The News-Reporter

09/01/2025

(WASHINGTON, Ga) - Citizens gathered last week at the Third Shiloh G.L. Avery building for a candidate forum that at times revealed sharp differences between District 1 contenders
Kimberly Johnson Rainey and Christopher Ketrow. Both candidates highlighted shared concerns about housing, youth opportunities and unity in city government.
Read the full story in this week's Journal Messenger & Reporter.

08/25/2025

Washington City Council:
Ethics Complaints and Responses

Washington City Council Ethics complaints & responses By Editor | August 25, 2025 | 0 Mayor Bailey Ethics Complaint no PII Mayor Baily Ethics Reponse Councilman Hill Complaint (1) Councilman Hill Response Posted in Breaking News, News Leave a Comment Name (required) Email (will not be published) (re...

08/23/2025

Washington Political Forum Tuesday, August 26

08/08/2025

CITY OF WASHINGTON
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Monday, August 11, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
Edward B. Pope Conference Center

I. Call to Order by Mayor Bailey
II. Invocation
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Approval of June 9, 2025, Council Meeting Minutes
V. Approval of Meeting Agenda
VI. Citizens Comments: Limit to 3 minutes
VII. Committee/Board/Authority Reports Review:
VIII. City Attorney Discussion/Action Items:
1. Travel Policy
IX. City Administrator Discussion/Action Item
X. Mayor Discussion Items
1. Board appointments: Historic Preservation Board – Shawn Clippinger
2. URA – Angie Novelli
3. Budget preparation and meetings to review
4. Any employee, council member, or mayor who signs up for any educational opportunity or conference and does not
attend without the city administrator's approval will reimburse the city the cost of the course, room (late check out),
and any other charges incurred.
XI. Council Members’ Discussion Items:
1. Councilman Cullars:
a. Renaming City Hall After the First Black Mayor
b. Job Classification and Compensation Plan for the City of Washington
c. When did we lose the program income money, and who knew about it? $600,000
d. Why did we change drug screening for employees to Urgent Care, and when did the Council vote on it?
e. Update on the lawsuit with Jerry Debin
f. Employee Pay Raise
g. Racism
2. Councilman Hill:
a. Please give me updates on the Rusher Street fence. Residents want to know when repairs will start.
3. Councilman Gunter:
a. Focus on Economic Development and what we can do as a council to help with this.

XII. Council Members; Action Items:
1. Councilman Cullars:
a. Motion to name “Willie Edward Burns” on the city hall complex in honor of the first black mayor.
2. Councilman Gunter:
a. Make a motion that: “No duplicate motion can be made if motion fails or dies for a term of 3 months before
making a motion for the same issue.”
3. Councilman Hill:
a. I motion we move forward with the $75,000 to URA for two years, for a project manager and other items
outlined in their request
b. I am motioning that we move forward with the request for $60,000 to the 4E youth organization.

XIII. Executive Session regarding personnel, litigation, or real estate matters. (If needed).
XIV. Return to Regular Session and any votes that may be needed from Executive Session
XV. Adjournment

07/10/2025

History in the Making – Reenactment of Fort Charlotte Seizure

On July 12 th , 2025, McCormick County and surrounding area residents are cordially invited to come and witness a brief part of history that was crucial to the victory in the Southern Campaign
of the American Revolutionary War.
“The First Overt Military Land Action Occurred in South Carolina”
On the night of July 12 th , 1775, Major Mayson along with two companies of Rangers from District Ninety-Six, SC, which consisted of today’s McCormick, Greenwood and Abbeville Counties, overtook the British forces at Fort Charlotte. The capture of this fort along with all the gun powder, rifles, cannons and location of the Fort is considered the first overt military action in
all the Southern Colonies.
During our Sestercentennial (250 Anniversary) celebration, McCormick County Historical Commission (MCHC) will be hosting a small reenactment, and unveiling of the newly remolded
Fort Charlotte kiosk located at the end of “Hester Bottom’s Family Campground”. Follow Route 81 North towards Mt Carmel, turn left on to Fort Charlotte Rd (just before McAllister Furniture).
Follow the road all the way to the very end and look for parking attendants for directions.
Activities are planned to start at 10:30 am and run approximately through 12 noon. It is free to the public and MCHC recommends bringing a lawn chair as seating is not available at the kiosk site. Rest rooms are nearby along with the camp store for refreshments.
Refer to website www.mc250.org for future event details, updates and other information.

James T. Brady, Commissioner, McCormick County Historical Commission

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During the Revolutionary War, McCormick, and surrounding counties, were within the Old Ninety-Six District as depicted by this map. As noted by number, several historical points of interest exceed present-day boundaries.

01/31/2025

Called Meeting
City of Washington Retreat
111 Railroad Street
Thomson, GA 30824

WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD CALLED MEETING IN THOMSON FEBRUARY 5
The City of Washington Mayor and Council will have a Retreat on
February 5, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Thomson Depot in Thomson Georgia. This meeting will be to discuss issues and solutions brought forth by the mayor and council.

01/26/2025

ANNUAL CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET DRAWS PACKED HOUSE

(WASHINGTON, GA) The annual Washington Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet packed the Pope Center Saturday night in Washington as Chamber members awarded the Best of awards to numerous Wilkes County businesses and individuals.
In the Small Business Services category Slinky and Slade Pet Grooming took top honors, while Washington Tavern won the Small Business Retail category.
The Large Business category was won by Rekord Structures, while the Agriculture Business category was awarded to Barrett Angus Ranches.
The Civic Organization award was given to Washington Wilkes Animal Shelter, while Washington Tavern picked up their second award of the night as the Best New Business of the year.
Individual citizen awards were given to Lilly Parks Cox as the Inspiring Citizen of the Year award while the Wilkes Hero of the Year category was awarded to two individuals, Tony Griffin of Rayle EMC and William Canup of the City of Washington Electric Department.
The Spirit of Wilkes award was given to Dan Wright of Wilkes Emergency Medical Services.
Volunteer of the year was awarded to Robin Patton, and Citizen of the Year was won by Washington Mayor Bruce Bailey who also serves providing health care services at MedNow Urgent Care.
All pictures from the event will be posted on the Journal Messenger & Reporter website, and the Washington News Reporter page.

- John Stone

01/10/2025

CITY OF WASHINGTON
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Monday, January 13, 2025 @ 6:00 PM
Edward B. Pope Conference Center

I. Call to Order by Mayor Bailey
II. Invocation
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Approval of December 3, 2024, Called Meeting
Approval of December 9, 2024, Council Meeting
Approval of December 27, 2024, Called Meeting
V. Approval of Meeting Agenda
VI. Citizens Comments: Limit to 3 minutes
VII. Response to Citizen& #39;s Comments:
1. Dr. Natasha Johnson: The City Administrator, Chief Gilland, and I (Yoshe) met
with Dr. Johnson and answered her concerns about the Fire Department training
building. We agreed to prepare an insert for the electric bill and post it on the city
website to notify the public about the facility& #39;s safety aspects and purpose.
2. Adrienne Williams: Annual Celebration for MLK on January 26, 2026.
VIII. Committee/Board/Authority Reports Review:
IX. City Attorney Action Items:
X. City Administrator Discussion/Action
XI. Mayor Discussion Items
1. Policy for Organizations/boards/501(c )3 request for funds
2. Appointment of Judge Kidd 2-year term
XII. Council Members Discussion:
1. Councilman Cullars:
a. Section 10, meetings of the Mayor and Council
b. Section 2-12, Meeting Agenda
c. Section 2-67, Appointment of City Administrator
d. Employees driving vehicles to convenience stores for personal use
e. Employee with cell phone
2. Councilman Hill:

a. Regarding the audit done by Rushton and Company, I am requesting all
corrective plans of action by the administrator, including all matters in the report,
especially hiring an HR director and hiring policies. Please provide the hiring
policy.
3. Councilman Anderson:
a. Re-engage on the issue of a resolution to be finalized to go from the city to the
DOT to pursue rerouting of commercial truck traffic around the center streets
of Washington.

Council Members Action Item:

4. Councilman Cullars:
a. Motion to resend administrator contract because it wasn’t done correctly with
a Vote From all Council Members for his contract.
5. Councilman Hill:
a. Request executive session regarding employee hiring and promotion.
XIII. Executive Session regarding personnel, litigation, or real estate matters. (If needed).
XIV. Return to Regular Session and any votes that may be needed from Executive Session
XV. Adjournment

01/03/2025

WILKES BOE MEETS JAN 6 TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATION IN STATE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM
Called Meeting
Action Agenda

Wilkes County Board of Education
January 6, 2025
5:30 P.M.

I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Discussion of HB581 Opt-In/Opt-Out
IV. Adjournment

12/06/2024

TRIPLE MURDER IN TIGNALL THURSDAY: SUSPECT SOUGHT, INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
https://www.thejournalmessenger.com/2024/12/06/suspect-sought-in-wilkes-county-triple-murder/

11/25/2024

Candlelight Shopping is back on the Square tomorrow night!
https://www.thejournalmessenger.com/2024/11/25/55031/

11/15/2024

BOARD OF EDUCATION NOV18 AGENDA

Wilkes Board of Education Agenda for NOV 18 Meeting By Editor | November 15, 2024 | 0 Tentative Board Agenda November 18, 2024 Agenda Posted in Breaking News, News Leave a Comment Name (required) Email (will not be published) (required) Comment Click here to cancel reply. Related Posts McCormick Chi...