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By Stan Popovich Do you struggle with your anxieties and have a difficult time in getting your friends and family to be more understanding? In some cases, your loved ones can give you a hard time regarding your mental health struggles. As a result, here are six suggestions on how to discuss your anxiety issues and improve mental health awareness with your friends and relatives. 1. Talk to a counselor: The most important thing that you need to do is to talk to a counselor about dealing with your mental health problems and the people you know. Seeking professional help will go a…

A Ware County Sheriff’s Office-led investigation into a suspected drug distribution operation has concluded with the assistance of the Waycross Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies. The investigation revealed a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation that was being conducted within Ware County and Waycross. Det. Sgt. James Cox (Sheriff’s Office lead detective on the case), Det. Savannah Leslie, Det. Blake Lewis, Det. Dakota York, Det. Antony Phillips, Det. Kyle Strickland, Ware County Patrol Deputies—with assistance from the Waycross Police Department (the Waycross P.D.’s team led by Det. Lt. Joshua Prall), Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Officers (led by Officer…

Coffee Regional Medical Center congratulates local nephrologist Thet Zaw, MD, of Nephrology Group Consultants, for his contribution to advancing medical knowledge in the field of kidney health. Dr. Zaw is the author of the abstract “Severe Hyponatremia Secondary to Hypothyroidism: A Reversible Cause,” which will be published this fall on both the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) websites. The abstract will be available to readers by October 17, 2025. This recognition highlights Dr. Zaw’s commitment to providing exceptional, evidence-based care for patients in Douglas and the surrounding region. To learn more…

Michael Dennis Zanders, age 61, of Ambrose, GA, passed away on Sunday, August 10th, 2025. He was born on June 3rd, 1964 the son of the late James Zanders and Imogene Nipper Zanders. His survivors include two daughters, Lacy (Jason) Cauley of Ambrose, GA and Ursyla (Jay) Brooker of Douglas, GA; five grandchildren, Kagan Jump, Olivia Jump, Bailey Jump, Erica Cauley, and Saylor Cauley; one great-grandson, Kaysun Baker; one brother, Junior (Sue) Zanders of Ambrose, GA; six sisters, Jeanie Faulkner of Douglas, GA, Diane Thomas of Hazlehurst, GA, Lisa (Van) Hughes of Live Oak, FL, Cathy McKinnon of Douglas, GA,…

At the City Commission meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, Mayor Tony Paulk had the honor of swearing in the members of the 2025-2026 Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council. This year, the Mayor welcomed one of the largest councils, comprised of 17 enthusiastic students from Douglas and Coffee County. During the ceremony, Mayor Paulk encouraged parents and citizens to support the youth, highlighting the crucial role that adults play in shaping young individuals into outstanding citizens who truly represent the community. Established in 2017, the mission of the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council is to broaden the scope of youth leadership in Douglas, through…

Last month, Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and other government programs. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. “The charges announced yesterday reinforce the combined missions of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and our law enforcement partners, to aggressively, and relentlessly, pursue those perpetrators who attempt to victimize our nation’s citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. “Our office, along with our…

Peggy Ann Meeks, age 66, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Memorial Health in Savannah, GA following an extended illness. Ms. Meeks was born on May 1, 1959, in Coffee County, GA, to the late Kenneth and Lillie Joyce Walls. Survivors include one daughter, Tammy (Michael) Stewart of Douglas, GA; one son, Johnnie (Kristy) Meeks of Douglas, GA; two grandchildren, Nicholas Meeks and Caden Lee Boykin; one step grandson, Michael Wright; two sisters, Kathy (Carl) Singletary of Pearson, GA and Lorrine Walls of Orlando, FL; two brothers, Edward Walls of Douglas, GA and Stevie Walls…

Ada Jo Wilhelm (Petty), 87, of Jacksonville FL passed Monday August 4, 2025 ather home.Ada Jo was a graduate of Coffee County High School in 1956.  She waspredeceased by her mother, Robbie Chaney Pridgen and the father who raisedher, Stanley Pridgen, her brother Eugene Petty and younger sister, MollieBurkett.  She is survived by her daughter Robbie Smith, son-in-law and sonDean, sister Louise Griffin, and many nieces and nephews.

46-year-old Benjamin Lee Hodge was cited for DUI while riding a bicycle on July 29, 2025, at approximately 2:15 a.m. According to an incident report from the Douglas Police Department, Hodge was riding a bike when he was stopped at the intersection of East College Park Drive and MLK Drive. The report says that the officer stopped Hodge because he didn’t have a front light on his bike. When speaking with Hodge, the report says that he appeared to be intoxicated. The officer administered a field sobriety test – to which Hodge consented, according to the report. He did not…

Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has donated a fully operational ambulance to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program, further strengthening a long-standing partnership between the two institutions. The donation of the 2019 Ford F-350 Type I ambulance follows CRMC EMS’s recent replacement of several units in its fleet. After discussions with Wiregrass EMS leadership confirmed a need for a training vehicle, CRMC leadership and the hospital board unanimously supported donating the vehicle as an in-kind contribution to support hands-on education and local workforce development. “This ambulance was used by our EMS team to serve the people of…