Mrs. Kathy (Luke) Smith, 67
Mrs. Kathy (Luke) Smith, 67, of Hazlehurst, passed away June 2 at HCA Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., while under hospice care. She was surrounded by her family during this time. Kathy June (Luke) Smith was born in Freeport, Texas, Sept. 12, 1958, to the late Ronald Charles Luke and Betty Jo Easterling. Kathy attended…
Read MoreGnats — By Tommy Purser
I’ve often said that I consider Burke County, the place where I grew up from the age of 12 to adulthood, is the Gnat Capital of the World. The county’s claim to fame is actually The Bird Dog Capital of the World due to the fact that, for many years, Burke County’s Berol Plantation has…
Read MoreTaps — By John Reed
Taps Another Memorial Day has come and gone. Another gathering of veterans at the courthouse to honor the fallen. Speeches. Songs, flowers, salutes. Taps. And then folks have gone back to their routines. It’s nice to have a day to honor those who have died defending the rest of us. But it would be nice…
Read MoreBoard has called meeting
The Jeff Davis County Board of Education held a called meeting last Friday. School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe and Chief Financial Officer Joshua Worth presented the FY27 Proposed Budget to the board for review. The proposed budget was open for public comment. No public comments were given. The board accepted the resignations of elementary school…
Read MoreHall of Fame Class Selected
The Jeff Davis Football Touchdown Club has selected the 2026 Football Hall Of Fame inductees. This year’s inductees include representatives from multiple eras of Jeff Davis Football. The 1980’s, 2010/20’s and a longtime JD Supporter/Youth Coach will be represented at this year’s event. This year’s class includes: Charles Mitchell: 1980’s (Linebacker) A great player for…
Read MoreHazlehurst Hometown Independence Day Celebration
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Hazlehurst Hometown Independence Day Celebration for June 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Bring your family and friends for an evening of community fun and patriotic spirit, all leading up to a spectacular fireworks show as the sun goes down. There will…
Read MoreJD Forward Class Graduates
Pictured from left are Jayme Crosby, Candice Reynolds, Josh Horton, Mandy Powell, Bonnie Saunders, Renee Causey and Mary Susan Arnold. Not pictured is Brandy Miller. Members of the Chamber of Commerce’s JD Forward Class of 2026 recently completed the leadership development program and are prepared to continue making a positive impact throughout Jeff Davis County.…
Read MoreApply now for JD Forward
The application period is now open for the next JD Forward leadership program sponsored by the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce. JD Forward is the premier adult leadership development program in Jeff Davis County. Since its creation in 2018, the program has equipped and inspired more than 30 local leaders. Designed to develop strong,…
Read MoreRyan Hybl is new Ga Tech golf coach
A Georgia Bulldog is the new head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets golf team. Former Jeff Davis County High School golfer Ryan Hybl, who has coached Oklahoma University the past 17 years and led them to a national championship in 2017, was announced Sunday as the next head coach at Georgia Tech. Hybl…
Read MoreMs. Gewanda Bryant, 83
Ms. Gewanda Bryant, 83, of Hazlehurst, passed away May 31 at Glenwood Healthcare under the care of Community Hospice. Gewanda was born Aug. 2, 1942, in Jacksonville, Fla., to the late John Cecil Walls and Mary Allene Cox Atkinson. Gewanda loved Jesus with all her heart. She enjoyed going to church, reading her Bible, and…
Read More