Author: Submitted

Dr. Charles Johnson, Chairman of the Department of Sciences at South Georgia State College, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting onTuesday, July 24, 2018, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. He spoke about the events that have been going on at the college as well as future events. The Kiwanis Club members enjoyed and appreciated his presentation.

Margaret Ann Merritt, age 57, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Merritt was born in Douglas, Georgia the daughter of the late William “Billy” Riggins and Lovie Ann Thomas Riggins. She was a quality inspector for Pilgrim’s Pride and was a member of Saving Grace Ministries. Mrs. Merritt was preceded in death by a sister, Becky Teresa Anderson. Survivors include: her daughter, Jessica Spivey and husband Roy of Douglas, GA; son, Joseph Merritt and wife Jana of Douglas, GA; sister, Sandra Chaney and husband Danny of Douglas,…

Mr. Colie H. Pitts, age 74, of Douglas, passed away Friday afternoon, July 27, 2018, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born December 28, 1943, to the late Madison Thompson Pitts and the late Juanita Nettles Pitts. Mr. Pitts was a self-employed carpenter, doing home improvements. He was a veteran of the US Navy, where he had served eight years in the Navy Submarine Service. He was also an avid deer and turkey hunter. Colie loved to fly his Aeronca Plane “Susie Q” whenever he got the chance. Survivors include: his wife, Patricia Justine Pitts of Douglas,…

Farmers have used scarecrows to keep birds away from field crops for more than 3,000 years. He’s not a farmer, but University of Georgia blueberry scientist Scott NeSmith still has to keep birds away from his blueberry crop so he can research and breed new varieties for Georgia growers. His latest trick — using a “dancing man,” or a dancing, inflatable tube man, to scare the birds — may lead passersby to believe the UGA Griffin campus is selling cars. “We cover smaller plots of plants with netting to keep the birds out, but you can’t do that in larger…

As part of their continuing education and training in the administration of law enforcement, Interim Chief Brannen Pruette and Commander Jerome Perkins of the Douglas Police Department recently attended the 2018 Annual Summer Training conference sponsored by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Heads of law enforcement agencies from throughout the state participated in the four-day conference. The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is responsible for the delivery of training to the chiefs of Georgia’s police departments and law enforcement agencies. The Summer Training Conference was held at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center from July 22-25.…

On Thursday, July 26, 2018, the Land Bank Authority (LBA) held their quarterly meeting. During the meeting, the discussion focused on several dilapidated properties throughout Douglas. The City of Douglas Code Enforcement division is working with property owners to clean up these properties. The LBA board voted to accept a house on Letitia Avenue that will be deeded to them from the City. Brandon Paulk, City of Douglas Planner, presented a presentation that provided the board different resources and information on how to obtain funds for the overall operation of the LBA and how establishing relationships with community partners are…

By Kevin Tatum 4-H CLUB MEETINGS With school starting up again for the new school year, it’s time to get back to our monthly 4‑H meetings with our 4-H members. We will be discussing in-school meeting times with teachers and principals and students will be notified by their teacher of their meeting time. However, our students in 7th and 8th grades (Junior 4-H members) hold their meetings twice a month at the 4-H office. Their first meeting will be on Thursday, August 23, from 4 to 5 PM. The 9th-12th-grade students (Senior 4-H members) also meet at the 4-H office twice…

Hello, citizens of Douglas! It is my hope that each month, my minutes share information with citizens and helps citizens understand the role I play as Mayor and the role others play as elected officials. It is up to us to initiate programs and implement solutions to make Douglas a place that people want to work, live, and play. Douglas is our home, and I want to make this home shine brighter than other cities in our area. Are you ready for some football? Last year was incredible! Our mighty Coffee High Trojans were outstanding. The fan support was unbelievable!…

Two Wiregrass employees were recently honored for their dedication, hard work and leadership skills by the faculty and staff of the college. Wiregrass employees annually nominate a staff member and a supervisor for their exemplary performance on the job. The nominations are narrowed down by a committee and the finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges to decide who will be honored. Paulette Brown, Advisement and Retention Center Specialist, was awarded the seventh annual James A. Bridges Vanguard Award for the staff member of the year. Paulette is described by her peers as one who goes above and…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Board of Directors serves both in a community advisory capacity and in a limited administrative capacity, performing certain oversight responsibilities as designated by state board policy. The local board is comprised of members from the business and industrial communities from the 11 county service area. State board policy defines the role and responsibilities of the local board. The meeting dates for the fiscal year 2019 have been set. They are as follows: August 16 (Ben Hill Irwin Campus – Charles Harris Learning Center Auditorium), September 20 (Coffee Campus – Planning Room), October 29-31 (Leadership Summit –…