Author: Submitted

Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been expanded, beginning Monday, March 15, to adults 55 and older as well as those adults 18 and older with high-risk conditions. Coffee Regional Medical Center has ample supply and is scheduling vaccination appointments. The call center (1-912-720-8306) will be answering calls from 8 am – 1 pm Monday thru Thursday. Vaccinations are being administered by Coffee Regional Medical Center at the Central Square Complex in Downtown Douglas at 216 South Madison Avenue. Everyone wishing to receive a vaccine must have an appointment. A photo ID is required. Please…

At the start of this year, two of Douglas’s oldest independent insurance agencies, McCrary-Daniels Insurance Agency and Meeks Insurance Agency, joined forces. Both agencies have long been staples within our community, dating back nearly 100 years for McCrary-Daniels and nearly 90 years for Meeks. McCrary-Daniels first started operation under the name of W.S. Connor Insurance in 1924 and officially became the current namesake in 1954, when Mac McCrary and Ted Daniels decided to operate the agency. Meeks Insurance was founded in 1978 as the entity Meeks, Taylor and Towson Insurance Agency. The group of Meeks, Taylor & Townson…

Mrs. Lois Marie Allen Baker, age 63 of Douglas, passed away late Tuesday evening, March 9, 2021 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Baker was born December 29, 1957 to the late Carol J. Allen and the late Helen Gilley Allen. Mrs. Baker, a native of Homerville, GA, was a homemaker. Survivors include: Husband: William Doyle Baker of Douglas, GA Sons: William Andrew Baker and wife Tiffany of Warner Robins, GA Matthew Daniel Baker and wife Jessica of Douglas, GA Grandchildren: McKenzie, Emma and Wyatt Baker, all of Warner Robins, GA Ella, Annaclaire and Briggs Baker, all of…

Marvin V. Bookout, age 86, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Bookout was born on January 19, 1935 in Broxton, Georgia, the son of the late George Arthur and Attie Armond Milsep Bookout. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Ettie Eugenia Bookout Vickers, four brothers, and three sisters. Mr. Bookout was a retired sheriff’s deputy for Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. He also worked as a farmer, painter, a truck driver and, a security guard for Coffee Regional Medical Center. He was a veteran…

The South Georgia State College Hawks held the Central Georgia Tech Titans to 30 percent shooting and forced 24 turnovers to defeat the Titans 73-51 Wednesday night in a GCAA conference matchup. The win snapped SGSC’s (12-3, 6-3) two-game losing streak. The Hawks built a 40-24 lead at halftime and stretched their lead to as many as 32 points (66-34) in the second half. Jalen King led the Hawks with 15 points and six rebounds. Jordan Coffee had 13 points, while Bryce Brown finished with 10 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots. SGSC will host Southern…

Although things are not where we were before Covid-19, the vaccine has brought us to a place where we are beginning to feel a sense of normalcy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that those who have been fully vaccinated can safely gather indoors in private places, including homes, without masks. That means a lot to families who have been forced apart this past year… and most excitingly, that means HUGS are on the horizon! People are considered fully vaccinated: Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of recent winter storms and some clarifications to program rules. This program assists producers, including those here in Georgia who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying 2018 and 2019 natural disasters. “Because of recent winter storms and some program updates, we want to provide five additional weeks for producers to apply for the program,” said Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). “I want to make sure…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator The annual Beekeeping Essay Contest is an exciting opportunity for 4-H members to showcase their writing skills and learn something new about honeybees and why they are so important to Georgia’s environment. This contest is open to all active Georgia 4-H members in 4th through 12th grade. This year’s topic is “Immunity: Threats to Bee Colonies and Methods to Defend Against the Threats.” The deadline to submit your essay is Friday, April 2. Cash prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the state contest; $250 for 1st place,…

A Coffee County man has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after admitting to trafficking methamphetamine. Israel Moreno, 56, of Wray, Ga., was sentenced to 70 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Substance Containing Methamphetamine, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison term, Moreno will be required to serve four years of supervised release and will be referred for deportation proceedings. …

Mr. Phillip Buford Mullis, age 45 of Pearson, passed away, Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at his home, surrounded by family and friends, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on October 25, 1975 in Waycross to parents, Jerry and Phyllis Douglas Mullis, Phillip grew up in the Atkinson County area, he later moved to the Jupiter, Fla., area to attend college and play college football. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Phillip worked in transportation as a truck driver and enjoyed fishing, reading and music. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Jerry Mullis, nephew,…