Author: Staff Reports

Friday afternoon, attorney Matt Hennesy, representing the Douglas Bar Association, presented retired State Court Judge Bob Preston with the Liberty Bell Award. The local bar association presents the Liberty Bell Award to an individual in the Coffee County community who exhibits outstanding community service. The award often goes to someone who has promoted better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility, or contributed to good government in the community. It is often, but not always, presented to an individual lawyer or judge or to an…

By Ross Williams The Georgia Recorder www.georgiarecorder.com State lawmakers could soon consider a bill that experts say could prohibit the sale of Delta-8 THC, now readily available at Georgia health food stores and other retailers. Delta-8 is a compound found in small amounts in some types of hemp plant. It is similar to the Delta-9 compound, which produces the high marijuana users experience. In 2018, Congress passed an agriculture bill that, among other changes, made it legal to grow hemp with concentrations of Delta-9 THC below 0.3%. But the bill did not specify any…

By Ross Williams The Georgia Recorder www.georgiarecorder.com State lawmakers could soon consider a bill that experts say could prohibit the sale of Delta-8 THC, now readily available at Georgia health food stores and other retailers. Delta-8 is a compound found in small amounts in some types of hemp plant. It is similar to the Delta-9 compound, which produces the high marijuana users experience. In 2018, Congress passed an agriculture bill that, among other changes, made it legal to grow hemp with concentrations of Delta-9 THC below 0.3%. But the bill did not specify any…

The Brooke Owens Fellowship, a nationally-acclaimed nonprofit program recognizing exceptional undergraduate women and gender minorities with space and aviation internships, senior mentorship, and a lifelong professional network, has announced its Class of 2023 Brooke Owens Fellows. Douglas native Samina Patel, a junior at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, has been named one of 47 Brooke Owens Fellows. She is pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in International Affairs. Growing up, Samina spent endless nights gazing at the stars and planets in the sky. Her passion for engineering was sparked in high…

The Brooke Owens Fellowship, a nationally-acclaimed nonprofit program recognizing exceptional undergraduate women and gender minorities with space and aviation internships, senior mentorship, and a lifelong professional network, has announced its Class of 2023 Brooke Owens Fellows. Douglas native Samina Patel, a junior at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, has been named one of 47 Brooke Owens Fellows. She is pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in International Affairs. Growing up, Samina spent endless nights gazing at the stars and planets in the sky. Her passion for engineering was sparked in high…

By Jill Nolin The Georgia Recorder www.georgiarecorder.com While an Alabama-based company’s controversial mining proposal moves through the permitting process, a south Georgia Republican lawmaker is again attempting to head off any future attempt to mine an important site near the Okefenokee Swamp. Rep. Darlene Taylor, a Thomasville Republican, has revived the legislative effort just days after the state Environmental Protection Division started a 60-day public comment period on Twin Pines Minerals’ draft mining land use permit. Taylor’s bill would not directly impact the company’s permit application that is already in the works, but if the…

By Jill Nolin The Georgia Recorder www.georgiarecorder.com While an Alabama-based company’s controversial mining proposal moves through the permitting process, a south Georgia Republican lawmaker is again attempting to head off any future attempt to mine an important site near the Okefenokee Swamp. Rep. Darlene Taylor, a Thomasville Republican, has revived the legislative effort just days after the state Environmental Protection Division started a 60-day public comment period on Twin Pines Minerals’ draft mining land use permit. Taylor’s bill would not directly impact the company’s permit application that is already in the works, but if the…

A suspect wanted out of DeKalb County led officers from Bacon and Coffee counties on a high speed chase last week that ended near Nicholls. According to a release issued by the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office, on January 18, 2023, Alma Police Department officers were dispatched to the Circle K/McDonald’s at the intersection of East 16th Street and South Pierce Street in reference to a stolen vehicle. While officers spoke with the victim, the stolen vehicle was spotted in Bacon County heading towards Coffee County. The offender, Deanthony Scott, 26 of Atlanta, led deputies from Bacon…

A suspect wanted out of DeKalb County led officers from Bacon and Coffee counties on a high speed chase last week that ended near Nicholls. According to a release issued by the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office, on January 18, 2023, Alma Police Department officers were dispatched to the Circle K/McDonald’s at the intersection of East 16th Street and South Pierce Street in reference to a stolen vehicle. While officers spoke with the victim, the stolen vehicle was spotted in Bacon County heading towards Coffee County. The offender, Deanthony Scott, 26 of Atlanta, led deputies from Bacon…

Less than a week after being released from jail, 27-year-old Chasity Cumbass was booked back into the Coffee County Jail last week after she allegedly violated the conditions of her bond. On New Year’s Day, Cumbass was arrested on drug possession charges after she was reportedly discovered asleep in her vehicle at a gas pump at a local convenience store. The officer stated that when she made contact with Cumbass, she saw packages containing suspected illegal drugs. Cumbass was booked into the Coffee County Jail that day on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.…