Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has announced the students who earned top academic honors for the Spring 2026 semester. Students are recognized for outstanding classroom performance across three achievement lists: the President’s Honor List, the Dean’s Honor List and the Distinguished Achievement List. The President’s Honor List, ABAC’s highest academic recognition, includes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average. To qualify, each student must have earned an A in every course while completing a minimum of 12 credit hours. Students named to the Dean’s Honor List earned at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and also completed…
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The City of Douglas and other great partners will host the 2026 Freedom Fest celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at JC Adams Municipal Park – Jardine Stadium. The gates will open at 5 p.m., and stadium seating will be provided. Admission and parking are free. There will be free rides at the Rucker Family Kids Carnival, food and general vendors, and fireworks at dark. Current food vendors include Backyard BBQ & Catering, Bennett’s Cool Treats, LA Twister Fun Cups, Paradise Island Cuisine, QT Treats, Super Dawg, Gracious Table Catering & More, Kona Ice of Lowndes, and Goldfinger Cupcakes. Other…
Mercer University conferred bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to more than 2,200 students at four commencements held in May in Macon and Atlanta. Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls approximately 9,000 students in 12 schools and colleges – liberal arts and sciences, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing, health professions and professional advancement – on major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; medical school sites in Macon, Savannah and Columbus; and at regional academic centers in Henry and Douglas counties. The following Coffee County…
By Miles Gofaster A small but determined group of swimmers, cyclists, and runners either from or connected to Coffee County traveled to Waycross Saturday morning for the annual Splash, Mash, and Dash Triathlon and Duathlon at Laura Walker State Park. While everyone brought home age group awards, first timers Kate Merritt (triathlon) and Loyd Amerson (duathlon) headlined the day with second-place overall finishes. For the triathletes, the race starts in the lake at the state park with a 400-meter swim. From there it’s on to the bike portion, which this year was shortened to 10 miles (it’s usually a little…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College hosted its Virtual Reality & Heavy Equipment Summer Camp June 8-11 on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus, providing 10 students ages 11-16 with an exciting opportunity to explore high-demand careers through immersive technology and hands-on experiences. Designed to introduce young people to a variety of career pathways, the camp combined cutting-edge virtual reality technology with real-world equipment operation to create an engaging and educational experience. Throughout the week, campers explored careers in healthcare, welding, HVAC, and other skilled trades using state-of-the-art virtual reality headsets and curriculum. The immersive simulations allowed students to step into career environments, complete…
The weather is HOT, and the City of Douglas Fire Department and Police Department want to urge citizens to practice water safety. Swimming is a popular summer activity; drowning can happen quickly and suddenly. “Any source of water is a drowning hazard, especially for young children and weak swimmers,” says Fire Chief Casey Wright. “We urge all citizens to be watchful around water, and if there is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.” Citizens should understand the risks of water activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of…
Three defendants, two of whom are from Douglas, have been sentenced on federal conspiracy charges after a transnational, multi-year investigation into a human smuggling and labor trafficking operation that illegally transported Mexican and Central American workers into brutal conditions on South Georgia farms. Sentences were handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa G. Wood and announced by Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Margaret E. ‘Meg’ Heap. They include: Margarita Rojas Cardenas, a/k/a “Maggie Cardenas,” 48, of Reidsville, was sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in…
On June 11, 2026, Douglas Rotary Club returned to South Georgia State College to celebrate one of Coffee County’s outstanding student athletes. Blake Bryant graduated this year from Citizens Christian Academy (CCA) and was a star pitcher and leader on their back-to-back state championship baseball team. Rotary President Jim Cottingham opened the conversation with Blake, and members and guests asked questions regarding baseball and his future at Clemson University or as a Major League Baseball draft pick. He discussed his favorite fastball pitch that exceeds 95 MPH and encouraged travel ball player Huck Clements (who attended with his father, Stephen,…
Mrs. Alene Smith Whitley, age 75, of Nicholls, Georgia, passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 10, 2026, at her residence following a sudden medical emergency. Mrs. Whitley was born April 27, 1951, in Broxton, Georgia, to the late Pat Smith, Jr. and the late Mary Olive Wooten. She found her greatest joy making a loving home with her late husband, Carl Arthur Whitley, whom she shared 58 precious years prior to his passing last year. Together they raised 3 beautiful children. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as an active member of First Assembly of God for…
After a short search this spring, Amy Paulk has been selected to serve as First Academy’s new Headmaster. Paulk has been a valued part of the First Academy family for many years, and her love for the school, families, and community is evident in all she does. Her servant’s heart, dedication, and commitment to Christian education have made a lasting impact, and First Academy is thrilled to see her step into this role. Please pray for her as she begins this new chapter of service at First Academy. The First Academy family looks forward to all God has in store…