Author: Robert Preston

RaeLynn, a contestant on The Voice in 2012 and now an acclaimed young country artist, is coming to Douglas. This weekend, on Saturday, April 8, she will play at the Martin Centre on Ashley Street. This is a rare opportunity for music fans in Douglas – to have a bona fide, award-winning, chart-topping artist visit town. One of the top selling female country artists of the last three years, her record sales have rivaled that Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. She’s also coming to town at a pivotal point in her career; her trip to South Georgia comes on the…

The Twenty Mile Creek ecosystem is under attack. Over a decade and a half ago, the area found itself in the crosshairs of a transportation battle. The city had a plan in place to build an alternative north-south road through Douglas. The plan called for extending Herbert Batten Road south into the Twenty Mile Creek watershed before intersecting with Bowens Mill Road near Touchton Woods. Thankfully, this plan didn’t pass. In the interim, the Douglas Greenway Trail has been extended north across Chester Avenue to the old railroad trestle on the Shop Pond, seemingly a nod to preserving this important…

Funeral services for school board member Ronnie Johnson have been announced. Johnson passed away Monday following an extended illness. Public viewing will be held on Saturday, March 25, from noon until 8 p.m. at Harrell’s Funeral Home. The family will receive guests from 6-7 p.m. The funeral will take place on Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at the George Washington Carver Freshman Campus gymnasium. Burial will follow at the Douglas City Cemetery.

Today, a short yet poignant ceremony at City Hall honored the memory of long-term city commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper, who passed away Monday morning after a series of health complications. Roper’s passing was but one shocking story for the Douglas and Coffee County community. Later in the day Monday, school board member Ronnie Johnson also passed away, in part due to problems associated with severe diabetes. Fellow city commissioners, Mayor Tony Paulk, city and county employees, and citizens from throughout the community gathered around the flag pole in remembrance of Roper. A fixture on the city commission, Roper had devoted…

It is hard to put into words what has happened today in Douglas and Coffee County. Two respected elected officials, school board member Ronnie Johnson and city commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper passed away after extended illnesses. Johnson, who suffered from diabetes, went into the hospital early last week and endured a heart catheterization and gall bladder surgery. The procedures, coupled with his diabetes, weakened his already ailing body. Sadly, Mr. Johnson never recovered. He served the children of the Coffe County School System admirably, honorably, and selflessly. This afternoon, Dr. Morris Leis, superintendent of schools, released the following statement…

Today, the City of Douglas announced that Ward 1 City Commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper has died. No details regarding his death have been released. However, Mr. Roper had dealt with several health issues recently. According to the City’s Web site, Commissioner Roper was in his seventh term as a city commissioner. A well-known and well-respected commissioner both in Douglas/Coffee County and outside of the community, Commissioner Roper was recognized for always listening, being a thoughtful yet at times uncompromising leader, and providing a voice for those he felt were under-represented. Currently, Commissioner Roper’s primary objective was to see a Miracle…

Former Trojan and current Georgia Bulldog Keegan McGovern led off the fourth inning yesterday against the LSU Tigers with a solo home run that tied the game at one run apiece. McGovern’s home run also ended LSU ace Jared Poche’s scoreless inning streak at 32. It was the first run Poche has given up all year long. The Tigers went on to win the game 5-1. McGovern, a junior outfielder, is hitting .305 with two home runs and seven RBI this year for Georgia. The Bulldogs are 8-12 overall and 0-2 in the Southeastern Conference. Keegan McGovern homers in the top…

District 1 school board member Ronnie Johnson remains hospitalized in the Coffee Regional Medical Center Intensive Care Unit after becoming ill this week. Johnson, a diabetic who has had numerous health issues over the last few years, had both a heart catheterization and surgery to remove his gall bladder this week. He remains in critical condition and family members are asking for your prayers during this time. Johnson is the longest-tenured member currently serving on the board. During his career on the board, he has seen just about everything – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Currently, the school…

Officers from a host of agencies both local and state have spent the afternoon on Highway 135 near Harvey Vickers Road cleaning up a semi-truck accident that involved hazardous materials. The truck, a Freightliner Century Class day cab, was traveling toward Douglas on Highway 135 when a vehicle in front of the truck slowed suddenly. The driver hit the brakes in an effort to avoid a collision. The truck was pulling a container and the axles reportedly came out from under the container chassis. The truck and trailer rolled over as a result. The container was carrying cylinders of liquid…

Bobby Hutchison, age 66, of Douglas, GA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at his residence with his family by his side. Mr. Hutchison was born on May 8, 1950, in Douglas, GA to Wanell Gillespie Hutchison and the late John Bob “J.B.” Hutchison. Survivors include: his wife, Freida Hutchison of Douglas, GA; mother, Wanell Hutchison of Douglas, GA; daughter, Emily (Edward) Stanley of Tallahassee, FL; son, Jonathan (Carie) Hutchison of Douglas, GA; two grandsons, Hayden Hutchison and Kason Hutchison both of Douglas, GA; two brothers, Verlon (Sheila) Hutchison of Douglas, GA and Dr. Larry (Sue) Hutchison of…