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Robert Edward Kovach, age 61, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Memorial Health Hospital in Savannah, GA. Mr. Robert was born on March 30th, 1964 the son of Mrs. Diane Mary McLntire. Survivors include: wife, Kimberly Kovach of Douglas, GA; two sons,Robert Zachary Kovach of Douglas, GA and Charles W (Christa Sheffield) Kovach of Douglas, GA; mother; Diane McLntire of Douglas, GA; stepfather, Edward Allen O’Berry; sister, Anita (Brian) Howell of Douglas, GA; brother, Delbert (Wanda) McIntire of Douglas, GA; along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr.…

As part of a statewide book launch, the Douglas Rotary Club welcomed authors Ann Litrel and Charles Seabrook to a well-attended meeting on October 30 at South Georgia State College. Acclaimed artist Litrel and longtime Atlanta Journal Constitution columnist Seabrook joined forces to create “35 Natural Wonders of Georgia to See Before You Die,” a 291-page book published by The University of Georgia Press. The authors spent the day in Douglas and also appeared at a public presentation that evening at South Georgia State College. For more information about the book, visit www.annlitrel.com or https://www.ugapress.org/9780820374444/35-natural-wonders-of-georgia-to-see-before-you-die/. Douglas Rotary is a service organization seeking to…

Mr. John Franklin Hogg, Jr., age 55, of Broxton, Georgia, passed away Monday evening, October 6, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness. John was born November 27, 1969 in Gainesville, Florida to Carol Fay Cantrell Hogg and the late John Franklin Hogg, Sr. He was a roofer by trade and was a dedicated employee of Carol Smith Roofing. John is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Debbie Tucker Hogg of Broxton, Georgia; 2 step-children: Allen Davis (Lila) of Ambrose, Georgia and Anthony Davis (Lydia) of Douglas, Georgia; 2 grandchildren: Georgia Davis and Raelynn Davis;…

The Aspen Institute named Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize. Wiregrass Tech President DeAnnia Clements shared, “This recognition from The Aspen Institute is a reflection of the strong partnerships we have with our communities and industries. It highlights the important role…

American Legion Post 515 will place flags and wreaths on over 3,000 graves in 89 cemeteries and other locations for Wreaths Across America 2025. The wreaths will be shipped to Douglas via tractor-trailer and will arrive between December 7 and December 13. They will be delivered to the Douglas City Cemetery. Once Wreaths Across America coordinator Jerome Loving gets confirmation of the wreaths’ arrival, he will let the public know. The Post will hold a Wreaths Across America ceremony at American Legion Post 515 headquarters on Saturday, December 13, from noon to 1 p.m. Headquarters are located at 1510 McLean…

Mr. Billy Harrison Meeler, age 84, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Monday afternoon, October 27, 2025 at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation surrounded by his family following a recent decline in health. Mr. Meeler was born September 7, 1941 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Ernest Meeler and the late Myrtle Bryant Meeler. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy where he served a 4 year term before transferring to the Naval Reserve. Following his military career he became an electrician and worked for Purvis Electric for many years. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing, gardening,…

Mrs. Diana Sue Stone Pelton, age 75, of Alma, Georgia, passed away Sunday morning, October 26, 2025 at Bacon County Hospital following a recent illness. Diana was born July 30, 1950 in Polo, Missouri to the late Vern Stone and the late Cora May Brooks Stone. She was married to the love of her life, the late James “Jim” Pelton, for 10 years prior to his sudden passing in 1980. Diana loved her career as the men’s wear department manager for Wal-Mart where she dedicated more than 20 years of service. Along with her mother, she became a foster parent…

Mr. Johnny Franklin Ward, age 86, of West Green, Georgia, passed away Sunday afternoon, October 26, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a recent decline in health. Mr. Ward, a lifelong resident of Coffee County, was born July 7, 1939 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Quillian Hall Ward, Sr. and the late Lourine McConnell Ward. He was educated in the Coffee County School System and a 1958 graduate of Coffee County High School. He made his career with Westfield Mobile Home Industry where he became a supervisor before his retirement. Mr. Ward was a loving Daddy, and Pappy.…

Four Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students have been selected as the college’s semi-finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Dr. Cheryl Carvajal, coordinator for the Wiregrass GOAL program. Chosen as semifinalists are Cenecia Bien-Aime, Cybersecurity, Valdosta Campus; Harry Dunmire, Automotive Technology, Valdosta Campus; Michael Schexnayder, Cybersecurity, Valdosta Campus; and Shania Wheeler, Radiologic Technology, Valdosta Campus. The purpose of the GOAL program is to spotlight the outstanding achievements of students in Georgia’s technical colleges and to emphasize the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce. The top four candidates were among the ten students who completed…

Authors Ann Litrel and Charles Seabrook, who penned the just-released 35 Wonders of Georgia to See Before You Die, will be in Douglas on Thursday, October 30, 2025, to discuss the book and sign copies. The event will take place on the campus of South Georgia State College’s Engram Hall at 7 p.m. The duo will also speak at the Douglas Rotary Club’s October 30 meeting in the SGSC Dining Hall at noon. The book is an illustrated bucket list of the many natural wonders of Georgia, featuring original watercolor paintings by Litrel which were originally inspired by an essay…