Author: Staff Reports

By Bradley Bennett The trial of City Commissioner Olivia Pearson on criminal charges of voter fraud and swearing falsely was declared a mistrial today at 12:40 pm. Both charges were classified as felonies. Her trial began yesterday, but court was adjourned at 8 pm as the jury had failed to reach a verdict after nearly two hours of deliberation. Despite the declaration, assistant district attorney Ian Sansot told DouglasNow.com that Commissioner Pearson’s prosecution was still an active case and he intends to put it back on the calendar as soon as possible. The jury continued to deliberate at 9 am…

By Brad Bennett At the regular City Commission meeting on Monday, March 27, City Attorney Jerome Adams stated that a special election to fill the seat of the late City Commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper (Ward 1) was almost a certainty. The special election was not on the board’s agenda, but Mr. Adams gave a statement to Douglasnow.com describing how the election would in all likelihood take place on June 20, 2017. Mr. Adams stated: “There was a local act sponsored by our local legislative delegation that permits a special election on the city commission when there is more than one…

The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the indivual who sparked a high speed chase through Douglas and Coffee County Saturday afternoon. John Thomas Highsmith, 31, led deputies on a chase through numerous county roads and state highways, topping speeds of over 100 mph before entering the City of Douglas, where he continued eluding city and county authorities across both residential and commercial areas of the community. Highsmith eventually abandoned his vehicle, fled on foot, and was detained by Douglas police. Highsmith has been charged with two counts of violating probation, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing/attempting…

A subject led deputies and police on a high speed chase in Douglas Saturday afternoon that ended, unsurprisingly, with the arrest of the offender. His name has not been released by authorities. Just before 3 p.m. Saturday, a deputy pulled over a car on the Willacoochee Highway. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy discovered that the individual had active warrants. The officer called for backup but the offender was having nothing of the sort. He fled the scene and led deputies and, later, Douglas police officers on a chase that reached speeds in excess of 90 miles…

It had been almost a month since a shooting had taken place in Douglas and/or Coffee County when 911 received a call that someone had been shot, this time in the city. Just before noon on Thursday, officers headed to the 600 block of South Daughtry Avenue to investigate the shooting. When they arrive, officers found that Ahmad Rashad Cross, 31, had been shot and taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center by private vehicle. A police officer went to the hospital to check on Cross’s condition. During the investigation, officers discovered that Ronnie Manning Jr., 37, was responsible for the…

You gotta be careful where you advertise items that have been allegedly stolen. Coffee County investigators proved that this week when they arrested two men in an ongoing burglary investigation after a stolen ATV appeared on Facebook. Detectives learned a Polaris Ranger was being sold on the popular social media site and were able to contact the publisher of the post at the individual’s residence. Authorities confirmed the ATV was one that had been stolen during an incident reported in February and had been sold by an individual identified as 24-year-old James Logan of Alma. Officials were able to locate…

Georgia Music Partners (GMP) announced the appointment of Shani Sammons, a Douglas native and graduate of Coffee High School, to the board of directors; and David Barbe, DiAndria Green and Craig Hoffman to the advisory board. The additions provide skills and experience in consulting, education, digital engagement and management within the music industry, both, in Georgia and nationally. Tammy Hurt, GMP President said, “I’m thrilled GMP is attracting world-class talent to our rankings and sincerely looking forward to the impact they will have not only on our organization, but also the music business in Georgia.” Shani Sammons focuses on connecting…

Annie Harper, age 83, of West Green, GA passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at her residence following a brief illness. Mrs. Harper was born on May 6, 1933, in Nashville, GA to the late John Hiram Davis and Annie Lott Davis. Survivors include: her husband, Osbin Harper of West Green, GA; daughter, Janice (Randy) McKinnon of West Green, GA; son, Ronnie (Lourice) Merritt of West Green, GA; six grandchildren, John McKinnon, Britt McKinnon, Heather Chicierrlo, Shawn Merritt, Crissy Dobbs, and Clay Lott; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Lillie Mae Barnhart of Parkersburg, WV; several nieces and nephews. The family will…

Most students spend Spring Break at the beach or somewhere fun. The Coffee High School VEX team will spend their break in Louisville, Kentucky, at the 2017 robotics world championships. The team recently qualified for the world championships. Team members include Diego Escobar, Xavion Woodberry, Edvin Najarro, Alana Atkinson, Samina Patel, Leana Atkinson, Netra Ghandi, Paulina Escobar, and Ashni Patel. Dr. Rodney Ragsdale advises the team.

Don Brooks, owner of Brooks Auto Parts and a former Douglas city commissioner, will be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame on April 29 at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Warner Robins. The other inductees are Sgt. Mike J. Ferros, and Richard (Dick) Fortenberry. The three new members bring the total number of military and civilian inductees in the Hall of Fame to 112 since the Hall started in 1989. Brooks has generated national attention for his involvement in the recovery of old World War II aircraft, including expeditions to Greenland to recover a P-38 and…