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Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator Junior/Senior District Project Achievement (DPA) for our Junior (7th & 8th grade) and Senior (9th-12th grade) 4-H members is coming up on May 31-June 1. We have a great group of 4-H’ers competing. They will be competing against 4-H members from the 39 counties in southeast Georgia. We will travel to Rock Eagle on Monday, May 31, and return on Tuesday, June 1. Twenty-five students completed portfolios this year and will be competing in the presentation portion of the contest. This portfolio accounts for 40-50% of their total DPA score. They will also have to present…

Georgia’s climate lends itself to the cultivation of numerous crops and most recently, growing Satsuma Citrus trees along with the other cash crops Georgia can produce. With the diverse nature of the crops we grow, commercial growers and home gardeners can’t jeopardize a crop to figure out what works and potentially lose an entire crop. With the assistance of R.W. Griffin Industries LLC, the Coffee County Young Farmers program has developed test and educational plots consisting of three varieties of satsumas, (Owari, Brown Select, and Miho), blueberries (Rabbiteye: Ochlockonee & Southern Highbush: Farthing and Suziblue), muscadine grapes (Pam, Isom, Darlene…

Two schools will have new principals for the 2021-2022 school year. Anastagia Carter will be the new principal at Indian Creek Elementary School while Van Allen is the new principal at Coffee High School. Congratulations to Ms. Anastagia Carter who was named the new principal of Indian Creek Elementary for the 2021-2022 school year. Ms. Tamara Morgan, the current principal will transfer to the central office July 1 as the Director of Federal Programs. For the past three years, Ms. Carter has served as an assistant principal on the campus of Coffee High and is the lead administrator…

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Michael Bartholomew Brown, 19, was arrested on charges of Burglary and First Degree Arson. The incident occurred around 5:12 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18th. The 1000-square-foot mobile home, located on Ashford Drive in McRae-Helena, was totally destroyed. “Mr. Brown was questioned by the Telfair County Sheriff’s Office regarding the incident,” said Commissioner King. “The suspect admitted to being inside the residence and igniting a fire. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Telfair County Jail.” The insurance commission’s Fire Investigations Division assisted the Telfair County Sheriff’s…

Mr. Quinton Paulk, age 95 of West Green, passed away early Tuesday morning, May 18, 2021 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Paulk was born October 6, 1925 to the late George Paulk and the Janie Vickers Paulk. Mr. Paulk, a native of Douglas, Coffee County, was a prominent farmer of the West Green Community. He was a member of Burkett Baptist Church, where he had been a deacon for over 50 years. Survivors include: His wife of 73 years: Jenell Spivey Paulk of West Green, GA Children: Mae Deen Atkinson and husband Ronnie of Denton, GA Ronald…

Mr. Elzie Harper, age 79 of Willacoochee, GA passed away Saturday morning, May 15, 2021 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Harper was born September 11, 1941 to the late Ivey Harper and the late Gladys Merritt Harper. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by 1 Sister, Mavis Partain and 1 Brother, Quinton Harper. Mr. Harper, a native of Willacoochee, GA was a farmer by trade. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Shannon Crosby Yawn of Willacoochee, GA 2 Brothers: Harold Harper and Eugene Harper both of Willacoochee, GA 2 Sisters: Sandra Carver and husband Gene of…

Mrs. Janice Ann Meeks Ringhaver, age 80 of Jacksonville, FL, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Community Hospice and Palliative Care (Hadlow Center for Caring) following an extended illness. Mrs. Ringhaver was born January 24, 1941 to the late John Emmett Meeks and the late Annie Louise Clough Meeks. Mrs. Ringhaver, a native of Douglas, GA, was an artist and interior designer. Her church affiliation was with Central Baptist Church. Survivors include: 4 Children: Deborah Elaine Stone Ringhaver, Sherri Lynn Geddes (Timothy), Lance Kendal Ringhaver (Rachel) and Mark Christian Ringhaver. 9 Grandchildren: Heather Courtney (Will), Lambert Lane, Holton Lane,…

Mr. Kevin Royce Fussell, age 38 of Ambrose, GA passed away Friday morning, May 14, 2021 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Fussell was born October 4, 1982 to Jimmy Royce Fussell and Clara Ann Morgan. Mr. Fussell, a native of Douglas, GA, was employed in sales with C & F Music. He graduated from Atkinson County High School. He received an associate’s degree in Biology from South Georgia State College. He also attended Georgia Southern University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Biology and later he furthered his education while attending Mercer University in Macon. He…

Myrtle E. Smith, age 93, of Moultrie, Georgia passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Park Regency of Moultrie, Moultrie, Georgia. Mrs. Smith was born on September 1, 1927 in Ben Hill County, Georgia the daughter of the late Thomas Carlos and Jewell Rape Graham. Mrs. Smith was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Frederick Smith. Survivors include her daughter, Linda James (Jerry P.) of Moultrie, GA; 1 grandson, Thomas James (Theresa) of Moultrie, GA; 2 great grandchildren, Tommy James and…

Mr. Joseph “Joey” David O’Brien, age 55 of Pearson, Ga. passed away Monday, May 17, 2021 at his home following a sudden illness. Survivors include: Wife: Margie O’Brien of Pearson, Ga. 3 Sons: Taylor O’Brien of Pearson, Ga. Zane O’Brien of Siesta Key, Fla. Seth O’Brien of Pearson, Ga. 2 Brothers: Ed O’Brien and wife, Sharron of Pearson, Ga. Mike O’Brien and wife, Galicia of Pearson, Ga. 3 Sisters: Janet O’Brien of Statesboro,…