Police and fire officials are investigating another residential arson in Douglas that occurred early Sunday morning after the home was initially burglarized. Authorities were dispatched to 616 N. Wheeler Avenue at around 7 a.m. Sunday morning. After making contact with the homeowner, officers discovered the residence had most likely been burglarized as a number of items were missing, including flat screen televisions and possibly other belongings. Officers noted damage to a rear door of the residence, which was most likely the point of entry for the burglars. No one was home at the time of the incident, and investigators were…
Author: Staff Reports
After months of planning and preparation, the Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County opened its doors last week, and a large mix of community leaders, individuals, and club advocates gathered together Thursday to celebrate the new organization. The Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County is located at the building formerly occupied by the Douglas Police Department at 210 W. Jackson St. It mission is “to enable the young people of the Coffee County region, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens by providing a safe, positive place where they…
Two individuals were arrested and charged Thursday with drug distribution after police officers and detectives with the Douglas-Coffee County Drug Unit (DCDU) discovered large amounts of various prescription drugs, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cash in their hotel room. Officers with the Douglas Police Department responded to the Holiday Inn Express on South Peterson Avenue after receiving a complaint of an unusual odor within the hotel. While investigating, they discovered two occupants, identified as Randy Allen Carter and Robin Almeda Wrinn, to be in possession of a quantity of the controlled prescription medications Soma and Lorcet, along with methamphetamine and crack cocaine.…
The Coffee Alliance for the Arts will be hosting ‘A Night of Swing’ featuring the Rhythm Masters Band this Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Douglas Golf & Country Club. The event will kick off at 7 p.m., and advanced tickets are still available through Friday for $45 at the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the night of the event for $55. Cash prizes will be given for best dance couple and best 40s attire. All funds raised will go towards supporting activities within Coffee County. For more information, call (912) 592-9225.
Attorney Melissa Jill Starling will face two felony charges after being indicted by a Coffee County grand jury last week. The indictment, which was filed on August 27, specifically charges Starling with one count of forgery in the first degree and one count of influencing a witness. On the forgery charge, the indictment asserts that on November 8, 2013, Starling knowingly and unlawfully signed the name of one of her clients to a divorce action that was filed in Coffee County Superior Court. The indictment further alleges that Starling later offered money to the same client on March 3, 2014,…
Tuesday afternoon traffic was brought to a near standstill on U.S. 441 South after a tractor-trailer overturned on the highway. Heavy rains that pounded Coffee County around 5:30 p.m. were likely a contributing factor in the accident, which occurred just south of the Douglas city limits in the area of Osbon Mills Road. The semi truck was eventually moved and authorities are currently investigating the incident. No further information is available at this time.
Michael Berrian of Douglas will spend the rest of his life in a prison cell after entering an Alford plea to one count of felony murder in Coffee County Superior Court Wednesday morning. Alford pleas are a common occurrence in criminal cases where the defendant does not necessarily admit guilt, but concedes that the evidence against him is overwhelming and likely to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. A jury was selected Tuesday for the trial and was instructed to return to hear the case at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Assistant District Attorney John Rumker stated Berrian decided to enter…
The trial of Michael Berrian, who is accused of the 2012 murder of Marcus Demond Collins, is scheduled to begin this week in Coffee County Superior Court. Just after midnight on February 14, 2012, officers with the City of Douglas Police Department responded to the Roundtree Center at 801 South Gaskin Avenue, where they discovered the victim lying on the parking lot at the building. Collins was basicually unresponsive when authorities arrived and succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. Michael Berrian was arrested for the murder of Mr. Collins later the same day and has been awaiting trial since then.…
Raymond Leon Minor of Douglas won’t be doing any prison time for racking up 80 charges of financial transaction card fraud, but will be made to pay his ex over $10 thousand in restitution. Minor appeared in Coffee County Superior Court last week to answer to the charges and admitted to fraudulently using a former girlfriend’s transaction card without her permission. All in all, Minor was able to take the victim for $10,425.34. “You know how people fall in and out of love,” said Assistant District Attorney John Rumker, “I’m not sure if he loved her or her money.” As…
While learning about shapes and colors within our environment, Pre-K Students at Eastside Elementary found something that had a lot of shapes and the bright beautiful color of yellow. It was a big yellow Coffee County school bus, with a rectangle body, large circle wheels, and many square windows. The students loaded the bus for a bus safety lesson prior to school field trips to begin soon. Veteran bus driver Wanda Burkett talked to the students about being safe on a bus and helping to have a safe trip when traveling by school. Mrs. Burkett then took the children on…