Author: Staff Reports

Douglas officials reported today the city was recently notified by the Georgia Department of Transportation that, beginning October 17, 2016, East Coast Asphalt will be closing Iron Rd. to through traffic from Douglas Bypass to Mingledorf Dr. Iron Rd. will remained closed for approximately six weeks. The road closure is required to construct the new bridge crossing the railroad and Iron Road. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” city officials stated in a press release. “Thank you for your help and cooperation in this matter.”

A man wanted on a active probation warrant was arrested and jailed recently following a traffic stop that also resulted in the arrest of a passenger on a minor drug charge. Sheriff’s officials stated Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit detectives and deputies conducted a traffic stop on 20-year-old Tevin Townsend after he allegedly failed to maintain his lane of traffic and left the roadway. Officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle, obtained verbal consent to search it, and subsequently discovered a quantity of marijuana in the right front pocket of the rear passenger, identified as 19-year-old Scott…

Roger and Steve Thompson ushered in the grand opening of their new business, The Meat Place, this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Meat Place is located at 910 Van Street Hwy. in Nicholls, and they can be reached at 912-345-6328. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

The Douglas Visitor Information Center (Ashley-Slater House) will offer everyone a chance to kickoff Halloween with two ghost tours as an October promotion. The tours are scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. at the historic Ashley-Slater House located at 211 S. Gaskin Avenue. The 7:15 p.m. tour is already full. Tickets are $5 per person and must MUST be purchased in advance. The 6:30 p.m. tour is limited to 30 people. Participants will experience a candle lit, night-time tour based on the history of the house, and light refreshments will be served. Each person will…

Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk and the city commission adopted a new pole banner policy for the downtown area at the most recent commission meeting this past Monday. City representatives stated in a press release issued Wednesday, “The City of Douglas wants to continue its support and cooperation, and expand the services provided, by offering the possible display of banners in the downtown area promoting community events and awareness initiatives, and secondarily to identify the respective sponsors.” The new policy is effective immediately. Within the downtown commercial historic district, the city has approximately 60 decorative lamp posts where banners can be …

Douglas’s newest hotel and business, Fairfield Inn & Suites, celebrated its grand opening this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at 1815 S. Peterson Ave., Fairfield can be reached by calling 912-720-2000. Learn more here.

Two people were arrested on cocaine and methamphetamine charges following a recent traffic stop initiated by local authorities. Coffee County sheriff’s officials reported Monday an individual identified as Chesley Harrell was stopped for not wearing a seat belt. Harrell gave consent to search the vehicle, and officers discovered an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Harrell was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and a passenger, identified as Melissa Carpenter, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Chesley Harrell

County Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County (CCAGCC) President Barbara Dockery recently announced the awarding of a $1,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Coffee County’s Community Grant to benefit CCAGCC’s travel expense project for the Coffee County area. The mission of CCAGCC is to provide financial assistance, emotional and spiritual support and information for the families of children with cancer. “Children diagnosed with childhood cancer and their families are required to make frequent trips to out of town hospitals and doctors for treatment. These funds will be used to supplement CCAGCC’s program for assisting families with that travel…

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.