Author: Megan Bennett

While planning the eSPLOST4 budget, Superintendent Dr. Morris Leis was approached by many faculty and staff regarding the need for an agricultural center for students of Coffee County. Because of the sheer amount of requests and the necessity of such a facility, Dr. Leis and the Coffee County school administration arranged for an agricultural facility to be funded by the eSPLOST4. A recent groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction on the facility, which will be named after Billy Walker, a respected community leader and agriculture advocate. The facility will be located at Coffee Middle School. The facility will be help…

With the new year approaching, Coffee Regional Medical Center said farewell to some distinguished board members who will be ending their terms on the board of directors of CRMC, CRH Healthcare Inc., and CRH Health Services Inc. at an After Hours Event at Coffee Regional Medical Center. New board members who will be joining the boards in 2016 were also welcomed at the event. Departing Members from the CRMC, Inc., board were Darrel Collins, D.O.; Greg Goggans, Matt Greer, Rueben Speight, and Mike Wills. Reagan Miller and Justin Harrell, M.D., departed the CRH Health Care Inc. Board of Directors, and…

American Legion Post 515 led a Wreaths Across America event that placed over 700 wreaths on the graves of veterans at the Douglas City Cemetery. Jerome Loving coordinated the event to honor of the veterans of Douglas. Members of the Legion, Veterans Honor Guard, the City of Douglas Cemetery staff, students in ROTC with Coffee Christian’s Academy and Coffee County High School, as well as members of the public all helped to place the wreaths. The Wreaths Across America event is a nation-wide event that honors the fallen veterans by placing wreaths on their graves during the Christmas season. Wreaths…

Each year, the Community Foundation of Coffee County is able to award nonprofit organizations with funds at a special event. This year, the organization was able to provide awards to Still Waters Women’s Outreach Center, the Wesley Glynn Foundation, the Make a Wish Foundation, and the Mary Hayes Center for Social Change. Each organization that was chosen to receive an award gives back to the community in a special way. Still Waters Women’s Outreach Center extends a helping hand to women in Coffee County and surrounding areas that are in need of rehabilitation and support when struggling with drug dependency…

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its last Power Lunch of 2015 on Monday Dec. 7. New members were announced at the lunch, including Brantley Steel Company, Pallet One, Krystal, Sky Blue Videography, and Action Air Conditioning and Heating. Alyn Scholarship Fund sponsored the lunch, and Jeff Weems, a representative for the scholarship, spoke about the fund and how it benefits the community. The Alyn Scholarship Fund benefits students at CCA and First Academy in Douglas, directly helping local children. Donations to the Alyn Scholarship Fund are matched, dollar for dollar, in your state tax returns, meaning it costs you nothing…

A review of the Coffee County budget reveals that the budget is leveled out. The announcement was made at the regularly scheduled County Commission meeting on Monday. Wesley Vickers, Coffee County Administrator, stated that the budget was now level thanks, for the most part, to higher revenues coming into the county coffers. A strengthening national economy also played a large part, as well as good communications and leadership from elected officials and department heads in the Coffee County Administration. The 2016 budget is set at $15 million for general revenue and $9 million for special revenue. The budget will be…

Chamber of Commerce representatives, along with representatives and employees of the Coffee County Salvation Army, recently gathered at the newly-opened recycling center at 90 North Street in Douglas for a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the center for business. Baling processes that will be conducted at the recycling center will make it possible for the Salvation Army to send donations that won’t make it into the family store to other parts of the world. The baling process can help process donations into over 750 pound bales and triple revenues for the Salvation Army, according to Douglas Salvation Army Director Perette…

Students and faculty gathered in a classroom at Valdosta State University for an intimate and meaningful award ceremony Monday evening. Dr. Codrina Cozma, Associate Professor of English currently teaching at the SGSC Entry Program on the VSU campus, hosted the event. The Diana Alexandra grant has been awarded since 2012 by Heaven Preview Foundation, Inc. to meritorious students worldwide in memory of Codrina Cozma’s late sister, Diana Alexandra. At the ceremony, Dr. Cozma gave a little background on the foundation and what it means to her. For years, Dr. Cozma had prayed for a baby sister. “She was born as…

General Coffee State Park recently revived and relived past traditions in a Pioneer Day organized by the Friends of General State Park. On Saturday,November 14, over 50 volunteers worked to create an authentic mid-1800’s era environment. The buildings, equipment, and resources at the state park, which are 19th century styled or aged, helped to seal the deal, providing a very real experience for visitors and volunteers. This is the 38th Pioneer Day that the park has hosted and over 500 people attended this year. The glimpse into life before technology, the internet, or running water is a sobering reminder of…

The building at 2161 Industrial Boulevard has undergone a complete transformation as Don Wildes of Don’s Body Barn claims it for his new location. Connie Peacock initially showed Don the property in February, and it was in a state of disrepair. Renovations began in April and late last week, the Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the business. Don Wildes has been repairing vehicles since he first began as a mechanic in his backyard 34 years ago. He has owned his own business since 1984, the same year he got out of the military, and has done auto…