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Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services announce the graveside service for Infant Samuel Rowan Smith who passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Services will be held at 2 PM Monday, January 3, 2022 in the DeBerry Cemetery. Samuel Smith is preceded in death by: Grandfathers: Flent Carelock & William Smith. Survivors include: Mother: Alicia Brown of Broxton; Father: Christopher Smith of Broxton; Brother: Nathan Smith of Charleston, SC; Grandparents: Jamie Brown of Broxton, Lessia Tate of Savannah & Tyrone Tate of Savannah, Uncle: Corey Carelock of Broxton; Numerous Aunts, Uncles & Cousins also survive. Johnson Funeral & Cremation…

Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services announces the funeral service for Messiah Ombrey McElhaney of Douglas, who passed away Friday, December 24, 2021. Services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, December 31, 2021 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services. Rev. Bobby Pope & Rev. Cliff Kirkland will officiate with burial in the Tanner Church Cemetery. Messiah McElhaney was preceded in death by a brother: Isaiah Jordan. Survivors include: Mother: Haley McElhaney; Sisters: Aaliyah Jordan, Armani Jordan & Timberlyn Wilcox; Grandparents: Wanda Hollinger, Elcia Brockington & Robert Brockington; Several aunts, uncles & cousins also survive.…

Mr. Donald Eugene Vickers, age 72 of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away, Monday, January 3, 2022, at his home. Survivors include: Spouse of 52 years: Doris Edwina Crosby Vickers of Willacoochee, Ga. Sons: Rodney Vickers of Willacoochee, Ga. Kevin Vickers and wife, Gina of Willacoochee, Ga. Jamie Vickers and wife, Melissa of Willacoochee, Ga. Daughter: Carrie Adams and husband, Trampas of Willacoochee, Ga. Brother: Kenneth “JoJo” Vickers of Tifton, Ga. Sisters: Beverly Vickers Duncan of Jacksonville, Fl. Judy Paulk and husband, George of Douglas, Ga. Sister and Brother-in-law: Earlene Roland and husband, Michael of Greenville,…

The families of two high-profile unsolved homicides in the State of Georgia have joined together with the hopes of having Georgia’s legislature lead the nation by passing the Georgia Homicide Victims’ Families Rights Acts. The legislative push is modeled after a federal piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tx). Rhonda Sue Coleman was murdered on May 17, 1990 in Hazlehurst, Georgia. For more than 30 years, her family has sought justice and answers in her case despite the lack of information and substantive leads. A recent inquest into the case by Sean Kipe…

On December 1, 2021, Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda was recognized as the recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) by the Consul General of India, Dr. Swati Kulkarni. Dr. Jonna was first recognized as the recipient of the PBSA in January of 2021 during an award ceremony held virtually due to COVID. He was selected as the awardee for his leadership as the President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and while under his leadership, AAPI raised over $5 million in PPE and life-saving equipment to India during the second wave of COVID-19. In…

Mrs. Mary Oliver Brice, age 84, of Douglas, GA passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Lakeside Senior Living Center in Douglas, GA, following an extended illness. Mrs. Brice was born on October 21, 1937 in Douglas, GA, to the late Tom S. Deen and Helen Folger Deen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Brice, Jr, and her daughter, Laura Gaye Brice. Mary devoted most of her life to selflessly caring for her daughter Gaye, her parents, her sister, and lastly, her husband. In her free time, Mary served on several boards, committees, and…

Mr. William A. Kirkland, age 56, of Ambrose, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Kirkland was born on November 26, 1965 the son of the late James L. Kirkland and the late Wanelle Vickers Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland worked as a salesman with Lowes and was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Douglas, Georgia. Survivors include wife, Deborah Kaye Kirkland of Ambrose, GA; daughter, Alyssa Woods (Sterlyn) of Rentz, GA; son, William Kirkland Jr. (Brooklyn) of Cadwell, GA; granddaughter; Caroline Woods of Rentz, GA; niece, Katie Sirmans (Cody) of Ambrose, GA;…

Throughout 2021, the Coffee County Drug Unit investigated and completed an array of drug trafficking cases against area citizens enmeshed in the local drug trade. Trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine is the highest penalized drug crime in the State of Georgia. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), any person who violates any provision of this code section in regard to trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 30 years and by a fine not to exceed $1 million.…

In an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Douglas is launching the “It’s Worth a Shot-Vax Up” incentive program to help boost the number of vaccinated residents living within the City of Douglas. The program is a part of the city’s plan to distribute funds from ARPA funding to citizens of Douglas for becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The program allows for the first 1,500 fully vaccinated residents living in the city limits of Douglas to receive a one-time amount of $200 when they become fully vaccinated between January 1, 2022 – April 30, 2022. …

Two GBI offices were requested to assist with related investigations last night where several people were shot or shot at and one person died. The suspected shooter also died by a suspected self-inflected gunshot wound at the end of a police chase. On Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., the Ocilla Police Department requested GBI Perry Office assist with investigating a drive by shooting at 114 North Oak Street, Ocilla, GA, that resulted in the death of Leterik Lee Johenkins, age 33. James White, age 35, was also shot and treated for his injury. Both men were standing…