The owner of Friendly Gus, Guy Cochran (center), cuts the ribbon at the new store’s Aug. 11 grand opening.

The owner of Friendly Gus, Guy Cochran (center), cuts the ribbon at the new store’s Aug. 11 grand opening.

Friendly Gus cuts ribbon for new convenience store

Debbie Lurie-Smith
The ribbon cutting for the new Friendly Gus located at 240 James Street in Gray was well attended by those who planned to be there and a constant stream of customers who were surprised by the event.The Aug. 11 event was hosted by the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce, and attendees welcomed by…
James Leroy Davidson

James Leroy Davidson

James Leroy Davidson

News Staff
Aug. 15, 2026James Leroy Davidson, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 15, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.Born in Macon, GA, James was the son of the late Maude Lee Brown and Rufus L.Davidson of Eatonton, GA. Early in his life, he was married to Sandra H. Davidson, with whom he had two…
Gloria Jean Winters

Gloria Jean Winters

Gloria Jean Winters

News Staff
Oct. 29, 1942 - Aug. 11, 2026unseen. She had many interests, but she was perhaps best known for her cooking, especially the many cakes she baked and shared with others.If you knew Gloria Jean, you had a friend for life and more than likely received a card from her in your mailbox.She was also an…
Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

News Staff
Oct. 18, 1930 - Aug. 16, 2026Julius W. “ Dude” Haskins, 95, of Gray, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. Dude was born Oct. 18, 1930, in Chester GA to the late James Arthur Haskins and the late Maggie Lee Williams Haskins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Hart…
Jones County head volleyball coach Leah Bodnarchuk gets lifted in celebration after the Volley Hounds’ tournament win on Saturday. BRAD HARRISON/ Staff

Jones County head volleyball coach Leah Bodnarchuk gets lifted in celebration after the Volley Hounds’ tournament win on Saturday. BRAD HARRISON/ Staff

Volley Hounds win Middle Georgia Volleyball Classic

Brad Harrison
For the first time in program history, the Volley Hounds raised a tournament championship trophy on Saturday.And it came in their home gym, to boot.After steamrolling Jasper County and Rutland in a pair of morning matches, Jones County won the Slim Chickens Middle Georgia Volleyball Classic with a…
Friday will be the first regular-season meeting between Jones County and Valdosta, who scrimmaged one another in the spring of 2021. BRAD HARRISON/File Photo

Friday will be the first regular-season meeting between Jones County and Valdosta, who scrimmaged one another in the spring of 2021. BRAD HARRISON/File Photo

‘It’ll be a fun Friday night environment’

Brad Harrison
Greyhounds eager to host nation’s winningest program in season openerThey’re the nation’s winningest football team with a staggering 24 state titles, six mythical national titles, and nearly 1,000 victories.On Friday night, the Greyhounds get their shot at the Valdosta Wildcats at Greyhound Field…

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 ITEMJONESSUNDAY, AUG. 23What: Salem AME Church Homecoming Service When: Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. Where: Salem AME Church 115 Holloman Rd. More info: Guest…
Jones County High School graduates Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond (Class of 1981), Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, and Bonita J. Jenkins (Class of 1982), 2026 Augusta Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair, pause for a photo on Capitol Hill during the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County High School graduates Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond (Class of 1981), Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, and Bonita J. Jenkins (Class of 1982), 2026 Augusta Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair, pause for a photo on Capitol Hill during the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County graduates attend National Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum

News Staff
Two Jones County High School graduates recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent not only their respective communities but also their hometown of Gray, Georgia, at the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum.Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond, a member of the Jones County High School…
Adam Greene

Adam Greene

Greene back for 9th year of calling Hounds

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Jones County’s favorite sports broadcaster will be back again this year with Jones County High School alumnus Adam Geene broadcasting the majority of the Greyhounds games for the 2026 football season.This will be Greene’s ninth year in the broadcast booth, and he will be in good company. The local…

Preliminary plat approved for new subdivision

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Gray City Council members quickly took care of city business at their August meeting with all council members present.Mayor Ed Barbee called the Aug. 3 meeting to order and led the opening prayer and pledge. In his mayor’s report, Barbee talked about the July 29 Jones County School System…

Sales ratio in compliance for first time in years

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Jones County’s Board of Tax Assessors had good news at their August meeting with a much-improved sales ratio audit from the state and the explanation of a new conservation use value assessment policy.The Aug. 6 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Dr. Leigh Stanford and the opening prayer…
The Jones County News e-Edition
Jones County head volleyball coach Leah Bodnarchuk gets lifted in celebration after the Volley Hounds’ tournament win on Saturday. BRAD HARRISON/ Staff

Jones County head volleyball coach Leah Bodnarchuk gets lifted in celebration after the Volley Hounds’ tournament win on Saturday. BRAD HARRISON/ Staff

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Volley Hounds win Middle Georgia Volleyball Classic

Brad Harrison
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Body For the first time in program history, the Volley Hounds raised a tournament...
The owner of Friendly Gus, Guy Cochran (center), cuts the ribbon at the new store’s Aug. 11 grand opening.

The owner of Friendly Gus, Guy Cochran (center), cuts the ribbon at the new store’s Aug. 11 grand opening.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Friendly Gus cuts ribbon for new convenience store

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

The ribbon cutting for the new Friendly Gus located at 240 James Street in Gray was well attended by those who planned to be there and a constant stream of customers who were surprised by the event.The Aug.

News 

Jones County High School graduates Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond (Class of 1981), Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, and Bonita J. Jenkins (Class of 1982), 2026 Augusta Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair, pause for a photo on Capitol Hill during the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County High School graduates Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond (Class of 1981), Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, and Bonita J. Jenkins (Class of 1982), 2026 Augusta Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair, pause for a photo on Capitol Hill during the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County graduates attend National Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum

News Staff
Two Jones County High School graduates recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent not only their respective communities but also their hometown of…

Preliminary plat approved for new subdivision

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Gray City Council members quickly took care of city business at their August meeting with all council members present.Mayor Ed Barbee called the Aug. 3 meeting…

Sales ratio in compliance for first time in years

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Jones County’s Board of Tax Assessors had good news at their August meeting with a much-improved sales ratio audit from the state and the explanation of a new…
View More

Sports 

Friday will be the first regular-season meeting between Jones County and Valdosta, who scrimmaged one another in the spring of 2021. BRAD HARRISON/File Photo

Friday will be the first regular-season meeting between Jones County and Valdosta, who scrimmaged one another in the spring of 2021. BRAD HARRISON/File Photo

‘It’ll be a fun Friday night environment’

Brad Harrison
Greyhounds eager to host nation’s winningest program in season openerThey’re the nation’s winningest football team with a staggering 24 state titles, six…
COURTESY OF TOLEDO ATHLETICS

COURTESY OF TOLEDO ATHLETICS

Ready to blast off Richter ready to seize opportunity as Toledo’s Q

Brad Harrison
Richter ready to seize opportunity as Toledo’s QB1If John Alan Richter feels like he has been in this boat before, it’s because he indeed has.Entering the 2026…
Jonathan Hurley enters the season as Jones County’s starting quarterback. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

Jonathan Hurley enters the season as Jones County’s starting quarterback. BRAD HARRISON/Staff

After off season of intensity, Hounds ready to bounce back

Brad Harrison
The early part of last November was a moment of surrealness when it came to the Jones County football program.In a time where in years past the work was…
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community 

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 ITEMJONESSUNDAY,…
CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
JONESSATURDAY, 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 info:…
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,…
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Obituaries 

James Leroy Davidson

James Leroy Davidson

James Leroy Davidson

News Staff
Aug. 15, 2026James Leroy Davidson, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 15, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.Born in Macon, GA, James was the son of…
Gloria Jean Winters

Gloria Jean Winters

Gloria Jean Winters

News Staff
Oct. 29, 1942 - Aug. 11, 2026unseen. She had many interests, but she was perhaps best known for her cooking, especially the many cakes she baked and shared…
Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

Julius W. “Dude” Haskins

News Staff
Oct. 18, 1930 - Aug. 16, 2026Julius W. “ Dude” Haskins, 95, of Gray, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. Dude was born Oct. 18, 1930, in Chester GA to the late…
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