Author: Submitted

Building on its ongoing sustainability and social responsibility efforts, Pilgrim’s today announced plans to invest $475,000 in Douglas to support the community’s future and help respond to needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Pilgrim’s is working with local leaders to identify where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs in three key areas: 1) food insecurity, 2) community infrastructure and well-being, and 3) COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts. All projects will be determined by the end of the year. Community members may send suggested proposals for investment to hometownstrong@pilgrims.com. The company has already committed to…

Thursday afternoon, a Superior Court judge denied Roscoe Allen of Douglas a bond after he was arrested on aggravated stalking charges stemming from an incident that occurred at the George Washington Carver Shopping Center on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. On the evening of July 21, while Mayor Tony Paulk was meeting with citizens at the shopping center, Allen pulled up in a vehicle and began shouting at Mayor Paulk. Earlier this year, Mayor Paulk applied for and received a temporary protective order (TPO) against Allen. According to the TPO, Allen could not be within 500 yards of Paulk for…

The early bird catches the worm – or in this case, the fugitive. Khamal Meleek Webber was arrested Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in the West Green area for multiple warrants through Atkinson County including theft of motor vehicle, entering an auto, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, theft by taking and failure to appear. Webber fled from deputies Friday afternoon after deputies received a call in reference to suspicious activity. Deputies searched the Huffer and West Green areas but were unable to find Webber. Saturday morning, deputies returned to the area Webber was last seen and found…

Jason Travis Spell, age 45, of Ashland, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at Regional Medical Center in Anniston, AL. Mr. Spell was born on April 17, 1975, in Douglas, GA to Thomas Elbert Spell and Nellie Jean Wood Spell. Survivors include: Wife, Tracy Lynn Spell of Ashland, AL; daughter, Jacy Madison Spell of Douglas, GA; son, Thomas Reese Spell of Ashland, AL; son, Case Browning Spell of Ashland, AL; mother, Nellie Jean Wood Spell of Broxton, GA; brother, Rusty Spell of Broxton, GA; sister, Connie Walker (Mark) of Nicholls, GA; father-in-law, Marvin Douglas of Douglas, GA; mother-in-law, Jean Douglas…

By Trevor Wenners LaGrange College You could not have designed a more ideal Division III student-athlete than McKenzie Brunel of Broxton. The 2020 LaGrange College graduate was the real deal for the Panthers’ softball team from 2017-20. She was named to the USA South West Division First and Second Team, respectively, in 2017 and 2018. During the 2018 season, Brunel showcased her mental and physical strength, overcoming a torn ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus. Brunel earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing in May and is focused on making an immediate and considerable impact in the medical field.…

Mr. Bobby Rowland, age 70 of Douglas, passed away late Thursday evening, August 20, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mr. Rowland was born November 15, 1949 to the late V. Horace Rowland and the late Evelyn Bullard Rowland. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elmira Rowland; and siblings Billy Rowland, Bennie Rowland, Burnell McNatt and Barbara Truell. Mr. Rowland, a native of Coffee County, was self-employed as a truck driver. He attended Douglas Christian Fellowship Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Baker Rowland of Douglas, GA; step-children Cherry Callahan…

Mr. Bobby Rowland, age 70 of Douglas, passed away late Thursday evening, August 20, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mr. Rowland was born November 15, 1949 to the late V. Horace Rowland and the late Evelyn Bullard Rowland. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elmira Rowland; and siblings Billy Rowland, Bennie Rowland, Burnell McNatt and Barbara Truell. Mr. Rowland, a native of Coffee County, was self-employed as a truck driver. He attended Douglas Christian Fellowship Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Baker Rowland of Douglas, GA; step-children Cherry Callahan…

Mr. Bobby Rowland, age 70 of Douglas, passed away late Thursday evening, August 20, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mr. Rowland was born November 15, 1949 to the late V. Horace Rowland and the late Evelyn Bullard Rowland. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elmira Rowland; and siblings Billy Rowland, Bennie Rowland, Burnell McNatt and Barbara Truell. Mr. Rowland, a native of Coffee County, was self-employed as a truck driver. He attended Douglas Christian Fellowship Church. Survivors include his wife, Mary Baker Rowland of Douglas, GA; step-children Cherry Callahan…

Barbara Kight Rish, age 72, of Broxton, Georgia passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Memorial Satilla Health. in Waycross, GA. Mrs. Rish was born on August 30, 1947, in Douglas to Edward Kight and Mildred Ricketson Kight. Mrs. Rish was a member of the Broxton Baptist Church where she served as pianist. She was also employed by SunTrust Bank and Douglas National Bank as a bank teller for many years. Survivors include: Husband, Herbert Wayne Rish, Sr. of Broxton, GA; son, Wayne Rish, Jr. of Broxton, GA; grandchildren Jordon Rish, Jessie Rish, Jase Rish, Dane Rish,and Joseph Rish; brother, Gerald…

Bernard “Buzz” Watkins, age 69, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Watkins was born on July 28, 1951 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin the son of the late Thomas Watkins and Eileen Newton Watkins. Buzz worked for Elixir Industries as a quality control manager for the past 20 years. He loved woodworking, anything to do with science, his truck, but his greatest joy was rooting for the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. Mr. Watkins was a veteran of the United States Navy. In addition to his parents,…