Author: Submitted

The Cosmetology program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been recognized as one of the top programs in the nation according to EDsmart rankings. EDsmart is a nationally recognized publisher of college resources and rankings, and Wiregrass was named to its 2018-2019 list of the best cosmetology colleges in the nation. The rankings are based on the academic quality and affordability as well as the graduation rate. Wiregrass’ Cosmetology program is ranked number nine in the nation and offers the program on the Valdosta, Ben Hill-Irwin, and Coffee Campuses. Students can receive a diploma in Cosmetology, Barbering Diploma, Barbering Assistant Certificate,…

The Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) held its first meeting on August 9, 2018, for the 2018 – 2019 school year. Items on the agenda included discussion about the social media pages for the Youth Council, recognition of youth in our community, and recognition of the first participant in the Teen Court program. The council also heard presentations from Stevie Young (Parks & Recreation Director) and Mike Bazell (Ambitious Young Men) about their programs, followed by the Jr. Public Information report. Each month the DMYC will highlight a member of the MYC and recognize an outstanding youth in our community.…

The City of Douglas announced at the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council that Dinitra Williams will be the coordinator for the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council and Douglas-Coffee County Teen Court. Dinitra Williams is a Douglas native who is a 1988 graduate of Coffee High School. She is the daughter of Willie Williams and Shirley Porter. Williams has two children, Calvin Coates, Jr. and Aaliyah Winborn. Williams has degrees from Waycross College, Southeastern Technical College and Valdosta State University in Business Administration. After working with Telamon Corporation for nearly 20 years, Williams is planning to return to college to obtain her Masters…

The Mayor and City Commission recognized three outstanding Recreation Department Allstar teams at their meeting on August 13, 2018. In Softball, the girls Allstar team in ages seven and eight placed fourth and the girls Allstar team in ages nine and ten placed third at the GRPA State Tournament. In baseball, the boys nine and ten Allstar team placed second in their respective GRPA State Tournament. Congratulations Teams!

By Kevin Tatum SOUTHERN REGION TEEN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Senior 4-H members are invited to take part in a Southern Region 4-H event on September 20-23. This event is open to 4-H members from 13 southern states. There are workshops, a taste of the south event, 4K road race, dance, fun and games, and a special community service project. The cost is $230 to attend the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference and it will be held at the Clyde York 4-H Center in Crossville, TN. You can also apply to teach a “Funshop” workshop. This will look great in your DPA portfolio. Registration…

Lori Hennesy, a member of the local childhood cancer awareness group, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. She spoke about what this group does for children with cancer and about an upcoming fundraiser. The Kiwanis Club members enjoyed and appreciated her presentation.

One of Douglas’ own has returned home with honors, medical degrees, expertise and a beautiful family. When Josh Vickers graduated from Citizens Christian Academy just over a decade ago he left Douglas to attend the University of Georgia. From there he went on to graduate from University of Florida College of Medicine and continued to the prestigious Emory University Department of Orthopedics in Atlanta where he completed a year-long fellowship training. His most recent move was home to Coffee County where he has joined the medical staff of Coffee Regional Medical Center and will begin practicing at Orthopedic Surgeons of…

—–August 20th Arrests—– APD arrested Stacy Tyle Lee, 51 of Alma, in the 200 block of S. Worth St on outstanding arrest warrants. APD arrested Patrick Robinson, 31 of Alma, for loitering following a call for service at the Alma Hotel. Robinson has been arrested multiple times this year for related offenses. —–August 22nd Arrests—– APD and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision arrested Antonio Posley, 31 of Alma, and Myiesha Nails, 23 of Alma, for possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of dangers drugs following a search of their home located in the 300 block of…

The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit announces the following recent arrests: August 15: The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit agents conducted an investigation and surveillance at a residence on Sand Hill Church Road. After hours of surveillance and observing numerous vehicles arriving and leaving, agents converged on the home and detained Ramon Ortiz. A subsequent search of the residence and property revealed Ortiz attempted to hide a quantity of drugs in the wood line of the property. Ortiz was arrested and faces charges for trafficking methamphetamines and possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute. August 22: At approximately 11 a.m., the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit…

Mr. Joseph Nicholas Zompetti, age 71 of Douglas, passed away Friday morning, August 17, 2018, at Vista Park following a short illness. Mr. Zompetti was born March 12, 1947, to the late Carl Zompetti and the late Josephine Ceccarelli Zompetti Mr. Zompetti, a native of Marlborough, Massachusetts, was a US Navy Veteran. He was a member of Springdell Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC Survivors include: his wife, Stacie Butcher Zompetti of Douglas, GA.; children: Joseph Zompetti, Jr. and Linda Ready both of MA., Susie Zompetti of FL., Aaron Khan of Aiken, SC.; grandchildren: Richard “JJ” Fearing, Jessie Christine, Joey Tower,…