Author: Robert Preston

Many years ago, when John Higgs began his media career in the newspaper business, he had no idea that he would end up owning of one of Coffee County’s top small businesses – as a radio station owner. Yet that is exactly the position he found himself in Thursday night as he accepted the Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award at the annual Chamber event. A native of Axson, Higgs started out as the editor of the Coffee County Progress. From there, his career took him to WDMG, where he learned the radio business under the tutelage…

Sunbelt Greenhouses is the Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Industry of the Year. Sunbelt received the award at Thursday night’s annual Chamber event at Central Square Complex. Lawrence Wenke of Tampa started Sunbelt Greenhouses in 1984 with 19 employees. Over the years, the operation has grown from a tiny facility tucked away in Douglas into one of the top commercial greenhouses in the United States. Today, the 25-acre facility employs 85 full-time and 145 during the peak growing season. Sunbelt produces a number of different varieties of plants, including bedding plants, hanging baskets, annuals for container gardening, mums, and poinsettias. After…

At first, it didn’t seem as though Dr. Dana Fender, who received the Gene Chambers Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 2018 Chamber Annual Event, was going to make any remarks. Never one who enjoys the spotlight, he seemed content to accept the award and let the Chamber of Commerce’s Lisa Hodge make a few comments on his behalf. But then he stepped to the podium. Dr. Fender, a two-time valedictorian (of his graduating class in both high school and dental school), opened his first orthodontic practice in Douglas in 1996. In 2007, he and Dr. Greg Goggans merged…

Monday morning, the county commission voted to close a portion of a road in southern Coffee County and approved air conditioning renovations to the courthouse. Calvin Sears had petitioned the county to close a section of Oakbend Trail, located off Waldron Road. The county had sent notices to those who lived on the road and had advertised the petition properly. Before the county commission voted, they opened a public hearing for the matter. No one spoke in opposition. Oakbend Trail leads to a dead end; Sears is the only landowner on the 1,376-foot section he petitioned be closed. With no…

A driver from Atkinson and Griffin Warehouse in Broxton took a wild ride Tuesday morning as he attempted a turn from Highway 32 West on to Alvin Vickers Road. The truck was traveling east on 32 toward Douglas, presumably after coming through Ambrose and turning left on 32. As the driver, who was hauling fertilizer, turned left on Alvin Vickers Road, the load in the already top heavy truck shifted, causing the driver to lose control. The truck went into the ditch and spun around, facing west, as it flipped up on its nose. EMS transported the driver, who has…

Former Trojan Jalen Wilkerson, a 6’5”, 283-pound redshirt sophomore defensive end for the Florida State Seminoles, has announced he will enter the 2018 NFL Draft, according to multiple media reports. Tallahassee.com stated that Wilkerson made a social media post Monday night announcing his intentions then confirmed the initial statement on Twitter Tuesday. “Some people will never know why you have to make the decisions you make, but I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to play for nole nation,” Wilkerson wrote on social media. “You guys are amazing and God bless.” Wilkerson went to FSU as a tight end but…

This week’s unprecedented snowfall might have ground most of Douglas and Coffee County to a halt but it didn’t slow down the South Georgia State College swim team. The team reported to campus this week to begin the second half — and coldest portion — of the season. They didn’t find mild, sunny temperatures awaiting them in Douglas. Instead, they had to deal with about four inches of snow and frigid temperatures inside the college’s pool facility. Yes, the water’s heated. Yes, the pool complex is climate controlled. But there’s only so much the HVAC system can do when…

At Thursday’s Rotary Club luncheon, Jeff Savage, South Georgia State College’s softball coach, spent a few minutes with the club discussing the program and introducing himself to the community. Savage, a Cincinnati native who played college baseball at then-Middle Georgia State College, is about to start his first season as the Lady Hawks’ head coach. A former Division I head coach, Savage has also served as a high school coach and athletic director. He his greatest success as head coach of Delaware State’s softball team, where he led the Lady Hornets to the NCAA tournament. He is a member…

The snow has stopped but we’re not out of the woods yet. Snow you can see. Black ice you can’t. And that’s what’s coming next. According to a release from county EMA director Steve Carver, wet roads left in the wake of melting snow will freeze tonight, which will cause even more problems on Thursday. Carver’s statement says that bridges and overpasses, as well as those portions of roads that remain wet at nightfall, will be the most treacherous. Forecasts are predicting these conditions will continue until around 11 a.m. Thursday. Carver is urging that…

Snowmageddon is living up to its hype. This morning, Coffee Countians woke up to the rarest of sights – snow blanketing cars, homes, trees, and everything else. While the snow makes for pretty scenery, it’s wreaking havoc on roadways, travel plans, and the ability of local businesses to engage in commerce. Early this morning, DOT crews began doing what they could to keep roads open and safe. Which, given that it snows about once every decade and a half down here, is somewhat limited. The DOT is spreading salt on bridges and encouraging everyone to stay inside unless absolutely necessary.…