Author: Robert Preston

Santa Claus can do a lot of things during the Christmas season. But one thing he can’t do is wear a MAGA hat – at least not in the Waycross mall. Last Friday, mall management sent Santa back to the North Pole for wearing a pro-Donald Trump MAGA hat while working at the mall. Frank Skinner, who was playing Santa, took a photo with a MAGA hat right as he was ending his shift, according to a post he made on his Facebook page. He stated someone took a screen shot of the photo and it went from there.…

Late last week, Department of Natural Resources officers made an arrest after a 13-point buck was allegedly shot and killed from a roadway in Willacoochee. According to a post on the DNR’s Facebook page, game warden Luke Rabun received a tip that a 13-point buck had been shot from a vehicle on Nov. 26 in Willacoochee. Rabun investigated the incident and he, along with Cpl. Tim Hutto, gained a confession from a passenger in the vehicle as well as the alleged shooter. On Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, they executed two arrest warrants for hunting from a vehicle and hunting big…

Talk about a case of being in the right place at the right time. On Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, a sheriff’s deputy happened upon six dogs attacking a woman in Oak Park. He stopped the attack, possibly saving the victim’s life, and the woman was hospitalized as a result of her injuries. According to an incident report obtained from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Charles Cross was patrolling on First Avenue South near Gum Street in Oak Park when “he noticed a group of dogs which appeared to be attacking something in the roadway.” As Cross got closer,…

Both the Douglas and Waycross campuses of South Georgia State College have been on high alert Thursday after authorities received a threat that a former employee might be on campus or planning to visit campus with a gun. A message sent to students from campus police Thursday morning stated the following: “SGSC Douglas and Waycross campuses are on heightened alert until further notice. Please use caution and pay attention to surroundings and unusual activity. “Should you see the individual in the attached photo on either campus, please contact 911 or Campus Police immediately. He is not allowed on either campus.…

In the Douglas city election Tuesday night, incumbents won the day while the tax allocation district (TAD) referendum passed by an overwhelming majority. Douglas mayor Tony Paulk faced opposition from two challengers, Kevin Carver and Terrance Coley. Paulk won easily, 1,432 votes to Carver’s 443 and Coley’s 383. Candidates in three city wards — Wards 1, 2, and 3 — had opposition as well. In Ward 1, Ed Taylor defeated James Perry 244-79. The Ward 2 race saw Kentaiwon Durham square off with Mickeayla Clark-Brockington and Rodney Johnson. Durham brought in 242 votes while Clark-Brockington received 121 votes to…

Coffee High School is dropping down a classification for athletics next season – at least that’s what the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has proposed in its region reclassifications released Tuesday. CHS has been competing in the 6A classification for the last several years. Beginning next year, though, the Trojans will compete in 5A. With 1,755 students, Coffee would be the 13th largest school in 5A. While the regions for the new classifications have not been released, notable 5A programs nearby include Ware, Statesboro, Warner Robins, Veterans, and Wayne. Lee, Northside (Warner Robins), and Valdosta stay in 6A. Colquitt,…

Gregory Stephen Nugent, the former city employee charged with sexual battery and stalking back in June, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in State Court of Coffee County. As a result of the guilty plea, Nugent was sentenced to a $500 fine plus court surcharges, he must have no contact with the victim, one year probation, and he must complete the Choices program. In early June, the Douglas Police Department issued a press release stating that two city employees, Nugent and Britt Nickolas Leverette, had been arrested after the city manager’s office received complaints…

The Coffee Trojans brought home three first place trophies from the region cross country meet Thursday in Warner Robins. Cameron Watson won his second consecutive individual region championship while Abbey Arnett won her second region title as well (she won her first title her sophomore year). Arnett’s performance catapulted the women’s team into first place while the men finished second overall. Watson ran a 17:31 (5:39 per mile). Arnett posted a 20:24 (6:35 per mile). The strong showing Thursday means that both teams have qualified for the state cross country meet. The state meet takes place in Carrollton…

The Georgia Supreme Court has thrown out the murder indictment for Jay Towns, who stands accused of killing Bud and June Runion in 2015. A Superior Court judge canceled the charge last year. News that the state Supreme Court agreed with last year’s ruling broke Monday morning. Towns is believed to have advertised a 1966 Mustang for sale on Craigslist. The Runions traveled from Marietta to Jacksonville, Ga., to purchase the car. However, Towns has been accused of killing the Runions and taking the money for the car. According to Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson, there are questions…

Former Ward 5 city commissioner Ronnie Anderson, who was seeking his old seat in the Nov. 5 election, has officially withdrawn from the race. Four years ago, Anderson decided not to seek re-election. Cindy McNeill ran unopposed for the seat. Earlier this year, Anderson announced that he would be running again for the seat in November. Wednesday afternoon, Anderson released a statement to The Douglas Enterprise withdrawing from the election, citing family considerations. He has not issued a statement to DouglasNow.com. However, DouglasNow.com has learned that Anderson submitted his official withdrawal documents to the elections office Thursday afternoon.…