Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, a licensed provider through the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission, is now accepting registrations for its Driver Education program scheduled for July 13–16, 2026, on the Coffee Campus in Douglas. The comprehensive course provides the classroom and behind-the-wheel training required to satisfy Georgia’s Joshua’s Law requirements for teen drivers. Students ages 15–17 may be eligible to attend the program at no cost through a scholarship provided by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). The scholarship covers the full $500 cost of the Driver Education program for approved applicants. Scholarship applications must be submitted to GOHS…
Author: Submitted
By Van Yandell We love hearing our national anthem played. To see the American Olympic athletes win gold and stand on the podium to receive their medals makes our hearts swell with pride. To watch an American president place his hand over his heart and stand at attention for the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” gives a feeling of victory and protection. Our precious flag is respected by the world. To say the United States of America is the greatest nation that ever existed may be controversial to some, but in many minds, it is reality. Many of us…
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment rates increased in all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions in May. “Every May, a new wave of talent enters Georgia’s workforce as thousands of graduates begin their career search. This is what a growing talent pipeline looks like, and it is why companies keep investing here year after year,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With more than 5 million jobs across our state, there is a place for every Georgian, from the graduate landing a first role to the seasoned professional taking the next step. That is the kind of…
Douglas Joel Knight, age 55, of Nicholls, Georgia, passed away on Thursday afternoon, June 18, 2026, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Douglas was born September 9, 1970, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to the late Joel Bryant Knight and the late Jackie Geneive Douglas Knight. He received his bachelor’s degree at Florida State University and went on to become a server and cafeteria worker at the Savannah College of Art and Design where he helped fuel countless students as they pursued their art and design dreams. He enjoyed reading…
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded $165,000 in grants for historic preservation projects in Georgia through its 1772 Foundation Grants for Georgia, Callahan Incentive Grant, and Wade and Mary Lu Mitchell African American Heritage Preservation Grant programs. Douglas’s Martin Centre is one of the beneficiaries of a $10,000 1772 Foundation Grant. The 1772 Foundation, partnering since 2023 with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, this year has awarded historic preservation matching grants totaling $125,000 to 14 Georgia private nonprofit organizations for maintenance of their historic sites. The 2026 The 1772 Foundation Grant recipients are: Alonzo F. and Norris B.…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of its 2+2 articulation agreements with Thomas University, providing students with clear and accessible pathways to continue their education beyond an associate degree and pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The renewed and expanded agreements allow Wiregrass students to complete an associate degree and seamlessly transfer to Thomas University to continue their academic journey. These partnerships reflect both institutions’ shared commitment to student success, educational attainment, and workforce development throughout South Georgia. Through this agreement, students who complete an associate degree at Wiregrass will be able to transfer their…
Irene Highsmith Nolan, age 93, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday, June 18th, 2026. She was born in Willacoochee, GA on May 27th, 1933, the daughter of to the late Ira and Mamie Highsmith. Irene graduated from Willacoochee High School where she was known for her basketball abilities. Soon after graduation, Irene married the love of her life, the late Albert Sidney Nolan, in mArch of 1951. On January 27, 1957, they welcomed their greatest blessing, their first and only child, Don Isaac Nolan. Thirty years later , on April 15th, 1987, her…
Douglas Rotary Club is committed to improving literacy in Coffee County, Georgia, and is partnering with Wendy Bullock, Rasheem Baldwin and Iyahna Akbar from the South Georgia State College (SGSC) Book Chat Club to give every kindergarten student a Scholastic book. To kick off this campaign, Wendy, Rasheem, and Iyahna were the guest speakers at the Douglas Rotary June 18, 2026 meeting. Wendy is the Coordinator for Advancement Services at SGSC and serves as the SGSC Staff Council treasurer and advisor for the SGSC Book Chat Club on the Waycross campus. Rasheem is President and Iyahha is the Vice President…
Three additional defendants, including one from Coffee County, in a southern Georgia drug trafficking operation have been sentenced to prison in federal court. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa G. Wood and were announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. They include: Dequatte Tucker, 34, an inmate at Wheeler Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances. Roger Jenkins, 28, of Alma, Georgia, was sentenced…
Danny Ray Grantham, age 77, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at his residence. Mr. Danny was born on January 3, 1949, in Douglas, GA to the late Mr. Willie Grantham and the late Mrs. Alma Lott Grantham. His survivors include: one daughter, Catherine Norena Grantham of Douglas, GA; one son, Ray Grantham of Douglas, GA; one grandchild, Tyler Grantham; and one sister, Maude (Aldine) Merritt. He was preceded in death by: father, Willie Grantham; mother, Alma Lott Grantham; three brothers, W.L. Grantham, Billy Grantham, and Tommy Grantham; and one sister, Bobby Jean Wright. The family…