Author: Submitted

Bring your camera and your basket to the Annual Tiny Tot Egg Hunt that will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 11 am at Premier Sports Athletic Complex located at 531 Van Davis Road. The egg hunt is for children ages 1–7. The Easter Bunny and Fire Pup will be on site from 10 am-10:45 am to visit and take photos with the children. Everyone is asked to arrive early since the hunt starts at 11 am sharp and does not last more than a few minutes. “We are glad to be able to host this annual event for the children…

The Douglas Fire Department proudly hosted the Georgia Spartan Firefighter Course in February . Since 2018, this marks the 12th class held at the Douglas Fire Department Training Facility. Twice a year, Spartan members from across the Southeastern region come together to instruct 12 candidates in both basic and advanced firefighter techniques during an intensive 24-hour training session. Congratulations to the new Spartan Firefighers Conner Vera – Paulding County Fire, AJ Staton – Gainesville Fire, Will Kersey – Perry Fire, Lee Romaniw – Forsyth County Fire, Mason Herrington – Douglas Fire, Herman Lathers – Karns Fire (TN), Devin Cleveland – Cherokee County Fire, Dylan…

Ricky Taylor, age 65, of West Green, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025 the son of James Ralph Taylor and Dorothy Eloise Taylor. His survivors include: his beloved wife; Sue Ann Taylor of Waynesville, GA, three daughters; Jennifer (Robert) Roagin of Montana, Amanda Michelle (Rowdy) Gilbert of Jacksonville, FL, and Kelly Taylor (Jeremy) Griswald of Ambrose, GA, two sons; James (Connie) Metts of Broxton, GA, and Jeremy Metts of Broxton, GA, three step-children; Kole (Chaz) Dowling of Wyoming, Wayne (Miranda) Baker of Jesup, GA, and Terry (Amy) Baker of Deltona, FL, twenty-two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, four sisters;…

Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to stop a suspected drug dealer in Irwin County after a high-speed pursuit. According to a press release from the South Central Drug Task Force (SCDTF), the agency, in collaboration with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Irwin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Agriculture Investigative Division, and Ocilla Police Department successfully apprehended the suspect in Ocilla. The incident began when authorities attempted a routine traffic stop, but the suspect fled at speeds reaching 150 mph. Law enforcement officers pursued the vehicle until a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) was successfully executed, bringing the chase…

Detectives from the Narcotics Unit of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on March 27, 2025, that resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Alvin Lamar Jones III from Brunswick. A broken taillight initiated the stop, during which time detectives learned that Jones had been in town visiting Douglas from Brunswick for just a short time. The investigation revealed141 ecstasy pills and nine Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills of varying milligrams in a backpack located inside of Jones’s vehicle. He was taken into custody and held for 48 hours while warrants were processed. Jones faces charges for possession of a…

Lawrence Dewayne Merritt, of Broxton, GA, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 29th, 2025. He was born on January 6th, 1956 the son of Mr. Vernon and Mrs. Jessie Lee Hinson Merritt. His survivors include: his beloved wife; Wanda Merritt of Broxton, GA, three sons; Jason (Pamela) Merritt of Ambrose, GA, Daniel (April) Merritt of Broxton, GA, and Ben (Wendi) Merritt of Athens, GA, one daughter; Candice (Jason) Hester of Broxton, GA, four grandchildren; Grady Hester, Emily Hester, Shelby Hester, and Dustin Merritt, one brother; Roy (Lisa) Merritt of Broxton, GA, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded…

Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Department of Justice to dismiss its claims in In Re Georgia Senate Bill 202, a Biden-era lawsuit that falsely accused Georgia of intentionally suppressing Black voters’ votes. “Contrary to the Biden Administration’s false claims of suppression, Black voter turnout actually increased under SB 202,” said Bondi. “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be confident that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.” The Biden administration fabricated an untrue narrative following the passage of Senate Bill…

Margaret Jane Rowell Lankford, age 80, of Broxton, GA, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at her residence following an extended illness. Ms. Lankford was born on November 28, 1944 in Irwin County, GA, to the late Thomas Rowell and Lillie Goff Rowell. Survivors include: two daughters; Samantha Ann Lankford of Broxton, GA, Amanda Caroline (Ottie) Lankford of Broxton, GA, three grandchildren; David Scott Woods (Colleen) of Broxton, GA, Lauren Elizabeth Mercer (Nik) of Broxton, GA, Alaina Marie Lankford of Broxton, GA, one brother; Charles Rowell (Denise). Ms. Lankford was preceded in death by her beloved husband; Carlos Lankford,…

The Coffee High Trojans traveled to Valdosta High School to participate in the Hiram Johnson Underclassmen Invitational on March 26. Valdosta High School was the host site for this meet due to the facility renovations to the Lowndes County High School track. The meet is named for a former Coffee County resident who graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Douglas. Coach Johnson has retired from the Lowndes County School System and has established a dominant track program through his years of service. The Lady Trojans placed second in the meet with 152.50 points trailing Lowndes County Lady Vikings…

The City of Douglas and GFL Environmental will offer two free residential Junk Drop-Off Days in April to help citizens in Douglas rid properties of excess trash and large items. Junk Drop dates in April will be on Saturday, April 5, and Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Shirley Avenue (corner of Shirley Ave. and College Park Dr.) from 8:30 am to 11:45 am. Citizens must be in the drop-off line prior to 11:30 am. The remaining drop-off dates for 2025 are as follows: May 3 & 17, June 7 & 21, July 19, August 2 & 16, September 20, October 4…