Author: Donna Wilcox

A recently reactivated group of local business and property owners says it has big plans for downtown Hazlehurst — and its members want the community to better understand who they are, what they do and how residents can become involved. The Hazlehurst Downtown Development Authority, or DDA, has begun introducing its board members and sharing more about its goals for the city’s historic downtown district. According to information released by the DDA, the current board consists of Casey Williams, chairman; Matthew Rentz, vice chairman; Nikki Moore, secretary; Rubi Stanley; Glenn Harris; and Elizabeth Oliver. All six own and operate businesses…

Two years after the historic storm tore through South Georgia, the landscape has changed, some families and farmers are still rebuilding, and the lessons of Helene remain. Two years ago, Jeff Davis County woke up to a community many residents barely recognized. During the overnight hours of Sept. 26 into Sept. 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene raced north through Georgia after making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Across Georgia, the storm produced destructive winds, toppled countless trees and power lines and left widespread structural damage in its path. National Weather Service In Jeff Davis County,…

MACON, Ga. — Eleven teenagers were wounded in a shooting during a large gathering at Carolyn Crayton Park in Macon early Sunday morning, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting was reported to the Macon-Bibb Emergency 911 Center shortly after midnight on Sunday, Sept. 27. Deputies were already responding to reports of gunfire at the park when authorities began receiving reports that multiple shooting victims were arriving at a local medical facility in private vehicles. Authorities said the 11 people injured included four 18-year-old males, five 17-year-old males and two 18-year-old females.  Initial reports on the victims’ conditions…

Jeff Davis went on the road Friday night and came away with a hard-fought 29-20 victory over Fitzgerald, using a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to put away the Purple Hurricane at Jaycee Stadium. The Jackets and Fitzgerald entered the fourth quarter tied at 14 before Kobe Hill scored twice in the final period, including a 26-yard touchdown with 1:21 remaining that gave Jeff Davis some breathing room. Jeff Davis finished the night with 229 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Jeff Davis struck first midway through the opening quarter. Mark Durden broke loose for a 16-yard touchdown run,…

UPDATE TO PREVIOUS ARTICLE BY HN: An eight-month investigation into the sale of illegal THC products has resulted in several arrests and the seizure of a large quantity of products from smoke shops in three Southeast Georgia communities, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced Friday that several Yemeni nationals were arrested as part of the joint investigation involving the Georgia Department of Agriculture and sheriff’s offices in Wayne, Pierce and Long counties. Officials have not yet released the names of those arrested, the exact number taken into custody or the individual charges they…

Jackets held to three hits as Cook pitcher strikes out 13 The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets were unable to get the bats going Thursday, falling 4-0 to Cook. Cook broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when an error allowed the first run of the game to cross the plate. The visitors went on to add three more runs while keeping Jeff Davis off the scoreboard. Cook pitcher Griffis turned in a strong performance in the circle, allowing just three hits over seven shutout innings while striking out 13 and walking one. Gabby Taylor started in…

Eight-month investigation involved law enforcement agencies in Wayne, Pierce and Long counties JESUP, Ga. — An eight-month investigation involving law enforcement agencies across three Southeast Georgia counties has resulted in multiple arrests, the closure of four vape shops and the seizure of vehicles, weapons and alleged contraband. According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, authorities simultaneously executed eight search warrants on Sept. 21 at businesses in Jesup, Blackshear and Ludowici. The operation involved the Wayne, Pierce and Long county sheriff’s offices along with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Law Enforcement Division. Authorities said the search warrants were the result of…

JDMS Softball jumped out to an early four-run advantage Tuesday, but a big second-inning rally by Tattnall County Middle School turned the game around as the Jackets fell 15-6, ending their season. Jeff Davis came out swinging in the top of the first. River Bruce singled to drive in two runs, Jaiden Folsom followed with an RBI single, and Harper Cravey brought home another run on a groundout to help JDMS build an early lead. After Tattnall County answered, the Jackets continued to produce in the second. Zoe Mercer delivered an RBI single as Jeff Davis extended its advantage to…

Separate traffic stop and search warrant result in arrests of two Douglas residents COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. — Two separate drug investigations in Coffee County have resulted in methamphetamine trafficking charges against two Douglas residents, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. The arrests occurred three days apart earlier this month and involved the sheriff’s office Drug Interdiction & Criminal Enforcement Unit and the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit. The first arrest followed a traffic stop on Sept. 8. According to the sheriff’s office, D.I.C.E. Unit agents stopped a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Cameron Dale Pierce of Douglas after observing an improper turn.…

Proposed agreement would increase nuclear generating capacity at the nearby plant as Georgia works to meet growing electricity demand A newly announced agreement between Georgia Power and Google could bring significant upgrades to Plant Hatch near Baxley, putting a major piece of Georgia’s rapidly changing energy picture practically in Jeff Davis County’s backyard. Georgia Power and Google announced the agreement Monday, Sept. 21. If approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, Google would support upgrades to Georgia Power’s ownership share of nuclear units at both Plant Hatch and Plant Vogtle that would increase the amount of electricity the existing reactors…