Only four members of the Douglas City Commission were at Monday’s regular meeting – Mayor Tony Paulk, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Moore, Edwin Taylor (Ward 1), and Commissioner Pearson (Ward 3). Mike Gowen (Ward 4), Cindy McNeill (Ward 5), and Kentaiwon Durham (Ward 2) were each absent due to individual family concerns. The four who were present made a quorum and the meeting proceeded as scheduled. In the pre-meeting work session the board heard from Building Inspector Randall Parker. Mr. Parker sought approval on behalf of Coffee Regional Medical Center to host the 5K run and 1.5 mile walk. The…
Author: Staff Reports
Investing in a restaurant franchise makes for one of the most profitable business opportunities on the market. Robert Wiggins revealed to DouglasNow that he’s preparing to open his first Checkers & Rally’s restaurant in the latter part of November. Although this is Wiggin’s first Checkers restaurant, he is no amateur when it comes to operating franchises. He owned 26 Hardee’s restaurants and currently owns three Huddle Houses, two Dick’s Wings and a Pizza Inn all located in Baxley, GA. and Hazelhurst, GA. He revealed that he has no connection to Douglas but wanted to take the opportunity to invest in…
Monday, a suspicious incident took place inside the women’s bathroom at the Wal-Mart store in Douglas. The incident involved a male who was in the women’s bathroom and a female subject who was armed. Several accounts of the incident have been floating around on social media. Tuesday, the Douglas Police Department issued a statement on its Facebook page explaining, or at least attempting to explain to the best of the department’s ability, exactly what happened. Here is the police department’s statement in its entirety: “We have been made aware of a post on Facebook regarding…
With September coming to an end, the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County wrapped up their seventh annual fundraising event on Friday, Sept 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. There were two main events that weekend – the silent auction and bake sale, which lasted from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturday a catered dinner, courtesy of American Legion Post 515, which started at 6 p.m. and a live auction that followed at 7 p.m. Both auctions offered a wide variety of items to bid on such as gift certificates, puppies, home décor, a 55-inch flat screen color…
On Wednesday September 20, 2017 local officials from Broxton, Nicholls, Douglas, and Coffee County gathered with FEMA public assistance specialist Craig Ceschi and GEMA grant specialist Zack Saunders. Mr. Ceschi and Mr. Saunders heard reports from the local officials regarding damages from Hurricane Irma. The purpose of the visit was to allow the state and federal emergency associations to come up with a damage assessment. Mr. Saunders told those assembled that there were three basic types of assessments to be done: debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent work. Local officials were informed that the federal government would only reimburse…
At the September 18, 2017 pre-meeting work session of the Coffee County Board of Commissioners the board heard reports from local officials regarding Hurricane Irma. The first report was from Coffee Count Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Carver. Chief Carver opened with praise for the outstanding support from the community. He went on to say that he felt Coffee County was blessed in the outcome of the crisis. He personally felt that God had surely had a hand in the fact that throughout the county there were no fatalities or injuries. Chief Carver was first to laud the efforts of…
A one-cent transportation sales tax was the big topic of conversation at Monday’s joint meeting between the city, county, board of education, and Coffee Regional Medical Center board of directors. Representatives from those groups, plus a few others, were present. And while the meeting was open to officials from Ambrose, Broxton, and Nicholls, there was no one from those communities present in their official capacity. CRMC hosted the quarterly dinner on this occasion. It is hosted by different groups on a rotating basis. After a meal from the hospital cafeteria, representatives of each body gave a short presentation. City Manager…
Competing with many outstanding youth, Sharnae Pegues of Douglas, Ga. was named the Georgia Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The Youth of the Year title is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle. Now in its 70th year, the Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the Georgia Youth of the Year, Sharnae will serve as…
According to a press release on the Coffee County Ga. Police Scanner facebook page, Gary Casteloes, Douglas Police Chief, released the following information. Early Saturday morning, Septemeber 16, 2017, at approximately 3 a.m., 911 recieved a call in reference to Gregory Swinson, a 25-year old male, who was shot in the head in the 300 block of East Walker Street. Swinson was transported to Savannah Memorial Hospital in grave condition. The shooter was identified as his girlfriend, Jasmine Williams. Williams has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The criminal investigation is ongoing.
On the evening of September 14, 2017, the City of Douglas began the demolition of a building on the 100 block of South Madison Avenue. An excavator tore down the facade of the two-story edifice and it crashed onto the eastern sidewalk. In the weeks leading up to the demolition the city sent numerous press releases to the media and made announcements at municipal meetings. On August 14, 2017, Sid Cottingham, the building’s previous owner, deeded the building and the land to the city. Cottingham had owned the property since 1985 and it was deeded as a gift. Cottingham received…