Author: Submitted

Mr. David Arthur Samples, age 75 of Broxton, passed away Thursday evening, November 21, 2019 at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., following an extended illness. Mr. Samples was born July 25, 1944 to the late James Arthur Samples and the late Beatrice Brown Samples. Mr. Samples, a native of Fulton County, was employed in the construction/plumbing business. He was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include: Daughters Michelle Samples and Bobbie Samples, both of Georgia; brother Frank Samples of Kingston; and several cousins and friends. A memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date. Ricketson Funeral Home is…

Ms. Lillian Faye Tomasich McFarland, age 75 of Alma, passed away early Monday morning, November 25, 2019, at Twin Oaks Convalescent Center in Alma, following an extended illness. Ms. McFarland was born December 15, 1943 to the late Oscar Tomasich and the late Merle Carter Tomasich. Ms. McFarland was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth McFarland; and a son Anthony Richardson. Ms. McFarland, a native of Mobile, Ala., was a homemaker. She attended First Assembly of God Church in Douglas. Survivors include: Daughter Paige Adcock of Douglas; daughter-in-law Mary Ann Richardson of Mobile, Ala.; step-children Dana McGill of Aiken,…

On November 16, 2019, deputies were dispatched to the Aden’s Convenience Store on Highway 221 North in the Oak Park. Upon arrival, deputies were advised that a black male had entered the store and had grabbed the money from the cash register and left the area in a green SUV. An investigator with the Criminal Investigation Division was notified and responded to the location. The officer obtained video footage as part of the investigation. The individual’s identification was unknown so video footage and several still pictures was released to the news media and put on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.…

Jayce Moore’s layup with 12.4 seconds remaining in regulation gave South Georgia State College a one point lead, and the Hawks held on to upset No. 8 USC-Salkehatchie 70-68 Saturday afternoon in Waycross. The win maintains SGSC’s perfect record at the start of the regular season. “This was a great win,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “It takes everyone to knock off a top 10 team in the country. That’s what we had this past Saturday. The crowd was behind us the entire game.” Will Ferguson led the Hawks (7-0) with 20 points and six rebounds. Antonio Vendola…

Interactive veterans museum visits freshman campus By Ariyelle Wells, journalism student at GWCFC Recently George Washington Freshman Campus (GWCFC) hosted an interactive veterans museum, where students, faculty, and staff could go to listen and learn more about our veterans who served in the armed forces. There were a variety of veterans from all over, including those in the Douglas community and those who work at GWCFC. The veterans also brought memorabilia from their time in the military to share with students. The event helped create awareness, enthusiasm, respect for our nation, armed forces, and veterans. Students learned that being in…

Wiregrass’ LPN program ranked fifth in Georgia Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson is proud to share that the college’s Practical Nursing program has been ranked number five in the state according to the Nursing Process.org website. According to Nursing Process.org website, there is expected to be almost 1,000 new job openings for practical nurses across the state each year. Their website is designed to help those interested in the field to choose the best Practical Nursing programs in the state. Jackie Spriggs, Dean for Academic Affairs for Allied Health shared this about the program’s placement, “We are so proud…

Mike Day named Wiregrass instructor of year Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Welding Instructor Mike Day received the 2020 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction, also known as Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction is awarded annually. This award is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Instructors are nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by their peers. Competition among instructors occurs at the college, regional, and state levels. Two finalists participated in the…

Betty Jean Buchan, age 85, of Nicholls, passed away on Wednesday November 20, 2019 at Irwin County Hospital. Mrs. Buchan was born on October 7, 1934 in Irwin County, the daughter of the late Curtis Barrentine and the late Nellie Grantham Barrentine. She was a homemaker and a member of Saginaw Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Buchan; brother, Buddy Barrentine; sister, Evelyn Rowell; granddaughter, Joy Burnam, great grandson; Jesse Knowles; and son-in-law, Clinton Russ. Survivors include four daughters, Sherry Russ of Nicholls, Debby Burnam (Mickey) of Nicholls, Dinky Kirkland…

Detectives with the Douglas Police Department have secured an arrest warrant for an individual connected to the armed robbery of Malcom’s Pharmacy that occurred on March 12, 2019. On that day, Malcom’s Pharmacy at 205 S. Peterson Avenue in Douglas was robbed by two black males armed with handguns. The males escaped on a black motorcycle that was recovered a short time after the robbery in the City of Douglas. The motorcycle was reported stolen from Fayetteville, Ga. On July 15, 2019 two black males armed with handguns entered Lumber City Drug Store in Lumber City and robbed…

Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week Nov. 22-28 As Georgia’s fall harvest season winds down, and everyone prepares for Thanksgiving, Coffee County Farm Bureau invites you to celebrate Farm-City Week Nov. 22-28. Farm-City Week highlights the relationship between Georgia farmers and their partners in urban areas who prepare, transport, market and retail the food and fiber that farmers grow for consumers. Kiwanis International began Farm-City Week in 1955 to increase the understanding of the partnership between urban and rural residents. Farm days at schools, farm tours, banquets and mayoral proclamations are just a few of the activities county Farm Bureaus will…