A look back at 2025

Following are some of the stories that appeared in the Ledger during 2025.
January 1
Oakley Perry, executive director of the JDA, told the Hazlehurst City Council that a Georgia Tech market analysis predicts the 2020 population of 15,213 in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County will grow to 15,822 by 2030.
January 8
Two members of the 2024 Jeff Davis High football team earned All-State Honors in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Defensive back La’Trell Sellers was named to the First Team All State Defense and quarterback Colby Beach was named an Honorable Mention.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Fire Department was called to Beasley Forest Products’ site on J.A. Yawn Road, a fire on Amanda Thomas Road and a fire in a two-story home on Mt. Pleasant Church Road. Amidst all that, a series of brush fires kept the department busy.
January 15
RecruitGeorgia web site announced its All-State Team. Jeff Davis offensive lineman Cade Carver who was named First Team and Yellow Jackets earning Honorable Mention were La’Trell Sellers, Fabian Valdelamar, Colby Beach and Kyrice Hunt.
A large crowd of citizens attended the county commission meeting. Parts of the gathering were interrupted by angry outbursts from the crowd gathered in response to the disciplinary suspension of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Director Edwin Williams.
January 22
In a controversial move, the City of Hazlehurst kicked off the new year by partnering with Inframark/ESG Operations, Inc., a company that will essentially take control of the Water and Sewer Department.
Another standing-room-only crowd attended the Jeff Davis County Commission meeting, primarily to show support for the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and its director Edwin Williams.
February 12
Jeff Davis High’s boys basketball team finished the regular season with a 10-12 record.
Jeff Davis High senior basketball player Autumn Rhodes was honored for reaching the 1,000-pt. scoring mark.
The Jeff Davis County Commissioners voted to hire Andrew Walden as the new director of the Jeff Davis County Emergency Medical Service.
Jeff Davis High School’s baseball team opened its 2025 season with three home games, winning two of the three.
Both boys and girls basketball teams from Jeff Davis High qualified for the 2025 Georgia High School Association Class 1A, Div. I playoffs.
Jeff Davis High School Tennis opened up their season versus Vidalia. The girls came home with a 5-0 win and the boys came home with a 4-1 win.
February 19
City of Hazlehurst Clerk Vernice Thompson was sworn in as President of the 2025-2026 Georgia Municipal Clerk’s Association.
February 26
The Hazlehurst City Council accepted a bid proposal of $822,617.50 for completion of a water line to Thompson Hardwoods. A $500,000 OneGeorgia grant, $250,000 from the Joint Development Authority, a contribution of $117,000 from the Beasley Group and $100,000 from the City financed March 5
Hazlehurst’s Austin Wood was on the verge of realizing a lifetime dream — playing professional football. Wood signed to play professional football next fall as a member of the German Football League.
March 12
One man was dead and two brothers were detained as “persons of interest” following a shooting in the parking lot of the Circle K store on Jarman Street in Hazlehurst.
The drivers of both vehicles died in a horrific 2-vehicle crash at the intersection of the Alma Highway and Ira Graham Road in southern Jeff Davis County.
March 19
Jeff Davis High’s 3-game sweep of No. 3 ranked Worth County came as a surprise to a lot of high school baseball watchers. Coach Paul Glass’ charges won 8-0, 5-1 and 10-0, getting 28 hits in the three games.
Six months after Hurricane Helene cut a path of destruction through Jeff Davis County, residents were still struggling to deal with the damage left behind.
March 26
Jeff Davis High’s baseball team swept a 3-game series against Thomasville, leaving the Jackets with a 16-2 overall record and a 9-0 record in the region.
Jeff Davis High School Tennis swept Worth County with a pair of 5-0 wins.
Hazlehurst Church of God broke ground on a new county food pantry, aptly named “Good Ground,” birthed out of necessity following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.
Since early February, all big trucks raveling on U.S. Highway 221 had been routed away from the one-way Tallahassee and Cromartie streets to Hazlehurst Bypass. Representatives of Beasley Group and Williams Brothers Trucking petitioned the city ouncil to change the routing to allow big trucks to once more travel the one-way streets.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued a warrant yesterday (Tuesday) for the arrest of Warren Devin Oniel Dykes of Hazlehurst charging him with voluntary manslaughter in the March 10 shooting death of Gary Ryals Jr.
April 2
The Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and Victim-Witness Assistance Program planned to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week at the courthouse.
Four people died in a fiery two-vehicle crash on the Lumber City Highway not far outside the city limits of Hazlehurst.
April 9
Jeff Davis High’s 14-game win streak came to an end in Vidalia as the Yellow Jackets fell 4-2 to the Indians, dropping JD’s record to 21-3.
Noon Community Holy Week services were scheduled April 14-18 at Hazlehurst First Methodist Church.
City and County officials were concerned about the high price bthey were paying to Republic Services for handling trash services. The commissioners voted to cancel the county’s contract with Republic Services and explore new companies to provide the service.
April 16
A Hazlehurst family was mourning the deaths of two family members, one of them the victim of a murder. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Hazlehurst Police Department were investigating the April 2 death of 20-year-old Tee’Andrick Jermaine Lawson. His mother died shortly after of a heart attack.
A beloved tradition was making its long-awaited return as the Three Rivers Art Festival was preparing to come back to life with a day-long celebration of art, music, food, and community spirit.
Jeff Davis High’s baseball team wrapped up its third straight region championship, winning 2 of 3 games against Fitzgerald.
April 23
The playoffs season arrived for spring sports and Jeff Davis teams were in the Top 10 in all five sports. The baseball team was seeded No. 2, boys soccer was No. 3, boys tennis was No. 6, girls tennis was The Hazlehurst City Council accepted the $500,000 bid from Mulliganz to purchase the city-owned golf course, turning down a $951,110 bid from Olin Wooten.
The April 17 meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Education was kicked off by an excellent invocation given by second grade student Kameron Hilliard.
In the opening round of the state tennis tournaments, the Lady Jackets won over Jasper County and the Yellow Jacket boys won over Bacon County.
Jeff Davis High’s baseball team rode strong pitching and solid hitting to win the first 2 games of a best-of-3, 1st round playoff series against Dodge County.
The soccer girls won over Fitzgerald and the boys defeated Bacon County.
The remains of Army Master Sgt. Luther Grace, a soldier killed during the Korean War, was to be interred May 3 at Fishing Creek Baptist Church, Lumber City.
May 7
For the third time in school history, the Jeff Davis High School baseball team reached the 30-win mark as the Yellow Jackets’ 8-1 and 14-5 wins over Worth County improved the 2025 record to 30-4, and advancing to the Elite Eight in the playoffs. The girls tennis team and the boys soccer team were also still in the playoffs.
An Appling County Grand Jury indicted Laken Michelle DeLoach of Baxley in connection with the March, 2024, vehicle accident that claimed the life of De’Angelo Marquis “Dee” Adams of Hazlehurst.
Jeff Davis County Administrator Shane Richardson said his farewells, indicating that he would step down from his position, and announced that County Clerk Jayme Crosby would be the new County Administrator.
A jury convicted a Mexican national illegally living in Hazlehurst at trial for receiving a package from Jalisco, Mexico containing over two kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine.
May 14
Senior right-hander Colby Beach hurled a complete game, 1-hit shutout as the Jackets defeated Model 6-0 and Eli Saunders improved his record to 11-0 in the second game as Coach Paul Glass’ Jackets’ improved to 32-4 and advanced to host Pepperell to advance to the 2025 State Championship match.
Jeff Davis High participated in the Georgia High School Association State Track Meet in Rome. The top finisher on the boys side was a 3rd place by the 4 x 200 M Relay team. On the girls side, Ava Bohannon placed 4th in the discus.
May 21
One of the best baseball seasons in Jeff Davis High School history came to an end as Pepperell swept the state tournament semifinals matchup against the Yellow Jackets 5-1 and 4-1, in Hazlehurst.
Members of the Jeff Davis High School Class of 2025 received their diplomas at the Jeff Davis High School football stadium.
If you’re going to do the crime, either do the time or wear a sign. That was the edict Municipal Court Judge Ken W. Smith handed down almost two decades age. His decree means that if you’re arrested in the City of Hazlehurst for shoplifting or other similar crimes, your punishment is up to you if you’re found guilty: go to jail for a few days or publicly wear a placard that essentially states “I’m a shoplifter” or “I’m a thief” for several hours a day. Ward 3 Councilman Chris Jones had issues with those who choose to wear a placard. He didn’t like it, and because of that clash between Judge Smith and Jones the city council meeting became contentious.
The Jeff Davis Yellow Jacket women’s tennis team lost a heartbreaker 2-3 to Brantley County in the State Championship match.
May 28
Four people were injured when a passenger vehicle and a Telfair County ambulance collided at the intersection of Tallahassee Street and Hinson Street in the middle of downtown Hazlehurst.
June 4
Mulliganz Golf Course opened and the first week of play on the “work in progress” was a rousing success.
June 11
The Jeff Davis County Board of Education unanimously approved to extend Dr. Chris Roppe’s contract for three years as superintendent of Jeff Davis County Schools.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator informed the Georgia Public Service Commission that residents in the 912 area code region would soon be seeing a second area code, in addition to 912.
June 18
The bridge on Post Road over Hurricane Creek was opened to traffic after months of construction work to replace the old bridge at the site.
The Sheriff’s Department investigated a series of incidents in the Pat Dixon Road area. On May 21, damage was done to equipment at the job site for construction of the new Jeff Davis Primary School. Five days later, the concession stand at the Recreation Department was burglarized. A week later, the concession stand and office at the ecreation Department was burglarized. And the next day, investigators recovered the property taken from the Recreation Department and charged an adult and two juveniles.
An early morning UTV crash on Hatton Still Road claimed the life of 22-year-old Cole Matthew Baucom, sending shock waves through the community, especially through the tight-knit Jeff Davis High School baseball program.
June 25
Ward 4 Councilman Landon Chavis and City Attorney Ken W. Smith requested a survey for the old city hall, the old jail, enabling the Downtown Development Authority to execute its plans for the space.
July 2
Brunswick Judicial Circuit Public Defender Stephen E. Tillman of Baxley was re-elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia.
Zoie Marchant of Hazlehurst was one of five Flagler College cross country and track athletes named to the 2024-25 Academic All-District® team.
July 9
The University of Georgia, College of Engineering announced that Jimmy L. Hill, formerly of Jeff Davis County, was inducted into the Inaugural Class of the UGA Academy of Engineering.
July 16
Commissioners of the five counties served by the Brunswick Judicial Circuit signed a joint complaint seeking to remove District Attorney Keith Higgins from his position.
Much of the monthly meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners was spent hearing about a controversy that had developed about the Jeff Davis Youth Center.
A 19-year-old Hazlehurst teen was killed July 4th when his motorcycle collided with an automobile at the intersection of Kersey and Wilson streets in Hazlehurst.
July 23
Members of the Joint Development Authority voted to purchase the old, antebellum style home located at 21 Jarman Street not far from The Big House where the JDA holds its meetings.
Lives destroyed at a young age. That concisely sums up what happened to a group Jeff Davis County teenagers who, in a few short minutes in October, 2022, became involved in what criminal prosecutors termed gang-related violence. Malik McRae — 18, died of a gunshot wound. Kamron Kornegay — survived a gunshot wound. Daimon Lavon Smith — 18, sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 55 years. Jermon Marquette Rountree — 17, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole plus 25 years. Kiyon Dotson — 17, sentenced to 50 years – 35 in prison and 15 on parole. Cameron James — 16, sentenced to 40 years – 20 in prison and 20 on parole. Ahmad Clements — 16, sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The growing trend of tiny houses could be coming to Hazlehurst. And the citizens of Hazlehurst will get their chance to voice their opinions and concerns on an ordinance that would provide for tiny houses to be built within the city.
July 30
Rob Stone announced his candidacy for County Commissioner representing the Blackburn District of Jeff Davis County in the special election on November 4.
Bradley B. Anderson announced his candidacy for the Georgia House of Representatives, District 157 — serving the great people of Evans, Tattnall, Appling, and Jeff Davis counties.
The relentless heat was mpacting the Jeff Davis High football team’s preparations for the 2025 season.
Wayne Memorial Hospital scheduled a Drop-In Welcome Breakfast for Hazlehurst Native Dr. Chelsey Carter, Internist.
August 6
State Representative Bill Werkheiser announced his intention to seek re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives.
U.S. Representative Mike Collins launched his campaign to defeat incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.
The 2025 Jeff Davis Swim Team season kicked off in May. Hurricane Helene had damaged the front pool building, but the Jeff Davis Recreation Department was able to get the pool cleaned up and ready for kids to swim.
August 13
Jeff Davis High School FFA member Brooklyn Parlor earned national and international recognition for her success both in the FFA program and in the barrel racing arena.
Jeff Davis High School’s football season was set to get underway with a home game against Washington County.
August 20
Jeff Davis High’s softball team got off to a 2-1 start with new Head Coach Brooke Taylor at the helm. The Lady Jackets edged Wilcox County 4-3, topped Wayne County 7-3 and fell to Harlem 4-0.
The Jeff Davis Cross Country teams opened their seasons hosting the Peach State Preview. Twenty high school teams and 14 middle school teams participated in the event.
Jeff Davis High opened its football season with an exciting, come-from-behind 21-20 overtime victory over Washington County.
County Commissioner Vann Wooten lashed out at Joint Development Authority members Terry Stone and Wanda Marchant and JDA Executive Director Oakley Perry for not recommending the appointment of two people he favored — including his son Derick Wooten — to fill vacancies on the JDA.
August 27
When qualifying for the 2025 City of Hazlehurst election ended, no one had qualified for the Ward 2 City Council position held by Steve Land.
Kat Waters of Hazlehurst was to appear in the bright lights of Times Square Sept. 6, as part of the annual National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Times Square Video Presentation.
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Fire-Rescue Department held a badge pinning ceremony to celebrate the promotion of firefighters Cody Herndon, Dustin Hyers and David Sellers to the rank of captain.
The Hazlehurst City Council passed a new and historic vote that formally transitioned the city-run animal shelter to a no-kill shelter, a decision that didn’t come without controversy, confusion and misunderstandings swirling around.
Jeff Davis High’s softball team won a trio of games, defeating Worth County, Vidalia and Pierce County 14-6.
Georgia Association of Conservation Districts elected Tabatha Wooten of Jeff Davis County as Vice President at their Annual Meeting.
September 3
JD won 2-of-3, 5-inning, run-rule softball games with Thomasville.
Ismael Delgado-Celis, 37, a Mexican national illegally living in Hazlehurst, was sentenced in federal court to 215 months of imprisonment for Possession and Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
Jeff Davis High’s football team defeated Charlton County 35-26.
September 10
Jeff Davis raced to a 21-0 lead in just 5 offensive plays in a 63-21 win over Tattnall County.
Four more people were inducted into the Jeff Davis High Football Hall of Fame. Inducted were former player and coach the late Cecil Morris from the 1950s-1960s, lineman Frank Bragg from the 1970s, Ricardo Williams from the 1990s, and the late Randy “Bug” Smith as a Supporting Role inductee.
Jeff Davis High’s softball team swept a 3-game series with Berrien High School.
September 17
The Jeff Davis cross country program hosted the 9th Annual Southern Georgia XC Championships.
Jeff Davis High’s Lady Jacket softball team had few problems sweeping Fitzgerald 17-1, 10-0 and 11-3.
Hazlehurst Ward 3 Councilman Christopher Michael Jones was arrested Aug. 23 by a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Trooper and charged with failure to yield at intersection of roadways and being an intoxicated/impaired driver.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) was running a legal advertisement the Ledger informing the public of proposed changes to Coffee/Jarman streets along U.S. Hwy. 341.
As the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s arrival in Jeff Davis County approached, the Federal and Georgia Emergency Management Agencies continued to send millions of dollars to the county to assist with paying the enormous costs of mitigating the disaster the storm caused here.
The Joint Development Authority announced that Georgia Asphalt Producers would invest approximately $2.5 million in expanding their operations to Jeff Davis County.
September 24
The first half of Jeff Davis High’s football victory over Brantley County ended with a celebration — the celebration of senior placekicker Fabian Valdelamar’s school record 52-yd. field goal.
Coach Lance Helton’s Jackets cruised to a 31-0 win over Brantley County behind a strong showing by Defensive Coordinator Tyler Williams’ defense.
Hazlehurst City Council member Chris Jones, charged with driving under the influence and failure to yield, spoke publicly about the Aug. 23 incident during a council meeting.
Emergency Management Agency Director Charles Wasdin sat down with the Ledger to share his thoughts on the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene — the most destructive storm to ever bring its fury to Jeff Davis County.
October 1
Jeff Davis High’s football team fell 56-21 to Thomasville.
Former Jeff Davis County Administrator James Carter passed away at his home under the care of Community Hospice. He was 73.
October 8
Jeff Davis High shook off a pesky Berrien High as the Yellow Jackets rolled to a 42-14 homecoming victory.
Markyla Durden was crowned as the 2025 JDHS Homecoming Queen.
October 15
The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals named Jeff Davis Hospital as “Small Hospital of the Year” for 2025.
Jeff Davis High’s softball team finished the regular season with a 20-10 record.
Jeff Davis High’s football team defeated Bacon County 34-17 to improve to 6-1.
October 22
Jeff Davis High’s softball team easily disposed of Bleckley County in the opening round of the 2025 Georgia High School Association State Playoffs.
Jeff Davis High’s football team defeated Rutland High 42-6.
Dog problems dominated the Hazlehurst City Council meeting.
October 29
The message was clear: Local business owners did not like plans to improve traffic safety along Coffee and Jarman streets in Hazlehurst. About two dozen people gathered at Hazlehurst City Hall to talk with Georgia Department of Transportation officials about the plan to make significant changes to Highway 341 through Hazlehurst.
he Yellow Jacket football team fell 26-14 to eventual state champion Worth County.
Jeff Davis High’s softball season came to an end as the Lady Jackets fell 5-0 and 9-6 to Bremen in the 2nd round of the State Softball Tournament.
The heat was turned up on Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins.
November 5
The JDHS girls and boys cross country teams placed 1st in the Sectional held in Hazlehurst.
The JDHS football team fell 35-21 to Fitzgerald.
November 12
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Board of Tourism was awarded a Vibrant Communities Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts.
The Jeff Davis High cross country teams both finished 4th at the GHSA State Championships in Carrollton.
November 19
The county commission changed the company handling solid waste locally to Ryland Environmental.
Bleckley County eliminated Jeff Davis from the state football playoffs with a 26-7 win over the Jackets.
Hundreds — if not thousands — of old vehicle tires went up in smoke off Hatton Still Road south of Hazlehurst — thick, black, toxic smoke that threatened close-by neighbors and areas far downwind.
November 25
Jeff Davis High’s girls and boys basketball teams opened their seasons with losses in the Annual Hugh McBride Basketball Classic held at the JDHS gymnasium.
For City of Hazlehurst water customers who pay their bills late and have their water disconnected, it was time to pony up more money for cut-off fees.
December 3
This winter’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for heating, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services, officially opened Dec. 1.
December 10
Because He Lives had two semi loads of filled shoeboxes that were delivered to the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Atlanta. A total of 12,639 boxes were collected from an area of eight surrounding counties.
Larry Parlor, the former long-time Jeff Davis County Coroner and the namesake for Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home in Hazlehurst, passed away at the age of 80.
Jeff Davis High’s boys snapped their 3-game losing streak and turned it into a 2-game winning streak.
December 17
High School Principal Dr. Greer Smith recognized Vincent Ly for serving on the 2025-2026 State Superintendent Advisory Council, being a National Merit Scholarship commended student, and being a Governor’s Honors finalist in the summer of 2025.
It had been a long time coming but it appeared that, before the end of the year, there would be ample water delivered to the Thompson Hardwoods plant on the Baxley Highway.
Jeff Davis High School’s girls basketball team got its first victory of the season with a 53-24 win over Wheeler County.
Jeff Davis High’s boys basketball team was on a roll as they had won 5 straight games after opening the season with 3 straight losses.
December 23
The last meeting of 2025 for the Hazlehurst City Council was also the last for Ward 2 Councilman Steve Land, who chose not to run for another term in office. The council members offered a slew of accolades for the outgoing councilman and former longtime chief of police during the final council meeting of the year..
Jeff Davis High’s boys basketball team ran their win streak to 8 games.
Jeff Davis High’s girls basketball team won its second game of the season.
December 31
Qualifying fees for the 2026 local elections were announced by Jeff Davis County Supervisor of Elections Christy Riner.
The Jeff Davis County Schools cross country program held its annual awards banquet.