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Articles by Ben Roberts
"Titel und Trophäen": Chris Smalling kehrt nach Europa zurück
"Ich kenne die Geschichte dieses Clubs, ich weiß, dass es nur ums Gewinnen geht", sagt Chris Smalling zu seinem Wechsel zum FC Porto. Wie Porto mitteilte, erhält der zuletzt vereinslose Engländer die Rückennummer 6. Smalling war seit dem Sommer ohne Verein, nachdem sein Kontrakt bei Al-Fayha ausgelaufen war. Zu dem saudi-arabischen Klub war er im September 2024 ablösefrei von der AS Rom gewechselt.
Liverpool-Legende James Milner startet Trainer-Laufbahn
Wie thisisanfield.com berichtet, war Milner am Samstag in Liverpool-Kleidung auf dem Trainingsgelände in Kirkby zu sehen, wo er eine Einheit der U11 leitete. Eine feste Anstellung bei den Reds ist damit aber offenbar (noch) nicht verbunden – der Engländer sammelt dort nach Angaben des Portals lediglich erste Erfahrungen im Trainergeschäft. Milner kennt den Klub bestens. Von 2015 bis 2023 spielte er an der Anfield Road, nachdem er ablösefrei von Manchester City gekommen war.
Stopper rykteflom
Gladnyhet for Liverpool-fansen: Liverpool-stjernen Dominik Szoboszlai signerte fredag en ny femårskontrakt med Anfield-klubben. Dermed er det satt en stopper for spekulasjonene om ungarerens framtid. Dominik Szoboszlai blir i Liverpool. Foto: Ben Roberts / Every Second Media / Shutterstock / NTB Szoboszlai hadde to år igjen av sin opprinnelige kontrakt, men midtbanestjernen belønnes med en ny avtale allerede nå.
Bird Dog Politics
I will assume by now, you’ve probably heard about the controversary over a photo posted by a Burke County teacher a couple of weeks ago. The photo in question made the rounds on Facebook on a Saturday evening and was shared hundreds of times. It got so much attention that the Burke County School Superintendent, Dr. Angela Williams, issued a […]
Bird Dog Politics
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?” – Proposed Constitutional Amendment […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
Bird Dog Politics was borne out of frustration. If I had to tell you with “what” exactly, the list is rather long and extensive. But one of the frustrations that has always landed at or near the top of that list is the inability of our elected and local government officials, as well as the general public, to be honest […]
Bird Dog Politics
“I trust in the good sense of the American people…” - Franklin Roosevelt, 1933 With all due respect to our 32nd president, I don’t know that the phrases “good sense” and “the American people” belong in the same sentence. In fairness to FDR, this is only half of a sentence in a presidential proclamation acknowledging the repeal of the 18th […]
8th Generation Farm Headed to Auction
8th Generation Farm Headed to Auction By ohtadmin | on October 24, 2023 BEN ROBERTSbenroberts@bellsouth.net Almost 1,500 acres of Burke County farm and timberland will go to auction next month, in one of the largest single offerings of agricultural land in the area. The property, formerly owned by Ralph F.
8th Generation Farm Headed to Auction
8th Generation Farm Headed to Auction By True Citizen Staff | on October 24, 2023 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] Almost 1,500 acres of Burke County farm and timberland will go to auction next month, in one of the largest single offerings of agricultural land in the area. The property, formerly owned by Ralph F.
Bird Dog Politics
Bird Dog Politics By True Citizen Staff | on September 26, 2023 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] Change is coming to Burke County, and unless you’ve been hiding under a rock – and it appears some of our neighbors might have been – everyone should be aware of it by now. Curbside, or roadside, garbage pickup will begin next week throughout the county. If you’re one of the few people who still knows nothing about this new […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
Bird Dog Politics By True Citizen Staff | on September 12, 2023 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] Collateral damage is defined as “an injury or other damage that is an incidental result of an activity.” It was first used in war-time to describe actual injury or death to people or property in close proximity to military targets. In today’s world, it can mean anyone or anything that gets unnecessarily caught up in something.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on July 25, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] If you’ve been paying attention, you might have noticed my absence from this space over the summer. It was not a vacation and it was not intentional. On a Wednesday morning, back in June, I dropped my son, Briggs, a rising sixth grader, off for his first day of middle school football tryouts. He had actually missed the first week […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
After just 14 months on the job, Jonathan Lupo, executive director of the Development Authority of Burke County (DABC), is out. The True Citizen made the announcement last Thursday, shortly after the DABC board held a closed door meeting to conduct Lupo’s annual review. The board voted to end Lupo’s employment after that executive session. According to documents received from […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on April 18, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] This is not a column about Sheriff Alfonzo Williams. And, trust me when I tell you, no one is more glad to write those words than me. One of the many issues surrounding the constant barrage of news coverage for our sheriff is how much it takes away from other priorities going on in Burke County. It’s not just things […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on April 04, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] When it rains, it pours, they say; but that’s not in reference to the forecast for Masters’ week weather. We’re roughly eight weeks into a GBI investigation involving Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams for what appears to be the possible falsifying of training records for a former Waynesboro Police Department (WPD) officer.
Bird Dog Politics
Last month, The Augusta Press, an online newspaper out of Columbia County, ran an interesting column about Randy Frails, an Augusta attorney with multiple connections to that area’s political issues. According to the editorial, since January of 2017, Frails, or firms connected to him, have collected over $3 million from Richmond County taxpayers. That might not seem all that newsworthy […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on March 01, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] "A lot of people don't understand how this works. Folks seem to think that we're trying to hide something.”– Waynesboro Mayor Bill Tinley, as quoted by The Augusta Chronicle in reference to the current GBI investigation. With all due respect to Mayor Tinley, I’m afraid that some people may think the city of Waynesboro is trying to hide something because […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
Last Friday afternoon, the Waynesboro Police Department (WPD) released a statement on their Facebook page stating that in “January 2023, some irregularities were noticed with a now former employee’s training record.” The statement went on to say WPD had notified the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) regarding the […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on February 14, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] Happy New Year; my apologies for the six-week delay. To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of my incarceration, cold feet, firing and/or divorce are an exaggeration. The answer to where I’ve been is nothing sinister: life has just been busy, and this is supposed to be a hobby; although I clearly didn’t think it through very well. Several weeks ago, […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Stephens returns home as Bears’ head coach
By True Citizen Staff | on February 01, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] The Bears have found their next head coach and they’ve turned to a former player and assistant coach to lead them next season. Franklin Stephens, a 1991 Burke County graduate and former Bears’ player and assistant coach, has been hired by the Burke County Board of Education to fill the role after Eric Parker’s retirement. Stephens’ resume is evidence of […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Parker announces retirement
By True Citizen Staff | on January 10, 2023 BEN ROBERTS [email protected]th.net After 16 seasons as the Bears’ head coach, Eric Parker has decided it is time to step away from the sidelines. Parker leaves behind an impressive resume that includes a trip to the playoffs in each of his 16 seasons, 7 region championships and a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) AAA state title that Burke County won in 2011. Parker […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on December 20, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] Allow me to tell you a story: On Jan. 1, 2005, the newly elected Victor Hill showed up for his first day on the job as sheriff of Clayton County, Georgia, a metro-Atlanta county just south of the city. According to news reports, one of Hill’s first official acts was to fire 27 employees. On their way to the parking […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on December 06, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] I will assume that, by now, you have heard that the Burke County Board of Commissioners is seeking to recover a portion of the grant funds spent by Sheriff Alfonzo Williams in late 2021 and the first half of 2022. Because Williams hid those funds from the commission, and in doing so potentially broke the law, there are questions about […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears fall to Bainbridge
By True Citizen Staff | on November 23, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] Burke County’s 2022 season has come to an end. The number 3 seeded Bears fell to the Region 1-AAAA number 1 seed, Bainbridge Bearcats, on the road at Centennial Field last Friday by a score of 44-0. Burke County had given up only one touchdown to the Bearcats’ offense at the end of the first quarter, but by the half, […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bears beat LaGrange, advance to Rd. 2
Bears beat LaGrange, advance to Rd. 2 By True Citizen Staff | on November 16, 2022 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] The Bears traveled to Calloway Stadium last Saturday, beating the number two seed LaGrange Grangers 23-20 and will advance to the second round of the GHSA playoffs for the second year in a row.
Bears’ Parker on the mend
By True Citizen Staff | on November 09, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] After collapsing on the sidelines at Wayne County just over a week ago from a sudden heart, Burke County head football coach, Eric Parker, is home and recovering and, even, doing a little bit of work. “I’m on ‘light desk duty’,” Parker said. “I can’t have anything to do with the day-to-day coaching and on-the- field stuff and games. That […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears clinch third seed, face LaGrange Saturday
Bears clinch third seed, face LaGrange Saturday By True Citizen Staff | on November 09, 2022 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] The Bears closed out their regular season last week with a win over Southeast Bulloch 17-7 in Brooklet. In doing so, they clinched the number three seed and will travel to face the Region 4, number two seed, LaGrange Grangers, this Saturday in Calloway Stadium.
BC Bears headed for playoffs as third seed
By True Citizen Staff | on November 01, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] The Bears are two-thirds of the way through their threegames in 10 days and have so far split the first two games with a win and a tough loss in overtime. Burke County defeated New Hampstead last Wednesday, Oct. 26, in The Bear Den 37-27. That win ensured that the Bears would play for either the number two or three […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
#BEARSTRONG - The True Citizen
Things took a scary turn during Monday’s Burke County game against Wayne County when Bears’ head coach, Eric Parker, collapsed on the sideline in the second quarter. Trainers and medical personnel immediately began to treat Parker. Once stabilized, Parker was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was responsive when placed in the ambulance. According to Burke County Athletic Director, Wade […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on October 25, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] I originally wrote the piece below over a decade ago, for another project, shortly before my youngest child, a boy, was born. Being a father to two girls at the time, the idea of raising a son, of being responsible for the upbringing of a boy that would grow into a man, caused some reflection in my life. The result […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bears face tough two weeks of Region play
Bears face tough two weeks of Region play By True Citizen Staff | on October 25, 2022 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] The Bears will take the field this evening (Wednesday, Oct. 26) for the first of three Region 3-AAAA games in 10 ten days. How they fare in those contests will decide their place in the region and their seeding when the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) playoffs begin Nov. 11.
Bears rout Islands 63-0
Bears rout Islands 63-0 By True Citizen Staff | on October 18, 2022 BEN ROBERTS[email protected] Burke County was looking for their first Region 3-AAAA win last week. They also needed a bounce-back game after a tough loss to Benedictine two weeks ago where their offense never found the end zone. The Bears got both as they blistered a struggling Islands High School team in the Bear Den 63-0.
Bears suffer first loss to Benedictine
By True Citizen Staff | on October 11, 2022 BEN ROBERTS [email protected] Knocking off a current top- 10 ranked opponent, who just happens to be the defending state champion, is no small feat. Attempting to do it in a road game, two-hours away, on a Thursday night, only adds to the difficulty. Throw in injuries to some of your senior starters and leaders and you can find yourself with quite the task […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Authorities will review sheriff’s spending
By True Citizen Staff | on October 04, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams could soon find himself under an official investigation into how he spent almost $250,000 of grant funds intended for use for his office (BCSO). A second auditor’s review analyzing Williams’ spending and credit card usage was given to the commission before last Wednesday’s called meeting.
Bears face defending champs Thursday
Fortunately for most of the state, Hurricane Ian skirted the majority of Georgia last week. But the storm still managed to wreak havoc on many of the high school football games scheduled for last Friday night. Burke County was expected to travel to Jesup to begin Region 3-AAAA play against the Wayne County Yellow Jackets. Instead that game must now […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on September 27, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Last Wednesday, the Burke County Board of Commissioners held a budget hearing to discuss the county’s 2023 fiscal year budget. That fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and the commission is expected to adopt that budget this evening (Sept. 28) at a called meeting. The budget process is a complicated beast and I think that’s an appropriate way to describe it […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears survive Statesboro scare
By True Citizen Staff | on September 27, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net For the second week in a row, it took an offensive drive in the final minutes of the game for the Bears to pull out a win on the road against Statesboro 35-32. That finish was not one many saw coming when Burke County went into the half up 21-0. However, some offensives adjustments, a Blue Devil spark and possibly […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears win in OT, stay undefeated
By True Citizen Staff | on September 21, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net It was homecoming in the Bear Den last Friday night and Burke County made sure those in attendance got their money’s worth, taking the game to an overtime finish to beat Oconee County 28-21. The win required a drive by the Bears’ offense in the final 4 minutes of regulation that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Marshall Flowers […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears to face Evans
By True Citizen Staff | on September 06, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net The Evans Knights will travel to the Bear Den this Friday as both teams will try and stay unbeaten. After a bye week, Burke County will look to continue their success in non-region play. The Bears (Region 3-AAAA) and the Knights (2-AAAAAA) are both 2-0 on the season so far. Bears’ head coach, Eric Parker, said Evans has talent that […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
Three weeks ago, in a county budget work session, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams told the Board of Commissioners he needed $1.2 million added to his sheriff’s office (BCSO) budget for the 2023 fiscal year. That additional amount was necessary to cover various items, including, according to Williams, a night-shift bonus for individuals working those hours as well as allowing […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Sheriff wants $12 million for 2023 budget
By True Citizen Staff | on August 31, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams is asking the commissioners for another increase in funding for his department. In a work session on August 16, Williams told commissioners he needed $1.2 million more than what was allotted last year for the Burke County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). In the six years Williams has been sheriff, his budget has increased five times.
Bears beat Rebels in home opener
By True Citizen Staff | on August 31, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Burke County is off to a good start, beating Effingham County 28-10 in the Bear Den last Friday to open their season 2-0. Bears’ head coach, Eric Parker, admits he’s pleased with back to back wins against legitimate competition. “To be 2-0 at this point, had you told me that prior to the season starting, I probably would have been […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bears shock Thomson, Parker wins 200
By True Citizen Staff | on August 24, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Burke County versus Thomson rarely disappoints, and Friday was no different as it all came down to a goal line stand by the Bears in the final minute of the game. With Burke leading 24-21 and seconds left on the clock, Thomson lined up for their final play of the night on fourth down and goal to go. A pass […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bears kickoff 2022, face Thomson on road
By True Citizen Staff | on August 16, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Burke County will begin their 2022 football season this Friday against a familiar foe. The Bears will travel to McDuffie County to face the Thomson Bulldogs in The Brickyard. In the past, this matchup has usually held significant ramifi- cations for both the winner and loser, often times determining which team would be crowned region champion.
BCSO Grant remainders
By True Citizen Staff | on August 16, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net Sheriff Alfonzo Williams turned over $217,914.16 in remaining grant funds to the county last month and now it’s up to the Burke County Commission to add those funds to the Sheriff’s office budget. The commissioners attempted that process at their regular meeting last Tuesday, Aug.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on August 10, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net There’s an old saying that “Elections have consequences.” It’s a reminder that how one votes or who one chooses to vote for, will have lasting effects moving forward. It seems an obvious conclusion but given some of the things currently going on in our community, and across this country, it bears remembering. Most of us would agree that words, too, […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Bird Dog Politics
By True Citizen Staff | on August 03, 2022 BEN ROBERTS benroberts@bellsouth.net If I asked you what you thought the two biggest challenges currently facing Burke County were, what would your answer be? Mine is simple and has been the same for quite some time now: ignorance and apathy. Ignorance, in and of itself, can be dangerous on levels both large and small. A lack of not knowing how something works can […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers.
Mandamus withdrawal
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams has dropped his appeal of a mandamus lawsuit against the Burke County Board of Commissioners. The withdrawal, filed last Friday, July 29, in the Georgia Court of Appeals, brings to a close at least one part of a long-standing dispute over funding for the sheriff’s office (BCSO). Williams originally brought the action against the commission in late […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Sheriff relinquishes grant funds
After weeks of insisting the county had no authority over $425,000 in grant funds given to his department last year, Sheriff Alfonzo Williams turned over the remainder of that money to the county manager’s office last week. Burke County Finance Director Michael Wiseman confirmed his office received a check in the amount of $217,914.16 on Thursday, July 14. Wiseman said […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
Bird Dog Politics
The Waynesboro City Council approved two more licenses for package stores last week, bringing the total number of applications approved in the city to four. The strongest reaction on social media has been to question whether Waynesboro needs or can even support four liquor stores. The short answer to that question is “time will tell.” At last Monday’s regular city […] We're sorry! This content is only available to online subscribers. Please login below or Subscribe today!
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