Author: Robert Preston

Two former Trojans, linebacker Jameon Gaskin and Javiontae Martin, won a national championship Saturday as members of the Valdosta State University Blazers. The Blazers defeated the Ferris State Bulldogs 49-47 in the NCAA Division II National Championships in McKinney, Texas. Martin, a 6’2”, 213 lb. defensive lineman, played in five games this season, including the national championship game. Gaskin, 5’11, 219, was the Gulf South Conference’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and played in all 14 of the Blazers’ games. He tallied five tackles against Ferris State (three solo, two assists). The Blazers sealed the victory in…

Herman “Bugg” Lott, age 80, of Mora, passed away peacefully on Friday December 7th, 2018 at his residence due to an extended illness. Mr. Lott was born on September 11, 1938 in Irwin County, the son of the late Willis Lott and Lura Mae Carver Lott. He was a farmer and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Lott was preceded in death by his wife, Elmarie Davis Lott and grandson, J.J. Heath. Survivors include three daughters, Vicky Heath of Willacoochee, GA, Lynn Royal of Willacoochee, GA, and Gina Smith (Ray)…

The annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1, has been postponed and re-scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. Rain is supposed to move in during the early morning hours Saturday and set in all day long, resulting in the parade’s postponement. Earlier in the week, DouglasNow.com posted a release from the city outlining all of the parade’s rules and guidelines. Those rules are still in effect and can be found here (typo in the headline notwithstanding): http://douglasnow.com/index.php/community/item/6222-the-christmas-parade-is-this-year-and-things-will-be-a-lot-different For more information, please call the Public Information Office at 912-383-0277.

At Monday’s city commission meeting, commissioners handled the regular agenda items fairly quickly and easily. However, the meeting was not without controversy; after about a month-long absence, Roscoe Allen returned to the commission room and addressed the commission, along with members of the media and City Manager Charlie Davis, in another impassioned series of remarks that saw Commander Bart McCulloch of the Douglas Police Department stand as Allen appeared as though he was going to approach commissioners. A video and brief summary of Allen’s comments will follow. But first, here are the items the city covered at the regular…

A single vehicle accident claimed the life of a Jacksonville, Fla., man Saturday morning. The driver, who was killed in the accident, was driving a Penske rental box truck east on Highway 158. He left his lane of travel, overcorrected, and ran off the road into a cotton field. He clipped a light pole by the roadway and flipped over in the field. The accident delayed traffic for some time as authorities worked the accident. Power lines from the clipped pole fell on the truck and emergency crews couldn’t clean up the wreck until power crews took care…

The Coffee Trojans are usually a good second half team. Seldom have the Robby Pruitt-era Trojans played a second half that was worse than the first. Last night, though, was one of those times. And Coffee’s season ended as a result. The Trojans lost 27-7 to the Lanier High Longhorns in Sugar Hill on a cold, wet, dreary night. The Longhorns did something that no other team has been able to do this postseason – stop the Trojans’ running attack. No Trojan rushed for 100 yards; freshman Maurice Turner topped all Coffee backs with 75 yards. He also…

Hollynn Lott and Laykin Brown of the Coffee Lady Trojans softball team have signed scholarships to continue their careers at the next level. Lott is headed to Georgia State University while Brown will play for Thomas University. Lott hit .447 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and 12 doubles. She also scored 34 runs, had 32 walks, and just six strikeouts in 32 games. Lott was also named Region 1-6A Player of the Year. Brown went 12-6 with a 2.28 ERA while also hitting .380 with 24 RBI. Her performance this season earned her a spot on the…

Last night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams put the two most potent offenses in the NFL on display. And Tyreek Hill, maybe the most electrifying player in the league, was right in the middle the scoring onslaught. Much has already been written about the game. Offensive and scoring records fell for both teams. The game, which the Rams won 54-51, is the only game in NFL history in which a team scored 50 or more points and lost. Underneath that umbrella are enough statistics and plot lines to keep NFL pundits busy for…

A Sunday afternoon foot chase left a Douglas police officer dazed and bloodied – but with the suspect apprehended. A citizen sent the following video to the Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner Facebook page. Douglas police officer Brandon Haygood was dispatched to Flash Foods in reference to a subject named Leo being at the location. Leo had been banned from Flash Foods and he had also allegedly shoplifted prior to Haygood’s arrival. Officer Haygood got out with Leo on South Coffee Avenue just off Baker Highway and confronted him. Once 911 confirmed that the complainant at Flash Foods wanted to…

Freshman running back Maurice Turner, pressed into action to replace the injured Antonio Dawson, picked up where he left off last week. Turner rushed for 205 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown in the Trojans’ 20-7 win over the Richmond Hill Wildcats in the second round of the state playoffs Friday night. The two teams played in Richmond Hill. Coffee has lived and died with its running game this year. Tonight was no different. In addition to Turner’s big night on the ground, quarterback A.J. Wilkerson added 85 yards on 16 carries and a pair of touchdowns of…