Author: Submitted

The South Georgia State College (SGSC) Hawks made the long road trip to Allendale, South Carolina, to take on the USC-Salkehatchie Indians. The double-header led to two victories for the Hawks as they defeated the Indians by a score of 6-2 in the first game of the afternoon and 2-1 in the final game. In game one, the Hawks captured the lead late in the game. The game was tied at two when Colby Owens stepped up to the plate in the top of the seventh and singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The rally continued as SGSC…

Mr. Billy Ray O’Neal, age 70, of Zephyrhills, FL, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Wedge Wood Nursing Home in Lakeland, FL. Mr. O’Neal was born on July 24, 1947 in Ocilla, GA to the late Emil O’Neal and Dorothy Williams O’Neal. He is survived by: daughters: Jennifer Rendl of Eggestein, Germany and Laura Walters of Genoa, Ohio; sisters: Linda Vershum of Zephyrhills, FL; Tracy Soward, Texas; brother, Tony O”Neal of Texas; grandchildren: Max Rendl; Marie Rendl, and Evan Walters; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by: parent and sister: Pamela Edwards and brother,…

Mrs. Ernestine Johnson Spires, age, 76, of Nicholls, GA. passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018, in Savannah, GA. Mrs. Spires was born in Atkinson County, Georgia to the late James Steve Johnson and Jincy Lucille Woods Johnson and the widower of the late Charles William Spires. She is survived by: her daughter, Sheila Cannon and husband Pat Cannon of Nicholls, GA.; son, Charles Randall Spires and wife Diane Spires of Gainesville, FL.; grandchildren: Chas Cannon, Clay Cannon, Cassie Spires and Jake Spires; great grandchildren: Andee Cannon, Ace Cannon and Zoey Cannon; sister, Sue Akel of Jacksonville, FL; and several…

Angela Candece Stone Hand, age 43, of Broxton, GA passed away on Saturday February 17, 2018 in Douglas, GA. Mrs. Hand was born on November 25, 1973, in Hazlehurst, GA to the late Wayne Madison Stone and Nancy Carol Dykes Stone. Survivors include: husband, Freeman Hand of Broxton, GA.; daughters: Candace and husband Kevin Daughtry of Hazlehurst, GA, Amanda and husband Jimmy Benton of Hazlehurst, GA, Amy and husband Demetria Vazquez of Hazlehurst, GA., Samatha and husband Kyle Taylor of Mt. Vernon, GA.; sisters: Sherry Stone of Macon, GA and Rayla Stone of Jeffersonville, GA.; brothers: Timothy Stone of Alma,…

Mrs. Emma Lou Harrell Crider Aughinbaugh, age 98 of Douglas, passed away on Saturday evening, February 17, 2018 at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Aughinbaugh was born, August 26, 1919 to the late Samuel M. Harrell and the late Janie E. Smith Harrell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: her two husbands: W. A. Crider, Jr. and Howard Aughinbaugh, Jr.; two infant sons; one great grandchild, Zachery Jarrell; one sister, Myrtle Gillis; and one daughter-in-law, Ruth Aughinbaugh. In her spare time, Mrs. Aughinbaugh loved to cook and crochet. She was also a member…

The Douglas Police Department recently released its crime stats for the year of 2017. In comparison to the 2016 crime stats, 2017 crime stats indicate that crime in Douglas has decreased by 21.68 percent. I applaud each and every person, from the Police Department to neighborhood residents, who have worked to make this decrease in crime. Our community is safer because of pro-active employees and citizens. Douglas is broken down into four zones, which has proven to be the most effective way for the Police Department to set up zone patrol and response areas. Over the last year, the Police…

FFA Week at Coffee Middle School was a lot of fun for the members and CMS. The competitions were interesting, and we congratulate all of the winners. Thanks to everyone who participated in the activities. Mrs. Hester and Mr. Stodghill have a great group of students to work with. FFA TRIVIA WINNERS: Monday: Rhett Robinson; Tuesday: Mauri Fletcher; Wednesday: Sarah Davis; Thursday: Haley Redden The winner of the $25 iTunes card for dressing up every day was Dylan Adams! Mrs. Whitley’s homeroom in Cluster 7E won the Sock Drive contest. They collected the most socks this week for the nursing…

By Hannah Spivey, GWCFC journalism student The following numbers revolve around one common theme: 653,359. 41,000+. 8,568. 3. 1. Can you guess the theme? Here’s a hint: National Blue and Corn Gold. If you still can’t figure it out, the answer is the National FFA Organization. There are 653,359 members in the organization. There are 8,568 chapters between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 41,000+ members are involved in one of the 475 FFA chapters in Georgia. This statistic ranks GA number three in membership with one common theme: THE BLUE CORDUROY JACKET! That’s right, one simple blue…

The South Georgia State College Hawks outscored the Atlanta Metro Trailblazers 18-9 in the final eight minutes to pull away for their 20th win of the season, 75-62. The Hawks (20-7, 9-4) led by as many as 15 points in the first half only to see their lead shrink to three (36-33) at halftime. Head coach Cory Baldwin pointed to a cold shooting streak by the Hawks and the Trailblazers’s ability to score in the lane that made the game close. “They (Atlanta Metro) were able to penetrate the lane and make some shots,” he said. “We did a good…

JUNIOR/SENIOR PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT Coffee County Junior and Senior 4-H members traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H Center the weekend of February 9-11 and competed in District Project Achievement. Thirty-five students completed portfolios. This portfolio accounts for 40-50 percent of their total DPA score. They also had to present a 10-12 minute presentation on their project which accounted for the balance of their score. We had sixteen Junior participants to compete and their projects and placings were J.J. Aldridge, Target Sports; Ashton Ates, Better Breakfast, 1st; Amelia Crockett, Public Speaking, 1st; Ashlynn Fletcher, Festive Foods for Health, 3rd; Terryanna Harris, Photography, 3rd;…