Author: Megan Bennett

In early July the City of Douglas hired Stevie Young as director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Young is eager to work with the citizens of Douglas to improve conditions for recreation and talk about new ideas for the city. Plans for a skate park are in the works, but negotiation and communication from the skateboarding community of Douglas are needed to push things forward. Though there currently is no area specifically designated for skating at this time, Mr. Young urges those who skate to abide by laws and not skate on sidewalks in downtown Douglas. Citizens are…

The Douglas City Commission recognized the Douglas Stingrays swim team at the City Commission meeting on Monday evening. Coach C.M. Jenkins spoke about the triumphs his team accomplished at the recent state meet. This year marked the second consecutive year that the team won a state championship and Coach Jenkins said the team is “getting better every year.” The Stingrays are becoming the team to beat in the state level competitions, and this reflects not only the hard work and dedication that the team members and coaches have put forth, but also the massive support that the community and the…

South Georgia State College celebrated the long-awaited completion of an important on-campus project Monday, July 27, with a ribbon cutting at the newly renovated Alumni House. Dr. Jim Cottingham, former Vice President for Student Affairs, delivered a general history of the house and its importance to the college. For many years the Alumni House had served as a home for the presidents of the college and their families. Before being built in the 1950’s, college presidents lived in other buildings on campus including Richey and Davis Halls. It was during the tenure of President William Smith that the college built…

Ma’s Pre-Loved Closet & More hosted a ribbon cutting led by the Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning. Natasha Kazan of the Chamber of Commerce spoke of how the owner, Ammie Espitia, is working hard to provide affordable and fashionable clothing for the people of Douglas and all of Coffee County. When Ms. Espitia was looking into starting the business, she had come into contact with the former owner of a consignment shop at the same location. The owner was in the process of moving out of the building and Espitia was able to open her own store, which she named…

The Coffee County Board of Education named Dr. James Banks, Jr. new assistant superintendent of operations at Thursday’s regular school board meeting. Dr. Banks expressed gratitude for the recognition from the board and his excitement for the new school year that is about to begin. Dr. June Munford, who stepped down from the position only two weeks prior to pursue retirement, was recognized for his achievements at the meeting, before giving a farewell message. “It’s been a pleasure working with the board,” stated Dr. Munford, saying his career was a “perfect fit” He also thanked God and the school board…

It’s very likely that some Coffee County High School alumni driving down South Madison Avenue in Douglas have been greeted by a familiar face. On the corner of East Bryan Street and South Madison sits O’Malley’s Musical Instruments, owned by the son of John Maley, who served as band director for Coffee County High School for 20 years, from 1964 to 1984, and whose face can be seen smiling on the wall of the new business. John Maley’s musical excellence is well remembered and respected by much of the Coffee County community and beyond. His love and affinity for music…