The Jones County News salutes the local Veteran of the Week

Fred Julian Hammock, Sr. served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1945. He rose from the rank of Private to Sergeant, serving as a radioman in the Philippines and Guam.He received a Bronze Star for meritorious service and two Purple Hearts for being wounded during his service in WWII.

Real Life

–George Sheffield “And as they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”(Luke 23:26) Simon carried the cross of Jesus.

This Week In the Word

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

JCHS JROTC hosts inaugural drill meet

The JCHS JROTC Greyhounds hosted its first annual drill meet March 8, and 10 schools competed.The drill meet was the JROTC Area 12 State Qualifier, and all teams and exhibition competitors who placed first through third qualified would have advance to the state championship.

Burleson appointed to Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission

The Ocmulgee Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge was recently appointed to the state Judicial Qualifications Commission by the Georgia Supreme Court.The announcement of the appointment of Judge Alison T. Burleson to the JQC was made in a March 4 press release by the high court.

The Meat Locker: A Grand Opening

The Meat Locker, a new family-owned and community-focused market, will have a Ribbon Cutting Friday at 4 p.m. and will hold the Grand Opening Saturday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be samples of food and ice cream vendors available.

Crime Watch

The following information is gleaned from incident reports, which are public record, from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department and Gray Police Department March 21-22, 2025.

Building Permits

MARCH 21-27, 20253/24/25 Joycliff Estates LLC $250.00MARCH 21-27, 2025Jones County ($5,641.08) City of Gray ($480.28) River North ($235.33 ) Total tags ($6,356.

Real Estate Transactions

MARCH 21-27, 2025MARCH 21Jennifer Michelle Grant and Jack Christopher Poole to Hinesville Home Center, Inc.; parcel J5400031; $27,800.00 Janet Skidmore to Michelle Woodruff and Jason Smith; 294 Amy Lane; parcel J44B00186; $259,770.

Scam nearly costs $40,000 before family intervenes

A 22-year-old South Carolina man is sitting in the Jones County jail after being caught in the act of attempting to take money from an elderly couple.Bhargav G. Patel, 22, was arrested March 20 and charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit a felony, elder abuse and exploitation.