Author: Submitted

Hershell Liddell Guthrie, 67, of 500 Red McKinnon Road in Willacoochee, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019, at Coffee Regional Medical Center due to an extended illness. Mr. Guthrie was born in Coffee County on May 9, 1951. He graduated from Coffee High School and was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he majored in Agriculture Economics. Hershell was in banking most of his life, and he and his wife also own and operate A-1 Self Storage in Douglas. He was a member of the Douglas Lions Club for many years and was instrumental in the formation…

Bertine Taylor Royals, age 80, of Douglas, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at her home following an extended illness. Ms. Royals was born on May 7, 1938, in Nicholls to the late George Clayton Taylor and Linnie Taylor. Survivors include: Daughters Linda (Ronald) Wilkerson of Douglas, Lynn (Michael) Miller of Douglas, and Wanda (Russell) Bullock of Douglas; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Royals; her father, George Clayton Taylor; mother, Linnie Taylor; sisters, Lucille Taylor, Euree Carver, Merlene Morgan; brother, Preston Taylor; one grandson and two great-grandchildren. …

Mr. Jarius “J.W.” Warren Brooks, age 95, of Broxton, passed away on Friday, January 18, 2019, at Coffee Regional Medical Center due to an extended illness. Mr. Brooks was born on January 1, 1924, in Milan to the late Leon Brooks and Carrie Francis Averett Brooks. He was a farmer and a World War II veteran. Survivors include: Daughter Deborah Ann and husband Marvin Wooten of Broxton; son Jerry Brooks of Broxton; grandchildren Fran and husband Dale Merritt of Douglas, Michele Newell and husband J. C. of Broxton, Jamie Kight of Duluth, Amy and husband Michael Johnston of Lilburn, and Miranda and…

Mrs. Betty Jean Coleman, age 70, of Ambrose, passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at Coffee Regional Medical Center due to an extended illness. Mrs. Coleman was born on December 9, 1948, in Douglas to the late Willie Burch, Sr. and Odessa Carter Burch. Survivors include: Daughters Wanda Thomas of Ambrose and Lisa Phillips of Douglas; sons Jerry Coleman of Douglas and Michael Coleman of Douglas; sister Wilma Adams of Douglas; brothers Roy Burch, Troy Burch, and Willie Burch, all of West Green, Billy Carroll Burch of Douglas and Robert Burch of Nicholls; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was…

At a general membership meeting on January 16, 2019, Commander Alfalene Walker and members of American Legion Post 515 presented a check for $600 to Boy Scout Troop 859. Boy Scout Troop 859 is very supportive of Post 515’s programs and activities, especially Wreaths Across America; therefore, it’s Post 515’s duty to assist them in any way possible. This donation will help them with their training and projects, stated Commander Walker. Members of Post 515 are going to join Troop 859 in one of their upcoming projects, which is the collection and disposal of unserviceable flags. Troop 859 will…

The South Georgia Tech Jets outscored the South Georgia State College Hawks 5-1 in the final 32.5 seconds of regulation to force overtime and ultimately escaped with a 79-74 win Saturday afternoon in Waycross. It was the fourth consecutive loss for SGSC (8-10, 0-4) to open conference play. Trailing 65-61, South Georgia Tech’s Jaylan McKinney hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds to go in regulation to pull to within one. After both teams called a timeout, the Hawks were called for a five-second violation with 22.8 seconds remaining, giving the ball back to the Jets. SGSC’s Will Ferguson grabbed…

By Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator We want to thank our participants who helped with the Adopt-A-Highway Workdays on Thursday, January 10. Participants included: CMS: Kayden Davis: Indian Creek: Dominic Mimbang; Junior 4‑H Club: Nathan Cooper, Kilee Davis, Kaniyah Lawson, Natalie Newell, Glenn O’Steen, and Christopher Williams; Satilla: May Belle Davis; Senior 4‑H Club: Jeremiah Brantley, Amelia Crockett, Muskan Minhas, Kameron Pennell, Ishika Sadarangani, and Sariah Wells; Adults: Liz Batten, Jean O’Steen, Kevin Tatum, and Chalanda Woods. The next workday for the Adopt-A-Highway program will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Come help keep Douglas clean. We start at 4 PM and should finish around…

City of Douglas and Coffee County officials attended the 29th Annual Okefenokee Occasion reception on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot in Atlanta. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission organized this annual event that provides rural communities in South Georgia an opportunity for one on one discussion with legislators about upcoming legislation under consideration and special projects that affect local communities. The Okefenokee Occasion committee consists of members from Appling, Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Pierce, Turner, Ware and Wayne counties.

Students at Indian Creek can say they escaped! During History Mystery Night, students solved clues in Escape Room fashion about famous people, places, and events. ESOL families also enjoyed a delicious covered dish authentic Hispanic meal and learned important information about the ESOL program. Learning is always sweet at ICE.

Walter “Rusty” Wright was found guilty today of felony murder regarding the death of Oletha Brady. The trial began on Wednesday, January 16, and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John Rumker with Judge Andy Spivey presiding over the proceedings. The evidence showed that shortly before 1 am on May 13, 2017, Wright called 911 claiming that Oletha Brady shot herself with his firearm and was unresponsive. A paramedic who arrived on the scene testified that Ms. Brady was already cool to the touch upon her arrival. Ms. Brady was shot once through the chest. Upon being interviewed…