The Ocilla Star

26/06/2024

22/05/2024

Hutchinson, McIntyre Win County Commission Races

Luke Roberts

Star Editor

Two challengers for seats on the Irwin County Commission came away as victors on Tuesday, May 21, as Carl Hutchinson and Paul McIntyre defeated incumbents Scott Carver and Jimmy Mobley. Irwin County Board of Education District District 4 incumbent Holly Conner retained her seat, as did Probate Judge Ronnie McCurdy.

Hutchinson garnered just under 60% of the vote in the race for Chairman of the Irwin County Commission versus incumbent Carver and won by a vote count of 905 (59.11%) to 626 (40.89%).

The race for the District 1 County Commission seat saw McIntyre coast to victory over incumbent Mobley. McIntyre received 406 votes (76.75%) while Mobley received 123 votes (23.25%).

BOE District 4 incumbent Conner defeated challenger Jorjanne Zorn by 99 votes, 248 (62.47%) to 149 (37.53%).

In the race for probate judge, McCurdy earned 1,573 votes (83.54%) to defeat challenger LaRounda Thomas, who garnered 310 votes (16.46%).

William Roberts, local Republican candidate for the State House of Representatives seat for District 169, held home court and received more votes than fellow Republican Angie O’Steen, though it was very close – 771 (51.61%) to 723 (48.39%). Democrat Teresa Rewis received 238 votes.

The race for the District 3 Irwin County Commission seat featuring Democratic incumbent Aldene Tyson and Republican challenger Mona Wright McKenzie, will not be decided until November. Tyson received 176 votes on Tuesday, while McKenzie received 198 votes.

Vote totals for unopposed candidates on the ballot are:

-Irwin County Sheriff Cody Youghn – 1,476

-Tax Commissioner Lindsey Ross Todd – 1,402

-Coroner Brandon Fletcher – 1,375

-Magistrate Judge Heather Cleghorn Culpepper – 1,696

-BOE District 2 Chandler Rowe – 285

Irwin County voters supported to continue the Transportation Investment Act by a little more than a 2-to-1 margin: 1,226 votes (67.18%) to 599 (32.62%).

The voter turnout for the election came in at 32.29% (1,902 ballots cast of 5,890 registered voters).

15/05/2024

The saga surrounding Irwin County’s solar ordinance is ongoing, as a recent filing was made by the petitioner, Carl Hutchinson, this after the county recently requested for Hutchinson’s lawsuit to be dismissed. Hutchinson’s attorney, David A. Rose of Valdosta, continues to argue that the county’s solar ordinance is unconstitutional despite the fact that the ordinance is nearly identical to other adopted solar ordinances throughout the area. To see the lawsuit in its entirety, please view the documents linked below.

Solar Update: Hearing Requested To Argue County’s Motion To Dismiss Lawsuit By Editor | May 15, 2024 | 0 Luke Roberts, Star Editor The saga surrounding Irwin County’s solar ordinance is ongoing, as a recent filing was made by the petitioner, Carl Hutchinson, this after the county recently reques...

01/05/2024

Heads up! The online edition of this week's paper will be available later than usual due to website server repairs beyond our control.

We will update on our page when it is available again.

25/04/2024

Ocilla Primary Election forum held at the ICHS Performing Arts Center.

03/04/2024

🚨🚨🚨The Star To Host Political Forum Tuesday, April 23rd at ICHS McFarland Theatre🚨🚨🚨

The Ocilla Star is once again holding a political forum for all local candidates on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 6:00pm at The McFarland Theatre on the campus of ICHS. The Star previously held a forum prior to the most recent City of Ocilla Mayoral Election, and this forum will be conducted in the same manner. The forum will be broadcast live on Facebook, and all candidates, including those who are unopposed, are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to introduce themselves and provide their platforms to the forum's attendees and online viewers. There will also be a Q&A portion of the forum for all Candidates in contested races. Everyone is invited to attend the forum.

29/02/2024

Get yours before they are sold out !

28/12/2023

Energetic and motivated person needed at your hometown newspaper. Salary + commission, some travel expenses.

email [email protected]

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from the Ocilla Star!

09/11/2023

To View Online Auction Click the Link Below:

https://www.proxibid.com/Professional-Auctioneers-Inc/The-Estate-of-Iris-Coley-Pritchett-Ocilla-GA/event-catalog/251851

02/10/2023

Multi-Family Yard Sale
FRIDAY, October 6, 2023
IRWIN COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
8:00 - Until

31/08/2023

30/08/2023

Expect a few isolated showers for the next few hours. These are the outer bands of the storm.

Please pray for the folks in Florida and the Carolinas.

Also, remember the linemen who are out there working hard to restore electricity.

30/08/2023

The storm will be due east of us in a couple of hours. As it continues to move away, the winds and the rain will lessen.

This does NOT mean it is safe outside. Safety will come this evening when the storm has moved away and the winds have died down.

We are aware of limbs down. We do not have a full damage report and will not until the cleanup work is done.

30/08/2023

Current storm projections call for Idalia to bank a bit to the east after it crosses the state line. Expect plenty of rain.

Winds will be enough to knock down limbs and perhaps some trees.

Please do not call 911 if your power goes out. Reserve 911 for life and death emergencies.

25/08/2023

***Church Revival***
Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church will start their revival on Tuesday, August 29th- Thursday, August 31st, 7pm nightly.
Rev. Marvin H. Smith Sr., Pastor
Dinner will be served on Sunday, September 3rd immediately after 10:30 am church service
2nd Service after dinner, guest speaker will be Rev. Willie C Mobley, Pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
FMI: Call 229-468-7974

23/08/2023

We are currently accepting applications for
Police Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent; must possess a valid Georgia driver's license, with satisfactory record. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must have no felony record. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must maintain or meet current Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification requirements as a law enforcement officer. GA. POST Certified preferred. Must be willing to submit to drug test, physical, polygraph, psychological and background check.

21/08/2023

The Ocilla Star will be live streaming the mayoral forum this evening at the ICHS Performing Arts Center beginning at 6 p.m.

25/02/2023

09/01/2023

Estate Auction this Saturday, January 14 at 10 a.m.!!!
216 E. Fourth Street, Ocilla. Registration and preview at 9 a.m.
Austin Oliver Auctions 229-325-8900