A review of 2020

What a bad year 2020 was.
While we would probably be better served to put the year out of mind, here’s a look back at the top stories that appeared in the Jeff Davis Ledger over the past 12 months:
January 1
Longtime Jeff Davis County State Farm Agent John W. Dawson Jr. died Dec. 27, 2019, at the age of 76.
A review of 2019 highlighted the ongoing dramas at City Hall, a state baseball championship, and indictments in connection with a 5-year-old double murder.
January 8
At its first meeting of the new year, the Hazlehurst City Council welcomed Ward 3’s Diane Bass Leggett, its newest member.
“We’ve blown our budget,” Mayor Bayne Stone the council, as the city continued to spend money not appropriated in its budget.
Mrs. Weta Janette Mathews Fales, 87, who operated Fales Furniture Company in Hazlehurst along with her late husband Bill Fales and her grandson Cole Harrison since 1963, died New Year’s Day at her home.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce planned to host its first membership luncheon in 2020 with Jeff Davis Hospital CEO Barry Bloom as the featured speaker.
January 15
Pastor Henry Josey was chosen Grand Marshall of the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
The exciting play of Class AA Player of the Year Ja’Queze Kirby and his teammates was drawing huge crowds to watch JDHS basketball.
School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe explained to the school board plans for athletic fields and renovations to the 20-year-old high school.
January 22
A major investigation targeting an expansive, gang-related drug trafficking ring operating in Georgia resulted in a 61-count indictment naming 26 defendants on federal charges.
Andrea Taylor, CEO of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Joint Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce, made an an exciting presentation of branding and marketing for the community to the Hazlehurst City Council. The move came about after the City Council, Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners and other officials met last year to discuss economic development at a retreat and workshop held on Jekyll Island.
The boys basketball team improved to 16-5 with three victories to run its win streak to six.
January 29
The school system’s Teachers of the Year were Niki Perry, representing Jeff Davis High School and also 2020 System-wide Teacher of the Year; Leah King, representing Jeff Davis Pre-K; Jennifer Bridges, representing Jeff Davis Primary School; Gwen Snipes, representing Jeff Davis Elementary School; and Tracy Adams, representing Jeff Davis Middle School.
The new year for the Jeff Davis County Commission got off to a rough start as the meeting began with election of the chairman and vice-chairman for 2020 with Ricky Crosby chosen chairman in the midst of some contention.
February 5
Beasley Flooring Products completed the purchase of the Unilin North America flooring manufacturing facility in Melbourne, Ark. As part of the transaction, Mohawk was to partner with Beasley Flooring to continue providing high-quality flooring products to its customers.
David and Gail Miller of Because He Lives Ministries were excited about the shoe box collection for Christmas 2019.
At the Jeff Davis vs. Woodville-Tompkins basketball games, during warmups the Wolverine boys wore t-shirts that paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna who died in the California helicopter crash, and the Bryant family. Also remembered was freshman Woodville-Tompkins student Xytavious Middleton, 15, who collapsed and died following a gym class at the school.
Attorney Keith Higgins announced his candidacy for District Attorney of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit Jan. 29.
February 12
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency issued a flood warning for Jeff Davis County and other counties along the Altamaha River. The river was expected to be at 19.2 feet by the weekend. Flood stage was 13.0 feet.
Board of Education Chairman Roger Ogilvie took a few moments at a Board meeting to laud the work of Finance Director Betty Corbitt.
Eugene Allen, the first African-American ever elected to the Hazlehurst City Council, died Feb. 4 at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. He was 72.
Jeff Davis High senior Jashaun Kirby signed a letter of commitment to attend Reinhardt College where he will play football.
February 19
Several community entities and organizations planned to host a Spring Fling Family Fun Day March 28, at the Jeff Davis Fairgrounds to promote participation in the 2020 census.
The National Weather Service Flood Warning continued for the Altamaha River. The river was at 19.8 feet (6.8 feet above flood stage) and minor flooding was occurring
February 26
The flood warning for the Altamaha River continued this week and was expected to crest at 22.2 feet Friday. The previous week, it crested at 19.8 feet and began falling. But more water started coming later in the week and it began to rise again. Flood stage is 13 feet.
The Hazlehurst City Council spent most of its meeting on garbage collection contracts with Ryland Engineering who said the company was “caught in the middle between some power plays.“
The Jeff Davis High School Spirit Cheerleaders were State Champions at GHSA Game Day Competition.
Paola Lopez, a senior at Jeff Davis High School, was recognized  at the Georgia Department of Education as the 2020 Migrant Student of the Year for the Georgia.
March 4
The coronavirus, COVID-19, had spread to Georgia. Three cases were confirmed in the Atlanta area, bringing to 62 the number of cases in the United States.
Jeff Davis Hospital reassured the community of Jeff Davis County, and surrounding areas, that it was working closely with the Centers for Disease Control , as well as with local and State agencies to assure preparedness for the potential identification and spread of the coronavirus.
March 11
Heavy rains resulted in swollen area rivers, minor flooding and damaged roads that forced the closing of all Jeff Davis County schools March 5-6.
Jeff Davis senior Ja’Queze Kirby vaulted to victory in the GHSA’s inaugural slam-dunk competition at the Macon Centreplex.
The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the convictions of Damon and Sonya Bamberg in the 2008 murder of Damon Bamberg’s ex-wife, Allison Nicole “Nikki” Bamberg, in Jeff Davis County.
A Jeff Davis County jury found both Damon Bamberg, and his mother Sonya Bamberg, guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and criminal damage to property in the second degree following a trial Aug. 31, 2009.
March 18
In response to the national coronavirus outbreak, School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe announced that Jeff Davis County’s schools would close for two weeks. The Chamber of Commerce announced a number of cancelled or rescheduled events and both Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home and Miles Funeral Home announced they would comply with recommendations from federal and state government, and the Center for Disease Control and curtail funeral activities.
At the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners meeting, Joint Development Authority Executive Director Andrea Taylor talked about a request from Silicon Ranch solar energy for more aggressive tax abatements for its stage 5 expansion.
Jeff Davis Sheriff Preston Bohannon announced that several drug-related arrests were made.
March 25
Jeff Davis County Schools had been closed for two weeks and School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe and his colleagues in other school systems around the staff had been given no information on how long Georgia schools would be closed.
The Hazlehurst City Council discussed how to enforce the recently revised cemetery ordinance.
The Georgia Municipal Association urged municipal leaders in all of Georgia’s 538 cities to declare public health emergencies with guidance from a model ordinance created by the association. The public health emergencies would slow the rise of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Georgia and establish a uniform measure aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.
The Presidential Preference Primary, originally scheduled for March 24, was postponed until May 19 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
April 1
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported that Jeff Davis County had its first case of a COVID-19 infection. But later that changed as the reported coronavirus test turned out to be a “false positive.”
In an emergency meeting, the Hazlehurst City Council declared a public health state of emergency in the city because of the proliferation of COVID-19 in the United State and Georgia.
In light of developments with the spread of the COVID-19 virus and rapidly changing protocols issued by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and in light of states of emergency declared by the President and the Governor, Jeff Davis County Tax Commissioner’s office closed to the public effective March 25 until further notice.
Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the Georgia Department of Revenue, in conformance with the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service, automatically extended the 2019 income tax filing and payment deadline to July 15 without penalties or interest.
Jeff Davis High senior Ja’Queze Kirby was named the AJC’s Class AA Player of the Year for the second straight year. And his selection to the AJC Class AA All State First Team was his third consecutive honor.
Noon Holy Week services were to be held online at Hazlehurst First United Methodist Church due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 8
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, a case of COVID-19 was attributed to Jeff Davis County. Cases also were identified in neighboring Telfair County and nearby Wayne County. Telfair and Wayne had four and three cases respectively.
In an emergency meeting, the Jeff Davis County Commission voted to adopt an ordinance that declared a state of emergency in the county beginning April 3 and continuing through April 13 or until the COVID-19 dangers are abated.
Signs on businesses all over Hazlehurst announced closings or restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
April 15
The Jeff Davis High School coaching staff honored the senior members of the JDHS baseball team which had an opportunity to repeat as Class AA State Champions. The entire starting lineup for the 2019 title game returned intact for the 2020 season, making the Yellow Jackets an overwhelming favorite to win back-to-back state championships. But the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the season. Each evening for a week, at 8:20 p.m. — 2020 military time — the lights at the Jeff Davis High School football field were turned on for 20 minutes and 20 seconds as a silent tribute to this year’s senior baseball players: Braydon Creech, Garrison Miles, Jashaun Kirby, Colby Marchant, Caleb Leggett, Garrett Taylor, Bubby Chaney and Britt Metts.
A report from the Georgia Department of Public Health, revealed there were only three counties in the state with no reported cases of COVID-19.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state of emergency from April 13 to May 13. Shelter In Place, set to expire April 13, was extended to April 30.
The executive order requiring the closing of certain businesses across the state and allowing “Critical Infrastructure” to remain open was also extended to April 30.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the postponement of the Statewide General Primary/Presidential Preference Primary Election until June 9.
April 22
The number of people in Jeff Davis County testing positive for COVID-19 jumped from one to seven over a week but, according to Jeff Davis Hospital Administrator Barry Bloom, only one person had to be hospitalized. That patient, Bloom said, had improved and had been discharged to go home.
Jeff Davis County’s governing bodies took special precautions during their April meetings to comply with state and national guidelines relating to the Coronavirus pandemic threat to the nation and world.
Mayor Bayne Stone and City Attorney Ken W. Smith outlined annexation of several city streets, a move that would generate revenue by traffic tickets issued by the Georgia State Patrol.
April 29
Jeff Davis COVID cases increased to 14.
One of Jeff Davis County’s finest citizens died at Navicent Health in Macon. Longtime educator B.H. Clayton died after suffering a stroke in Hazlehurst and being transferred to Macon by Lifeflight helicopter. He was 93.
Banners saluting members of the Jeff Davis High School Class of 2020 were flying on the streets of downtown Hazlehurst. Parents purchased the banners and they were erected on utility polls in the downtown area.
Work began in earnest on the new bridge to replace the existing bridge crossing the Altamaha River on the Uvalda Highway.
The May 7 National Day of Prayer observance would be live streamed on Facebook from Hazlehurst First United Methodist Church.
May 6
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 22.
Because of Governor Brian Kemp’s order to shelter in place until June 12, the Jeff Davis County Veterans Association’s annual Memorial Day program at Veterans Square Park was canceled.
Mortenson, a leading solar engineering, procurement, and construction firm announced it had begun building an 86 megawatt (MWAC) solar facility for Silicon Ranch in the Denton/Snipesville area.
May 13
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 24.
Work was to begin in mid-July on a $2 million project for improvements to the City of Hazlehurst Airport.
Some members of the Jeff Davis High School Class of 2020 were to receive their diplomas at a graduation ceremony tentatively scheduled for June 19.
In May, an empty parking lot at the Jeff Davis Recreation Department complex on Pat Dixon road is, indeed, a strange site. Normally during May the lot is full as youth baseball and softball are in full swing, bringing thousands of people to the complex. But the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to that.
May 20
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 26.
Veterans Association awarded scholarships to Lexie Crosby and Colby Marchant.
Jeff Davis High School senior Ross Coppedge signed a scholarship to swim for the Piedmont College swim team.
Jeff Davis High School senior Colby Marchant signed to play baseball with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Lonnie and Joann Waters announced that their Fourth of July picnic and fireworks celebration at their farm would be cancelled because of the Covid-19 virus.
The Jeff Davis County Commission was considering turning over the environmental building off the Douglas Highway, formerly used for statewide community health training, to the Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton (JDA).
May 27
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 34.
The Jeff Davis County Veterans Association held a small gathering of only vets on Memorial Day – public wasn’t invited because of health hazards – where they read the 32 names of KIAs from Jeff Davis.
Hazlehurst City Council meetings were rife with controversial issues that prompted spirited discussions among the mayor and council members, so spirited that Ward 4 Councilman John Bloodworth was prompted to ask, “Why the attitudes in the room tonight?”
Jeff Davis High School senior Daneshia Wooten signed her letter of intent to play softball at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C.
June 3
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 37.
Hazlehurst citizens held a peaceful protest through which members of the community could show their support, empathy and desire for justice for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The event in Hazlehurst was quiet, orderly and respectful, and protest organizer James Earl Cray made sure the event was like that.
The Board of Tourism and Chamber of Commerce were partnering to host their first Food Truck Friday June 5 at The Big House.
June 10
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 48.
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 and preparations for a safe return to school for the 2020-2021 school year were two of the major topics at the meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Education.
JDHS Principal Greer Smith announced that the graduation ceremonies would be postponed until July 17 if Gov. Brian Kemp lifted his executive order tentatively set to expire July 12.
Incumbent Sheriff Preston Bohannon, Probate Judge candidate Jason Taylor, incumbent Altamaha District County Commissioner Ricky Crosby and incumbent Republican Tommy Carter won their Republican Primary races, and in the Democratic Primary James Earl Cray won the chance to face Republican David Miller in November.
June 17
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 62.
Two employees at Pig Out BBQ on North Williams Street received a scar when a man came into the restaurant through the back door while the employees were cleaning up after the restaurant closed.
Carolyn Cook Conner, who touched the lives of thousands of young girls in Jeff Davis County, passed away June 14 at her residence after a long illness. She was 72.
June 24
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 76.
For those who regularly travel the intersection of Gill Street and Highway 341, the site of hundreds of accidents over the years, a traffic signal may be forthcoming. That’s what Ward 4 Councilman John Bloodworth reported at the monthly workshop of the Hazlehurst City Council.
Jeff Davis High School’s Class of 2020 Top Graduates were Valedictorian Hunter Rentz and Salutatorian Christian Ray.
Jeff Davis County Commissioner James Benjamin’s YouTube video featured his original song  “Right Now.”
July 1
At the end of May, the number of new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Jeff Davis County was averaging less than one a week. But on June 1, six cases were confirmed. In the four weeks previous to July 1, 76 more cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 110.
The Jeff Davis County Commission and the Chamber of Commerce planned a Red, White and Boom celebration with live music, food vendors and a massive fireworks display at dark.
Norman Johnson, who owned and operated Johnson’s Office Solutions for 58 years and was a founding member of Elbethel Church in Hazlehurst, died at his home surrounded by his family. He was 83 years old.
And Taylor Walsh and Jackson Yawn were chosen JDHS Prom Queen and King.
July 8
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 135.
Thirty-nine-year-old Michael Allen Perry died in a tragic drowning near the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers forming the Altamaha River.
July 15
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 171.
Jeff Davis High Head Baseball Coach Paul Glass was named to the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame.
Illya Copeland, former executive director of the Joint Development Authority, was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident on Fort Mountain.
The Georgia High School Association issued guidance for “Phase 1” of Return to Play for high schools to follow and Jeff Davis High officials were following that guidance.
July 22
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 231.
William J. Pierce Jr., the notorious serial killer convicted of murder by a Jeff Davis County jury in 1971, died at the end of May at the Georgia Diagnostics Center in Jackson. At 89 years of age, he outlived most of the law enforcement officers in three states who investigated his string of murders.
Eric Smith, Georgia Power Local Manager, was named the Chairman of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Sonya Miller was elected as the new President for the Magnolia Midlands Travel Association.
Five of the 10 employees retiring from the Jeff Davis County School System were present to accept gifts and receive accolades from School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe.
July 29
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 332, deaths at six.
The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Jeff Davis County continued to climb, and Jeff Davis Hospital was feeling the impact.
TheCounty Commission wanted the City of Hazlehurst to comply with its obligations in the intergovernmental agreement between the two governments for the project.
Jeff Davis Hospital joined #MaskUpGA, a campaign to encourage all Georgians to make the choice to wear face coverings when in public settings and to social distance when possible to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state.
August 5
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 404.
Fourteen months and a day from the 2019 groundbreaking ceremony, officials gathered once again, this time for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of work on the overpass and opening the bridge to traffic.
Munsayac Health, LLC and The Jeff Davis Walk In Clinic provided the school nurses hospital-level PPE.
Nathan (Nate) Saunders, from Jeff Davis Elementary School, was announced as the 5th grade National Champion in the area of Science.
August 12
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 466.
“It’s a dang thousand wonders that nobody was hit.”
That’s what Hazlehurst Police Chief Ken Williams said about a early Sunday morning shootout at Mary McLean Park on Young Street in Hazlehurst.
Five vehicles were shot along with a nearby residence and Antioch CME Church on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive next to the park.
Nineteen-year-old Jordan Ray Breedlove of Hazlehurst miraculously survived a horrific accident when the 2015 Toyota Tacoma Double pickup ran into the back of a log truck loaded with logs. The logs penetrated the windshield of the Toyota and went completely through the cab of the truck.
August 19
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 554.
The Ledger used a big front page tribute to honor the community’s frontline workers who were risking their lives to help battle;e COVID-19.
Jeff Davis softball teams were preparing for the 2020 season.
August 26
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 603, deaths at nine.
With the stroke of a pen, the City of Hazlehurst signed into effect an emergency ordinance to help end the sort of violence that occurred just over two weeks before at Mary Frazier McLean Community Park on Young Street.
Buford West, one of two surviving Jeff Davis County veterans of World War II, died Aug. 17 at his home. He was 98 years old.
“I think this is the most trying time in the history of coaching high school football.”
That’s what Jeff Davis High Head Coach Lance Helton said of the preparation for the start of the 2020 football season, scheduled for Sept. 4 as the Yellow Jackets travel to Lincolnton to face the Lincoln County Red Devils.
September 2
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 645, deaths at 11.
Seniors on the 2020 Jeff Davis High School softball team were Riley Mathis, Paige Carter, Bianca Torres and Kesleigh Poe.
The Bank of Hazlehurst announced the retirement of Merlene Cobb, after 42 years of service.
Governor Brian Kemp announced that $3 million had been appropriated for the Regional College and Career Academy at the Coastal Pines Technical College Baxley campus.
September 9
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 664.
The Jeff Davis Cross Country teams had been busy lately. The JDHS girls and participated in a run on Jekyll Island. Gael Valora was the boys overall winner in the Frazier-Hite Invitational hosted by Southeast Bulloch. Both the middle school team won the team titles in that race.
The SR 135 (Uvalda Highway) Bridge over the Altamaha River was well underway in Jeff Davis County. Contractors had completed the pile, footers, and columns.
September 16
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 686, deaths at 16.
The Hazlehurst Police Department had made four arrests in connection with the wild shootout at Mary McLean Park on Young Street in Hazlehurst.
Long time Jeff Davis County and area doctor Dr. Lumawig Munsayac, father of Hazlehurst’s Dr. Kirk Munsayac, passed away at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, S.C. Dr. Lou, as he was better known, had been hospitalized in Hazlehurst and in Charleston since mid-August due to complications from COVID-19.
September 23
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 707, deaths at 19.
An outbreak of COVID-19 infections among the Tattnall County High School football team forced the school’s administration to cancel their football game with Jeff Davis High.
Oak Street resident Larry Hutley who, along with several of his neighbors, have been having serious water issues and want something done about them, told the city council, “I’m tired of the water on my side of town. It stinks. It’s been going on for months and years.”
Brooklyn Parlor was the State of Georgia NBHA Youth Reserve Champion. Two weeks prior she was the South Eastern Arena Youth 3D and Reserve 4D Champion at a Youth World Championship show in Unadilla.
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 707, deaths at 19.
September 30
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 720, deaths at 20.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce and Jeff Davis Hospital will host JD Wellness Day this Saturday, Oct. 3, at The Big House from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
The Chamber of Commerce and Board of Tourism sponsored the second Food Truck Friday with another good crowd.
October 7
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 731, deaths at 20.
Little Cayley Anderson celebrated her seventh birthday with her very own parade organized by first responders in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis
County.
The Jeff Davis County Republican Party held a rally in Weatherly Park, attracting locals as well as candidates and out of town guests.
October 14
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 754, deaths at 22.
Early voting for the 2020 Election had been busy across the state and in Jeff Davis County an unprecedented number of early voters had lined up to vote, some having to wait over an hour to cast a ballot.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) named a collaborative effort by the four counties of the Southeast Georgia Economic Development Authority (SGEDA) as the Best of the Best in Regional Economic Development projects.
During a workshop of the Hazlehurst City Council, Mayor Bayne Stone gave the key to the city to Andrea Taylor, president and CEO of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Joint Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce.
Jeff Davis High was set to host Dodge County in the first round of the state playoffs.
October 21
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 777, deaths at 22.
Members of the Hazlehurst City Council turned back efforts by Mayor Bayne Stone to raise the annual millage rate from 8 mills to 10.
October 28
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 787, deaths at 23.
HomeTown Health, an organization of 70 rural hospitals in the Southeast, named Barry Bloom, CEO of Jeff Davis Hospital, as the recipient of the 2020 Hospital Leader of the Year award.
The Georgia Council for the Arts, a subsection of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced the recipients of the Fiscal Year 2021 Cultural Facilities and Vibrant Communities Grants. The City of Hazlehurst was among one of the awardees of the Vibrant Communities Grants with a total value of $1,500.
November 4
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 813, deaths at 25.
Jeff Davis voters displayed their strong support for Donald Trump and his Republican party by giving him 84% of the vote in Tuesday’s election.
In the only local contested race, Republican Jason Taylor handily topped Democrat Glenn L. Harris Sr., 4,085-753, 84.44% of the votes.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Event, A Night in Vegas.
Hazlehurst City Council’s second called meeting within a week’s time to discuss employee health insurance began civilly but turned contentious by its end. The meeting ended with a 4-1 vote to defer the discussion to yet another called meeting, with Mayor Bayne Stone casting the sole dissenting vote.
Jeff Davis County lost one of its most beloved residents Oct. 17 with the death of Mrs. Jane Wallace Baggett. She was 96.
Jeff Davis High’s boys and girls cross country teams won their region championships.
November 11
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 819, deaths at 26.
The JDHS boys cross country team took a 4th place finish in the Class AA State Cross Country Championships in Carrollton.
As a result of community reporting suspicious activity, several drug investigations were initiated by the office. Several arrests had been.
November 18
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 825, deaths at 26.
Bianca Torres was crowned 2020 Jeff Davis High Homecoming Queen. Runnerups were Jayla Roundtree and Gabby Dawson.
Jeff Davis County military veterans were honored during halftime of Friday’s JDHS Homecoming Game.
Jeff Davis Hospital announced it would offer rapid COVID testing to the public.
November 24
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 833, deaths at 27.
The fight for a former Hazlehurst police officer to get his job back took a hard hit during the regular monthly meeting of the Hazlehurst City Council, a meeting that featured heated back and forth.
Jeff Davis County’s recount of the Nov. 3 election votes turned out exactly the same vote totals as originally tallied on election day.
Jeff Davis High School’s football team was preparing to host Washington County in the opening round of the 2020 Georgia High School Association playoffs. The 2020 Yellow Jackets’ 8-win season was the first time the Jackets had eight wins since the 1999 team was 8-3.
December 2
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 840, deaths at 28.
Jeff Davis High’s football team defeated Washington County 28-25 to improve to 9-1 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
First United Methodist Church Pastor the Rev. Allen Hartsfield, Youth Director Jonathan Hartsfield and the church’s youth were converting a shipping container into a medical solar powered medical clinic to be shipped to a poverty strickened area of Africa.
December 9
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 850, deaths at 30.
Long time Jeff Davis County Emergency Management Agency Director and senior citizens advocate James Dunn died Dec. 3 at Jeff Davis Hospital at the age of 89.
Three hundred and sixty-five children were registered for the Christmas program at Because He Lives Dec. 13.
December 16
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 873, deaths at 30.
Jeff Davis Community Christmas was set for Dec. 20 at Happy Land Community Center.
Jeff Davis Hospital CEO Barry Bloom said he expected the hospital would receive its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine in the next week or so.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce was looking for JD Forward Leadership Academy nominations.
Early voting was brisk at the Jeff Davis Courthouse as advanced voting for the Jan. 5, 2021, runoff election opened. Elections Supervisor Christy Riner said 207 voters cast early ballots Monday and, by 2 p.m. Tuesday, another 144 people had voted.
Hazlehurst Postmaster Winton Lacey Jr. announced his retirement from the U.S. Postal Service effective Dec. 18.
Hazlehurst briefly took center stage in national politics Saturday when U.S. Senator David Perdue made a campaign stop here.
December 22
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 904, deaths at 30.
The recreation department on the Baxley Highway was home to the first drive-in Christmas program.
Jeff Davis High’s 9-2 2020 football team garnered a host of Region 2-AA awards for players’ performances during the season. Topping the list was senior placekicker Audiel Placencia who was named the Region 2-AA Special Teams Player of the Year.
The roundabouts, one at the intersection of Charles Rogers Boulevard and Pat Dixon Road and the other at Collins Street and Pat Dixon, had been the scene of minor accidents and plenty of traffic confusion since they opened in 2019, especially at the Collins Street roundabout, which, said Mayor Bayne Stone, had been hit and broken several times over. Ward 4 Councilman John Bloodworth added that particular roundabout is a “major disaster” for lack of proper lighting.
December 30
Jeff Davis COVID cases were at 939, deaths at 31.
One of Jeff Davis High School’s most beloved football coaches, Phil Jones, died at the age of 74.
Lumber City Nursing and Rehab held a COVID vaccine clinic at which Dr. David Turfler got his COVID vaccine shot.