Author: Submitted

The City of Douglas will hold an open house of one of the restored World War II barracks on Friday, September 9, 2022, from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Once utilized as housing for World War II cadets, the Barracks #5 building is hoped to be used for an aviation-type business or aviation-related purposes. The open house is free of charge. In 2020, the Georgia Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Natural Resources awarded the City of Douglas $10,000 in grant funds for building improvements on Barracks #5 in 2020. Funds from the DNR Grant and the City of…

South Georgia State College celebrated the completion of the Powell Hall renovation with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 23, 2022. Powell Hall, one of the college’s three original buildings on the Douglas Campus, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and holds a prominent place in the history of the institution. Built in 1907, this legacy building was named for Josiah W. Powell, the second principal of the 11th District Agricultural and Mechanical School which became South Georgia College. Powell Hall was initially constructed to house the men’s dormitory. Over the years, the use of…

Nine of the community’s brightest youth leaders took their oath of office for the 2022-2023 Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council on Monday, August 22, 2022. The new group of teen leaders has been busy this summer promoting the youth leadership program throughout our community and even as far as Arkansas. During the summer months, Joana Mazariegos traveled to the city of Crossett, Arkansas and met their Mayor, Crystal Marshall. Joana shared her experiences with the youth council and some ideas to help Crossett begin their Mayor’s Youth Council. Members also set up a booth at the George Washington Carver…

South Georgia State College was recognized as the Campus Spotlight at the Board of Regents monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The Campus Spotlight is an initiative that allows the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to learn more about the students, faculty and academic programs at their member institutions. The SGSC presentation entitled “Engaging Community Partners in Students’ Experiential Learning Opportunities” focused on three of its baccalaureate programs, the Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education, the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology.…

A Telfair County woman has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting she participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds. Shakeena Hamilton, 34, of McRae, Ga., was sentenced to 60 months in prison after she previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit an Offense Against the U.S. Government, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Hamilton admitted helping others to fraudulently apply for Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and to receiving kickbacks from the co-conspirators in…

Charles Deen Jr., age 88, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Deen was born on August, 30, 1933, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Charlie Deen Sr. and Lilla Emma Mobley Deen. Survivors include: His Wife; Diane Deen of Broxton, GA, One Son; Jim (Laurie) Deen of Broxton, GA, Three Daughters; Anjette D. (Bryan) Griffin of Fitzgerald, GA, Michelle (Kerry Van) Moore of West Green, GA, Janice D. (Fred) Smith of Wray, GA; Ten Grandchildren; Tyler (Dustin) Deen, Lane (Clay) Davis, Dustin (Elise) Walker, Chance (Norelys)…

The Martin Centre needed a more reliable Internet connection; however, no fiber-based options were available at their location in Downtown Douglas. ATC Broadband offered to partner with the local entertainment venue and become the official internet provider to the Martin Centre and Friend of the Martin. “ATC Broadband is excited to partner with the Martin Centre to provide fiber optic based Internet and support the theater’s efforts to bring quality entertainment to downtown Douglas,” said Kevin Brooks, President of ATC. ATC agreed to build a fiber optic line to the Martin Centre and now provides them…

After selecting a jury in his case, Tipaco Butler pled guilty this morning before trial began to two counts of attempted armed robbery, home invasion in the 1st degree, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Morgan Kirkland and Judge Andy Spivey presided over the proceedings. Butler received a 40 year sentence, the first 20 of which he will serve in prison. The evidence in the case showed that on June 11, 2021, Butler forced his way into a residence. He brandished a handgun and demanded money from…

The Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA-AHEC) has been awarded $1.3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). With SOWEGA-AHEC as the Lead Applicant, a network of rural partners will develop a CP Workforce Training Program to cross-train five EMS providers to work in five newly established hospital-based CP departments to reduce non-emergent ER visits through at-home education and access to needed resources. The Southwest Georgia Community Paramedicine Network members include the Georgia State Office of Rural Health in Cordele, Clinch Memorial Hospital…

Megan Leigh Daniel Rich, 41, of Summerville, SC, unexpectedly passed away. Family and friends are invited to a gathering on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 10: 00 am to 12:00 pm at James A. Dyal Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00 pm. There will also be a memorial service in Douglas, GA, at a later date. Megan was born on April 20, 1981 in Statesboro, Ga, daughter of the late Carl “Danny” Daniel, Jr of Douglas, GA. and Catherine Deborah Culpepper Maccario of Walterboro, SC. Megan was a 1999 graduate of Coffee…