Author: Submitted

Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members who grow Bermudagrass hay are encouraged to enter the 2020 GFB Quality Hay Contest. Hay entered in the contest will be tested at a University of Georgia lab using the Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Test, which provides an analysis of the nutritional value of the hay. Winners will be determined by the RFQ analysis. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31. Winners will be announced the first week of December. Prizes will be presented to the top five producers. The first-place winner will receive the free use of a Vermeer 604R baler for one…

On August 17, 2020, the Coffee County Drug Unit assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a traffic stop. The GSP stopped Bradley Barton, 26 years old of Douglas, for speeding. The trooper observed Barton throw something out of the window; he was able to collect the evidence, which was a package containing numerous bags of suspected methamphetamine. The package was turned over to the drug unit. The evidence field tested which resulted in a positive result for methamphetamine was weighed on non-certified scale and yielded a weight of 4.7grams. Barton was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent…

Following a lengthy narcotics investigation into Jonathan Alvin Pope, 36, of the 1600 block of Gilmore Street and his illegal activities, a combined team of law enforcement officers arrested him as well as Ashlee Nichole Pope, 30, of the 5700 block of Central Avenue following a traffic stop in Millwood Wednesday night. The multi-jurisdictional team participating in the investigation and arrests consisted of Ware County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Coffee County Drug Unit deputies, Brantley County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Georgia State Patrol troopers, Waycross Police Department, and a special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College announces the Virtual Fall Guardian Bank Entrepreneurship Academy starting in October, free for current Wiregrass students and alumni. The UGA Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University is partnering with Guardian Bank and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to deliver six courses with 12 hours of total class time. The business topics to be discussed include: writing a business plan, money finance and accounting, marketing, human resources, and strategic planning. The courses will have knowledgeable speakers in specialized business areas, self-evaluation, and opportunities to participate in question and answer time with guest speakers. The UGA SBDC will also provide…

Genelda Davis Courson, age 93, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Mrs. Courson was born on December 4, 1926 the daughter of the late Jordan Davis and Barbara Roughton Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis Courson Sr. Mrs. Courson was a retired registered nurse working with Coffee Regional Medical Center for many years, where she was Assistant Director of Nursing. She had work for Dr. Sage Harper, Dr. T.K. Stapleton and Dr. Dan Jardine. Mrs. Courson was a member of Westwood Baptist Church. Survivors…

Mr. William Shawn Smith, 42 of Willacoochee, GA, passed away on August 14, 2020. He is the son of the late William Daniel Smith and Betty Jo Mathis. Mr. Smith is survived by his daughter, Chyanne Myers (Dusty Myers) of Nahunta, GA; step-daughter, Morgan Carter of Pearson, GA; step-sons, Aaron Dale of Pearson, GA and Nick Bennett of Pearson, GA; mother of step-children, Sharon Smith of Pearson, GA; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Other than his parents Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by several other family members. Visitation services will take place in…

Ms. Amanda Walker, 52 of Pearson, GA, passed away on August 12, 2020 under the care of Pruitt Hospice. She is the daughter of the late James Robert Walker and Susie Jane Watson. Ms. Walker is survived by her daughter, Jessica Hodges (Preston Hasty) of Douglas, GA; sister Suzette Oliver (Richard) of Pearson, GA; nieces Amanda Oliver of Douglas, GA, Wendy Oliver of Douglas, GA, Savannah Oliver of Homerville, GA, Felisha Highnate of Pearson, GA., and Megan Davis of Douglas, GA; grandson Shawn Rayford Hodges of Douglas, GA; great-nephew William David Touchton of Pearson, GA; great nieces Rileigh Jayde…

Ms. Jacqueline Suzette Cerrano, 45 of Coffee County, passed away on Tuesday August 4, 2020 at her residence with her loved ones by her side. She is the daughter of late Vance Sumner and Sharon Toler. Ms. Cerrano is survived by her daughters, Kristina Eubanks (Caleb Smith) of Douglas, GA and Reyna Cerrano of Douglas, GA; sons Vance Sumner of Douglas, GA and Peyton Cerrano of Douglas, GA; husband Walter Cerrano of Douglas, GA; grandsons Kaysen Smith of Douglas, GA and Brysen Martin of Douglas; two nieces and one nephew also survive. Other than her parents Ms. Cerrano…

Mrs. Patricia Jackson Batten, age 72 of Pearson, Ga., passed away Monday, August 10, 2020 at her home following a brief illness. Survivors include: Sons Mark Batten and wife, Jody, of Pearson, Ga., and Tracy Batten and wife, Stacy, of Pearson, Ga.; daughters Karen Stalvey and husband, Richard of Hinesville, Ga., and Tammy Moore of Douglas, Ga.; sisterBa rbara Myers of Dalton, Ga.; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services for Mrs. Batten will be held Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Relihan Funeral Home Chapel in Pearson with Rev.…

Mary Frances Smith Davis, age 78, of Nicholls, Georgia, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020, at Langdale Hospice House in Valdosta, GA. Frances was born on June 12, 1942, in Douglas, GA to Hugh Dorsey Smith and Cecile Metts Smith. Her survivors include: Daughter, Karen Cecile (Jimmy) Davis of Valdosta, GA, daughter, Julie (Dave) Dipietro of Mullica Hill, NJ; son, David (Susan) Davis of Alma, GA; brothers Donnie (Marilyn) Smith of Willacoochee, GA and, Ricky (Joy) Smith of Ambrose, GA; grandchildren, Kyle Davis, Evan Davis, Frances Dipietro, Chris Dipietro; one great-grandchild, Avery Anna Davis; brother-in-law, Herman Fussell and several nieces and nephews. She was…