Author: Submitted

Coffee FFA and 4-H combined their efforts this year in horse judging with a plan that would maximize the number of participants throughout the county. The efforts paid off in a big way. The senior team brought back a state championship and Madeleine Tuten scored the highest in the senior division and earned Master 4-H’er status. On April 5, Coffee High FFA students Grace Barrett, Josie Grantham, Jayla Cobb, and Mikayla Hayes were named the State FFA Reserve Champions. The event consisted of placing five classes of horses including two halter classes and three performance classes – western pleasure, hunter…

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a slight rise in March unemployment rates. “Georgia’s job market is red hot with opportunity,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “This continuous growth is a strong indicator that our economic momentum is not slowing down any time soon. Once again, Georgia continues to shatter records in growing businesses statewide and creating jobs for hardworking Georgians.” Please see a synopsis of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s unemployment report below. Coffee and Atkinson counties belong to this commission: Southern Georgia

By Valeria Vega, CHS FBLA Reporter The Coffee County High School FBLA attended the 2024 State Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta. Nine members and their advisers, Brandy Barlow, Kelly Gilliard, and Kristi Joyner, attended this year’s FBLA State Leadership Conference, where members of FBLA from the entire state gathered together to participate in competitive events, workshops/team building exercises, and other activities. They also enjoyed networking and meeting FBLA members from other regions across Georgia. During the drive to Atlanta, FBLA stopped by the Shoppes at River Crossing in Macon, where members were allowed to shop, eat…

The City of Douglas and Keep Douglas Beautiful is proud to offer Junk Free Week and Tire Amnesty Week, from April 22 to April 26, 2024, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 1011 Shirley Avenue. This yearly event is designed to assist residents in cleaning up their properties. During Junk Free and Tire Amnesty Week, residents within the city limits of Douglas can bring in their large items and tires to 1011 Shirley Avenue, free of cost. Each resident can dispose of up to 4 tires, but commercial and farm tires will not be accepted, and only rubber without…

Wiregrass practical nursing student Demeria Bryant was awarded a Coffee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Auxiliary Scholarship. She was one of nine allied health students who submitted an essay to the Auxiliary Committee. This year’s essay theme was “Why I want to be in healthcare.” The CRMC Auxiliary presented Demeria with a $1,000 check during their Auxiliary meeting. After the presentation of her award, she read her essay to the committee and those in attendance. Demeria lost her mom in February of this year and dedicated her essay to her mom and her Practical Nursing Instructor Deidra Floyd. “This was a surprise and…

Beginning Summer Semester, May 13, 2024, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is accepting new students for the new Aircraft Assembly Technician I program.  This program is a technical certificate of credit and can be completed in two semesters.  This program started at the college in January 2024 and opened to Dual Enrollment students.  The Technical Certificate of Credit includes learning how to inspect aircraft structural and sheet metal repair. With this certificate successful graduates can find jobs at Gulf Stream, Delta, and many aircraft companies. The average salary in Georgia is over $60,000 annually. The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Coordinator is…

A Coffee County man was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution for fraudulently obtaining funds intended to help businesses struggling financially during the pandemic. Kyle Waldron, 59, of Douglas, Ga., was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to money laundering, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Waldron to pay $1,371,219 in restitution. During the investigation federal agents seized $326,461 from Waldron’s bank accounts, which is subject to forfeiture. Judge Wood ordered Waldron to serve…

The City of Douglas is excited to participate in the 25th anniversary of Georgia Cities Week, sponsored by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). The event is designed to highlight and appreciate the various services provided by cities across Georgia. The celebration will take place from April 20-27, 2024, and will feature various events. This year’s Georgia Cities Week theme is “Soaring to New Heights.” “We are immensely proud of our city and the services we offer to our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Tony Paulk. “Cities play a vital role in providing necessary infrastructure and services that facilitate business growth…

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bryan Preston, Jr. of Douglas, Georgia are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Chelsea Ann, to Colby Taylor Graham, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Thomas Graham, also of Douglas. Miss Preston is the maternal granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell DeLoyd Bryant of Douglas. She is the paternal granddaughter of Mrs. Janice Pope Preston and the late Mr. Thomas Bryan Preston, Sr. also of Douglas. Miss Preston is a 2014 graduate of Coffee High School, and went on to attend South Georgia State College before transferring her studies to Valdosta…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Sea Shells Seafood, a long-awaited addition to the culinary landscape of Downtown Douglas. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Monday, April 1, 2024, marked the official introduction of this seafood haven to the community. Sea Shells opened their doors to the public on April 2. Sea Shells Seafood traces its roots back to 2016 when Marcus Hancock, a proud Douglas native, embarked on a mission to bring affordable quality seafood to Middle Georgia. With years of dedication and passion, Marcus perfected his craft, garnering admiration from residents…