Author: Submitted

The City of Douglas kindly encourages businesses within the city limits that have not paid their 2025 occupational tax to take a moment to secure their business license at their earliest convenience. Beginning August 28, 2025, overdue business license accounts will incur penalties—so paying the delinquent tax today is the best way to avoid penalties. “We understand that running a business is sometimes challenging; however, it is important that delinquent business owners comply with the Code of Ordinances of the City of Douglas and secure their occupational tax certificates,” emphasized Georgia Henderson, Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director. “Our…

Mr. Russell Dwight Pridgen, age 70 of Broxton, Georgia, passed away early Friday morning, August 15, 2025, at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation. Mr. Pridgen was born January 7, 1955, to Russell Pridgen and the late Elender Hamilton Pridgen of Broxton, Georgia. Mr. Pridgen worked in the road construction industry for many years in Florida. He was of the Baptist Faith. Survivors include: His wife: Ismaelita “Mae” Damaolao Pridgen of Broxton, Georgia; a son, Rodelo Martin Damaolao of the Philippines; 2 Grandchildren: Enzo Ismael Damaolao and Ehron Isaac Damaolao of the Philippines; and 2 siblings: Imogene Pridgen of Winter Haven,…

Mr. James Elton Royals, age 66 of Willacoochee, Georgia, passed away Friday morning, August 15, 2025 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia following a short illness. Mr. Royals was born October 20, 1958 to the late Vernon Alton Royals and the late Dorothy Sue Boyd Fordray in Dupont, Georgia. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Richard Dale Royals and his step-mother Lucy Faye Royals. Mr. Royals had been a Supervisor for Elixir Door and Metal for 23 years, and was of the Baptist Faith. Mr. Royals is survived by his wife of…

Miss Sandy Aundria Newman, age 62 of Douglas, GA passed away early Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2025, at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, FL, following an extended illness. Sandy was born July 3, 1963 in Columbus, GA to Sandra F. Newman and the late Kenneth D. Newman. Sandy was a bank teller for BB&T in Columbus, GA. She loved sewing and was of the Baptist Faith. Sandy is survived by her loving mother: Sandra F. Newman of Douglas, Georgia; a sister: Tammie Burlington of Rocky Mount, Virginia; a brother: Ken Newman, Jr. of Douglas, Georgia; a Special Friend and…

Mrs. Sarah Samantha Phillips Wiggins, age 89 of Douglas, GA passed away early Thursday morning, August 14, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Wiggins was born October 1, 1935 to the late Preston Phillips and the late Irma Grantham Phillips. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Preston “June Bug” Phillips, Jr., Johnny Phillips, Betty Jane Wright and Mary Evelyn Phillips. Mrs. Wiggins, a native of Coffee County. After becoming a grandparent “Janmother” as she was so lovingly called, she became very involved with all her grandchildren’s school activities. She…

Ms. Hazel Nell Frazier Dent, age 72 of Broxton, Georgia passed away Friday morning, August 15, 2025, at her residence following an extended illness. Ms. Dent was born May 7, 1953 to the late Clifford Frazier and the late Gertrude Fender Frazier Wren in Berrien County. Ms. Dent was a CNA at the Landings. She enjoyed making crafts and sewing for her hobbies. She also attended Heritage Baptist Church in Broxton, Georgia. She is survived by 3 Daughters; Kathy Brantley and husband Travis of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Vicky Roberson and husband John of Broxton, Georgia and Heather Suggs of Sierra Vista,…

The Coffee Trojans cross country team competed in the Peach State Preview meet at Jeff Davis County on Saturday. The Trojans were led by Liam LeBroq who finished 5th with a time of 16:58 (PR). Dillon Yarberry finished 15th with a time of 18:31 (PR). Jakeryum Tims finished 23rd with a time of 19:06. Aaron Ramirez (59th, 20:41, PR), Max Galarza (65th, 20:56, PR), Waylon Fussell (67th, 21:03, PR) and Johnathan Perez (82nd, 21:26, PR) rounded out the top 7 for the Trojans. The Trojans scored 157 points and finished 6th out of 18 teams. Kellah Smith and Ensley Crawford…

A federal jury in Albany, Georgia, convicted a Georgia man today for his participation in a scheme to defraud the Georgia Department of Labor (GaDOL) out of millions of dollars in benefits meant to assist unemployed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The defendant and his co-conspirators orchestrated a scheme where they used stolen identities to submit fraudulent unemployment claims in order to steal millions of dollars of funds intended for the benefit of unemployed Americans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Such schemes are all too common, but the Criminal Division is resolved…

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) confirmed two positive cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) along the Lanier/Berrien County line.   The DNR will hold a meeting on August 21, 2025, at Lanier County High School in Lakeland to discuss CWD and its possible effects on the deer herd in affected areas. Experts will be at the meeting and will answer questions from citizens. With the initial discovery, WRD established the CWD Management Area (CMA), which includes the county where the positive samples were found and any county touching a 5-mile radius around the location. The current CMA includes Lanier…

The GBI has arrested and charged Wayne Leo Chance, age 51, of Perkins, GA, with one count of Disorderly Conduct, four counts of Terroristic Threats, and one count of Impersonating a Police Officer. On August 8, 2025, the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations of a person who had impersonated a police officer and made terroristic threats. Investigators identified Chance as the person involved in the incident. Chance allegedly confronted four people riding ATVs on a county-maintained road. At the time of the incident, Chance was driving a non-law enforcement vehicle equipped with activated construction-style warning…