Author: Donna Wilcox

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…

It is hard to believe that September 11, 2026 will mark 25 years since a day that forever changed our country. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Americans watched in disbelief as our nation came under attack. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost, families were forever changed, and first responders ran toward unimaginable danger while others were desperately trying to escape it. For those of us old enough to remember that day, 25 years somehow feels both like a lifetime ago and like yesterday. We remember where we were when we first heard the news. We remember watching television, trying…

ATKINSON COUNTY, Ga. — A difficult rescue in a remote area of Atkinson County ended with an injured excavator operator safely freed and transported for medical treatment after first responders navigated swampy terrain to reach him. The emergency call came in at approximately 5:04 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, sending personnel from the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office, Atkinson County Fire and EMS to an area north of Highway 82 West near Kirkland Lane. According to reports, a large tree had fallen onto an excavator, trapping the man operating the equipment inside. Reaching the injured operator presented rescuers with an immediate challenge.…

Jeff Davis Middle School Cross Country continued its impressive start to the season Wednesday, Sept. 2, with both the boys and girls capturing team championships at the Champions of Middle Georgia Invitational in Jones County. The victories extended an impressive streak for JDXC. The boys have now won three consecutive meets, while the girls have won two straight. JDMS Boys Take Third Straight Title The Jeff Davis boys claimed first place with 52 points, edging host Jones County Middle School, which finished second with 57. The Jackets’ top five runners posted a team average of 13:54 in the two-mile race.…

Welcome to What’s Cookin’, Hazlehurst?, a new weekly feature from Hazlehurst Now! Each Wednesday, HN will bring you a recipe chosen with the season — and busy families — in mind. We’ll feature everything from easy weeknight suppers and Southern favorites to game-day food, slow-cooker meals and, of course, something sweet every now and then. For our first trip into the HN kitchen, we’re kicking things off with a meal that combines two family favorites: tacos and crispy tater tots. Taco Tater Tot Casserole Cheesy, hearty and easy to put together, this casserole makes a great weeknight supper and can…

Jeff Davis County Commissioners took another step Tuesday toward a broader public discussion on data centers, agreeing to appoint two county representatives to a committee that will research the potential benefits and concerns surrounding the industry before a public workshop is held. The action came during the Sept. 8 regular meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners and follows discussion at the August meeting about holding a workshop to give residents an opportunity to learn more about data center development. According to County Administrator Jayme Crosby, the Joint Development Authority has appointed two of its members to participate…

JESUP, Ga. — As communities across Georgia consider the arrival of large-scale data centers, a citizens group in neighboring Wayne County is inviting the public to learn more about the potential impacts of the rapidly growing industry. Wayne County Neighbors for Responsible Growth will host a public information session on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Cracker Williams Recreation Center, 245 E. Bay Street in Jesup. The event is free and open to the public. For Jeff Davis County residents, the meeting comes at a particularly relevant time as local officials and citizens continue their own discussions about…

Jeff Davis High School Cross Country faced some of its toughest competition of the season at the Bob Blastow Invitational in Douglasville on Saturday, Aug. 29, with the Jackets competing against a field filled with some of Georgia’s larger schools. More than 70 high school teams were represented across the meet’s two race divisions. Jeff Davis competed in the Varsity #2 Race, the stronger of the two divisions, in what the team dubbed the “Battle with the Bigs.” The Jeff Davis boys finished 27th out of 36 teams, while the girls placed 21st out of 29 teams. Boys Senior Mario…

FITZGERALD, Ga. — Behind a $23.6 million jury verdict involving a South Georgia nursing home is the story of a man who spent much of his life in classrooms, gymnasiums and on ballfields — teaching and coaching generations of young people: John Owens Jr. was 76 years old when he died in 2021. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Owens was a longtime South Georgia educator who taught economics and coached baseball and basketball at Fitzgerald High School. He also coached in Wilcox and Dodge counties and spent time scouting for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Owens grew up near Abbeville and built…

Plans for four new pickleball courts in Jeff Davis County are moving forward, with work expected to begin in the coming weeks. The courts are planned for an area behind Fields 5 and 6 at the recreation complex, where the Jeff Davis County Road Department has already completed preliminary dirt work and prepared the site. An important part of the project is that the major grading and paving work will not come at a significant expense to the county. Oakley Perry, JDA Director explained that the project grew out of the Jeff Davis County Development Authority’s efforts to bring Georgia…