Author: Jerry A. Hudson

Law enforcement officials confirmed late Friday night that the remains of a human body were discovered adjacent to an assisted living home in Nicholls. Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, along with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, were conducting a search and excavation at an outbuilding located on the property of Rosewood Manor, 1107 Tanner Avenue, where the remains were found. Officials with the sheriff’s office stated they had received a tip that the body of a male may have been buried on the property. The name and age of the deceased has not been divulged at this time,…

Getting arrested is never fun. Getting arrested for allegedly urinating on your mother’s property in plain view of the general public is, well, just embarrassing. However, this is exactly what happened to 48-year-old Carlos Defranco Jackson last week. Officers with the Douglas Police Department responded to an address on South Pearl Avenue at around four o’clock in the afternoon, where they were meant by a complainant who advised Jackson had been drinking all day and, as stated in the official report, “he has been peeing on his mother’s property.” The complainant told police he wanted Mr. Jackson removed from the…

Edward Jones Investments, one of the nation’s leaders in the financial services industry, has opened another outlet in Douglas in hopes of better serving the financial needs of area residents. The company’s newest office is located at 918 N. Madsion Ave. in Douglas in the former location of now-retired longtime Douglas attorney Jim Hudson. The building has been completely renovated as part of Edward Jones’ commitment to being a long-lasting establishment in the community. “We are very pleased to be here and are looking forward to helping not only Douglas and Coffee County grow as a viable, economic community, but…

It is a persistent problem and one that could ultimately result in dire consequences; individuals who neglect to properly display the assigned numeric of their homes and businesses in the county. “Probably over 50% of residences in the county do not have their numbers properly visible,” estimated Coffee 911 representative Kesha Taylor during the regular meeting of the Coffee County Commission on Monday. “This presents major problems for emergency personnel when they are trying to locate places they are dispatched. Obviously, it has a great potential to cut down on response time and could be catastrophic. Every minute, every second…

Douglas firefighters and other emergency personnel responded to Dairy Queen on South Peterson Ave. just before noon today in reference to a fire which began at the backside of the building. Douglas Fire Chief Tim White stated the blaze initially began at the business’ hooding/ventilation system, and was somewhat escalted when it came into contact with cooking oil or grease that was in close proximity. White added there did not appear to be any permanent structural damage to the building. Most officials had cleared the scene by 1:30 this afternoon, but the business remains surrounded by yellow caution tape as…

The Coffee County Board of Education revealed Friday during a discussion of the tax digest at a special called meeting that the current millage rate will be rolled back. Residents shouldn’t get too excited, though, as the rollback will only account for a difference of about 0.01% from the previous year. The rate dropped from 16.214 to 16.203 or, to put it simply, a diferrence of about $9,000. “Obviously, there is no real drastic action in the millage rate,” Chairman Bryan Preston stated. Of other particular interest, Superintendent Morris Leis noted the school system has experienced some loss of revenue…

Douglas City Commissioner Olivia Pearson was in Coffee County Superior Court on Thursday, testifying as a character witness for the defense during a bond hearing for accused armed robber, 26-year-old Jeffery Moore. Moore is currently incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a home invasion and armed robbery that occurred at a Coffee County residence in January this year. During her testimony, Pearson stated she had known the defendant personally for some time and did not kow him to be a violent person. “Every encounter I’ve had with him, he’s always been respectable (and)…

Officers with the City of Douglas Police Department remained busy over the weekend, responding to yet another string of violent crimes. Early Friday morning, July 18, authorities were called to 406 Mackenzie Circle in reference to a gunshot wound. When authorities arrived at the residence, they observed a 32-year-old male victim lying on the floor with a wound to his chest. EMS officials transported the victim to Coffee Regional Medical Center. Few details have been given regarding the alleged shooting as of Monday afternoon, and no arrests have been made in regards to the incident. Sources with the police department…

Sheriff Doyle Wooten confirmed reports Friday morning that a male juvenile was accidentally wounded by a Coffee County deputy Thursday evening, as authorities were closing in on a fugitive wanted in connection with an armed robbery and recent shooting of Douglas Police Officer Larry Carter. The incident took place at a mobile park located off Burton Rd. in the county. According to Wooten, the deputy was in foot pursuit of the suspect, 19-year-old Christopher Barnett, when he observed a large dog that appeared to be rushing towards him. The deputy discharged his firearm at the animal, and the bullet subsequently…

“We can’t let these criminals run our lives…having a safe city for our community to work, love, and play is essential to our prosperity.” These were the words of Douglas Mayor James Dennis Friday afternoon as he addressed members of the press following a week filled with highly publicized arsons, armed robberies, and the shooting of a Douglas police officer. “My duty as mayor and as a Douglas citizen is to ensure, at the best of my ability, a safe community,” Dennis stated. “I am eager to assist the Douglas police and fire departments in any necessary manner to help…