Author: Staff Reports

According to the Douglas Police Department, the bicyclist suffered minor injuries and the driver of the vehicle was unhurt. However, the police department posted on its Facebook page that “we will be enforcing traffic laws on bicyclists all over town in an effort to curb this dangerous trend of recent accidents.” Last week, a bicyclist was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of Bowens Mill Road and South Gaskin Avenue. Bicycles are considered vehicles in Georgia and must obey the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles. Bicyclists must travel with traffic, obey traffic signals, and operate their…

The City of Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant has experienced its second wastewater spill of the week. This time, an estimated 16,500 gallons of wastewater escaped into a local creek. The City of Douglas released the following statement Thursday afternoon: “The City of Douglas Wastewater Treatment Plant has reported that a spill of wastewater has occurred into an unnamed tributary of the Seventeen Mile River. The spill date was from 3/5/2020 at 1:30 p.m. until 3/5/2020 2:30 p.m. The spill occurred at Waldroup Ave., Douglas, GA 31533. “Approximately 16,500 gallons were reported to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). As a…

Yesterday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that coronavirus has arrived in Georgia. Two individuals, both who live in the same house, have been diagnosed in Fulton County. One of the individuals recently visited Italy. With the virus getting closer and closer to South Georgia, both Coffee Regional Medical Center and the Coffee County School System have released statements regarding the virus. Here is CRMC’s statement: “As your healthcare provider, Coffee Regional Medical Center conducts ongoing reviews assessing and reviewing protocols involving infectious disease containment and control. In response to the potential for the spread of coronavirus within the United…

Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson of Statesboro has qualified to run for Georgia’s 12th Congressional District on the Democratic ticket. The active community volunteer said she is running because everyone deserves the freedom, security, and opportunity to pursue the American Dream. “I am running for families like my own,” Johnson said, “hard-working men and women who want to support their families, own a home, access affordable, quality healthcare and education, and enjoy a secure retirement.” Since announcing her candidacy last October, Johnson has travelled throughout the 12th District, speaking with constituents about critical issues like raising the minimum wage,…

A fairly major – and potentially disruptive – road project will begin Monday in Douglas, weather permitting. If all goes well, the project will wrap on April 18. The Georgia Department of Transportation has notified the City of Douglas that a contractor will be removing asphalt at the intersection of State Route (SR) 206 and SR 32 and replacing it with concrete. Concrete holds up well against the braking and idling of large trucks, which creates ruts in asphalt. There are no restrictions on when the contractor is permitted to work. The scheduled completion date is April 18,…

Liz Holton has announced her intention to seek the office of probate judge of Coffee County. Holton has over 12 years of legal experience with a large majority of it in probate work. “I am dedicated to helping people, especially those without a voice, and I feel like the office of probate judge is the perfect opportunity to do that. I’ve prayed and asked God to show me what He wants me to do next in my life and He has led me here. I feel like change is needed in different places and I know I can be…

Two armed customers in the One-Trip store in Willacoochee may have kept an armed robbery at the store from turning into something much more serious. According to a statement released by Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore, at 4:10 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2020, a male armed with a handgun walked into the One-Trip and ordered employees to get money from the cash register. Four people were in the store – two of whom were armed. They drew their guns and told the robber to stop. The robber took as much cash as he could grab and ran out of…

State Court Judge Bob Preston has announced that he will seek re-election for the office of State Court Judge. His election will be held on May 19, 2020. At the end of this year, Judge Preston will have served 16 years as State Court Judge. If re-elected, Judge Preston would begin his fifth term on the bench. He urges the citizens of Coffee County to vote for him in May.

Monday morning, administration at Coffee Middle School learned that a female student had brought a loaded handgun to campus. According to Chief Chris Elrod of the Coffee County School System Police Department, the student did not know that the gun was in her belongings and there was no attempt to harm another student. Monday afternoon, Chief Elrod released the following statement: “On January 27, 2020 at approximately 8:43 am Chief Chris Elrod of the Coffee County School System Police Department was contacted by Sherri Berry from Coffee Middle School. Mrs. Berry advised a 6th grade student brought a handgun to…

Former Coffee County chief magistrate judge Betty Day Lanier has died. She was 83. Mrs. Lanier, of Douglas, passed away on Saturday January 11, 2020 at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation. She was born on November 29, 1936 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late Hayden Henry Day and the late Annie Ree Ragsdale Day. Mrs. Lanier was a retired county employee with thirty plus years of service in many department areas, including chief magistrate. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband,…