FORT VALLEY, Ga. (WGXA) -- Fort Valley residents have called out the city and Mayor Jeffery Lundy after they've said the city isn't taking care of the cemeteries as they should be.

"It's the proper thing to do for the dead," said Lisa Vining. "I mean, it's everybody's relatives."

Lisa Vining is a Fort Valley resident concerned over what she said is a lack of city upkeep at the historically black Goodwill Cemetery and Oaklawn Cemetery.

"I don't want to see anybody's family plot or grave go damaged and not be replaced or repaired," said Vining. "They're the people who made Fort Valley what it is today."

Discarded silk flowers; tossed in piles. Bricks are out of place, and gaping holes are visible in the eternal resting place of those buried below. Vining says this isn't the only cemetery in Fort Valley deteriorating despite her dismay.

Just across town at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Vining has the same concerns: tombs caving in, graves toppling over. Fort Valley does own both cemeteries, which means it is the city's responsibility to maintain the properties.

"The ones that are damaged, I'd love to see them repaired and fixed," said Vining. "I think it's what is owed to the people."

Vining said as it stands, long after she's gone, she believes the slack in responsibility may have to be pulled by the family left behind.

"I've got one daughter, and I look at her, and my grandkids, and I know they'll have to be the ones to do it because you can't rely on the city to do it.

WGXA has reached out to the mayor to ask if the families are responsible for maintaining the individual plots themselves.

MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Georgia Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are calling for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a federal investigation into conditions at the Bibb County Jail.

On Thursday, the U.S. Senators wrote a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the DOJ to take action amid ongoing reports of health, safety and civil rights concerns in the Bibb LEC, according to a release from Senator Warnock's Office.

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In the letter, Warnock and Ossoff called the reports from the jail "disturbing," citing multiple incidents; Including the recent stabbing that sent one inmate the the hosptial, the death of 22-year-old Breelee Johnson, who died after multiple inmates were stabbed in an altercation at the jail in June, the case of 19-year-old Romario Casey, who was severely burned in April after boiling water was thrown on his face, and the death of Stephen Fosset, who died after being tased by officers in May 2024.

"The reports emerging from Bibb County Jail are disturbing. On June 4, 2025, Breele Jahiem Johnson, 22, was stabbed to death. Multiple other inmates were injured in the same incident. Unfortunately, violence at this facility is not rare. In April, an inmate had boiling water thrown on his face, causing severe burns. In May 2024, an inmate died after being tasered by officers. Just last week, another inmate was stabbed and had to be taken to a local hospital. Since 2020, four individuals have died by suicide. The pattern of violence at this facility is troubling. We have been encouraged by local officials’ recent efforts to address Bibb County Jail conditions. However, given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation," the senators wrote.

WGXA previously reported that a grand jury's 2025 inspection called the jail "disgusting and inhumane." The Georgia senators also told Bondi that the living conditions in the jail are" unacceptable", citing Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs after he toured the facility.

"Living conditions at the Bibb County jail are also unacceptable. After touring the jail, the president of the Georgia NAACP stated that the “cracked walls, broken plumbing, poor lighting and unsanitary conditions create an environment no human should be subjected to.” According to others, rodents and waste are regularly seen in the hallways," Ossoff and Warnock wrote.

It was these conditions and safety concerns that led to public outcry, and the Human and Civil Rights Coalition of Georgia held a protest in May urging both Bibb County Sheriff David Davis and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller to take immediate action.

READ MORE | Protestors demand answers on Bibb County jail; sheriff urges continued pressure

Last week, WGXA reported that the Griggs and Macon NAACP President Gwenttee Westbrooks planned to meet with Senator Ossoff's team to discuss the ongoing issues in Bibb County LEC.

In June, Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller introduced six new justice reform initiatives, some of which address inmates' health and wellness, overpopulation, support programs, and an expansion to the jail. Now, both Warnock and Ossoff are calling for the DOJ to conduct a "thorough investigation" amid ongoing efforts from local officials.

We have been encouraged by local officials’ recent efforts to address Bibb County Jail conditions. However, given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation into conditions at this jail and whether the rights of any individuals who work at or are incarcerated at these facilities may have been violated. Our offices are ready to assist with your work in any capacity.

RELATED | NAACP Leader Calls Macon Jail Conditions a "Human Rights Crisis," Urges DOJ Investigation

According to the release, in February 2024, Senator Warnock led an effort to push for a federal investigation into the Fulton County Jail after multiple inmates died at the facility, and this year, the DOJ "entered a consent decree" over conditions in the jail.

WGXA reached out to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office for comment on the Senators' call to action, and they responded with the following:

The Sheriff and staff of the Law Enforcement Center are informed and will review the details of the Department of Justice’s request. A statement will not be provided at this time. After the request has been reviewed a statement may be provided if warranted.

WGXA also reached out to Macon-Bibb County for a statement and has not heard back yet.

You can read Warnock's and Ossoff's full letter below:

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Stick with WGXA as we learn more and continue to follow this story.

Jackie Curtis is a name many kids in Dublin would recognize because of her deep involvement with the youth.

She has served as a Regional Director of Communites in Schools of Georgia for about 26 years and has helped nearly 200,000 students over the years. Communities in Schools is a non-profit organization that focuses on drop-out prevention and providing resources so students can continue their education.

Curtis has served as an influential figure in many kids' lives, leading them to thank her years after her involvement in their lives.

"A kid came into my office one day and goes, 'Ms. Curtis, can I use the copier?' And I said 'sure', he used the copier, and he said 'Ms. Curtis, can I use a pen?' And I said 'yes, what else do you need me to do for you?' and he said 'no, nothing. I just wanted to give you this.' He gave me a copy of his diploma, and he said, 'I wouldn't have made it without you,' so that is why I do what I do," said Curtis.

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Communities in Schools, along with Laurens County Family Connection, has opened a resource center in Dublin for families in need who may require assistance with purchasing essential items, such as clothing and food. They also offer free GED and computer classes and medical services. In addition to all the resources, Curtis and the organization hold summer camps during the summer that focus on various skills, such as swimming and music, while also reinforcing classroom lessons to help students avoid the summer slide.

"I try to be what I needed when I was a kid, those things that I lacked as a young person. Now I'm trying to make sure that I'm able to give that back to the kids here in this community," said Curtis.

Currently, she is working with site coordinators in several counties to ensure that students are well cared for and have everything they need to have a successful school year.

Earlier this year, in a turn of events, the next generation took care of Curtis when she needed a kidney transplant after she was told that one of her kidneys was only operating at seven percent.

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"The young lady who gave me the kidney, 20 years ago, my husband and I joined Beulahland Bible Church in Macon, and she, her mom, and her dad joined on the same day. She was 10 years old, and 20 years later, her mom said 'You remember Ms. Jackie, let me share with you what is going on with her, and she said that God woke her up at 2 o'clock in the morning and told her to fill out the form and she was a perfect match," said Curtis.

According to Curtis, it takes anywhere between four and six years to receive a new kidney once someone has been placed on the nationwide list, and Curtis received hers in about eight months, beating the odds.

For Curtis, the work represents a lot more than just providing resources; it's about taking care of the next generation.