Author: Submitted

Louise Burkett, age 82, of Broxton, Georgia passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021. Mrs. Burkett was born on January 14, 1938 in Coffee County, Georgia the daughter of the late June T. and Mille Jane Stapleton Powell. She retired from Walmart as a stocker and attended Faith Mission Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Loyce Freddy Burkett Sr, son, Gerald Burkett and three grandchildren, Jeffrey Roberts, Jake DeWayne Burkett and Jose Guerrero. Survivors include two daughters, Beatrice Roberts of Douglas, GA and Carolyn Guerrero of Douglas, GA; two sons,…

Wayne Dees Presley went into eternal rest on January 11, 2021 at the age of 95 in Savannah, Georgia. Born in Garland, Alabama on July 13, 1925, Wayne was the son of Essie Lee and Norvin Benson Presley and brother to Agatha, Jennette, Eugene, Charles, Robert “Bubba” Quinton, and Albert Presley. At the outset of World War II, Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a PBY Catalina radio operator/tail gunner stationed in the Aleutian Islands. After returning from the Pacific, Wayne met the love of his life, Gladys, and they married in 1952 before settling down in Garden…

Superior Court Judge Dwayne Gillis and Probate Judge Beverly Johns administered the oaths of office to county officials who were elected in 2020. Instead of doing a typical investiture ceremony with all officials present as usual, the judges called everyone in individually. Here are the officials who were sworn in: Sworn in by Superior Court Judge Dwayne Gillis: Judge Beverly Johns-Re-Elected – Probate Court Judge Elisa Gillis: Newly Elected – Clerk of Court Sworn in by Probate Court Judge Beverly Johns: Judge Robert Preston-State Court Judge-Re-Elected Judge Julie Phillips-Magistrate Court Judge-Re-Elected Doyle Wooten- Sheriff-Re-Elected Shanda Henderson-Tax Commissioner-Re-Elected-No Photograph …

CSX Railroad has scheduled closing the crossings listed below near Nicholls for repair. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. All crossings are generally closed anywhere from 2-5 days. This can change, with or without notice, due to unforeseen circumstances. Inclement weather could cause track maintenance delays or rescheduling. The Nicholls crossings will be closed as follows: Sessoms Rd (closest to Jim Meeks Rd) Closing on/around 2-1 Sessoms Rd/Nutmeg Rd (closest to Cody Rd) Closing on/around 2-1 Cody Rd (between Sessoms Rd and Plum Tree Rd) Closing…

Nearly 50 people have been indicted in a drug trafficking investigation that targeted violent gang members distributing methamphetamine and other drugs in the Coffee County area. Dubbed Operation Sandy Bottom, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation centered in the Sand Ridge neighborhood on the east side of Douglas, Ga., in an area known as “the bottoms,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The 57-count indictment alleges that the conspiracy, controlled by a subset of the violent Gangster Disciples street gang, used guns, violence and fear to control methamphetamine trafficking operations throughout…

Coffee County detectives have arrested and charged a Douglas man in relation to the theft of a service weapon taken from a Georgia State Trooper from the area of Oconee County. Detectives began the investigation on Jan. 5 and learned that a local resident, 23-year-old Ryan Carver, had been in possession of the stolen firearm. The weapon was later recovered from a residence off Dan Duran Rd. Carver was arrested and faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of stolen property. The recovered firearm has been returned to Oconee County authorities.

On Monday, January 11, 2021, the City Manager and City Commission named Casey Wright as the new chief for the Douglas Fire Department. Since January 2020, Chief Wright has been serving in the role of Interim Fire Chief. “I am happy to announce Mr. Casey Wright as our new Fire Chief,” stated City Manager Charles Davis. “Chief Wright has served in every role from voluntary firefighter to interim chief. During his interim chief period, he exhibited solid leadership skills. I am looking forward to working with Chief Wright and welcome him to that role.” Chief Wright is a…

Two important construction projects will begin inside the city over the next couple of weeks that may cause some inconveniences for citizens in the surrounding areas. On Monday January 11, the City of Douglas Water Department/ESG Operations will begin the process of connecting a new water main on Highway 32 West. Earlier this year, a water line was relocated for the DOT project which widened Highway 32 West. To connect the new water main a disruption of water services, such as water outages and discolored water, will occur. The reconstruction of Evergreen Avenue is scheduled to begin within the…

Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the popular program beginning today, Jan. 4, 2021, until Feb. 12, 2021. The competitive program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. “This signup for the Conservation Reserve Program gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first time or continue their participation for another term,” Rachel Santos said. “This program encourages conservation on sensitive lands or low-yielding acres, which provides tremendous benefits for stewardship of our natural resources and wildlife.”…

Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson is proud to share that the college’s Accounting Certificate program has been ranked fifth in the nation by Best Value Schools.org website. Best Value Schools helps students to choose the best Accounting Certificate programs in the state and nation. This distinction is based on a combination of tuition cost, quality of education, graduation rates, and student-to-faculty ratio. Wiregrass offers certificate programs in Accounting, Accounting Clerk Assistant (Valdosta and Coffee Campuses), Payroll Accounting Specialist (Valdosta and Coffee Campuses), and Office Accounting Specialist (Valdosta, Coffee Campuses and online). Other Accounting programs offered include Diploma in Accounting, Associate…