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Instructors at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College have nominated nine of their students for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) competition, according to Molly Summer, coordinator for the college’s GOAL program. These nominations come from the college’s four campuses: Ben Hill-Irwin, Coffee, Cook, and Valdosta. GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges, as well as, one Board of Regents college with a technical education division. The Wiregrass 2021 GOAL Nominees…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Senior Dental Hygiene student, Cali McDuffie, was awarded the P.R.I.D.E. award by Dr. and Mrs. Brad Bynum and North Valdosta Dental Care. The award stands for Performance, Resulting in Distinguished Excellence. The award is given annually to a student who consistently strives to improve through hard work, goal setting and self-motivation. Dr. Bynum believes that scholarships and recognition should not be limited to the best GPA or financial need. Students that work hard should be recognized for their persistence and effort. Therefore, this scholarship is awarded to the student that best demonstrates P.R.I.D.E. in dental education and commitment to…

The Okefenokee RESA Board of Control elected Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent of Schools for Coffee County, to the position of chairman at the January meeting of the Board of Control. Dr. Leis has served on the Okefenokee RESA Board of Control for 10 years and as Vice-Chairman for 4 years. “I am excited to work with Dr. Leis in his capacity as Chairman of our Board of Control. He always has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience in educational leadership to our Board, and now as the Chairman of our Board we anticipate continued growth of our organization…

A Coffee County man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to distribution of methamphetamine. Demetrius Brown, also known as “Jersey,” 42, of Douglas, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Brunswick before Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to one count of Distribution of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Brown’s admission to the charge carries a possible penalty of up to 20 years in prison, followed by at least three years of supervised release. There is no parole in…

For workers in many South Georgia communities who find themselves unemployed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, assistance to attend college is available at Wiregrass Tech. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market, and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete. WIOA offers financial support services with items such as tuition, books, uniforms, immunization and other required program costs specific to your chosen program. Programs covered under WIOA are specific to each Georgia region and can be accessed by…

To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available with school breakfast, Coffee County schools will celebrate National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) during March 8-12, 2021. Busy weekday mornings make it a challenge for many families to find time for a healthy breakfast. Fortunately, Coffee County schools offer nutritious school breakfasts, complete with fruit and low-fat or fat-free milk, to ensure students are fueled for learning every school day. The NSBW campaign theme, “Score Big with School Breakfast,” reminds the entire school community that school breakfast provides a healthy and energizing start to the day…

Mrs. Rowena Spell Blount, age 87 of Broxton, GA passed away Thursday evening, February 18, 2021 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mrs. Blount was born October 23, 1933 to the late George “Son” Spell and the Aleph Burkett Spell. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Grady E. Blount, Jr. and a sister, Juanita Burkett. Mrs. Blount, a native of Coffee County, had been a supervisor with Federal Corset for a number of years. She was a member of Pridgen Baptist Church. Survivors include: Children: Randy Gould and wife Vickie of…

Mrs. Paula Kay Lohmeyer Grant, age 71 of Nicholls, GA passed away Thursday morning, February 18, 2021 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mrs. Grant was born September 3, 1943 to the late Laverne Ernest Lohmeyer and the late Bonnie Underwood Lohmeyer. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Orvis Gene Grant, and a daughter, Cynthia Grant. Mrs. Grant, a native of Kansas, had been employed as a substitute teacher and was also a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas. Survivors include: Children: Stacy Dawn Grant of…

Mr. Carl Ivey Justice, age 77 of Douglas passed away Thursday morning, February 18, 2021 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Justice was born July 3, 1943 to the late Jack Justice and the late Edith Alma Cato Justice. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Mildred Willis, Clifford Justice, Frank Justice, Vermel Kelley, Sue Blankenship and Marilyn Seebeck. Mr. Justice, a native of Ambrose, GA, had been a lieutenant with the Juvenile Division of the City of Douglas Police Department. He retired after 33 years of service. Survivors include: Daughter: Amber Pearson and…

Mr. Jody Lee Steverson, age 35 of Douglas, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Community Hospice and Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL following an extended illness. Mr. Steverson was born, January 27, 1986 to Bobby Lee Steverson and Sherry Peterson. Mr. Steverson, a native of Douglas, was employed in road construction. Survivors include: Children: Bryson Steverson, Rayne Steverson, and Harley Steverson all of Douglas, GA Father: Bobby Lee Steverson and step-mother, Brandi Steverson of Douglas, GA Mother: Sherry Peterson of Hazlehurst, GA Brothers: Shane Steverson and Dustin Steverson both of Hazlehurst, GA Sisters: Emily Jordan and Angel Anderson both of…