Author: Robert Preston

Earlier this week, a Coffee County Grand Jury handed down a 66-count indictment against Chris Johnson, the former funeral director who stands accused of numerous felonies in connection with the discovery of 18 decomposing bodies in his funeral home, Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services, in October. Johnson was arrested and charged for 17 of the 18 bodies found. The 66 counts include four indictments in another case involving the operations of the funeral home, this one for allegedly changing the cause of death for an individual back in 2022. The reason for the alleged forgery was to obtain a greater…

Douglas police officers arrested Naja Boler, 46, of Douglas, on active warrants after they saw him standing under the carport of a residence on East College Park Drive on January 2, 2025. According to a report from the sheriff’s office, two officers noticed three people standing under the carport of the home while they were patrolling the area. The officers passed the home then came back and got out. They approached the suspect and asked him what his name was and he initially said “Chris Troupe.” Officers asked for his ID and, the report says, he quickly moved toward the…

I have always heard that if you read a poem or hear a song for the first time and you can guess the next line or verse based on word choice or rhyme scheme, it’s not a very good poem or song. So it did not bode well for me when, as I was watching the trailer for Phil Blattenberger’s Cold War thriller Laws of Man and the words “When Anyone’s a Target” popped up on the screen, I correctly stated that the next line would be “Everyone’s a Suspect.” Note: Minor spoilers will follow. I must confess that as…

The first Monday of the year is always a big one for the county commission. Commissioners name the new slate of county officers (which is often the same officers from the previous year with the exception of the chair and vice chair), approve the budget, make board appointments, and approve the standard contracts that need approving for the new year. At Monday morning’s regular meeting, the commission named Johnny Wayne Jowers as chairman, Oscar Paulk as vice-chairman, Tracie Vickers as county clerk, deputy clerks Abby Paulk and Princess Zachary, Tony Rowell as county attorney, Hurst & Hurst as county auditors,…

Wednesday afternoon, a Superior Court judge denied bond for Chris Johnson, former owner of Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services, who was arrested in October after 18 decomposing bodies were found while officers served an eviction notice at the funeral home. Johnson has been incarcerated since his arrest. Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating the incident since the bodies were found. Johnson has had at least two bond hearings scheduled since his arrest; however, all were continued until agents identified all the bodies and notified next of kin. Monday,…

The 2024 season was a bust for the Miami Dolphins. There’s no other way to describe it. It was also a bust for wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who for the first time in his career isn’t in the playoffs or in the Pro Bowl. And while this wasn’t his worst season statistically, his low production numbers coupled with the Dolphins’ overall anemic performance is something that had Hill very frustrated following Miami’s season-ending loss to the New York Jets on Sunday night. In fact, Hill was so frustrated that he said he wanted to play somewhere else next season. During…

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…