(Shawn Bass with family along with Public Works Director Willie Farrow, members of city council (Rufus Veal not pictured) Interim City Manager Angela Redding, and Mayr Carla Coley.)   (Employees of the Quarter with mayor, city manager and council. Not pictured: Rebecca Smith.)     It was a very busy time for the Cochran City Council Tuesday evening.  Before the regular meeting, they held a called meeting in executive session to deal with city business.  During the regular meeting which included a full agenda of items, some employees were recognized.  Shawn Bass was recognized for 15 [...]

                    A busy summer of back to school bashes and supply giveaways were capped Saturday with two events.  Dre Day Foundation held their fifth annual Back to School Summit at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  They offered school supplies for kids as well as a hot dog lunch.  Faith Baptist Church held a Back to School Bash.  Besides food and school supplies, they had a giant water slide and a slip 'n slide to help keep cool in the summer heat.  The final back to school event will be the annual prayer [...]

The Royal Kingsmen Band has been hard at work the past two weeks preparing for the upcoming football season at band camp.  The public got a chance to see what they've been learning at the Marching Band Showcase held Friday night at Royal Stadium.  Fans got to hear songs they'd been practicing, both new and some familiar favorites.  Director Sarah Roseman spent a few minutes talking about the things they did at camp, and took time to recognize various leadership roles in the band as well as the band rookies.  The band also gave a sneak peek of this year's [...]

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  (Mayor Coley with Michelle and William Basby Sr.)                   (Photos courtesy Carla Davis Coley- Mayor- City of Cochran Facebook page.)  Mayor Carla Coley visited Be A Doers Church Sunday to honor Apostle William Basby Sr.  He's been in the ministry for four decades and is the founding pastor of Be A Doers Church.  July 19 was named Apostle William M. Basby Sr. Day .

  (JW Taylor with kids.)   The Eastgate Shopping Center parking lot turned into a hub of activity Thursday night as the second annual JW Back to School Bash was held.  It was organized by BCHS alumni JW Taylor.  Volunteers were on hand to distribute book bags and other needed school supplies.  Other volunteers helped distribute Domino's Pizza.  There was also a bounce house for kids to play in.  If you missed this one, another alumni, Amarius Mims, is having a Back to School Bash Saturday at 1 pm in the BCHS gym.

      (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 [...]

  (Photos contributed.)  Despite some hot summer weather, people still came to Second Saturday to enjoy the classic rock, soul, and country sounds of the Midlife Chryslers.  There were food trucks and ways to stay cool, including stopping by the lemonade stand ran by the 10U All Star Softball Team.  Cochran Native Daniel NeSmith will be in concert August 8.

    Books and Banter Book Club members gathered Saturday, at The Mule Barn for a morning of book talk, recommendations and fellowship. Participants discussed a variety of books and enjoyed sharing what they are currently reading. The next Books and Banter Book Club meeting will be August 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Em’s Hall at The Mule Barn. Readers are encouraged to bring the book they are currently reading and, if they’d like, a book to trade with others. (Photos by Becky Holland)

Though the weather was hot, people still came to "Stars and Stripes and Summer Nights" Saturday evening sponsored by the Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cochran Downtown Development Authority. Click to view photos.

                            The summer reading program continued at the Tessie W. Norris Library Wednesday afternoon with a program entitled "Juggle like an Egyptian."  It was done by Ron Anglin.  Anglin, owner of the company What a catch juggling has a had a varied career life.  He was in the US Army and also taught high school for nine years.  Besides traveling around to do his juggling program, he also works as a clown in hospitals.  Children (and adults) were amazed by the displays of skill he showed juggling [...]

  (Photos contributed.)  The Bleckley County Fire Department purchased 15 infrared cameras thanks to the proceeds from their Boston Butt sale in November.  The cameras will be placed in each engine and will also be given to some officers.  The cameras will help in cases where a fire at a fire scene or a hot spot is invisible to the naked eye.

All are welcomed.

The registration link for Bethany is https://bethany7151.breezechms.com/form/vbs2026. Register for New Hope by going to https://newhopefwb.myanswers.com/emerald-crossing/

                  Second Saturday Music and Food Trucks was held Saturday night on the courthouse square.  This month's band was Tres Hombres who entertained the crowd with classic rock and country.  The music was so good that it led a few people to get up and dance.  The next Second Saturday will be July 11 featuring the Midlife Chryslers.

                                (Photos contributed.)  Local artist Martha Francis visited the Tessie W. Norris Library Thursday afternoon.  Children and adults on hand enjoyed arts and crafts and making bookmarks.  On site reporting stated 68 people attended.  You can keep up with happenings at the library by following them on Facebook.

          \                       It was Parents Night for Vacation Bible School at Lakeview Baptist Church Wednesday evening.  This week's theme has been Tropical Trek.  VBS Director Michelle Knighton welcomed everyone and got children to repeat the week's theme, Jesus seeks and He saves.  Kids then performed the songs learned during the week.  Pastor John Stover spoke, read a couple of scriptures, then led a closing prayer.  To learn more about Lakeview Baptist Church, go to lakeviewcochran.com or follow them on Facebook.

                                (Photos contributed.)  Magician Chad Crews appeared at the Tessie W. Norris Library Wednesday afternoon.   He did several tricks including making two Ball Snakes appear.  Crews also encouraged children to read.  The event was well attended and said to be standing room only.

  The second night of Vacation Bible School took place at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Monday evening.  This year's theme is "Rainforest Falls: Discovering the Nature of God."  Activities included music, "Sticky Scripture", Bible stories and games in the church's newly built gym.  VBS will last through June 11, 5:30-8:30 pm each night.  Family day will be June 14.

Photo contributed Photo contributed. (Two photos contributed.)  The Dre Day Foundation held their fifth annual Gun Violence Awareness Festival Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  During the day, there were things like food booths and activities for kids.  That evening, a special service was held by the church. It featured messages and songs from family members, foundation members, and remarks by Mayor Carla Coley.  The evening ended with a candlelight vigil where participants were encouraged to say the name of someone they knew affected by gun violence, living or dead.  There will be a Back to [...]

                          (Photos contributed.)  Rozier Auto Parts held their third annual car show Saturday morning in the First Baptist Church parking lot.  There were 49 cars from across Georgia competing for awards such as Best in Show.

                          Monday was the second night of Vacation Bible School at Christ Chapel Cochran.  This year’s theme has been “What a Mess.”  Activities that night included Bible stories, learning songs, fun outside, and making a special kind of sand in arts and crafts.  Parent Night will be June 10 at 8 pm.

                (Photos contributed.)  A Ducks Story Time was held at the Tessie W. Norris Library Friday afternoon.  Librarian Gina Thomas read the book Duck Duck Dinosaur.  Sc9ty Thomas of Into the Woods Poultry Farm brought his mini ducks for the kids and adults in attendance to see and touch.

                  (Photos contributed.) The Tessie W. Norris/Cochran-Bleckley Library held a kickoff party for their Summer Reading Program Wednesday morning.  There were activities for kids and families, free popcorn, and a chance to sign up for the Summer Reading Program.  The library will host a "Ducks" story time this Friday at 2 pm.

Vacation Bible School season kicked off Tuesday night at Limestone Baptist Church.  This year’s theme is :”Kingdom Quest.”  Kids rotated in stations which included music, arts and crafts, a Bible story, and recreation outside.  The art project night was to draw fishing nets in relation to the night’s main scripture Matthew 4:19 which said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  VBS runs from 5:30-8 pm through May 28.  Parents night will be May 29 at 6 pm.

                      A Memorial Day program was held Monday morning on the courthouse square.  It featured the presentation of colors by Patrick Mimbs of American Legion Post 107, the singing of the national anthem by Anna Grace Dyes from the BCHS Class 0f 2026, and an invocation delivered by county commissioner Mike Davis.  Air Force Lt. Col Michael Jones (ret.) was the master of ceremonies and guest speaker.  He spoke on the current conflict with Iran.  After the program, guests enjoyed refreshments by the Cochran Woman's Club.