Author: Donna Wilcox

The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets held a one-run lead heading into the sixth inning Saturday, but a late Jones County rally proved to be the difference as the Jackets fell 6-3 in the first of two games played that day.Jeff Davis faced Jones County before taking on Centennial later Saturday, a game the Yellow Jackets went on to win 12-2. Jones County struck first in the second inning when Maki singled home a run, but Jeff Davis worked its way back into the game. The Jackets tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Kenley Pearson…

PEARSON, Ga. — A bomb threat that prompted the dismissal of all Atkinson County schools last Friday is believed to have been made by a man who was already incarcerated and serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The threat was received Friday, Aug. 21. Atkinson County School System announced that morning that all students and staff were safe but said schools would dismiss for the remainder of the day “out of an abundance of caution.” All after-school activities, including the scheduled high school football game, were also canceled.  The district…

Jeff Davis County students had a strong showing at the 2026 Georgia Young Farmers Association Livestock Show, bringing home championships, class wins and other honors from the statewide competition. The show was held August 14-15 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry and brought together approximately 550 Georgia 4-H and FFA exhibitors showing nearly 1,800 head of livestock. Competition included beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep and swine. Among the Jeff Davis exhibitors was Piper Woodcock, who earned a class win with Jazzy, her High Percentage Simmental. Carleigh Brewer also had an impressive showing in the swine competition.…

What began during one of the most difficult times Jeff Davis County has faced has grown into a ministry that now helps feed as many as 125 families each week. This month, Good Ground Food Pantry & Resource Center is celebrating the first anniversary of opening its permanent location — a milestone that traces its roots back to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. In the days following the storm, Hazlehurst Church of God became a hub for relief efforts as widespread damage and extended power outages left families throughout the community struggling with basic needs. For 18…

Jeff Davis Cross Country opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Saturday, August 15, as JDXC hosted the 6th Annual Peach State Preview in Jeff Davis County. Nearly 700 runners participated in the event, representing 21 high school and 14 middle school programs, making the season opener a large undertaking both on and off the course. The Jeff Davis squads made the most of their opportunity to compete at home, with all four teams turning in strong performances. The Jeff Davis Middle School boys captured first place, the middle school girls finished third, the varsity girls placed sixth, and the…

An evening dedicated to Jeff Davis County’s past was also about investing in what comes next. Community members gathered Thursday, August 20, at The Big House for the inaugural 1905 Society Benefit Dinner, an event celebrating the history and people who have shaped Jeff Davis County while supporting a resource intended to serve the community for generations to come. Proceeds from the evening benefited the Jeff Davis County Community Foundation, which was established to help provide resources to address community needs, respond when neighbors need assistance and invest in opportunities for Jeff Davis County’s future. But before looking ahead, those…

A banking institution that has been part of the Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County community for 120 years has announced plans for a significant new chapter. Hazlehurst Investors, Inc., the holding company of Bank of Hazlehurst, announced Monday that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with an investor group based in Alpharetta. Under the proposed transaction, Bank of Hazlehurst will continue operating locally under the Bank of Hazlehurst name, with President and CEO Butch Kirkley continuing to lead the local bank. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder…

The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets found their offensive rhythm Saturday, collecting 16 hits on the way to a convincing 12-2 victory over Centennial. Savanna Robinette led the charge, driving in four runs on two hits, including a three-run home run to center field in the third inning. Jeff Davis got on the board in the first when Robinette’s groundout brought home the game’s opening run. Centennial answered in the bottom half to tie the game at 1-1. The Yellow Jackets then began to pull away, with Robinette delivering one of the biggest hits of the day in the third. Her…

When most of us think about Friday nights at the Pinelands, our attention naturally turns to the action on the football field. But along the sidelines is another group of Jeff Davis athletes putting in countless hours of preparation of their own. Cheerleading has changed tremendously over the years. While today’s cheerleaders still carry the important responsibility of building school spirit and supporting their fellow Yellow Jackets, the athletic demands of the sport have grown to include strength training, tumbling, stunting, choreography and competition — all requiring tremendous skill, trust and teamwork. And for the Jeff Davis cheerleaders, their role…

A church whose story began nearly 80 years ago with 10 people gathered for a prayer meeting celebrated another new beginning Sunday morning. Southside Baptist Church in Hazlehurst held Relaunch Sunday on August 23, marking the congregation’s first Sunday worship service in its newly renovated sanctuary. Members gathered for breakfast and fellowship before entering the refreshed worship space for the special service. But for Southside, the relaunch is about much more than new surroundings. The renovated sanctuary represents a new season in the life of the church and an opportunity to refocus on what has remained at the heart of…