Author: Staff Reports

A 23-year-old man was shot and killed early Saturday morning during what Georgia Department of Natural Resources investigators describe as illegal hunting activity in Wheeler County. According to the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division, Georgia Game Wardens were called by the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, to investigate a fatal hunting incident near Spring Hill Road. DNR said its preliminary investigation indicates that the 23-year-old victim was shot and killed during illegal hunting activity involving five adults. The victim’s identity was not released in DNR’s initial announcement. Game Wardens arrested Howard Benjie Hartley, 57,…

Two Claxton residents were killed Thursday morning following a two-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer on Georgia Highway 292 in Toombs County. According to information from the Georgia State Patrol reported by WTOC, the crash involved a Cadillac CTS and a tractor-trailer and occurred Thursday morning, Sept. 24, near the intersection of Georgia 292 and Emmanuel Drive. Investigators said a tractor-trailer driven by 65-year-old Vernon L. Reffitt of Twin City was pulling out of a private business and attempting to turn left to travel west on Georgia 292. At the same time, a Cadillac CTS driven by 42-year-old Christopher Greene of…

A 24-year-old was arrested after he allegedly unlocked someone else’s car from inside a local restaurant then went into the vehicle and stole $214. A report from the Douglas Police Department states that on September 3, 2026 just before 9 a.m., an officer responded to a local restaurant regarding an entering an auto that had occurred the night before. When the officer arrived, the complainant said that he had video footage of the suspect, identified as Kenta Maurice Butler, 24, of Broxton, entering an employee’s vehicle without permission. According to the report, video footage showed Butler using the vehicle owner’s…

A new arrest in nearby Vidalia involving an investigation into the alleged online possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material serves as another important reminder for parents and guardians: knowing what children are doing online — and who they are communicating with — matters. Children and teenagers have access to more ways to communicate online than ever before, often through phones, gaming platforms, social media and messaging apps. As the GBI notes in the release below, the Internet Crimes Against Children program was developed in response to both the increasing number of young people using the internet and heightened…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Jeff Davis County Schools teacher following allegations involving inappropriate contact with a student. The GBI announced Friday that Fernando Chavez, 31, of Hazlehurst, has been charged with one count of Improper Sexual Contact with a Student and one count of Interference with Custody. According to investigators, the alleged contact occurred away from school grounds during the previous school year. Chavez has been booked into the Jeff Davis County Jail, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. Hazlehurst Now is publishing the GBI’s August 14 press release below in its entirety: GBI Arrests…

The Vidalia Police Department has released this update:  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has announced an arrest in connection with the July 4th  shooting death of a 36-year-old Atlanta man in Vidalia. According to an update released by the GBI on Wednesday, August 12, 25-year-old Joel Anton-Jamaal Brown of Savannah has been charged with murder and several other offenses in connection with the death of Rashad Lamar Lumpkin. Brown was already being held in the Chatham County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest. The following is the GBI’s update and original release, published as provided: UPDATE…

Discussion surrounding data centers took center stage during the latest Jeff Davis County Commission meeting, with commissioners considering how the county should move forward as a year-long moratorium remains in place.  Commissioner James Emory Tate suggested the county consider lifting the moratorium, pointing to the potential economic benefits data center development could bring to Jeff Davis County. During the discussion, examples from other Georgia communities were cited, including reports of substantial prices being paid for land associated with data center development and the possibility that increased tax revenues could provide additional funding for local needs. Rather than moving forward without…

HAZLEHURST, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has announced a significant development in the investigation into the death of a Jeff Davis County teenager. The agency released the following statement providing updated information on the case. The following is the GBI’s news release in its entirety: GBI Arrests Two People for Murder in Hazlehurst Hazlehurst, GA (August 11, 2026) – The GBI has arrested and charged Tyzhawn Corouthers, age 17, and Donaven Smith, age 18, both of Hazlehurst, GA, with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. These charges stem…

ALAMO, GA — Wheeler County Schools officials say classes will resume as scheduled after a bomb threat prompted the evacuation of the Wheeler County K-12 School on Thursday morning. According to a notification from Wheeler County Schools (WCS), the district received an anonymous bomb threat message early in the day. Following established safety protocols, school staff immediately evacuated the building out of an abundance of caution. The district worked alongside the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the threat. Trained personnel and search…

Members of the Hazlehurst Rotary Club recently learned about a local ministry that is bringing hope, healing, and support to individuals and families affected by addiction. During the club’s weekly meeting, Rotarian Perry Brown introduced Michael Campbell of Southside Baptist Church, who shared information about the church’s S3 Addiction Recovery Program. S3 is a Christ-centered recovery ministry dedicated to helping individuals find freedom from addiction while offering encouragement, accountability, and hope through faith. The program also provides support for families affected by addiction by connecting participants with valuable recovery resources and a caring community. Campbell explained that S3 Recovery strives…