Author: Donna Wilcox

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…

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…