Author: Submitted

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…

Mr. Bobby Joiner, age 75 of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away, Monday, December 27, 2021, at his home following an extended illness. Survivors include: Son: Michael Joiner and wife, Carmen of Willacoochee, Ga. Daughters: Janet Crews and husband, Terry of Willacoochee, Ga. Connie Joiner of Willacoochee, Ga. Amy Westberry and husband, Kevin of Ludowici, Ga. Brothers: Glenn Joiner and wife, Pam of Willacoochee, Ga. Leroy Joiner and wife, Betty of Willacoochee, Ga. Sisters: Daisy Chaney and husband, J.T. of Ocilla, Ga. Linda Knowles and husband, Phillip of Willacoochee, Ga. Catherine Mizell of Axson, Ga. 19 Grandchildren,…

Mr. Pearlie Wood, aged 87, of Douglas Georgia, passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Wood was born on November 26, 1934, in Broxton, Georgia, to the late Leo Wood Sr. and Mary Burch Wood. Survivors include: Daughter; Delores Ann Teston (James) of Douglas, GA, Grandsons; James Darrell Teston, and wife Nicole of Douglas, GA, Chad Reese Teston of Douglas, GA, two Great-Grandchildren; Tayton Teston, Eli Teston, three Brothers; L.W. Wood of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Leo Wood of Center, Alabama, and Douglas Wood of Douglas, GA. Mr. Wood is…

Mrs. Laverne Blankenship, aged 78, of West Green, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Blankenship was born on March 21, 1943 in Tifton, Georgia, to the late James and Katherine Goode Blankenship. Survivors include: Son; James Deen of West Green, GA, four Grandchildren; Haley B. Deen, Miranda Barfield, Jason Blankenship (Adrienne), Michael Whitley (Shelly), five Great-Grandchildren; Waylon Blankenship, Jordan Blankenship, Ashton Whitley, Jeran Whitley, and Weston Whitley, Two Sisters; Brenda Stone (H.L.) of Pearson, GA, and Diane Howard of Douglas, GA, and one Daughter in Law; Tracy Blankenship. Mrs. Blankenship…

On Friday, December 24, 2021, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. On Friday, December 24, 2021, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to 75 2nd Ave. S. Lot 8, Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia, in reference to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies found Jeremy Gillispie, 36, and a 1-year-old baby suffering from gunshot wounds. Gillispie and the baby were transported to Savannah for treatment. The baby succumbed to the injury. As a result of investigative acts conducted by…

The Satilla Regional Library System has partnered with the Coffee County School District to offer a free PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) library card — especially designed for grades k-12 — to all students at Coffee County’s public schools. PLAY cards allow students to check out up to five physical items and place two holds, and have access to all Satilla Regional Library System electronic resources. There’s nothing you have to do to take advantage of this program; students have automatically been issued a PLAY library card to support academic success. If you do not wish your child…

Mr. Paul Alvin Mikell, Jr. of Brunswick, GA passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Mikell was born December 12, 1994 to the late Paul Alvin Mikell, Sr. and the late Suzanne H. Mikell in Glynn County, GA. Survivors include: 1 Sister: Beverly A. Mikell of Statesboro, GA 1 Uncle: Ronald Mikell of Ridley Park, PA Memorialization is by cremation. Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.