Author: Donna Wilcox

Hazlehurst has another reason to celebrate as hometown barrel racer Brooklyn Parlor continues to make her mark on the national stage. The 19-year-old daughter of Jenny and Chris Parlor recently competed at the 2026 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth World Championships, the largest Youth World event in NBHA history, with more than 2,300 horses competing from across the country. Competing against some of the nation’s best young barrel racers, Brooklyn earned an impressive 7th-place overall finish—the second consecutive year she has finished seventh at one of the sport’s most prestigious championships. Her back-to-back Top 10 performances highlight the consistency,…

One of South Georgia’s greatest natural treasures has received one of the highest honors in the world. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has officially been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its global ecological significance and placing it alongside world-renowned destinations such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks. The designation marks the culmination of a more than 40-year effort to gain international recognition for the Okefenokee’s extraordinary natural beauty and ecological importance. The successful nomination was made possible through a partnership formed in 2022 among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Okefenokee Swamp Park, and a…

At just 11 years old, Lily Ann Crosby of Jeff Davis County has earned her fifth National Showmanship Championship, adding another remarkable accomplishment to an already impressive livestock showing career.  Lily Ann Crosby, daughter of Richard and Jayme Crosby, was named Junior Showmanship Champion at the 2026 National Junior Summer Spectacular, held June 30 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national championship marks Lily Ann’s fifth National Showmanship title, an accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, hard work, and countless hours spent preparing and exhibiting livestock.  A Passion That Started Early Lily Ann’s love for showing pigs began at an incredibly young…

Pablo Zuriel Miranda, the accused killer who walked out of the Atkinson County Jail Sunday morning, has been apprehended after two days on the run. Sunday, Pearson residents woke to an alarming law enforcement presence in the city. Miranda, who had been in the Atkinson County Jail since May of 2024, was helping load food trays at the jail on Sunday morning when he ran away. “I’m sorry. I failed you. We made bad decisions and now the community has to suffer for it. And I’m sorry for that,” said Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore Monday in an interview with…

The FBI has issued a wanted poster for Pablo Zuriel Miranda, who escaped from the Atkinson County Jail on July 26. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. Meanwhile, Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore says investigators now believe Miranda is no longer in the Atkinson County area. Sheriff Provides Update Yesterday, Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore shared an update on his official Facebook page regarding the ongoing search for Miranda. Sheriff Moore acknowledged the limited information released during the first 24 hours following the escape, explaining that investigators were focused on locating…

Hazlehurst Now has learned that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Vidalia Police Department with the investigation into the deaths of two Vidalia residents who were found with apparent gunshot wounds Thursday evening.  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched an investigation into the deaths of Xzavier Elijah Andrews, 20, and Za’Mariyah Nicole Robinson, 17, both of Vidalia. According to a GBI news release, the investigation began at the request of the Vidalia Police Department after a 911 call reported shots fired at a home in the 1000 block of Easter Drive at approximately 6:14 p.m. on…

More than 500 middle and high school student-athletes from across Southeast Georgia gathered at First Baptist Church Hazlehurst on July 16 for an evening of fellowship, encouragement, and faith during the church’s Night of Champions outreach. Hosted in partnership with Strength of a Champion Ministries, the event welcomed athletes and coaches from six counties for a tailgate-style celebration featuring dinner, games, worship, and a special message from former University of Georgia and NFL quarterback Jake Fromm. According to church leaders, approximately 120 students made spiritual decisions during the evening, with follow-up efforts continuing to determine how many were first-time professions…

Residents will have the opportunity to celebrate the history of Jeff Davis County while investing in its future during the inaugural 1905 Society Dinner, hosted by the Jeff Davis County Community Foundation. The event will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m. at The Big House, located at 25 East Coffee Street in Hazlehurst. The evening will feature a steak or chicken dinner, cocktails, fellowship, and stories highlighting the people, resilience, and community spirit that have shaped Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County since the county’s founding in 1905. The 1905 Society Dinner also serves a larger purpose—raising support…

Former Jeff Davis Yellow Jacket standout and current Mississippi State University pitcher Duke Stone is continuing to earn national attention as one of the top young arms in college baseball. In a recent feature, Baseball America highlighted Stone’s pitching repertoire and included him among the publication’s Top 100 prospects for the 2027 MLB Draft, ranking him No. 26 on its draft board. According to Baseball America, Stone possesses an “extremely polished repertoire” with a collection of pitches that already project as major strengths. The publication praised his fastball for its velocity and movement while describing his changeup as a pitch…

For the past seven years, Heather W. Carter has called Hazlehurst home. By day, she inspires creativity as an art teacher at Jeff Davis Elementary. By night, she pours her heart into writing stories that encourage readers through faith, hope, and God’s grace. Carter says she never expected to become an author. “I began writing during a difficult season of life, and over time God turned what started as a refuge into a calling,” she shared. Today, Carter writes faith-centered romance novels that focus on hope, family, grace, and God’s faithfulness through everyday life. While her stories are fictional, they…