Georgia Music Partners (GMP) announced the appointment of Shani Sammons, a Douglas native and graduate of Coffee High School, to the board of directors; and David Barbe, DiAndria Green and Craig Hoffman to the advisory board. The additions provide skills and experience in consulting, education, digital engagement and management within the music industry, both, in Georgia and nationally. Tammy Hurt, GMP President said, “I’m thrilled GMP is attracting world-class talent to our rankings and sincerely looking forward to the impact they will have not only on our organization, but also the music business in Georgia.” Shani Sammons focuses on connecting…
Author: Staff Reports
Annie Harper, age 83, of West Green, GA passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at her residence following a brief illness. Mrs. Harper was born on May 6, 1933, in Nashville, GA to the late John Hiram Davis and Annie Lott Davis. Survivors include: her husband, Osbin Harper of West Green, GA; daughter, Janice (Randy) McKinnon of West Green, GA; son, Ronnie (Lourice) Merritt of West Green, GA; six grandchildren, John McKinnon, Britt McKinnon, Heather Chicierrlo, Shawn Merritt, Crissy Dobbs, and Clay Lott; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Lillie Mae Barnhart of Parkersburg, WV; several nieces and nephews. The family will…
Most students spend Spring Break at the beach or somewhere fun. The Coffee High School VEX team will spend their break in Louisville, Kentucky, at the 2017 robotics world championships. The team recently qualified for the world championships. Team members include Diego Escobar, Xavion Woodberry, Edvin Najarro, Alana Atkinson, Samina Patel, Leana Atkinson, Netra Ghandi, Paulina Escobar, and Ashni Patel. Dr. Rodney Ragsdale advises the team.
Don Brooks, owner of Brooks Auto Parts and a former Douglas city commissioner, will be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame on April 29 at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Warner Robins. The other inductees are Sgt. Mike J. Ferros, and Richard (Dick) Fortenberry. The three new members bring the total number of military and civilian inductees in the Hall of Fame to 112 since the Hall started in 1989. Brooks has generated national attention for his involvement in the recovery of old World War II aircraft, including expeditions to Greenland to recover a P-38 and…
The Telfair County pill house is closed, says the sign. On Wednesday March 8, as a result of a four-month-long investigation targeting an individual suspected of illegally buying and redistributing prescription medications, Telfair County deputies executed a search warrant on a residence in the county. As a result, deputies discovered and seized thousands of pills of various controlled substances and schedules, numerous firearms, 15 slot machines, and over $12,000. Deputies arrested two people inside the residence were taken into custody and will face a multitude of charges. Arthur Alex Sirmans, owner of the residence, 69, of a Lumber City, address will be charged…
Michael Milikae Scott, 22, of Douglas, was captured early Friday morning and faces multiple charges in the suspected kidnapping of 21-year-old Veronica DeLeon. Coffee County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched around 9 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017 to Old Pearson Highway near the Atkinson County line. Deputies were advised that an Atkinson County deputy was responding to the area to check on a female who was allegedly being run off the road by her boyfriend. 911 received a second call in reference to the same incident in which the complainant stated two individuals had jumped out of a black SUV and…
A wanted parolee from Coffee County was jailed Thursday in Alma following an arrest on drug distribution charges. Alma police stated a search warrant was executed at 213 E. 6th St., where officers seized over six packages of marijuana and ten packages of powder cocaine. Christopher Fuller (39) was charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute. He was also wanted in Coffee County for prior drug violations. Also arrested in the same incident was 31-year-old Ikedia Rolax of Savannah, who was also charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine.
Human remains found on Charlie Harper Road in Willacoochee on February 10, 2017 have been identified as those of missing teenager Kiree Hersey. The 18-year-old had been missing since November 5, 2016. Officials state Hersey’s death has been ruled a homicide. Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to call the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 422-3611, the GBI Douglas office at (912) 389-4103, or through GBI Tips online at http://investigative.gbi.georgia.gov/gbi-tip-line.
Authorities have been busy in Alma over the last couple of days. Thursday evening, the Alma Police Department executed a search warrant at the home of Betty Ann Wertz, 602 N. Wayne St. Officers seized crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, and a variety of pain medications. The following individuals were arrested and charged as follows: Betty Ann Wertz, 50, of Alma, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance (two counts) and sale of marijuana; Lisa Michelle Butler, 46, of Alma, possession of cocaine and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; Robert Antonio Faulk, 33, of Alma, possession of cocaine;…
One person has been hospitalized and another arrested after a shooting Wednesday night on East Cleveland Street According to a press release issued by the Douglas Police Department, officers responded to a call at the 800 block of East Cleveland after receiving a report of gunshots being fired. When they arrived, they found Ben Mortez Martin, 25, lying in the road with multiple gunshots to his upper body. Martin told officers that Dario Ortiz Graves, 23, was the shooter. Graves fled the scene and officers were unable to locate him. During the ensuing investigation, officers determined that Martin and Graves…