Jean Carolyn Brantley born December 15, 1947 in Douglas Georgia and passed away on May 19, 2026 at Advent Hospice Care Center in Altamonte Springs, Florida following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s. Jean is the daughter of the late Opal Harper and James Frank Brantley. Jean graduated from Coffee High School in 1965, Valdosta University of Cosmetology in 1968, South Georgia College A.S. in 1969 and in 1984 graduated from South Georgia College with A.S. in Nursing. Nursing allowed her to live out her core values of loving and caring for others. Jean worked in a myriad of environments in…
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The annual 4th of July Freedom Fest will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026. To ensure this cherished community event continues to be a success, the City is seeking sponsors to help fund the fireworks display that brings joy to thousands each year. The city is currently reaching out to potential sponsors and vendors who would like to be part of making this year’s celebration truly memorable. “The annual Freedom Fest is a highly anticipated tradition in Douglas and Coffee County,” says City Manager Charlie Davis. “We are asking business owners and organization leaders to support this year’s fireworks…
BRAVE Books has announced a partnership with the Satilla Regional Library System, making it the first library system in the United States to provide patrons with access to BRAVE+, the family-friendly streaming platform trusted by families across America. Through the program, the first 100 library patrons to apply will receive access to the BRAVE+ subscription at no cost. Should community demand exceed initial capacity, Satilla Regional and BRAVE+ have expressed shared enthusiasm for expanding access to meet patron needs. “The Satilla Regional Library System has always endeavored to provide the community with a wide variety of quality materials. We are…
Mr. Daniel Ornelas, age 75, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away Friday morning, May 15, 2026, at Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon, Georgia, following injuries sustained in a work-related accident. Daniel was born June 24, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, to the late Epifanio Ornelas and the late Maria Guadalulpe Juarez. He was a dedicated husband and father as well as a loving grandfather. He will long be remembered as a hardworking man. He worked for 23 years as a road construction worker for East Coast Asphalt Company, LLC, and would use his vacation time to work planting and…
By Van Yandell John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Watching a predator bird on the hunt is a sight to behold. Working in my yard, noticed was a large bird circling, hunting and watching. At first I thought it was an eagle but with binoculars, saw it was a red-tailed hawk. It was a very windy day for late April here in…
In a major step toward expanding higher education opportunities across South Georgia, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta State University have officially entered into a new articulation agreement designed to create seamless transfer pathways for students pursuing advanced degrees and career growth. The partnership will allow eligible Wiregrass students to transition directly into select bachelor’s degree programs at Valdosta State University, making higher education more accessible, affordable, and workforce-focused for students throughout the region. Under the agreement, students completing an Associate of Science in General Business at Wiregrass will be able to transfer into VSU’s Bachelor of Business Administration program.…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Coffee Regional Medical Center are continuing their partnership with a $50,000 investment to support healthcare education and workforce development in South Georgia. This ongoing collaboration supports Wiregrass’s Registered Nursing (RN) and Paramedic programs on the Coffee Campus, providing students with enhanced access to hands-on training and real-world clinical experiences. Through this partnership, students are better prepared to meet the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals across the region. “This investment is a powerful example of how community partnerships directly impact student success and regional workforce development,” said Will Bostelman, Executive Director of Fundraising at Wiregrass…
The Coffee County School System is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Shannon Shook as the new Assistant Athletic Director for the district.Dr. Shook brings more than 27 years of experience in education and athletics, beginning his career in 1999. A former student-athlete at Coffee High School, he continued his athletic career at Georgia Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Kinesiology.Committed to lifelong learning and educational leadership, Shook later earned a master’s degree in education from Troy State University and a doctorate degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University.Throughout his career, Dr.…
Officers from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a suspect following a lengthy investigation involving allegations of sexual offenses against multiple victims spanning several years. On February 10, 2026, a deputy with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Douglas regarding reports of sexual assaults alleged to have occurred between 2017 and 2026. During the investigation, multiple victims came forward alleging unwanted sexual contact and inappropriate sexual advances by the suspect during their childhood. The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Tyrone Barry Carter Jr. of Douglas. Investigators learned Carter is currently serving in the United States…
The Coffee County School System is pleased to announce the hiring of Mrs. Allyson Speight as the new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.A lifelong resident of Douglas, Mrs. Speight is a highly driven educational leader with 27 years of dedicated service to the Coffee County School System. She currently serves as the district’s Director of Assessment and Accountability, where she has played a pivotal role in aligning instructional systems with district strategic initiatives to support continuous improvement across all schools.Mrs. Speight’s academic journey reflects her deep commitment to education and to the Coffee County community. A 1995 graduate…