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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Wiregrass Georgia Technical College an Advanced Technology Education Grant in the amount of $299,206. The college will use this grant money to create curriculum for technician training that will bring the college’s instruction up to and in-line with Industry 4.0 standards. The technician training grant will be instrumental in allowing Wiregrass Tech the time and resources to create fourth generation instructional and training curriculum. “To put this in a current, real world perspective, think about how eight weeks ago when our nation was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic,” shared Dr. Shawn Utley,…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator I thought I would give the kids a fun recipe this week, edible playdough. This recipe is super easy to make and only uses three ingredients, creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and honey. You will need 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, and ¼ to ½ cup honey (just enough to make it stick together). Mix all of the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Then enjoy playing (and eating) your playdough. For some great ideas in the kitchen, visit the UGA Extension’s “FoodTalk” website at https://foodtalk.org. It…

Wiregrass is proud of dual enrollment Welding students from Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy. Cody Thurman (11th grade), Ryan Fields (10th grade), Stacy Rodriquez (11th grade), and Evan Merritt (11th grade) competed in the State SkillsUSA competition in March. The high school students were able to compete before it was announced the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19. The team placed in the top 8 in regionals and second in state. The students practiced on their own two times a week for six months. Evan and Stacy have started building and welding in their spare time as a side…

Coffee Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce, effective immediately, new patient and family visitation guidelines. Patients in all units including the Emergency Department will be allowed to have one designated visitor. Obstetrical patients may have two visitors and can swap out at the discretion of the charge nurse. Visitors will not be allowed in the COVID Unit. This unit includes COVID-19 positive patients as well as patients under investigation awaiting tests results for COVID-19. These patients may be contacted on their personal cellular devices or by calling their room directly. Procedures remain in place to ensure immediate family members…

Mr. William “Bill” A. Steele, age 79, of Willacoochee, Ga., passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020 following an extended illness. Survivors include: Wife Mona Lynn Steele of Willacoochee, Ga.; sons Andy Steele of Willacoochee, Ga., Alex Steele and wife Jessica of Blackshear, Ga., James Steele and wife Angela of Pearson, Ga., Adam Steele and Brittany Morrison of Nicholls, Ga., and Austin Steele of Willacoochee, Ga.; daughters Wendy Mueller of Charlotte, N.C., Kristy Applegate and husband Tony of Kampala, Uganda, Africa, and Paula Amy Steele and Timmy Hall of Nashville, Ga.; brothers Levi Steele and wife Shirley of Chattanooga, TN, and…

Mrs. Barbara Ann Spradley Pierce, 73 of Coffee County, GA, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Coffee Regional Medical Center with her loved ones by her side. She is the daughter of the late Chuck Spradley and Jeanette Turnbaugh. Mrs. Pierce is survived by her son, Billy Bennett (Tammy) of Douglas, GA; granddaughters Amber Edgy (James) of Waynesville, GA, Amanda Whitford (Bryan) of Navarre, FL, and Jenna Musgrove of Pearson, GA; grandsons Jimmy Walker of Darien, GA and McKinley Musgrove of Axson, GA; sister Shirley Mitchell; brother-in-law Brooks Mitchell; nine great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and other family members also…

Abby Unger, a senior biology major from Willacoochee, has been selected as the top academic student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. As ABAC’s J.G. Woodroof Scholar, Unger represented the college in Atlanta in February when the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia hosted the Academic Recognition Day students from each of the 26 colleges and universities in the USG at its meeting. Chancellor Steve Wrigley then honored the students at a luncheon, attended by ABAC President David Bridges and Unger’s family. The Woodroof Scholar Award is named for Dr. J.G. Woodroof, the first president of ABAC in 1933. …

On Thursday, May 7, 2020 agents and investigators with the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Justin Dwayne Harris, 32, in connection with the death of William K. Graham. Harris was arrested on one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault. Harris is being held in the Bacon County Jail. On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the GBI’s Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at approximately 6:52 a.m., Bacon County 911 received a call that a body was found at 144 Marigold…

By Amanda Hayes Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have experienced feelings of fear, sadness, and uncertainty. The virus is an unseen enemy that we have battled with disinfectant wipes, disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer, and bleach. We wear face masks and use gloves when going out in public. Yet, with all of these precautions, this unseen enemy can still attack and enter our bodies undetected through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Many of us have not had to worry about facing this enemy on the frontlines of the battle; however, there are countless healthcare…

Mr. Thomas E. White, age 75, of Axson, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020. Survivors include: Wife Loraine Merrell White of Axson; sons David Randall White and wife Virginia of Zolfo Springs, FL, Brian Joseph White of Sebring, FL, Jason Michael White of Axson, and Sean Phillip White and wife Delaney of Axson; daughter Tonya Woods and husband Tim of Sebring, FL; brother Charles O’Bannon and wife Karen of Naples, FL; sisters Sally Ann Matthews of Bushnell, FL and Cathy Dove and husband Ray of Tallahassee, FL; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.…