Author: Submitted

The week of July 19 through the 22 was State Congress Week for Georgia 4-H. State Congress has been the premier competition and recognition event for high school age Georgia 4-H’ers. Held each year in Atlanta, State Congress is a four-day event that hosts various contests and honors state 4-H winners in a variety of projects and competitions. Ashton Ates, Muskan Minhas, and Ishika Sadarangani represented Coffee County 4-H during the weeklong events. Congratulations to Ishika for placing 1st and mastering in her project area of Food for Health and Sport, and Muskan for placing 2nd…

The Douglas Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announces the appointment of David Hughes to Executive Director of the Douglas Downtown Development Authority effective immediately. Dave has been Main Street Director in Downtown Douglas since November 2018. In his new role as Executive Director, Dave will provide direction and support for existing downtown businesses while building public/private investment partnerships promoting economic growth and encouraging historic preservation in Downtown Douglas which includes the Main Street District. Dave is also a downtown property owner and owns 3 businesses Downtown, Sheila’s Kribs and Cradles Baby Emporium, Sheila’s Baby Boutique, and Legend Upper Loft…

A recent string of late night car entries in a local neighborhood ended with the apprehensions of three individuals. Coffee County deputies responded to the Baymeadows subdivision on July 12 in reference to several vehicles which had been unlawfully entered during the night. Video surveillance from the homes captured images of three males entering the vehicles. During the investigation, detectives learned that officers with Douglas Police Department had made contact with two individuals on bicycles around 2 a.m. on East Baker Highway. The individuals identified themselves as a 16-year-old male and 19-year-old Keith Jackson. Both stated…

Coastal Plains Charter High School will hold an open house on July 26, 2022 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Staff/teachers will be on site to provide information to current and prospective students and parents/guardians. Short workshops and presentations will be offered in order to provide valuable information to both students and parents. Some of these workshops include ¨Roadmap to a Successful School Year,¨ ¨Bridging the Gap Between School and Post-Secondary Career Options,¨ and ¨Paving the Way to Success.¨ Information will be provided on operational procedures, course and graduation requirements, opportunities for pathways and work-based learning programs, as well as information…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Commercial Truck Driving and Diesel Technology Facility. The new facility is a public and private partnership that began fifteen years ago with the land that was donated to the college by the Douglas-Coffee County Development Authority with the purpose of offering Commercial Truck Driving classes. In 2017, because of industry demand, Wiregrass began the Diesel Truck Maintenance program using a spare bay for the lab and a breakroom for a classroom provided by Transpower of Douglas. The 5,000-square-foot facility will house classrooms and labs specifically designed to accommodate both programs. …

A recent spike in criminal and gang activities in Douglas has led public safety and city officials to appeal to citizens to report criminal or suspicious behavior in neighborhoods. The Douglas Police Department is encouraging community members to become educated to recognize gang signs and report gang-related activity, illegal drug use, and suspicious persons throughout Douglas. “In Douglas, if you see something, say something. Our department is asking for the community to continue to monitor their neighborhoods and report any suspicious or criminal actions,” says Douglas Police Chief Shane Edmisten. “We have to stay vigilant to stop this…

Lawton Lamar Drew, age 85, of Douglas, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Drew was born on May 21, 1937, in Douglas City, GA to the late Loren Wadley Drew and Penny Hayes Drew of Douglas, GA. Mr. Drew was a very important member of the Coffee County Community and he helped to shape the lives of so many into the men and women they are today. He was part of the Coffee County school system for 35 years. He was very active in…

James Hall has been named the new Automotive Instructor for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus. A native of Ocilla, Hall is a graduate of East Central Tech (now Wiregrass) and brings 18 years of experience in the automotive field to the classroom. While attending college he was a member of the SkillsUSA chapter. He earned a gold medal at the state SkillsUSA competition and placed 19th at National SkillsUSA in Automotive. Hall started his career while in college with Griffin Ford in Tifton and later opened his automotive shop in Ocilla in 2012. …

Mr. Benny Reliford, Sr., age 64 of Pearson, Ga. passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022, at his home in Pearson, Ga. following a brief illness. Survivors include: 3 Sons: Moses Reliford and fiancé Aggie Miller of Pearson, Ga. Benny Carol Reliford, Jr. and wife Megan of Pearson, Ga. Ben William “Watermelon” Reliford and wife Donna of Douglas, Ga. 2 Daughters: Melissa Davis and fiancé Olton Young of Manor, Ga. Misty Raven Douglas of Pearson, Ga. Brother: Bill Reliford of Douglas, Ga. Sister: Linda Gail Stone of Pearson, Ga. …

Mr. Michael William Fowler, age 60, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 13, 2022 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Fowler was born February 9, 1962 to Esther Shults Fowler the late Warn Fowler. Mr. Fowler, a native of Ambrose, GA, had worked as an agricultural consultant with Paulk and Griffin for 37 years. He attended Ambrose Christian Church and New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors include: His Wife: Teresa Paulk Fowler of Ambrose, GA 2 Children: Kimberly Fowler and David Fowler and wife Amber all of Ambrose, GA His…