The Adult Education department of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) is proud to announce that Taylor Stone of Coffee County, a Wiregrass Adult Education graduate, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 GED Scholarship Award from GED Testing Service, a national recognition honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, perseverance, and achievement in earning their GED credential. As part of this honor, Taylor was recognized at the GED Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was one of five awardees invited to participate in the awards program and share her educational journey with conference attendees from across the…
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James Kench Hilliard, age 69, of Nicholls, GA, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026. He was born on September 14, 1956, the son of the late Johnny Woodrow Hilliard and Mrs. Jessie Mae Chaney. His survivors include: one son, Johnny (Crystal) Hilliard; three grandchildren: Rebecca Mae Hilliard, Jessie Kench (Tristin) Hilliard, and James Kench Hilliard; one great-grandchild, Anna Shae Hilliard; and one brother, Wayne (Bonnie) Thomas. He was preceded in death by his father, Johnny Woodrow Hilliard; his mother, Jessie Mae Chaney; his brother, Bobby Chaney; and two sisters, Penny Hilliard and Maggie Hilliard. The family will receive friends…
The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division has announced a series of significant fraud enforcement actions across the Southeastern United States, the product of robust federal-state partnerships with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The charges encompass 17 cases spanning the seven states. These recent cases involve over $350 million in intended losses and include cases involving SNAP benefits, Small Business Administration loans, housing benefits, and tax fraud. From July 4 alone, federal prosecutors charged cases reaching over $90 million loss and implicating 12 named defendants. The Division separately announced the formation of federal-state anti-fraud task…
Douglas Rotary Club was honored to induct Douglas Police Chief Brannen Pruette as the newest Rotarian at its July 30, 2026, meeting. Chief Pruette was nominated by City Commissioner Steve Bailey, a proud Rotarian since 2009. The Chief shared comments about the Douglas Police Department’s efforts to keep Douglas one of the safest cities in Georgia and answered questions from Rotarians and guests. Also, at this meeting, Club Secretary Mark Miller announced an upcoming literacy project that will help fund the purchase of books for all kindergarten students in Coffee County. This will be a cooperative project with the South…
James Edward (Jim) Young passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord on Thursday, July 9, 2026, surrounded by family who loved him. Jim was born on December 3, 1936 in Douglas, Georgia to Ollis Hinson Young and Jack Young. He attended school in Douglas and at South Georgia College before transferring to the University of Georgia. Before his senior year, he went to Atlanta to find employment to finance his final year of college. He found employment at the capitol building in Atlanta as a cashier in the office of the Treasurer. His career progressed to his appointment as…
Nonie Mae Montgomery, formerly Lonie Mae Chandler, age 81, of Douglas, was called home to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, July 17, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia, following an extended illness. She departed this life peacefully, surrounded by love. A proud graduate of Carver High School Class of 1964, she was a cherished member of her community and loved by all who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Angie, Balarie, Henry Montgomery Jr. and John R. James; her sisters, Carrie Johnson of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Susie Ates, Laura Watts and Bobbie Ann…
On July 21, 2026, agents with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit arrested Kendall McDuffie, 42, of Eastman, on a cocaine trafficking charge following an ongoing narcotics investigation. During the investigation, McDuffie was identified as a person of interest in the transportation of illegal narcotics. Agents intercepted McDuffie while he was transporting the suspected cocaine, safely surrounded the vehicle, and took him into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a plastic bag containing a large circular white rock substance believed to be a cookie of crack cocaine. McDuffie was charged with trafficking cocaine. He…
Sandra Lee Stork Mingledorff passed away peacefully at about 8:30 PM on the 28th of July, 2026. She was born the 18th of January 1943 to Dr. A. Robert Stork, MD, and Jean Ann Pippen Stork in Charleston, WV. She and her younger sister, Susan, could rightfully say they were delivered by the Stork. Her childhood was spent at the heels of her father, much like a tomboy, in Logan, West Virginia. Schooling was Logan public schools where she graduated from high school. She attended Hillsdale College, Maris Harvey College, and Marshall University where she studied Library Science and French.…
Casey Smith, age 48, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He was born on July 13, 1978 the son of the late Elbert Smith and Mrs. Joyce Moore. His survivors include: step-father and mother, Dan and Joyce Moore of Douglas, GA; two brothers, Wesley Adams of Douglas, GA and Kerry Moore of Douglas, GA; along with several cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by: father, Elbert Smith; grandparents, Aaron and Mattie Mae Adams; and grandmother, Annie Belle Smith. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas,…
Roy Music, age 75, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. He was born on March 19, 1951 the son of the late Leroy Music and the late Myrtice Spivey. His survivors include one son, Ross Edwin Music of Alma, GA; three daughters, Wanda (Tim) Taylor of Alma, GA, Melissa (Steven) Paulk of Douglas, GA, and Christy Music of Waycross, GA; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; three brothers, Glennon (Kathy) Music of Arkansas, Danny Music of Nicholls, GA, and Jimmy Ray (Peggy) Music of Douglas, GA; three sisters, Christine (Billy) Coleman of Baxley, Sue Anderson of Douglas,…