By Van Yandell Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” “Oh, The Places You’ll Go,” (Dr. Seuss). Working in missions where tourists rarely go has afforded me the privilege of seeing living conditions, meeting people and experiencing the foods few Americans have had as a tourist. Being there and witnessing such conditions makes me glad I was born in America. In the Himalayas, I saw where people lived in caves. In Sub-Saharan Africa, to sit and discuss the Gospel of…
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The inaugural Summer Construction Training Program concluded with a graduation ceremony held June 15 at Morris Hall Auditorium on the Valdosta Campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Designed and administered by the Economic Development division at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, the non-credit, two-week Summer Construction Training Program was created to provide graduating seniors and rising seniors with hands-on educational experiences and exposure to careers in the construction industry. The program introduced students to construction concepts, workplace safety, industry expectations, and career opportunities within the skilled trades. Eleven students from area high schools were awarded scholarships to participate in the program…
Dr. Carswell Leis and Dr. Sandra Scott Leis graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine during the Mercer University Commencement Ceremony held Friday, May 8, 2026, in Macon. Among more than 2,200 Mercer University graduates this spring, Carswell and Sandra were two of only three Mercer University graduates selected to receive the prestigious James T. McAfee, Jr. Endowed Vision and Leadership Scholarship. Each recipient was awarded a $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship recognizes outstanding leadership, academic achievement, and service among students across Mercer University. Recently married on April 10 in Savannah, the couple will begin Internal Medicine residencies in July at…
At the request of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, GBI agents are investigating the death of Marquese Levone Ross, age 21, of Douglas. Preliminary information indicates that on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., a 911 caller contacted the CCSO to report a man, later identified as Ross, shooting a gun outside of the Dollar General located at 4736 East Baker Highway in Douglas. When CCSO deputies arrived at the scene, they saw Ross sitting in a car holding an AR-style handgun. One of deputies gave verbal commands to Ross, but Ross did not comply. Deputies then heard…
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has announced the students who earned top academic honors for the Spring 2026 semester. Students are recognized for outstanding classroom performance across three achievement lists: the President’s Honor List, the Dean’s Honor List and the Distinguished Achievement List. The President’s Honor List, ABAC’s highest academic recognition, includes students who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average. To qualify, each student must have earned an A in every course while completing a minimum of 12 credit hours. Students named to the Dean’s Honor List earned at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and also completed…
The City of Douglas and other great partners will host the 2026 Freedom Fest celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at JC Adams Municipal Park – Jardine Stadium. The gates will open at 5 p.m., and stadium seating will be provided. Admission and parking are free. There will be free rides at the Rucker Family Kids Carnival, food and general vendors, and fireworks at dark. Current food vendors include Backyard BBQ & Catering, Bennett’s Cool Treats, LA Twister Fun Cups, Paradise Island Cuisine, QT Treats, Super Dawg, Gracious Table Catering & More, Kona Ice of Lowndes, and Goldfinger Cupcakes. Other…
Mercer University conferred bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to more than 2,200 students at four commencements held in May in Macon and Atlanta. Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls approximately 9,000 students in 12 schools and colleges – liberal arts and sciences, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing, health professions and professional advancement – on major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; medical school sites in Macon, Savannah and Columbus; and at regional academic centers in Henry and Douglas counties. The following Coffee County…
By Miles Gofaster A small but determined group of swimmers, cyclists, and runners either from or connected to Coffee County traveled to Waycross Saturday morning for the annual Splash, Mash, and Dash Triathlon and Duathlon at Laura Walker State Park. While everyone brought home age group awards, first timers Kate Merritt (triathlon) and Loyd Amerson (duathlon) headlined the day with second-place overall finishes. For the triathletes, the race starts in the lake at the state park with a 400-meter swim. From there it’s on to the bike portion, which this year was shortened to 10 miles (it’s usually a little…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College hosted its Virtual Reality & Heavy Equipment Summer Camp June 8-11 on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus, providing 10 students ages 11-16 with an exciting opportunity to explore high-demand careers through immersive technology and hands-on experiences. Designed to introduce young people to a variety of career pathways, the camp combined cutting-edge virtual reality technology with real-world equipment operation to create an engaging and educational experience. Throughout the week, campers explored careers in healthcare, welding, HVAC, and other skilled trades using state-of-the-art virtual reality headsets and curriculum. The immersive simulations allowed students to step into career environments, complete…
The weather is HOT, and the City of Douglas Fire Department and Police Department want to urge citizens to practice water safety. Swimming is a popular summer activity; drowning can happen quickly and suddenly. “Any source of water is a drowning hazard, especially for young children and weak swimmers,” says Fire Chief Casey Wright. “We urge all citizens to be watchful around water, and if there is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.” Citizens should understand the risks of water activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of…