Author: Submitted

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College recently hosted a special dedication dinner renaming the Culinary Arts program after James C. Fryslie. The dedication naming of the program was made possible due to a generous gift donated by his daughter and friend of the college, Nancy McGee. She wanted to leave a legacy in her father’s name. This donation helped fund recent renovations to the Culinary Arts kitchen. Mr. Fryslie was an instructor at the Valdosta Technical College (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College) in the computer science program. He had a huge fondness for Valdosta Tech and his students, was proud of the school,…

A Douglas County, Ga., man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in a scheme to smuggle stolen cars to Africa. Prince Bediako, 41, of Douglasville, Ga., was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to Smuggling, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. also fined Bediako $1,000 and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. “This sentence is a credit to…

County UGA Cooperative Extension Service agents are an important resource for Georgia cotton farmers. Agents are known for delivering timely and accurate information, which is instrumental for the success of Georgia’s farmers. They also perform community specific research, education and outreach programs designed to help farmers maximize yields and efficiency. The Georgia Cotton Commission sponsored the King Cotton Awards to recognize outstanding contributions of county agents to Georgia cotton producers. The Senior Award honors agents with 10 or more years of experience. The Junior Award, named the Allen B. Fulford Award, honors the accomplishments and memory of Allen…

A U.S. Army spouse at Fort Eisenhower has been indicted on two counts of murder by a federal grand jury. April Evalyn Short, 30, of Fort Eisenhower – formerly Fort Gordon – was indicted on charges of Premeditated Murder and Felony Murder, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 15, 2023, at Fort Eisenhower, Short killed her 11-month-old child by “stabbing and cutting… with an edged weapon while engaged in the knowing and willful perpetration of child abuse.” Short is in the custody…

On a crisp winter morning, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the City of Douglas, proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the much-anticipated Little Free Libraries at Emma Ward Park and Eastside Park. The event, which drew a vibrant crowd of community leaders, city officials, and dedicated volunteers, marked a joyous occasion for literacy enthusiasts and supporters of community enrichment. Little Free Library, a non-profit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is on a mission to strengthen communities by fostering a love for reading and expanding access to books. Their simple yet powerful motto,…

The Martin Centre Preservation Company, Inc., has received a Cultural Facilities Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year 2024. The Cultural Facilities grant supports the acquisition, construction, restoration, or renovation of a building to be used for arts programming. As part of this year’s Cultural Facilities awards, 31 entities in 23 counties will receive $2.1 million in funding. Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from arts organizations across the state, including performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and arts classroom spaces. Cultural Facilities…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes and celebrates the achievements of the 2023 Class of Leadership Coffee, a community leadership development program aimed at equipping our leaders with the tools they need to continue a legacy of economic and community development for Douglas-Coffee County. This year’s program was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Pineland Bank. The Leadership Coffee program, an initiative of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, provides participants with a unique opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, expand their network, and engage with the community in meaningful ways. Throughout the program, participants…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College held an award ceremony recognizing outstanding Radiologic Technology students. Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements welcomed students, family members, and clinical supporters. The Robert B. Quattlebaum Awards, sponsored by Radiology Associates of Valdosta, were awarded to three seniors to defray the cost of the registry fee. The Robert B. Quattlebaum Award recipients were Alylin DeJesus, Ally Deaton, and Tatianna Morton. Junior Radiologic Technology Student Eli Pafford received a $250 scholarship. The Franklin Eldridge Scholastic Award for top grade point average was awarded to Ally Deaton. This award is sponsored by South Georgia Radiology Consultants. Fletcher…

On November 21, 2023, the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) met at City Hall for its regular meeting. Jr. Commissioners Zynia Hunt and Jordan Cleveland were recognized as the Outstanding Jr. Commissioners. Dinitra Williams was recognized as the Outstanding Community Leader for the month of November. Alfalene Walker, the American Legion Post 515 Historian and local Adoption Awareness Advocate Kaitlyn Tanner were the special speakers for the November meeting. The monthly Youth Council Spotlight featured two Jr. Commissioners, Zynia Hunt and Jordan Cleveland, for the month of November. Jr. Commissioner Zynia Hunt is the daughter of Melody Henderson and Joseph…

The owner of a movie theater in Wayne County, Ga., has agreed to obtain equipment to assist patrons with disabilities as part of a settlement reached under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg announced the settlement between the United States and Austin Hickox Legacy LLC (AHL), owner of the Historic Strand Dinner Cinema in Jesup, Ga. Under the terms of the settlement, the company agrees to provide closed-captioning and audio description devices for patrons of the Strand’s three auditoriums. “This settlement helps to ensure that all patrons of…