Author: Donna Wilcox

The Hazlehurst City Council voted unanimously Thursday evening to adopt a seven-mill property tax rate, following the third and final public hearing on the proposed increase. The decision raises the city’s millage rate from six mills to seven mills, an increase of one mill. The final public hearing began at 4:30 p.m., followed by a called council meeting at 5:30 p.m. to consider adoption of the rate. Three citizens attended the public hearing, where discussion centered on the city’s budget projections, the timing of property tax collections, and the potential effects of delaying the decision. During the hearing, a citizen…

PERRY, Ga. — President Donald Trump is scheduled to return to Middle Georgia on Saturday, October 24, for a campaign rally in Perry, just 10 days before the November 3 midterm elections. The event was originally announced for Macon, but Republican organizers confirmed Tuesday that the rally had been moved to the Guardian Centers, located at 600 Perry Parkway in Perry. The president’s appearance is part of a series of campaign stops supporting Republican candidates ahead of the election. According to the announced event schedule, doors will open at 3:30 p.m., with activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. President Trump is…

What began as an effort to help families struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has grown into a year-round mission of providing food, encouragement and hope to those in need throughout Jeff Davis County. During the Hazlehurst Rotary Club’s Wednesday, October 21 meeting, guest speaker Keith Stafford shared the story behind Good Ground Food Pantry and Resource Center and outlined plans for the upcoming third annual Miracles on Cromartie Street, a community outreach event designed to assist hundreds of local families during the holiday season. Rotarian Perry Brown introduced Stafford, a retired educator who, along with his wife, Kay,…

COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. — A 24-year-old Waycross man was arrested Tuesday, October 20, following a high-speed pursuit through Coffee County that authorities say reached approximately 124 mph, passed through an active school zone and ended with the suspect’s vehicle overturning after a law enforcement maneuver. According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description of one reportedly involved in an altercation on Jeff Lewis Road. The driver, identified as Laquavious Tequan Douglas, 24, of Waycross, allegedly refused to stop and fled from deputies. Authorities said Douglas drove on the wrong side of the…

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is alerting residents to a possible measles exposure at a Perry restaurant following confirmation of a new case in Macon County. The announcement comes as Georgia continues to report an increase in measles cases during 2026. According to DPH, Georgia had recorded 22 confirmed measles cases as of October 13, compared with 10 cases during all of 2025. The latest case involves an unvaccinated Macon County resident who had contact with a person from Pennsylvania with a confirmed measles infection. State health officials said the Georgia resident had no known travel history and…

The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets return to the Pinelands Friday night, October 23, for a home matchup against the Cook County Hornets. But the evening will be about more than football as Jeff Davis celebrates Brotherhood Night, recognizing the lasting connections among generations of Yellow Jacket players. The Jackets enter the game with a 6–1 record, following a hard-fought 28–25 loss to Thomasville last Friday. Despite suffering their first defeat of the season, Jeff Davis demonstrated its ability to compete against a strong Bulldogs team, keeping the contest close until the end. Under head Coach Lance Helton, the Yellow Jackets…

Hazlehurst residents will have one final scheduled opportunity Thursday to address the City Council before officials consider formally adopting the city’s 2026 property tax millage rate. The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22, followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. to consider adoption of the rate. Both meetings will take place at Hazlehurst City Hall, 86 S. Cromartie Street. The proposed rate is 7 mills, an increase from the city’s 2025 rate of 6 mills. Although council members previously voted to establish the seven-mill rate, questions raised during the October 15 meeting…

Varsity girls place fifth, varsity boys sixth; JV boys finish second as Dakota Mincey wins individual race The Jeff Davis cross country teams turned in strong performances at the Richmond Hill Invitational on Saturday, October 17, with both varsity squads finishing among the top six teams and the junior varsity boys earning a runner-up finish. The Jackets competed against teams from Georgia and South Carolina, with runners participating in four 5K races. Highlights included a first-place individual finish by Dakota Mincey in the JV girls division, three Jeff Davis girls among the top five in that race, and several strong…

Residents call for greater transparency and a reopening plan as local rescue organizations continue responding to stray animal concerns. The continued closure of the Hazlehurst animal shelter prompted an extended and at times tense discussion during the October 15 City Council meeting, as residents pressed city officials for answers about when the facility might reopen and what is being done to address stray animals in the meantime. The discussion also brought new details about the city’s ongoing efforts to recover insurance funds for storm-damaged municipal properties, with officials reporting approximately $12.3 million in submitted claims and acknowledging that insurance complications…

Bohannon delivers seventh-inning heroics in Game 1 before Robinette blasts a two-out, two-strike, three-run walk-off homer to seal the series Some victories are exciting. Some are unforgettable. And then there are afternoons like Monday, October 19, when the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets delivered two thrilling comeback victories over Cook County to punch their ticket to the GHSA State Softball Elite Eight in Columbus! In a best-of-three playoff series that featured dramatic home runs, clutch hitting, and plenty of late-inning suspense, the Jackets rallied to win Game 1, 6-5, before delivering an incredible finish in Game 2, winning 10-7 on a…