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The GBI has arrested and charged Jon Worrell, 58, of Douglas, with malice murder, felony murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated battery related to the death of his wife, Doris Worrell, almost 20 years ago. Jon, a current resident of Maryville, Missouri, was taken into custody at his home without incident. The GBI and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Patrol, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Operation Relentless Pursuit, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryville Department of Public Safety. Jon is currently booked at the Coffee…

John Quincy Taft Jr., age 66, of Nicholls, GA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, GA following an extended illness. He was born on August 1st, 1958, the son of Mr. John Quincy Taft Sr. and Mrs. Barbara J. White Taft. His survivors include: two sons; Jonathan (Marcie) Harper of Fitzgerald, GA and James Harper of Jacksonville, FL, two daughters; Julia (Victor Sanchez) Taft, of Douglas, GA and Wendy Taft of Douglas, GA, one brother; Gordon (Mona) Taft of Westgreen, GA, one sister; Gloria Herbert of Douglas, GA, special friend; Cheryl…

Zulema V. Gattis, age 78, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, GA. Ms. Gattis was born on February 23, 1947, the daughter of Mr. Stephen Velez and Mrs. Maria Velez. Her survivors include: one daughter; Cheri (Robert Batten) Bennett of Douglas, GA, one grandson; Skyler Batten of Douglas, GA, one brother; Joe Edward (Kela) Velez of Arlington, TX, five sisters; Zita Carrasco of Odessa, TX, America Yanez of Rotan, TX, Argentina (Luther) Yanez of Rotan, TX, China Silvia of Kansas City, TX, and Carrolina (John) Tweedy of Emerald Isles,…

This year, the annual 4th of July Freedom Fest is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 4, 2025. In order for the 4th of July Freedom Fest to continue to be a success, sponsors are needed to help fund the fireworks display that brings joy to thousands each year. The city is currently reaching out to potential sponsors and vendors to join us in making this year’s event unforgettable. “The annual Freedom Fest is a highly anticipated tradition in Douglas and Coffee County,” says Charlie Davis, City Manager. “We are reaching out to business owners and organization leaders for their…

The ABAC Ambassadors at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently named their prestigious Ambassador of the Year award in honor of ABAC Director of Public Relations Emeritus Michael D. Chason. “Mike was the founder of the ABAC Ambassadors program, which began in 1987,” said Sunny Sparrow, ABAC’s Assistant Director of Enrollment Management. “Since then, 339 students have carried on the tradition he started nearly four decades ago.”Sparrow serves as the Ambassadors’ advisor along with Marketing Media Coordinator Abby Clark.The Ambassadors dedicate countless hours and energy representing and promoting ABAC, and Sparrow said it’s quite an honor to be a part of…

On May 17, 2025, officers from the City of Douglas Police Department and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic welfare check near Franklin Street that resulted in the arrest of Dontavius Montrell Daniel, 29, of Douglas. Law enforcement was dispatched at approximately 1:27 p.m. after receiving a report that Daniel was attempting to forcibly remove a woman from a residence. The caller informed authorities that Daniel had a known history of abusive behavior and was believed to be wanted on an outstanding warrant. Upon arrival, officers confirmed through the Georgia Crime Information Center that Daniel had an…

Anabeth Waters, a South Georgia State College senior from Waycross was honored with the 2025 Academic Recognition Day Award by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Anabeth graduated with a degree in SGSC’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education at the end of the 2025 Spring Semester. She has been awarded the SGSC Sophomore Academic Achievement Award and the Senior Academic Achievement Award (4.0 GPA). She has also been on the President’s List during her time at SGSC and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. “My plans are to co-teach in a 4th grade…

Billie Elton Roberts, age 72, of Douglas, GA passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Roberts was born on May 20, 1952, in Jeff Davis County, GA to the late Buddy Eli Roberts and Verma L. Johnson Roberts. Survivors include: one daughter; Pricilla (William) McKee of Calhoun, GA, one son; Michael (Janee) Roberts of Douglas, GA, six grandchildren; Danielle Wehunt, William McKee III, Jeanette Hollingsworth, Christian Roberts, Emily Johnson, Ismael Roberts, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by: his parents; Buddy Eli Roberts and Verma…

Sheriff Fred Cole, in coordination with a special agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, traveled to Missouri on Monday, May 19, 2025, as part of an ongoing homicide investigation. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, around 11:15AM EST, Jon Worrell was taken into custody without incident in connection to the murder of his wife, Doris Worrell who was murdered on September 20, 2006. The arrest marks a significant development in the case, and authorities will provide further details during a scheduled press conference. This was a collaborative effort by The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Missouri Highway…

The City of Douglas has adopted a cottage food ordinance to help support and regulate small-scale food entrepreneurs operating from home/residential kitchens. This ordinance aims to assist these entrepreneurs while ensuring public health and safety. Cottage food operators may produce products such as loaf breads, rolls, and biscuits, cakes, pastries and cookies, candies and confections, fruit pies, jams, jellies, preserves, dried fruits, dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures, cereals, trail mixes, granola, coated or uncoated nuts, vinegar and flavored vinegar, popcorn, popcorn balls, and cotton candy. Licensed cottage food operators are permitted to make only food that is not potentially hazardous.…