A Coffee County man whose body was found floating in a pond in the Oak Park community in April was determined to have died accidentally, sheriff’s officials reported Wednesday morning. Jose Mendez Diaz was the center of a missing person investigation that expanded over a two week period in the Oak Park Community and involved a large scale ground and aerial search. His body was discovered on April 6 in a small pond off Mahogany Rd. Coffee County Sheriff’s officials stated Mendez’s body was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab where an autopsy was performed and a…
Author: Staff Reports
A recent complaint relayed to authorities through 911 led to the arrest of a Douglas woman who drug agents say was caught red-handed near a local park. Agents with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported Monday that on July 21 Douglas police officers encountered two individuals sitting in a public park on S. Gaskin Ave. after Coffee 911 received a complaint of these individuals possibly selling narcotics. Following a brief investigation, 40-year-old Amy Lynn Dotter was allegedly found to be in possession of cocaine and OxyContin tablets, and she was subsequently arrested for possession of cocaine and…
Ma’s Pre-Loved Closet & More hosted a ribbon cutting led by the Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning. Natasha Kazan of the Chamber of Commerce spoke of how the owner, Ammie Espitia, is working hard to provide affordable and fashionable clothing for the people of Douglas and all of Coffee County. When Ms. Espitia was looking into starting the business, she had come into contact with the former owner of a consignment shop at the same location. The owner was in the process of moving out of the building and Espitia was able to open her own store, which she named…
The Coffee County Board of Education named Dr. James Banks, Jr. new assistant superintendent of operations at Thursday’s regular school board meeting. Dr. Banks expressed gratitude for the recognition from the board and his excitement for the new school year that is about to begin. Dr. June Munford, who stepped down from the position only two weeks prior to pursue retirement, was recognized for his achievements at the meeting, before giving a farewell message. “It’s been a pleasure working with the board,” stated Dr. Munford, saying his career was a “perfect fit” He also thanked God and the school board…
Diana and James Jacobs were officially charged Friday with the murder Alexander McKay Hunter, a former resident of the Rosewood Care assisted living home in Nicholls where Mrs. Jacobs was formerly employed. Coffee County Sheriff’s Office officials stated that detectives continue to gather information and evidence involving the death of Mr. Hunter, whose body was found buried in a clandestine grave at the home on August 8, 2014. Diana Jacobs was initially arrested at the Rosewood Care facility after revealing to detectives that the body of Hunter was buried inside a shed located on the property. At that time, she…
It’s very likely that some Coffee County High School alumni driving down South Madison Avenue in Douglas have been greeted by a familiar face. On the corner of East Bryan Street and South Madison sits O’Malley’s Musical Instruments, owned by the son of John Maley, who served as band director for Coffee County High School for 20 years, from 1964 to 1984, and whose face can be seen smiling on the wall of the new business. John Maley’s musical excellence is well remembered and respected by much of the Coffee County community and beyond. His love and affinity for music…
The staff at Douglas Now was saddened this week to learn of the sudden passing of longtime community leader and advocate Joe Day. Following is Mr. Day’s obituary courtesy of Sim’s Funeral Home: Joseph Hayden “Joe” Day age 69 of Douglas, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Day was born on July 17, 1946, in Douglas to the late Henry Hayden Day and Annie Ree Ragsdale Day. Mr. Day was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas and a deacon. He retired from McCrary-Daniels Insurance Agency. Survivors include his…
Fireside Pizza Shop in Douglas recently made the list of 100 Plates Locals Love in Georgia Eats magazine for its Carnivore Pizza. Georgia Eats is published by Explore Georgia, the state’s official tourism and travel organization. “Meat lovers flip for this hand-tossed dough topped with five meats and mozzarella cooked in a stone oven,” the article said of Fireside’s dish. Fireside Pizza Shop is located at 114 N. Peterson Ave. inside the Atrium building. They can be reached at (912) 501-3101. To read the full article on the state’s 100 favorie local dishes, click here.
Information provided by Douglas police on Wednesday via the department’s Facebook page purports to show a marked decrease in overall crime in the city between January to June, 2014, and January to June, 2015. The informational graphic claims substantial decreases in major crimes such as roberries, assaults, burglaries, and sex crimes. The only crimes listed on the chart which showed small increases were motor vehicle thefts and criminal trespasses. Douglas police did not offer any comments on the graphic or any information regarding how the statistics were compiled. Douglas Now has provided an image of the information given by the…
By Megan Bennett Douglas Mayor James Dennis thanked Debbie Fussell, owner of Blue Door Décor, for being part of the “economic engine here in Douglas” at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the business Tuesday morning. Coffee County Chamber of Commerce members Sherry Davis, Stanley Lott, and Donny Bradshaw spoke at the ceremony, all praising the success the store has seen and the hard effort of Fussell and her fellow employees and partners. Blue Door Decor is located at 312 North Madison Avenue directly across the street from the First United Methodist Church and has been open for nine months. In…