Author: Submitted

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Elite Real Estate Partners, LLC, on Monday, July 29, 2024. The event marked a significant milestone for the locally owned and operated real estate agency founded by Denise Lott and Chuck Bird. The celebration took place at the new Elite Real Estate Partners, LLC office, located at 122 E. Ashley Street, on the corner of Ashley Street and Madison Avenue. The program commenced with a warm welcome from Chelsea Graham of the Chamber, who addressed a large and enthusiastic crowd gathered for the…

A tropical weather system has developed in the Atlantic and moved into Gulf of Mexico. The storm is expected to bring gusty winds and fairly heavy rainfall to the Coffee County area on Monday. The system formed near Cuba and is moving into the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where it will gain momentum as it travels north. Initial projections had the storm landing east of Coffee County; however, the latest models have it tracking on a more westerly path. It’s also slowing down which will intensify the rainfall. The storm, dubbed TD 4 at the moment, should arrive in Coffee…

On the sunny, breezy morning of Monday, July 29, 2024, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Coffee County School System, hosted a joyous groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of the new Coffee County Board of Education building. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of our local education infrastructure and economic growth. The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by Chelsea Graham of the Chamber of Commerce, setting a tone of optimism and celebration. She then introduced Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent of Coffee County Schools, who delivered an inspiring welcome and historical…

Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements announces the promotion of Shalonda Sanders to Vice President of Human Resources and Operations at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. She began her career at Valdosta Technical College (now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College) in 1999. Sanders has held the following positions at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College: New Connections to Work Workshop Facilitator, Retention Coordinator/GED Chief Examiner, Georgia Fatherhood Assistant Coordinator, Georgia Fatherhood Coordinator/Student Activities Coordinator, Director for Human Resources, Executive Director for Human Resources, and Associate Vice President for Human Resources. Sanders received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Valdosta State University (VSU) and graduated…

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, members of the GBI and other law enforcement agencies served 120 arrest warrants on 24 people, in Operation Shyne Down, targeting the criminal street gang G-Shyne Bloods and their involvement in criminal gang activities in Crisp County, Georgia. One of the 24 arrested was a Douglas resident. The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Department of Community Supervision (DCS), the GBI Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the GBI Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, the GBI Special Operations Unit, the Coffee County…

In a vibrant celebration of hard work, perseverance, and community spirit, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Blaze Barber Academy. This state-of-the-art barber institution, locally owned and operated by Kent Paulk II, is now open at 909 S. Gaskin Avenue inside Paulk Plaza. The event was a resounding success, drawing family, friends, and community leaders together to celebrate this incredible new institution and the opportunities it promises to bring. Chelsea Graham, Member Relations Director at the Chamber, kicked off the ceremony with a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the…

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs Historic Preservation division announced on Monday, July 29, 2024, that Douglas is one of 8 Certified Local Government (CLG) Authorities in Georgia. Douglas will receive $12,009 to help support the historic resource survey for the Downtown Douglas Historic District. The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers these grants annually, facilitating historic preservation initiatives like historic resource and archaeological surveys, outreach efforts, brick-and-mortar projects, design guidelines, and publications. Educational, promotional, and tourism activities are also eligible uses for this grant. “The work proposed by this year’s grant recipients supports their…

The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $1 million to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as a part of a select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants. Since awarding its first grants one year ago, the foundation has expanded skilled trades career pathways through its growing network of 35 community colleges and nonprofits in rural and urban communities across 27 states. The Wiregrass Foundation North will use this grant to build a 53-foot construction trailer and hire an instructor to provide educational training in a variety of residential and commercial trades to graduating high school seniors, adult learners, and individuals enrolled…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a significant milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new location of Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center’s Douglas office. This joyous event marked the latest chapter in the center’s long-standing commitment to the community, as they opened the doors to their beautifully renovated facility at 110 Bowens Mill Road. Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, a pillar in the field with 22 locations across Georgia, has been a proud part of the Douglas community for over 25 years. The center’s journey in Douglas began on Westside Drive, then moved to West…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Practical Nursing (LPN) students received their nursing pins in a recent pinning ceremony on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus. The nursing pins not only signify hard work and dedication but are also a physical symbol of their transition into nursing. The pinning ceremony is more than a nursing tradition, it is a symbol of the nursing students’ hard work and dedication toward their coursework and clinicals. Not only does it mark the completion of student coursework, but this ceremony honors nursing graduates who will work in a career where they will have to be selfless for the good of others.…