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Wiregrass Tech faculty spotlight: Dr. Darlene Ridley When you meet Dr. Darlene Ridley, one of the first things you notice is how softspoken she is along with her sweet smile. But don’t be mistaken that she’s timid; she’s tough as nails and is the director of the #1 RN program in the state of Georgia. Dr. Ridley’s career at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College began the first day the college began the Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) program in June 2012. Since that time Dr. Ridley has not only been instrumental in creating and developing the program curriculum, but has…

Holiday Inn Express holds grand re-opening On Thursday, May 23, the Douglas-Coffee County community celebrated the grand re-opening and ribbon cutting celebration for Holiday Inn Express and Suites located at 1636 S. Peterson Ave. Following a $1.5 million renovation, the 65-room hotel is beautifully decorated and provides numerous amenities including a well-equipped fitness center, large breakfast area, indoor pool, business center and 150+ seating capacity event center. Several community members, friends and family were in attendance to thank the Patel Family for their investment in the Douglas-Coffee County community. On behalf of Sanjay Patel and Dinesh Patel and the Patel…

American Legion Post 515 plans an open house, flag disposal ceremony American Legion Post 515 will host an open house Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 3 to 5 pm, followed by a dignified flag disposal from 5 to 6 pm. It will be held at American Legion Post 515, located at 1510 McLean Street in Douglas. Everyone is invited, especially veterans and family members of veterans, to include the general public. There are many things veterans and family members need to know and accomplish while they are able; therefore, the focus will be on veterans’ services and support. Expected…

Mr. Ralph Reed, age 83 of Douglas, passed away Thursday morning, May 23, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Reed was born July 4, 1935 to the late Will Reed and the late Sarah Margaret Pitts Reed. Mr. Reed, a native of Ambrose, owned and operated Reed’s Plumbing in Douglas for many years. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church. Survivors include: His wife of 60 years, Carolyn Carver Reed of Douglas; son Michael Reed and wife Debra of Nicholls; daughters Melinda Reed Jordan and husband Billy of Douglas, Melissa Reed…

Mrs. Nancy Coline Taft Purvis, age 83 of Nicholls, passed away peacefully from this life into her eternal home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday afternoon, May 22, 2019. Nancy Coline was born in Atkinson County to the late Joe and Cindy Rosetta Smith Taft on March 29, 1936. She was 13 years old when her mother passed away and she had to assume the responsibilities of the home and help raise her siblings. She was a faithful wife and a loving mother to her children. Indeed she was the woman of Proverbs — a virtuous woman…

Tommy Clark, age 68, of Willacoochee, passed away on Thursday May 23, 2019 at Landmark Hospital in Savannah. Mr. Clark was born on October 23, 1950 in Douglas, the son of the late Thomas Cottle Clark and Aline Graham Clark. He was a former salesman with Fender Chevrolet, served in the Georgia National Guard from 1969 to 1975 and was a member of Glory United Methodist Church in Alapaha. Survivors include his wife, Martha “Brownie” Clark of Willacoochee; daughter, Lindsey Roberts and husband Mitch of Douglas; son, Ashley Clark and wife Kacey of Douglas; two granddaughters, Kara Clark and…

Ms. Gussie Paula Rewis, age 46 of Pearson, passed away on Tuesday May 21, 2019 due to an extended illness. Paula was born on February 18, 1973 in Gwinnett County, the daughter of Robert Lee Hilliard and Sylvia Dean Rich Hilliard. She worked in retail sales and was of the Baptist faith. Ms. Rewis is survived by: Spouse, Michael Glenn McDaniel of Douglas; two daughters, Jessica Jones and husband Randy of Dublin and Kristen Rewis and fiance Matthew of Douglas; mother, Sylvia Hilliard and Stepfather Edward Cannon of Douglas; father, Robert Hilliard of Pearson; grandmother Dean Kersey; three brothers,…

The CSX railroad crossing at Salem Church Road between Chaney Road and Buddy Chaney Road/Barrington Road will close for repairs “on or around May 28,” according to a press release issued by Southern Commercial Development. The release also states the following: “This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. All crossings are generally closed anywhere from two to five days. This can change, with or without notice, due to unforeseen circumstances. Inclement weather could cause track maintenance delays or rescheduling.”

John McLemore, County Extension Agent I hope everyone is doing well as school adjourns and summer begins. As your county agriculture extension agent, I have enjoyed meeting the members of the community when I am out serving the people of the community. I appreciate the warm welcome, and your continuous support of Coffee County Extension. I want to give an update on Coffee County Extension ANR program. When hired, my goal in addition to serving the community of Coffee County, was to create on-farm research trials centered on the county’s agricultural needs. This year I am proud to announce…

City of Douglas residents are encouraged to participate in junk drop off dates in 2019. June dates will be Saturday, June 1, 2019 and Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the City Pole Yard located at 670 S. Pearl Avenue from 8:30 am-12 noon. Citizens are asked to clean up around their homes and take advantage of this free service. A dumpster will be placed the City Pole Yard, located on Pearl Avenue (behind Post Office), to A dumpster will be placed the City Pole Yard, located on Pearl Avenue, to offer Douglas residents a way to dispose of large,…