Author: Staff Reports

Citizens in Coffee County who suffered loss during Hurricane Irma can apply for individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a press release issued Thursday. Homeowners, renters and business owners in those counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured losses caused by Hurricane Irma during the period of Sept. 7-20, 2017. Assistance may include grants for critical needs, temporary rental assistance, home repairs, and uninsured personal property losses, and other programs such as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest disaster loan program, to help individuals recover from the effects of the…

Monday, a suspicious incident took place inside the women’s bathroom at the Wal-Mart store in Douglas. The incident involved a male who was in the women’s bathroom and a female subject who was armed. Several accounts of the incident have been floating around on social media. Tuesday, the Douglas Police Department issued a statement on its Facebook page explaining, or at least attempting to explain to the best of the department’s ability, exactly what happened. Here is the police department’s statement in its entirety: “We have been made aware of a post on Facebook regarding…

Competing with many outstanding youth, Sharnae Pegues of Douglas, Ga. was named the Georgia Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the Georgia Youth of the Year, Sharnae will serve as…

According to a press release on the Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner facebook page, Gary Casteloes, Douglas Police Chief, released the following information. Early Saturday morning, Septemeber 16, 2017, at approximately 3 a.m., 911 recieved a call in reference to Gregory Swinson, a 25-year old male, who was shot in the head in the 300 block of East Walker Street. Swinson was transported to Savannah Memorial Hospital in grave condition. The shooter was identified as his girlfriend, Jasmine Williams. Williams has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The criminal investigation is ongoing.

The curfew announced by the City of Douglas a few hours ago has been expanded to include the county and Ambrose, Broxton, and Nicholls. The curfew will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday and last until 9:30 a.m. Monday. According to county EMA director Steve Carver, the curfew may be extended if weather or conditions warrant an extension. Public safety, utility workers, emergency vehicles will be exempt but they must be prepared to show identification. The same goes for people headed to work. If you are traveling to and from work and are stopped by an officer, be prepared to give…

As Hurricane Irma tracks north, Coffee County has now been issued a voluntary evacuation for people living in mobile homes and in low-lying areas. While there is still some uncertainty regarding exactly what Irma is going to do as she makes her way north, one thing is for certain: Local conditions are going to deteriorate and those living in mobile homes or flood-prone areas are going to be at great risk. Several shelters are open in Douglas. County emergency officials are urging people not to wait until the storm arrives to seek shelter. By that time, it will be too…

Hurricane Irma has the Southeast nervously awaiting its arrival. While the massive storm should be weakened significantly by the time it reaches South Georgia, Irma will cause a few problems as she makes her way through. Coffee County and City of Douglas officials, along with local community partners, are actively monitoring and preparing for Hurricane Irma. The current track still puts Irma off the Georgia coast sometime Sunday into Monday, but this may change as the storm gets closer to north Florida and south Georgia. Local officials will be closely monitoring the progression of this storm and will pass information…

A man accused of masturbating in an Alma convenience store is on the loose, presumably somewhere in Bacon County. Thursday evening, Aug. 31, the Alma Police Department received a complaint of a male, later identified as Reginald Barton of Alma, entering a local convenience store, exposing himself to a female clerk, and then masturbating while watching the clerk. Barton fled the store before law enforcement arrived; the incident was captured on the store’s closed-circuit monitoring system. Alma police are currently seeking Barton for public indecency. On Friday, Sept. 1, the APD responded to a burglary on Mullis Drive. The complainant…

The Waycross Judicial Circuit has a new assistant district attorney. District Attorney George Barnhill has announced that Regan Taylor Cason has been hired in this capacity. Superior Court Judge Kelly Brooks swore Cason in earlier this week in Waycross. Cason is the daughter of Philip and Robin Vickery and Scott and Denise Taylor of Valdosta. Cason has been happily married to her husband, Gabriel Cason, for one year. In her spare time, she is an accomplished ballet dancer for more than 11 years, is involved with Animal Rights and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and is a member of the Young Republicans.…

Monday morning, Coffee Correctional Facility will take applications and hold interviews at the Georgia Department of Labor office in Douglas from 9 a.m. until noon. Pay at the facility starts out at $12.50 per hour with the potential to earn $3,500 in bonuses, allowing for up to 70 hours per pay period in overtime. Also, the facility offers health, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and a good criminal history. Hiring won’t end after Monday; the hiring process is ongoing…