Author: Submitted

Billy Gene Sweat, age 70, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Tuesday August 25, 2020 at his residence. Mr. Sweat was born on September 10, 1949 in Coffee County, Georgia the son of the late Leo Sweat and Waunell Mancil Sweat. Mr. Sweat retired from Windstream Communications as an installer/repairman, was a member of Fales Pentecostal Church and was a veteran of the United States Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Billy Ray Sweat and a brother, Carl Sweat. Survivors include his wife, Doris H. Sweat of Douglas, GA; five daughters,…

Susan Caves Carelock, age 62, of Wray, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Carelock was born on September 2, 1957 in Coffee County, Georgia the daughter of the late Harold Ragsdale and Laverne Pridgen Ragsdale. Mrs. Carelock was a member of Broxton Church of God. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Brooklyn Carelock. Survivors include her husband, Ricky Carelock of Wray, GA; daughter, Misty Carelock (Lamar) of Wray, GA; son, Gabriel Carelock (Lindsey) of Wray, GA; eight grandchildren, Mathew G. Carelock of Annapolis,…

Julia Frances Rowell, age 76, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Rowell was born on July 2, 1944, in Douglas, GA to Dennis Jowers and Mary Eva Carver Jowers. Survivors include: Daughter, Jeri Lynn (John) Bussey of Ambrose, GA; son, Gary (Joy) Wooten of Douglas, GA, son, Chris Rowell of Douglas, GA; grandchildren, Nicole (Chis) Hill, Robert (Haley) Wooten, Cameron White, Luke Rowell, Michaela Rowell, Claudia Rowell, Ashley Burke (Austin); eight great grandchildren; sister, Betty Jean McKinnon of Mora, GA; brother, Paul (Dorothy) Jowers of Douglas, GA; brother, Allen Jowers of Columia, SC;…

The Douglas Police Department will be conducting a co-ed Firearms Safety and Familiarization course on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the Douglas Police Department Training Facility located at 581 Victor Bray Road. Class will begin at 8:00 A.M. and will conclude at approximately 5:00 P.M. The course covers legal issues including: use of force and deadly force, firearms carry, shooting fundamentals and live fire practice. Depending on weather conditions the morning hours will be spent in the classroom and participants will travel to the gun range after lunch. Participants should bring a safe, operable handgun, holster, and one box…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) has received a $4,000 award from the University System of Georgia (USG) to fund the 2020-2021 African-American Male Initiative program for currently enrolled African American male students. SGSC’s goal for the new academic year is to provide AAMI participants with academic skills and enrichment, support services, mentoring and leadership development. “During the 2019-2020 academic year, the AAMI program achieved its goal of increasing the grade point averages of African-American males at SGSC,” stated Rachard Lofton, African American Male Initiative Coordinator. “We want to continue to build this year with students experiences, cultural events and educational…

The Douglas Lions Club has been busy making preparations for their 21st annual Big Buck Contest. The Big Buck Contest is the annual fundraiser that helps the Douglas Lions Club give back to OUR community and this year will see some changes due to COVID-19 guidelines. The contest will be held LIVE, online, and winners will not need to be present for prizes. “The Big Buck Contest has become a wonderful community project that brings together many people and businesses throughout Douglas,” says Douglas Lions Club President, JoLynn Grantham. “In order for us to continue to help various non-profit…

The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) began its new year with its first meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020. The main topic of the meeting was entrepreneurship and several local entrepreneurs, Dr. Tracey McClelland, Mazi, and Amy Luciani, shared their stories of overcoming hardships to achieve their goals and becoming business owners. The first order of business on the agenda was to adopt an Anti-Bullying and Suicide Prevention Campaign and approve the request of the City of Douglas to apply for a grant against bullying and teen suicide. The Community Development Department Grants Administrator, Christian Mikell, explained the process…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator Coffee County Extension is accepting applications for a full-time AmeriCorps State member. AmeriCorps is a federally funded national service program modeled after the Peace Corps. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov. This is a temporary, national service position, not a traditional employment position. A one-year commitment is required. AmeriCorps State members provide positive 4-H youth development programming under the direction of the County Extension Agent. This is a direct service position that requires transport of youth and some night and weekend hours. Members also assist with program planning, development, and volunteer management. Other activities…

Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson announces college GOAL Winner Jacquelyn Mallard and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Mike Day have been named as state finalist. The college learned that they had two state finalists during a social media video announcement by the Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier this week. Colleges normally learn who the state finalists and winner are at the state conference in Atlanta each April, however, this has not been a normal year. The state conference was cancelled due to the national pandemic. Mallard and Day will advance to state competition interviews that…

On August 26, 2020, 1:30 p.m. until 2:55 p.m., the City of Douglas Wastewater Department experienced a wastewater spill into an unnamed tributary of the Twenty Mile Creek. The spill occurred at a manhole located near the 800 block North College Avenue. During this time, approximately 6,750 gallons of wastewater were reported spilled into the unnamed tributary. At the time of the spill, the Georgia Environment Protection Division was notified. The cause of the spill was high flows due to a blocked line in the sanitary sewer system. As a precaution, it is recommended that no contact should be…