Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Charm Mapp as the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the year at a May 29 banquet held at the Georgia Aquarium to celebrate all the Teachers of the Year. Mapp is an eighth-grade math teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School and Jones County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from 10 state finalists. In her new role, Mapp will serve as an advocate for public education. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Charm Mapp as the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the year at a May 29 banquet held at the Georgia Aquarium to celebrate all the Teachers of the Year. Mapp is an eighth-grade math teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School and Jones County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from 10 state finalists. In her new role, Mapp will serve as an advocate for public education. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia Teacher of the Year: Charm Mapp

News Staff
Georgia Teacher of the Year: Charm Mapp

Defendant pleads guilty during jury selection

Debbie Lurie-Smith
The power of a jury was evident once again when a Jones County defendant decided to enter a guilty plea after the first round of jurors were questioned in preparation of his trial.Tyrone Deshawn Jackson entered a guilty plea May 26 and received a sentence of three years to serve in confinement with…
Jones County Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves (l-r), JCHS Principal Chance Scott and Board Chairman Ginger Bailey work on norms and protocols. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Jones County Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves (l-r), JCHS Principal Chance Scott and Board Chairman Ginger Bailey work on norms and protocols. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

BOE invites input from staff, community at retreat

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Members of the Jones County Board of Education recently met for what was described as a board retreat, but the session also included staff and community members in an effort to improve transparency.Board Chairman Ginger Bailey called the May 21 meeting to order, and Superintendent Dr. Jessica…
Suicide prevention hits home

Suicide prevention hits home

Suicide prevention hits home

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Jones County lost two students to suicide in 2024 and another teenager fell to suicide last month. All three were young men around the age of 17.The victims were individuals, unrelated except by the bewildered family members and friends left wondering why this happened and why they were not able to…
Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

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

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

News Staff
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…

Traffic Citations

News Staff
Traffic citations filed with the Jones County Probate Court for May 22-28, 2026Tire requirements – 2 Commercial vehicle seatbelt violation – 1 Failure to maintain logbook – 1 Operating commercial vehicle without valid license – 1 No license on person – 2 Speeding – 17 Safety belts violation (adults…

Marriage Licenses

News Staff
Marriage licenses filed with the Jones County Probate Court May 22-28, 2026MAY 22Shaul Paul Molton to Katelyn Paige Williams

Vehicle Tags

News Staff
MAY 2228, 2026Jones County ($2,786.86) City of Gray ($1,587.56) River North ($34.13)Total tags ($4,408.55)

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 May 21-26, 2026May 23Stranger on propertyDep. Coley was dispatched to a local residence in reference to entering an auto. When the deputy…

Superior Court Trial Week

News Staff
MAY 2628, 2026PLEAS MAY 26State vs. Tyrone Deshawn Jackson – three years for the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude police officer. Credit for time served from 11/2/25.State vs. Curtis Terrill Stephens Jr. – 12 months for the lesser included offense of battery.Sentence to be served on…

Real Estate Transactions

News Staff
MAY 2228, 2026MAY 22Gayle Borah to Roland Guderian; parcel J64A00092 & 093; $19,500.00MAY 26Madilynn Properties, LLC to Enrique Gomez and Alexus Paige Gomez; 144 Overland Way, Lot 2, Garrison Ridge Subd., Ph. 1; 0.55 acres; parcel portion of J4500369P; $365,900.00 Alexus Paige Gomez to Andrew…
The Jones County News e-Edition
Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Charm Mapp as the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the year at a May 29 banquet held at the Georgia Aquarium to celebrate all the Teachers of the Year. Mapp is an eighth-grade math teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School and Jones County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from 10 state finalists. In her new role, Mapp will serve as an advocate for public education. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Charm Mapp as the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the year at a May 29 banquet held at the Georgia Aquarium to celebrate all the Teachers of the Year. Mapp is an eighth-grade math teacher at Clifton Ridge Middle School and Jones County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from 10 state finalists. In her new role, Mapp will serve as an advocate for public education. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia Teacher of the Year: Charm Mapp

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Georgia Teacher of the Year: Charm Mapp

News 

Pilot Club awarded Governor’s Cup

Pilot Club awarded Governor’s Cup

Pilot Club awarded Governor’s Cup

News Staff
Pilot Club awarded Governor’s Cup
The Weidners with grandchildren in 2020. CONTRIBUTED

The Weidners with grandchildren in 2020. CONTRIBUTED

Predictions have proven accurate for Weidner

Greenberry Moore
Chris Weidner has lived in Jones County since he was 9, but he has few memories of the activities many youngsters and teens enjoy here.Weidner, now 65, moved…

City to buy water from property until it’s owned

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Gray City Council members appear to have resolved an ongoing issue pertaining to property on Allan Green Drive at a called meeting at the conclusion of their…
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Sports 

All-star teams take on district play

All-star teams take on district play

All-star teams take on district play

Brad Harrison
Two advance to finalsFrom the Morris Bank Recreation Complex all the way over to the west of Macon-Bibb, district tournament all-star play began last week in…

CAMPS

News Staff
Baseball• Dates:June8-11• Time:8:30a.m.to 12:30 p.m.• Ages:6-13• Cost:$100forfirst child, $75 for each additional sibling• Campersshould bring shorts/t-shirt/…
Lady Hounds welcome softball campers

Lady Hounds welcome softball campers

Lady Hounds welcome softball campers

News Staff
Lady Hounds welcome softball campers
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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 ITEMJONESSATURDAY,…
On behalf of the family, we wish Mary (Redding) Smith a happy 100th birthday. Mayor Barbee honored her with a proclamation on May 8, 2026. She enjoyed celebrating this momentous occasion with family and friends. Please join us in congratulating her on this wonderful milestone and praying for many more blessed years if you were not able to attend the celebration. Love, The Family

On behalf of the family, we wish Mary (Redding) Smith a happy 100th birthday. Mayor Barbee honored her with a proclamation on May 8, 2026. She enjoyed celebrating this momentous occasion with family and friends. Please join us in congratulating her on this wonderful milestone and praying for many more blessed years if you were not able to attend the celebration. Love, The Family

Happy 100th Birthday

News Staff
On behalf of the family, we wish Mary (Redding) Smith a happy 100th birthday. Mayor Barbee honored her with a proclamation on May 8, 2026. She enjoyed…

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 

Connie Claire Granade

Connie Claire Granade

Connie Claire Granade

News Staff
Jan. 15, 1936 - May 26, 2026Connie Claire Granade passed away Tuesday morning, May 26, 2026, in the care of her loving daughter. A memorial service to honor…
Victor Edward “Rocky” Breedlove

Victor Edward “Rocky” Breedlove

Victor Edward “Rocky” Breedlove

News Staff
Jan. 28, 1947 - May 22, 2026Victor Edward “Rocky” Breedlove passed away Friday, May 22, 2026, at Piedmont Macon Medical Hospital after a lengthy illness.…
Jack O’Hara Grant Jr.

Jack O’Hara Grant Jr.

Jack O’Hara Grant Jr.

News Staff
June 22, 1939 - May 16, 2026Jack O’Hara Grant, Jr, 86, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026, after an extended illness.Funeral Services were held at Sunshine…
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