Swainsboro. …
Kenneth Pepper Fields, 85
Kenneth Pepper Fields, age 85, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Community Hospice in Vidalia. Funeral Service was held Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of …
James R. “Jim” Nix, 87
James R. “Jim” Nix, age 87, resident of Twin City, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Meadows Hospital in Vidalia after a short hospitalization. A memorial service will be held Friday, …
April Dawn Woods Whitehead, 50
April Dawn Woods Whitehead, age 50, of Garfield, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at Emory University in Atlanta. Funeral services were held Friday, November 6, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of …
Thomas James Boykin, 73
Deacon Thomas James Boykin, age 73, peacefully departed this earthly life on Wednesday, October 28, in Glenwood, following a brief illness. A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, November 7, at 11 …
Education
Celebrating public education during American Education Week
November 16-20 is American Education Week, a time to celebrate public education and recognize those who make a difference in students’ lives every day. This annual observance highlights the vital …
Ferst Readers Book Character Contest comes to an end
Emanuel County Family Connection is excited to announce our 2026 Ferst Readers Book Character Contest fundraiser grand total is $10,391. Congratulations and Thank You to all 16 entries: 1st Place …
Swainsboro High School brings community together for Trunks, Treats & Touchdowns
Swainsboro High School brought students, families, and community members together Thursday, October 29, for its first annual Trunks, Treats & Touchdowns event, combining Halloween fun with friendly …
Twin City Elementary celebrates October Students of the Month
Twin City Elementary School celebrated its October Students of the Month, honoring students who exemplify the character trait of politeness on Friday, October 30. Students were selected by their …
Swainsboro High School celebrates Red Ribbon Week
Swainsboro High School kicked off Red Ribbon Week with a message encouraging ninth- and tenth-grade students to make positive choices and recognize their potential. Keynote speaker Stacey Grant …
Crime
    • SPD: 11.11.26

      Officers with the Swainsboro Police Department (SPD) reported... October 30 Officer responded to Sepia St. in reference to damage to a …

    • JAIL: 11.11.26

      The following persons have been booked in Emanuel County Jail, according to Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer, on warrants obtained by one …

    • ECSO: 11.11.26

      According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office… November 7 Deputy was dispatched to Hadden Ln. in reference to …

SOCIAL
Social

The Swainsboro Exchange Club hosts its 37th annual Pancake Supper for The Sunshine House

The Swainsboro Exchange Club successfully hosted its 37th annual Pancake Supper this past Friday evening, bringing the entire community together for a wonderful night of food, fellowship, and …

Seedling Garden Club announces November Yard of the Month

The November Yard of the Month is the home of Janice Bennett located on Injunction Road in Swainsboro. Janice and her dog Lexi enjoy their yard, especially in the summer, to help Emanuel County stay …

Representative Parrish speaks to Veterans at the Library

The Veterans at the Library held their weekly meeting at the Franklin Memorial Library Monday morning, November 2, at 9 a.m. With Chair Johnny Tapley presiding, they had 40 in attendance. The …
Features

Commissioner Moore receives certificate during latest ACCG event

A year of coursework now comes with the certificate to prove it: Emanuel County District 3 Commissioner John Moore recently walked across a stage in Athens to formally mark his first major …

Peacock named Oleander District Outstanding Garden Club Member of the Year

Kay Peacock, president of the Seedling Garden Club of Swainsboro, was named Outstanding Garden Club Member of the Year during the Oleander District’s annual meeting on Wednesday, October 21, at the …

Happy Halloween

Why do we use pumpkins for Halloween? Pumpkins are associated with Halloween because Irish and Scottish immigrants brought the old tradition of carving scary faces into root vegetables to North …
Faith

Oak Chapel to celebrate Homecoming

Homecoming will be observed on Sunday morning, Nov. 1, at Oak Chapel Baptist Church near Kite. There will be no Sunday School that morning, but the program will begin at 10:30. Kicking off the …

Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church to hold Health Fair/Fall Festival

Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church will have a Health Fair/Fall Festival Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 723 Wadley Coleman Lake Rd, Midville. A Mobile Health Unit for screenings …

Calling all singers

Singers needed for the annual MLK Community Choir to sing at the commemoration services in January 2027. Practices will be Sunday, November 8 and Saturday, November 21, at 3 p.m. at the Greater St. …
Opinion

A comment from the Cosmos

Well, just like I promised, the battle is over. And just like I predicted, there are many people who are greatly disappointed this week. Here is another prediction for you: we will all get over it. …

Democratic election results should be wakeup call for Republicans

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, who may have been the worst mayor in Atlanta history, is now governor-elect of Georgia. Not only that, but every down-ballot post in the state from lieutenant governor …

Being a good person shouldn’t be so rare

When did being a good person become something worth celebrating rather than something we should simply expect from one another? Somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten so accustomed to …
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