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The front line in any emergency situation is your local EMS service. This team of specially trained, highly skilled professionals handles the most difficult situations with confidence and courage. Join us as we salute our EMS team during EMS week, May 20-26, 2018. Andy Smith, Brian Bush, James Griffin, Fred Spires, Presika Clements , Michael Woods, Paige Reynolds, Dick Whitley, Jason Hurst, Wesley Williams, Ian Hester, Aaron Riojas, Vicky Becotte, Ryan Boze, Mike Revels, Lee Clements, Michael Leggett, Julie Thomas, Katrina Hyde, Ashley Hanks, Melinda Grantham, Amber Merritt, Verge Moore, Alena Lashley, Joni Crumbley, Jesse Merritt, Donna Meeler, Kelci Ragsdale,…

Senior Keegan McGovern capped off Senior Day with a heroic final out, sealing a crucial 3-2 win for the No. 13 Georgia Bulldogs (37-17, 18-12 SEC) over the No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks (37-17, 18-12 SEC) at Foley Field on Saturday. McGovern, the Bulldog left fielder playing his final regular season game at Georgia, caught a fly ball to left field and rifled a throw to sophomore catcher Austin Biggar at home plate for the final out. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin said. “I was shaking hands with the Arkansas coaches at home plate and I…

The Alma Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit arrested Oree Grissett, 38 of Alma, on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and cruelty to children-3rd degree (2 counts) following a domestic disturbance on E. 12th St on Monday, May 14. Grissett had fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. Grissett was also charged with theft by receiving stolen property for an incident which occurred on Saturday, May 14: APD recovered a blower valued at $500.00 from Grissett. The blower had been taken from a local businessman. APD’s Crime Suppression Unit arrested James Edward Bailey, 51of Alma, for driving with a suspended…

Mr. Willie Frank Wooden has been missing for almost one year. Law enforcement has interviewed several people and followed many leads in the days, weeks and months which followed Mr. Wooden’s disappearance. Unfortunately, none of the information provided has led to Mr. Wooden’s location. Someone in this community knows what happened to Mr. Wooden. APD needs the public’s help in locating Mr. Wooden. Investigators with the Alma Police Department can be reached at 912-632-8751.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Georgia as a result of the drought that began on March 13, 2018. The loans are available in the following counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Montgomery, Pierce, Telfair, Toombs, Ware and Wheeler in Georgia. “When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a…

For quite some time, concerns have been raised regarding business growth and expansion opportunities in the Douglas area being negatively impacted due to the shortage of housing availability for skilled labor and professionals to move into the area. Expanding and new industries, as well as medical and educational institutions, are among those voicing such concerns. At the recent quarterly meeting of the Douglas City Council, Coffee County Commission and Board of Education, local real-estate developer and businessman, Francis Lott, President of Lott Properties, proposed that the Coffee County Commission solicit Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the development of up to 80 upscale…

Shirley Ann Burkhalter, age 69, of Broxton, GA passed away on Sunday May 13, 2018 at St. Vincent’s Hospital following an extended illness. Ms. Burkhalter was born on March 17, 1949 in Coffee County Georgia the daughter of the late Simon Albert Atkinson and Mary McGray Atkinson. She was a homemaker and attended Friendship Baptist Church. Survivors include: sister, Brenda Kight of Broxton, GA; brothers: DeWayne Atkinson and wife Brenda of Cairo, GA., Albert Atkinson and wife Ria of Acworth, GA and Ron Atkinson and wife Yonok of Korea; special friend, Alvin Murray and wife Country of Hazlehurst, GA; friend,…

Irene Merritt Christian, age 94, of Douglas, GA passed away on Saturday May 12, 2018 at Vista Park following an extended illness. Mrs. Christian was born on August 20, 1923 in Broxton, GA the daughter to the late Leonard Merritt and Eliza Jane Smith Merritt. She worked as a seamstress with Spectrum Industries and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Oscar D. Christian; daughter, Joann Thomas; two brothers and two sisters. Survivors include: daughters: Audrey Streat and husband Wade of Nicholls, GA and Elaine Christian Marlett and husband Jack of Brunswick, GA; son, Ronnie David…

Larry Harrell, age 72, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Saturday May 12, 2018 at Select Specialty Hospital, Gainesville, FL following an extended illness. Mr. Harrell was born on December 18, 1945 in Douglas, GA the son of the late Richard Harrell and Ferrell Joyce Harrell. He was a salesman for Style Crest Mobile Home Manufacturer, member of the First Baptist Church and a member of the Gideons. Survivors include: his wife, Marie Harrell of Douglas, GA; daughter, Selena Renee Strom and husband Alvin of Pearson, GA; grandchildren: Caleb Harrell Strom and Jacob Wesley Strom both of Pearson, GA; sister,…

Laura Mell Pope, age 71, of Douglas, Georgia passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL following a brief illness. Miss Pope was born on October 7, 1946, in Douglas, GA the daughter of the late Albert Thomas Pope and Vira Tanner Pope. Ms. Laura Mell Pope was an alumnus of Coffee County Schools. She earned her Associate Degree from South Georgia State College and completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Georgia University. Laura Mell was a life-long learner as she continued her education earning a Masters of Education in Elementary…