After a week and a half or so of controversy, skateboarders are back in the Christmas parade. Earlier this month, the City of Douglas released its rules for the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. In the past, skateboarders have participated in the parade; their presence is organized by Trey Day, a lifelong skater and resident of Douglas. This year, however, the aforementioned list of rules prohibited skaters from the parade. But that’s not all. The city’s rules were very tersely worded, and it mentioned that neither skaters nor sex offenders were allowed in the parade.…
Author: Robert Preston, Jr.
Working at a Huddle House isn’t easy. It can’t be. The hours are long and the work tedious. It certainly isn’t glamorous work. And I can’t imagine that the tips bring in a whole lot of money. But this waitress at one of the two Douglas Huddle House locations went well beyond the call of duty to help a patron who was unable to cut up his meal. The waitress’s name is Wanda Smith and she works at the Highway 32 West Huddle House in Douglas. A customer in the restaurant took this video with a cell…
When people discuss Coffee Trojan football, talk inevitably turns to the early 1980s – during the days of Andre “Pulpwood” Smith, Riccardo Ingram, Willis Crockett, Todd Wade, Terry Robertson, Harold Ragsdale, Chainsaw Smith, and a host of other characters who have become larger than life figures at Jardine Stadium. Maybe that will change. Instead of having to go back 35 and 36 years to discuss Coffee’s gridiron legacy, maybe people can talk about the teams of the last few years. Maybe Max Hughes, Demetrius Davis, Wade Sumner (Todd Wade’s nephew), Jameon Gaskin, Derrick Newton, Milton Jackson, Jordan Knight,…
The City of Douglas’s Festival of Lights Christmas Parade has gone viral – and for all the wrong reasons. Last Friday, Trey Day, a local business owner and lifelong skateboarder, posted on his Facebook page a copy of information sent to him by the city regarding the parade, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2. Two sentences drew Day’s ire. In the second paragraph of the letter are two sentences that, truthfully, are poorly worded and seem out of place: “No skateboarders are allowed in the parade. No sex offenders are allowed in the parade.” The photo and accompanying…
It’s 165 miles, mainly on rural two-lane roads, from Douglas to Evans, the site of Friday night’s second-round playoff game between the Coffee Trojans and the Evans Knights. That kind of drive after a loss is a miserable experience. Thankfully, neither the Trojans nor their fans had to endure such this weekend; the Trojans defeated the Knights 55-21 to advance to the third round next weekend. Running back Jameon Gaskin, who rushed for 210 yards in the first half alone, scored four touchdowns and receiver Milton Jackson added two more in what may be the Trojans’ most…
“Sickness is a difficult thing. Cancer is never a welcome opponent nor should it be. Cancer is an enemy and it should always be an enemy. And as far as God is concerned, it’s an enemy from His perspective as well. But there is one positive thing to say about illness – it has a way of bringing Jesus into our homes. Not only do we battle illness but He comes into our homes in an powerful and amazing way in seasons of sickness. Our faith in God is an important part of the healing process,” said Rev. Shep…
It’s not uncommon to hear fans or players of losing teams say the game was a lot closer than the score indicated. Tonight, the winners could say that the game wasn’t nearly as close as the score might suggest. The Coffee Trojans defeated the Effingham County Rebels 52-32 at Jardine Stadium in the first round of the state playoffs. The Trojans dominated the first half and took a 42-6 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Rebels gained a little momentum and put 26 points on the board. While the Trojans primarily played younger kids on…
Ambrose has a new mayor. Nicholls has four new city council members. Because of a tie in the city council race, there will be a run-off in Ambrose. And Nicholls mayor Dewayne Streat won his millionth election and is the mayor for four more years. The most interesting race on the ballot Tuesday may have been the Nicholls City Council election. All five seats, as well as that of mayor, were up for grabs. And all five incumbents ran for re-election. Only one, however, reclaimed her seat. Newcomer Glynn Tanner (a former county commissioner) received the most…
Tuesday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Andy Spivey granted a change of venue request from attorneys representing embattled city commissioner Olivia Pearson in her second trial on felony voter fraud charges. Judge Spivey also denied a request for a gag order in the case as submitted by the district attorney’s office. Commissioner Pearson’s attorneys cited unfavorable media attention related to the case as their grounds for seeking a change of venue. Pearson and her attorneys contend that coverage in local media regarding her case could unfairly influence potential jurors. In August, Pearson stood trial on these same charges. The…
Tuesday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Andy Spivey determined that Caleb Barrett, who had been charged with malice murder and felony murder in the shooting death of his sister, Lea Jovan Merritt, acted in self defense. As such, Barrett will not face trial and his case has been dismissed with prejudice. Barrett requested an immunity hearing on the grounds of self defense. On Sept. 18, 2016, Barrett shot and killed Merritt at his family’s home on North College Avenue. Initially charged with manslaughter, he was arrested and released on bond in September 2016. However, the Grand Jury indicted Barrett on…