Author: Submitted

Ms. Jody Lynn Harris Caudell, age 67, of Milan, Georgia, passed away Monday morning, April 21, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a period of declining health. Ms. Caudell was born October 1, 1957 to the late Terrell Preston Harris and the late Helen Mae Jenkins Harris. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Starlin Caudell, III and 2 Sisters: Carol Harris and Kathy Harris. Ms. Caudell was born in Gastonia, North Carolina. She was a homemaker and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved nature and enjoyed the beach…

Mr. Cecil Jackson Grainger, Sr., age 84, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Wednesday evening, April 16, 2025 following a period of declining health. Mr. Grainger was born October 28, 1940 in Felda, Florida to the late Cecil Edward Grainger and the late Beatrice Sumner Grainger. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army and a lifelong farmer. He and his family moved to Douglas, Georgia 15 years ago from Naples, Florida. He was a loving husband, dad, granddad, and great-granddad who enjoyed working in his yards. He loved God, his family, his country, music, singing, dancing, and feeding…

Mrs. Kathryn Edwina Underwood Hartley, age 76, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, March 24, 2025, at her residence following a lengthy illness. Kathryn was born September 2, 1948, in Homestead, Florida, to the late Edward Earl Underwood and the late Paula Jean Drennan Underwood. She was a homemaker, devoting her time to making a home for her late husband Jack Lee Hartley and their two sons, Donnie Hartley and Jackie Hartley. Along with her sons, Kathryn is survived by two brothers, David Underwood of North Carolina, and Larry Underwood of Sebring, Florida, along with several nieces…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) is pleased to announce its annual commencement ceremonies honoring graduates from summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025. The Douglas Campus ceremony will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 8:30 am on the Peterson Hall front lawn. The Waycross Campus ceremonies will be held Friday, May 16, 2025. The first ceremony will be at 8:30 am, and the second at 12:00 noon, both in the Waycross Campus Gymnasium. A livestream of each event will be available for those unable to attend to share in the celebration. A link to the livestream will be found…

The City of Douglas, along with the Inframark/ESG Operations Water Department, has been awarded the 2024 Gold Award from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) for the fourth consecutive year for the Douglas water system. “Our treatment plant operators continuously monitor water quality, system tank levels, and distribution main pressures,” says Kevin Davis. “We are committed to serving the Douglas community and are honored to receive recognition from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals.” The GAWP 2024 Gold Award for Water Systems is granted to utilities that comply 100 percent with all state permits and water quality regulations throughout a calendar year.

According to an announcement today by Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Sara Selby, thirty-six students received awards for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community involvement. In addition, twenty-three individuals received Student Choice Awards. The recipients were students, faculty, campus safety, staff members, and student clubs and events. SGSC students solely selected the recipients for these awards. Academic Awards 2024-2025: Douglas Campus, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Freshmen Academic Achievement Award – Abram Harrelson, McRae, GA Sophomore Academic Achievement Award – Avery Turner, Baxley, GA Junior Academic Achievement Award – Lissette Rivas, Douglas, GA Senior Academic Achievement Award –…

The recent merger of the Narcotics divisions between the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Douglas Police Department, which officially took effect on May 1, 2025, has already demonstrated significant results, according to a sheriff’s office press release. In the first week of combined operations, the newly unified Narcotics unit successfully seized $11,069 in cash, 91 grams of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana, and six firearms. As part of these efforts, several individuals were arrested. Dontarrius Brown, 27, of Douglas, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon…

The debris collection from Hurricane Helene stopped at the end of March this year. City officials would like to remind residents not to place tree stumps, large limbs, tree trunks (log part of the tree), or construction materials by the roadside. “The deadline for placing debris at the roadside has passed, and keeping our streets clear is essential for public safety and city services,” says City Manager Charlie Davis. “We urge all property owners within the city limits to cooperate by ceasing the placement of storm debris at the roadside. If this practice persists, we will have no choice but…

Johnny Wayne Hollis, age 74, of Willacoochee, GA, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on March 29th, 1951, the son of the late James Aubrey Hollis Sr. and Alice Florene Roberson Hollis. His survivors include: two daughters; Pearlie (Britt) Watkins of Waycross, GA, and Kristy (James) Wilson of Alma, GA, five grandchildren; Chelsea Watkins, Cassie (Juan) Wilson, Bryan (Kasey) Wilson, Jesse Wilson, and Julie Newbern, two sisters; Barbara Newbern of Valdosta, GA, and Gina Hollis of Willacoochee, GA, four brothers; Jimmy Hollis of Douglas, GA,…

Karen Reliford, age 50, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born on September 16th, 1974, the daughter of Mr. Daniel Anderson and Mrs. Betty Anderson. Her survivors include: her beloved husband; Charles Reliford Sr. of Douglas, GA, one daughter; Sarah (Kyler) McNab of West Green, GA, one son; Charles Reliford Jr. of Enigma, GA, three grandchildren; Brodey Reliford, Nathan McNab, and Morgan McNab, mother; Betty Anderson, one brother; Timothy (Marion) Anderson, and one niece; Aubrey Anderson. She was preceded in death by: father; Daniel Anderson. The family…