Author: Donna Wilcox

For generations, tobacco has been woven into the agricultural heritage of Jeff Davis County. While the crop itself has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant—the dedication of local farmers committed to producing high-quality tobacco and advancing the industry through research. For the past six years, Williams Farms, operated by Jason and the late Kenneth Williams, has served as an on-farm collaborator for the Regional Tobacco Farm Test (RFT), an important research project conducted across three states. The program evaluates promising new tobacco varieties that may one day be released for commercial production. Each year, researchers compare eight…

As another school year approaches, the Jeff Davis County Family Connection Council is once again helping local families prepare by hosting its Annual Back-to-School Giveaway on Thursday, August 6, at the Multipurpose Agricultural Center Building on Pat Dixon Road, located next to the football stadium.The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and is open to Jeff Davis County residents only. Students attending the event will receive free backpacks filled with school supplies while supplies last, helping ensure they have the tools they need for a successful start to the school year. In addition to distributing school…

Two recent wildfires in southeast Georgia are highlighting just how quickly fires can spread during the region’s current dry conditions, serving as a timely reminder for residents to use extra caution when working or spending time outdoors. The Georgia Forestry Commission has been responding to separate wildfires in Bulloch County and Camden County, both sparked by lightning strikes. In Camden County, a wildfire north of Woodbine has burned approximately 800 acres and was last reported to be 50 percent contained. Firefighters have faced challenging conditions because the blaze is burning in a marshy area that is difficult for ground crews…

A new chapter in education begins next week as Jeff Davis County officially opens its new Jeff Davis Primary School, a state-of-the-art campus that will serve more than 800 students in Pre-K through second grade. The community is invited to celebrate this milestone during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, followed by an Open House from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Families, community members, and supporters are encouraged to attend and experience the district’s newest educational facility. The new campus brings Jeff Davis Primary School and Jeff Davis Pre-K together under one roof, providing students with…

As students across Jeff Davis and Appling counties prepare to begin another school year, 159 of them will receive a financial boost thanks to the generosity and lasting vision of Joe and Margaret Frazier. Hazlehurst First Methodist Church will distribute $195,000 in scholarship funds this month to help area students pay for college and technical school expenses through the Jonah R. and Margaret J. Frazier Scholarship Program. The scholarship program, administered by Hazlehurst First Methodist Church, was established through a generous endowment left by longtime church members Joe and Margaret Frazier, whose desire was to help local residents pursue educational…

Families in the Jeff Davis County School System can once again take one item off their back-to-school checklist this year: every enrolled student will receive free breakfast and free lunch, regardless of household income. The district is able to provide meals at no cost through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program that allows eligible school districts to serve free meals to all enrolled students without requiring families to complete free or reduced-price meal applications. For parents, the program means one less form to complete and one less expense to worry about as students return to the classroom. Unlike…

Fifteen years ago, a tragic automobile accident changed the course of Maria Rea’s life forever. In an instant, the crash left Maria with a spinal cord injury and paralysis, replacing the life she once knew with months of surgeries, intensive rehabilitation, and the challenge of learning to navigate the world from a wheelchair. While the road ahead was filled with obstacles, Maria chose not to let her circumstances define her. Instead, she leaned on her faith, discovering strength in the midst of hardship and finding purpose through perseverance. Along the way, her family became her greatest source of encouragement, standing…

Before welcoming students back to the classroom, reading teachers from Jeff Davis Primary School, along with educators from other schools, spent the day investing in professional learning designed to strengthen reading instruction and improve student success. The training focused on UFLI Foundations, an evidence-based literacy program developed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI). The program provides teachers with research-backed strategies to help students develop the foundational reading skills needed to become confident, successful readers. UFLI Foundations emphasizes phonics, decoding, and other essential literacy concepts while providing students with repeated opportunities to practice until skills become automatic. The program…

Residents planning to travel south toward Jacksonville, Florida, or the Georgia coast should be aware that a portion of Interstate 95 in Camden County has been closed due to wildfires and heavy smoke, creating hazardous driving conditions. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is working to establish a fully signed detour for drivers traveling through the area. Motorists are encouraged to check road conditions before traveling. Real-time traffic updates are available by calling 511, visiting 511ga.org, or using the Georgia 511 mobile app. Drivers planning to travel along I-95 through southeast Georgia should expect delays and consider alternate routes until…

Several members of the Hazlehurst Fire Department recently participated in the Georgia Fire Safety Symposium, joining fire service professionals from across the state for training, education, and collaboration focused on improving fire safety and emergency response. Representing Hazlehurst at the symposium were Shawn Killi, Dustin Hyers, Tyler Brewer, and Caprice Hall. The Georgia Fire Safety Symposium brings together fire chiefs, inspectors, firefighters, educators, and public safety professionals to exchange ideas, learn about the latest fire prevention strategies, and strengthen their knowledge through educational sessions and hands-on training. The event provides an opportunity for departments to stay informed on evolving safety…