CSX Transportation has recently announced a large-scale track maintenance project set to begin on Monday, April 20, 2026. This project will include various types of specialized track maintenance along parts of the CSX Fitzgerald subdivision. There is a total of six teams that will be working in various areas and all arriving to perform the different phases of their work on various weeks throughout the months of April, May, and June. It will be an overall 10-week project that begins on 4/20/26 and ends on or around 6/26/26 and will impact a portion of Coffee County. The following railroad crossings are expected…
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Kenneth Lamar Lee, age 87 of Douglas, Georgia and formerly of Hortense, Georgia passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, April 11, 2026, at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and six sisters. Kenneth was born November 19, 1938, in Nahunta, Brantley County, Georgia to the late Sallie Chesser Lee and the late John Earl Lee. After receiving his education and graduating from Brantley County High School he embarked upon a lifelong career with Brunswick Pulp and Paper mill now known as Georgia Pacific, where he worked in the maintenance…
Mr. Michael Guerry “Mickey” Spain, age 67, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday night, April 8, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. Mickey was born September 16, 1958, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late Gene Spain and the late Ann Fowler Spain. He was a hard-working family man who found no greater joy than time spent with his family. He enjoyed grilling for family and friends and was well known as a chicken wing connoisseur. He dedicated more than 40 years to the service of his community in Law Enforcement. He found relaxation in riding…
Mr. Printis “Wayne” Burkett, Sr., age 87, of West Green, Georgia, passed away Wednesday morning, April 8, 2026, following a period of declining health. Wayne was born November 20, 1938, in West Green, Georgia, to the late Printis Burkett and the late Fannie Mae Burkett. He made his career as a self-employed truck driver and farmer. He was a devoted husband to his late wife, Mollie Petty Burkett, for 66 years prior to her passing last year. He loved to eat, listen to and tell jokes, and sit around talking with his truck driving friends. He was a member of…
Mr. Randall Cory White, age 45, passed away Sunday morning, April 5, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer. Randy was born October 2, 1980, in Douglas, Georgia, to Jeraldine McKinnon Purvis and the late James Columbus White. He made his career as an auto mechanic, recently working for Mavis Tires and Brakes in Douglas, Georgia, and he was of the Baptist faith. Randy was a loving father to his four children. He could often be found playing video games on his PlayStation or fishing in local ponds, but he found his greatest joy in…
Douglas Rotary Club was honored to recognize Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy senior Kristen Hursey as the student of the month for April 2026. Miss Hursey described her decision to attend the Academy for high school instead of Coffee High School as “one of the best decisions I’ve made.” She called the campus a “close-knit community that welcomes everyone, where the teachers and staff are genuinely invested in every student’s success.” As a dual enrollment student, Miss Hursey earned 36 college credit hours that will be applied towards a pre-pharmacy degree. She was joined at the Rotary meeting by…
Frances Inez Spivey, age 67 of Douglas, GA passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Spivey was born on October 15, 1958 in Mississippi, to the late William Warren Sullivan and Minnie Lee Harper Sullivan. Survivors include: husband, Lewis Spivey of Douglas, GA; son, Jimmy Elijah Sellers, Sr.; daughter, Betty Ann Sellers (Anthony Martin); 9 grandchildren: Megan Narvaez, Ricky Narvaez, Jimmy E. Sellers, Jr., Conner Lee Sellers, Teresa Wheeler, Katherine Sellers, Matthew Sellers, Nathan Sellers, and Kolby Carelock; 5 great grandchildren: Ta’Leya Rae Narvaez, Ruben Sellers, Luke Banks, E.J. Wheeler,…
Christina Ruby Kirkland, age 43, of Douglas, GA, passed away suddenly on March 28, 2026. She was born on February 22, 1983 the daughter of Mr. Oscar Kirkland and the late Ms. Theresa R. Kirkland. Her survivors include one daughter, Sierra Leah Mariah Story; father, Oscar (Rhonda) Kirkland; two brothers, Christopher Kirkland and Brandon Charles Register; one uncle, Anthony Kirkland; along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Theresa R. Kirkland and sister, Chrystal Gayle Jacobs. Memorialization will be by cremation, with services at a later date. The family requests that all donations be…
Gray McLean scored twice, Skyler Woods drove in two, and Blake Bryant had another double-digit strikeout performance (along with a pair of doubles) Thursday at Tampa in the CCA Patriots’ 5-1 win over the Lexington Catholic (Kentucky) Knights. All of the scoring took place in the first two innings. The Patriots scored three in the first and two in the second. The Knights, meanwhile, pushed their lone run across in the first. The game opened painfully enough for leadoff hitter McLean, who was hit with a 3-2 pitch. Thomas Gentry singled to put runners at first and second. Bryant was…
On March 30, 2026, during routine patrol in an area known for ongoing criminal activity, a Douglas police officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked near a local hotel. After making contact with the sole occupant, identified as Scott Rice, 50, of Nicholls, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed multiple firearms inside the vehicle. During the encounter, the officer conducted a search and located a substance suspected to be methamphetamine on Rice’s person. He was immediately taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed additional suspected methamphetamine, a glass smoking device commonly…