Author: Staff Reports

After a long day in court, Superior Court Judge Andy Spivey announced that he will rule on Brant Garrett’s bond request at a later date. Garrett, former George Washington Carver Freshman Academy teacher and coach in the Coffee County School System who was arrested and charged with child molestation last month, had a bond hearing Friday. On February 23, 2022, the GBI received a request from the Coffee County School System Police Department to conduct a child molestation investigation. Preliminary information indicates that Brant Garrett engaged in sexual activity with students at George Washington Carver. Last month, the GBI arrested…

Kentarius Williams of Douglas has been charged with at least 12 crimes, including arson, after a Douglas police officer arrested him in the act of allegedly attempting to burglarize First Baptist Church. Williams’ alleged crimes occurred at the following locations: Burglary 2nd Degree – at 124 North Gaskin Avenue Burglary 2nd Degree – at 511 South Peterson Avenue Burglary 2nd Degree – at 515 South Peterson Avenue Arson 2nd Degree – at 433 South Peterson Avenue​ Burglary 2nd Degree – at a North Coweta location Burglary 1st Degree – at a North Coweta location Burglary 2nd Degree (2 counts) -…

LPN Bridgette Leverette is CRMC’s 4th quarter 2021 DAISY Award recipient. On March 22, 2022, a ceremony was held to honor the DAISY Award winner for the 4th quarter of 2021, Bridgette (Bri) Leverette. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse on our Medical Unit and was nominated by a patient’s family member. The family member stated, “Bri was my brother’s nurse on the night of his impending death. My brother had end-stage lung cancer and was admitted under hospice as an inpatient. He was struggling with shortness of breath and air hunger. He was frightened, restless, and confused. He was dying. But Bri assured us that she would…

Betty Kay Pharr, PCT, has received CRMC’s BEE Award for the fourth quarter of 2021. When it comes to quality patient care, it truly takes a team. Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is proud to honor staff members who have been recognized by our patients, patient family members, or co-workers for their outstanding work to assist in our patients’ and visitors’ care. The BEE Award recognizes the extraordinary work of non-nursing staff members at CRMC. This award complements the DAISY Award, which recognizes outstanding service and care by our nursing staff. Betty Kay is an essential part of the team…

Junior Kate Merritt set a new school record in the 1600m run with a time of 5:27.91 when the Coffee Trojans faced Bacon County in a dual meet. Merritt eclipsed the previous record set by Abbey Arnett, who is now a member of the Georgia Southern University track and cross country teams. Merritt also took first place in the 800 meter run (2:37.97) and was a member of the 4X800 meter relay team (12:28.00). Other team members of the 4X800 meter relay team were Brayden Bailey, Ainsley Myers and Jade Hamilton. Jaiya Brown scored a first place finish in the…

Officers from the Douglas Police Department served two search warrants in different investigations that yielded four arrests on drug charges. On March 10, 2022, the Douglas Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) executed a search warrant on a residence on East Jefferson Street as a result of a lengthy investigation stemming from multiple drug complaints. A subsequent search yielded over 4 ounces of methamphetamine, 14 grams of marijuana, and 3 firearms. Melissa Bennett, age 53 of Douglas, was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, distributing/possessing controlled substances within 1000 feet of a school, possession of a firearm during the…

L.J. Harrell, retired educator and former member of the Coffee County Board of Education, has died. He was 83. Mr. Harrell passed away early Tuesday morning, March 22, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Harrell was born September 8, 1938 to the late Jesse Harrell and the late Miriam Kirkland Harrell. Mr. Harrell retired from the Coffee County School System in December of 1998 having served as a teacher, Principal of Satilla Elementary, Student Services Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent. Following his retirement, he also served as a school board member and Chairman of…

Last week, Douglas native Mickeayla Brockington qualified to run for the Georgia House of Representatives District 169 seat. She will run as a Democrat. Under the newly drawn House of Representatives maps, District 169 covers most of Coffee County, all of Irwin and Turner counties, and the northern portion of Tift County. The incumbent is Clay Pirkle, a Republican who also qualified to seek re-election. Rep. Pirkle has represented the western portion of Coffee County in the state House for several years. Brockington released the following statement on her Facebook page: “Last week, I sat in a chair…

Mike Coe, former head coach of the Madison County (Florida) High Cowboys, has been named head football coach at Coffee High School. Coach Coe will bring a wealth of experience and success into the Coffee High program, having established himself as one of the most successful and respected football coaches in the state of Florida. His coaching career spans nearly three decades, beginning in the spring of 1994, his senior year at Auburndale High School in central Florida. He was selected 1st Team All-State playing center and voted team captain during his 1993 senior season. He coached at Auburndale…

A stolen car alert out of Coffee County led to a pair of felony arrests in Bacon County on Friday, according to a press release posted on Facebook by the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office. Friday, an alert went out notifying area law enforcement that a Coffee County officials believed Cecil Dustin Hanna, 35, was driving a stolen vehicle. About an hour after the alert, Bacon County officers saw the car parked at 116 White Fur Trail. Officers approached the home and saw Hanna attempting to leave. When he saw the officers, he went back inside. The owner of…