Author: Submitted

Rev. Jason Wayne Hayes, age 45, of Douglas passed away suddenly on September 18, 2021 at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Born in Macon, Georgia on December 31, 1975, he was son of the late Rev. Wayne Hayes and preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Rev. Junior Hayes and Winnie Lou Hayes. Survivors include his three children, Kameryn Hayes, Kason Hayes and Katelyn Hayes; mother, JoAnn Varnedore Hayes; brother, Jeremy Hayes and wife Donna; niece, Natalie Hayes all of Douglas and a special uncle, Wendell Hayes of Alma. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 2:00…

A contingent of 42 Coffee County, GA honors students, grades 9-12, traveled to Amelia Island, Tuesday, September 14, to hear Georgia Tech graduates, faculty and administrators inform them of the advantages and benefits of a Georgia Tech education following high school. Students were accompanied by Superintendent of Coffee County Schools, Dr. Morris Leis; Coffee High School Principal, Van Allen; Counselor James Lowther; CHS Academy Director, Jessica Baker; Assessment & Scheduling Director, Kate Walker and Julie Lord. Francis Lott, an Amelia Island resident but Douglas native and 1959 Georgia Tech graduate, hosted the group at his Fletcher Avenue home. A…

Christopher Lane Jones was convicted by a jury of his peers today in Coffee County for the murders of Kristian Bell and Steven Ward and for subsequently burying their bodies in the backyard. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ian Sansot and Jacob Kirkland. Judge J. Kelly Brooks presided over the proceedings. The evidence at trial showed that in late January 2019, the residents of a house in Nicholls were moving out after being evicted. Among the residents were Jones and the victims. While under the influence of copious amounts of methamphetamine, Jones became angry with Steven…

What’s the sweetest morning alarm clock? Most needed companion during a long drive? A shared comfort in conversations with dear friends? A sought-after pick-me-up when you’re feeling sluggish? Coffee, of course! This versatile beverage is something everyone can enjoy – from the mom needing a boost of energy to the ultimate connoisseur of coffee. According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), the average American coffee drinker consumes a little over three cups per day (that’s a little more than 68 gallons per year)! With 62% of Americans consuming coffee daily, this beloved beverage deserves a day to celebrate it,…

On September 17-19, six cadets from Coffee High School Navy JRTOC participated in an Orienteering Camp and competition at Camp Blanding near Starke, FL. The camp taught compass and map reading skills and prepared the cadets to run an intermediate level orienteering course. Eight schools and over 90 cadets from South Georgia and North Florida participated in the camp. On Sunday, cadets competed in an orange course with Cadet Yair Carrillo placing 1st, Cadet Andy Carrillo placing 2nd, and Cadet Mitchell Guerrero placing 4th. Coffee County finished in 1st place overall for the competition. Coffee NJROTC’s first Area…

State School Superintendent Richard Woods has selected 66 Georgia high school students to serve on his 2021-2022 Student Advisory Council. Throughout the year, these students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom. Jack Lingenfelter, a junior at Coffee High School, has been selected as one of the 66 students to serve on Superintendent Woods’s council. “Year after year, my Student Advisory Council is an invaluable resource as I make decisions that impact students across the state,” Superintendent Woods said. “Getting to know these students and seeking their feedback and perspectives…

On Saturday, October 2, Coffee Regional Medical Center is pleased to hold its annual CRMC Community Health & Wellness Event. Included in this year’s event will be a discounted community blood screening as well as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for ages 12 & older. The cost for a blood screening panel is $35. The panel includes a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic profile (CMP), lipid analysis, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The blood screening will be held inside the Coffee Regional Medical Center cafeteria. All participants are asked not to eat or drink anything other than water for…

Wiregrass Interim President DeAnnia Clements announces the promotion of Shannon McConico to Vice President for Enrollment Management for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. McConico’s most recent position with the college was Dean of Enrollment Management. Other positions she has held with Wiregrass, Valdosta Technical College, and Chattahoochee Technical College include Executive Registrar, Director of Curriculum, WIA Assistant, Student Activities Coordinator, and Financial Aid Technician. Shannon has a Bachelor of Science in Management and Human Resources from Park University, a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Enrollment Management from Capella University, and she is currently working on her…

Wiregrass Paramedic and Fire Science Program Coordinator Shawn Tatham, along with EMS/Paramedicine Instructors Mark Ponder and Jason Hurst, seek ways to provide real-world skills training for their students. The program offers training for future frontline workers in prehospital care on the Valdosta and Coffee Campuses. Students are engaged in different learning methods including lectures, hands-on skills, and student group activities. Recently, on a clear sunny day, the students’ classroom setting was outdoors. The Air Evac Lifeteam Medical Helicopter out of Tifton visited the Valdosta Campus and provided an educational opportunity for the students. The EMT students learned about the educational requirements to…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Interim President DeAnnia Clements is pleased to announce the Summer Semester President’s List and Dean’s List from Coffee County. The President’s List includes outstanding students who were enrolled full-time for 12 credit hours or more and achieved a grade point average of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale during Summer Semester 2021. The following students are on the President’s List for Summer Semester 2021 from Coffee County: Jovita Cabrera and Valerie Vornsand. Wiregrass would like to also recognize our students who made the Dean’s List Summer Semester 2021. The list includes outstanding students…