Author: Submitted

Willie Frank Wooden of Alma has been missing for well over a year and the Alma Police Department is still looking for information in his disappearance. There is a $500 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to Mr. Wooden or to an individual involved in his disappearance. Authorities suspect foul play in this case. On June 2, 2017, the Alma Police Department received a call concerning a missing person: Willie Frank Wooden – 68 years old, a black male, 5’10”, 263 lbs., grey hair, and brown eyes. Wooden has not been seen since May 30, 2017 at…

South Georgia State College’s STEM Fest 2017 received the 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). South Georgia State College was featured, along with 77 other recipients, in the September 2018 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Inspiring Programs in STEM Award winners were selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people…

Beginning Wednesday, September 19 through Friday, September 21, 2019, ESG Operations will be smoke testing sewer lines. Smoke testing of sewer lines is performed periodically to locate sources of sewer odors, leaks, and breaks in sewer lines. Sewer line smoke testing will occur on the above days between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM in the following areas of Douglas: South Gaskin Avenue., Benton Drive, Pinecrest Drive, Brantley Boulevard, Redwood Drive, Elmwood Drive, Hollywood Drive, Vivian Avenue, and Frank Jackson Subdivision. The type of smoke used for sewer line testing is harmless, non-toxic, white in color,…

September is Attendance Awareness month at Coffee Middle School. Students’ names are entered in a drawing for prizes each week they have perfect attendance during this month. Pictured are the first winners for September 3-September 7. They won a free double cheeseburger combo meal from Burger King. Congrats to our winners. From left: 8th grade Reagan Robinson and Christopher McDuffie, 7th grade Dashun Dunlap and Justin Hurst, and 6th grade Adam Osteen and Isaac Starnes (not pictured).

In celebration of Constitution Day, West Green’s first graders read We The Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States which helped explain the big, fancy words of the preamble and what they meant. They then worked together to create their own constitution which incorporated our PBIS rules of being safe, respectful, and responsible. Also, with any official document (like the Constitution), the kids needed to have it signed by all members and that’s just what they did.

The Coffee High Lady Trojans softball team recently recognized two teams from the Douglas-Coffee County Recreation Department for their performance this past season. Prior to the home game against Tift County, the 7-8 girls, coached by Katie Smeltzer, were honored for placing second in the district and fourth in the state tournament. Additionally, the 9-10 girls, coached by Andy Thomas, were district champions and finished third in the state tournament. “The future of the Coffee Softball Program is bright,” stated Coach Stan Hughes from the Lady Trojans. “These girls and their coaches are to be commended for their…

For most of us, September means back to school, football games, and a sign of fall in the air. But for those parents of children who have been diagnosed with cancer, it means weekly or more trips out of town to receive treatment for their cancer, daily hopes and prayers that good news will follow, and wishes that their child will be pain free and be able to do the things other children can do. During the August 23 monthly school board meeting of the Coffee County Board of Education, Barbara Dockery, President of the Coffee County Childhood Awareness Group…

I love this city! I also like where we are headed and a day doesn’t go by when I am not proud to serve the citizens of Douglas. I am excited about the positive changes we are making to benefit our future as a thriving and prosperous community. Douglas is the place where I raised my family and have watched my friends raise their families. Small town values are what makes Douglas a memorable destination for visitors, a magnet for new residents, new industry, and, in my opinion, the best place to live, work and raise a family. I…

A Coffee County woman faces drug distribution and firearms charges following an investigation by the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit Thursday night. Around 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2018, drug unit detectives, with the assistance of Coffee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units, conducted an investigation at a residence on East Walker Street in Douglas. Officers conducted a search of the home and agents subsequently discovered two loaded firearms and approximately one pound of high grade marijuana. Mary Kight, aka Mary Cortez or Mary Reyes, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a…

Estevan Fernando Masariegos, age 13, of Axson, passed away on Saturday September 8, 2018 from injuries sustain in an automobile accident. Estavan was born on December 29, 2004 in Douglas, the son of Fernando Marida Masariegos of Americus and Lillie Rena Masariegos of Axson. He was a student at Atkinson County Middle School. Estavan was preceded in death by his grandfather, Estavan Merida. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include; step-mother, Teresa Raina Ortegia of Americus and step-father, Cornelius Burch of Axson; sister, Monica Mae Masariegos of Axson; maternal grandmother, Sonya Harper of Vienna; maternal grandmother, Judy Anderson of Douglas;…