Author: Staff Reports

Kayla Sellers, owner of Tip Top Deli and The Shoppes at Tip Top, received the Small Business Partner of the Year Award at last Thursday’s annual Chamber of Commerce event. This award recognizes the small business partner as a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce and celebrates their contribution to retain and grow business and jobs and may also include innovative approaches to business operations. For several years, this business-minded young lady, Kayla Sellers, wanted to add a back entrance and courtyard to create outdoor eating for the family-owned restaurant, Tip Top Deli. As soon as she learned…

At last Thursday’s annual Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce awards celebration, David Varnedore received the prestigious Gene Chambers Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award recognizes the entrepreneur as a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce and leader of the community. It honors the individual who strives toward the highest levels of personal or professional accomplishments that benefit the well-being of Coffee County. Beginning as a young boy in tobacco fields of South Georgia earning only a few dollars, David saved to buy his school clothes each year and learned at a very young age that hard…

Coffee County detectives are attempting to identify two men involved in an armed robbery at Evans Grocery on Ga. Hwy. 32 West around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. The armed perpetrators entered the store demanding money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (912) 384-4227 or the E-911 non-emergency line at (912) 384-7675. Information can also be shared through our Facebook page.

The Alma Police Department is looking for Carl Jerome White, 58, for child molestation and aggravated sexual battery. White is described as a black male, 5’11”, 165 pounds, with a bald head and brown eyes. He has been seen driving a Black Chrysler 300 with chrome rims. His last known address was 115 Taylor Road in Alma. According to the Alma Police Department, White should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with any information regarding White’s whereabouts should contact the Alma PD at (912) 632-8751.

The Broxton Police Department arrested two individuals for possession of ecstasy last week. One of the subjects officers apprehended was out on bond from a previous arrest, also for ecstasy possession. According to a release posted on the Broxton Police Department’s Facebook page on Jan. 18, Broxton police officers conducted a traffic stop on 22-year-old Jonathan Leavens of Douglas Wednesday, Jan. 16 and were able to locate a quantity of ecstasy (MDMA) and marijuana inside the vehicle. Leavens was arrested and charged with possession of ecstasy (MDMA) with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug related objects,…

Things just aren’t getting any better for Bo Dukes, the man accused of helping conceal the 2005 death of Ocilla school teacher Tara Grinstead. Wednesday, media outlets in the Macon/Warner Robins area began reporting that Dukes, who has been on the run since a judge revoked his probation stemming from a 2013 incident in which he was convicted of stealing $150,000 from the Army, is now wanted for sexual assault. According to the reports, which have now been picked up by other outlets across the state, authorities want Dukes for rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment, and possession of…

The Coffee County Drug Unit has made a number of arrests during the month of December. Most recently, officers arrested two people on methamphetamine, firearms, and other charges last week following a search at a local residence. Around 9 p.m., Dec. 20, agents with the Coffee County Drug Unit conducted a search at a home in the Oak Park community. Quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, cash, and a firearm were discovered. As a result, Cameron Blake Spires was charged with possession of methamphetamine and probation violation. Leodis Weldon-Mobley was also arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute…

There’s one less alleged drug offender and burglar in Broxton as the holiday weekend approaches. Officers from the Broxton Police Department made a huge arrest Wednesday night when they arrested 28-year-old Geraldme Phillip Kirby of Douglas in Broxton for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of burglary tools, prowling, and two counts of carrying an illegal drug across a guard line. More charges are pending as the investigation progresses. Broxton police chief Scott Harper stated that this arrest was a direct result…

Thursday, December 13, during the regular meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education, Ms. Leola Johnson was recognized for her tenure on the school board since May 2017. The December 13 meeting was her final meeting as a board member. “Not only has Mrs. Johnson been committed to her role as a school board member for District 1, but she has devoted her entire professional career to the Coffee County School System,” stated Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent. Mrs. Johnson retired from the Coffee County School System in May of 2005 having served over 30 years as an administrative…

Sammy Reed’s three-month escape attempt is over. Reed, 51, who was charged in the Sept. 21, 2018, shooting of Tamakie Moore, 40, on South Manila Avenue, has been apprehended in a neighboring county, according to a post on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page. When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting in September, witnesses stated that Reed had forced his way into the home with a large caliber handgun and threated to kill everyone inside. Reed found Moore, his estranged girlfriend, in the house. She was in her bedroom asleep at the time. Reed allegedly grabbed Moore and dragged…