Author: Staff Reports

This week, the Georgia Department of Education released its 2014 list of Reward Schools, designated as part of the state’s waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Ambrose Elementary and Westside Elementary were named among Georgia’s High Performing Schools, with Broxton-Mary Hayes Elementary and Coffee High earning designations as Georgia Highest Progress Schools. A Highest Performing school is among the five percent of the state’s Title I schools with the highest absolute performance, over three years, for the “all students” group on the statewide assessments. A school may not be classified as a Highest-Performing School if it has been…

Two individuals were arrested and jailed last week after allegedly selling methamphetamine to undercover drug agents. Officials with the Douglas-Coffee County Drug Unit (DCDU) state that on Sept. 12, Rodney Shaw and Kelly Nicole Osborn sold a undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine to officers in Douglas. Subsequent to their arrests, agents discovered marijuana, prescription controlled sunstances Xanax and Oxycontin, and more methamphetamine in their vehicle. Shaw and Osborn were each arrested for misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV Controlled Substances and Sale of Methamphetamine. Shaw was released to the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office for pending…

After months of planning and preparation, the Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County opened its doors last week, and a large mix of community leaders, individuals, and club advocates gathered together Thursday to celebrate the new organization. The Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County is located at the building formerly occupied by the Douglas Police Department at 210 W. Jackson St. It mission is “to enable the young people of the Coffee County region, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens by providing a safe, positive place where they…

Two individuals were arrested and charged Thursday with drug distribution after police officers and detectives with the Douglas-Coffee County Drug Unit (DCDU) discovered large amounts of various prescription drugs, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cash in their hotel room. Officers with the Douglas Police Department responded to the Holiday Inn Express on South Peterson Avenue after receiving a complaint of an unusual odor within the hotel. While investigating, they discovered two occupants, identified as Randy Allen Carter and Robin Almeda Wrinn, to be in possession of a quantity of the controlled prescription medications Soma and Lorcet, along with methamphetamine and crack cocaine.…

The Coffee Alliance for the Arts will be hosting ‘A Night of Swing’ featuring the Rhythm Masters Band this Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Douglas Golf & Country Club. The event will kick off at 7 p.m., and advanced tickets are still available through Friday for $45 at the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the night of the event for $55. Cash prizes will be given for best dance couple and best 40s attire. All funds raised will go towards supporting activities within Coffee County. For more information, call (912) 592-9225.

Tuesday afternoon traffic was brought to a near standstill on U.S. 441 South after a tractor-trailer overturned on the highway. Heavy rains that pounded Coffee County around 5:30 p.m. were likely a contributing factor in the accident, which occurred just south of the Douglas city limits in the area of Osbon Mills Road. The semi truck was eventually moved and authorities are currently investigating the incident. No further information is available at this time.

Raymond Leon Minor of Douglas won’t be doing any prison time for racking up 80 charges of financial transaction card fraud, but will be made to pay his ex over $10 thousand in restitution. Minor appeared in Coffee County Superior Court last week to answer to the charges and admitted to fraudulently using a former girlfriend’s transaction card without her permission. All in all, Minor was able to take the victim for $10,425.34. “You know how people fall in and out of love,” said Assistant District Attorney John Rumker, “I’m not sure if he loved her or her money.” As…

While learning about shapes and colors within our environment, Pre-K Students at Eastside Elementary found something that had a lot of shapes and the bright beautiful color of yellow. It was a big yellow Coffee County school bus, with a rectangle body, large circle wheels, and many square windows. The students loaded the bus for a bus safety lesson prior to school field trips to begin soon. Veteran bus driver Wanda Burkett talked to the students about being safe on a bus and helping to have a safe trip when traveling by school. Mrs. Burkett then took the children on…

With the starting of a new school year in Coffee County come many new learning opportunities for students. The Eastside Elementary Pre-K classes recently were treated to a special visit from Satilla Regional Library Director of Children’s Program Miss Julie. Miss Julie brought several new books to share with the children about starting a new school year, as well as two puppet friends who taught them new finger plays and a song about school. She shared one of her favorite books growing up when she started school that was written by early childhood specialist Fred Rogers, the long-time host of…

Many teachers and their classes are participating in Motivated Mothers’ “Adopt A Trojan” this year. Students at Eastside Elementary were treated to visits from many Trojan football players on Thursday, Aug. 28 to meet their adopted classes. Excitement is in the air as Coffee High football season begins and everyone is ready to cheer the Trojans on to victory. Several of the Trojans shared they were first Eastside Eagles when attending elementary school and what a special school it is. Drew Vickers #86 was caught visiting his adopted class, Mrs. Barbaree’s and Ms. Owens’s Pre-K class at Eastside. The students…