Author: Submitted

A jam-packed 2024 sheriff’s election just got a little more crowded. Ben Munford, a retired deputy with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, plans to run for sheriff. He joins current chief deputy Fred Cole, former Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Major and drug agent Daniel Paulk, businessman Kenneth Merritt, and optometry office manager Leisha Burke, all of whom have indicated they will run for sheriff. Munford served Coffee County as a deputy for 35 years. His highest rank was Sergeant. He is now retired. Rumors have circulated throughout the community for several weeks that Munford…

In its annual assessment, Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for higher education program rankings and planning, has honored Wiregrass Georgia Technical College with the Best Community Colleges in Georgia for 2024. An exclusive methodology is used to rank each institution on a scale from 0 to 100 across six categories. Evaluations are based on quantitative measures such as academic quality, graduation rate, cost and ROI, and student resources. With top picks that are highly regarded, affordable, and offer the tools and resources students need to successfully graduate and excel in their fields. Wiregrass is ranked 4th in Georgia with…

The holiday season is always a busy and special time of year. It is also a time when citizens are more vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Citizens can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. The DPD wants to reduce crime and the fear of crime during this holiday season in hopes that everyone who lives, shops, dines, or entertains in Douglas can do so in peace. According to DPD Police Chief Brannen Pruette, “DPD is actively pursuing ways to be more proactive during this holiday season and it is hoped to “freeze out”…

A U.S. Army spouse at Fort Eisenhower near Augusta is in custody on a federal murder charge. April Evalyn Short, 30, of Fort Eisenhower – formerly Fort Gordon – is charged by federal complaint with murder, with an aggravating circumstance of the alleged crime occurring during an act of child abuse, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Short has appeared for an initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps and has not yet entered a plea. She is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and is…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce hosted a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially welcome Taylor’s Outdoors and Apparel to Downtown Douglas, a vibrant addition to the local business landscape. Formerly known as Top Dollar Pawn, this family-owned sporting goods business underwent a remarkable transformation with a rebranding and relocation aimed at expanding its inventory selection and services. Taylor’s Outdoors and Apparel now stands proudly at 516 South Peterson Avenue Douglas, offering a vast array of firearms, ammo, and shooting sports accessories. As a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction, they buy and pawn guns, even entertaining the…

Seventeen Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students have been selected to participate in one of the most active organizations on the college’s campus – the ABAC Ambassadors. This year’s Ambassadors include Abby Kennedy from Meigs, Lily Harbuck from Americus; Colton Peacock from Ludowici; Jenna Williams from Douglas; Daniel Durrence from Moultrie; Lesly Meza from Wray; Mia McGurl from Jacksonville, Fla.; Abigail Lampp from Rochelle; Oscar Martinez from Pearson; Gracie Bananto from Warner Robins; Laurie Jo Burt from Moultrie; Karoline Wilson from Ringgold; Reanna Brown from Lake Wales; Blake Nicholson from Mineral Bluff; Austin Collins from Statesboro; Isabella Patillo from…

Garrett Streat (Class of 2027) was recently selected as a Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) Nathan Deal Scholar, announced MUSM Dean Jean R. Sumner. M.D. Nathan Deal Scholars are selected based on their strong ties to rural Georgia, character, leadership qualities, community involvement and their likelihood of serving in rural, underserved Georgia after their scholarship obligations are met. The recipients receive 85-100% of tuition for up to four academic years. “The Nathan Deal Scholarship enables and supports students who want to return to rural communities to become outstanding physicians. These scholars represent the highest commitment…

Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to continue our partnership with LifeLink ® of Georgia and Donate Life America by dedicating a rose to be placed on the 2024 OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade float. Coffee Regional’s President and CEO, Vicki Lewis, shared a personal message of hope and remembrance honoring donors, recipients, and others who have been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation. This rose will join thousands of others to create a dedication garden that is a featured design element on the float each year. Vicki Lewis shared, “With this rose dedication, CRMC is publicly…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President, DeAnnia Clements has announced Adult Education teacher Margo Young-Smith as the 2024 Adult Education Teacher of the Year Award winner. The Adult Education Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia. The Teacher of the Year Award program is in its third year and is designed to recognize and honor instructors who make significant contributions to adult learners who are seeking to complete their high school equivalency degrees. Adult Education instructors are nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award by their peers throughout the college. College…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Associate of Science in Nursing student Gloria Salazar is one of ten nursing students in Georgia to be awarded an Amerigroup Rural Georgia Foundation Nursing Scholarship. Gloria received a check for $2,700 to help assist with the cost of her education at Wiregrass. Amerigroup, a health insurance company, donated $35,000 to the Georgia Nurses Foundation to help qualifying students in an accredited Associate or Bachelor of Nursing program to become a Registered Nurse. The scholarship is based on grade point average. The recipients of this scholarship agree upon graduation to work as a full…