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On April 5, 2021, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in partnership with the University of Georgia, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), and Georgia Power Co., recognized the City of Douglas for achieving certified alumni status through the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH). To receive alumni status, Douglas’ GICH team had to ensure that the Douglas community continues to work toward addressing affordable housing issues. “We are so happy to receive Alumni Certification from DCA, GMA, and Georgia Power for our GICH committee,” says Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director. “Our team is committed to offering locally driven initiatives…

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has awarded $400,000 in grant funds to the City of Douglas through the DCA 2021 Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP). The CHIP funds will be used to rehabilitate owner-occupied housing in Douglas. “We are very pleased to receive the funds for the CHIP program,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “These funds will assist citizens with rehabilitation efforts which will help to improve living conditions and neighborhood revitalization.” The CHIP funds are part of an annual allocation of HOME Investment Program (HOME) funds received from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development…

The lyrics to Wiregrass Tech’s new song, “Giving Work a Good Name,” reflect the legacy that President Dr. Tina K. Anderson will be leaving upon her retirement at the end of April. Devoting years of service to technical education, her passion for what technical education provides led her to write the lyrics to a song that is now Wiregrass’s anthem. The lyrics share how talented Wiregrass Tech and all technical college students are, how they set themselves apart, and how they are dedicated to their chosen trade. Just like the students described in the lyrics, after almost 30 years in…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator The VFW Post 5976 sponsored the Georgia State VFW BB Championship Match in Douglas on Saturday, April 3. BB teams from all across Georgia were invited to participate. Nine counties had teams and/or individuals compete in the match. Top five team awards were presented to each team’s members and a team trophy was presented to the top three teams. Awards were also presented to the top five individuals in each position (prone, standing, sitting, and kneeling) as well as the top five overall high scorers in the match. Two Coffee County BB Teams…

Trinity School of Medicine has announced a new partnership with South Georgia State College. This partnership will create a guaranteed pathway to an accredited medical school for South Georgia State College (SGSC) students seeking to become physicians and advance healthcare opportunities in Southeast Georgia. “This new partnership will help SGSC students in the Bachelor of Biological Science program achieve their goal of becoming credentialed physicians,” said Trinity School of Medicine president and CEO Steven Wilson. “Together, we have developed a streamlined admissions process with automatic acceptance for SGSC students who meet the required admission standards. It provides a clear,…

Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) paused administering the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in response to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) joint announcement to pause the vaccine. A rare type of blood clot occurred in a very small number of participants, prompting this action. This side effect was not included on the list of potential adverse side effects that were part of the emergency use authorization for J&J, therefore the recommendation to pause was issued. While officials are stressing that this side effect appears to…

The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (G.I.C.H.) Committee and the City of Douglas are offering two free workshops in the month of April as a part of Fair Housing Month. On April 22, 2021, at 6pm via Zoom meetings, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (D.C.A.) will moderate a Georgia Dream Homeownership workshop. The “It’s the Credit Check for Me” Financial Literacy workshop will be offered on April 29, 2021, at 6pm via Zoom meetings. “The two workshops are being offered so that we can assist citizens who are contemplating the purchase of a new home or need help…

The No. 2 seed South Georgia State College Hawks punched their ticket to the GCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship Game Friday night with a 73-67 win over the No. 3 seed South Georgia Tech Jets. The Hawks never trailed during the game. SGSC held South Georgia Tech to only two points in the first seven minutes and built a 14-point lead during the first half before the Jets closed the gap to six (32-26) at halftime. South Georgia Tech tied the game once in the second half (55-55). Daniel Parrish led the Hawks with 24 points, eight rebounds,…

Mr. Troy Dale Reliford, age 50 years old of Pearson, Ga., passed away, Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at his home following an extended illness. Survivors include: Mother: Annie Taylor of Pearson, Ga. Sons: T.J. Reliford of Pearson, Ga., and Wade Reliford of Pearson, Ga. Daughter: Jade Nicole Reliford of Pearson, Ga. Former wife: Stacy Barber of Nicholls, Ga. Brothers: Lonnie Reliford of Douglas, Ga. Billy Purvis of Willacoochee, Ga. Charlie Reliford and wife, Karen of Douglas, Ga. Sisters: Sherrie Weathers of Huntsville, Al. Amanda Bullard of Axson, Ga. Annie Hutto and husband, Tracey…

Ms. Wendy M. Cowans, age 62 of Willacoochee, passed away Sunday, March 28, 2021, at her home, following an extended illness. A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Ms. Cowans was born, September 20, 1968. She was a cook for Clyde’s Convenience Stores and enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing and riding horses. Survivors include: Spouse: Christy Walker of Willacoochee, Ga. Son: Jarrod Cowans of Wake Forest, N.C. Daughter: Jessica Cowans of Wake Forest, N.C. Several other relatives also survive. Memorialization was by cremation. Relihan Funeral Home in Pearson was in charge of the…