Author: Submitted

Officials from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) celebrated the signing of two memorandums of understanding last week, creating a smoother path for Wiregrass students to obtain Bachelor of Science degrees. ABAC President Tracy Brundage, WGTC President DeAnnia Clements, and members of their respective leadership teams met at ABAC’s Tift Hall for the ceremony. Specifically, the agreements will help Wiregrass students who have earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice or an Associate degree in General Studies be certain that more of their courses will successfully transfer to satisfy degree requirements at ABAC. “An important…

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On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at approximately 7:45 p.m., officers from the Douglas Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in an area on the city’s southeast side. The incident took place over a large area covering several blocks, including the 600 block of Roper Street, 800 block of Sears Street, 1500 block of Leader Street, and the 500-600 block of McLean Street. All individuals involved fled the scene before officers arrived. At approximately 7:47 P.M., officers were dispatched to the Coffee Regional Medical Center Emergency Room regarding an individual who had entered with multiple gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, officers…

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Ameris Bank has promoted Shane Shook to market president for Douglas and Vidalia. He succeeds David Batchelor, who recently retired following a distinguished 23-year career with the company. Shook brings more than 27 years of banking experience to the position. He joined Ameris in 2001 and progressed through a variety of roles of increasing responsibility. He has served as city president for the Douglas market since 2018. “Shane Shook is an outstanding leader with a commitment to building relationships and ensuring personalized customer service,” said Ameris Bank Regional President Michael Lee. “He also is very engaged with the community, volunteering…

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The South Georgia State College Hawks celebrated their fifteenth basketball season opener on campus with a 98-57 win over the junior varsity squad from Edward Waters University. The Hawks (1-0) were led by four players in double figures, including leading scorer Devon Rainey with 15 points, four assists and nine steals. Justin McCarter had 13 points and five assists, followed by Ashton Pennamon with 12 points, six assists and four steals. Grant Raven finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Defense continues to be a trademark for the Hawks as the new season begins. SGSC forced 35 turnovers, which included…

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The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has designated an area in downtown Douglas as a Revitalizing Underdeveloped Rural Areas Legislation (R.U.R.A.L.) Zone. A map showing the area eligible for R.U.R.A.L. Zone incentives can be found on the city’s website at cityofdouglasga.gov. This designation enables the city to implement the R.U.R.A.L. Zone incentive program, which aims to stimulate investment, create jobs, and promote economic development in the historic downtown area. Douglas’ R.U.R.A.L. Zone designation will be in effect for five years, allowing eligible businesses to start earning tax credits. The program includes three tax incentive options: the job tax credit,…

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The American Pickers are excited to return to Georgia. They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in December 2024. AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections. As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and…

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Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida on September 26, 2024 as a Category 4 Hurricane. It was one of the largest and fastest storms to ever make landfall in the continental United States, measuring around 350 to 420 miles wide, and moving up to 30 miles per hour over land. These factors are part of what made this storm so devastating for the Southeastern US. The USDA Crop Progress report the week prior to Hurricane Helene showed that 68% of Georgia’s cotton crop had open bolls, with only 1% harvested. This made the majority of our…

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On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office executed an eviction notice at Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services, which is managed by Chris Johnson, 39, of Douglas. During the execution of this notice, deputies made a discovery of 18 bodies in various stages of decomposition within the facility. These findings prompted a request of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to step in, resulting in the arrest of Chris Johnson, who has been charged with 17 counts of Abuse of a Dead Body. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional charges anticipated as authorities continue to gather evidence…

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Michael Jerry “Mike” Atkins, 70, of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away on October 12, 2024. He was born on February 11, 1954, to the late Jerry Atkins and Macel Ayers in Douglas, Georgia, where he remained a resident until 1990. Mike attended Coffee High School and South Georgia College before going on to work for Goodyear Tire and Colonial Life Insurance. In his free time, he was a passionate fisherman, hunter, and motorcycle enthusiast who could often be found riding. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Atkins and Macel Kirby; and his stepfather, Jay Kirby. Mike is survived…

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Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson has announced that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a decrease in September unemployment rates. “This fall, unemployment rates are dropping all across Georgia,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “While some metro areas throughout the state have seen a slight dip in jobs, the overall increase in employment shows that more residents are finding work and contributing to our local economies. I will continue to fight for the resources our citizens need to thrive and ensure that Georgia’s economy remains competitive and the No. 1 place to do business for years to come.” Please see a…

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