Author: Robert Preston

“Several months before coming to Georgia, Lee knew God was doing something really, really big. He said, ‘It’s so big, it’s almost scary and I’ve got to be a part of it.’ . . . Missions were his heart and disaster relief is where he thrived. It was his gift. The first time that Lee and Pastor Mike [Acosta] came to Douglas for an assessment, he was so saddened by the devastation that was everywhere. His heart was incredibly touched by the people he met,” said Sherry Sims, wife of the late Lee Sims, at Tuesday’s dedication of Sims Park…

At last week’s county commission meeting, the commission addressed the 60-house commercial poultry farm slated for south Coffee County, awarded the bid for the Bud Hutcheson/Chaney Road project, and approved an upcoming referendum for voters to decide whether or not Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed in the county, among other items of business. For the second meeting in a row, citizens who oppose the large commercial poultry farm attended the county commission meeting to voice their concerns. At last month’s meeting, just a few people attended. This month, there was a room of people who are not happy with…

In a move that has been anticipated since February 27, 2025, Brian Steel, the attorney for Jason Anderson, who was convicted of felony murder, aggravated assault, and making false statements in connection with the January 1, 2020, death of Vann Brown, has filed an amended motion for a new trial for Anderson. Steel filed a motion, which was just three pages long, on February 27 of this year, requesting a new trial for Anderson. That motion was actually the second motion Steel had filed. On February 26, Steel filed the first motion, a 22-page document that contains an affidavit from…

Baxley native and Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton had the rare opportunity to play in his home state of Georgia – in the MLB Home Run Derby and All Star Game at the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park no less – and he did not disappoint. Buxton, 31, made his second All Star game this year (the first was in 2022) and, thanks to a 21-home run first half of 2025, participated in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career. Buxton came into the All Star festivities on a high note. As if this season wasn’t already…

The postseason awards keep coming for a few Coffee Trojan baseball players. Shortstop/RHP Ben Fussell (junior), RHP/1B/DH Michael Strickland (senior), and INF Jimmy Timothy (freshman) have been named to the All-State baseball teams by the Georgia Dugout Club. Fussell, an All-Region and All-State selection last year and region Co-Player of the Year this season, was an asset both as an infielder and a starting pitcher. And he also hit the ball extremely well. He led the team with a .450 average. He recorded 50 hits — 10 doubles, five triples, four home runs, and 21 RBI. He also threw 38…

Baxley native Byron Buxton, centerfielder for the Minnesota Twins, has emerged as Minnesota’s MVP at the halfway point of the 2025 baseball season, according to a report from ESPN. Primarily using AXE as a measure of player performance, an index that gathers major statistical metrics and combines them into one evaluation value (100 is the league average), Buxton is the Twins’ best player. According to the ESPN report, he has an AXE value of 130, the highest for Minnesota and 16th best in the league. This season, Buxton is hitting .272 with 19 home runs and 51 RBI. Most importantly,…

We’ve had some crazy weeks this year. We’ve had more wild headlines thus far in 2025 than we had all of last year, I believe. None, however, have had more weirdness in such a short period of time than the City of Pearson. The first story of the week involved the city cutting off water to select Atkinson County School System properties. The city and the school system have been in a bit of a disagreement regarding the schools’ water bills. This week, the city released a statement saying the school system was supposed to pay $4,500 per month for…

Thursday, June 26, family and friends were shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Shelvy Smith, 23, of Douglas. Shelvy had just finished her first year as an educator, teaching prekindergarten at Satilla Elementary School. In one short year, she had demonstrated the qualities of an excellent teacher – dedication, compassion, attentiveness to her students’ needs, and a genuine concern to see her students grow and learn. “Her passion, drive, and determination to be the best teacher just seemed somewhat effortless, as she truly had a natural gift for teaching. Yet that didn’t deter her from the hard work,…

Citizens opposed to the 60 chicken house poultry operation currently under development on U.S. Highway 441 South in Coffee County near the Satilla River aren’t conceding anything. Monday night, they gathered at Covenant Church to discuss options for possibly stopping the project. Several individuals representing different agencies attended the meeting, including Satilla Riverkeeper Shannon Gregory, State Rep. James Burchett, and Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist James Hunt. Opponents have cited river pollution, groundwater contamination, odors, a reduction in air quality, threats to the endangered eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise, noise, traffic, and decreased property values as reasons why…

Development of an unpermitted bitcoin mine in eastern Coffee County has been halted while county commissioners consider the best way to proceed with this kind of development in the community. At a special called county commission meeting last week, commissioners met with Eric Su of LN8 Energy. Su and LN Energy are bringing the bitcoin mine to Coffee County. In January, officials were notified of the mine and put a stop to the project. They haven’t done anything since then. Even after last week’s meeting, it remains unclear what action the county plans to do. During the meeting, commissioners established…