The SkillsUSA chapter at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College was recently named among the top 24 SkillsUSA chapters nationally as a “Model of Excellence” recipient for the second year in a row. This national program recognizes the exceptional integration and application of personal, workplace and technical skills in SkillsUSA chapter activities. This is one of the highest awards bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, which is among the largest student organizations for career and technical education. The 24 Models of Excellence chapters will participate in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, KY., June 24-28. Activities include finalist interviews, an…
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John McLemore, County Extension Agent As temperatures rise transiting from the winter to spring season farmers are preparing for 2019 growing season. Farmers’ crop production has been limited by hurricane Irma (2017) and Michael (2018). Though farmers have been awarded disaster relief funds from only Irma, the margin for gain has been minimal. As we go into the 2019 growing season farmers hope for cooperative weather and decent commodity prices. Due to the nature of the agriculture market which correlates with commodity international trade deals Georgia’s tobacco acreage has significantly decreased — approximately 40 to 60 percent for…
On Thursday, April 18, 2019, the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce was joined by several community members to celebrate the grand opening of Liquidation Market and Garden Center, owned and operated by Zachary and Kayla Vaughn and Robert Harper. Marshall Adcock, Pastor of First Assembly of God, prayed over the business. On behalf of the City of Douglas, Wynetta Bolder shared congratulatory comments and offered her services to the Vaughn and Harper families. The Chamber Board’s Past Chairman Stanley Lott shared his support and well wishes for the business owners. You can find great home goods and landscaping for great…
Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator Each summer, Georgia 4-H holds its annual meeting for the purpose of electing state officers and reviewing the state 4-H constitution. This meeting is called State Council and is held at Rock Eagle. The dates for this year’s State Council are June 21-23. Cost is $110 ($55 if you competed in DPA this school year) for the weekend. The event is open to current 8th – 12th grade 4-H members. This will cover meals from Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast, lodging for Friday and Saturday nights, and the weekend’s events. Space is limited and available on…
Mr. James Allen Merritt, age 63 of Lenox, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2019 at his residence in Lenox following a short illness. Mr. Merritt was born April 15, 1956 to the late Hollis Merritt and the late Minnie Skipper Merritt. Mr. Merritt had been a UPS driver for 30 years. He was a member of Tift Avenue Church of God in Tifton. Survivors include: brothers Randall Merritt of Panama City, Fla., and Danny Merritt of Brunswick; sister Diana Richardson and husband DeWayne of Douglas; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. A memorial service and inurnment…
Mr. Daryl Wallace Etters, age 59 of Alma, passed away early Friday morning, April 12, 2019 at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross following an extended illness. Mr. Etters was born, September 10, 1959 to the late Freddie Etters and the late Virginia Wallace Etters. Mr. Etters, a native of Aigrefeville, Charente-Maritime, France was a Walmart manager at the Douglas location. Survivors include: wife Roberta Johnson Etters of Alma; son Deric Reaper and wife Ami of Bald Knob, Arkansas; brothers Freddie Etters, Jr. of Hazlehurst, Mamoun Alitarawneh and wife Dalal of Alma; granddaughter Emersyn Rose Reaper of Bald Knob, Arkansas; special niece…
Mrs. Ruby Ricketson Johnson, age 93 of Broxton, passed away early Friday morning, April 12, 2019 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Johnson was born February 3, 1926 to the late Robert Taft Ricketson and the late Fannie Lott Ricketson. She was also preceded in death by eight siblings, Robert Taft Ricketson, Ivella Gillum, John M. Ricketson, Jaunell McCallum, Dorothy Thurman, Vilas Ricketson, Juanita Foskey and Mary Alice Ricketson; two granddaughters, Syanne Musgrove and Martha Anne Twiggs; two grandsons, Hunter Railey and Carlton Musgrove. Mrs. Johnson lived in Broxton her entire adult life. She was a faithful and…
This coming Saturday, the new overpass on the east side of town will have one lane open in each direction. Right now, traffic does not split on the overpass. Of course, the new traffic split will only take place if the weather cooperates. The Georgia Department of Transportation has notified the City of Douglas that the split will take place on April 27, 2019. A contractor plans to complete resurfacing of state Route 135/Perimeter Road from SR 158/Baker Highway to SR 32 on April 27, weather permitting. The right/outside lane in each direction will be closed. Traffic will…
Jimmie Darrell Fender, 65, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Robin Johnson House, Dallas. Jimmie was born on August 8, 1953 in Coffee County, the son of the late Elmer and Sarah Katherine Dasher Fender. He was a radar technician with the Federal Aviation Authority in Charlotte. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Mr. Fender was preceded in death by a brother, Franklin Phillips. Jimmie leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 31 years, Gloria Ridley Fender; loving daughter, Sarah Fender of Gastonia, NC; brother, Quincey Fender of Broxton. Memorial…
Linda Kay Paulk, age 70, of Douglas, passed away on Wednesday April 17, 2019 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Paulk was born on September 29, 1948 in Coffee County, the daughter of the late Alvin and Arlo Carver Harper. She worked as a payroll clerk with Elixir Industries and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include her daughter, Kristen Curtis of Douglas; son, Richard B. Paulk of Douglas; two grandchildren, Kaylee Merritt (Steven Hall) of Baxley and Breanna Paulk of Douglas; four great grandchildren, Anslee Hall, Randel Hall, Steven Hall and Brayden Paulk; nieces and nephews, Christopher Harper, Michele Harper, Hunter…