Author: Submitted

The Coffee County School System recently participated in a strategic planning process in partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (FNGL). With the initial planning started in August of 2017, the final product was completed in June of 2018. The strategic plan will provide a focus for the district’s work to support the mission of Destination Graduation for College, Career, and Life and the vision of creating a stronger community through an equitable and excellent education for every student over the next five years. Partnering with FNGL brought a unique and comprehensive community approach to the process to increase community prosperity…

On Thursday, September 13, Coffee County Schools will be holding Parent Teacher Conferences in reference to the distribution of students’ Progress Reports. School will dismiss early with the following conference times observed: · Elementary Schools – Dismiss at 11:15 AM, Conference from 1:00 – 5:00 PM · Middle School – Dismiss at 12:20 PM, Conference from 3:00 – 6:30 PM · G.W. Carver Freshman Campus – Dismiss at 12:05 PM, Conference from 3:00 – 6:30 PM · Alternative School – Dismiss at 12:00 PM, Conference from 3:00 – 6:30 PM · WRCCA Academy – Dismiss at 12:05 PM, Conference from…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator Cloverleaf (5th & 6th grade) 4-H members who are elected to serve as an officer for their club are asked to attend the upcoming 4-H Officer Training Workshop on Tuesday, September 18. The training will take place at the First Baptist Church in Douglas starting at 5:30 PM with dinner. Parents should plan to pick their children up around 7:30 PM. County Goat Show The Coffee County 4-H and FFA Goat Show will be held on Saturday, September 22, starting around 10 AM, at Coffee Middle School in the Billy Walker Livestock Facility in Douglas.…

Swimming from the white sandbars on the Satilla is a favorite pastime on a hot summer’s day. Although, with over 30 inches of rainfall in the past three months, swimmers may have been hard pressed to find a sandbar that wasn’t underwater. Nevertheless, Satilla Riverkeeper and volunteers have been testing water quality at public landings along the Satilla and sharing results via Swim Guide. With large amounts of rainfall and flooded riverbanks, a variety of water quality threats can arise, including overflowing stormwater systems, agricultural runoff, and flooded septic fields. Bacteria levels exceeded levels safe for swimming once this…

Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator It’s almost fair time! And that means it’s time to think about entering the many contests and events available to 4-H’ers at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. The dates for the fair are October 4th-14th, but the entry deadline for Coffee County 4‑H’ers is 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 12. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE PROCESSED! Contests for 4-H members include: Computer Graphic Design Contest, Decorated Agricultural Products Contest, Recycling Contest, Terrarium/Dish Garden Contest, Family Scarecrow Building Contest, Instant Photography Contest, Public Speaking Contest, Variety Show, Family Seed Art Contest, Cotton Boll Speech Contest,…

Mr. Clarence Johnson, Jr., age 86 of Douglas, passed away early Saturday morning, September 1, 2018, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. Mr. Johnson was born April 23, 1932 to the late Sidney Clarence Johnson Sr. and the late Katie Sapp Johnson. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cecilia Johnson Hutchison, Mr. Johnson had been a machinist for Brooks Auto Parts, (NAPA). He also attended the Fales Church of God of Prophecy. Survivors include: daughter, Kathy Johnson Melton of Douglas, GA; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. The funeral service…

Mr. Ronald Coleman Bennett, age 70 of Nicholls, GA passed away Wednesday morning, August 29, 2018 at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross, GA following a brief illness. Mr. Bennett was born November 28, 1947 to the late Lawson Coleman Bennett, Sr. and the late Dorean Taylor Bennett. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by: sisters: Martha Sue Bennett and Lucille Bennett; brothers: Herman Bennett and Jimmy Bennett; and a grandson, Jonathan “JoJo” Anderson. Mr. Bennett was a carpenter by trade. He was a veteran of the US Army where he was a recipient of the Purple Heart.…

Donald Newell, age 73, of Ambrose, Georgia passed away on Wednesday September 5, 2018 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Newell was born on May 21, 1945 in Coffee County the son of the late Robert Newell and Maebelle Sapp Newell. Mr. Newell retired from Campbell’s Soup Company and was a member of Bushnell Chapel. He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Newell. Survivors include: his wife, Hazel O’Steen Newell of Ambrose, GA; daughter, Donna Carter and husband William Wesley Carter, Jr of Ambrose, GA; step-son, Curtis Harper, Jr of Douglas, GA; sisters: Catherine Green and…

Ethridge Marlow Hattaway, age 87, of Pearson, Georgia passed away on Monday September 3, 2018 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Hattaway was born in rural Coffee County on September 10, 1930 to George Marlow and Blannie Dora Roberts Hattaway. His parents were share-croppers and he helped his parents on the farm even as a young boy. In 1952, he was drafted in to the United States Army. His duties in service began in the artillery and later he volunteered to serve as a cook. He soon was promoted to the head cook where he was…

Joey Stanley Nipper, age 60, of Nicholls, GA passed away on Friday, august 31, 2018, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mr. Nipper was born on January 20, 1958, in Douglas, Georgia to the late Lewis Edward Nipper and Bertha Mae Cato Nipper. Mr. Nipper was a member of Saving Grace Ministries, a Real Estate Agent and Driver for Fedex. He Loved his church, his grandchildren and his dogs. His survivors include: wife, Betty Sue Atkinson Nipper of .Nicholls, GA; son, Cory Nipper and wife Antonia of Douglas, GA.; sister, Elizabeth Gillis; brother, Thomas Nipper of Douglas, GA; grandchildren: Justice Smith and husband David; Michael…