Author: Submitted

The City of Douglas, along with the Inframark/ESG Operations Water Department, has been awarded the 2024 Gold Award from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) for the fourth consecutive year for the Douglas water system. “Our treatment plant operators continuously monitor water quality, system tank levels, and distribution main pressures,” says Kevin Davis. “We are committed to serving the Douglas community and are honored to receive recognition from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.” The GAWP 2024 Gold Award for Water Systems is granted to utilities that comply 100 percent with all state permits and water quality regulations throughout a calendar year.

According to an announcement today by Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Sara Selby, thirty-six students received awards for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community involvement. In addition, twenty-three individuals received Student Choice Awards. The recipients were students, faculty, campus safety, staff members, and student clubs and events. SGSC students solely selected the recipients for these awards. Academic Awards 2024-2025: Douglas Campus, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Freshmen Academic Achievement Award – Abram Harrelson, McRae, GA Sophomore Academic Achievement Award – Avery Turner, Baxley, GA Junior Academic Achievement Award – Lissette Rivas, Douglas, GA Senior Academic Achievement Award –…

The recent merger of the Narcotics divisions between the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Douglas Police Department, which officially took effect on May 1, 2025, has already demonstrated significant results, according to a sheriff’s office press release. In the first week of combined operations, the newly unified Narcotics unit successfully seized $11,069 in cash, 91 grams of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana, and six firearms. As part of these efforts, several individuals were arrested. Dontarrius Brown, 27, of Douglas, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon…

The debris collection from Hurricane Helene stopped at the end of March this year. City officials would like to remind residents not to place tree stumps, large limbs, tree trunks (log part of the tree), or construction materials by the roadside. “The deadline for placing debris at the roadside has passed, and keeping our streets clear is essential for public safety and city services,” says City Manager Charlie Davis. “We urge all property owners within the city limits to cooperate by ceasing the placement of storm debris at the roadside. If this practice persists, we will have no choice but…

Johnny Wayne Hollis, age 74, of Willacoochee, GA, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on March 29th, 1951, the son of the late James Aubrey Hollis Sr. and Alice Florene Roberson Hollis. His survivors include: two daughters; Pearlie (Britt) Watkins of Waycross, GA, and Kristy (James) Wilson of Alma, GA, five grandchildren; Chelsea Watkins, Cassie (Juan) Wilson, Bryan (Kasey) Wilson, Jesse Wilson, and Julie Newbern, two sisters; Barbara Newbern of Valdosta, GA, and Gina Hollis of Willacoochee, GA, four brothers; Jimmy Hollis of Douglas, GA,…

Karen Reliford, age 50, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born on September 16th, 1974, the daughter of Mr. Daniel Anderson and Mrs. Betty Anderson. Her survivors include: her beloved husband; Charles Reliford Sr. of Douglas, GA, one daughter; Sarah (Kyler) McNab of West Green, GA, one son; Charles Reliford Jr. of Enigma, GA, three grandchildren; Brodey Reliford, Nathan McNab, and Morgan McNab, mother; Betty Anderson, one brother; Timothy (Marion) Anderson, and one niece; Aubrey Anderson. She was preceded in death by: father; Daniel Anderson. The family…

A jury convicted a Mexican national illegally living in Hazlehurst, Georgia at trial for receiving a package from Jalisco, Mexico containing over two kilograms of 100% pure methamphetamine. Ismael Delgado-Celis, 37, of Mexico, was convicted of Possession and Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine following a jury trial in the Southern District of Georgia, said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The Defendant is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and up to life imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.…

Six Coffee Trojans qualified for the state track meet by finishing in the top eight of their events at Sectionals. The Sectional meet took place over the weekend at Villa Rica High School. The Trojan 4×100 meter relay team of Tyrese Woodgett, Travis Adams, Cedric McRae, and KJ DeBruce finished with a time of 42.97 seconds. Woodgett also qualified in the 100 meters with a time of 10.87 seconds. Lady Trojan Kaloni Styles ran 15.25 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles for another opportunity at State. Sophomore Kashariyona White secured a spot in the 300-meter hurdles finishing with a time of…

Mary Tarrant Whitten, age 88, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at her residence. Mrs. Whitten was born on September 16, 1936, in Douglas, GA to the late Joshua Tarrant and the late Racheal Nipper Tarrant. Survivors include: daughter, Shirley Highsmith Carver of Douglas, GA, five grandchildren, Michael Metts of Douglas, Daniel Highsmith of Douglas, David Metts of Douglas, GA, Brandon Highsmith of Fernandina Beach, FL, Regan Walsh of Douglas, GA, thirteen great-grandchildren, sister, Sarah Whitten and grandchildren. Mrs. Whitten was preceded in death by: her husband, John Henry Lee Whitten; father, Joshua Tarrant; mother, Racheal…

ONE Compelling Picture is releasing its second film of 2025, Because You Answered, on Amazon Prime Video during Mother’s Day weekend. Because You Answered was filmed on location in three counties this past summer including Coffee, Bacon, and Ben Hill. The 118-minute film stars local actors Sonya Moore Roper, Dustilynn Vaughan, Kelsey Hope Corbitt, Kenneth Spence, Alaina Bagwell, and Debbie Hamlin. Because You Answered was written and directed by Sidney Bryant Sr. and was produced by Bryce Carver, Sonya Newsome, and Kia Bryant. Cast and crew members were seen filming various scenes involving road closures for wreck scenes, hospital scenes…