Author: Submitted

Christopher Brockington remains at large for drug-related charges filed in an unsealed indictment that claims 37 individuals were involved in operating a gang and drug trafficking network across Coffee, Bacon, Ware, Atkinson, and Lowndes counties. This investigation was conducted as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a successful initiative that collaborates various levels of law enforcement to decrease violent crime and enhance community safety. Additionally, the case was pursued under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the most significant criminal organizations posing a threat to the…

The Coffee Baseball Varsity Team stepped off the field and into the community this past Friday night as they volunteered at Night to Shine, a prom experience for individuals with special needs organized by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted locally by First Baptist Church and GracePointe Church. This initiative was part of a new community service program implemented by head coach Scott Grove designed to instill leadership, teamwork, and a spirit of giving back among his varsity players. As part of the program, each senior player was tasked with identifying a community service project for the team to participate…

A call from a concerned citizen led to an arrest on multiple counts of animal cruelty. According to a report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, on January 27, 2025, an officer responded to a call concerning possible animal cruelty. When a deputy arrived on the scene (231 Forest Ridge Road), Animal Control was already there. The deputy and AC officer saw three dogs – one dead black bulldog mix, a brown pit bulldog, and an adult mixed breed dog. According to the report, all three dogs showed signs of malnourishment. The surviving dogs were chained to trees with no…

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, officers responded to what was initially reported as a welfare check at a residence on Bethel Road. Upon arrival, they encountered an elderly woman who was crying out in agony. Family members from Cleveland, Tenn., who were visiting for a funeral, had become concerned about their loved one, who had been placed under the care of Shiquil Paulk, 31, of Douglas. Unable to gain access to the home, they contacted authorities, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Given the circumstances, officers made the difficult decision to breach the residence, leading to the discovery of…

The First Academy Middle School and Varsity Lions swim team competed at the GAPPS state swim meet on Saturday, February 1. The middle school girls placed fifth overall. Listed below are the results: Middle School Girls Medley Relay 5th place (Avary Layne Leavens, Livi Leavens, Johanna Merritt and Avery Wooten) Middle School Girls Free Relay 9th place (Macie Buese, Avary Layne Leavens, Johanna Merritt, and Kaylee Wooten) Middle School Boys Free Relay 13th place (Emmett Davis, Charles Evans, Seth Hope, and Reid Winge) Seth Hope (8th Grade) Avary Layne Leavens (7th Grade) Livi Leavens (6th Grade) Johanna Merritt (8th Grade)…

Despite both the girls and boys beating Robert Toombs Christian Academy (RTCA) at home last Thursday, both teams fell short on Tuesday in Lyons. In a back and forth battle, the Lady Patriots lost a nail biter 34-30 to the Crusaders. Plagued by turnovers but tied at the half, the Lady Patriots didn’t quite have enough offensively to fend off RTCA. Arabelle Roberts led the Lady Patriots with 22 pts and 11 rebounds. Much like the girls’ game, the boys’ game could have gone either way in the final minutes. Despite balanced scoring with three Patriots in double digits (Thomas…

On February 5, students from the CMS chapters of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) traveled to the state Capitol to participate in Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Day. This annual event brings together student leaders from across the state to learn about government, advocacy, and the importance of career and technical education (CTE). Throughout the day, CMS students had the opportunity to meet with legislators, State Representative Angie O’Steen, Representative James Burchett and tour the Capitol. They gained valuable insights into how state policies impact education and workforce development.…

On the beautiful morning of Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Coffee County School System, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for West Green Elementary School. Chelsea Preston Graham, Member Relations Director at the Chamber of Commerce, warmly welcomed attendees and opened the ceremony before passing the floor to Superintendent, Dr. Morris Leis. Dr. Leis captivated the audience with a fascinating history of the West Green community—how it was founded, how it received its name, and the origins of West Green Elementary’s beloved mascot, inspired by…

In late 2024, sheriff’s deputies identified a rising trend of criminal activity in the Green Acres area, prompting multiple calls regarding prowlers, suspicious individuals, and other unwanted behaviors. Situated in the southernmost region of the county, Green Acres has increasingly become a focal point for concerns related to drug-related offenses and theft. This uptick in incidents not only poses a threat to community safety but also necessitates a strategic and systematic response from local law enforcement agencies. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the sheriff’s office initiated measures aimed at curbing these patterns of criminal behavior in the area. In…

As of Friday Feb 7, 2025 the FBI has confirmed to have in custody 35 of the 37 criminals indicted on federal charges in a sweeping raid last Thursday. As of today, the two remaining wanted criminals are Christopher Brockington, also known as Chris Brock, 44, of Douglas, and Reginald Powell, also known as Yetti Glock, 36, of Douglas. On Thursday, January 30, 2025, an unsealed federal indictment was released alleging dozens of defendants, many of them in prison, participated in an extensive drug trafficking operation spanning several South Georgia communities. The indictment in USA v. Brinson, et al., names…