Author: Robert Preston

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on the stories, people, and events that made the year memorable. I believe it’s safe to say that this year has been one of the most significant – both good and bad – we’ve had in a long time. Here is our reflection on the year’s most significant stories. Story of the Year A: Hurricane Helene. Sitting around and waiting on a hurricane to arrive is nothing new. For the last 25 years or so, hurricanes and tropical storms have been more of the norm in South Georgia than we’d…

The first round of postseason awards have rolled in and two Coffee Trojans have been recognized for their level of play during the 2024 season. Seniors Chris Reed (linebacker) and Tyrese Woodgett (running back) have been named All-State. Reed, the Region 2-5A Defensive Player of the Year, recorded 130 tackles (34 tackles for loss), 10 sacks, and one fumble recovery this season. Woodgett, a first team All-Region selection, rushed for 2,340 yards on 316 carries and 27 touchdowns. He caught 13 passes for 186 yards and two more touchdowns. Woodgett also returned one kickoff for a score to finish the…

The Langston Hughes Panthers ended the Coffee Trojans’ season in Fairburn in the semifinals of the state playoffs Friday night. The Panthers won 49-26; except for 49 seconds in the first quarter when the score was tied 7-7, Hughes led the whole way. The Panthers were fast, athletic, and physical. And unlike last week’s opponent, the Sequoyah Chiefs, they were neither fooled nor impressed by the Coffee running attack. The Trojans responded by throwing the ball more than they have in any other game in the playoffs. While they had a little success, it wasn’t enough to make a difference…

A medical cannabis dispensary is coming to Douglas. At last week’s city commission meeting, commissioners granted a variance to TMC Apothecary to open a medical cannabis facility. The location of the dispensary is the old Lillie’s Café building on West Baker Highway. On November 1 of last year, commissioners discussed the possibilities of dispensaries coming to town and were informed that variance requests were likely coming. State law says that dispensaries cannot be withing 1,000 feet of a school, church, or early care/education program. However, state law gives municipalities the power to grant variances in relation to the 1,000 foot…

A new subdivision is coming to Douglas. At Monday morning’s county commission meeting, commissioners approved a rezoning request from Seven Acres Properties for 31.21 acres located at the intersection of Iron Road and Mingeldorf Road from R2, Residential, and C Commercial to R4, Residential. This was the second time the commission heard this request. At the January meeting, Seven Acres had also requested a rezoning request, this one to RM, Residential Mixed. However, RM allows for mobile homes and both commissioners and nearby residents alike were uneasy with that zoning. Commissioners rejected the request on those grounds. Seven Acres representatives…

The Coffee Trojans shattered several school records and at least one state record in their 72-48 win over the Sequoyah Chiefs in Canton Friday night in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The win improved the Trojans to 11-2 on the season and set up a semifinal matchup next week against the Hughes Panthers in Fairburn. Hughes knocked off the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets 28-12. One week after Coffee set the school single-game rushing record with 471 yards and senior running back Tyrese Woodgett broke the single-game scoring record with 36 points – courtesy of six touchdowns against the…

Bryson DeChambeau finally did it. His hole-in-one challenge that took TikTok by storm has come to an end. A little over two weeks ago, DeChambeau, 31, a member of the LIV Golf League and two-time U.S. Open champion, got on TikTok and vowed to hit a hole-in-one over his Texas home to a putting green in his backyard. Hitting off a mat in his driveway, he fired shot after shot over his house in search of an elusive ace. The rules were simple: Each day, he increased the number of attempts by one. So on day one, he hit one…

The South Georgia State College Hawks remain undefeated to open the 2024-2025 season after a 92-57 win Monday night against the Thomas University (TU) Night Hawks junior varsity squad. The Hawks (7-0) were led by three players in double figures. Justin McCarter had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Amren Hoard also finished with a double-double of his own (15 points, 11 rebounds). Jarvis Weaver was the third Hawk in double figures with 11 points. SGSC overcame a slow start to lead 37-24 at halftime and outscored TU 55-33 in the final 20 minutes. The Hawks shot 49.3…

Don’t mess with someone’s daughter. On November 13, 2024, officers received a domestic dispute call just before 10 p.m. The alleged dispute took place at an apartment on Highway 158 West. According to an incident report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, a male and a female got into an argument over an air mattress “and continued to escalate.” There was a child in the home and the child called Dexter Brockington, who was his mother’s father. Brockington went to the home and the male, identified as Amos Blank, swung at him, the report says. At that point, Blank stated…

The Coffee Trojans reached the 10-win mark for the third consecutive season Friday night by defeating the #1-seeded Brunswick Pirates 45-14 in Brunswick in the second round of the state playoffs. The Trojans are now 10-2 on the season and will make a very long trip up I-75 to face the Sequoyah Chiefs next week in Canton. The Chiefs defeated the Woodward Academy War Eagles 35-20 in their second-round contest. Tyrese Woodgett scored all six of Coffee’s touchdowns against Brunswick. Kicker Jonah Saylor was perfect on extra points and added a 38-yard field goal on the first play of the…