Selena Rae Smith, age 58, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Monday, September 21, 2026. She was born on February 28, 1968, to William Ray Butler and the late Diane “Shorty” Miller. Her survivors include: daughter, Kayla Smith; son, Caleb Smith (Tiffany); two brothers, George Butler and Carlos Butler (Tracy); father, William Ray Butler; four grandchildren, Jason Sr., Keilan, Kinley, and Aliza; three great-grandchildren, Zylus, Zaiden, and Jason Jr. Selena is preceded in death by her mother, Diane “Shorty” Miller. The family would like to extend a heartfelt and special thank you to Ced Williams for his kindness, compassion, and unwavering…
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October is just around the corner, and that means the City of Douglas is gearing up for its annual service promotions. Throughout the month, residents are invited to learn more about city services and take part in a variety of community activities. The Douglas Fire Department will observe Fire Prevention Month and join the National Fire Protection Association in promoting Fire Prevention Week, held October 4–10, 2026. This year’s campaign, “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” highlights everyday charging habits that help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. The department will use the Fire Prevention Education…
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is inviting communities across South Georgia to experience Wired Up! TechXpo, a free, interactive community event combining education, technology, entertainment, shopping, food, games, rides, contests and giveaways. Adding even more excitement to this year’s Wired Up! TechXpo is the Giant Musical Chairs Contest held on the Valdosta Campus. Attendees will have the chance to jump into the action and compete in an oversized version of the classic game everyone knows and loves. The competition is sure to bring plenty of laughs, energy, and friendly rivalry—with special prizes awaiting the winners. Come ready to move, have fun, and see who will claim…
Mr. George Lowell “Zip” Grantham, age 84, passed away Monday Evening, September 21, 2026, at his residence with his devoted wife and loved ones by his side following an extended illness. Zip, as he was known to everyone, was born June 20, 1942, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late James Crayvon Grantham and the late Grace Carter Grantham. He was a veteran of the United States Army Reserve, and for many years he was the owner and operator of Grantham Oil Company. He attended Ambrose Christian Church. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Zip loved all things outdoors including hunting…
Coffee County Health Department will host a walk-in flu vaccination clinic on Tuesday, October 13, at 1111 West Baker Highway from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. This event offers residents a safe, quick, and convenient way to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu this season. “Getting your flu shot is one of the best ways to keep yourself, your family, and your community healthy,” said Synita Mathis, Immunization Coordinator for the Southeast Health District. A yearly flu vaccine is the first line of defense against the flu and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and…
Enforcement operations by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement (D.I.C.E.) Unit and the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) resulted in the arrest of an individual on felony methamphetamine trafficking charges. The operation occurred on September 8, 2026, when D.I.C.E. Unit agents initiated a routine traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Cameron Dale Pierce, 46, of Douglas, following an improper turn. Upon detecting indicators of criminal activity, deputies conducted an on-scene investigation and discovered suspected methamphetamine in Pierce’s possession, prompting immediate assistance from DCDU narcotics agents. A subsequent search yielded more than 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine…
Lynda Bernice Merritt, age 76, of Abbeville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2026. She was born to the late Ben and Dorothy Noles. Her survivors include: three sons, Paul Benjamin McClain of Tennessee, Benjamin Blake McClain of Douglas, Georgia, and Dane Vinal Merritt (Candena) of Douglas, Georgia; three grandchildren, Chris McClain, Trent Merritt, and Alora Merritt; two sisters, Nancy Noles of Jacksonville, Georgia, and April Youngel of Thomasville, Georgia; and one brother, Ben Noles of Hinesville, Georgia. Lynda is preceded in death not only by her parents but also by her late husband, Robert Merritt; two sisters,…
Evelyn Beard, age 6, of Fitzgerald, GA, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 18, 2026. She was born on February 18, 2020, the daughter of Christopher and Sarah Beard. Her survivors include: father; Christopher Beard of Fitzgerald, GA, mother; Sarah Beard of Fitzgerald, GA, two sisters; Kara Beard, and Alice Beard, grandparents; Carmen (Leon) Wheeler of Douglas, GA, and Velvet Beard of Fitzgerald, GA, along with several cousins and her kitty Bubbles. She was preceded in death by: one brother; Rusty Allen Beard, one sister; Carly Nicole Beard, grandfathers; Robert Edwin Beard, and Stanley Pritchard, grandmother; Teresa Kay Marks, and…
Savage & Turner, PC, secured a six-figure settlement of $875,000 against the Georgia Department of Transportation for an improperly-maintained intersection in Brantley County. The case centers around a wreck that occurred on October 2, 2020 on GA-32 near Post Road. One of the stop signs was down at the time of the wreck. As a driver approached the intersection, they could not see the downed stop sign and were unaware they did not have the right-of-way. They proceeded through the intersection, and collided with the plaintiff in the case. The plaintiff suffered several injuries as a result of this wreck…
Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced the appointment of Marilyn P. Bennett to the Superior Court of the Waycross Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Dwayne H. Gillis. Marilyn P. Bennett currently serves as District Attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit. She is the first woman to hold the position in the circuit. Prior to being elected District Attorney, she was as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Waycross office, serving as the lead trial attorney on major felony cases. Before working in Waycross, Bennett prosecuted in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit and in…