Crowds filled Gray’s Dairy Queen all day July 30 to support the Miracle Treat Day effort, working together to raise what turned out to be a quarter of a million dollars for the Beverly Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. BRANDY ROUND/Staff

Crowds filled Gray’s Dairy Queen all day July 30 to support the Miracle Treat Day effort, working together to raise what turned out to be a quarter of a million dollars for the Beverly Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. BRANDY ROUND/Staff

$250,000 raised at Dairy Queen of Gray

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Record-setting funds raised go to children’s hospitalBut wait, there’s more … In his social media broadcast immediately after the conclusion of Jones County’s Miracle Treat Day last week, Dairy Queen owner and miracle worker Justin Kelly kept saying “But wait, there’s more” each time he announced a…
Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

News Staff
March 10, 1939 - July 28, 2026Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He was born on March 10, 1939.Frank dedicated his entire career to serving others through law enforcement, a profession he was deeply proud of. He spent his life protecting his…
Cuyler Anthony Payne

Cuyler Anthony Payne

Cuyler Anthony Payne

News Staff
Aug. 9, 1940 - July 21, 2026HADDOCK, GA Cuyler Anthony Payne, 85, of Grey Fox Court, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family.The family received friends Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 3:00 p.m.4:00 p.m. in the Gordon Church. Services were held at 4:00 pm, at the…
In what’s become a rite of summer for Jones County cross country runners, some 22 Greyhounds and Lady Greyhounds took part in one of last month’s running camps at Brevard College. CONTRIBUTED

In what’s become a rite of summer for Jones County cross country runners, some 22 Greyhounds and Lady Greyhounds took part in one of last month’s running camps at Brevard College. CONTRIBUTED

Take It Higher

Brad Harrison
Cross-country runners experience upward growth at Brevard, NC campWhen it comes to the summer of a Jones County cross-country runner, late July is a time of year that ends with a bit of experience at the higher levels.Literally. For roughly the 13th year, JCHS crosscountry runners spent a week…
The Lady Hounds play again at home Aug. 17 against West Laurens. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

The Lady Hounds play again at home Aug. 17 against West Laurens. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Lady Hounds like what they see in scrimmage

Brad Harrison
Preseason scrimmages may not count toward official win-loss records. They do, however, show how well-prepped a team is just before results do indeed matter.The Lady Greyhounds welcomed Social Circle to JCHS last Wednesday for a preseason scrimmage, and Jones County did many things well when it came…

College achievements

Georgia College And State University
Melissa Spoon of Gray, Georgia, was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at Georgia College & State University.The following local students made Dean’s list for Spring 2026: Robert…
CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
Submit your events to articles@jcnews.comSee more events and a regional events calendar online at www.jcnews.com LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEMJONESSATURDAY, AUG. 15What: Jones County Hunter Education Class When: Sat., Aug. 15, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Where: Jones County Fire Station 5 in Wayside More…
Jones County School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves speaks to school system employees at the July 29 Convocation, kicking off the new school year. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves speaks to school system employees at the July 29 Convocation, kicking off the new school year. CONTRIBUTED

Teachers, staff, leaders attend 2026 convocation

Debbie Lurie-Smith
The Jones County community was present for the Jones County School System Convocation last week, an annual JCSS tradition that celebrates educators while looking forward to the new school year.This year’s event included members of the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Gray Police Department, Gray’s…
Shamica S. Burney

Shamica S. Burney

Woman to serve a year for fleeing, hit and run

Debbie Lurie-Smith
A Jones County woman who led law enforcement on a chase through Gray, southern parts of the county and into the heart of Macon will be serving the first year of her sentence in the Jones County jail.Shamica Shanta Burney entered her guilty plea in Superior Court July 23 and received one year for…
This Week In the Word

This Week In the Word

This Week In the Word

Pastor & Mrs. Joe L. Ridley
“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the…

Real Life

–george Sheffield
“I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”(John 9:4).Jesus never wasted time in doing His work. He was always about His Father’s business, leading people to salvation in Him. We too need to be about our Father’s business, obeying His…
The Jones County News e-Edition
Crowds filled Gray’s Dairy Queen all day July 30 to support the Miracle Treat Day effort, working together to raise what turned out to be a quarter of a million dollars for the Beverly Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. BRANDY ROUND/Staff

Crowds filled Gray’s Dairy Queen all day July 30 to support the Miracle Treat Day effort, working together to raise what turned out to be a quarter of a million dollars for the Beverly Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. BRANDY ROUND/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

$250,000 raised at Dairy Queen of Gray

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Record-setting funds raised go to children’s hospitalBut wait, there’s more … In his social media broadcast immediately after the conclusion of Jones County’s Miracle Treat Day last week, Dairy Queen owner and miracle worker Justin Kelly kept saying “But wait, there’s more” each time he announced a...

News 

Student absenteeism a persistent problem, but Georgia is doing better than most

Ty Tagami
When COVID-19 struck, schools closed, students “attended” from home, and too many got out of the habit of going to school when the doors reopened.In 2022,…

Jail Report

News Staff
JULY 24-31, 2026Cameron Jacob Allen, 34, arrested 7/24/26 - driving without license, driving unsafe/improperly equipped vehicleJaycobe Kanye Bryant, 44,…

Crime Watch

News Staff
The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department July…
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Sports 

SPORTS BRIEFS

Youth Football Signups Underway; In-person Signups Added
Signups and underway through Aug. 7 for the fall season of youth football in Jones County. This year will once again include football, cheerleading, and girls’…
Greyhounds ‘ready to hit someone different’ in preseason scrimmage against Jasper

Greyhounds ‘ready to hit someone different’ in preseason scrimmage against Jasper

Greyhounds ‘ready to hit someone different’ in preseason scrimmage against Jasper

Story And Photos By Brad Harrison
The final phases of the offseason have come and gone for the Greyhounds.Now, it’s time of the closest thing to an actual game when Jones County hosts Jasper…
Stockton rushes past Ole Miss defenders for a touchdown last season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Stockton rushes past Ole Miss defenders for a touchdown last season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Stockton backs Bobo, details preseason growth

Lance McCurley
Entering his second season as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Gunner Stockton made it clear at SEC Media Days that he has complete confidence in offensive…
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community 

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
Submit your events to articles@jcnews.comSee more events and a regional events calendar online at www.jcnews.com LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEMJONESSATURDAY,…

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
Submit your events to articles@jcnews.comSee more events and a regional events calendar online at www.jcnews.com LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEMJONESSATURDAY,…

CALENDAR

News Staff
Submit your events to articles@jcnews.comSee more events and a regional events calendar online at www.jcnews.com LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEMJONESFRIDAY,…
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Obituaries 

Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr.

News Staff
March 10, 1939 - July 28, 2026Amos “Frank” Jackson, Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He was born on March 10, 1939.Frank…
Cuyler Anthony Payne

Cuyler Anthony Payne

Cuyler Anthony Payne

News Staff
Aug. 9, 1940 - July 21, 2026HADDOCK, GA Cuyler Anthony Payne, 85, of Grey Fox Court, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his…
Frankie A. Kitchens

Frankie A. Kitchens

Frankie A. Kitchens

News Staff
July 10, 1936 - July 20, 2026Frankie A. Kitchens, 90, of Jones County, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday…
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