Author: Staff Reports

In response to Hurricane Matthew’s anticipated landfall and current tracking of the storm, City of Douglas officials are urging residents to prepare for this incoming storm and the influx of evacuees as soon as possible. Evacuees will have effects on our local shelters, gas supply, traffic, and health care agencies. In all, thousands of people have been ordered or urged to leave their homes in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. “Douglas and Coffee County are expected to receive several hundred evacuees as soon as today, and we need to support them and make sure they are safe as well as…

Covered Wagon Country Buffet & Catering will open its doors tomorrow, Oct. 6, at South Pointe Plaza, Suite E, located on U.S. 441 S. in Douglas. Restaurant hours are Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Coffee County man currently serving a probation sentence was arrested recently on numerous drug-related charges after authorities conducted a search of his residence. Coffee County sheriff’s officials reported the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit and the Douglas State Probation Office conducted a 4th Amendment waiver search at the home of Joe Willie Weathers at 1789 206 Conn., Douglas, Ga. During the search, authorities say Weathers was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, Alprazolam-1mg tablets, and Alprazolam-.5mg tablets. Weathers was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and two counts of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.

An absconded sex offender wanted in West Virginia was captured in Coffee County earlier this week after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Douglas city streets. Just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, a Coffee County Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on W. Ward St. and McDonald Ave. The driver of the vehicle sped away and a pursuit ensued. After striking a tree in the area of S. Coweta and Ethel St., the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Local and state law enforcement agencies established a perimeter around the area, and the suspect was found…

A 68-year-old Nicholls man was arrested on drug and firearms charges recently after authorities executed a search warrant at his residence. Officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Nicholls Police Dept., Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and H.E.A.T. traffic units raided the home of John Charles Drummond at 820 North Coffee St. in Nicholls around 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. A search of the residence led to the discovery of several prescription medications, an undisclosed quantity of marijuana, scales, packaging materials, and a loaded firearm. Drummond was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of a…

Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce representatives issued a warning Tuesday that several area locations have been targeted as part of a phone scam. “It has come to our attention that some of our local businesses have been receiving calls about paying to be on our Chamber Membership Directory,” officials stated. “These calls are being made by a male named Tom, who claims to be a part of our staff. Be aware, this call is a scam.” If you have any questions or have been contacted by this indiviudual, call the Chamber at 912-384-1873.

The Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced Friday the hiring of Douglas native Greg Sasser as a new assistant district attorney for the Ware County Office. Sasser was recently sworn in as an ADA by Superior Court Judge Mike DeVane and District Attorney George E Barnhill. Greg spent last year as a judicial clerk for the Waycross Circuit Superior Court Judges. Sasser grew up in Douglas, where his parent still reside. His father, Wendell Sasser, is a local pharmacist and his mother, Buckie, is a professor at South Georgia College and a registered nurse at Bacon County Hospital. …

One man was arrested Saturday on methamphetamine charges after local authorities assisted the Department of Natural Resources regarding an initial complaint of night hunting. A DNR officer responded to the complaint in the area of L.G Pope Rd. and made contact with 53-year-old David Scott Crews. Consent was obtained to search the camper where the offender had been seen and, subsequently, officials discovered a firearm and an undisclosed about of methamphetamine. Crews was arrested by agents with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit and, during an interview at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, admitted to authorities the methamphetamine belonged to…

A 25-year-old Alma man was jailed over the weekend on a number of drug-related and other charges after police say he was caught trying to eat his stash. An Alma police officer was patrolling Mullis Dr. on foot when a vehicle entered the area playing music excessively loud, in addition to a window tint violation for which authorities say the driver had been already been given a warning for on an earlier date. As the officer approached the vehicle, he discovered the driver had swallowed an unknown quantity of marijuana and had suspected marijuana residue around his mouth. Officers…