The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that nearly all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported lower unemployment rates in March. “There’s no better way to mark Economic Development Week than with measurable results,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With the state labor force and employment both reaching all-time highs and unemployment falling across all metro areas and nearly all regional commissions, more Georgians are securing good-paying jobs that support families, build the future, and strengthen the communities they call home.” Here is a synopsis of each regional commission: Atlanta Regional Commission Central Savannah River Coastal Georgia Georgia Mountains…
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The Martin Theatre Preservation Company, Inc., the nonprofit organization stewarding The Martin Theatre in downtown Douglas, is pleased to announce the appointment of Devis Burnam as its new Executive Director. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the organization’s history. As The Martin Theatre continues to expand its role as a performing arts venue and community gathering space, Burnam becomes the organization’s first full-time executive leader. She will work closely with the Board of Directors to oversee daily operations, strengthen community engagement, guide programming, and support long-term sustainability. Since reopening, The Martin Theatre has been sustained by a community of…
Mayor Tony Paulk has issued a proclamation declaring May 3–9, 2026, as the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) 57th Professional Municipal Clerks Week. The Proclamation extends appreciation to all Municipal and Deputy Clerks for the services with which they provide their communities. Specifically, the Proclamation cites that the Clerk “serves as the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and agencies of government at other levels.” The Douglas City Clerk plays a key role in the city’s operations as the professional link between the citizens, the local governing bodies and government agencies at other levels. As the…
By Van Yandell James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Why do singers get the attention, while composers and musicians are the real talent behind the voices? Many can sing but few have the ability to strike the ivories with precision to extract a musical tone. As far back as memory allows, my mother sat at her old Wellington piano and played. Not to brag but she was very good. My musical talents certainly didn’t take after hers, with my ability…
Coffee High School recently welcomed more than 400 first-grade students for its annual “Tiny Trojan Power Up Day,” an exciting and interactive health and wellness fair focused on building healthy habits early in life. Hosted by CHS Nutrition & Food Science, Early Childhood Education, Allied Health students, and FCCLA members, the campus was transformed into hands-on learning stations led by CHS students. These mentors guided the “Tiny Trojans” through fun, engaging activities designed to promote lifelong wellness. From learning about MyPlate guidelines and creating healthy snacks to practicing proper dental hygiene and understanding the importance of bedtime routines, students explored…
The City of Douglas proudly honored the exceptional achievements of the 2025-2026 Mayor’s Youth Council and Douglas–Coffee County Teen Court senior participants during a special recognition ceremony held at the C. E. Weir Center on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The council also honored several mentors at the banquet which included Chevelle Paulk (Community Spotlight of the Year), Mike Bazell (Founder, Ambitious Young Men) Tammy Wilkerson (Founder, Girls Exploring Movements of Success), Ian Sansot (Teen Court Judge), and Dinitra Carithers (Youth Council and Teen Court Coordinator). The celebrations continued at Coffee High School’s Senior Honors Program on Monday, April 27, 2026,…
Several outstanding Coffee High School students were recently recognized at the Georgia Future Educators Signing Day for completing the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Pathway, Teaching as a Profession (TAP) Pathway, and Dual Education Pathway as “Teach in the Peach” graduates. “Teach in the Peach,” an initiative by the Georgia Department of Education, is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and retaining future educators across Georgia. The students who were recognized are: Early Childhood Education (ECE): Kelise Colson, Kayley Cumbass, Alayla Hall, Addison Nipper, Channah Smith, Jada Tanner, and Jadyn Von Waldner.Teaching as a Profession (TAP): Shonteara Jordan, Shana Parker, Eriyanna Smith, and…
The State Forester Burn Ban in South Georgia has been amended, reducing the area to 17 counties. The original ban was implemented on April 22, covering 91 counties in southern Georgia where exceptional drought levels and increasing wildfire activity prompted emergency action. “Crews have made significant progress in containing the South Georgia wildfires,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “Scattered rainfall has helped, but the majority of the state remains in extreme to exceptional drought. The area now under a burn ban still has two large fires that need constant monitoring and mop-up to reduce the chance of reburn,…
Eugenio Santana-Bahena, de 62 años, de Douglas, GA, falleció pacíficamente el sábado 2 de mayo de 2026 en el Hospital Emory en Atlanta, GA. Nació el 8 de julio de 1963 en Alpixafia, México, hijo del fallecido Guilibaldo Santana y la fallecida Cleta Bahena Osorio. Le sobreviven: Tres hijas; Verónica (Juan) Santana de Douglas, GA, María (Eli) Santana de Douglas, GA, y Reyna (Camerino) Santana de FL, Un hijo; Jesús Santana de Douglas, GA, Dos hermanos; Rey (María Pérez) Santana de Washington, e Isidro Santana, Seis hermanas; María Santana-Bahena de México, Carmen Santana-Bahena de WA, Anastasia Santana-Bahena de México, Catilina…
Tuesday afternoon, a former Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputy turned himself in to the Coffee County Jail after being indicted by a Coffee County grand jury. Chris Ashley Rozar, 49, of Douglas, faces the following charges: Four counts of violation of oath by a public officer, two counts of computer invasion of privacy, and one count each of prohibited use of captured license plate data and stalking. The charges are the result of a two-year investigation conducted by the GBI that began under former Sheriff Doyle Wooten. Rozar was booked into the Coffee County Jail and later released.