Author: Staff Reports

After being on the run for over four months, deputies arrested George Darryl Harper, 61, Thursday morning after a short high speed chase. Harper was charged with trafficking and manufacturing marijuana in February 2016 after officials discovered over 300 pounds of marijuana at a residence near his farm. He was released from the Coffee County Jail shortly afterwards, after being granted a $100,000 bond by a Superior Court judge. Harper failed to appear in court for a bond revocation hearing in July 2017, and had been on the run since. Thursday morning, Nov. 30, 2017, Harper…

According to a press release on the Douglas GA Police Department facebook page, DPD and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office merged forces to form a joint gang task force. The Douglas Coffee Gang Unit (DCGU), joint gang task force, has received advanced training, recruited officers from both agencies and were trained to recognize and report all gang activity in Coffee County. The DCGU is viable and will prevent and prosecute all criminal street gang related crimes thoughout Coffee County. On October 24, 2017, The Douglas Coffee Gang Unit obtained 12 arrest warrants for violations of the Georgia Street Geng Terrorism…

Saturday afternoon, a traffic stop near the intersection Southwest Bowens Mill Road and Highway 32 West led to the discovery of a body of a missing Douglas man and charges against an individual believed to have been involved in his death. According to information released by the Douglas Police Department on its Facebook page, Joseph Dewayne Gaskin, 56, of Douglas, hadn’t been seen since Sept. 26. Gaskin had last been seen in the company of Joshua Carl Parrott, 38. The DPD got involved in the case when the officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, while investigating a theft Parrott…

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…