Author: Megan Bennett

U.S. Rep. Rick Allen presented graduates of the Leadership Coffee Class of 2015 their awards at the Chamber of Commerce power lunch on Monday. Allen presented the awards after his speech “Saluting Leadership.” His message was clear: the American people are more than capable of changing the nation if they employ leadership skills and work together. “It’s pretty amazing to see what people,” Allen said, “especially Americans, can do.” Having been in office for seven months, Congressman Allen has voted on more than 500 bills. Of those bills, 32 made it to the Senate. He attributes his success, and the…

Sunbelt Power Solutions, a new and exciting industry, is coming to Coffee County. JoAnne Lewis of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce made the announcement Friday at the city’s annual outdoor expo. Sunbelt Power Solutions is set to open a manufacturing plant in Coffee County, manufacturing mobile solar units that will be shipped throughout the South. A prototype was displayed at the expo. Sunbelt Power Solutions is the brainchild of Dwayne Gillis, who has been working in solar panels for years and is working now to bring power to those who need it the most. He and his business partner,…

State Sen. Tyler Harper and Rep. Dominic LaRiccia formed a resolution to honor first responders in Douglas and the entire state of Georgia. The resolution was read at the county commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 17. To counter the growing negative light surrounding the police force and many first responders in the nation, Harper’s and LaRiccia’s resolution offers a heartfelt thanks to those men and women whose work is taken for granted. From police officers to EMTs to 911 operators, each person who makes personal sacrifices to help save the lives of others and to keep our communities safe is…

The community gathered Saturday morning at a Parks and Recreation forum arranged by the new Parks director Stevie Young and his staff. Citizens were given a survey to fill out asking for suggestions for improvement or ideas. They were also offered a microphone to speak with everyone in the audience and the entire recreation department staff, including the city manager, about issues with facilities or programs. Many people did voice various concerns, including some who reminded everyone of the responsibility citizens have to step up and become active in volunteering to help make change happen. A few thanked the department…

The Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new business to the community Thursday, Aug. 13 with a ribbon cutting. The Mayo Clinic on Shirley Avenue is open for business and offers services in hematology and oncology. Dr. John Presutti became CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Waycross this March and has been with the Mayo Clinic since 1997. He was present at the ribbon cutting to express his excitement for the opening of the clinic, which would bring Mayo’s expertise and resources to patients in the Douglas area. Dr. Presutti also expressed his hopes that the clinic would be able to…

City commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance concerning semi-truck parking within the City of Douglas at the City Commission meeting on Aug. 10 City at Hall. The revised ordinance prohibits vehicles having over six wheels from parking on residential streets or residential areas of the city. Violators of the ordinance could be fined up to $1,000 or face up to 180 days in jail. The ordinance will be read publicly again at the next commission meeting on Aug. 24. The light department is set to get a new 2016 Ford F-250 as its purchase was approved by the…

At a special called meeting earlier this week, the Coffee County Board of Education voted to roll back the millage rate to 16.161. The BOE discussed the millage rollback at the July 23 meeting and decided to table the matter until August. Tensions were high as board members debated whether or not to approve the rollback and the implications that would result from either approving it or disapproving it. Board member Adam Lott spoke up against the rollback claiming that the dwindling funds for education in the area would benefit by leaving the millage rate at its current rate. The…

This week marked the worldwide Breastfeeding Week, and many people in Douglas may have noticed the new baby blue and light pink banners hanging on downtown light posts on behalf of the Breastfeeding Coalition. It is all part of a growing effort to normalize and lighten the stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public, not only in Douglas and Coffee County but throughout the United States. In Douglas alone, a community outreach initiative has secured 129 businesses and offices as “Breastfeeding-Friendly” premises, as indicated by stickers or signs that can be seen displayed at the businesses or offices. Breastfeeding is as natural…

The Coffee County Commission announced an upcoming and tentative application for a housing grant and a community clean-up in the Oak Park community. A regional commission meeting, which county commissioner Johnny Wayne Jowers attended on Thursday, was arranged to discuss solutions to the issues regarding the condition Oak Park. One proposed solution was to apply for a housing grant that, if awarded, would repair certain buildings that are in disrepair. A crackdown on code enforcement and a community clean-up day tentatively scheduled for the second Saturday of October were also brought up at the meeting. The County Commission and members…

The warehouse at the Universal Leaf Tobacco Market in Douglas started filling up Wednesday morning on the first day of operations for the season. The Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house for the business on July 29 to help mark the occasion. Tobacco from several different counties all over the region is being shipped into the market’s warehouse to be distributed and sold. One tobacco farmer from Colquitt County who was on site said the turnout looked good and it looked to be a very successful season for tobacco farmers and the Universal Leaf Tobacco Market alike. This selling…