Over the past month, officers from the Douglas Police Department’s Criminal Investigation’s Unit have worked with the Sparta (Michigan) Police Department to investigate a scam that targets victims’ bank account information. That information was used in Douglas. A suspect in this case acted like an employee of the victims’ financial institution and ultimately acquired the victims’ bank log in, account, and transaction card information. The result of this investigation led to multiple felony arrest warrants and search warrants. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, and the Douglas Police Department’s Special Response Team executed a search warrant on…
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Douglas Rotary Club members and guests learned leadership skills and how a muralist creates striking works of art from Coffee County Schools educator and artist Lee Mobley at the club’s February 19 meeting at South Georgia State College. Among the guests at the program was Elizabeth Cottingham, a retired educator and community volunteer, who was Mr. Mobley’s second grade teacher at Satilla Elementary School. Mr. Mobley brought two paintings with him to demonstrate strength and empathy in leaders. A mighty Spartan warrior in black and gray tones showed strength and focus on the mission at hand. A glowing portrait of…
Mr. Marty Adams, age 71, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Friday evening, February 20, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a recent illness. Marty was born October 10, 1954, in Broxton, Georgia, to the late George Adams and the late Marie Chaney Adams. He was a masonry worker by trade and attended Covenant Christian Church. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Charles Deen. Marty leaves behind 2 children: Catie Adams Souther (Greg), and Cason Adams (Rebekah), both of Douglas, Georgia; 3 grandchildren: Lilly Adams, Ellis Souther, and Catherine Souther,…
Rocky Allen Blackwelder, age 76, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at his home, following an extended illness. He was born on February 14, 1950, the son of the late Mr. John Henry Blackwelder and the late Mrs. Nettie Latitia Bridges Blackwelder. Mr. Blackwelder was a member of the Coffee County Gun Club. He enjoyed RVing, growing citrus trees, and Georgia festivals. He also collected model lighthouses and nesting hens. He was a proud Navy veteran and optical repair technician. His survivors include: his beloved wife, Irene Collins Blackwelder of Douglas, GA; one son, Joshua…
Career Technical Student Organizations FBLA, FCCLA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA took 31 Coffee High School students to the Georgia State Capitol on February 3, 2026, to represent Coffee High School and advocate for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) in Coffee County. The CTSOs were chaperoned by advisers Tara Carver, Angela Davis, Kelly Gilliard, Chris Goodwill, Kristi Joyner, and Ashlea Robinson. The Coffee Middle School FBLA chapter was also represented by their advisers, Ashley Harden and Candace Minshew, and joined for the photo with Representative Angie O’Steen.CTAE programs and their affiliated CTSOs play a vital role in developing students’ workforce readiness…
By Van Yandell John 21: 17 “He said unto him, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.” After teaching industrial arts and working as a carpenter for many years, I suppose I had sawdust flowing through my veins. The wood shop must have been my favorite area and that love carried over into my retirement years. A wood shop in a garage became…
Officers with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Chavoski Williams, 33, of Douglas, following an investigation into disturbing alleged online communications with multiple juveniles. On February 18, 2026, detectives with CCSO Sex Offender Unit were contacted by agents with the Department of Community Supervision regarding information uncovered during a comprehensive compliance search. Agents learned that Williams had been in communication with minors. In one exchange, the victim clearly identified herself as 14 years old and Williams falsely claimed to be 17 and proceeded to request secrecy. The encounter quickly escalated into explicit and predatory language, including references to physical…
By Michael DockeryI believe our communities deserve representation that actually shows up.Not just during election season. Not just at ribbon cuttings. But consistently — in classrooms, in neighborhoods, at community events, and at kitchen tables where real decisions are felt.As a teacher and coach, I don’t have the luxury of being distant. When a student is struggling, you show up. When a parent calls, you return it. When something isn’t working, you fix it. That’s accountability. That’s responsibility. And that’s exactly how I believe public service should work.Too often, people feel like their concerns disappear into the background. Roads go…
An investigation at a Younge Fussell Road address in reference to missing items in a bedroom landed a 42-year-old woman in jail on burglary charges. On February 3, 2026, a deputy responded to the house when a resident stated that there were several items missing from his daughter’s room, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The first time that items were found to be missing was on January 30, 2026. The residents installed a video camera in the room afterwards. On February 3, the camera sent a notification that someone was in the room again. The camera showed…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College held its Fall 2025 Commencement Exercises on Thursday, December 11. A total of 812 students were awarded an associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit, including 173 Dual Enrollment or high school students who earned a college credential. Among the graduates, the college conferred 123 associate degrees, 93 diplomas, and 1,044 technical certificates of credit. The ceremony was held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Wiregrass is proud to announce the Fall 2025 graduates from Coffee and Atkinson counties who earned technical certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees: Atkinson: Sarai Abonza, Faith Banuelos, Nathan…