Author: Staff Reports

Garland Thompson, age 90, of Douglas, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Thompson was born on June 5, 1928 in Soperton, the son of the late Clifford Thompson and Troy Spivey Thompson. Mr. Thompson was a veteran serving in the United States Marines and attended the First Baptist Church. He played a direct role in the economic development of the City of Douglas and Coffee County, resulting in thousands of new jobs for his community. Garland helped relocate many businesses to the Douglas and Coffee areas, including several Fortune 500 companies. Garland’s significant…

Wednesday afternoon, Michael Mancil, 32, who was charged with numerous violations in October 2016 when authorities arrested him, along with James Dryden, Jr., after learning the two men were purchasing a large amount of firearms and ammunition. After making the arrests, officers learned that Mancil planned to overtake and destroy the HAARP facility, located in Gakona, Alaska. Wednesday, Mancil was sentenced to 15 years, five of which will be served in prison, for count one, which was selling methamphetamine. For count two – possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony — Mancil was sentenced to five…

Yesterday morning, a high speed chase ended in spectacular fashion on Highway 441 just south of Pearson. The suspect, identified as Leon Shank, allegedly stole a vehicle in Valdosta then led law enforcement on a multi-county chase that ultimately ended on the bridge just outside of Pearson. At least three vehicles – the stolen truck and two Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office vehicles – sustained serious damage. The Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner Facebook page posted a short interview with Atkinson County Sheriff David Moore about the chase. Here is what Sheriff Moore had to say: “I’ve had all…

On Friday night, another shooting took place in Douglas, this time on the 600 block of Roper Street, just off South Gaskin Avenue. According to a press release posted on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page, officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to a call of gunshots on Roper Street. They found that 19-year-old Aron J. Manley had suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg and was taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center. Officers made contact with Manley at the hospital and he stated that he was with several other persons on Roper Street when an…

Officers from the Douglas Police Department have made an arrest in the Nov. 18, 2018, fatal shooting of Terrance Daniel Gibson, 31. Friday afternoon, Samuel Edward Jones, 29, was arrested and charged with murder for Gibson’s death. The shooting took place on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at around 10 a.m. According to a post on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page, Gibson was on Fales Avenue walking to the Sunoco store on East Ward Street when someone shot him in the back. Gibson made his way to the Sunoco store, where he collapsed inside. Individuals at the store called…

The Christmas season often brings out the worst in people as much as it does the best. Last week, there were several thefts reported in the area of the Douglas Golf and Country Club (Zone 2). The thefts occurred during late night and early morning hours of Nov. 27 and 28. Home surveillance footage captured these three individuals in the area that the thefts occurred. The Douglas Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying the individuals. If you have any information regarding their identities, please contact the Douglas Police Department at (912) 384-2222 or E-911.…

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Nicholls received a 2018 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant in the amount of $565,078 from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which administers the program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Nicholls will utilize this grant for sewer improvements. The DCA also presented the City of Douglas with two checks: one, a CDBG check for $459,895 for water and sewer improvements along West Phillips Street, West Cherry Street, and Magnolia Street while the other in the amount of $528,484 for the improvements for the Elixir expansion and development…

A Coffee County native has been missing under suspicious circumstances in South Carolina since August and authorities still haven’t been able to make much progress in her case. Tina Diana Snipes, formerly of Coffee County, was last seen at the Horizon EZ Shop, a convenience store, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The store is located at 2410 Highway 174 in Edisto Island, S.C. According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, detectives believe she disappeared under suspicious circumstances but authorities haven’t released any further details. Snipes still has family in Coffee County and they would like for…

According to a post on the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, deputies have arrested a fugitive from justice. Officers from the sheriff’s department located and apprehended Antonio Santiago “Tony” Tyson on Wednesday. He had warrants on him for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (hydrocodone) with intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, and violation of probation. Tyson was transported to the Coffee County Jail.

A Douglas man was shot and killed Sunday morning and police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer. On Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, shortly after 10 a.m., Douglas police officers responded to the area of Ethel Street and Fales Avenue in reference to gunshots being fired. Prior to arriving on scene, 911 informed officers that an individual inside the Sunoco gas station on East Ward Street that had been shot. Officers arrived and found 31-year-old Terrance Daniel Gibson inside the location unresponsive. Officers began life saving efforts until EMS arrived. Mr.…