Area News
Lumber City gets $1 million CDBG
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced that 42 Georgia communities have been awarded more than $40.9 million in federal grants to support their efforts. The City of Lumber City proposes to use $1,000,000 in CDBG funds for citywide water improvements. The project will benefit 768 persons, of whom 669 (87.1%) are low-to-moderate…
Read MoreSchool Board, County to reduce millage rates
The Jeff Davis County Board of Education and the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners both plan to lower their 2026 millage rates because of the increased countywide tax digest. According to advertisements published in last week’s and this week’s editions of the Ledger, the school board plans to lower the millage rate from 13.5…
Read MoreBow season opens Sept. 12
Sight in those bows and get that draw dialed in! Opening day of archery season is almost here. The statewide archery deer hunting season begins Saturday, Sept. 12, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Last year, 87,000 archery hunters harvested 42,000 deer. Statewide, hunters can use archery equipment throughout…
Read MoreAnimal Shelter, Cemetery = Bad Week For The City
Last week was a bad week for City of Hazlehurst officials as a pair of actions caused an uproar that continues this week. The uproar developed around the Hazlehurst Animal Shelter and the City Cemetery on the Lumber City Highway. Earlier, officials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture inspected the Hazlehurst Animal Shelter and ordered…
Read MoreFEMA sends out more funds
FEMA announced an additional $75.4 million for 56 recovery projects stemming from Hurricane Helene, the COVID-19 pandemic and past disasters. FEMA is reimbursing these costs through its Public Assistance program which provides funds for state and local governments response and recovery work. This funding is part of more than $2 billion that FEMA announced for…
Read MoreState of the Community sessions planned
The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor two State of the Community Panel Discussions Sept. 14 and 21 at 11:30 a.m at the Jeff Davis Multipurpose Ag Center. The discussions will bring together local leaders and community members for meaningful conversations about where Jeff Davis County is today — and where we’re headed…
Read MoreBusiness owner wants downtown cleaned up
By MARY ANN ANDERSON A longtime downtown Hazlehurst business owner appealed to the Hazlehurst City Council to address conditions surrounding the old jail and former City Hall area, saying deteriorating buildings, abandoned vehicles and concerns about homeless people entering vacant structures are hurting downtown businesses. Heather Mims, who has operated Cut-N-Up in Hazlehurst for nearly…
Read MoreBuck Elder is retiring
Hazlehurst Attorney Lamar “Buck” A. Elder Jr. this week announced his plans to retire and close his law practice effective Dec. 30, 2026. In announcing his retirement after almost 50 years in Hazlehurst, Elder said, “Serving as an attorney for the residents and businesses in this area has been one of the greatest privileges of…
Read MoreThree qualify for Ward 4 seat
Three people have qualified to run for the Ward 4 position on the Hazlehurst City Council to replace former Ward 4 council member Landon Chavis. Qualifying to run in the Nov. 3 Special Election were John Bloodworth, Yashiaca K. Brown and Eric Carelock. Early voting for the election opens Oct. 13. Early voting will be…
Read MoreBloodworth running for council seat
John M. Bloodworth has officially qualified as a candidate for the Ward 4 seat on the Hazlehurst City Council in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. In announcing his candidacy, Bloodworth said he looks forward to meeting and talking with residents throughout Ward 4 and hearing their concerns about the community. “I will stand up…
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