Author: Submitted

Edward Leonidas Bagwell Jr., a beloved figure in the Douglas, GA community, passed away peacefully at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on August 23rd, 1942, to Edward Leonidas Bagwell Sr. and Iris Bennett Bagwell, Ed lived a life full of service, dedication, and community involvement. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lynda Jones Bagwell, whom he married in January 1966. He also leaves behind two sons: Lee Bagwell and his wife Holly, and Dr. Drew Bagwell and his wife Melissa, all residing in Douglas, GA.…

The troubles keep piling up for embattled Pearson Mayor Robert Johnson. Earlier this week, a judge in Atkinson County awarded Colony Square LLC a large sum of money as a result of a failed restaurant venture in Fitzgerald in which Johnson was a party. Documents filed in Atkinson County on Wednesday show that Colony Square was awarded $163,547.15 for back rent and other expenses related to the restaurant venture. The defendants are listed as Mayor Johnson and his brother, Jarvis Johnson. The amount due under the lease is $148,422.88. The defendants must also pay attorney’s fees in the amount of…

Here are the results from the Region 2-5A track and field meet held this week in Albany: • Kaloni Styles is the Region Champion in the 100 meter hurdle (15.23 seconds) & 300 meter hurdle (46.80 seconds) events. • Kashariyona White is the Region Runner Up in the 100 meter hurdles (15.23) and 300 meter hurdles (47.42 seconds). • Kenyon Livingston ran a time of 15.12 seconds in the 110 meter hurdles to become the Region Champion. Kenyon also is the Region Runner Up in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 41.59 seconds. • Nahla Franklin established a…

Douglas Fire Department Lieutenant Lee Clements has been involved in some form of public safety since he was 16 years old. Now he has added another accomplishment to his already impressive resume – paramedic. On Thursday, April 24, 2024, Lt. Clements graduated from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College with his paramedic degree. Lt. Clements’s journey began early, stepping into the world of public safety at just 16 years old as a lifeguard and water safety instructor. In 1989, he launched his law enforcement career as a dispatcher, eventually becoming a certified peace officer in 1997. Over the years, he has served…

Dorinda Gail Evers, age 57, of Alma, GA, passed away peacefully at her residence on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. She was born on June 16th, 1967, the daughter of James Snipes and Brenda Peacock Snipes. Her survivors include: two sons; Rickey (Jasmine) Evers of Nicholls, GA, and Chad Evers of Broxton, GA, two daughters; Nicolle (Justin) Evers Jackson of Douglas, GA, and Kristen Snipes of Nicholls, GA, nine grandchildren; Steven Evers, Hayden Evers, Bella Evers, Xavier Jackson, Khaleel Simpson, Kaleb Snipes, Kyler Snipes, Koran Simpson, Kyarra Simpson, and Keelah Simpson, one sister; Carol Adams of Broxton, GA, along with several…

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that every regional commission in Georgia experienced growth in employment and labor force rates in March. “In March, Georgians from every corner of the state stepped up, joining the workforce and filling critical jobs that drive our state’s economy forward,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “By working with regional partners across the state, we’re creating a globally competitive workforce — one that’s built to last and ready to lead Georgia into its next phase of prosperity.” Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below. Coffee and Atkinson counties are in the…

John Andrew Tanner, aged 84, passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2025, after an extended illness. Born on May 22, 1940, to Andrew Jackson Tanner and Frances McDonald Tanner, John lived a life marked by deep affection for his family and a distinguished career in agriculture and community service. John graduated from Culver Military Academy in Indiana and furthered his education at Emory University and the University of Georgia. He dedicated his professional life to farming and the timber industry. His commitment to agriculture was recognized nationally when he was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Safety…

Southeast Non-Profit Housing (SENPH), an organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of farmworkers across three Southeastern states, marked a major milestone today with the grand opening of its newest office in Douglas. The ribbon cutting, hosted in partnership with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, was held at SENPH’s new location inside the Georgia Department of Labor office at 70 Lockwood Drive. Since 2006, SENPH has worked to meet the housing needs of agricultural workers—but now, their mission has grown to include something equally critical: workforce development. Through personalized career services, hands-on training, and educational opportunities, SENPH is empowering farmworkers…

In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 20,2025, an individual unlawfully entered the dealer lot of the Diamond Cargo manufacturing facility in Coffee County and removed two cargo trailers without authorization. The suspect, driving a late-model red SUV, successfully departed the premises with stolen property valued in excess of $10,000. The theft occurred within a one-hour timeframe and was executed by what appeared to be a single perpetrator. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has launched a formal investigation into this incident and is actively pursuing leads. Citizens with any information relevant to the identification or whereabouts of the individual…

Grayson Taylor, an eleventh grade student at Coffee High School, recently applied for a community grant sponsored by several community organizations, most notably Same House in Atlanta. Taylor received the $2,400 grant for the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Student Ambassador program. The funding allowed the eleven students to visit the Capitol in Atlanta and learn more about Georgia’s leadership during the 2025 legislative session. After Grayson’s participation in Youth Lead Georgia, he was given the opportunity to apply for the Bullard Community Champions Grant offered by the Same House organization, a non-profit organization focusing on addressing social and…