Author: Robert Preston

Authorities have located Veronica DeLeon, 21, who was reported missing Thursday morning. She is safe and unharmed. Michael Milikae Scott, 22, of Douglas has been detained and faces multiple charges in the incident. Scott is a black male, approximately 6’3″, 165 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Sheriff’s officials feared that DeLeon could be in danger due to previous incidents involving her and Mr. Scott. Authorities notified the public of her disappearance Thursday afternoon. She was believed to have been with Mr. Scott traveling in a silver-colored Toyota car with heavy body damage. The sheriff’s office hasn’t said what…

Last Thursday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Ryan Alexander Duke, 33, of Ocilla, had been arrested and charged with the murder of Tara Grinstead, the Irwin County High School teacher who disappeared over a decade ago. Declared legally dead in 2010, Grinstead’s disappearance had never been solved. Last week’s announcement did little, however, to end the discussion and controversy surrounding the case. In fact, Duke’s arrest asked more questions than it answered. Today, the case generated even more interest when word of two new developments spread. First of all, a gag order was issued to law enforcement and…

Deputies arrested and jailed a Coffee County man accused of beating his live-in girlfriend with a metal pipe on domestic violence charges over the weekend. Coffee County sheriff’s deputies responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center just prior to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in reference to an aggravated assault. The 46-year-old female victim told authorities her boyfriend, 51-year-old Rudy Michael Long, had struck her twice with a metal pipe, fracturing her left forearm. Medical staff confirmed the victim’s injuries. Another individual witnessed the incident, which occurred at a residence off Ga. Hwy. 32 West. Authorities too witness statements and photographs…

Today, Cindy Youngblood, 49, and Reggie Lockhart, 24, who were being held in the Coffee County Jail on charges of attempting to kill Anthony Youngblood, 51, on Aug. 11, 2016, were denied bond and will remain jailed. Anthony and Cindy Youngblood were married when Lockhart tried to shoot Mr. Youngblood outside the Youngbloods’ home. Cindy Youngblood and Lockhart have confessed to conspiracy to murder Mr. Youngblood. The two were arrested after sheriff’s deputies responded to a location off Harvey Smith Road after receiving a 911 call from a female who advised Mr. Youngblood was at her home stating a black…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College‘s Department of Economic Development is offering the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification course beginning March 8. Whether your business produces a good or provides a service this course can help your business function at its full potential. The course is designed to provide knowledge on how a business or industry can become a more effective, efficient, and a more productive environment. The course consist of two segments; “lean” provides ways of cutting waste and helping businesses look at ways to become more efficient. The “Six Sigma” segment helps with production and using resources already available…

The Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting of Tuesday the 14th of February was a special Valentine’s Day meeting held at the Saint Andrews Anglican Church Social Hall that included spouses of the members. Members provided the food and drink. Valentine’s gifts were given to all the spouses. Vivian Bennett, Young Living Essential Oils, was the speaker at the meeting. She spoke about natural oils and the medicinal affects they have upon us. Everyone enjoyed the evening and appreciated the presentation of the speaker.

Early Tuesday morning, a tractor-trailer hauling chickens overturned on Highway 441 in Atkinson County between Douglas and Pearson. The truck, owned by P&M Trucking in Douglas, was traveling north on 441 when it left the roadway and overturned. The impact crushed the cab of the Freightliner day cab tractor, leaving many wondering if the driver survived. The driver, whose name has not been released, did in fact survive the accident. A wrecker removed the truck and trailer about 9 a.m. but crews were still on the scene cleaning up debris, including chickens, both live and dead. No other vehicles were…

Friday night, my family and I attended A Night to Shine with my 14-year-old son, Montgomery. I was unsure of what to expect. I had no idea what the event would entail. I had my reservations about going, as did the rest of my family. Even Montgomery himself didn’t really want to go. “I want to stay at home,” he said every time we asked him about going. “Force” isn’t really the right word to use but we, ah, strongly encouraged him to attend. After all, events like this will only succeed if people participate. I remained uneasy all week.…

Earlier today, Dalton Wilkes, a junior at Citizens Christian Academy, scored his 1000th career point. Wilkes reached the milestone during the Patriots’ regular season finale against CAN Academy of Savannah. The Patriots routed CAN 82-46 to finish out the regular season play. Wilkes is the son of John and Brandy Wilkes of Douglas.Dalton Wilkes scores his 1000th point on an easy lay-up in the final game of the regular season this afternoon in Douglas. Suzanne Ray/Special to DouglasNow.com

According to a story posted on the Waycross and Ware County, Georgia Facebook page that apparently also ran in the Waycross Journal-Herald, Circle K has purchased Flash Foods and will locate its new South Atlantic Division in Waycross. The headquarters will be at the Phoenix Hotel in downtown Waycross and will be a part of a revitalization project for the downtown Waycross area. Circle K is one of the largest convenience store chains in the country. Flash Foods, long a South Georgia fixture, began in the 1950s and has grown steadily under the leadership of the J. Carl Jones family.…