Gail J. Smith passed away peacefully at her home in Douglas, Georgia on January 21, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. Gail was born in Glen Cove, New York, and raised In Cincinnati, Ohio the only child of Preston and Elizabeth (Washburne) Jurgens. For 62 years she was the devoted wife of Thomas H, Smith, whom she met at the Amarillo AFB in Texas, She was the loving mother of their three children and a proud and devoted grandmother of their six grandchildren. She earned a degree in English from DePauw University. After raising her children, Gail taught…
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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) President DeAnnia Clements has been recognized among Georgia Trend’s Georgia 500 for 2025, an annual list celebrating the state’s most influential leaders.”It really is an incredible honor to be recognized, and one that truly humbles especially when I see so many other names of educational leaders that I respect and admire,” said Clements. “I feel like this is an award that really belongs to more than just me though because I work with a great team at Wiregrass and if it wasn’t for their hard work and dedication, many of the initiatives we started that…
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) provided complimentary substation safety training for the Douglas Police Department and Douglas Fire Department at the DFD Training Facility. The session included a classroom presentation followed by a site visit to one of the City of Douglas’ substations. Participants earned 2–4 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) credit and gained essential knowledge on topics such as Georgia’s Electrical Grid, Substation Overview, Substation Safety and Awareness, Recent Events and Emerging Threats, Response and Communication Plans, and Review of Douglas Utilities Substations. Following the classroom instruction, attendees toured…
Mr. Stanford Soles, age 83, of Hahira, Georgia, passed away peacefully Monday evening, January 19, 2026, at Southwell Health and Rehabilitation in Adel, Georgia, following a lengthy decline in health.Mr. Soles, a native of Coffee County, Georgia, was born September 14, 1942, to the late Nollie Soles and the late Linnie Carver Soles. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and in the Georgia Army National Guard. He later became a delivery person for Williams Institutional Foods for many years, and a member of Parkview Calvary Holiness Church. Along with his parents, Mr. Soles was preceded in…
The Keep Douglas Beautiful Board launched its 2026 initiatives with a kickoff meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, led by newly appointed KDB Executive Director Destiny Paulk. The meeting marked the beginning of an active year focused on environmental stewardship, community pride and volunteer engagement throughout the City of Douglas. During the kickoff meeting, several upcoming initiatives were outlined and the importance of volunteers in achieving KDB’s mission was emphasized. One of the first initiatives of the year is the Litter Index, an annual data-collection effort that will be conducted over the next month. The Litter Index is designed to…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is pleased to announce the hiring of Will Bostelman as its new Executive Director of Fundraising. In this role, Bostelman will lead initiatives that directly support student success, workforce development, and economic growth throughout South Georgia.Bostelman brings extensive experience in public affairs, business leadership, and community engagement. He holds a degree in General Business from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where he served as President of the Student Government Association. Following college, he built an accomplished career with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, serving in various public affairs roles, and later gained entrepreneurial leadership experience as owner and president of The Swingset Company. “Wiregrass…
The Douglas Police Department is investigating a reported threat incident at Coffee Regional Medical Center. On January 20, 2026, officers responded to Coffee Regional after receiving information about statements perceived as threatening. As a precaution, law enforcement coordinated with hospital administration to assess the situation and ensure the safety of staff, patients, and the public. At this time, there is no confirmed active threat, and there have been no reported injuries or disruptions to hospital operations. Law enforcement presence at the facility is precautionary and part of standard safety protocols while the investigation continues. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Southern-fried blues rock band Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers, representing the Wiregrass Blues Society, claimed the Band Championship at the 41st International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee, January 13-17, 2026. Frontman/guitarist Derrick Dove was also awarded Best Guitarist for his soulful, electrifying performances.The world’s premier blues competition drew over 125 acts to Beale Street venues. After advancing through preliminaries, semifinals, and finals — judged on musicianship, vocals, originality, and stage presence — the band delivered a commanding set at the Orpheum Theatre to secure the title.This triumph follows their 2025 win at the Wiregrass Blues Society’s inaugural IBC Affiliate Battle of the Blues Bands, which earned them the honor of…
The Pearson Police Department experienced a highly active week of enforcement operations resulting in the arrest of four individuals on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to illegal narcotics and firearms offenses. The arrests stem from ongoing efforts to reduce drug activity and enhance public safety within the City of Pearson. Charges include, but are not limited to: • Conspiracy to Commit a Felony – O.C.G.A. 16-4-8 • Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute – O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(b) • Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute – O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(b) • Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute – O.C.G.A.…
By Michael Dockery As the Georgia General Assembly convenes for a new legislative session, a lot of important decisions are being discussed under the Gold Dome. For most families here in South Georgia, though, life doesn’t pause to follow every bill number or committee meeting. Folks are busy working, raising families, and trying to keep up with rising costs at home. That’s why I believe leadership starts with making sure the people back home understand what’s happening in Atlanta — and how it affects their daily lives. I’ve spent months listening across District 176 — on front porches, in neighborhoods,…