Author: Donna Wilcox

JESUP, Ga. — As communities across Georgia face growing interest from large-scale data center developers, a meeting held Sunday in Jesup focused on questions surrounding water, power, infrastructure and the potential impact of the rapidly expanding industry. Hazlehurst Now, along with more than 100 citizens from in and around Jesup, attended the meeting, which included presentations from Maggie Van Cantfort, Coastkeeper with Altamaha Riverkeeper, and Shannon Gregory, Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Satilla Riverkeeper. The speakers discussed issues communities may want to consider when evaluating data center proposals and developing local ordinances, while encouraging residents to research the subject, participate…

The Jeff Davis High School Softball Yellow Jackets bounced back in the win column Saturday, combining 10 hits with strong pitching to defeat Coffee, 5-2. Coffee struck first in the top of the third inning when Fender delivered an RBI single, but the Jackets quickly answered in the bottom half. Madison Joyce came through with a two-run double to put Jeff Davis in front, and Gabby Taylor brought home another run on a lineout to give the Jackets a 3-1 lead. Taylor also delivered in the circle, earning the win after working five and one-third innings. She allowed two runs…

Jeff Davis struggled to get its offense going Thursday as Bacon County handed the Jackets a 6-0 loss. Bacon County took the lead in the first inning when Villasenor delivered an RBI single. The visitors then added three more runs in the third, using RBI hits from Garrett, Villasenor and Crosby to build an early advantage. Jeff Davis managed four hits in the game but was unable to push a run across against Villasenor, who went the distance for Bacon County. She allowed four hits over seven shutout innings while striking out nine and issuing no walks. Ava Bohannon led…

Twenty-five years have passed since the morning that changed America forever, but Thursday morning in Hazlehurst, the message was clear: We still remember. Hazlehurst Now was honored to attend the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Fire Rescue Community 9/11 remembrance service, where first responders, law enforcement officers, public officials, veterans and community members gathered to honor the 2,977 lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, remember the men and women who ran toward danger that morning, and reflect on the unity that followed one of the darkest days in American history. The ceremony included the presentation of the colors, the National Anthem performed…

Jeff Davis Middle School collected more hits than Toombs County Wednesday, but the Jackets were unable to overcome costly defensive miscues in a 12-4 loss. JDMS finished with eight hits to Toombs County’s five, led by a perfect night at the plate from River Bruce, who went 4-for-4. Toombs struck first with a run in the opening inning, but the Jackets answered in the bottom of the third. Bruce singled to left field to bring home a run and tie the game at 1-1. The game shifted in the fourth when Toombs regained the lead. An error, a hit batter…

Bowhunters across Georgia will head back to the woods this weekend as the state’s 2026–27 archery deer season opens Saturday, Sept. 12. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, approximately 87,000 archery hunters harvested 42,000 deer last season. Archery equipment may be used throughout the entire 2026–27 deer season. Georgia hunters may harvest up to 10 antlerless deer and no more than two antlered deer during the season. Of the two antlered deer, at least one must have either a minimum of four points measuring one inch or longer on one side of the antlers or…

LUMBER CITY, Ga. — The City of Lumber City has been awarded $1 million in federal funding for citywide water improvements, part of a new round of Community Development Block Grant funding awarded to communities across Georgia. The award was announced Sept. 9 as part of approximately $40.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funding awarded to 42 Georgia communities. The federal funds originate through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are administered in Georgia by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. According to state information on the award, Lumber City’s water improvement project is expected to…

Members of the local Rotary Club heard an update Wednesday on the work of the Jeff Davis Senior Center, including meal delivery, utility assistance, home weatherization, activities and programs designed to help local seniors remain connected and independent. Jeff Davis Senior Center Manager Ann Rollins was the guest speaker for the meeting and also encouraged local organizations, businesses and individuals to consider ways they can support the county’s senior population. Rollins has worked with senior programs for 17 years and has served in several roles, including meal delivery and program assistant, before becoming center manager. One of the programs Rollins…

Jeff Davis Varsity Softball mounted a fifth-inning rally Tuesday night, but Brantley County answered late to hand the Jackets a 10-4 loss on the road. Brantley County took an early lead, scoring twice in the bottom of the second before adding a solo home run in the third. The Jackets’ offense came alive in the fifth. Anna Grace Alligood singled home a run before Savanna Robinette delivered the big swing, launching a three-run home run to left field. The four-run inning pulled Jeff Davis within one at 5-4. Brantley County, however, responded and pulled away late to secure the 10-4…

ATLANTA, Ga. — A recent series of cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater utilities across the United States has reached Georgia, raising new concerns about the security of the computer systems that help control one of the nation’s most essential services. At least three Georgia water systems — Clayton County, Columbus and Coweta County — have reported cyber incidents connected to the broader wave of attacks or occurring during the same period. Federal authorities are investigating attacks affecting utilities in multiple states. (CBS News) Reports have raised the possibility of connections to Iranian-affiliated hackers, but there is an important distinction: federal…