Author: Robert Preston

Adam Smith, who holds the position of Chair of Job Development, presented an award of special recognition to a leader in the community. This year’s award went to Douglas National Bank’s Stuart Smith. Adam explained that the recognition comes from a valiant effort to “make jobs happen in Coffee County.” Stuart could not attend the event this year. Former Chamber of Commerce Chairman Michael Lott accepted the award on Stuart’s behalf. – Stephens Preston contributed to this report

Gabby Munoz is the Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Year. She received the award at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday night. Munoz thanked the Chamber of Commerce as well as the ambassador program as she “strongly believes in the vision of the Chamber.” Munoz added, “Be proud of where you live and where you come from.” The Chamber thanked Gabby for her continued support and attendance to many ribbon cuttings and events in the past years. – Stephens Preston contributed to this report

Elixir Extrusions is the Industry of the Year, named as such by the Chamber of Commerce at Thursday night’s annual Chamber banquet. Elixir Extrusions came to Douglas over 30 years ago and recently expanded, purchasing an existing 72,000 square foot building in the Southwest Industrial Park. Initially with just a handful of employees, Elixir Extrusions now employs over 200. Elixir Extrusions continues to supply the metal framework for the Elixir Door & Metals plant on Pope Drive. They also continue to produce aluminum extrusions for the Club Car Precedent golf vehicles, utility and four wheel-drive vehicles, medical equipment, the food…

Bobby’s Treat Shop received the Small Business of the Year award at Thursday’s annual Chamber of Commerce banquet. Bobby’s began in Pearson when Bobby Guthrie and his wife, Karen, opened a small food business in 1967. In 1970, the Guthries moved Bobby’s Treat Shop to Douglas in the exact location where it stands today. The Guthries’ journey has not been without struggles but they have always kept a positive attitude and gracefully persevered. In 2016, they underwent a major rebuild to ensure that Bobby’s Treat Shop will continue on for another 50 years. Through all the changes, ups and down,…

At Thursday night’s annual Chamber of Commerce banquet, the Chamber named Dr. Tracy McClelland the Gene Chambers Entrepreneur of the Year. Dr. McCelland, a registered nurse, owns and operates Ycarte, a learning and tutoring center for future nurses. She opened Ycarte in 2006. Dr. McCelland has persevered through many obstacles during her career. Initially, she was rejected from nursing school and she had to take the NCLEX several times before passing. She believes those stumbling blocks only made her stronger both personally and professionally. In addition to her nursing degree, Dr. McClelland ultimately obtained a master’s in nursing education and…

The Coffee County School System recently pressed charges against a local male citizen for criminally trespassing inside the former high school facility on South Peterson Avenue. The school district’s video captured the intruder inside the district’s former technology department tampering with equipment. Law enforcement is continuing to investigate the matter and additional charges are expected to be brought. The individual has been banned by the school system from being on any school property in the future, and additionally a restraining order has been issued to the intruder through the Douglas Police Department. “Safety is a priority within our school district…

Officials at Indian Creek Elementary School called law enforcement to campus after a teacher noticed a suspicious man in a wooded area watching students on the playground. According to a statement released by the Coffee County Board of Education Tuesday afternoon, the incident took place on Jan. 20 around 1 p.m. While students were playing on the playground, one of the teachers noticed a man, kneeling down in the wooded area near the playground and bus drop off. The man was not wearing a shirt and seemed focused on watching the students on the playground. The teacher was concerned so…

Around 5 p.m. Sunday, a suspected tornado overturned a mobile home and destroyed chicken houses in the Mora community. First responders from Coffee County noticed a strong odor of gas and saw power lines on the ground when they arrived. In spite of the dangers, they were able to investigate the scene and found that no one was in the mobile home or inside the chicken houses. All told, the tornado completely destroyed the mobile home, two chicken houses, a pick-up, and three irrigation lines. Neighbors soon arrived and began helping clean the debris as much as possible. The family…

Coffee County remains under both tornado and flash flood watches after one storm system ripped through the area Sunday morning and with another one bearing down later in the day. Torrential rains, high winds, and dangerous lightning accompanied the Sunday morning storm. More of the same is forecast for Sunday afternoon. Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for seven counties; Coffee isn’t one of those but its neighbor to the south, Atkinson, is. The Coffee County School System has cancelled school for students and staff Monday due to the storm. According to the National Weather Service in…

Last week, Ameris Bank and Davita Dialysis made sizeable donations to the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County. Davita made a $1,000 donation to the group, while Ameris Bank donated $1,007. In the Ameris photo (above), pictured from left are Terry Lynn Burkett, Betty Wood, Barbara Dockery, and Lisa Aldridge. Pictured from left in the Davita photo are Lisa Aldridge, Sherri Lott, Barbara Dockery, Kelly Wright, and Lindsey Michael.