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Cothern and Woodward win state at 4-H Congress Kevin Tatum University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Congratulations to two of Georgia’s newest Master 4-H’ers. Savannah Cothern and Evie Woodward were announced state winners in their project at State 4-H Congress in Atlanta during the week of July 23-26. Savannah won in the Dairy Foods project and Evie took first in the Performing Arts-Vocal project. This all came about because each year in February senior 4-H members (9th – 12th graders) have the opportunity to compete in District Project Achievement (DPA). This competition entails a 4-H member selecting a project, working on…

Mr. Earl Lee Newell, age 80 of Douglas, passed away Thursday morning, August 1, 2019 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Newell was born February 18, 1939 to the late Fletcher Newell and the late Florine Strickland Newell.Mr. Newell, a native of Coffee County, had been a retail salesman with Matthews Furniture.He was a member of Morningside Baptist Church. Survivors include: His wife of 60 years, Patricia “Pat” Singletary Newell of Douglas; children Lataine Taylor and husband Terry of Fitzgerald, Van Newell of Douglas, and Chandler Newell and wife Allison of Douglas; sister Earline Spivey and husband R.W. of Douglas;…

By Paul Pugliese for CAES News The Tomato Festival in Cartersville, Georgia, includes awards to gardeners who grow the “Prettiest Tomato,” “Biggest Tomato” and, my favorite category, “Ugliest Tomato.” Why homegrown tomatoes are sometimes ugly is a common question I get as a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent. There are several tomato disorders that cause a variety of “ugly” deformities in tomatoes. Most of these disorders are caused by environmental stresses, insects or certain plant diseases. In most cases, the tomatoes may look bad, but they are still edible as long as the fruit are harvested before they start to rot. Many…

Rodney L. Williams, age 50, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday July 25, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center, Savannah. Mr. Williams was born on August 19, 1968 in Ware County, the son of Marilyn Bowen Robinson and the late Roy V. Williams Sr. Mr. Williams was employed by Sayer Farms and was of Church of God faith. He was also a veteran of the United States Army. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy V. Williams Jr. Survivors include his wife, Renee Batten Williams of Douglas; three daughters, Kimberly Williams of Atlanta, Blane Donahue…

Ms. Dolores McLellan Moye, age 89 of Douglas, passed away early Monday morning, July 29, 2019 at Langdale Hospice House in Valdosta following an extended illness. Ms. Moye was born April 26, 1930 to the late Wheeler McLellan and the late Ollie Myrtle McLellan.Ms. Moye, a native of Tampa, was a registered nurse and had many years of experience in the nursing field.Survivors include: Children Mike Moye, Dan Moye and Kathryn Moye all of Douglas; sisters Linda McLellan of North Carolina and Pauline Hunter of Tampa; grandchildren Dylan Moye, Dustin Moye, Deanna Moye, Matthew Moye and Jason Moye, all of Douglas; several nieces, nephews, cousins…

Mrs. Cynthia Ray Mason, 59, passed away at her home on July 22, 2019. She was born to the late Ray and Naomi McCoy in Cayce, South Carolina, on December 29, 1959. She is survived by her husband Cody Vaughn; sons Arron Mason and Eric Mason; three grandchildren; and several other family members. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Sandra Kay Kirkland, age 59, of Nicholls, passed away on Sunday July 28, 2019 at her residence. Mrs. Kirkland was born on June 18, 1960 in Douglas, the daughter of Lynette Stone Story and the late Samuel Waver Story. Mrs. Kirkland worked in the mobile home transport business. Survivors include her husband, Kiler Kirkland of Nicholls; son, Kenneth Kalen Kirkland of Nicholls; step-son, Timothy Kiler Kirkland of Jacksonville, Fla.; one granddaughter; mother, Lynette Story of Douglas; two brothers, Sammy Story of Fitzgerald and Billy Story of Douglas; two sisters, Pat Turner of Douglas and Linda Hunt of Clarksville; several nieces and…

4-H offering three target sports coaching training Kevin Tatum University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service Each year, Georgia 4-H offers a training for target sports coaches. For years, it has been a three day (weekend) training held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This year, the training will only be two days, Friday and Saturday with some online training to be done ahead of time. Trainings are offered for rifle, pistol, archery, and shotgun disciplines. This is a required training for any adult who would like to serve as a coach with any of the 4-H target sports programs. In…

The ink will barely be dry on the memorandums of understanding signed by South Georgia State College (SGSC), Coffee County and Ware County school districts before the inaugural Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education program begins fall semester of 2019. During the week of July 8, representatives from SGSC and both partner school systems gathered on the Douglas and Waycross campuses to enter into an agreement showing their commitment to support this newly accredited program. Students will be prepared to receive a degree and certification in elementary and special education, and qualify for the addition of a reading endorsement…

A Florida man who set up and operated a fake debt collection business has been sentenced to federal prison for fraud. Vincent Plumb, 56, of Sarasota, Fla., was sentenced to 48 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa G. Wood after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. In addition, Plumb and other previously sentenced defendants are ordered to forfeit assets as part of $130,523.13 in restitution to more than 200 victims who were defrauded in the scheme, and to serve…