(Photo courtesy Nikki Purser Photography.) Bleckley County High School senior competition cheerleader Anna Kate Wall will be trying out for Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association Cheerleader of the Year and a spot on the All-State quad.  Wall was nominated by head coach Heather Davis.  To be eligible, Wall had to complete an essay and get two letters of recommendation.  One from Davis and one from someone close to her.  She had to meet a GPA requirement and also get administrative approval that she was of good character and worthy of representing BCHS.  The tryout will be on August 1 at Columbus State University and will consist of an interview and performance of a cheer routine.  Wall will be competing against other cheerleaders from Class A through 4A.

On this day ten years ago, the Bleckley County Fire Department was formed.  It came via a proclamation by former county commissioner Bob Brockman who felt the county wasn't getting the fire protection it needed.   The ISO (International Organization for Standards) rating for much of the county was 10 (the highest or worst), which affects homeowners insurance rating.   The BCFD has grown and improved.  The ISO is now five.  A release states the goal is to get the number up to one, few fire departments ever reach that goal   The current BCFD has 57 volunteer members and three paid personnel.  Of the members, 27 of them are Firefighter Two rank (highest classification) or 47 percent of the department.  Twenty members are Firefighter One, the first certified firefighter rank.   Among all members, they 11 that are Certified Fire Instructor Two and five members are Certified Fire Instructor One.  The BCFD also appreciates Commissioner Mike Davis , elected in 2019, for his ongoing support that has helped them to grow.

The July 16 Board of Education meeting will be held in the BCHS auditorium so that the state champion track teams and national champion Beta Club Show Choir can be recognized.  It starts at 5:30 pm.

      (Photos contributed.)  The Royal Kingsmen Band has begun preparing for another season of supporting the football team and entertaining the fans with band camp starting.  This week's start includes percussion, Dazzlers, and rookies.  The band will have a sneak peek of their 2026 halftime show at Royal Stadium July 31 at 7 pm.

                      The Tessie W. Norris Library hosted Story Time Tuesday afternoon with Mayor Carla Coley.  She read Georgia Caroline Visits Our Hometown Heroes!  Coley discussed with the children what a Hometown Hero was as she read.  Afterward, there were Georgia Caroline Coloring Books to pick up or bookmarks for the Mayor's Reading Club Bookmark Contest.  Children design a bookmark and turn it into the library.  Three winners will be chosen, one from Bleckley Primary, one from Bleckley Elementary, and one from BCMS.  The winner's bookmarks will be printed and produced so they can be handed out.  All entries are due by July 31.  After the story, it was time to go outside and cool off with the Splash Bash, cool water being provided by Cochran Fire Department.  The last Summer Reading Program event will be this Thursday, Meteors 'N Microscopes starting at 3 pm.

The Cochran Bleckley Rec. Department will be undergoing work to make the park more handicap accessible.  The plan was discussed at Monday's monthly rec. board meeting.  Improvements include handicap accessible walkways, improvements to parking, and remodeling of bathrooms.

  (Photo courtesy Bleckley Co. Royals Baseball Facebook page.) In news reported first by the Bleckley Co. Royals Baseball Facebok page. former BCHS pitcher JR Fordham will be signing with the St. Louis Cardinals as an undreafted free agent.  Fordham played college baseball at Augusta State University.

  Middle Georgia State University announced it had completed the first year of its transition to NCAA Division II and had been approved to advance to provisional year two.  In a release announcing the move, MGA called it a “significant milestone in the University's journey toward full NCAA membership.”  Read more by going to https://www.mga.edu/news/2026/07/middle-georgia-state-university-knights-advance-to-ncaad2-provisional-year-two-membership.php​​