Bailey wins re-election as BOE chair; more May 19 results

Board of Education Chair Ginger Bailey was elected to a fifth term Tuesday night, defeating challenger Marilyn Norfleet in the nonpartisan contest 3,523 to 2,132. Two other members of the board were up for re-election but were not opposed, meaning leadership is set to stay the same until 2029.

Hill enjoyed life in education; now enjoys life in retirement

Evelyn Barnes started her life in Haddock, and Evelyn Hill plans to be in Haddock when her time here is up.“Grew up in Haddock, Georgia; still in Haddock; Haddock, Georgia all my life,” Hill declared recently.Evelyn Barnes met her future husband, Leroy Hill, through a mutual friend.

The Jones County News salutes the local Veteran of the Week

Vernon Kirk Choates is the local veteran of the week. He was a private first class in the U.S. Army, serving from April 30, 1973 - May 13, 1976. He did his basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., and was also stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, and in Korea. He was also a Hawk FC crewman.

Real Life

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. And having said thus, He gave up the ghost.” --Lk 23:42 After Jesus had shouted “It is finished “, He then surrendered His spirit to His Father and died.

This Week In the Word

Endure temptationMy brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

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 May 9-11, 2026May 93 to 5 grams of marijuanaDep. Morgan conducted a routine traffic stop on Hwy. 57 for speeding.

Jail Report

MAY 8-15, 2026Brayton Allan Bustos, 35, arrested 5/8/26 – 48 hoursLarry Donnell Curry, 34, arrested 5/10/26 – suspended or revoked license, suspended registration, no insuranceEthan Christopher Gardner, 20, arrested 5/12/26 – interference with custody 1st or 2nd conviction misdemeanor, probation...

Superior Court Motions

MAY 14, 2026PLEASState vs. Shadiamond Ashanti Collins – 12 months for the lesser included offense of obstruction of law enforcement misdemeanor. Sentence to be served on probation. Credit for time served 7/27/25 – 7/27/25.State vs. Percy Smith Jr. – three years each ct.

Real Estate Transactions

MAY 8-13, 2026MAY 11Laura Dugick to SJ Homes & Communities, LLC; 4472 Rivercliff Way; parcel J50B00120; $54,000.00 SJ Homes & Communities, LLC to JSAL Properties, LLC; 4472 Rivercliff Way; parcel J50B00120; $200,000.00 Justin F. Johnson to James Nix; 458 Joycliff Terr.; parcel M04C00040; $156,000.

Grease Monkey: Standing apart from competition

Grease Monkey, a locally owned automobile service, recently opened its doors at 101 Walmart Dr. in Eatonton.“We opened this location in 2023 built on customer service,” said James Painter, co-owner of Grease Monkey.