Author: Submitted

By Stan Popovich A person can experience a panic attack when they least expect it. This can cause a great deal of fear and anxiety for the person. Many people do not know what they should do when dealing with a panic attack. As a result, here are eight easy steps a person can follow when a panic attack strikes unexpectedly. 1. Take a break: A panic attack can be very uncomfortable and can affect a person’s thinking. The best thing to do when this happens is to take a break in order to calm down. You don’t want to do…

On Wednesday, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce hosted More Than Marketing: Leveling the Playing Field with AI at The Atrium Event Center. This hands-on workshop gave small business owners the tools and confidence to harness the power of AI – without the tech overwhelm. Attendees learned how to cut down their to-do lists, make smarter decisions faster, and boost marketing efforts without boosting their budgets. With support from the Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University and funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, the session featured AI experts and VSU faculty sharing real-world tools and ready-to-use prompts.…

Officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 50-year-old Shane Merson following a domestic violence investigation stemming from an incident on the evening of Sunday, July 13, 2025. Deputies responded to a residence in Coffee County regarding a reported domestic dispute. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Shane Merson, who initially downplayed the situation as a minor family disagreement. However, further investigation and witness statements revealed a history of escalating verbal abuse and threats. Witnesses on the scene stated that Merson, who had been drinking, became aggressive and made threatening remarks that were taken seriously and believed to have…

Virginia Carolyn Day Thompson, age 83, of Ambrose, Georgia, passed away peacefully as her home on July 15, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 23, 1941 in Douglas, Georgia, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of the late Oveida Purvis Day and Earnest Day. She was also preceded in death by her beloved brother, Sherrill Day. Carolyn lived a life rooted in faith, kindness, and devotion to her family. She was a nurturing mother, proud grandmother, and loyal friend. Her warm smile, gentle spirit, and unwavering love touched the lives of all who knew her. Carolyn had a…

Oscar Martinez Hernandez, a senior majoring in Agricultural Education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), has been selected to serve at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo. The event will be held from Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind.Martinez Hernandez is one of 11 college students chosen from around the country to be a Convention Collegiate Assistant in the Career and Leadership Development portion of the event. His duties will include event management and organization as well as assisting with student competitions. “It’s a tremendous honor for me because FFA really changed my life,” he said. “I…

Coffee Regional Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and…

Betty Doris Dees, age 86, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Ms. Dees was born on October 6, 1938, in Ware County, GA, to the late Herbert Purvis and Ernestine Barnhill Purvis. Survivors include: one daughter, Delia D. (Randy) Garrett of St. Simons Island, GA; two sons, Danny (Sheri) Dees of Willacoochee, GA and Michael Dees of Douglas, GA; eight grandchildren, Chris (Felicia) Grantham, Sonya Grantham, Jacob (Hannah) Dees, Brice (Sarah) Garrett, Brant(Peighton) Garrett, Jade (Drew) Morris, Levi (Courtney) Dees, and Chase Dees; ten great grandchildren, Grace…

The Keep Douglas Beautiful (KDB) Board held its annual retreat on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at City Hall in the city commission chambers. The retreat set the stage for yearly goals and also focused on community awareness and local involvement. “I want our board to excel and be more visible this year,” says Alyssa Fussell, KDB Executive Director. “Our commitment to a cleaner Douglas is unwavering, and with the new restructuring of the stewardship program, we are ready to engage more with our community, amplify our outreach efforts, and boost our volunteer numbers.” Allisa Jackson, the President of KDB, opened the retreat with encouraging…

The Douglas Rotary Club welcomes its board of directors for 2025-2026. The twenty-five member service organization seeks to advance the service ideals of Rotary International by investing time and resources in programs for children and youth, community development, disease prevention, family support, environmental health, and leadership development. The board of directors for this year are President Jim Cottingham, Treasurer John Day, Past President Clay Lott, Director Tom Smith, Past President Robert Preston Jr., and Secretary Mark Miller. Douglas Rotarians meet on Thursdays from noon to 1 pm at the Covered Wagon, 2639 US-441 South in Douglas. Visitors and prospective members…

Mrs. Marsha Hope Woodruff Lowe, age 88, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away peacefully Sunday, July 13, 2025 with her family by her side. She was born in Jacksonville, FL. She was the only daughter to the late Bill and Clara Dell Woodruff. Mrs. Lowe earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She took great pride in being a homemaker to her family. Mrs. Lowe and her husband enjoyed taking tours to Hawaii, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, and Yellowstone National Park. They relished their time at Surfside Beach, SC where their children and grandchildren spent time together. She was…