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The Coffee Regional Medical Center Emergency Department was recognized for its commitment to strengthening pediatric emergency care in Coffee County during a Dec. 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coffee Regional was celebrated for reaching key milestones as a participating hospital in the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC). The alliance, established in 2023, is a collaboration between Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), its Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s). Georgia rural hospitals face unique challenges in their ability to treat and keep pediatric patients in their communities, and KidsABC is focused on improving access to quality…

A Florida man convicted of distributing enough fentanyl to kill every resident of a south Georgia community has been sentenced to federal prison. Larry B. Taylor, 59, of Jacksonville, Florida, one of 76 defendants indicted in Operation Ghost Busted, was sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute a Quantity of Fentanyl, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Taylor to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There…

The primary mission of the Annual Festival of Lights Parade is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and quality family environment, in and on the streets of Douglas. In order to do so, the following rules and regulations are asked to be followed. All entries (no exceptions) must have an entry form on file at the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce at 114 North Peterson Avenue in order to participate in the parade. Entry fees should be paid to the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. Fees are as follows: Commercial $25.00 per entry. Non-commercial $10.00 per entry. All vehicles/units bearing a…

Eight Chinese nationals have been indicted on felony charges after investigators discovered massive indoor marijuana growing operations in rural South Georgia. All eight defendants are charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Conviction on those charges carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to life, along with fines of up to $10 million and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is…

Coffee Regional Medical Center earned national recognition for its efforts to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations across the state of Georgia through the DoNation Campaign. DoNation engages workplaces of all sizes and industries to highlight the importance in the lifesaving and life-giving mission of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. CRMC, in partnership with LifeLink® of Georgia, the local organ and tissue recovery program, and Donate Life Georgia, the state’s organ and tissue donor registry, earned its fifth Platinum recognition for conducting organ donation education and donor registration activities between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. During the…

Youth from the Coffee High chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) recently participated in a leadership conference held November 12-13, 2024 at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Covington, Georgia. Over 1,700 students and advisers from schools across Georgia participated in leadership workshops and competitions at this location. Students were motivated by the conference theme “Tuning Into Success”. Chapters also had the chance to compete in several events including Lapel Pin Design, Membership Recruitment, and Statesman Award. Coffee FCCLA was able to participate in a team-building event. Coffee High’s FCCLA chapter adviser, Tara Carver, accompanied eight members…

The Douglas-Coffee County Veterans Park Committee will host its annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10 AM at Cadet Park, located at 1 Airport Circle. World War II Veterans will be recognized at the ceremony. School groups and the public are invited to attend to learn more about Douglas’ role during World War II. The WWII Flight Training Museum will be open for school groups and visitors to view the exhibits and learn more about the history of World War II and how Douglas played a major role in training WWII pilots. National Pearl…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Sid Cottingham is the 2024 Grand Marshal for the 60th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. Come wave and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays as participants ride down Peterson Avenue on Friday, December 13 beginning at 7pm. “Celebrating 60 Years of Christmas in Coffee,” this year’s theme, comes from Everleigh Smith, daughter of Kasie Smith, of Broxton. The theme and grand marshal are chosen by the Chamber Board of Directors. Sid Cottingham has worked behind the scenes for the past 45 years making Douglas and Coffee County…

By Abbie O’Steen Jack Lingenfelter, a life-long native of Coffee County and 2023 graduate of Coffee High School, was recently named as a national officer for the Future Farmers of America Organization at the annual National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Lingenfelter is the first person from Coffee County to be chosen for this prestigious position. Each year the FFA selects a team of six officers to represent the national organization. Each state can only elect one person to represent their state as they go through the vigorous interview process in hopes of being selected as a national…

On Friday, November 22, 2024, the World War II Flight Training Museum, the 63rd Preservation Society, the WWII Flight Training Base Committee, and the City of Douglas held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Cadet Park and the Loring Memorial. This event commemorated the 72nd anniversary of Major Charles J. Loring Jr.’s heroic actions and included the dedication of a memorial in his honor. Many family members of Charles Loring, along with several distinguished guests, were present at the well-attended event. Tim Oliver, WWII Flight Training Museum Docent, was the master of ceremonies for the program. Mayor Tony Paulk welcomed everyone…