Author: Staff Reports

The City of Douglas and the Georgia Department of Transportation announced today that Iron Road is now open for through traffic. The road was closed in Nov. 2016 for the construction of the expansion of Perimeter Road. “The City of Douglas and Georgia Department of Transportation would like to thank the citizens of Douglas for your patience during the time the road was closed due to work progress to start construction on the overpass on Hwy. 135,” officials stated in a press release Thursday.

Eric Litwin, author of Pete the Cat and other popular children’s books, visited with students at Citizens Christian Academy Monday morning. Litwin interacted with students and teachers through music, dance, and reading. Mr. Litwin is the original author of the Pete the Cat series, along with The Nuts and Groovy Joe. According to his website, ericlitwin.com, Litwin’s books have sold over 8.5 million copies, been translated into 13 languages, and won 18 literacy awards including a Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award.

At a special called meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education Tuesday morning, the board voted to sell the 23-plus acres at 1311 South Peterson Avenue – the old high school and walking track – to the Jones Company for $3.6 million. The BOE sold the property in two tracts – 10.69 acres for $1,603,500 and a 13-acre tract for $2,035,500. The board did not sell the property upon which the school system’s central office sits. The old high school and track will be demolished and in their place will be a $29 million retail complex that is expected…

Mr. Jacel Wilber Butler, age 76, of Douglas passed away early Monday morning, January 9, 2017 at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. Mr. Butler was born September 27, 1940 to the late Jim Merrill Butler and the late Clara Laverne Kent Butler. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Russell Butler. In 2015, he retired from Elixir Industries after 29 years of service, where he was the manager of the Aluminum Extrusion Division. Survivors include: His Wife: Virginia Butler of Douglas, GA; 1 Son: Michael (Rhonda) Butler of Douglas, GA; 1…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the following statment Monday in regards to the shooting of a motorist by a Turner County sheriff’s deputy that occurred in Cook County Sunday afternoon: “On Sunday, January 8, 2017 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region Four Office was requested by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved use of force incident. Preliminary information from law enforcement agencies indicated that at approximately 5:00 p.m., Ashburn Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle south-bound on I-75 in Turner County. The driver, identified as Erin Sean Hogue, 26 of Jacksonville, FL, refused to…

Residents and businesses on the north end of Douglas will be without power for several hours Friday, following a morning traffic accident. City officials reported around 10 a.m. that due to the accident, which involved a utility pole on the corner of N. Madison and N. Street, electrical service on the north end of town will be out for approximately 2 to 3 hours. “Customers in this area should make proper arrangements until power is restored,” city representatives stated in a press release. “Linemen are working to restore power as promptly as possible for the convenience of our customers, (and)…

A 58-year-old man was taken into custody earlier this week following an investigation in which authorities say he traveled from Hazlehurst to Telfair County for the purpose of meeting a child for sex. Telfair Sheriff Chris Steverson stated deputies assigned to the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were working in an undercover capacity several weeks ago when contact was established with an individual online who appeared to be actively seeking sexual contact with a child. Posing as an underage female, investigators made arrangements to meet the suspect at a secluded location and awaited his arrival. As the…

Three Coffee County men were jailed Tuesday on numerous drug and firearms charges following a multi-agency residential search. The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, along with authorities from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas Police Department, and the state probation office executed a search warrant at 906 N. June Ave, which authorities say resulted in the discovery of quantities of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, illicit prescription medications, a firearm, ammunition, and drug related packaging materials. 28-year-old Alfonzo Jerrod Brewton of Douglas, 39-year-old Larry Webb of Broxton, and 20-year-old Ferlonzo Lamar Newton of Douglas were arrested at the location. Brewton has been charged with…

A passenger in a vehicle initially stopped by authorities for a seatbelt violation faces multiple drug charges, including trafficking methamphetamine, following an incident earlier this week. Coffee County sheriff’s officials stated a K-9 Deputy with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit conducted the traffic stop on a burgundy-colored, 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe on Landfill Rd. and Jackie’s Ln. last Tuesday, Dec. 27. A passenger, identified as Christina Lee Carpenter, was found to be in possession of approximately 450 milliliters of methamphetamine, which was located inside of a Zaxby’s drink cup. Carpenter was also found to be in possession of 20 Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone…

Coffee County law enforcement and othes went above and beyond the norm in 2016 to make this Christmas special and memorable. Over 100 children were served during the annual Shop With a Cop event and, over in Nicholls, “Secret Santas” randomly distributed $100 bills to unsuspecting citizens. Russell Flanagan, the man behind the locally popular Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner Facebook page, captured both of these events on video. We have posted Mr. Flanagan’s video of the 2016 Shop With A Cop event at the bottom of this article. The Nicholls “Secret Santa” video can be viewed here. Thanks to…