Author: Submitted

The GBI has arrested and charged Brant Garrett, age 25, with two counts of Child Molestation and two counts of Sexual Battery. Garrett is a teacher at George Washington Carver Freshman Campus in Coffee County and was arrested in Statesboro, Georgia today. After his arrest, GBI agents executed a search warrant at Garrett’s home in Coffee County with the assistance of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. Garrett will be held at the Coffee County Jail. On February 23, 2022, the GBI received a request from the Coffee County School System Police Department to conduct a child molestation investigation.…

A convicted sex offender faces multiple, new child molestation charges following several incidents that occurred recently in Coffee County. An investigation into an alleged incident of child molestation was begun by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 23, 2022. As a result, David Roberson was arrested on Jan. 26 on one count of child molestation. Since that time, two additional incidents involving Roberson were reported to the sheriff’s office and, upon further investigation, two additional arrest warrants for child molestation were obtained. Roberson has been a registered sex offender living in Coffee County since 2003. …

Coffee County Sheriff’s Office officials have charged a local DoorDash driver with burglary and aggravated assault after he allegedly forcibly entered the home of a client and attacked one victim. A female victim contacted Coffee E-911 on Feb. 16, 2022, in reference to a possible attempted rape. Sheriff’s office detectives responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where they made contact with the victim. Detectives learned that the male suspect was recognized by the victim as a DoorDash driver who had previously delivered food to her home. The victim stated the suspect forced his way inside her residence, exposed his genitals,…

Beginning Saturday, February 26, 2022, the City of Douglas/ESG Operations Water Department will begin to fill the new elevated tank on McNeil Drive. Plans are to fill the fill the tank slowly to minimize any water disruptions, however, customers may experience discolored water. The process may take several days but plans are to have the water tank completely online by Saturday March 5, 2022. Citizens who experience discolored water are advised to allow water to run clear prior to washing clothes or cooking. This will clear the line of any rust that might have dislodged from the pipes. The Water…

In advance of Women’s History Month, Jennifer Nettles, the Coffee County native who went on to become a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and record producer, has announced 500 Girls With Impact scholarships to be made available to young women 14-24 beginning immediately. The scholarships, each worth $895, mean that 500 young women 14-24 will be able to undergo Girls With Impact’s 10-week Business Academy at no cost. A native of Georgia who sang at the age of four and played in local bands, Nettles went on to win three Grammy Awards. She is best known as half…

Mrs. Fronnie Lee Hutchison Fletcher, age 70 of Willacoochee, GA passed away late Tuesday night, February 22, 2022 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Fletcher was born, March 3, 1951 to the late Arlie Hutchison and the late Margaret Hersey Hutchison Arnette. Survivors include: Her Husband of 53 years: Ronald Eugene Fletcher of Willacoochee, GA Children: Deirdre Greer and husband Bishop Nathan Greer of Hazlehurst, GAKevin Eugene Fletcher of Douglas, GAGregory Alan Fletcher and wife Laura of Douglas, GA Sister: Irene Troupe of Douglas, GA Brother: Julius Arnette of Thailand A niece…

Mrs. Carrie Jean Gillis Thomas, age 82 of Nicholls, GA, passed away Monday morning, February 21, 2022, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mrs. Thomas was born June 16, 1939 to the late Jesse Gaston Gillis and the late Rena Frances Mills Gillis. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. John Thomas; 1 sister, Mary Ellen Whitley; 1 brother, Jesse George Gillis and 1 grandson, Lee Taylor. Mrs. Thomas, a native of Nicholls, GA, had been a floral designer with Thomas Flowers for a number of years. She was a…

Peggy Jean Guthrie, age 68 of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Guthrie was born on July 5, 1953, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Alonzo Melvin and Ruby Hope Melvin. Survivors include: Her Husband; Jerold O. Guthrie, Daughter; Christy Smith (Guy) of Polk City, FL, Four Grandchildren; Cody Smith (Megan) of Lakeland, FL, Dylan Smith (Alexandra) of Lakeland, FL, Courtney Harvey of Ponce Inlet, FL, Corie Lavan of FL, Three Great-Grandchildren; Carley Smith, Wyatt Smith, Haddie Mae Smith, Brothers; Hoyt Melvin of Watkinsville, GA,…

Manley Russell Gillis, age 65, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Gillis was born on June 25, 2022, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late Manley Gillis and Shirley Kirkland Gillis. Survivors include: His Wife; Veronda Gillis, Daughter; Katie Gillis, Sister; Sandy Gillis Mitchell (Mark) of Lawrenceville, GA, and Brother; Jay Gillis (Angie) of Lawrenceville, GA. Mr. Gillis is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Mr. Gillis was preceded in death by his parents; Manley Gillis and Shirley Kirkland Gillis. The family will…

Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services announces the funeral service for Katarina Danielle Delaney Evans, age 21, of Wray, who passed away Monday, February 21, 2022. Services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, February 26, 2022 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services. Miss Evans was born in Douglas, Georgia. She was preceded in death by: Paternal Grandfather: Robert Thomas Evans; Maternal Great-Grandmother: Christine McDuffie; Great Aunts & Great Uncles: Harley & Lois Towns, W. J. & Bernice Grimes. Survivors include: Mother: Tina Towns Bunyard of Douglas; Father: Jeff Evans (Tiffany) of Hazlehurst; Brothers: C.…