A Georgia Dept. of Corrections inmate being transported to another facility managed to shut down U.S. Hwy. 221 just north of Douglas Thursday night after he managed to kick out several windows in the vehicle and threatened to harm himself with the broken glass. Coffee County Sheriff’s Office officials states deputies responded to Hwy. 221 and George Deen Rd. after a request for assistance from the Superintendent at Appling Integrated Treatment Facility in Baxley. Deputies were advised that an inmate that was being transported from the facility in Appling County to another prison facility in Valdosta had become disorderly and…
Author: Staff Reports
The Coffee County District Attorney’s Office earned a second victory this week after jurors returned guilty verdicts in a 2014 case involving a man who was already serving a parole sentence at the time for kidnapping and aggravated assault. A Coffee County jury on Thursday returned guilty verdicts against Hubert Coates on four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana, less than one ounce. The trial, which began Thursday morning, showed that in May of 2014, officers with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit executed a search warrant at Coates’ residence and uncovered four firearms…
A Coffee County jury returned guilty verdicts Wednesday against Jeffery Moore, Alvin High Jr., and Kevin Coney for a January, 2014 armed robbery and home invasion that occurred at a residence on Yellow Brick Rd. Assistant District Attorney Ian Sansot stated trial testimony showed that on January 21, 2014, all three defendants entered the residence and demanded money from the owner. While brandishing weapons, the three proceeded to attack the homeowner and subsequently fled from the house. Inside the defendants’ escape vehicle were two additional co-defendants. These two co-defendants previously entered pleas and agreed to testify at the trial. After…
State Sen. Tyler Harper and Rep. Dominic LaRiccia formed a resolution to honor first responders in Douglas and the entire state of Georgia. The resolution was read at the county commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 17. To counter the growing negative light surrounding the police force and many first responders in the nation, Harper’s and LaRiccia’s resolution offers a heartfelt thanks to those men and women whose work is taken for granted. From police officers to EMTs to 911 operators, each person who makes personal sacrifices to help save the lives of others and to keep our communities safe is…
The community gathered Saturday morning at a Parks and Recreation forum arranged by the new Parks director Stevie Young and his staff. Citizens were given a survey to fill out asking for suggestions for improvement or ideas. They were also offered a microphone to speak with everyone in the audience and the entire recreation department staff, including the city manager, about issues with facilities or programs. Many people did voice various concerns, including some who reminded everyone of the responsibility citizens have to step up and become active in volunteering to help make change happen. A few thanked the department…
A Coffee County mother who sustained a gunshot to the head over the weekend has passed away, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Authorities stated Dorothy Leighann Reardean died late Monday afternoon after being in criticial condition since the incident, which occurred Sunday around 7:30 p.m.. GBI officials say Rearden was shot by her four-year-old child while the two were parked in a car at their residence on Cutter Rd. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is refusing to comment on the incident, even though there has been some public concern since the victim was reportedly in a relationship with…
The Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new business to the community Thursday, Aug. 13 with a ribbon cutting. The Mayo Clinic on Shirley Avenue is open for business and offers services in hematology and oncology. Dr. John Presutti became CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Waycross this March and has been with the Mayo Clinic since 1997. He was present at the ribbon cutting to express his excitement for the opening of the clinic, which would bring Mayo’s expertise and resources to patients in the Douglas area. Dr. Presutti also expressed his hopes that the clinic would be able to…
City commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance concerning semi-truck parking within the City of Douglas at the City Commission meeting on Aug. 10 City at Hall. The revised ordinance prohibits vehicles having over six wheels from parking on residential streets or residential areas of the city. Violators of the ordinance could be fined up to $1,000 or face up to 180 days in jail. The ordinance will be read publicly again at the next commission meeting on Aug. 24. The light department is set to get a new 2016 Ford F-250 as its purchase was approved by the…
A 31-year-old man was charged with multiple offenses after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through two counties late Friday night. Officials with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office say deputies attempted to stop Michael Prescott on Ga. Hwy. 32 East just prior to 11 p.m. for allegedly driving recklessly. Prescott led deputies and Georgia State Troopers up U.S. Hwy. 441 through Broxton and into Telfair County. The chase ended around 11:15 p.m. when GSP performed the precision immobilization technique on Prescott’s vehicle, commonly referred to as the “PIT” maneuver. Prescott allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot, but…
Several locals who stated they had no political message other than to promote love, mutual respect, and unity rallied at the Coffee County Courthouse Saturday. Supporters held signs that carried several messages, including “Come Together,” “All Men are Created Equal,” “Stand Together, Love Together, and “Don’t Talk About It, Be About It.” When asked if they were part of any group or political cause, on supported simply stated, “No, we’re just people.” The Coffee County Courthouse has been the site of several protests and rallies over the last couple months, including gatherings in support of the display of the Confederate…