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Ronnie Atkinson

Ronnie Atkinson

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Atkinson sentenced to 7 years for bank fraud

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Nine months after entering his guilty plea, a defendant in a federal bank conspiracy case received a sentence of seven years to serve in prison, according to documents received from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia in Macon.Ronnie Atkinson, 57, was sentenced Feb.
Jones County’s Elementary Honor Chorus students line the stairway of the Classic Center Theatre in Athens. CONTRIBUTED

Jones County’s Elementary Honor Chorus students line the stairway of the Classic Center Theatre in Athens. CONTRIBUTED

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Elementary students take part in Statewide Honor Chorus

Bethany Tapee-ward
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
teachers to the Classic Center in Athens to participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus.The event, held Jan. 9 and 10, brought together young chorus students from across the state for two days of rehearsals and musical exploration.
The Jan. 18 arrest of Marty Morgan inside a business on Highway 49 is captured on video. CONTRIBUTED

The Jan. 18 arrest of Marty Morgan inside a business on Highway 49 is captured on video. CONTRIBUTED

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Man arrested for burglary

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
An offender attempting to burglarize a local business was nabbed in the process while wearing a jacket from the business.Marty Wayne Morgan, 38, was arrested Jan. 18 and charged with criminal damage to property (second degree), theft by taking (misdemeanor) and burglary (second degree felony).
School board has three seats on May ballot

School board has three seats on May ballot

School board has three seats on May ballot

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Three of the five positions on the Jones County Board of Education are up for election this year with qualification dates for those positions less than a month away.Board of Education Chairman, District 1 and District 3 representatives will be selected in the May 19 election.
Jesse Bloodworth and father David accept the 2025 Business of the Year award. Chloe Scarborough/CONTRIBUTED

Jesse Bloodworth and father David accept the 2025 Business of the Year award. Chloe Scarborough/CONTRIBUTED

Old Clinton BBQ named Business of the Year

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce celebrated this year’s award winners at its annual Chamber Member Awards Dinner held at Butler Hall.The awards included Citizen of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Main Street Business of the Year and Business of the Year.

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City council begins year with test well, employee training

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Gray City Council members met for their January meeting of all committees last week and prepared the items that will be on the agenda for the February business meeting.Mayor Pro Tem James Collins called the Jan. 26 meeting to order with all council members present.
Gray DDA members welcomed new member,attorney Alex Smith (far right),at their Jan. 12 board meeting. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Gray DDA members welcomed new member,attorney Alex Smith (far right),at their Jan. 12 board meeting. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

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DDA begins new year with new board members

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Gray Downtown Development Authority members held their first meeting of January with a full board and a clean slate for the coming year.The Jan. 12 meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Sherri Rollins, and her first order of business was to welcome new board member Alex Smith.
Rev. Wilbur Greene speaks at MLK Jr. March last week with Rev. Greg Lofton next up. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Rev. Wilbur Greene speaks at MLK Jr. March last week with Rev. Greg Lofton next up. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

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‘We’ve got to own this moment’

Debbie Lurie-Smith
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored and celebrated in Gray last week with the annual march in his honor.As usual, the Jan. 19 march began at Mt. Salem Missionary Baptist Church at noon and concluded with a short program on the steps of the Jones County Courthouse. Rev.
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