Author: Submitted

Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced that La Regina Atlantica, a U.S. subsidiary of Italian producer of homemade pasta sauces La Regina di San Marzano, will invest $20 million in a new food processing facility in Bacon County, delivering 250 jobs to Alma, Georgia. La Regina Atlantica will source carrots, peppers, basil, onions, and meats from farmers locally. The company’s freshly grown tomatoes will be imported from Italy through the Port of Savannah, where they will then be transported to Alma to be processed into the brand’s world-famous sauces. “I’m confident that La Regina Atlantica will find success in…

The name of the first runner up for State Rick Perkins Winner had just been announced by Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier. Silence fell upon the student center on the Coffee Campus as college administrators and employees along with Mike Day, Wiregrass’ 2020 Rick Perkins Winner and state finalist, waited to hear the name of the State Winner. Through the deafening silence everyone was watching the Facebook Live feed and heard Mike Day’s name announced as the 2020 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. In seconds cheering and hollering erupted for Mike to be surprised again…

A Douglas man who has alternated much of his past three decades between selling illegal drugs or serving time in prison has been sentenced to spend nearly 20 years in prison for leading a drug trafficking organization centered in Coffee County. Wayne Jordan, 62, of Douglas, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 235 months in federal prison after Jordan pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and Marijuana, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After completion of his prison sentence,…

David Wayne “Crockett” Hartley, age 55, of West Green, Georgia passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, at his residence. Mr. Hartley was born on August 14, 1965 in Orange County, Florida the son of the late Jackie Lee Hartley and Betty Lou Davis Hartley. Crockett worked with Boatright Trucking as a truck driver and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include: Daughters, Tiffany (Rex) Sanders of Roopville, GA, Nikki (Tony) Michael of Ocoee, GA, and Cheyanne Williamson of FL; sons, David Wayne (Brittany) Hartley, Jr. of Carrollton, GA and Dustin Hartley of Arkansas; sisters, Sandra Hartley of Mt. Dora, FL and…

Joseph Van Strickland, age 66, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Mr. Strickland was born on July 24, 1954, in Douglas, GA to Michael “Pete” Strickland and Bertha Paulk Strickland. Mr. Strickland was a retired truck maintenance technician at Walmart Distribution Center-Douglas, where he served for over 30 years. Survivors include: Wife, Rose Mary Cook Strickland of Douglas, GA; daughter, Lisa (Daren) Folsom of Douglas, GA; son, Joseph “Joey” Strickland of Douglas, GA; brother, Danny (Lucretia) Strickland of Douglas, GA; brother, Jimmy (Jenny) Spivey of Douglas, GA; grandchildren, Donavan Folsom of Douglas, GA, Rayleigh Strickland…

Lurlyne Sapp McDuffie, age 83, of Broxton, Georgia passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2020. Mrs. McDuffie was born on June 4, 1936 in Coffee County, Georgia, the daughter of the late Leroy and Rosa Mae Brigmond Sapp. Mrs. McDuffie retired from Coffee Regional Medical Center as a supervisor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Harper, granddaughter, Brandi Harper and grandson, Lucian Harper. Survivors include two daughters, Anelle Stanfield of Douglas, GA and Connie Carter of Douglas, GA; son, Howard Carter Jr (Debbie) of Douglas, GA; four grandchildren, Chris Stanfield…

Mr. Hector Manuel Garcia, 63 of Pearson, passed away Saturday October 3, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center with his loved ones by his side. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2020 in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services. Burial will follow at Satilla Memorial Gardens. Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Roger Lee O’Berry, age 66 of Pearson, Ga., passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness. A memorial service in Mr. O’Berry’s honor will be held at a later date. Memorialization was by cremation. Relihan Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Syble Clement Mitchell, age 80 of Pearson, Ga., passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at her home following an extended illness. Survivors include: Son: Roland Lewis “Buddy” Mitchell and wife, Becky of Pearson, Ga. Daughter: Kizzie Patricio and husband, Richard of Hiram, Ga. Grandchildren: Alishia Carter Alexis Patricio April Reynolds Amanda Simons Several nieces, nephews,…

Mr. Ernie Lee Reliford, age 47 of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at St. Vincent Health Systems in Jacksonville, Fla. Survivors include: Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Leroy and Ernestine Reliford of Willacoochee, Ga. Sons: James Reliford of Douglas, Ga. Jesse Reliford and wife, Savannah of Douglas, Ga. Dylan McLean of Albany, Ga. Daughter: Kimberli Lewis of Willacoochee, Ga. Brother: Leroy Reliford, Jr. and wife, Carla of Gray, Ga. Several other relatives also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Reliford…