Author: Staff Reports

Alana Thompson, aka “Honey Boo Boo,” was spotted in Douglas Friday, along with the rest of the Thompson crew, at Lucy Lu’s Boutique. Alana’s older sister, Jessica, chose her senior year prom dress from ‘Michelle’s’ at Lucy Lu’s, while Alana and her other sister, Pumpkin, shopped. Alana purchased a Ruthie Belle t-shirt designed by local artist Raeann Strickland.

The Coffee County School Board on Thursday recognized three heroic Coffee County students and a slew of others for their recent lifesaving efforts when aiding a county bus driver. Bus driver Art Rogers suffered a heart attack last Friday while at Coffee Middle School. Recognizing something was wrong, student Brett Cox began calling for help over the two-way radio of the school bus while another student, Jack Kirkland, called 911. Another student, Mari Faith Grantham, who is certified in CPR, began chest compressions on Mr. Rogers. Emergency personnel eventually arrived at the scene and took over. Rogers is now recovering…

County fire crews responded to a mobile home fire in the Green Acres community around 6:30 Friday morning. One person was home at the Ramblewood Rd. residence, which lit up the early morning sky with flames billowing from the structure’s roof when officials arrived. The resident was able to escape the fire unharmed, and the cause of the blaze is not known at this time.

The Childhood Cancer Awareness group of Coffee County was presented with a $2,500 check Thursday morning courtesy of Monsanto. The check was secured by local farmer Ronald “Bubba” Lott of Lott Farms in West Green. Mr. Lott applied for the money through the Monsanto Fund, which partners with community farmers to support local non-profit organizations. Monsanto representative Holly Walker, who was in attendance at Thursday’s presentation, stated, “This group is doing a great job in your community, and we’re pleased to help support your efforts.” Pictured above, left to right, are Monsanto representative Holly Walker, Lisa Aldridge, Beverly Johns, Julie…

School officials, first responders, and a local doctor provided quick help Wednesday morning after a fourth grade student at Westside Elementary temporarily lost consciousness and fainted in math class. 911 was called and EMS was dispatched to Westside to evaluate the situation, which occurred around 7:50 Wednesday morning. School officials stated the student’s blood pressure was very low. While driving to work, local physician Dr. David Arnett saw the ambulance in the parking lot and went inside to offer assistance. Dr. Arnett and the EMS team felt comfortable allowing the student’s mother to transport her to the doctor or hospital…

Helen Malphus, who was listed as the owner and administrator of Rosewood Manor Assisted Living Home in Nicholls, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for false statements and writings, concealment of facts, and fraudulent documents in matters within jurisdiction of state or political subdivisions. Malphus appeared before a magistrate judge today, and was granted a $5,500 property bond. The case began when the body of Alexander McKay Hunter was found buried in a clandestine grave in a shelter behind the assisted living home in Nicholls. Malphus’s daughter, Diana Jacobs, along with Diana’s husband and son, James Jacobs and Coy Jacobs,…

Two people were hospitalized Tuesday following a two-car accident on the Willacoochee Hwy. The accident occurred at the intersection of the Willacoochee Hwy. and Old Pearson Hwy. when a Dodge pickup and a black, four-door sedan collided, leaving both vehicles totaled. A male and female were transported from the scene by EMS, and both were reported in good condition Wednesday morning. This is the second major accident to take place on the Willacoochee Hwy. during the past week. Last Tuesday, an accident in the Bethel Community claimed the life of Terri Evans of Tifton. Evans was driving an SUV in…

Fast action by local law enforcement led to the quick capture of a jail inmate who attempted a daring, yet brief, escape Saturday afternoon. Authorities say that at around 4:30 p.m., a Charlton County transport officer was delivering a Charlton County inmate to the Coffee County Jail, which regulary houses inmates from other counties. Upon entering the sallyport at the law enforcement center, the transport officer requested a wheelchair be brought to the transport vehicle to carry the inmate inside, as he was complaining of being in pain and having difficulty walking. When the Coffee County jail officer returned with…

An early morning fire on Friday claimed the life of an Ocilla woman just one day prior to what would have been her birthday. Officials responded to the blaze at around 7 a.m. Friday where they discovered the mobile home at East 6th St. and McKinley fully engulfed in flames. The victim was later identified as 25-year-old Jalessa Collins. Her body will be sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy. According to officials, the cause of the fire is currently being considered as an electrical problem.