Betty Jean Braswell, age 86, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2026, at Tift Regional Medical Center. She was born on July 6, 1939, in Ben Hill County, GA the daughter of the late Robert Theo Wells and the late Annie Young Wells. Survivors include: her beloved husband, Julian “Earl” Braswell of Douglas, GA; one daughter, Vickie Barnhart of Douglas, GA; six grandchildren: Clayton Pierce, Heather Barnhart, Crissy (Keith) Stone, Melissa (David) Dorman, Holly (Daniel ) Varnadoe, and Ryan (Megan) Bohannon; eight great grandchildren: Dylan (Tina) Holt, Averie Davidson, Macie Cooley, Lacey Stone, Gracie Varnadoe, Allie Varnadoe,…
Author: Submitted
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, agents with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, along with the D.I.C.E. Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence on Winterset Circle following a months-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking within the community. As a result of the operation, 48-year-old Amy Peterson was taken into custody without incident. During the search, agents located and seized approximately 35 grams of fentanyl. To put the severity of this seizure into perspective, fentanyl is so potent that as little as two milligrams can be a potentially lethal dose. The 35 grams recovered in this case equates to roughly 35,000 milligrams—representing…
Lucie Ann Champagne Bryant was born September 12, 1931, in Albany, New York, and passed away peacefully on April 15th, in Douglas, Georgia, after an extended illness. The daughter of Ralph and Katherine Champagne, she was the eldest of three children. She graduated from Russell Sage College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. Following her graduation, she served her country as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). While stationed in Washington State, Lucie served as a dietitian at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, where she met Wendell…
According to an announcement today by Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Sara Selby, sixty-three students received awards for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community involvement. In addition, twenty-six individuals received Student Choice Awards. The recipients were students, faculty, campus safety, staff members, and student clubs and events. SGSC students solely selected the recipients for these awards. Academic Awards 2025-2026: Waycross Campus, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Freshmen Academic Achievement Award – Madelyn Allen, Alma, GA; Abigail Crane, Screven, GA; Homer Johnson, Alma, GA; Ezekiel Mattox, Blackshear, GA; Logan Robson, Hoboken, GA; Ramsey Rouse, Waycross, GA Sophomore Academic Achievement Award –…
University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue announced today he will retire, capping more than four decades in public service that began in Houston County and grew to include roles in the Georgia State Senate, two terms as governor and as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Board of Regents will launch a national search for the system’s next chancellor, and Perdue will continue to serve until a successor is named.”Serving as chancellor has been one of the most impactful roles of my life, and stepping away is not a decision I make lightly,” Perdue said. “From Houston County to the…
On April 8, 2026, members of the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, with assistance from the D.I.C.E. Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence on Huffer Road near West Green. Upon execution of the warrant, Terry Britt Jr., 40, was taken into custody without incident. During the search, investigators discovered quantities of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, and Schedule III Controlled Substances. Further investigation revealed that Britt, a convicted felon, was in possession of multiple firearms, including several rifles and handguns, which is prohibited under Georgia law. Britt was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a…
University System of Georgia increases tuition for 2026-2027 Academic Year The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has today to approve tuition rates for the 2026–27 academic year at USG’s 25 public colleges and universities. Tuition for in-state undergraduate students will increase by 1%, while tuition for out-of-state and out-of-country students will increase by 3%. Tuition at South Georgia State College will increase to $1,575for FY26 for in-state students ($105 per credit hour) and $1,650 for FY27 ($110 per credit hour). For out of state students, the rates are $6,165 ($411 per credit…
The City of Douglas has been nationally recognized with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Excellence in Community Advancement Award, an honor celebrating public‑private partnerships that spark transformative retail and mixed‑use development. This award celebrates initiatives that drive economic opportunity, enhance community well-being, and create lasting value through innovative development strategies. The Douglas Square and Tax Allocation District (T.A.D.) project was submitted for the award in the Redevelopment/Revitalization category in the Rural classification. The collaboration behind the Douglas Square/Tax Allocation District, was a project that brought together the City of Douglas, Coffee County, the Coffee County Board of Education,…
Wendie McConnell, age 63, of Hephzibah, GA, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta, GA, following a sudden illness. Mrs. McConnell was born on May 23, 1962, in Coffee County, GA to Carolyn D. Holton and the late Robert Holton. Survivors include: husband, Charles McConnell of Augusta, GA; one son, Jacob (Elizabeth) Holton of Douglas, GA; three daughters: Missy Gross of Douglas, GA, MacKenzie (Gordon) Carver of Augusta, GA and Alexis Linberg of New Orleans, LA; ten grandchildren: Jordan Holton, Elora Holton, Leia Holton, Luke Holton, Hinton Carver, Willow Carver, Garron Carver, Mabel Carver, Ronan…
Garry Blair of Douglas, an employee at the Douglas Tractor Supply location, has been selected as a Going the County Mile winner, an honor celebrating Tractor Supply team members who go above and beyond to support customers, communities, and animals. Garry was recognized for developing a friendship with a customer while delivering a mower. When the man suffered a heart attack shortly after, Garry returned with a crew to mow and maintain the man’s lawn, ensuring the property looked its best for the man’s visiting family while he recovered. Tractor Supply’s Country Mile program highlights everyday actions that bring the…