Waycross Journal-Herald

Waycross Journal-Herald "South Georgia's Greatest Newspaper" Folks, two of the city’s founders. Its manager was Judge Joe Tillman. Walker. Cooper. Its owner was John Greer.

“South Georgia’s Greatest Newspaper"

Currently, as of October 2019, the paper was bought by longtime sports editor Rick Head, owner of The Brantley Beacon in Nahunta, and his wife, Sandy. Under the new ownership, the Waycross Journal-Herald has become a weekly edition focusing on the Waycross-Ware County communities with strictly local news and features. The aim is to build the paper up with new

ideas and as of December 2019, the paper has become available online with the hopes of a second edition each week in the new year. Rick Head feels that every community needs a paper to call its own, as he as been associated with the Waycross Journal-Herald since 1977. As of November 2019, the office relocated to 311 Carswell Avenue, Waycross 31501 with a new telephone number of 912.590.6268. The Waycross Journal-Herald can be traced back to the first newspaper published in Waycross, the Waycross Headlight, edited by Dr. Daniel Lott and Dr. William B. Interestingly, the paper was first published in nearby Pearson but was relocated to the larger city of Waycross in 1876. It has changed ownership many times and was merged with the publication of The Reporter in 1888. Several years later, The Reporter became the property of Daniel Sweat, and it was he who laid the foundation for what would one day become the Waycross Journal-Herald. He sold The Reporter to a stock company and new, updated equipment was purchased. “Upon the grave of The Reporter, was born The Waycross Herald,” wrote Ware County historian Laura S. After several years, The Waycross Herald became the property of Judge A.P. Perham, who published the first daily newspaper in this city, known as the Waycross Evening Herald. In 1912, Perham retired and sold the newspaper to L.J. In October of 1895, the first issue of The Waycross Journal came off the press. Although it was a weekly, it was successful. Ownership of The Waycross Journal changed hands in 1904 when W.A. Price and Volney Williams took over. At this time, The Waycross Journal was a semi-weekly newspaper. In 1911, The Waycross Journal became a daily morning newspaper with rising circulation. In 1914, the Waycross Evening Herald and the Waycross Daily Journal were consolidated to form the Waycross Journal-Herald, with Jack Williams Sr. serving as business manager. In 1916, Williams assumed outright ownership of the Waycross Journal-Herald and served as its editor and publisher until his death in 1957. Following Jack Sr.’s death, his only son, Jack Williams Jr., became the publisher. He also served as editor for a few years; however, Jim Pinson was eventually hired to fill the editor’s chair. This reportedly occurred in the early 1960s. Jack Williams Jr. served as publisher for 35 years and was still working when he passed away on June 18, 1992. At that time, he was succeeded by his youngest son, Roger L. Williams, who was named publisher on July 3. Roger’s brother, Jack Williams III, had already been promoted to the editor’s chair in January of 1990. Both of the third-generation members of the Williams family served in their respective positions.

01/06/2026
Rebuilding Together Waycross is now accepting homeowner applications. The applications are available at Southeastern Cr...
01/06/2026

Rebuilding Together Waycross is now accepting homeowner applications. The applications are available at Southeastern Credit Union, Waycross City Hall, Central Baptist Church. Prime South Bank (Waycross), McKinney Community Center, DFCS and Renasant Bank.
Applications may be completed on-line: rebuildingtogetherwaycross.weebly.com/applications
Submit applications to: Rebuilding Together Waycross c/o Action Pact Attn: Meniece Parker 510 Tebeau Street Waycross, GA 31501.
Deadline for applications is January 31, 2026

Rebuilding Together Waycross

12/03/2025

City moves "Santa's Beach Bash" festival to Dec. 13

A weather forecast of steady rain most of the day Saturday, December 6 has promoted the City of Waycross to postpone its “Santa’s Beach Bash” festival to Saturday, December 13. The holiday fest will include the same activities as previously planned.The event featuring music, vendors, a variety of food and beverages, shopping, games, a benefit race and finally the annual Christmas parade will begin at 11 a.m. throughout the streets of downtown. The parade will be held at 6:30 p.m.See more on the festival in Wednesday's edition of the Journal-Herald.

12/03/2025

Sanders, Tompkins win City Commission seats

Shawn Sanders and William Tompkins won Waycross City Commission seats Tuesday after emerging with the most votes in runoff elections.Sanders defeated incumbent Katrena Felder for the District 3 post, 107-62. Tompkins topped Tim Peacock for the District 4 seat, 100-61.A total of 331 of 3,493 eligible voters (9.48 percent) in the two districts cast ballots during early voting November 24-26 and Tuesday, December 2.The District 3 seat was part of the commission's normal four-year voting cycle while the voting for District 4 was a special election to fill the seat formerly held by Diane Hopkins, who died January 29 early in the second year of her term.Since the District 4 seat currently is vacant, Tompkins will be sworn in immediately and participate in the commission's final scheduled planning and information session and bi-monthly meeting of the year December 15-16. Sanders will assume the District 3 post beginning with the commission's first meetings of 2026.See more on the runoffs in Wednesday's edition of the Journal-Herald.

11/21/2025

Ryland Environmental will not pick up trash Thursday, November 27 because of Thanksgiving. The company will run its Thursday route a day later along with its Friday route.Customers should put their trash cans out Thursday night with Friday’s early start.

11/20/2025

City commission candidate forum set Saturday

A forum for the candidates involved in the December 2 runoffs for the District 3 and 4 seats on the Waycross City Commission will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 22 at the Waycross-Ware County Public Library, 401 Lee Avenue.

The non-partisan session will feature incumbent Katrena Felder and challenger Shawn Sanders from District 3, and Tim Peacock and William Tompkins from District 4. Each of the candidates emerged from a three-person race in each district after voting in the November 4 General Election left none with more than 50 percent of the vote.

Format for the forum will include opening and closing statements from each candidate with a question-and-answer session in between. The goal is to introduce the candidates to voters and highlight their respective positions on issues facing the city, organizers said.

Early voting will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday, November 24-26 at the Ware County Board of Elections and Registration office, 408 Tebeau Street. Election Day voting will be 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. at C.C. McCray City Auditorium for District 3 and Memorial Stadium for District 4.

11/19/2025

For Sale: Greens - Ruttabegas, Collards, Mustard, Turnips. Call Walter Britton, 912-584-5243, in Blackshear, for more information.

11/19/2025

Free holiday meals available Saturday

Waycross native Pamela Rose continues a 40-year tradition this weekend by offering free Thanksgiving meals at the picnic area of Hatcher Way Apartments, 127 Havanna Avenue.
Meals and bottled water will be free to the community while they last beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 22. They can be eaten in the picnic area or carried away.
Rose gave away 70 cups of soup to the community on Veterans Day.

11/13/2025

Thanksgiving meals offered

Peter Feed My Sheep food ministry is providing Thanksgiving meals while they last to those in need at 2 p.m., Friday, November 14 at 301 Garlington Heights. All meals are carryout.
Donations to the ministry for holiday meal program are being accepted. Make checks payable to Peter Feed My Sheep and send to 613 Sweat Street, Waycross, 31501, or through Cash App, $peterfeed mysheep.

Address

311 Carswell Avenue
Waycross, GA
31501

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19122832244

Website

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Our Story

“South Georgia’s Greatest Newspaper" As of October 2019, the paper was bought by longtime sports editor Rick Head, owner of The Brantley Beacon in Nahunta, and his wife, Sandy. Under the new ownership, the Waycross Journal-Herald has become a weekly edition focusing on the Waycross-Ware County communities with strictly local news and features.

The aim is to build the paper up with new ideas and as of December 2019, the paper has become available online with the hopes of a second edition each week in the new year. Rick Head feels that every community needs a paper to call its own, as he as been associated with the Waycross Journal-Herald since 1977.

As of November 2019, the office relocated to 311 Carswell Avenue, Waycross 31501 with a new telephone number of 912.590.6268.

Please visit our website for a full history.