Debbie Lurie-Smith

Evidence is laid out in Jones County Superior Court in anticipation of the beginning of the Sept. 25 trial for Dan Cleveland. The evidence includes vacuum-packed bags of marijuana, firearms and ledgers. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Jones County veteran and committee member Roger Hawke displays a sample of the plaques he made to be distributed at this year’s event. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

Chief appraiser hires consultant to defend himAll members of the Jones County Board of Commissioners, the Board of Education chairman and school superintendent and four representatives of the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, including its sales ratio director, were left to stand in the hall outside of the Board of Assessors Office for more than 30 minutes waiting on a late consultant to…

A Jones County father and son are facing aggravated assault charges following a shooting that was reported to law enforcement by the victim in the midst of recent hurricane conditions.Kelly Edward Cleary Jr., 35, and Kelly Edward Cleary Sr. were arrested Sept. 27.A report of the incident leading to the arrests by Jones County Sheriff Department Deputy Matthew Dennis stated he responded to the…

A Jones County Grand Jury brought back true bills of indictment on 15 out of 16 cases they were presented.Grand jurors convened Oct. 1 at the Government Center and were presented the cases by Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale, Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore, Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece, JCSO deputies, Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe and officers with the Gray Police…

Runners and coaches from the Greyhounds and Lady Greyhounds cross country team pose after being recognized at a recent Jones County Board of Commissioners meeting. DEBBIE LURIE-SMITH/Staff

An Eatonton woman was among those recently indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury and faces charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute and fleeing from law enforcement officers.Leigh Anne Johnson, 53, was indicted Oct. 1 for felony fleeing or attempting to elude police officer and possession methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.Johnson was arrested for the offenses Aug. 28.A…

Jones County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Wesley Ransom (l-r), Deputy Dan Ribeiro and Sgt. Kasey Carr with K9 deputy Jones following the successful tracking and apprehension of the suspect. CONTRIBUTED

One of the least discussed items on the Nov. 5 ballot could make a big difference for the day-to-day lives Jones County residents if it is approved.

The Jones County Board of Health took another step toward fee increases for environmental services as well as listening to the usual quarterly reports at their September meeting.Board Chairman Ed Barbee called the Sept. 25 meeting to order. The meeting had been postponed from Sept. 4 in order to have a quorum of its members present.The first order of business after the approval of past meeting’s…