Author: Submitted

The Coffee High Track Team took the trip to Starr’s Mill High School to compete against 31 other schools. Friday Night Lights Meet at Strar’s Mill attracts teams from Georgia and Alabama. The Lady Trojans tied for 23rd place and scored 7 team points at this meet. The Trojans scored 8 points tied for 16th place. Junior Kate Merritt had an outstanding day setting two new school records running 5:25.79 in the 1600 meter run and 11:25.85 in the 3200 meters. Her performances are considered to be an Elite performance. Chris Stafford also had an outstanding performance in the long…

Mrs. Verchel McKinnon McClendon, age 78 of Douglas, passed away Monday, March 28, 2022, at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Douglas, following an extended illness. She was born in Coffee County on July 20, 1943, to Fred and Miriam Joiner McKinnon. Mrs. McClendon made her home in the Douglas and Willacoochee areas, where she and her husband raised their family together, working as a waitress, and being a homemaker. She had a strong faith and loved to worship as she attended Willacoochee Holiness Baptist Church and First Assembly of God in Douglas. Mrs. McClendon also enjoyed fishing, gardening…

On March 27, 2022, Janie Davis rested peacefully in the arms of Jesus as her battle with cancer ended. Janie, born on December 17, 1958, lived her life as a true servant. A bold soul with a selfless heart, she was an avid adventurer and a seasoned traveler. She was the epitome of an independent woman: a seamstress and a baker, a relentless creative, and conveniently, a problem-solver who could figure out or fix most anything on-the-fly. Janie cared for others often and well, earning the nickname “Gypsy Nana” as she would quickly pack up and go wherever she was…

Miss Joanna Villalobos, 14, of Douglas, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2022 while visiting family in Mexico. Visitation will be from 6-9 PM Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services. Services will be held at 12 PM Friday, April 1, 2022 in St. Paul Catholic Church. Survivors include: Parents: Jessica Marie Villalobos & Jose Aaron Villalobos Gomez of Douglas; Siblings: Jose Aaron Villalobos Jr., Jimena Villalobos & Jesse Aaron Villalobos all of Douglas; Grandparents: San Juana Rosales and Rudy Alvarado of Moultrie; Virgelina Gomez Jimenez and Adin Villalobos Jimenez of Chapas, Mexico. Active pallbearers will be: Jose Aaron Villalobos, Rudy Alvarado,…

Mr. Herbert Lee Russell, age 77 of Ocilla, GA, passed away Monday morning, April 4, 2022 at The Canopy in Valdosta, GA following an extended illness. Mr. Russell was born May 28, 1944 to the late John Hadley Russell and the late Mary Lee Rampley Russell. Mr. Russell, a native of Cobb County, was a retired probation officer with the State of Georgia. He was a member of Shady Plains Baptist Church of Marietta, GA. Mr. Russell was also a veteran of the United States Army. Survivors include: 1 Son: Eddie Russell of Athens, GA 1…

1st Sgt. Russell Merritt, USA, Retired, age 81, of Box Springs, Georgia passed away peacefully at home on Saturday April 2, 2022. Mr. Merritt was born on February 20, 1941 in Broxton, Georgia, the son of Carl and Sarah Smith Merritt. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Ursula Merritt and two sons, Floyd Dean Merritt and Dale Steven Merritt. Mr. Merritt served over 20 years in the United States Army, enlisting in 1957 and retiring in 1978. He was a Vietnam veteran, earning the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with “V” device and Army Commendation Medal,…

Herman Railey, age 78, of Broxton, Georgia passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Railey was born on January 26, 1944, in Ocilla, GA, to the late William Railey and Annie Ricketson Railey. Survivors include: Daughter; Katrina Railey Gaskins of Douglas, GA, Grandchildren; Taylor Gaskins of Douglas, GA, Zachary Ashford of Douglas, GA, One Sister; Shirley Merritt of Broxton, GA, Two Brothers; Earl Railey of Broxton, GA, George Railey of Broxton, GA, Special Niece; Penny Garrett of Broxton, GA, and several Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in…

Join us for our Inaugural Satilla-Con (Mini-Con) on Saturday, April 23 at both the Douglas and Pearson libraries. If you enjoy Manga, Anime, DC, Marvel, Star Wars, Sci-Fi then come out and have fun. There will be prizes, and gift cards for the winner of the Tween/Teen Costume Contest, and Juvenile Costume Contest at both libraries. Participate and enjoy your library, and enter to win a grand prize which is a Samsung tablet. After all of the entries from the Pearson and Douglas Libraries have been compiled the drawing for the grand prize will take place by the…

The City of Douglas would like to invite citizens to volunteer to help clean up our city by picking up litter and other debris during the Great American Cleanup on Saturday, April 30, 2022, 8:00AM – 11:00AM. Volunteers are needed and this is a great opportunity for clubs, organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals to roll up their sleeves and earn community service hours by making Douglas beautiful. Great American Cleanup participants should arrive at Ashley Slater House (211 S. Gaskin Avenue) between 8:45AM and 9:00AM for registration. Groups will journey to areas in Ward 3 as identified by the…

The Coffee County Drug Unit (CCDU) announces the following statistics for the first quarter of 2022: Sixty-one arrests were made by the CCDU in the first quarter of 2022 for an array of crimes, most of which involved violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. Seventeen firearms were seized and taken off the streets as part of ongoing investigations. These firearms were determined to have been used as part of the illicit drug trade, possessed by convicted felons, and/or both. Four of these firearms were determined to have been stolen. Three vehicles were seized, which were suspected to…