Author: Robert Preston

Today is the day the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County mobilizes for its signature event, a two-day fund-raiser at Central Square in Douglas. The CCAGCC assists families of those affected by childhood cancer with travel, lodging and food expenses without an application. Any additional assistance such as rent, car payments, utility bills and more is received through an application and has to be approved by the board of directors. “Life goes on after a child is diagnosed and bills don’t stop,” says the CCAGCC’s Barbara Dockery. Dockery made the following post on her Facebook page Thursday night: “There…

During the month of October, the City of Douglas will be offering several promotions for their customers. Throughout the month, activities will be designed to educate and show appreciation for Douglas customers. Customer Appreciation Month will be held the entire month of October. Customers are encouraged to register for a $100 credit on their utility account that one lucky customer will win at a drawing on Friday, October 26, 2018 at City Hall. City of Douglas customers will have the opportunity to enjoy free popcorn and water each Friday. For more information about the 311/Customer Care Center or the Customer…

Last Thursday, the children at the Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County were privy to a firsthand look at government at work. U.S. Rep. Rick Allen (R-12th) visited the club and spent a few minutes with community leaders, the afterschool program’s teachers, and the 131 children who participate in the program. “We can make a difference with these programs. If you can’t read at a third grade level by the time you finish the third grade, there’s a good chance you won’t graduate from high school. And if you don’t graduate from high school, 85 percent of those…

Early Friday morning, officers from the Douglas Police Department arrested city commissioner Kentaiwon Durham during a traffic stop. Durham was charged with driving with a suspended license and booked into the Coffee County Jail. After booking, he was released with a copy of the charges. According to the incident report obtained from the Douglas Police Department, an officer noticed a 2006 Chrysler 300 with no license plate tag light at 12:37 a.m. He stopped the vehicle on Shirley Avenue just south of Cherry Street. Douglas city commissioner Kentaiwon Durham was driving the vehicle. During the stop, the officer discovered…

At 10:40 a.m., DouglasNow.com received a text message from Broxton Police Chief Scott Harper alerting us that Appling County High School in Baxley was on lockdown due to a gunshot incident. A student apparently brought a gun to school and shot himself on campus. The student survived, stated the message, and was flown to Savannah for further treatment. A report published by WTOC in Savannah states the same thing. WTOC’s story says that Appling County High has been placed under a Level 4 lockdown/evacuation that began at 9:49 a.m. The news agency is also reporting that the student…

At last Monday’s county commission meeting, the county approved the submission of the 2018 Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant application for road improvements in the county. According to county administrator Wesley Vickers, most of the work will be resurfacing although there will be some new paving projects. The total cost is estimated to be $2.5 million; LMIG will pay for $1.2 million. The rest will come from SPLOST funds. The county also appointed Vernon Talkington to the Board of Health. He will fill the unexpired term of Anne Carver, who has stepped down. Commissioners also voted to designate Oct. 25…

The Coffee Trojans wrapped the non-region schedule with a 53-0 win over the Chamblee Bulldogs on Homecoming Friday night at Jardine Stadium. Coffee scored all of its points in the first half. The following Trojans found the end zone against the Bulldogs: Antonio Dawson, Josiah Killebrew, K.J. Davis, Maurice Turner, Cade Jones (pick six), Tim Landers (pick six), and Brady Skipper. Ty Burkes also intercepted a pass for Coffee. The Trojans get some much-needed rest this week. Their next game is Friday, Oct. 5, against the Northside (Warner Robins) Eagles in Warner Robins. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Coffee…

Mr. Ronald Elzie Mercer, age 50 of Ocilla, passed away early Thursday morning, September 19, 2018 at his residence in Ocilla following an extended illness. Mr. Mercer was born June 14, 1968 to the late Wilson Mercer and Florine Revis Mercer. Other than his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Renee Douglas. Mr. Mercer had worked for a number of years with Walmart in the floor maintenance department. Survivors include: Mother Florine Revis Mercer of Ocilla; sisters Susan Evans of Ocilla and Rose Mary Christy of Atlanta; brother Henry Mercer of Ocilla; and several nieces, nephews, Cousins…

This week, there have been multiple reports of suspicious activity at the Douglas Wal-Mart store. These reports have come primarily in the form of posts made on Facebook pages. The Douglas Police Department, with cooperation from Wal-Mart, has investigated these incidents. Thursday, police department personnel made the following post on its own Facebook page. In short, investigators have determined that the individuals who reported these incidents were not in any danger: “Over this past week the Douglas Police Department has been made aware of several social media post, and has received reports from at least two young ladies that…

Earlier this week, Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson asked citizens of Telfair and Coffee counties, as well as anyone with connections in Fort Pierce, Fla., for their help in locating Jordan Cornett, a 22-year-old from West Green. Cornett is wanted for breaking the windshield of an unoccupied Telfair County deputy’s car. It appears as though Sheriff Steverson is getting serious about apprehending Cornett. His department has now issued a reward in the amount of $4 for information leading to his arrest. Late in the week, Sheriff Steverson made the following post on his Facebook page: “The person we…