The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that unemployment claims were down in all of Georgia’s regional commissions during the month of November. “Georgia proves that smart leadership and bold policies drive economic success,” said GDOL Emergency Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “While other states struggle with overregulation and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s economy is thriving—job numbers are up in 12 regions, unemployment claims are down across the board, and businesses continue to choose our state as the best place to grow and invest. These results don’t happen by accident; they are the product of strong fiscal policies and a commitment to…
Author: Submitted
Dr. Richard Woods, Georgia Superintendent of Schools, visited Coffee County Schools on December 19, 2024, to honor three schools for their exceptional accomplishments in math and literacy. West Green Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy were recognized for their significant growth and achievement in these critical areas. “Congratulations to our first-ever Math Leader schools!” said Superintendent Woods. “The skill of numeracy is essential for students’ success both in school and in their future lives. These schools and their educators have worked diligently to implement the new K-12 Mathematics Standards and equip all students for life. I…
South Georgia State College’s men’s basketball team has finished the first two months of the regular season 11-2 with the start of the conference schedule just around the corner. The Hawks won their first seven games before falling to Chipola College (73-58) on the road Dec. 3. The next three games included wins over Eastern Florida State (69-65), Brunswick Community College (87-53), and Indian River State (86-74). Eastern Florida snapped the Hawks’ three-game winning streak Dec. 14 in Waycross (74-62). SGSC rebounded Dec. 17 for a 98-79 win over Florida Gateway College. As a team, the Hawks have averaged 83…
The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the winners of the 60th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. The Chamber would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came out and everyone who participated to make this a fantastic parade. The workmanship this year was amazing, especially after all Coffee County has been through these past few months. It was great to see everyone show-up and show-out for our community. It was a tough decision by judges and Chamber staff, but the winners are: Joy to the World Award – This award goes to…
On Friday, December 6, 2024, the Douglas-Coffee County Veterans Park Committee hosted its annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10 AM at Cadet Park, located at 1 Airport Circle. The Citizen’s Christian Academy Choir performed at the ceremony, which was attended by members of the public. This event emphasized the importance of honoring the servicemen and women who were killed or wounded during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the United States’ entry into World War II on December 7, 1941. Mr. David “Red” Fehr, Jr. Vice Commander of VFW Post 5976, served as the Master…
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the GBI arrested and charged Miguel Gonzalez, age 17, of Douglas, GA, with Aggravated Assault, Felony Murder, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at about 2 a.m., the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas was requested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office after a 911 call led deputies to the 100 block of Park Place Road in Douglas regarding a shooting incident. Miguel was taken into custody on scene after the initial investigation showed he shot and killed his father, Israel Rivera Cruz, age 45,…
The Coffee Regional Medical Center Emergency Department was recognized for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Coffee County during a Dec. 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coffee Regional was celebrated for reaching key milestones as a participating hospital in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC). The alliance, established in 2023, is a collaboration between Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), its Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s). Georgia rural hospitals face unique challenges in their ability to treat and keep pediatric patients in their communities, and KidsABC is focused on improving access to quality…
A Florida man convicted of distributing enough fentanyl to kill every resident of a south Georgia community has been sentenced to federal prison. Larry B. Taylor, 59, of Jacksonville, Florida, one of 76 defendants indicted in Operation Ghost Busted, was sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute a Quantity of Fentanyl, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Taylor to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There…
The primary mission of the Annual Festival of Lights Parade is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and quality family environment, in and on the streets of Douglas. In order to do so, the following rules and regulations are asked to be followed. All entries (no exceptions) must have an entry form on file at the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce at 114 North Peterson Avenue in order to participate in the parade. Entry fees should be paid to the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. Fees are as follows: Commercial $25.00 per entry. Non-commercial $10.00 per entry. All vehicles/units bearing a…
Eight Chinese nationals have been indicted on felony charges after investigators discovered massive indoor marijuana growing operations in rural South Georgia. All eight defendants are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Conviction on those charges carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to life, along with fines of up to $10 million and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is…