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By Trey Smith, Journalism Student at GWCFC Recently at the George Washington Carver Freshman Campus (GWCFC), Spencer Highsmith and his agriculture class received a donation of 24 blueberry plants from Barton and Marsha Walker from Walker Farms. These blueberries were donated to the freshman campus for the purpose of showing and teaching kids how and where blueberries grow and to have fresh blueberries to eat. Also the blueberries that were donated to the freshman campus came in two different varieties so the students could see and experience how two different kinds of blueberries grew and tasted. With the…

Modern Woodmen of America members in Douglas recently helped raise money for Coffee County Middle School FBLA with a special fundraising event on Friday, November 16, 2018. The event, which included matching the funds from the Coca-Cola products fundraiser., raised $2,552. This includes $1,276 matched by Modern Woodmen through the organization’s Matching Fund Program. The funds will be used to purchase technology equipment for the FBLA members and students. The Matching Fund Program offers Modern Woodmen members nationwide the chance to show their support for a community cause, organization or individual in need through fundraisers. These fundraising projects…

Shirley Ann Cothern, age 76, of West Green, passed away on Saturday November 17, 2018 at her daughter’s residence. Mrs. Cothern was born on November 27, 1941 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late E.W. Kight and Annie Ring Kight. Mrs. Cothern retired from PCC after twenty-six years and was a member of West Green Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sammy Cothern; two brothers, Herman Kight and Winston Kight; and a granddaughter, Samantha Burkett Veal. Survivors include daughter, Wanda Burkett (husband Wade) of Douglas; two sons, Randy Cothern (wife Stacey) of…

Patricia Ann Ryan, age 67, of Broxton, passed away on Saturday November 17, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Ryan was born on January 11, 1951 in Ocilla, the daughter of the late Robert Edward McReady and Ruby Poole McReady. She retired from Graphic Design and Print Shop and was a member New Hope Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Buddy McReady, Jimmy McReady and Gary McReady. Survivors include two daughters, Renee’ Horn and Jennifer Ryan, both from Savannah; two sisters, Brenda Turner of Broxton and Earline…

Betty Jean Dorminey, age 81, of Douglas, passed away on Saturday November 17, 2018 at her residence. Mrs. Dorminey was born on May 12, 1937 in Coffee County, the daughter to the late Chester Dorminey and Clara Mae Odum Dorminey. She was owner of Dorminey Sewing Manufacturing and was a member of St. Illa Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brandi Nichole Harper, great grandson, Lucian Harper, two brothers, Earl Dorminey and Vicky Dorminey and a sister, Linda Ann Morrison. Survivors include two daughters, Lesha Nito (Pedro) of…

Daniel “Dan” Sturgis, age 94, of Plant City, Florida, passed away on Tuesday November 13, 2018 in Plant City. Mr. Sturgis was born on April 5, 1924 in Ambrose, the son of the late Henry Sturgis and Alma Swails Sturgis. He worked as a welder with Ben-Griffin Feed, was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in World War II. He loved his family, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and fishing. Mr. Sturgis was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Sturgis. Survivors include his son, Thomas Sturgis (wife, Racquel) of Plant City and…

Coffee County was well represented at the Cloverleaf District Project Achievement contest on November 10 in Lyons. Students from ten of the twelve schools in Coffee County had either 4th, 5th, or 6th graders compete in the contest. Two fourth graders, 35 fifth graders and 32 sixth graders competed this year. Participants (including their project and placing) were: Ambrose: Peyton Davis, Horse, 1st; and Natalie McMillan, Dog Care & Training, 2nd. Broxton: Allie Davis, Sports – Individual, 1st; Xzaria Jordan, Health; Leo McIver, Sports – Team, 3rd; J.B. Smith, Outdoor Recreation; and J.W. Smith, Forestry & Wood Science, 2nd. CCA: Karsyn Scholten,…

Willie Essary, age 58, of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday November 14, 2018 at his residence. Mr. Essary was born on September 11, 1960 in Dahlonega, the son of the late William Howard Essary Sr. and Thelma Crum Essary. Mr. Essary worked as a machinist with Thompsons Machine Shop and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Douglas. Survivors include his son, William Howard “Trey” Essary III (wife Heather) of Jamestown, N.C.; grandchildren, Samuel Essary, Elena Essary, Mathew Essary and Benjamin Essary, all of Jamestown, N.C.; nephew, Nicholas Andrew Essary of Colorado Springs, Colo., niece, Diana…

By Clint Thompson for CAES News To avoid losing their farms following Hurricane Michael, Georgia farmers need financial relief as soon as possible, according to Jeff Dorfman, a professor and agricultural economist in the University of Georgia Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. South Georgia growers are still picking up the pieces after the hurricane hit Oct. 10-11, destroying homes and agricultural commodities. The storm’s timing could not have been worse for the producers who were impacted, as cotton, pecans, peanuts and vegetables were ready to be harvested. “The timing of this was not good,” Dorfman said. “Farmers have already…

Coffee Middle School continues to make headlines – for all the right reasons. CMS Principal Sherri Berry represented CMS at the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principal’s Conference in Savannah on Sunday and Monday. She had a 20-minute presentation on Sunday and a 12-minute presentation on Monday where she was able to showcase the progress that CMS has made over the last few years. At the award luncheon on Monday, Mrs. Berry received a ring for being the Middle School Principal of the Year and a plaque for CMS being a Breakout Middle School. The Principal of the…