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2026 Summer Camp

2026 Summer Camp

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2026 Summer Camp

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Sheriff’s office hostsThe Jones County Sheriff’s Office 2026 Summer Camp was another huge success with a combination of safety education and a look into law enforcement techniques combined with summer fun and activities.
Michael Dorough

Michael Dorough

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Former Bibb deputy indicted for molestation

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Wife charged with attempted cover-upA former Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was previously arrested in Macon for offenses that took place at his Jones County residence was recently indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury for multiple counts of child molestation and incest.
Firefighters Ethan Johnson (l-r), Jared Turner, Savannah Mathis, Klay Aspinwall and Jacob Penley with Cadet Gabby Massengale standing in front. CONTRIBUTED

Firefighters Ethan Johnson (l-r), Jared Turner, Savannah Mathis, Klay Aspinwall and Jacob Penley with Cadet Gabby Massengale standing in front. CONTRIBUTED

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Five graduate from firefighter class; three to serve in Gray

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
The Gray Fire Department celebrated five graduates of the Firefighter 1 class during a ceremony last month, and three of those new firefighters will be serving residents of Gray.Gray’s new firefighters are Klay Aspinwall, Savannah Mathis and Jared Turner.
Griswoldville Industrial Park

Griswoldville Industrial Park

Lawsuit stalls progress at industrial park

Josh Lurie
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
“We essentially have a lame duck property right now,” Eric Varnadoe, chairman of the Jones County Development Authority, said in refence to Griswoldville Industrial Park.“We’re dead in the water,” Kevin Brown, JDA attorney, agreed.

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The News earns first-place award for local news coverage

Josh Lurie
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Awards were presented at the Georgia Press Association annual convention June 12 at Jekyll Island. There were 477 awards presented in 44 categories to 73 newspapers.The Jones County News placed first in Local News Coverage, which was awarded to editor Debbie Lurie-Smith.

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Les Dames Magnifique awards scholarship

News Staff
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Les Dames Magnifique is proud to announce the recipient of a $1000 academic scholarship for 2026 is Terrell Vashaon Glover. He is the son of Terelle Glover, Sr. and Charmisey Glover. Terrell also received scholarships from Chick-Fil-A and REACH.
The Norfleets in 2009: (l-r) Matthew, John, Marilyn, and John Norfleet III. CONTRIBUTED

The Norfleets in 2009: (l-r) Matthew, John, Marilyn, and John Norfleet III. CONTRIBUTED

Norfleet’s outlook on life not changed by election

Greenberry Moore
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Marilyn Norfleet has had an interesting, busy career, and she perhaps capped it off this year with a run for Chairperson of the Jones County Board of Education.Though she came up short in her bid against four-term incumbent Ginger Bailey, Norfleet declared there are no hard feelings.

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Council considers downtown truck parking

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
A discussion about truck parking took up the majority of time in the June meeting of Gray’s City Council.The June 1 meeting was called to order by Mayor Ed Barbee. The opening prayer was led by Councilman David Tufts, and Barbee led the pledge.
Jones campaigns in Gray

Jones campaigns in Gray

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Jones campaigns in Gray

News Staff
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones made a stop at Old Clinton Barbecue in Jones County Thursday, June 4, greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters. Left: Jones (far right) speaks to BOC Chairman Chris Weidner (center). Above: Jones is introduced by Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece (far right)
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