Author: Staff Reports

A traffic stop that resulted from a passenger in a vehicle throwing a wrapper out of the window ended up landing the driver in jail on drug charges. According to a report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, a detective was patrolling in the Rainey Drive/Leary Circle area of Ambrose when he saw a person in a vehicle throw a plastic wrapper out of a vehicle. The detective conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, the passenger, Rickey Burch, admitted to throwing out the wrapper, the incident report states. Also, Burch and the driver, Melissa Carpenter, 43, of West Green,…

On February 23, 2024, a Douglas police officer responded to a Hollywood Drive address in reference to a shots fired call. Witnesses at the scene identified Travis Toombs, 48, of Douglas, as the suspect. By the time officers arrived, Toombs had left. Toombs avoided capture for a couple of days but eventually, his luck ran out. When officers arrived, the complainant stated that Toombs had been at the house grilling when, out of nowhere, he fired a shot from a 9mm handgun in the air, the incident report states. The complainant told Toombs “he was not going to be doing…

The CCA Patriots split a double-header with the Frederica Academy Knights on Friday afternoon, winning game one 2-1 then dropping game two 3-2. The game one win was CCA head coach Jeremy Coram’s 200th as a Patriot. In game one, neither team scored until the final inning. Landon Williams led off the top of the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a bunt by Sam Ables. Gray McLean then singled to score Williams. McLean went to third on a throwing error then scored on a passed ball to take a 2-0 lead. After a Jonathan Rutland walk,…

Bailey Tardy, an LPGA pro with a strong connection to Douglas, won her first LPGA event Sunday thanks to a dominating back nine that obliterated her competition, including future hall of famer Lydia Ko, who was in contention until Sunday. Ko faded on the last day, eventually finishing tied for fourth. Tardy made headlines last year as a rookie with a tie for fourth at the Women’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach after leading the tournament through 36 holes. Her fourth place finish earned her $482,136. This weekend, the LPGA was in China for the LPGA Blue Bay tournament in…

Every Trojan in the lineup had a hit in Coffee’s 14-8 win over the 7A Colquitt County Packers Thursday in Moultrie. The win was the Trojans’ second over the Packers this season and improved the Trojans to 11-1. The two teams were tied 3-3 after four innings when Coffee erupted for five runs to take an 8-3 lead in the fifth. Ben Fussell led off the inning with a single. Cannon Jones was hit by a pitch, moving Fussell to second with nobody out. Michael Strickland followed with a walk to load the bases. Payton Bryant came up next and…

Qualifying has ended for the 2024 election. Here are the candidates, along with party affiliation in partisan races, who have qualified to run for the various local offices: County CommissionerDistrict #2Jimmy Kitchens – RCory Burnam – RJacky Jones – D District #4Johnny Wayne Jowers – R District #5Ted O’Steen – RCassius Kurt Johnson -D Board of EducationDistrict #3Gene WadeTravaski Adams District #5Jacquelyn JowersTabitha Paulk Clerk of Superior CourtElisa Gillis – R CoronerBrandon Musgrove – RChris Johnson – R Magistrate Court JudgeJulia A. Phillips Probate Court JudgeBeverly Johns SheriffDaniel Paulk – RFred Cole – RKenneth Merritt – RBen Munford – D…

An officer investigating a suspicious vehicle near Ambrose arrested two individuals on a variety of charges, including illegal drug charges and DUI for the driver. According to a sheriff’s office report, around 1 a.m. on March 2, 2024, a deputy noticed a car at 4227 Vickers Crossing that appeared suspicious. Members of the community had expressed interest in having a greater law enforcement presence in the area due to suspected drug activity taking place. As the officer pulled up to the vehicle, it drove away. The officer stopped the vehicle, which was driven by 18-year-old Jaci Laura Palmer of Douglas.…

The Coffee Trojans exacted a little revenge on the Brantley County Herons Wednesday afternoon at Charles Wilson Field in Douglas. The Trojans defeated the Herons 7-3, avenging their only loss of the season, which Brantley dished out last week on the road. The two teams matched each other for the first two innings, with both scoring a run in each frame. The Herons took a 3-2 led in the top of the fourth then the Trojans erupted for five runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 advantage that held for the remainder of the game. Pitcher/shortstop…

After a close game against Toombs on Friday night, the Coffee Trojans decided not to leave their next game to chance. Monday, they jumped out early and never let up against the Bacon County Red Raiders in Alma. The Trojans won 17-0 in four innings to improve to 9-1. Senior Payton Bryant led the way for Coffee on the mound and at the plate. He threw a 66-pitch one-hit complete game with three strikeouts and three walks. Offensively, Bryant was 2-2 with two walks, four RBI, and one run scored. He also hit his second home run of the year,…

State School Superintendent Richard Woods has named 276 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools from 99 school districts for 2024. Coffee High School and Atkinson County High School made the AP Access and Support Schools list. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 AP Honor Schools,” Superintendent Woods said. “I commend them for their hard work to build strong Advanced Placement programs and, as a result, provide high-quality opportunities for Georgia students. Additionally, I am thrilled that the number of AP Honor Schools and school districts continues to rise each year – a testament to the commitment of Georgia public…