Author: Staff Reports

A Jeff Davis County inmate who made a break for freedom on Christmas day is back in custody. At approximately 2:00 p.m. on December 25, 2022, Jay Carroll Fergueron escaped the Jeff Davis County Jail after being held on active warrant through another county. After nearly two weeks on the run, Ware State K9 officers located and arrested Fugueron in Waycross. Officers from the Waycross Police Department arrived to transport Fergueron to the county jail. Fergueron is back in Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office custody and faces new charges for escape and interfering with government property. …

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that over $234 million would be awarded in grant funds to 28 Georgia counties, including locations in Coffee County, for broadband internet expansion. The release states that the grants will “improve connectivity for communities, households, businesses, and anchor institutions” in areas with “some of the greatest need for high-speed internet access.” “On August 12, 2022, Gov. Kemp announced the creation of the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program, utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget and the Georgia Technology Authority worked together to…

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that over $234 million would be awarded in grant funds to 28 Georgia counties, including locations in Coffee County, for broadband internet expansion. The release states that the grants will “improve connectivity for communities, households, businesses, and anchor institutions” in areas with “some of the greatest need for high-speed internet access.” “On August 12, 2022, Gov. Kemp announced the creation of the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program, utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget and the Georgia Technology Authority worked together to…

The Coffee County Drug Unit (CCDU) wrapped up the 2022 calendar year with 229 arrests. Most of those arrests involved violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act while other arrests were made for outstanding warrants. The CCDU seized approximately 7.46 pounds or 3,383 grams of suspected methamphetamine/MDMA. The street value for the amount of these substances seized is estimated to be in excess of $33,000, with a valuation of $300/ounce. These substances are psychostimulants that are often sold in grams. Officers seized 1.23 pounds of cocaine, or 557 grams. The CCDU less commonly seizes this substance due…

The Coffee County Drug Unit (CCDU) wrapped up the 2022 calendar year with 229 arrests. Most of those arrests involved violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act while other arrests were made for outstanding warrants. The CCDU seized approximately 7.46 pounds or 3,383 grams of suspected methamphetamine/MDMA. The street value for the amount of these substances seized is estimated to be in excess of $33,000, with a valuation of $300/ounce. These substances are psychostimulants that are often sold in grams. Officers seized 1.23 pounds of cocaine, or 557 grams. The CCDU less commonly seizes this substance due…

Responders with the Douglas Air Evac Lifetime 90 are pulling together to help a longtime flight paramedic, Andrew Kersey, and his family after they lost everything in a fire at their Appling County home on Monday morning. The Douglas Air Evac team shared the news on Tuesday and asked for prayers and thoughts for the Kersey family. They also listed a number of items the family needs, including clothes for their two children. The post states, “The greatest needs are clothing and shoes, towels, washcloths, various home goods, and more. The sizes include: men’s 32/30 pants,…

Responders with the Douglas Air Evac Lifetime 90 are pulling together to help a longtime flight paramedic, Andrew Kersey, and his family after they lost everything in a fire at their Appling County home on Monday morning. The Douglas Air Evac team shared the news on Tuesday and asked for prayers and thoughts for the Kersey family. They also listed a number of items the family needs, including clothes for their two children. The post states, “The greatest needs are clothing and shoes, towels, washcloths, various home goods, and more. The sizes include: men’s 32/30 pants,…

State Court Judge Bob Preston has announced his retirement effective Friday, December 23, 2022. Judge Preston, 80, has served on the State Court bench since January 1, 2005. He was elected in 2004. He successfully won re-election in 2008, 2012, and 2016. In 2020, he ran unopposed — the only time in his career that he did not face opposition. “I would like to thank the citizens of Coffee County for entrusting this position to me. During my time on the bench, I have done my very best to handle each case individually and treat those…

State Court Judge Bob Preston has announced his retirement effective Friday, December 23, 2022. Judge Preston, 80, has served on the State Court bench since January 1, 2005. He was elected in 2004. He successfully won re-election in 2008, 2012, and 2016. In 2020, he ran unopposed — the only time in his career that he did not face opposition. “I would like to thank the citizens of Coffee County for entrusting this position to me. During my time on the bench, I have done my very best to handle each case individually and treat those…

Lee Clark Exonerated After More Than 25 Years By Blis Savidge The Georgia Innocence Project On the evening of Thursday, December 8, Darrell Lee Clark walked out of the Floyd County Jail and into the arms of family in time to celebrate his first Christmas as a free man in more than two decades. His release came just moments after a hearing on his extraordinary motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. The Rome Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office agreed that Clark’s conviction should be overturned and quickly dismissed all underlying charges against Clark, officially…