Author: Staff Reports

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…

Officers from the Douglas Police Department are investigating a shooting that took place in the city early Friday afternoon. According to a press release from the City of Douglas, officers responded to a call in regards to a shooting that occurred on South McDonald Road. The victim was identified as Ricardio Cortez Mitchell, an African American male age 28. As a result of his injuries, Mitchell was life-flighted to a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. Due to the investigation by Douglas Police, no further information can be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the Douglas…

Tiana Foster, a native of Atlanta and a Valdosta State University graduate, has joined the DouglasNow.com staff. She is a tremendous journalism talent and possesses a passion for digital marketing, social media, and writing. Tiana has spent the last four years under the watchful eye of Dr. Pat Miller, who also taught DouglasNow.com’s Robert Preston Jr. many years ago. DouglasNow.com is excited to have Tiana on staff and we look forward to the perspective and skillset she brings to our publication. Below is a little about Tiana in her own words: My name is Tiana Foster, 22 of Atlanta, GA.…

Stacy Medders, 26, of Coffee County, who has been wanted since March for trafficking approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, has been arrested and now calls the Coffee County Jail home. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI) informed the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU), along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Southeast Regional Drug Enforcement Office (SRDEO), in early March that they had intercepted information and evidence indicating several pounds of methamphetamine were being shipped to Coffee County from the west coast. The three entities met and initiated a joint investigation into the methamphetamine trafficking allegation. Between March 9…

According to stories posted in numerous media outlets, Sears Holdings announced Friday that it would close 35 more Kmart locations and eight Sears stores. The Douglas Kmart is one of those that will close. Store closure sales are expected to begin very soon. The department-store chain’s troubles have included several rounds of store closures this year, now totaling more than 300, stated the USA Today story. “We have fought hard for many years to return unprofitable stores to a competitive position and to preserve jobs and, as a result, we had to absorb corresponding losses in the process,” Sears CEO Eddie…

Two suspects believed to be responsible for a string of burglaries in Coffee County that began late last year were arrested Friday after sheriff’s authorities executed a search warrant at a local residence and uncovered a mountain of stolen merchandise. As a result, deputies arrested Claudin Pubien Jr., 26, and Sierra Hodges, 25, both of Douglas, on a variety of charges. These burglaries, which began around the Christmas season of 2016, generally occurred in the same manner with the offenders kicking in doors at random Coffee County homes and targeting items such as firearms, electronics, and jewelry. After a lengthy…

Recently, the Douglas Police Department responded to a domestic incident at Douglas Fire Chief Larry Wilson’s home. According to a statement released by Chief Wilson, officers were there because he and his girlfriend had gotten into an argument, which Wilson stated “escalated into an altercation.” Officers investigated but filed no charges. Friday, Chief Wilson released a statement offering an explanation and an apology. City Manager Terrell Jacobs also commented. The full statement is included below: “Recently, while off duty, an incident took place involving, myself, Larry Wilson, and my girlfriend. Following a gathering at my home, I was involved in…

First Academy students, both elementary and middle have exceeded national benchmarks on their standardized assessments. The Iowa Assessments were administered to students in grades 2ndthrough 6thgrades. The results from the Iowa Assessment tests taken every spring are impressive, in all subject areas. Pam Lewis and Kimberly Lott, curriculum directors at First Academy announced that “most of our students score 10-25 percent higher than the national average, in all subject areas.” They included, “These test scores are only one indication of our student’s successes at First Academy. It is evident that God, a rigorous curriculum, and strong teachers are within our…

Monday, Bo Dukes, the second suspect arrested in the killing of Irwin County High teacher and former beauty queen Tara Grinstead, was accused of burning her body. The Irwin County Grand Jury indicted Dukes on charges of concealing a death, tampering with evidence, and hindering the apprehension of a criminal. According to the indictment, which was published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among other media outlets, states that “did unlawfully and knowingly destroy physical evidence by burning the body of Tara Faye Grinstead, a human being, at a location off Bowens Mill Highway.” Ryan Duke was initially arrested and charged in…

Officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office arrested one individual after a drug task force helicopter found marijuana on property near West Green last Thursday. The operation resulted in the arrest of Dan Suttles, 64. After officers in the chopper saw the suspected marijuana, deputies obtained a search warrant and investigated further. They found about 40 plants and material commonly used in marijuana growing operations. Suttles turned himself in on Friday and was charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Oxycodone and Hydrocodone).