Coffee County Schools continues to demonstrate steady academic progress and strong student outcomes across key accountability measures, according to the Georgia College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) reports released for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 school years by the Georgia Department of Education. Serving approximately 7,500 students across 12 schools, all of which are designated Title I. Coffee County Schools showed consistent strengths in student growth, college and career readiness, and graduation outcomes over the three-year period. District leaders say the results reflect a sustained focus on improvement and accountability. “These CCRPI results affirm the hard work taking place…
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A well-known dog-fighting breeder and trainer in Southwest Georgia was convicted earlier this week of dozens of federal animal welfare charges, along with possessing guns and manufacturing drugs. Dun Bradford, of Sale City, Georgia, was found guilty of 67 counts of possessing a dog for use in an animal fighting venture, one count of manufacture of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime. “The defendant had extensive involvement in dog fighting and had garnered a reputation as a dog fighting breeder and trainer, which is…
Carlton Burch, age 76, of Douglas, GA passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Burch was born on February 19, 1949, in Coffee County, GA, to the late Willis and Ruby Kirkland Burch. His survivors include: his beloved wife, Joyce C. Burch of Douglas, GA; four sons: Jerome (Samantha) Burch of Douglas, GA, Dennis (Amanda) Burch of West Green, GA, John (Roberta) Burch of Douglas, GA, and Lee Burch of Virginia; three daughters: Linda (Charlie) Young of Douglas, GA, Cheryl Land of Douglas, GA, and Jeannie Vaughn of Broxton, GA;…
Infant Xylus Sakai Terry was born into the arms of Jesus on Sunday evening, December 14, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Xylus leaves behind his loving parents, Ariel Lashonna Thomas and Lakayiis Dezmond Terry of Douglas, Georgia; three brothers Zaire Terry, Majesty Shorter, and Jasani Terry; maternal grandparents, Loretta Dumas Thomas (Roderick) of Jacksonville, Florida, and Brian Thomas of Douglas, Georgia; paternal grandparents, Chauna Terry Meadows, and Randy Pollard, both of Jacksonville, Florida; along with a host of extended family members. Xylus will be memorialized by cremation, and no services are scheduled at this time. Condolences and kind words…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements is pleased to announce the Fall Semester President’s List and Dean’s List. 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 the Fall Semester 2025. The following students are on the President’s List for Fall Semester 2025 and are listed by county: Atkinson: Joshua Branch, Jaylynn Foster, Maria Gonzalez, Mikaela Horton, Wallace Newham, and Kevin Perez Coffee: Kaci Anderson, Jaycee Bihl, Brooklin Carver, Tierany Griffin, Laney Highsmith, Kylie Leavens, Dayji MacK, Shelby Merritt, Stephanie…
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment fell across Georgia’s 12 regional commissions in September. “Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.” Coffee and Atkinson counties are in the Southern Regional Commission. Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below: Atlanta Regional Commission Coastal Georgia Georgia Mountains Heart of Georgia Middle Georgia Northeast Georgia Northwest Georgia River Valley Southern Georgia Southwest Georgia Three Rivers
Rev. Jerry Allen Chaney, Sr., age 79, of Pearson, Georgia, passed away Tuesday evening, December 16, 2025, at Irwin County Hospital, following a sudden illness. Rev. Chaney was born June 7, 1946, in Ocilla, Georgia, to the late Ben Chaney and the late Olif Harper Chaney. Following high school, he continued his education acquired his associate’s degree in biblical studies at Presbyterian Christian Academy. He was a minister in the Church of God for 48 years and then another 10 years in the Assembly of God where he retired in 2024. Rev. Chaney loved the Lord and he loved his…
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Trigg, age 85, of Macon, Georgia, passed away Saturday evening, December 13, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a lengthy decline in health. Beth was born June 18, 1940, in Ellaville, Georgia, to the late Herbert Daniel and Emily Jones Daniel. She made her career as a hotel manager for 26 years. She also had a peach stand at Exit 181 on Interstate 75 north of Macon for many years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who found her greatest joy in spending time with her grandchildren. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed…
Mr. David Wayne Hastings, age 52, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Friday evening at his residence following a lengthy illness. David was born June 26, 1973, in Miami, Florida, to the late Jerry Hastings and the late Kathleen Smith Hastings Fuller. He was a proud United States Army Veteran. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Hastings, and a sister, Brenda Grantham. David leaves behind a brother, Richard Fuller, Jr. of Douglas, Georgia, and his stepfather, Richard Fuller, Sr. also of Douglas, Georgia, along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. David’s family…
Mrs. Bonnie Chaney Worth, age 68, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Monday morning, December 8, 2025, at Memorial Health University Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, following a recent illness. Bonnie was born January 10, 1957, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Willis A. Chaney and Anna Lee Porter Chaney. She was a bank teller at Southeastern Bank in Nicholls, Georgia, for a number of years. She and her husband, James “Danny” Worth, also owned and operated Bonnie’s Thrift Store in Alma, Georgia, and later in Nicholls, Georgia. She loved her Lord and Savior and attended Iron Road Holiness Church for many…