Author: Staff Reports

A 24-year-old man who was babysitting a female juvenile while her mother was out of town has been arrested and charged with child molestation, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. On August 5, 2020, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Donnie Harper Road about an assault. Deputies made contact with the complainant at the location. The complainant told deputies that she had been out of town and had left her daughter at home with a known male subject who also resided at the residence. The complainant told deputies that when she returned home her daughter told her…

A 24-year-old man who was babysitting a female juvenile while her mother was out of town has been arrested and charged with child molestation, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. On August 5, 2020, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Donnie Harper Road about an assault. Deputies made contact with the complainant at the location. The complainant told deputies that she had been out of town and had left her daughter at home with a known male subject who also resided at the residence. The complainant told deputies that when she returned home her daughter told her…

The request for a pre-warrant hearing filed by Bobby Worthy of Patterson seeking the arrest of Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk and DouglasNow.com editor Robert Preston Jr. has been withdrawn. In a related development, on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, Superior Court Judge Anthony Harrison of the Brunswick Circuit dismissed a petition for a temporary protective order (TPO) that City Commissioner Olivia Pearson filed against Preston. Last week, DouglasNow.com reported that Worthy, founder of Justice League United, had filed for a pre-warrant hearing before the Magistrate Court. He believed that Preston and Mayor Paulk both lied to Douglas police officers about…

An Enigma man, who is a convicted sex offender, has been arrested for allegedly exposing himself to children in two Coffee County communities. On August 13, 2020 Ryan Sidney Huff, age 29, of Enigma, GA was arrested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of children and five counts of public indecency stemming from an investigation in reference to multiple allegations of indecent exposure in both the Ambrose and Broxton communities. Victims reported that a male subject was involved in a lewd act with himself in public and exposed himself to…

A citizen has filed paperwork with the Magistrate Court of Coffee County seeking the arrest of DouglasNow.com editor Robert Preston Jr. and Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk in connection with a series of events that took place on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at the George Washington Carver Shopping Center and Paulk Plaza, located on South Gaskin Avenue in Douglas. Bobby Worthy, founder of Justice League United, has filed for a pre-warrant hearing before the Magistrate Court. He contends that Preston and Mayor Paulk both lied to Douglas police officers about an incident that occurred on July 21 that led the…

On Friday, July 3, Philip and Trea Acorn of Douglas happened upon a couple stranded on U.S. 1 south of Waycross. The couple, Michael and Susie Canon of Waycross, had a suffered a flat tire during a driving rainstorm. The Acorns helped the Canons get back on the road – but only after a significant time investment. The Canons were very appreciative and sent DouglasNow the following account of what happened: Around 2 o’clock on the afternoon of Friday July 3rd, my wife and I where returning to Jacksonville from Waycross on Route 1. All of a sudden, we were…

Ms. Eloise Atkinson was welcomed into heaven by Jesus Christ on June 25, 2020 after her battle with cancer. She was born in Broxton, GA, on July 3, 1944, daughter of the late JW and Louella Cartwright. Eloise graduated from Atkinson County High School. After several years of working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, she retired and spent most of her time with friends and family. Her favorite hobby was playing bridge. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Freyman (husband Mark); son Greg Erwin (wife Jennifer); brother Mike Cartwright (wife Darcy); grandchildren Carrie Lynn and…

Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Douglas native and former President of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has been named the Georgia Author of the Year in the History category for his book titled Things New and Strange: A Southerner’s Journey Through the Smithsonian Collections. One of 10 authors nominated his category, the Georgia Writers Association announced the winners on Saturday, June 13, on Facebook Live. A total of 110 authors were nominated in 14 categories. Things New and Strange chronicles a research quest undertaken by Dr. Clough, the first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution born…

Former District 3 county commissioner Donnie Graham, age 77, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Graham was born on September 16, 1942 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late Cecil Graham and Geneva Lott Graham. Mr. Graham was a retired insurance agent, a basketball coach with several Coffee County schools and a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church. He served the citizens of District 3 as county commissioner from 2002-2006. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Darrell Graham. Survivors include his wife, Juanell…

Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) has announced the winning artwork submissions from high school students in Georgia’s 12th District for the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. The first place winner’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and all other winning pieces will be displayed in the offices of Congressman Allen. Coffee High’s Loren O’Steen was third runner-up with her piece titled “16th Hole.” “Congratulations to our winners and a special thank you to all of the talented students who entered this year’s competition,” said Congressman Allen. “It’s clear through the submissions we received that the…