Author: Submitted

At the regular Commission meeting on Monday, November 26, 2018, Mayor Tony Paulk and the City Commission formally recognized the Coffee High School Marching Band as the 2018 Christmas Parade marshal. According to Mayor Paulk, “Our city is very proud of how the Coffee High School Marching Band has represented this community, as the band won first place in Class 2A Band Category at the Sound of Silver Band Competition with an outstanding score of 92.00. As a result of hard work and dedication, the band received Superior ratings in all categories including Drum Major, Auxiliary, Percussion, and Overall…

Rev. Bob Pierce, age 74, of Axson, went to his heavenly home on Friday evening at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Bob was born on March 20, 1944 in Valdosta, the son of the late Wilmont Candler Pierce and Helen Baskin Pierce. He was a Lanier County native, raised in Ray City Baptist Church, licensed to preach by FBC Valdosta and ordained by Ray City Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Lanier County High School and Valdosta State (College) University where he was a brother in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, president of the college Baptist Student Union where…

Alene V. Powell, age 86, of Douglas, passed away on Thursday November 29, 2018 at Vista Park. Mrs. Powell was born on February 13, 1932 in Coffee County, the daughter to the late Henry Frank Vaughn and Ethel Mae Smith Vaughn. She was a homemaker and was of the Holiness faith. Survivors include her daughter, Linda Sue Kratochvil of Waycross; sister, Winnie Register of Denton; two brothers, Frank Vaughn of Douglas and Mitchell Vaughn of Douglas; grandchildren Lisa Powell, Jennifer Via, Michael (wife Tonya) Via, Mat Powell, Kenny Kratochvil, Jason (wife Leann) Kratochvil, Samantha and husband Patrick Daniels, Haley…

Marla J. Hursey, age 32, of Douglas, passed away on Monday November 26, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Marla was born on April 11, 1983 in Coffee County, the daughter of Sherry Jeanine Clemons Morgan and the late James Lamar Morgan. She worked as a cashier for Pa Bill’s BBQ and gave her profession of faith with First Assembly of God in Douglas. Survivors include her mother, Sherry J. Morgan of Douglas; three children, Austin Hendrickson and Cameron Hendrickson both from Douglas and Anbree Hursey of Hazlehurst; two sisters, Abigail Carver (Michael) of Douglas and Katelyn Abel (Dustin)…

George William Pridgen, age 89, of Nicholls, passed away on Monday November 26, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Pridgen was born on August 1, 1929 in Broxton, the son of the late Jesse Reed Pridgen and Edna Mae Cox Pridgen. He was a self-employed carpenter and a member of Masonic Lodge #348, Hardeeville, S.C. Mr. Pridgen was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Mae Raper Pridgen, and two brothers, Robert Jessie Pridgen and Bobbie Ray Pridgen. Survivors include four sons, Danny William Pridgen of Gainesville, John “Johnny” Edward Pridgen of North Georgia, George Ollie Pridgen…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator We want to congratulate Savannah Cothern, Glenn O’Steen, and Jenna Sears for all receiving a blue ribbon, and J.C. Smith for all receiving a red ribbon with their 4-H mini-booths in the Okefenokee Agricultural Fair in Waycross during the week of November 6-10. Savannah Cothern prepared a booth on dairy foods, Glenn O’Steen’s booth was on bridges, Jenna Sears’ booth was on crocheting, and J.C. Smith’s booth was on the bass clarinet. Congratulations to each of our participants. Coke/Krispy Kreme Fundraiser To help 4-H members reduce their cost of attending summer camp,…

Julie Brooke Lewis and Premium Peanut contributed $175 for reading rewards at Coffee Middle School. Their generosity provides monthly incentives to be offered for Reading Counts points. Students receive one chance for every 25 Reading Counts points earned. These chances are entered in a monthly drawing for a prize of $25 cash. The November winner was 6th grader Michael Henderson. Congratulations, Michael, and thank you, Premium Peanut for your support of reading at CMS. Pictured are Julie Brook Lewis and CMS Academic Coach Benita Lott.

By Andrew Sawyer The Georgia Forestry Commission estimates that 2.4 million acres of timber were damaged by Hurricane Michael. This equates to $763 million in direct losses. In Georgia, 300,000 acres, or approximately 16 percent of the state’s timber, were classified as being catastrophically damaged. An estimated 1.4 million acres or 61 percent were deemed moderately damaged. As of now, there are an estimated 37.68 million tons of timber on the ground. Now comes the hard part — salvaging what’s left. It’s best not to salvage moderately damaged tree stands right away. The timber market was already flooded…

The Therapy Tree, founded in 2008 by Teresa McElroy, celebrated the relocation of its office complex with a ribbon cutting ceremony provided by the Douglas-Coffee Co Chamber of Commerce. Now located at 306 Shirley Avenue, The Therapy Tree continues to provide speech, language, voice and swallowing therapy and in 2019, will extend its services to include behavioral therapy. With very humble beginnings of providing speech therapy for only one patient in a trailer located in the small town of Nicholls, The Therapy Tree is now celebrating its 10th anniversary with impressive growth and services expanding to five cities in…

The Alma Police Department has arrested a Nicholls man during a domestic dispute on Nov. 27. According to a press release issued by the Alma Police Department, officers arrested Mitchell Paulk, 32, of Nicholls as a result of a domestic call on the 500 block of South Bead Street. During the investigation, Paulk was arrested for battery (family violence) and third degree cruelty to children (three counts). Latristany Faulk was also arrested; she was charged with aggravated assault and third degree cruelty to children (three counts). Both were transported to jail.