Author: Submitted

Greetings, citizens of Douglas! I know a lot of you have heard or read about the great news for Douglas and Coffee County, but, before I go in to detail about the upcoming redevelopment project, I also have other fantastic news to share with you that affects our community. Once again, our youth are standing out amongst their peers. I will talk about the redevelopment after I congratulate Jane Ashley Rowell, who is an 8th grade student in Mrs. Teresa Holliday’s class at Citizens Christian Academy. Miss Rowell is the daughter of Tony and Melissa Rowell and she won…

Poultry judging team preparing for next week’s competition Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator We want to thank our teen leaders who volunteered their time to help with the Children’s Art Festival on Saturday, March 9. They were Ashton Ates, Jeremiah Brantley, Amelia Crockett, Kilee Davis, Abygail Harper, Glenn O’Steen, Kameron Pennell, Justin Strickland, Sariah Wells and Mrs. Chalanda Woods. I know that Mrs. Gina Gibbs appreciated your help and we do too. Thanks for all that you did to help. Poultry Judging The 4-H Poultry Judging Team only has about six more practice days until the competition which will be held…

Jeff Ross, age 58, of Douglas, passed away on Sunday March 24, 2019 in Sparks, Georgia following an extended illness. He was born on March 26, 1960 in Tampa, Florida, the son of the late Sandra Ross Kicklighter and Carl Kenneth Kicklighter. Mr. Ross worked as a truck driver for Boatright Trucking in Alma and loved to ride his Harley, named Matilda. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Cassandra Ross. Survivors include his children, Jessica Ross Robinson (Brooks) of Adel, Charles Morris (Mary) of Lakeland, and Joel Ross of Douglas; eleven grandchildren; sister,…

Northside Baptist gets new interim pastor, to hold sunrise service Northside Baptist Church on 441 North Douglas is pleased to announce that Kenneth White of McRae-Helena has accepted the position of interim pastor. Please join us on Sundays and Wednesdays to hear Pastor White. Also please save the following date. Northside will be having an Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM on April 21. Please join us as we celebrate the Risen Christ.

Ameris Bank donates $1.65M to support CRMC, other rural hospitals As part of the Georgia HEART Hospital Program, Ameris Bank gave $1.65 million in financial support to 16 rural hospitals located within the bank’s footprint in Georgia. Coffee Regional Medical Center and Irwin County Hospital received donations from Ameris. Ameris Bank more than doubled its commitment to rural Georgia hospitals this year, increasing its contribution from $800,000 in 2018. Rural hospitals in the state of Georgia have been facing a financial crisis for years as a result of demographic, economic and industry challenges. The Georgia HEART Hospital Program partners with the Georgia…

Douglas pursues aeronautics, aviation program On Thursday, March 21, 2019, City Manager Charles Davis called a special interest meeting at the Douglas Municipal Airport with key stakeholders in the community to explore an aeronautics and aviation educational program. Members from the school system, both colleges and the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport, discussed the current and future trend needs for more employees in the aviation field, from administration to pilots and mechanics. All entities are committed to conduct research and continue to meet on a regular basis to make this program a reality for the community. Plans are in the…

Mr. James Hobert “J. H.” Trulove, age 98 of Douglas, passed away Friday evening, March 22, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Mr. Trulove was born March 13, 1921 to the late Virgil “Virge” Trulove and the late Kate Webb Trulove. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Maxine Bullen Trulove; three sisters, Clara Rae Dodson, Lois Crane and Opaline Collier; and two brothers, Herman Trulove and Earl Trulove.Mr. Trulove was a native of Itawambe County, Mississippi. He was employed in the timber and real estate business. He was also…

Ms. Sherry Dorene Thomas, age 53 of Nicholls, passed away late Monday evening, March 18, 2019 at UF Health in Jacksonville, Fla., following a short illness. Ms. Thomas was born November 17, 1965 to the late Thurman Moore and the late Mary Grace Horton Moore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a step-child, Danny Carrol Thomas. She was a homemaker. Survivors include: Children: Jessica Lea Moore of Nicholls, Justin Shane Thomas of Ambrose, and James Clinton Thomas of Nicholls; step-children Carlos Lee Youngblood of Nicholls, Jacob Lanier Thomas of Ambrose, and Angela Thomas of Sasser; siblings…

Ruby K. Burch, age 92, of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday March 20, 2019 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Burch was born on April 20, 1926 in Nicholls, the daughter of the late Ben Kirkland and Courtney Johnson Kirkland. Mrs. Burch was retired from Campbell Soup Company and from the Coffee County High School lunchroom. She was a member of Harvest Time Church of God for forty-six years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Burch; five brothers; and one sister. Survivors include a daughter, Janell Kirkland of Douglas; two sons, Willis Joe Burch of…

A Coffee County has been missing since Sunday, March 24, and authorities are actively attempting to locate him. Samuel Wayne Harper, 16, was last seen on March 24 at the Wal-Mart store in Douglas. He is described as a white male, 6’, 145 pounds. The last time anyone saw him was around 7 p.m. Anyone with information on Mr. Harper’s whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (912) 384-4227 or the Coffee County E-911 non-emergency line at (912) 384-7675.