Author: Submitted

Mrs. Melva “Lataine” Kirkland Bowen, age 81, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away early Sunday morning at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a period of declining health. Lataine was born on April 8, 1944 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Talley Kirkland and the late Thelma Teston Kirkland. She worked for a number of years in retail sales at BC Moores in Douglas, Georgia and she ran the Girl Scouts in Nicholls, Georgia. She was of the Holiness Baptist faith. Along with her parents, Lataine was preceded in death by a son, Randall Bowen, and a grandchild, Shane Bowen. Lataine is…

Mrs. Karina Pastora Turcios Barillas, age 84, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Saturday evening, May 3, 2025 at her residence following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Barillas was born January 19, 1941, in Honduras, to the late Miguel Tavarez and the late Maria Antonia Turcios. She was a self employed seamstress and of the Catholic faith. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Barillas. Mrs. Barillas is survived by 5 children: Victor Barillas of Tampa, Florida, Marlon Barillas of Burbank, California, Beatrice Roberts of Douglas, Georgia, Silvia Barillas of Bastrop, Texas, Ana Barillas of Ontario,…

Rev. Alton C. Carver, age 93, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Thursday morning, April 24, 2025, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia following a brief illness. Rev. Carver was born August 29, 1931, in Coffee County, Georgia to the late Allen Carver and the late Maude Harrell Carver. He was a retired Primitive Baptist minister, and after retirement he actively attended Union Primitive Baptist Church. Rev. Carver is survived by his wife, Brenda Joyce Tankersley Smith of Douglas, Georgia; 2 children: Shirley Jump and husband, David, of Douglas, Georgia, Donnie Carver and wife, Tammie, of Douglas, Georgia;…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) is proud to welcome Dustin Montgomery, a recent graduate of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC)-Tifton Police Academy Session 352 and newly certified police officer, to the SGSC Campus Police Department. A native of Atkinson County, Montgomery is a graduate of Atkinson County High School and Okefenokee Technical College. Prior to pursuing a career in law enforcement, he worked for over a decade at the local Walmart Distribution Center, where he served as both an associate and a manager. Montgomery is also a dedicated father of three daughters. His commitment to hard work, leadership, and…

Irwin County athletic director and former head football coach Casey Soliday has been honored as the 2024 Region 1-A Athletic Director of the Year, recognizing his outstanding leadership and success, according to the Irwin County School System. His tenure in Irwin County began in 2016 as an assistant football coach under the late Buddy Nobles. Together, they formed a highly successful coaching team, leading to 34 wins and a 2019 state football championship. In 2020, Coach Soliday assumed the roles of head coach and athletic director. He made an immediate impact, guiding the Indians to a back-to-back state championship in…

The City of Douglas encourages citizens to attend or join various city committees and boards. The following is a list of June 2025 City of Douglas Boards and Committees meetings.

South Georgia State College is proud to announce the formation of its new Rodeo Club, offering student-athletes an opportunity to compete in collegiate rodeo events without having to leave the region. The program will be led by Danny Varnadore, a decorated former professional bull rider and native of Waycross, Georgia, as he begins his first season as SGSC’s Head Rodeo Coach. Danny Varnadore brings an extensive and distinguished background in the sport of rodeo. A graduate of Ware County High School (Class of 1997), Varnadore made a name for himself early in his career as the 1997 Georgia High School…

The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council officially welcomed returning and new members to the 2025-2026 Mayor’s Youth Council during the annual orientation session on May 28, 2025. The session was filled with learning, connection, and motivation which inspired many of the youth in attendance. Learning sessions kicked off the morning for the members who had the honor of learning from City Manager Charlie Davis and Mayor Tony Paulk, who shared their wisdom and vision. Each city department also gave insightful overviews of their roles and responsibilities, helping the Youth Council better understand how local government operates. Team building exercises were held…

On May 29, 2025, the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, in partnership with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division (CID), carried out a focused patrol operation in the Green Acres community. This targeted enforcement action also included members of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and command staff and marks the latest phase of a sustained crime reduction initiative that began in January 2025. Since its inception, the initiative has resulted in numerous arrests from the Green Acres area. The most recent operation led to the apprehension of eight additional individuals on a range of criminal charges and outstanding warrants. Among…

Francis Eloise Kirkland, age 91, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at her residence. Mrs. Kirkland was born on October 24, 1933, in Douglas, GA to the late Aaron Ellis and the late Lois Revels Ellis. Survivors include: two daughters; Linda Faye Deal of Douglas, GA and Patricia Ann Adams of Douglas, GA, two bonus daughters; Patricia (Johnny) Stansfield and Pam Kirkland, three grandchildren; Kristi Ruelas, Timothy Batten, and Ericalin Deal, two bonus grandchildren; Joy Stansfield, and Brent Stansfield, six great grandchildren; Bryanna Anderson, Timothy Ashley Batten, Shawn Ruelas, Janie Batten, Makayla Ruelas and Paigeann Stover,…