By Van Yandell James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Why do singers get the attention, while composers and musicians are the real talent behind the voices? Many can sing but few have the ability to strike the ivories with precision to extract a musical tone. As far back as memory allows, my mother sat at her old Wellington piano and played. Not to brag but she was very good. My musical talents certainly didn’t take after hers, with my ability…
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Coffee High School recently welcomed more than 400 first-grade students for its annual “Tiny Trojan Power Up Day,” an exciting and interactive health and wellness fair focused on building healthy habits early in life. Hosted by CHS Nutrition & Food Science, Early Childhood Education, Allied Health students, and FCCLA members, the campus was transformed into hands-on learning stations led by CHS students. These mentors guided the “Tiny Trojans” through fun, engaging activities designed to promote lifelong wellness. From learning about MyPlate guidelines and creating healthy snacks to practicing proper dental hygiene and understanding the importance of bedtime routines, students explored…
The City of Douglas proudly honored the exceptional achievements of the 2025-2026 Mayor’s Youth Council and Douglas–Coffee County Teen Court senior participants during a special recognition ceremony held at the C. E. Weir Center on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The council also honored several mentors at the banquet which included Chevelle Paulk (Community Spotlight of the Year), Mike Bazell (Founder, Ambitious Young Men) Tammy Wilkerson (Founder, Girls Exploring Movements of Success), Ian Sansot (Teen Court Judge), and Dinitra Carithers (Youth Council and Teen Court Coordinator). The celebrations continued at Coffee High School’s Senior Honors Program on Monday, April 27, 2026,…
Several outstanding Coffee High School students were recently recognized at the Georgia Future Educators Signing Day for completing the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Pathway, Teaching as a Profession (TAP) Pathway, and Dual Education Pathway as “Teach in the Peach” graduates. “Teach in the Peach,” an initiative by the Georgia Department of Education, is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and retaining future educators across Georgia. The students who were recognized are: Early Childhood Education (ECE): Kelise Colson, Kayley Cumbass, Alayla Hall, Addison Nipper, Channah Smith, Jada Tanner, and Jadyn Von Waldner.Teaching as a Profession (TAP): Shonteara Jordan, Shana Parker, Eriyanna Smith, and…
The State Forester Burn Ban in South Georgia has been amended, reducing the area to 17 counties. The original ban was implemented on April 22, covering 91 counties in southern Georgia where exceptional drought levels and increasing wildfire activity prompted emergency action. “Crews have made significant progress in containing the South Georgia wildfires,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “Scattered rainfall has helped, but the majority of the state remains in extreme to exceptional drought. The area now under a burn ban still has two large fires that need constant monitoring and mop-up to reduce the chance of reburn,…
Eugenio Santana-Bahena, de 62 años, de Douglas, GA, falleció pacíficamente el sábado 2 de mayo de 2026 en el Hospital Emory en Atlanta, GA. Nació el 8 de julio de 1963 en Alpixafia, México, hijo del fallecido Guilibaldo Santana y la fallecida Cleta Bahena Osorio. Le sobreviven: Tres hijas; Verónica (Juan) Santana de Douglas, GA, María (Eli) Santana de Douglas, GA, y Reyna (Camerino) Santana de FL, Un hijo; Jesús Santana de Douglas, GA, Dos hermanos; Rey (María Pérez) Santana de Washington, e Isidro Santana, Seis hermanas; María Santana-Bahena de México, Carmen Santana-Bahena de WA, Anastasia Santana-Bahena de México, Catilina…
Tuesday afternoon, a former Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputy turned himself in to the Coffee County Jail after being indicted by a Coffee County grand jury. Chris Ashley Rozar, 49, of Douglas, faces the following charges: Four counts of violation of oath by a public officer, two counts of computer invasion of privacy, and one count each of prohibited use of captured license plate data and stalking. The charges are the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the GBI that began under former Sheriff Doyle Wooten. Rozar was booked into the Coffee County Jail and later released.
Exciting improvements are on the way at Eastside Park, located at 605 E. Franklin Street. While the rehabilitation is taking place, the park will be closed. The park will soon undergo a series of much‑needed upgrades designed to better serve visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, while also meeting modern accessibility standards. Planned enhancements include:• Rehabilitation of the existing shelter• Installation of new grills• ADA‑compliant basketball courts and an updated playground system• Ballfield rehabilitation• Pickleball courts• New sidewalks and a walking trail• ADA‑accessible restrooms at the shelter The City of Douglas remains committed to improving the quality of life…
South Georgia State College (SGSC) is pleased to announce its annual commencement ceremonies honoring graduates from summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026. The Douglas Campus ceremony will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 8:30 am on the Peterson Hall front lawn. The Waycross Campus ceremonies will be held Friday, May 15, 2026. The first ceremony will be at 8:30 am, and the second at 12:00 noon, both in the Waycross Campus Gymnasium. A livestream of each event will be available for those unable to attend to share in the celebration. A link to the livestream will be found…
Debra Morgan Carpenter, age 66, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at her home. She was born on October 16, 1959 in Douglas, GA to the late J.C. Morgan and the late Merlene Taylor. Her survivors include: her beloved husband, Robert Carpenter of Jacksonville, FL: one daughter, Amanda M. Laster of Brunswick, GA; a great nephew and niece, Devin Lee Deen of Jacksonville, FL and Ashlyn Jordan Deen of Douglas, GA; one sister, Brenda Dale (Rodney) Deen; one brother, Johnny C. Morgan of Nicholls, GA; and one grandchild, Nicholas Laster. She was preceded in death by…