A quick response from law enforcement officers in Telfair County saved the life of a woman who had driven her vehicle into a creek, according to Telfair County Sheriff Sim Davidson. One of the officers who responded to the scene is a Douglas native. In a Facebook post, Sheriff Davidson wrote that officers and first responders received a call that a vehicle had driven into a creek in western Telfair County. The victim called 911 and told dispatchers the vehicle was taking on water at a rapid rate. She couldn’t get out and she couldn’t swim. Several minutes later, Captain…
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On Friday, February 27, South Georgia State College proudly welcomed the GISA Region 2AA Literary Competition to the Douglas campus. Talented high school students from across Southwest Georgia gathered to showcase their skills in a variety of academic and fine arts events, including music performance, essay writing, extemporaneous speaking, piano, and more. The day was filled with creativity, competition, and an inspiring display of student achievement. As part of its commitment to supporting educational excellence, the South Georgia State College Foundation awarded a $1,000 scholarship to senior Sage Grimes of Georgia Christian School, whose name was drawn randomly during the…
Douglas orthopaedic surgeon James W. Barber, MD, FAAOS, has been named chair of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Board of Councilors (BOC). Dr. Barber will assume the chair position following the AAOS 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Barber has been an active leader within the AAOS, serving as a member of the AAOS Board of Directors (BOD) and in multiple leadership roles within the BOC, including secretary and chair-elect. His dedication to advancing musculoskeletal health and strengthening physician advocacy has led to appointments on key committees, including Joint BOC/Board of Specialty Societies (BOS) Bylaws Review Committee…
First Academy won the region championship trophy at GAPPS Elementary Academic Day on February 27. Twenty-four elementary students traveled to Brunswick to compete in grade-level Spelling Bees and Math Bowl competitions. First Academy had many first and second place winners. Congratulations to the students, parents, and teachers. First Academy continues to strive for excellence in education. Here are the spelling been winners: 1st Grade — Ivy Goddard, 2nd place 2nd Grade — Aria Batten, 1st place 3rd Grade — Elise Goddard, 1st place and Will Scott, 2nd place4th grade — Jordan Goodwin, 2nd place5th Grade — Gabby Thomas, 2nd place. Here are the math bee winners: 3rd Grade…
On February 27, 2026, drug agents with the Douglas-Coffee County Drug Unit responded to assist officers with the Broxton Police Department who were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a white pickup truck. Officers had received information indicating the driver of the vehicle had an active warrant. When officers activated their emergency lights, the vehicle failed to immediately stop and continued traveling along several roadways before ultimately coming to a halt after officers successfully blocked the roadway. During the stop, a passenger, later identified as John High, 37, of Broxton, exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a…
Mrs. Pauline Moon Smith Spann, age 89, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at her residence following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Spann, a lifelong Coffee County resident, was born March 22, 1936, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Morgan Sidney Moon and the late Addie Mae Todd Moon. She was the owner and proprietor of Broxton Hardware for many years. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed working in her yard. Her favorite yard task was riding her zero-turn lawn mower. She was a member of Broxton Church of God for 40 years. Along with her parents,…
By Michael Dockery In today’s political environment, it’s easy to confuse messaging with leadership. We see polished graphics, bold claims, and professionally produced advertisements telling us what has been “delivered.” Politics has become very good at marketing. But leadership is not a graphic. It’s a commitment. Over the last year, I’ve spent countless evenings walking neighborhoods across our district. I’ve stood on porches in Ware, Coffee, Lanier, and Atkinson counties listening to families talk about rising insurance costs, property taxes, and the everyday pressure of making ends meet. I’ve spoken with small business owners trying to stay afloat and parents…
Appalachian State University faculty member Dr. John Paul “JP” Jameson has earned the 2025 Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service from the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors. The award recognizes Jameson for his efforts to improve access to quality mental health care services for rural communities across Western North Carolina. Established in 2007 and named for North Carolina’s 68th governor, the Holshouser Award recognizes faculty members across the UNC System’s 17 institutions who demonstrate sustained, distinguished and superb achievement in public service and outreach that improves the quality of life for North Carolinians. Jameson — a licensed clinical…
By Van Yandell Romans 3: 10 and 12 read: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” We humans have an inclination to observe and form opinions of others much more readily than ourselves. We are fortunate and God-blessed that God is our judge and not other people. Unfortunately however, our great failure is to ignore our own inconsistencies. Even when we know at times, our actions are wrong; we make excuses for our weaknesses.…
Dr. Jimmy Harper, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Information Technology at South Georgia State College, has been named a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Distinguished College Administrator Award. Dr. Harper will be recognized during PTK Catalyst, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual international convention.The Distinguished College Administrator Award recognizes college leaders who work directly with student leaders to strengthen campus communities and expand opportunities for student success. Honorees are nominated by Phi Theta Kappa student leaders.At South Georgia State College, Dr. Harper has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success through leadership that aligns enrollment strategy, technology, and student…