Multiple tug-of-war competitions were among the highlights at the June 25 Independence Day Extravaganza held at the Vallant Bank Recreation Complex that ended with an amazing fireworks display. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGES A6-7 BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Multiple tug-of-war competitions were among the highlights at the June 25 Independence Day Extravaganza held at the Vallant Bank Recreation Complex that ended with an amazing fireworks display. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGES A6-7 BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Extravaganza
This year, Roger Hawke is creating plaques carved from wood for Jones County’s veterans. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

This year, Roger Hawke is creating plaques carved from wood for Jones County’s veterans. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Members of the Jones County Veterans Committee had their first meeting of 2026 in preparation for Veterans Appreciation Day, the annual celebration to honor all the brave men and women who served in the military.The June 18 meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Ret.Col. Richard Combs.…
Updated policies rolled out for coming school year

Updated policies rolled out for coming school year

As the summer ticks away, educators with the Jones County School System work to prepare students, teachers, parents and themselves for the 2026-27 school year that will be here in a flash.The preparation started in earnest at a May 23 board retreat that invited community members not only to attend…
Jones County’s New Chief Tax Appraiser issued a press release last week about property tax assessments that will soon be in mailboxes if they have not already been received.Chief Appraiser Lori Buchanan issued the release June 24, which states the annual property assessment notices to property…
Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

Great people meet challenges with innovative solutions, and we’ve been there. Whatever your food service opportunity, we’ve likely seen it—and solved it— before. At Manning Brothers, you are served by people with real-world, frontline experience.With a staff comprised of former cooks, hospitality…
JUNE 22-25, 2026Jones County ($2,720.50) City of Gray ($88.87) River North ($2.40) Total tags ($2,811.77)
Marriage licenses filed with the Jones County Probate Court June 19-25, 2026 JUNE 22Cade Andrew Brownlee to Emilee Celia Mier JUNE 25Caleb Thomas Aycock to Megan Hannah Gordon William Claude Kittrell to Tammy Louise Broughton Dalton Ray Tippens to Emmalee Ann Hayman Cody Shane Thompson to Haley…
Traffic citations filed with the Jones County Probate Court for June 19-25, 2026Violation of out of service order – 1 Operating a CMV without a valid medical card – 1 Commercial vehicle seatbelt violation – 3 Failure to maintain logbook – 1 No registration – 1 Driving without a tag – 1 Operating…
JUNE 19-26, 2026Terry Lee Barefoot, 55, arrested 6/22/26 – probation violation for fingerprintable charge felonyAnsley Barlow, 17, arrested 8/24/26 – lighted headlights other lights required, possession marijuanaKara Nicole Brown, 36, arrested 6/23/26 - probation violation for fingerprintable…
The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department June 10-13, 2026 June 13Warrant executedDep. Braziel was on patrol in Haddock when he pulled into a business at closing time. Braziel was…
JUNE 25, 2026PLEASState vs. Draymond Donnell Sellers Jr. – 90 days for the offense of obstruction of officer. Credit for time served 4/21/26 – 6/26/26.State vs. Dylan Christopher Tharpe – 12 months each ct. 1: giving false information to law enforcement officer, ct. 2: driving while license…
The Jones County News e-Edition
Multiple tug-of-war competitions were among the highlights at the June 25 Independence Day Extravaganza held at the Vallant Bank Recreation Complex that ended with an amazing fireworks display. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGES A6-7 BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Multiple tug-of-war competitions were among the highlights at the June 25 Independence Day Extravaganza held at the Vallant Bank Recreation Complex that ended with an amazing fireworks display. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGES A6-7 BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Extravaganza

Extravaganza
The family at Amelia Island in May . CONTRIBUTED

The family at Amelia Island in May . CONTRIBUTED

To say John Childs grew up amongst a large family would be an understatement. His grandparents had nine children, and seven of them lived in Gray all their…
Extravaganza

Extravaganza

Extravaganza
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28) The Fifth Word from the…
Grayberry Women’s Softball closing in on final stretch of season

Grayberry Women’s Softball closing in on final stretch of season

The June portion of the Grayberry Women’s Softball League wrapped up last week at the Vallant Bank Recreation Complex off Highway 18 in advance of the final…
Clifton Ridge Football hosting golf tournament fundraiserHitting the golf course can help support the future of Greyhound football on July 25 for the Clifton…
Preseason Scrimmage • Aug.7,vs.JasperCountySeason Opener • Aug.21,vs.Valdosta• AtGreyhoundField
Javian Gibson was awarded the Gray Alpha Scholarship given by Donald Black. Javian will attend the College of Costal GA this fall. He plans to become a teacher of middle school students. Pictured are members program participants who are members of Middle GA graduate chapters of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Rev. LeQuint Caswell, Donald Black, Javian Gibson, Dr. Rufus Johnson and Joseph Lindsey.

Javian Gibson was awarded the Gray Alpha Scholarship given by Donald Black. Javian will attend the College of Costal GA this fall. He plans to become a teacher of middle school students. Pictured are members program participants who are members of Middle GA graduate chapters of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Rev. LeQuint Caswell, Donald Black, Javian Gibson, Dr. Rufus Johnson and Joseph Lindsey.

Gray Alpha scholarship awarded
President-elect Tom Jones of the Jones County Kiwanis Club presented a check for $750 to Cindi Gaskins, founder and director of Jay’s Hope. Also present to receive the donation was Kylie Seitz, who started out as one of the many children helped by Jay’s Hope and currently is a staffer there. Cindi is a resident of Jones County. The Kiwanis club donates annually to this outstanding organization, which helps so many children who are fighting cancer along with their families.

President-elect Tom Jones of the Jones County Kiwanis Club presented a check for $750 to Cindi Gaskins, founder and director of Jay’s Hope. Also present to receive the donation was Kylie Seitz, who started out as one of the many children helped by Jay’s Hope and currently is a staffer there. Cindi is a resident of Jones County. The Kiwanis club donates annually to this outstanding organization, which helps so many children who are fighting cancer along with their families.

Jay’s Hope donation
St. Paul A.M.E. Church-Clinton recently celebrated Senior Day. The theme as Divergent Paths – Your Choice. Dr. Rufus Johnson was the guest speaker. Pictured: Rodshune Head – Leadership Spaulding County, Javian Gibson, Quamillia Daniel, and Destiny Curry. Not present were De’Ajah Farley and Keith-Grazier Demond McCrary.

St. Paul A.M.E. Church-Clinton recently celebrated Senior Day. The theme as Divergent Paths – Your Choice. Dr. Rufus Johnson was the guest speaker. Pictured: Rodshune Head – Leadership Spaulding County, Javian Gibson, Quamillia Daniel, and Destiny Curry. Not present were De’Ajah Farley and Keith-Grazier Demond McCrary.

St. Paul A.M.E. Church Senior Day observed
Shirley Ann Rowland Greene

Shirley Ann Rowland Greene

May 21, 1936 - June 18, 2026Shirley Ann Rowland Greene passed away Thursday morning, June 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at her home. A memorial…
George W. Harden, 80 years old, passed on June 28, 2026. Born Dec. 11, 1945.Sons, George R. Harden (Jill) of Haddock, Lewis S. Harden (Leslie) of Thomaston,…
Walter “Scott” Walston

Walter “Scott” Walston

March 11, 1957 - June 26, 2026Mr. Walter “Scott” Walston, 69, of Macon, GA, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 26, 2026.Born on March 11, 1957, Scott was…