Author: Submitted

A vehicle is an expensive but effective weapon. A 26-year-old Douglas man tested that out on April 29, 2025, when he allegedly attempted to run over an individual at a local mobile home park. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, on the aforementioned date, deputies responded to a report of an assault at a mobile home park in Douglas. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with an individual who stated that a vehicle had rapidly accelerated toward him while he was standing in a yard, raising immediate concerns for his personal safety. The suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Travis…

What started as a local newsletter in 1990 has grown into one of the most respected publications in the world of barbecue. Douglas’ own Barbecue News Magazine just wrapped up its 15th annual Sauces of Honor competition, drawing an incredible 741 entries from 41 U.S. states, Canada, and the United Kingdom—making this year’s contest the most diverse and far-reaching in its history. Founded by Joe Phelps and Dr. Donald “Doc” Gillis, the magazine was created to celebrate and connect barbecue lovers across the country. Now celebrating 35 years of continuous publication, Barbecue News Magazine remains a trusted voice for backyard cooks, competitive pitmasters, and BBQ businesses alike. Today, it continues to thrive under…

It was a beautiful morning to commemorate the start of a new chapter for a beloved local business as the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for El Rincon Mexican Restaurant and Bar on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Established in 2012, El Rincon has grown over the past 13 years into a staple of the Douglas dining scene. Family-owned and rooted in tradition, the restaurant has now entered an exciting new era of growth and development. Still under the same ownership, El Rincon proudly welcomed Eduardo Elox as their new Manager of Operations, who will oversee…

The City of Douglas participated in the 26th year of the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Georgia Cities Week. Events throughout the week offered a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community and the services the city provides to citizens. ESG/Inframark, the City of Douglas, and Keep Douglas Beautiful teamed up to create the opportunity for our community to beautify their surroundings! With Spring Junk Free Week and Tire Amnesty Week, residents had the chance to clean up around their properties, leading up to the Greatest American Cleanup. Approximately 1 ton of large brown and white goods and 30-40 tires were disposed of…

Deputies from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office arrested of Michael Tyrone Jordan, a 36-year-old resident of Douglas, for multiple felony violations of Georgia’s sex offender registry statutes on April 29, 2025. Officers from the Coffee County Sex Offender Unit who conducted a routine address verification at Jordan’s registered residence discovered that he had obtained employment which had not been disclosed to the sheriff’s office as mandated by state law. Investigators subsequently located Jordan working at an unregistered job site within the city limits of Douglas. During the investigation, authorities determined that the job site was located within 1,000 feet of…

On April 21, 2025, the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) conducted its monthly meeting. Jr. Mayor Destiny Henderson led the meeting and recognized Karen Batten and Ian Sansot as the Outstanding Community Spotlight for April. Ninth grade student at Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy Nevaeh Bussey opened the meeting with a special prayer. The special guest speakers were Tim Gay from the City of Douglas Animal Control and Jamie Knudson from the Coffee County Animal Shelter. The Youth Council honored Karen Batten and Ian Sansot as the community spotlight for the month of April. Ian Sansot is the husband of Laura Lee and father to…

Sydney Aldine Bussey, age 76, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, GA, on Sunday, April 27th, 2025, following an extended illness. He was born on November 11th, 1948, the son of Clyde Edward Bussey and Tannie Sylvia Harris Bussey. His survivors include: one son; John (Jeri Lynn) Bussey of Ambrose,GA, one daughter; Kate Bussey of Douglas, GA, one brother; Gerald (Ruth) Bussey of Douglas, GA, one sister; Sylvia (Brent) Miller of Douglas, GA, nieces and nephews; Dawn Adams, Greg (Reagan) Miller, Jennifer (Marcus) Brown, Brett D. Bussey, and two cousins; Hugh Bussey and Chuck…

Marlo Franklin Pfoutz, born on February 19th, 1954 in Franklin, Indiana, passed away on April 16th, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 71.  He was formerly a resident of Delphi, Richmond, Indianapolis, Spiceland, and New Castle, Indiana, and Douglas, Georgia.  He was preceded in death by his father, Marlo Edward Pfoutz (1986), and mother, Anna N. Pfoutz (2012) and wife of twenty-five years, Linda Kay Pfoutz (née Tucker) (June 15th, 1999). He is survived by his wife of seventeen years, Gail Pfoutz. He is also survived by his daughters Miranda Viva Rose Cotton (Ben), Tiffany Michelle Adams, and…

Geneva Stapleton Hickox, age 79, of Douglas, GA, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, April 25th, 2025 following an extended illness. She was born on August 17th, 1945 the daughter of Wilbert and Eva Stapleton. Her survivors include: One son; Bobby (Leigh) Hickox of Douglas, GA, Great Niece; Kaitlynn (Josh) Johnson of Douglas, GA, One Nephew; Teddy Johnson of Douglas, GA, along with several beloved friends, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by: Father; Wilbert Stapleton, Mother; Eva Stapleton, and Three sisters; Lib Stapleton, Bonnie Conley, and Inez Stallings. The family will receive friends…

Edward Leonidas Bagwell Jr., a beloved figure in the Douglas, GA community, passed away peacefully at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on August 23rd, 1942, to Edward Leonidas Bagwell Sr. and Iris Bennett Bagwell, Ed lived a life full of service, dedication, and community involvement. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lynda Jones Bagwell, whom he married in January 1966. He also leaves behind two sons: Lee Bagwell and his wife Holly, and Dr. Drew Bagwell and his wife Melissa, all residing in Douglas, GA.…