Author: Submitted

The FCCLA theme this year was “The Ultimate Journey,” and what a journey it has been! CHS FCCLA members were celebrated at the member banquet for their outstanding accomplishments throughout an ultimate year in FCCLA. The year kicked off with a local leadership retreat led by Mrs. Tara Carver and wrapped up with the state meeting in Athens, GA. Outstanding members were Emily Caroline Culler, Addison Nipper, Soledad Purvis, Braxton Yancey, Sierra Warren, Jayden Wiggins, and Abby Wooten. Each member was recognized at the banquet with small gifts for their exceptional contributions. Coffee High FCCLA received ribbons at the state…

South Georgia State College’s Amy Hancock is the 2024 Mosal Award winner for her proposal entitled “From Mystic, Connecticut to Mystic, Georgia: The Historical Connection.” The Mosal Award, established in 1984 and named for the Honors Society’s late Executive Director Emeritus, Dr. Margaret Mosal, provides financial support to PTK chapter advisors for the completion of projects that lead to personal professional growth. It is considered one of the most prestigious awards for chapter advisors. To discover the detailed story of Mystic, Georgia, Hancock will review historical documents, literature, and photographs related to the community’s history and connection with Mystic, Connecticut.…

Jordan Woodard, a South Georgia State College (SGSC) senior from Waycross, Georgia, was honored with the 2024 Academic Recognition Day Award by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Jordan is pursuing a degree in SGSC’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He has been awarded the SGSC Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Academic Achievement Award (4.0 GPA), the Excellence in Mathematics Award and the Excellence in Natural Science Award. He has also been on the President’s List during his time at SGSC. “My immediate plans are to continue working toward my degree and gain engineering experience…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated a significant milestone on Monday with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Woody Folsom Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram dealership. The event marked the culmination of the Woody Folsom Automotive Group’s commitment to our community, which began with their purchase of the local CDJR dealership in March 2019. Located at 1280 SE Bowens Mill Rd, directly across from Harbor Freight, the new dealership stands as a beacon of growth and opportunity for Douglas and Coffee County. The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome and introduction by Chelsea Graham, Member…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening of 803 Salon & Head Spa. Owned and operated by Douglas native and Master Cosmetologist, Jennifer Miss, the salon promises a blend of expertise, innovation, and relaxation for its patrons. Jennifer Miss brings over 18 years of mastery in the cosmetology realm to her latest venture, radiating excitement for the journey ahead. Nestled conveniently at 619 N. Peterson Avenue in Douglas, just across from Badcock Home Furnishings and Hungry Howie’s Pizza, 803 Salon & Head Spa stands as a beacon of rejuvenation and self-care in…

South Georgia State College’s Associate Vice President for Student Success Brandi Elliott recently completed the University System of Georgia’s Executive Leadership Institute. For over a decade, USG has hosted ELI for faculty and staff to develop new leaders within the university system and offer professional development opportunities to help them grow their careers in Georgia. Nominated by their institution, participants in each cohort participate in a comprehensive 120-hour development program facilitated by leading experts in leadership. During an eight-month period, the group participates in a curriculum that includes group learning and assessment, personal reflection, job shadowing, and cross-mentoring. Elliott was…

Wiregrass’ 2024 GOAL winner, Madison Garcia, a Surgical Technology student was recently named one of the top nine finalists in the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) in Atlanta. The announcement was made at the Technical College System of Georgia’s GOAL and Rick Perkins Award Conference held in Atlanta April 29 – May 1. Garcia was one of 22 students named as a finalist from across the state of Georgia’s Technical Colleges. She was named Wiregrass’ GOAL student in December. Each college winner competed in the regional interviews in February to determine who would be the three to represent each…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements is excited to share that the college’s enrollment has increased by 11.7% this Spring 2024 Semester compared to the Spring 2023 Semester. This marks the seventh straight semester the college has seen an increase in enrollment compared to the previous year. Fall 2023 Semester’s enrollment increased 9.6% compared to the Fall 2022 Semester. “We are excited to see these increases and are preparing now for continued increase in the number of students,” shared President Clements. “We are consistently looking to see what other programs are needed by the businesses and industries in our 11-county…

The Douglas Fire Department (DFD) has recently received a new instructional building at the DFD Fire Training Facility. This new modular building includes a spacious classroom-style training area, two offices, a storage room, and two restrooms. The facility is primarily used for training city firefighters, but it also offers its services to the Coffee County Fire Department and surrounding counties for training assistance as needed. The training areas on-site are diverse and extensive, including classroom training, a firehouse, a two-story burn building, a three-story rescue tower, a confined spaces training area, and live fire props. These training areas provide a comprehensive…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), along with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), announces the arrest of an Athens man in the murder investigation of Tara Louise Baker. After 23 years, GBI agents have charged Edrick Lamont Faust, age 48, with murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, arson, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and one count of aggravated sodomy in connection with Baker’s death. In September of 2023, the GBI Cold Case Unit partnered with ACCPD to conduct an in-depth review…