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The Douglas Fire Department (DFD) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week (FPW) for more than 100 years — to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” It highlights the importance of buying, charging, and recycling lithium-ion batteries safely. “Lithium-ion batteries are powerful, convenient, and they’re just about everywhere. If not used correctly or if damaged, lithium-ion batteries can overheat, start a fire, or even explode,” says Douglas Fire Chief Casey Wright. “To reduce these risks, take a look around your home to…

On September 22, 2025, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association’s Operation Watchful Eye X, conducted compliance checks on all 98 registered sex offenders in Coffee County. Of those 98 individuals, five are classified as dangerous sexual predators. Deputies are proud to report that all offenders were found to be in full compliance with the rules and regulations of the state registry at the time of the checks. No arrests were made. This outcome is a remarkable achievement for Coffee County, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Unit and its…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has filed additional charges against Chris Johnson as part of the ongoing case involving Johnson Funeral Home. Johnson now faces: This case began on October 26, 2024, when deputies discovered 18 bodies in varying stages of decomposition at Johnson Funeral Home. Since then, all remains have been identified and families notified. Investigators also uncovered irregularities involving insurance fraud, falsified records, and mishandling of cremains. Johnson has remained in custody at the Coffee County Jail. James A. Sirmans of Fitzgerald was also arrested in December 2024 for his role in related insurance fraud. The GBI, with…

Douglas Rotary Club recognized an exceptional Wiregrass Georgia Technical College student at the club’s October 2 meeting at South Georgia State College. Kristen Boggan, a cosmetology student at Wiregrass, was recognized by her instructor April Lott, Kelly Peacock, and classmates Reanna Giben and Shiquana Johnson for her entrepreneurial spirit and scholarship while at Wiregrass. Following graduation in December 2025, Ms. Boggan, will be opening Station 31 Salon at 301 Peterson Avenue South, Suite B in Douglas. While a January 2026 grand opening is planned, Ms. Boggan can be reached at 912-850-7195 for inquiries. Douglas Rotary is a service organization seeking…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College held its Summer 2025 Commencement Exercises on Thursday, July 31. A total of 512 students were awarded an associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit, including 11 dual enrollment/high school students who earned a college credential. Among the graduates, the college conferred 102 associate degrees, 110 diplomas, and 607 technical certificates of credit. The ceremony was held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Max the Fox, Wiregrass’ new mascot, surprised the crowd with his first public college appearance. The graduation speaker was Ricardo Garcia, a graduate in Dental Assisting. Garcia made college…

On September 22, 2025, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Historic Preservation Division announced that Douglas is one of eight municipalities in Georgia to receive federal subgrants totaling $120,000. Douglas will receive $6,780 to support the World War II Flight Training School Master Plan. Douglas was eligible to apply for this grant because of its Certified Local Government (CLG) designation. Each year, Georgia’s 100 Certified Local Governments can apply for matching grants, which are funded 60 percent by federal sources and 40 percent by local sources. To become a federally Certified Local Government, a city or county must pass a…

Elizabeth Jane Vaughn, age 70, of Nicholls, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at her residence, surrounded by her family. Ms. Elizabeth was born on October 5, 1954, in Duval County, FL to the late Lecil Davis and the late Juanita Davis. Survivors include: her beloved husband, William Vaughn of Nicholls, GA; three daughters, Carmen Lopez of Douglas, GA, Jennie Arnett of FL, and Jessica (Jose) Tirado of Douglas, GA; two sons, Camilo Arnett of Alma, GA and Paul Arnett of MI; five sisters, Jeannie (Mark) Metharat of Cocoa Beach, FL, Linda Reynolds of Waycross, GA, Shaila Sepulveda…

Herman M. Purvis, age 92, of Broxton, GA, passed away peacefully at Coffee Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025. He was born on July 8th, 1933 the son of Archie Purvis and Ora Tucker Purvis. His survivors include: two daughters, Shanda (Johnny Wayne) Jowers of Broxton, GA and Kim (Joey) Minter of Ambrose, GA; one son, Shaun Purvis of Valdosta, GA; along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one nephew. He was preceded in death by: father, Archie Purvis; mother, Ora Tucker Purvis; and one brother, Carroll Wright Purvis. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 4th, 2025,…

Early this week, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources received confirmation notification that a 2.5 year-old buck in Lanier County tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The landowner, in cooperation with GA DNR, collected the deer for disease monitoring (CWD and Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)). The location of this new positive deer sample is approximately five miles south of the initial detection of CWD. In accordance with the DNR’s CWD Management Plan, a five-mile radius has been set around this new positive sample and counties that are within the five-mile radius will be part of the CWD Management Area (CMA) for enhanced…

By Stan Popovich It can be scary when attending an addiction facility for the first time to overcome your addictions and other mental health issues. Many people may wonder what they should and should not do when they attend these places. As a result, here are six suggestions on how to get the most from going to rehab. 1. Follow the rules: The most important thing a person should do is to follow the rules when entering rehab. Focus your energies on getting better and don’t do anything that could get you into trouble. Your main goal should be to find the…