Local florist and author Randy Wooten will be launching his first book, Jubilation, this Thursday beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Delorice’s Florist. Wooten debuted Jubilation July 1 at the The National Symposium of the American Institute Of Floral in Denver, Colorado. A fourth generation florist and president of the Georgia State Florist’s Association, Randy Wooten has been owner of Delorice’s Florist since 2003. In addition, he has traveled the country speaking on many subjects such as sympathy, wedding events, everyday designs and conducting hands-on workshops. Wooten is very excited about the release of his book, which was…
Author: Staff Reports
A 41-year-old Waycross woman was killed over the weekend after being struck by a train while walking. Authorities stated Jessica Elaine Parker was walking along S. Nichols Street when she disregarded an activated crossing bar just prior to 3 a.m. Sunday. She was hit by the lead engine of a CSX train near the intersection of S. Nichols and Francis St. Parker’s body was launched nearly 70 ft. west of the railroad crossing, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed in the case. Parker’s body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s…
A two-car collision on Andrew Tanner Rd. Saturday cost one person his life and sent three others to the hospital with severe injuries. Officials stated that a black Dodge pickup truck, driven by Rufus Littleton, hydroplaned on the county road just south of Nicholls, and a Nissan Xterra collided into it from the rear. Littleton died as a result of the accident and a passenger in the truck, identified as Crystal Payne, was airlifted to a Macon hospital. The occupants of the Xterra were also hospitalized, with the driver suffering a collapsed lung and broken right leg. Authorities said the…
A 55-year-old Douglas man currently on parole for drug distribution is most likely headed back to prison after authorities discovered a significant amount of cocaine in his vehicle. Officials with the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit reported that K-9 officers initiated a traffic stop Friday on Sears St. in Douglas on a vehicle occupied by Johnny Dewayne Martin. During the course of the traffic stop, they said, officers discovered ½ ounce of crack cocaine within the vehicle, Martin was subsequently arrested and jailed for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Martin has a lengthy prison record dating back…
Two local residents were the proud recipients this week of free Yeti coolers, courtesy of Burger King restaurants in Douglas and Hazlehurst. Ellie Morrison and Michael Whitley claimed their prizes after each person was picked randomly from a recent drawing. Ellie Morrison Michael Whitley
Officials with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) reported Thursday that the mother of a four-year-old was arrested recently after she took her child with her to conduct a drug transaction in a public parking lot. Authorities say Isabella Taft was one of three indivduals jailed Monday, June 29, after officers intercepted a cocaine delivery in the K-Mart parking lot in Douglas. Detectives stated Taft had the child with her during the drug deal and they subsequently contacted the Department of Family and Children Services. The child was later turned over to a family member who had responded to the scene.…
Clauden Pubien, the last remaining co-defendant charged in connection with the 2013 murder of Daquavious Reed, pled guilty to a lighter charge Wednesday in Coffee County Superior Court and walked away with probation. Pubien pled guilty to robbery by force and, as a result, the district attorney’s office opted to not prosecute the murder charge against him. In an e-mail sent to Douglas Now Wednesday night, Assistant District Attorney Ian Sansot stated,”(Pubien’s) two co-defendants were the primary conspirators and have already been convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The reason for this difference in sentence is…
Investigators with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office believe they have caught two thieves in the act and are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying them. Officials say the two men are persons of interest in a theft that occurred recently at a residence in Coffee County. The men were captured on a video surveillance camera, and the sheriff’s office has released footage of the incident on the department’s Facebook page. If you recognize the individuals or have any information that would assist investigators in identifying and locating these persons, please call the sheriff’s office at (912) 384-4227, the Tip Line…
Douglas native and current Valdosta attorney Amy Holbrook was recently selected as a board member for the General Practice and Trial Law Section of the State Bar Association of Georgia. The General Practice and Trial Law Section proclaims itself as “Georgia’s Largest Law Firm.” It is one of the largest sections of the State Bar of Georgia, bringing together practitioners from all across the state. Amy will represent District 2 on the Board for the 2015-2016 term. Amy attended Valdosta State University, where she received her undergraduate degree in Political Science. During her time at Valdosta State University, she served…
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office today released a public notification regarding the recent release of a convicted sex offender who will be residing in the Coffee County area. Billy DeWayne Benefield was released from Johnson State Prison this week after serving almost 14 years of a 30-year sentence on two counts of aggravated child molestation, according to records obtained through the Georgia Department of Corrections. Benefield, 49, is described as a white male, approximately 5’8″, 142 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Sheriff’s officials have registered his current address at a residence on Michael Peterson Road in West Green.…