For the last six years we have had the honor to recognize people in our community who through their actions and deeds have gone the extra mile to help their neighbors or their family.

These folks had no intention of being recognized for their great acts of compassion.

For the past six years our partner in honoring folks like this has been General Mills, and together we awarded the finalists with a special recognition, plaque and a big basket of General Mills goodies.

We have purposely kept the ceremony to award the Hometown Hero low key because by their unassuming actions the good works have been unsung and low key.

This year’s runner up is former Marine Corporal Bryce Burton , who not only saved a fellow Marine but without prior experience filmed the life story of Marie hero Sgt. Isaac Gallegos, Bryce is a lifelong resident of Newton county, has a beautiful young family and won the prestigious Sgt William Genaust award for excellence.

This year’s Hometown Hero winner is 14-year-old Katlyn Williams who in honor of her grandfather raised money for Parkinson’s disease and acts as a counselor for other young teenagers who have lost their grandparents.

We are proud to honor this year’s Hometown Hero’s receiving honorable mention are: T.K. Adams, Tichelle Florence, Jason Stribling, Jajuan Shaw, Joseph Griffin and Robin Sloman.

It doesn’t take much to be a hero only a caring heart and courage this year’s winner and honorable mentions have more than enough of both.