Schley County welcomes two new commissioners
The Schley County Board of Commissioner welcomes the two new Schley County Commissioners into their newly elected positions. They are Brian Belcher of District 2 and Bill McClellon of District 3.
County Manager Bill Sawyer warns drivers to be careful on the roads that are in bad shape due to all the rain. They are working very hard to get them repaired as soon as possible.

Ellaville/Schley Historical Society asks for your help
The Ellaville/Schley County Historical Society is asking for your help in finding a photograph of the first Schley County Courthouse. The courthouse was built around 1876; it was a two-story wooden structure that sat on the corner across from where the courthouse is now at the red night at the intersection of Ga. 26 Highway West and U.S. Highway 19. There is a gas station there now.
At the time the courthouse was built, it had the judges’ chambers, court room, the first barbershop in town, a tea room, and the Masonic Lodge met there for their meetings. All other county offices were there as well.
There were two brothers from Americus who bought the old court house in 1938, and moved it to Americus and built the first black hospital in Americus. The hospital still stands today as a bricked building which is on the Georgia Register of Historic Places. It stands across the street from the old Coca-Cola bottling plant, below the old Glover Hardware building, and across the street from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.
The brothers who bought the courthouse were Heys Edward McMath Sr. and Robert Lee McMath Jr. of Americus.
If anyone has a photo of the old courthouse, please share it with us. If you could make a copy, we surely would appreciate it. Call me at 229-937-2116. We will be compiling an updated  Schley County history book.

Schley County officials recognized
On Dec. 29, a special outgoing employee luncheon was held to honor and recognize all county employees leaving their positions.
Following the meal, Bill Sawyer, Schley County manager, and U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop Representative’s aide Elaine Gillispie presented certificates of appreciation to each officials and employee leaving. They are County Commissioner Angeli Smith, Coroner Johnny Wall, Magistrate Judge Larry Wall, County Commissioner Kay Royal, County Clerk Payton Dillard, and Magistrate Clerk Kelly Morrow.
Johnny Wall has served as coroner for 25 years, after serving as deputy coroner for seven years. Larry Wall served as Magistrate judge for 25 years. Angeli Smith served as District 2 County Commissioner for 12 years, and Kay Royal served eight years as the District 3 Commissioner.

McCorkles celebrate Christmas with family in Florida
On Dec. 22, Dwight and Mary Ellen McCorkle left to spend Christmas with their sons and family in Valrico, Florida. They stayed with John and Rosa Sawicky and sons Neel, Matthew, Jeremiah and Jonathan.
On Christmas Eve, they all were invited to have dinner with Tony and Lily Perez of Valrico, Florida, parents of the McCorkles’ daughter-in-law Rosa. On Christmas Day their other son Ricky Sawicky joined the family for Christmas, exchanging gifts and having Christmas dinner.
The McCorkles returned home on Dec. 28.