On April 2, 2025, a utility worker in the vicinity of Ronnie Walker Road and Burl Mill Road heard a man and woman involved in a heated argument that appeared to be escalating into a physical confrontation. Concerned, he contacted 911 to request deputies to respond to the scene. When the deputies arrived at the residence, their investigation revealed that 35-year-old Xaivier McFatten from Nicholls had gotten into a dispute over $40. The verbal exchange allegedly turned physical when McFatten grabbed the victim by the shirt and knocked a cellphone out of their hands. Following the altercation, McFatten was placed…
Author: Staff Reports
During a traffic stop, a Douglas police officer discovered suspected crack cocaine and marijuana. As a result, he arrested the driver, Azikiwie Sekou Phillips, 51, of Douglas, and took him to the Coffee County Jail. An incident report from the sheriff’s office states that on March 22, 2025, just after 11 p.m., an officer observed a 1999 Toyota Corolla that was traveling south on North Gaskin Avenue weave out of its lane. The officer initiated a traffic stop and noticed that Phillips had a gray or white powder in his lap, according to the report. The report states that the…
You can’t threaten to burn down someone’s house. Even if it’s poetic license. Allegedly, of course. According to a press release from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, on March 28, 2025, a deputy arrested Senie Benefield Jr., 31, of Douglas, after he allegedly threatened to burn down a house on New Forest Road and Amber Hills Road. According to the release, Benefield approached the home on a bicycle and spoke to the owners in a confrontational manner. The owners did not recognize Benefield and took his threats seriously. Allegedly, Benefield told the owners that “I know where you sleep and…
A Coffee County deputy stopped a 2020 GMC Terrain after he recognized the driver as someone with active warrants across several counties. The driver, identified as Kiel Travis Pittman, 40, of Douglas, was arrested and currently remains in custody. On March 28, 2025, a deputy stopped Pittman while he was traveling north on Highway 135. During the stop, the officer discovered two handguns. Pittman had active warrants in Coffee, Atkinson, and Appling counties. As a convicted felon, he was also in violation of the law by having the handguns. As per Georgia Law 16-11-131(b), individuals who are on probation as…
The last week or so in Coffee County has been fire-palooza. Fires of all kinds, including out of control brush fires and structure fires, have been reported. The local fire departments and the Georgia Forestry Commission have been wide open answering such calls. At the moment, the City of Douglas is not issuing burn permits. In the county, residents do not need a burn permit unless it is for a pile that has been prepared by equipment, such as an excavator or bulldozer. If it’s self-piled debris, it’s not illegal to burn. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.…
A terrible accident in Jeff Davis County involving a tractor-trailer and a Chevrolet Avalanche resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two young children. The accident occurred on Highway 341 between Hazlehurst and Lumber City on Thursday, March 27, 2025, just after 7:30 p.m. WJCL.com, citing Georgia State Patrol sources, has reported that the Avalanche struck the big truck head-on. The driver of the Avalanche, Nicholas Coleman of Hazlehurst, and his one- and two-year-old children, did not survive, according to the WJCL report. The site also reported that the truck driver, Jason Goodwin of South Carolina, also lost his…
The CCA Patriots swept the Vidalia Heritage Academy Eagles this week, winning the first game on Tuesday 14-4 in Vidalia. Thursday, the two teams met in a doubleheader in Douglas. CCA won both games by scores of 5-0 and 1-0. Tuesday, starter Blake Bryant struck out 12, walked one, and gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits. Catcher Skyler Woods hit CCA’s second home run of the season, a solo shot in the first inning on the first pitch he saw. Jonathan Rutland was 3-3 with two walks, three runs scored, and five RBI. Thomas Gentry was also…
Last month, a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged after he allegedly exposed himself to employees and customers inside multiple convenience stores in town. According to a police department report, Willie Stevens, 23, of Douglas, had been going in local convenience stores and exposing himself. February 22, 2025, at 1:46 a.m., an officer stopped by a store. An employee asked if she could speak with him. The employee said that on three different occasions, a man had entered the store “with his penis completely exposed.” She said he had just left prior to the officer arriving. The officer reviewed in-store…
You’re not supposed to leave the scene of an accident and abandon your car in the middle of the road. Even if you believe you only hit a deer. According to a sheriff’s office report, at 3:42 a.m. on March 13, 2025, an individual called E911 and reported that there was an abandoned vehicle on Warren Carter Road. The caller said that he had looked around the area but didn’t see anyone nearby. An officer arrived and discovered owner was Cortney Merritt. He called Merritt and asked her to return to the scene. She came back and said she…
The South Georgia State College Hawks’ season came to an end in the first round of the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. The Hawks fell to Angelina College (Texas) 87-70 Sunday night. The Hawks never could find a rhythm early in the game. By the time they got a little footing, it was too late. SGSC was behind 51-20 at the half. The Hawks righted the ship in the second half and outscored Angelina 41-36. However, the damage had been done. Angelina advanced while SGSC had to return home. Justin McCarter led the way for the Hawks with 20 points…