Area News

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…

Qualifying fees for the 2026 local elections were announced this week by Jeff Davis County Supervisor of Elections Christy Riner. The fees are as follows: County Commissioner District 4 (Whitehead District — now held by James Emory Tate) and District 5 (Ocmulgee District – now held by Jerry Wooten) — $180. Board of Education District…

David and Gail Miller of Because He Lives Ministries thank everyone who helped with Project Help-a-Child. A great big thank you goes to a gentleman who spent countless hours building the big outdoor stage. Thank you to the county commissioners for the small gate that allowed easy access to the stage area. Thank you to…

By MARY ANN ANDERSON 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 last Thursday…

the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that it has allocated $103 million to the Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (HRRP). This program offers assistance through for eligible homeowners impacted by Hurricane Idalia, Tropical Storm Debby, and Hurricane Helene across 2023 and 2024. Since its launch in July 2025, over 3,000 surveys have been…

At last week’s meeting of the Jeff Davis County Board of Education, 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. School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe presented the…

It has been a long time coming but it appears that, before the end of the year, there will be ample water delivery to the Thompson Hardwoods plant on the Baxley Highway. That’s the news Oakley Perry, Executive Director of the Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton (JDA), delivered to the…

The Jeff Davis County Commission will hold two meetings this Thursday at the courthouse. At 5:30 p.m., the commissioners will hold a public hearing concerning road closures. t 6 p.m., the commissioners’ regular December meeting will be held. Following is the agenda for the 6 p.m. meeting: CALL TO ORDER Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Approval…

The following indictments were filed by the 2025 September Term Jeff Davis Grand Jury on Nov. 17: The State of Georgia vs. Nathaniel Robert Arrington and Julia Eden Porter: conspiracy to commit robbery. The State of Georgia vs. Benjamin James Raines: Count 1: Rape; Count 2: Child Molestation; Count 3: Aggravated Sexual Battery; Count 4:…