Author: Submitted

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that unemployment rates increased in nearly all regions of the state during October, except for the Three Rivers Regional Commission. “While most regions across Georgia experienced a slight uptick in unemployment, our state continues to lead the way with an unemployment rate well below the national average,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As job growth slows across the nation, Georgia’s resilience shines through—driven by commonsense policies that prioritize opportunity, growth, and a workforce ready to lead. This stability proves that Georgia’s economy is built not just to withstand challenges but to thrive for generations…

Following the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)’s investigation into Georgia’s state prisons, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff urged the State to swiftly improve conditions in Georgia prisons, which the DOJ found were “unconstitutional.” Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock urged Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) Commissioner Tyrone Oliver to promptly address the deeply concerning findings in the DOJ’s report last month on Georgia’s state prison system, which found conditions in Georgia’s prisons “violate the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.” The DOJ’s investigation of Georgia’s state-operated prisons found that “the State of Georgia engages in a pattern or practice of violating incarcerated persons’ constitutional…

The annual Cup of Coffee VEX Robotics tournament showcased cutting-edge innovation and problem-solving by pushing the boundaries of design, programming, and teamwork. Students from six schools competed in the all-day event for a variety of awards and hopefully an invitation to the state championships in February. Jerry Hill, Coffee High School Robotics advisor stated, “We were excited to see our teams compete and channel their creativity and technical skills into real-world applications. Events like these inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.” This tournament is an opportunity for the community to witness firsthand the transformative potential of STEM education…

The process of rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues. There are several groups coming to the community to help with the ongoing recovery effort. And some are already here. Hope for Coffee was birthed through a partnership with The Hope Initiative (THI), a Christian nonprofit that provides spiritual and material aid to those impacted by natural disasters. After God led this team to Douglas, Hope for Coffee began as a community-based church initiative to support future community recovery needs with THI serving as a mentoring agency. The first volunteer mission team, under the leadership of Hope for Coffee,…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce hosted a jubilant “lasso cutting” ceremony on Monday, November 18, celebrating the much-anticipated grand opening of Longhorn Steakhouse in Douglas Square. As a key player in this thriving retail and dining development, Longhorn’s arrival represents years of collaborative efforts and a shared vision among local leadership and economic stakeholders. The ceremony, led by Ben Floyd, Board Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, began with a warm welcome and words of excitement for this new partnership. Rueben Speight of Greater Destiny International Ministries blessed the occasion with a prayer for the success of the restaurant…

ONE Compelling Picture has released a movie trailer for their second film this year called Because You Answered. The production company filmed the movie on location in Douglas, Broxton, and Alma over the summer throughout June and July. Earlier last month, ONE Compelling Picture released the trailer of Redwood, which was filmed in Douglas and Broxton in the summer of 2023. The production company is slated to release both Redwood, Because You Answered, and a third movie called When Eyes Can’t See in early 2025. Release and premiere information will be announced later this year. Producers worked together alongside the…

South Georgia State College’s men’s basketball team remains undefeated through five games after sweeping the 11th annual Applebee’s Okefenokee Classic this past weekend in Waycross. The Hawks (5-0) held on to defeat Denmark Tech 81-77 Friday night and mounted a second half comeback Saturday afternoon to beat St. Petersburg Community College 74-69. The Hawks trailed St. Petersburg 42-31 after the first 20 minutes, making only 32 percent of their field goals, a total of four three-pointers, and shooting less than 50 percent from the free throw line. The St. Petersburg lead grew to as many as 15 points in the…

From November 8-10, 2024, over 1,900 attendees from 146 schools across Georgia gathered for an unforgettable weekend at the annual Georgia TSA Fall Leadership Conference, themed ‘Lights! Camera! Lead!’ This event brought together students and advisors for a spectacular experience focused on leadership development, communication, and team-building skills. Throughout the weekend, participants engaged in leadership development workshops, and informative technical sessions that explored what it truly means to lead and succeed in a technical world. The conference featured several signature events, including the VEX Robotics Tournament, the annual Armada Cardboard Boat Race, and The Island Video Contest. Participants also had the opportunity…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is seeking information from the public that will aid in the investigation into the death of 25-year-old Devin Jeter, of Scottsdale, GA. Jeter’s body was found in the Ocmulgee River near Lumber City, GA. On November 11, 2024, at about 12:55 p.m., a local fisherman discovered a body at a boat landing along the Ocmulgee River. Responding to the discovery, Telfair County Sheriff Sim Davidson requested GBI assistance in the investigation. The deceased was soon identified as Jeter, who had been reported missing by his family to the Atlanta Police Department three days earlier on…

The City of Douglas, in partnership with action pact, Coffee County Commission, and Coffee County Board of Education (CCBOE) held the ribbon cutting for the Head Start and Early Head Start Expansion Project and Dedication of the Sandra “Gail” Johnson Building on Thursday, November 7, 2024. With the completion of the expansion project, the Coffee County Head Start program is now poised to meet the growing educational and nutritional needs of children in the community. The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony included remarks from community leaders, including representatives from action pact, the City of Douglas, CCOBE, and the Coffee County Commission. The…