Author: Submitted

On the evening of February 11, 2025, a McIntosh County officer who was transporting an inmate to the Coffee County Jail recognized a convicted sex offender from McIntosh County who had been living in Douglas for a number of years. The suspect, identified as Stephen Dale Jackson, 57, had not registered as a sex offender and, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office, was also in violation of the proximity law. Jackson had been convicted of sexual battery in McIntosh County in 2019. He had been living unnoticed (and unregistered) in Douglas for several years. The McIntosh County…

On February 11, 2025, deputies responded to a 911 call about a motorcycle accident with injuries near Bear Creek Mobile Home Park. It was reported that the victim might be Daniel Crenshaw, a 30-year-old from Douglas. When the deputies arrived, Daniel claimed he was not involved in any crash and refused medical assistance. However, when the deputies informed him of his outstanding probation warrants, he admitted to being in a motorcycle accident and requested treatment for his injuries. However, Crenshaw allegedly attempted to flee with one hand in cuffs. Crenshaw pulled one of the deputies to the ground, injuring the…

By: Stanley Popovich I dealt with fear and anxiety for over twenty years and there are 21 facts that I discovered during my mental health struggles that can help anyone who struggles with fear and anxiety. Knowing these important mental health facts can save someone you know a lot of time and money in the long run. If you happen to struggle with fear, anxiety, or any other mental health related issues, it is important to admit that you have a problem and get some help. Your doctor or other medical professionals in your area will know of some qualified mental…

Several health departments in the Southeast Health District were recipients of a 2025 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Injury Prevention Program. Through the Mini-Grant, health departments in Appling, Atkinson, Brantley, Bulloch, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis, and Ware counties work to provide car seats and education to financially eligible families in those counties. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles. Since 2007, the education, car seats and booster seats provided through the Mini-Grant prevented serious injury or death and…

The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Board of Tourism introduces the Altamaha River Panfish Tournament, a new local fishing tournament that offers a $500 plus 50 percent of entry fee prize pot. The Altamaha River Panfish Tournament will be held March 29, 2025 at Towns Buff Park and Heritage Center. To enter into the competition, anglers need to pay a $50 entry fee and have an individual fishing license. The prize categories are heaviest total weight and largest trash fish. The trash fish entry is a separate entry of $10. All of the fees for trash fish tournament go in to the prize…

Christopher Brockington remains at large for drug-related charges filed in an unsealed indictment that claims 37 individuals were involved in operating a gang and drug trafficking network across Coffee, Bacon, Ware, Atkinson, and Lowndes counties. This investigation was conducted as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a successful initiative that collaborates various levels of law enforcement to decrease violent crime and enhance community safety. Additionally, the case was pursued under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the most significant criminal organizations posing a threat to the…

The Coffee Baseball Varsity Team stepped off the field and into the community this past Friday night as they volunteered at Night to Shine, a prom experience for individuals with special needs organized by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted locally by First Baptist Church and GracePointe Church. This initiative was part of a new community service program implemented by head coach Scott Grove designed to instill leadership, teamwork, and a spirit of giving back among his varsity players. As part of the program, each senior player was tasked with identifying a community service project for the team to participate…

A call from a concerned citizen led to an arrest on multiple counts of animal cruelty. According to a report from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, on January 27, 2025, an officer responded to a call concerning possible animal cruelty. When a deputy arrived on the scene (231 Forest Ridge Road), Animal Control was already there. The deputy and AC officer saw three dogs – one dead black bulldog mix, a brown pit bulldog, and an adult mixed breed dog. According to the report, all three dogs showed signs of malnourishment. The surviving dogs were chained to trees with no…

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, officers responded to what was initially reported as a welfare check at a residence on Bethel Road. Upon arrival, they encountered an elderly woman who was crying out in agony. Family members from Cleveland, Tenn., who were visiting for a funeral, had become concerned about their loved one, who had been placed under the care of Shiquil Paulk, 31, of Douglas. Unable to gain access to the home, they contacted authorities, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Given the circumstances, officers made the difficult decision to breach the residence, leading to the discovery of…

The First Academy Middle School and Varsity Lions swim team competed at the GAPPS state swim meet on Saturday, February 1. The middle school girls placed fifth overall. Listed below are the results: Middle School Girls Medley Relay 5th place (Avary Layne Leavens, Livi Leavens, Johanna Merritt and Avery Wooten) Middle School Girls Free Relay 9th place (Macie Buese, Avary Layne Leavens, Johanna Merritt, and Kaylee Wooten) Middle School Boys Free Relay 13th place (Emmett Davis, Charles Evans, Seth Hope, and Reid Winge) Seth Hope (8th Grade) Avary Layne Leavens (7th Grade) Livi Leavens (6th Grade) Johanna Merritt (8th Grade)…