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Former Waycross Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Clarence Blount passed away at his home with his family by his side on Sunday, August 7. He was 96. His parents were the late Mae Couch and Charlie B. Blount of Pierce County. Judge Blount graduated from Blackshear High School in 1943 as his class salutatorian. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1950 from the University of Georgia School of Law (Lumpkin Law School). He subsequently practiced law in Waycross and in 1965, joined Lamar (Swampy) Gibson and Baker McGee in the law firm of Gibson, McGee…

The Coffee County Drug Unit (CCDU) announced another slew of arrests made in July, varying from charges of possession of methamphetamine to the distribution of controlled substances. The arrests include: July 11 The CCDU arrested Berrie Durrance on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. CCDU officers located two wanted subjects, Jason Sanders and Sharon Snipes, at a local store. The couple was wanted on probation violation warrants for possession of methamphetamine. Another wanted probationer, Alexa Austin, was located and arrested. Austin was on probation for methamphetamine-related charges. The CCDU assisted an…

Sharon Reddick Abbott, age 67, of Sylvania and formerly of Douglas, widow of Larry William Abbott, passed away on Thursday morning, August 4, 2022, at her home with her family at her side. Sharon was a daughter of the late Ethridge Reddick, and the late Hilda Jeffers Reddick Smith. She born on August 7, 1954, in Sylvania, Georgia. Sharon was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas, Georgia. She worked as a sales agent selling mobile homes. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by…

Leighanna McBride, RN, has been named Coffee Regional Medical Center’s DAISY Award winner for the first quarter of 2022. CRMC honored Leighanna during a ceremony on Tuesday, July 26. A registered nurse in the Pediatric Unit, she was nominated by a young patient’s family member for going above and beyond while caring for their ill child. She was described as brightening any room she entered and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. Honoring nurses internationally, The DAISY Foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes after his family was positively impacted by the nurses who skillfully and compassionately…

From June 25-30, 15 Coffee County athletes ages 10-19 lifted in the 2022 USA Weightlifting National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. Athletes were required to make a minimum total specified by USA Weightlifting in a sanctioned meet in order to qualify for the national competition. This year’s team won the team championship in both the Boys 16-17 age division, as well as the Overall Boys Championship. The 2022 team was led by Micale Smith, Rhett Robinson, Dane Rish, Range Robinson, and Thomas Webb. Micale Smith won the National Championship in the 16-17 age group, 67kg weight class. Smith…

Substantial regional planning efforts led by the City of Douglas, Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC), and Douglas-Coffee County Economic Development Authority have enabled three grants to be awarded to the City of Douglas for Economic Development. The City of Douglas will receive approximately $5.2 million in grant funding for water and sewer expansions for economic development. “We are very pleased with the announcement that Douglas will receive Economic Development grants. The significance of these grants proves that our federal and state leaders are committed to investing in cities,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “Receiving the grants demonstrate that our…

State troopers from The Georgia State Patrol Post 36 in Douglas investigated 45 traffic crashes during the month of July. Sergeant First Class Harding said the traffic crashes resulted in 35 injuries and 3 fatalities. Sergeant First Class Harding said troopers from Post #36 also issued 572 traffic citations during the month. This total includes 32 arrests for Driving Under the Influence, 161 citations for speeding, 139 seatbelt violations, 36 child restraint violations, and 40 distracted driving violations. Troopers issued 683 warnings for the month. Sergeant First Class Harding reminds motorists that school is back in…

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is offering COVID-19 PCR testing at kiosks placed in communities across Georgia. In most locations, these kiosks offer access to COVID-19 testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After completing a brief registration form, the kiosks dispense a test kit that includes a nasal swab, like other at-home tests, and instructions on collecting the specimen. Once the specimen is collected, it is safely packaged back into the kit and placed in the kiosk. The specimens are picked up daily and sent to an accredited lab for PCR testing. …

In accordance with the State of Georgia’s Enterprise Zone Employment Act of 1997, the City of Douglas has established five Enterprise Zones in the city to encourage revitalization and investment in the areas. Property owners, who apply for the incentive program and successfully achieve and maintain the criteria set by the program, may qualify for abatement of municipal ad valorem (property) taxes for a ten year period on business, commercial, and residential properties within the established Enterprise Zone geographic areas. “We want to stimulate growth in these areas of Douglas that have seen distress or a decline in…

Parker White has received the BEE Award for the first quarter of 2022. Five caregivers nominated Parker, recognizing the consistent hard work and care he puts into his work. His fellow caregivers described him as dedicated, eager, helpful, polite, hardworking, happy, and positive. We are proud to have Parker on our team and excited to honor him with this very-deserved recognition. Coffee Regional Medical Center is proud to honor staff members who are recognized by patients, families, and co-workers for their outstanding work in assisting in caring for patients and visitors. When it comes to quality patient care,…