Rev. Herschel Edward Smith, age 86, of Pearson, Georgia passed away Thursday morning, March 27, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Rev. Smith was born Monday, August 8, 1938 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late Marcus and Mabel Grantham Smith. He was a proud United States Army veteran. He accepted the Lord into his heart and life as a young man and answered the call into ministry at the age of 32. He went on to pastor several Holiness churches in South Georgia during his 54 year ministry. While pastoring churches, he also spent 40 years…
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Mr. Christopher “Blake” Hines, age 37, of Buford, Georgia, formerly of Douglas, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 24, 2025.Blake was born December 28, 1987 in Kissimmee, Florida to Michael Wayne Hines and the late Marsha Elaine Turner Hines. He made his career in the landscaping industry, working for a period of time in Jacksonville, Florida. Blake is survived by his 2 daughters: Adia Hines and Brooke Hines, both of Douglas, Georgia; his father, Michael Wayne Hines of Livingston, Texas; and his brother, Michael David Hines of Douglas, Georgia. Memorialization will be by cremation and no formal services are…
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that most of Georgia’s Regional Commissions saw an increase in February unemployment rates. “Jobs are growing, and so is Georgia’s future,” said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “With regional job growth across Georgia in February and the state’s unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%—well below the national average—Georgia continues to prove itself as the #1 place where businesses and talent thrive.” Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below: Atlanta Regional Commission Central Savannah River Coastal Georgia Georgia Mountains Heart of Georgia Middle Georgia Northeast Georgia Northwest Georgia River Valley Southern Georgia…
Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to recognize Dr. Justin Peterson for being selected by the students and confirmed by Mercer University’s School of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha – Georgia Delta Chapter, as the recipient of the Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award. This prestigious award honors clinical faculty in community practices who dedicate their time and expertise to teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. Dr. Peterson’s commitment to medical education and patient care is helping shape the next generation of physicians all while serving the women of rural South Georgia through CRH Women’s Center and Coffee Regional Medical Center. In…
South Georgia State College is proud to announce that head basketball coach Cory Baldwin has been named the 2024-25 Southeastern District Coach of the Year, marking his fourth time receiving this prestigious recognition. Baldwin was recently honored at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, where this year’s Hawks made a post-season appearance. This latest achievement adds to Baldwin’s impressive legacy of coaching excellence, with previous Southeastern District Coach of the Year awards in 2010-11, 2020-21, and 2022-23. In addition to this district honor, Baldwin has also earned eight Coach of the Year awards since 2010, further solidifying his reputation…
Bring your camera and your basket to the Annual Tiny Tot Egg Hunt that will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 11 am at Premier Sports Athletic Complex located at 531 Van Davis Road. The egg hunt is for children ages 1–7. The Easter Bunny and Fire Pup will be on site from 10 am-10:45 am to visit and take photos with the children. Everyone is asked to arrive early since the hunt starts at 11 am sharp and does not last more than a few minutes. “We are glad to be able to host this annual event for the children…
The Douglas Fire Department proudly hosted the Georgia Spartan Firefighter Course in February . Since 2018, this marks the 12th class held at the Douglas Fire Department Training Facility. Twice a year, Spartan members from across the Southeastern region come together to instruct 12 candidates in both basic and advanced firefighter techniques during an intensive 24-hour training session. Congratulations to the new Spartan Firefighers Conner Vera – Paulding County Fire, AJ Staton – Gainesville Fire, Will Kersey – Perry Fire, Lee Romaniw – Forsyth County Fire, Mason Herrington – Douglas Fire, Herman Lathers – Karns Fire (TN), Devin Cleveland – Cherokee County Fire, Dylan…
Ricky Taylor, age 65, of West Green, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025 the son of James Ralph Taylor and Dorothy Eloise Taylor. His survivors include: his beloved wife; Sue Ann Taylor of Waynesville, GA, three daughters; Jennifer (Robert) Roagin of Montana, Amanda Michelle (Rowdy) Gilbert of Jacksonville, FL, and Kelly Taylor (Jeremy) Griswald of Ambrose, GA, two sons; James (Connie) Metts of Broxton, GA, and Jeremy Metts of Broxton, GA, three step-children; Kole (Chaz) Dowling of Wyoming, Wayne (Miranda) Baker of Jesup, GA, and Terry (Amy) Baker of Deltona, FL, twenty-two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, four sisters;…
Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to stop a suspected drug dealer in Irwin County after a high-speed pursuit. According to a press release from the South Central Drug Task Force (SCDTF), the agency, in collaboration with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Irwin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Agriculture Investigative Division, and Ocilla Police Department successfully apprehended the suspect in Ocilla. The incident began when authorities attempted a routine traffic stop, but the suspect fled at speeds reaching 150 mph. Law enforcement officers pursued the vehicle until a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) was successfully executed, bringing the chase…
Detectives from the Narcotics Unit of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on March 27, 2025, that resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Alvin Lamar Jones III from Brunswick. A broken taillight initiated the stop, during which time detectives learned that Jones had been in town visiting Douglas from Brunswick for just a short time. The investigation revealed141 ecstasy pills and nine Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills of varying milligrams in a backpack located inside of Jones’s vehicle. He was taken into custody and held for 48 hours while warrants were processed. Jones faces charges for possession of a…