Author: Staff Reports

Three American Red Cross workers were among six people injured Tuesday afternoon in a vehicle accident on U.S. 441 S. in Douglas. According to officials, the Red Cross van was traveling north on the highway in the area of Pinecrst Dr. when a red pickup that was traveling south turned in front of them. Both vehicles overturned during the accident, which caused another collision with a third vehicle. Six people were injured in the crash and taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Georgia State Patrol officials stated the Red Cross workers were traveling to Hazlehurst to…

A 49-year-old Douglas woman was arrested and jailed earlier this week on domestic violence charges after two witnesses claimed she hurled a bag of rice at the victim, striking her in the face. Douglas police responded to a residence on N. Madison Ave. last Sunday around 9:30 a.m. in reference to a disorderly person. A report filed by the responding officer says,”Upon my arrival, I spoke to the complainant who stated his wife was acting crazy and hit another female who lives at the residence in the face with a bag of rice.” The officer added the alleged victim in…

Qualifying for the upcoming Douglas city elections ended Friday and local residents can start expecting to see some familiar faces as campaigns get underway. Former Douglas Mayor Tony Paulk is looking to regain his former position and will be the sole opposition to current mayor, James Dennis. Johnnie Lee Roper, another familiar face among municpal voters, will be looking to fill a seat on the city commission in Ward 1. Roper, along with Cheryl Denise Cunningham, has qualified to run against incumbent Richard Lee Hutchinson. In Ward 2, sitting commissioner Mary Swain will face opposition from Kentaiwon Durham. Current Ward…

Michael Merritt was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease and renal failure. He has been to many doctor appointments and endured several hospitalizations during the past six months. Michael’s health began deteriorating rapidly over the last month. On Tuesday, August 25, Michael had bloodwork in Tifton, and he had a follow-up appointment on August 27, where the doctor sent him immediately to Emory due to the results and the build-up of fluid in his body. Once arriving at Emory, Michael had various tests performed and learned that afternoon that he had been added to the list as a candidate for a…

A 62-year-old Nicholls man took home an instant $1 million prize last week courtesy of the Georgia Lottery. Laddie Hollis played the instant game Cash King, which he purchased from The Food Mart at 500 Van Streat Hwy. in Coffee County. Hollis claimed his prize Thursday at the Georgia Lottery district office in Tifton. Hollis is a logging truck driver by trade. He and his wife, Janice, have two children and seven grandchildren. According to the Georgia Lottery’s website, the organization uses funds for specific education programs throughout the state, including tuition grants, scholarships or loans to undergraduate college students…

Before he changed his television name to Bryce Williams, Vester Flanagan worked as a reporter at a Georgia television station. WTOC in Savannah confirmed Flanagan worked there from 1997-1999. Read the full story from Macon television station WMAZ by clicking here.

At around 8 p.m.Monday, the City of Douglas received numerous red water complaints, which were centralized in the northeast corner of town. City officials stated Tuesday that, upon investigation, it was determined that well #4 on McNeil Drive had tripped out. This caused the other wells in the system to come on to compensate for the loss in pumping volume, which also caused the water to change direction of flow, they stated. “Because of the age of many parts of the distribution system, when water changes direction it can break apart iron build-up inside the pipes, thus causing the water…

A 27-year-old Douglas woman was jailed Sunday on multiple drug offenses after officers responded to a local business in what began as a report of shoplifting. Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) stated that Douglas Police Department officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at Flash Foods on N. Peterson Ave. During a brief investigation, officers discovered Jennifer Hearell was in possession of a quantity of the prescription painkiller Lorcet, methamphetamine, and marijuana. DCDU officers subsequently arrested Hearell, charging her with possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Later on Sunday, DCDU…

Friday, former Coffee High and Oklahoma State University standout football player and sprinter Tyreek Hill pleaded guilty in a Stillwater, Oklahoma, courtroom to charges stemming from a domestic violence incident that took place last December. Hill, who had just enjoyed a stellar first season with the Cowboys after spending two years in junior college, allegedly abused his pregnant girlfriend. The incident led to Hill’s dismissal from both the OSU football and track teams. Hill received three years’ probation. If he completes the probation without any further run-ins with the law, he won’t go to prison, won’t be a convicted felon,…

Guinness World Records has officially recognized Satilla Elementary School as world record holders for most people simultaneously hopscotching. Satilla achieved this goal on April 17, 2015 as 621 people played together simultaneously across multiple hopscotch courses. The record was recently certified by Guinness and announced today at the school. Douglas Now congratulates the students and staff at Satilla for their incredible efforts.