Sheldon Hicks keeps Bobby Dixon from falling in the ditch while he works to repair a water leak. CONTRIBUTED
Cecil Ethridge (left) applauds as Earlene Hamilton is announced as the Hamilton/Williams Award winner by Earl Colvin at the Feb. 9 event. CONTRIBUTED
James Rackley, STAR Student for 2023, honors Rusty Owens, Rackley’s teacher from fifth grade, as STAR Teacher for 2023. CONTRIBUTED
The reception in Childs’ honor included a cake in honor of his more than four decades in banking. CONTRIBUTED
Jones County’s Night to Shine Feb. 10, hosted by Bradley Baptist Church, was a fun filled event for all who attended. BRANDY ROUND/Contributed
Smoke and flames appeared to come from every eve of the home during the blaze. CONTRIBUTED
Jones County Teachers of the Year for 2023 were: (l-r) Valarie Hall, Jacqueline Kennedy-Busch, Lynette Maddox and Christine Geske-Stewart; bottom: Ashley Ivy, Melissa Hadaway, Jennifer Thompson and Jennifer Burns. WENDY VAUGHN/Contributed
After their question and answer session with Jones County Commissioners, Cub Scout Troop 485 Webelos took the commissioners’ seats, including access to the chairman’s gavel. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff
Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe (right) receives the certification plaque from GACP Certification Coordinator Chuck Groover at the City of Gray’s June 5 council meeting. DEBBIE LURIESMITH/Staff
Pictured are (front row, l-r); Devin Goetz, Chase Baker, Carson Lumley, Will Wood, Mickey Corley, C.J. Scott, Waylon Horsting and Brandon Keith Gattie; (back row) S. Mark Smith, Jacob Bridgeman, Matthew Nasworthy, Elijah Ammons, Nathan Creamer, Connor Bass, Parker Henley, Caden Hurst, Dillan Cable and Samuel Jackson. CONTRIBUTED
Paytel tablets provide inmates with educational opportunities. CONTRIBUTED
Editor’s note: This review covers January through June. We will review the second half of 2023 in next week’s edition.
Jones County’s year in review looks back at the good, bad and sometimes ugly events of the year.
The only election during the year was an Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in March.