Author: Donna Wilcox

A Jeff Davis County 4-H member recently represented the community on the state stage, competing alongside some of Georgia’s top youth leaders during the 83rd Annual Georgia 4-H State Congress. Held July 21-24 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta, the annual event brought together outstanding 4-H members from across the state to compete in Project Achievement and Leadership in Action contests while celebrating excellence in leadership, service, and personal development. Representing Jeff Davis County, Vincent Ly competed in the Workforce Preparation and Career Development Project Achievement area against six other finalists from across Georgia. As part of the competition,…

Jeff Davis County school leaders, employees and community members gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Jeff Davis Primary School. The ceremony marked the completion of a project nearly a decade in the making and the beginning of a new chapter for the district’s youngest students. Jeff Davis County Board of Education Chairman Roger Ogilvie credited former Superintendent Dr. Stan Rentz with first recognizing the need for a new school and beginning the planning process. Ogilvie said the aging former primary school had served generations of local students but had reached a point where continued repairs…

The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets opened the 2026 softball season in impressive fashion Wednesday, using patience at the plate, dominant pitching, and solid defense to roll past Wilcox County, 16-1, in Rochelle. After a competitive start, Jeff Davis broke the game wide open in the third inning, erupting for nine runs while showcasing the disciplined offensive approach that coaches have emphasized throughout the offseason. The Lady Jackets consistently worked deep counts and refused to chase pitches outside the strike zone, finishing the game with an impressive 16 walks. Briley Reagin and Ava Bohannon led the way with three walks each, helping…

As students and teachers prepare to return to the classroom, Jeff Davis County Schools is entering the 2026-27 school year with optimism, strong academic momentum, and an unwavering commitment to student success. According to Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe, the district continues to build upon the academic gains made over the past two years. Like school systems across the nation, Jeff Davis County experienced learning setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, educators have worked diligently to help students regain lost ground, and the results have been encouraging. District leaders report that student achievement has shown steady improvement during the 2024…

HAZLEHURST, Ga. — Hazlehurst Now has learned that a deadly shooting claimed the life of a teenager overnight in Hazlehurst. At this time, only limited information has been confirmed. The victim, believed to be a teenager, died after being shot in what authorities are investigating as a homicide. Additional details, including the victim’s identity, the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and whether any arrests have been made, have not yet been released. The GBI is currently investigating. Hazlehurst Now is actively working to gather more information from local and state law enforcement officials. We have reached out to the GBI for…

Bridgeford Church of God is welcoming new pastoral leadership as Pastors Brent and Michelle Griffin begin their ministry in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County. Married since 2001, the Griffins bring with them a heart for serving others, building relationships, and helping people grow in their faith. As they begin this new chapter, the Griffins say they are excited not only to serve the congregation of Bridgeford Church of God but also to become an active part of the Jeff Davis County community. They are passionate about building relationships, supporting local families, and being involved in the life of the community…

Football returns to The Pinelands this week as the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets open the 2026 season with a preseason scrimmage against Appling County on Friday, August 7. The home matchup will give Yellow Jacket fans their first opportunity to see this year’s team in action as Jeff Davis begins preparations for what promises to be another exciting season. While the scrimmage won’t count in the standings, it marks an important first step for a young Yellow Jacket squad looking to establish its identity before the regular season begins. As the countdown to kickoff comes to an end, Head Coach…

As the first day of school approaches, Jeff Davis High School is preparing to welcome students back for another exciting year of learning, growth, and opportunity. Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Greer Smith, the school is placing a strong emphasis on student success, with attendance and academic achievement serving as key priorities for the 2026-27 school year. Dr. Smith shared the following message with students and families as they prepare to begin the new school year: “Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year at Jeff Davis High School! The faculty and staff at JDHS are excited to embark on the…

One driver was transported for medical evaluation following an incident involving a low-hanging fiber optic line on the Broxton Highway near Rea Hill Road in Jeff Davis County on Wednesday. According to information provided to Hazlehurst Now, a fiber optic line had broken and was hanging low along the side of the roadway. Before the main incident occurred, the downed line sparked a small brush fire, which was quickly extinguished before it could spread. A truck pulling an excavator later became caught on the low-hanging line, pulling it farther down across the roadway. A second, smaller truck then became entangled…

As students prepare to return to the classroom, Jeff Davis Middle School is launching several new initiatives designed to strengthen academic achievement, increase student engagement, and equip students with the skills they need for success both in school and in life. Principal Dr. Brent Coleman says this year’s changes reflect the school’s continued commitment to meeting students where they are while preparing them for the future. Among the most significant updates are a new block schedule, increased teacher collaboration through data-driven planning, a greater emphasis on hands-on learning, and the addition of a Soft Skills and Life Skills course. As…