Author: Staff Reports

An unknown person reportedly made two bomb threats to local employment agencies Friday afternoon that were ultimately deemed false alarms. Douglas Police Chef Gary Casteloes stated officers responded to the Georgia Dept. of Labor on Lockwood Dr. and Labor Finders on N. Perterson Ave. after each agency reported receiving bomb threats. Casteloes said both scenes were secured and cleared within a short period of time. The police chief added that one person is believed to be responsible for the threats and the case remains under investigation.

Two men have been arrested and charged in a residential theft that was caught on surveillance video and posted to social media earlier this month. On July 1, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office released a video of a theft in progress and requested help from citizens in identifying the unknown persons in the video. Officials stated Thursday that information from the community began coming in immediately, which led to the arrest of 31-year-old James Ervin Thomas of Ware County on July 2. The lawn mower that was shown being taken in the video was recovered. The other suspect was later…

Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) authorities reported Wednesday night that a Douglas man was arrested on drug distribution charges following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the Oak Park community. DCDU detectives, along with Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputies, executed a search warrant at 93 Mahogany Rd., where they seized an ‘eight’ ball of methamphetamine and a small quantity of pain pills. Trey ‘Dud’ Chauncey, 40, of Douglas was arrested for possession of a scheduled controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Wendy Harper (33) of Wray was also arrested…

Local florist and author Randy Wooten will be launching his first book, Jubilation, this Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Delorice’s Florist. Wooten debuted Jubilation July 1 at the The National Symposium of the American Institute Of Floral in Denver, Colorado. A fourth generation florist and president of the Georgia State Florist’s Association, Randy Wooten has been owner of Delorice’s Florist since 2003. In addition, he has traveled the country speaking on many subjects such as sympathy, wedding events, everyday designs and conducting hands-on workshops. Wooten is very excited about the release of his book, which was…

A 41-year-old Waycross woman was killed over the weekend after being struck by a train while walking. Authorities stated Jessica Elaine Parker was walking along S. Nichols Street when she disregarded an activated crossing bar just prior to 3 a.m. Sunday. She was hit by the lead engine of a CSX train near the intersection of S. Nichols and Francis St. Parker’s body was launched nearly 70 ft. west of the railroad crossing, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed in the case. Parker’s body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s…

A two-car collision on Andrew Tanner Rd. Saturday cost one person his life and sent three others to the hospital with severe injuries. Officials stated that a black Dodge pickup truck, driven by Rufus Littleton, hydroplaned on the county road just south of Nicholls, and a Nissan Xterra collided into it from the rear. Littleton died as a result of the accident and a passenger in the truck, identified as Crystal Payne, was airlifted to a Macon hospital. The occupants of the Xterra were also hospitalized, with the driver suffering a collapsed lung and broken right leg. Authorities said the…

A 55-year-old Douglas man currently on parole for drug distribution is most likely headed back to prison after authorities discovered a significant amount of cocaine in his vehicle. Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit reported that K-9 officers initiated a traffic stop Friday on Sears St. in Douglas on a vehicle occupied by Johnny Dewayne Martin. During the course of the traffic stop, they said, officers discovered ½ ounce of crack cocaine within the vehicle, Martin was subsequently arrested and jailed for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Martin has a lengthy prison record dating back…