Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has once again earned national recognition for marketing excellence in the 2026 Collegiate Advertising Awards (CAA) program. The prestigious competition honors outstanding achievement in marketing, advertising, and communications among colleges, universities, and educational organizations across the United States and Canada. The 2026 CAA received entries from institutions of all sizes—ranging from small community colleges to large universities. Submissions were evaluated by a national panel of industry experts based on a 100-point scoring system, with entries competing against similarly sized institutions in designated categories. Wiregrass Georgia Tech’s Marketing and Public Relations team earned multiple national honors in…
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Douglas Rotary Club met at Douglas First Methodist Church on June 4, 2026 to celebrate Wiregrass Technical College Student of the Month Jermaine Riley as an early childhood program student of distinction and to hear from new Salvation Army Service Center Director Jessie Copcutt. Mr. Riley was introduced by his instructor, Songelyn Smith, and joined at the meeting by Adult Education Dean Kelly Peacock. He had previously been honored by Douglas Rotary in 2025 as a top adult learner. He shared an amazing journey with members and guests and is most deserving of two recognitions. He received a framed certificate…
On June 3, 2026, officers with the Douglas Police Department responded to shots fired in the area of Unity Park. Upon arrival, officers conducted an area search and began gathering information related to the incident. During the investigation, officers learned that an individual had arrived at the hospital with gunshot related injuries. Witnesses in the area reported hearing multiple gunshots and observing several individuals fleeing the scene. The DPD’s Criminal Investigations Unit continues to follow up on leads. Officers are asking for the public’s assistance. Even the smallest piece of information could be valuable to investigators and help move this…
South Georgia State College celebrated its graduates during annual commencement ceremonies May 14, 2026, on the Douglas Campus and May 15, 2026, on the Waycross Campus. Family members and friends gathered to cheer on a portion of the 350 graduates from summer and fall 2025 and spring 2026. SGSC President Dr. Greg Tanner opened the ceremonies with congratulations to the Class of 2026 and recognized the hard work, long nights, perseverance, and faith that brought graduates to commencement day. He noted that this year is especially meaningful. For 120 years, South Georgia State College has been a place of opportunity…
The Douglas-Coffee County Veterans Park Committee, American Legion Post 515, VFW 5976, and the City of Douglas invite the community to attend a special ceremony dedicating a memorial to Douglas resident John Strickland Gibson, known as the “Man Who Saved the G.I. Bill.” The ceremony will take place at the Douglas Municipal Airport Terminal on June 10, 2026, at 9 a.m. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, widely known as the G.I. Bill, was designed to help World War II veterans including minorities and women return to civilian life by providing support for education, housing, and unemployment benefits. It also…
Dr. Gordon Boone, age 79, of Douglas, Ga., passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Lakeside Senior Living in Douglas, Ga. following an extended illness. Survivors include two sons, Mitchell Boone and wife Lindsay of Douglas, Georgia and Brad Boone of Jacksonville, Georgia; daughter, Arlena Dobbins and husband Kent of Jacksonville, Florida; four grandchildren: Braydon Boone, Landon Smith, Lindsey Dobbins, and Lauren Gaul and husband Chris. Dr. Boone was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Ruth Weathers Boone, wife, Luzy Deen Boone, 4 brothers, JD, Charlie, Bobby and Sydney Boone, and 2 sisters, Madge Haskins and Lelia Boone.…
Mrs. Ingeburg Schlaffer Holton, age 85, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026, peacefully at her home following an extended illness. Mrs. Holton was born September 26, 1940, in Mainz, Germany, to the late Herman Unversagt and the late Magdalena Schlaffer. She was a homemaker and a proud United States military wife and mother as well as a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed home decorating and was an excellent cook who will long be remembered for preparing her wonderful German food. She was of the Catholic faith. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death…
Ms. Cowanna Diane Music, age 58, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Monday evening, June 1, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, following a recent illness. Cowanna was born September 26, 1967, in McRae, Georgia, to Mary Diane Cothern Gillis of Jacksonville, Georgia and the late Frank White, Jr. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family, but especially her grandchildren. She also found great joy and satisfaction eating Moon Pies and drinking a cold Pepsi Cola. She was of the Baptist faith. Along with her father, Cowanna was also…
Mrs. Kathy Batten Stone, age 64, a lifelong resident of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Monday afternoon, June 1, 2026, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a sudden illness. Kathy was born December 22, 1961, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Herbert Batten and the late Doris Ricketson Batten. She was a graduate of Coffee County High School, and she continued her education obtaining an associate’s degree in business. She married the love of her life, Stanley Nelson Stone, and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Reagan and Whitney. Kathy loved the Lord and was an active member of Douglas First…
A Hazlehurst accountant has tallied a half-million-dollar Georgia Lottery win. Azucena Hernandez, 56, played the $500,000 Ca$h Blowout scratch-off game and won one of the game’s $500,000 top prizes. The lucky ticket was purchased at Mr. T’s, located at 1400 Bowens Mill Road SE in Douglas. The mother of two stopped by the store and decided to purchase a ticket. “I won $100 and bought two more tickets,” Hernandez said. One of those tickets yielded her $500,000 prize. “I was in shock,” she said. “I’m very excited.” Hernandez claimed her winnings on May 8 and plans to invest the prize.