Author: Submitted

Friday morning, November 3, 2017, the Alma Police Department responded to Flash Foods (404 S. Pierce St) regarding a theft of gasoline. Zachary Hall, 26 of Hazlehurst, entered Flash Foods and made a purchase using an EBT card; however, Hall drove away without paying for $41.95 worth of gasoline. APD has secured a misdemeanor arrest warrant for Hall. If anyone knows of Hall’s whereabouts, please contact the Alma Police Department at 912-632-8751. Saturday morning, November 4, APD responded to Flash Foods (404 S. Pierce St) regarding the theft of lottery tickets. APD reviewed surveillance cameras and observed a white male…

On Thursday, November 2, the Douglas Coffee-County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting and open house celebration for Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation Center formally known as Shady Acres. A multitude of community and business leaders, family, friends and staff enjoyed delightful music by CCA Choir led by Gina LaBorde’, delicious hors d’oeuvres and refreshments by J & D Caterers and tour of the beautiful facility led by staff. Vista Park Health & Rehabilitation, located at 1319 Ocilla Highway, offers short and long term care as well as rehabilitative therapy. For more information, call 912-384-7811.

Future Business Leaders of America members, Dalton McKinnon and Andy Arzate, spoke at the Coffee County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on October 30, 2017. They explained what FBLA was all about and then told the Chamber members that on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Coffee High School FBLA chapter will be hosting the Region 2 Leadership Conference from 4-8 p.m. This conference consist of FBLA members, from all of region 2, which will compete in a variety of events. Dalton and Andy asked if any of the Chamber members would be interested in helping judge in any of the performance events.…

The South Georgia State College Hawks survived a challenge from The Skill Factory Thursday night to win their season opener 91-77. Keshaun Street led the Hawks (1-0) with 23 points and shot 67 percent from the three-point line. Nate Louis had a complete game of 22 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Dwayne Wilson finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while Tracy Hector also had a complete game of 11 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and six steals. Head coach Cory Baldwin said The Skill Factory players were the biggest he and the Hawks had ever faced…

Cory Baldwin, head men’s basketball coach at South Georgia State College (SGSC), has announced the return of Rachard Lofton to serve as one of SGSC’s assistant basketball coaches. “I am excited for Rachard. He has wanted to get into college coaching, and the timing, need, and opportunity were all perfect,” said Baldwin. “He will help our student athletes see that their goals are obtainable, because he reached his goals when he was a player here, too. Rachard is extremely energetic, professional, and positive about his alma mater, which can help us all on campus.” Lofton played for the former Waycross…

A 42-year-old Coffee County man accused of severely beating a 26-year-old female victim during an incident that occurred in October is behind bars following an investigation by Coffee County detectives. Deputies responded to Coffee Regional Medical Center on Oct. 10, 2017, in reference to a possible assault that occurred at a residence off Cross Road. The victim, who suffered multiple injuries, including two black eyes, a swollen jaw, and leg abrasions, identified Johnny Ryan Floyd of Douglas as the assailant. In an interview with Floyd earlier this week, the suspect admitted to investigators he had assaulted the…

Sheriff Doyle Wooten and the staff of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office are proud to congratulate Deputy Miguel Contreras on being named as our 2017 Officer of the Year. Deputy Contreras rightfully earned this designation after being overwhelmingly selected by his fellow officers and coworkers. Miguel began his career at the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in July 2013, serving as a jail officer before going on to attend the Georgia Regional Police Academy in Tifton. After successfully completing the academy, Deputy Contreras was promoted to the road patrol division in January 2015. Over the last three years,…

Tuesday evening, October 31, 2017, the Alma Police Department was assisted by the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office in locating a person wanted on five counts of forgery in the 4th degree. Dawn Weaver, 45 of Alma, forged documents at Flash Foods #29 in the amount of $292.00. Also on the 31st, Jimmy Brian Thompson, 36 of Alma, was arrested in Cochran, GA on warrants secured by APD for nine counts of forgery in the 4th degree. Thompson forged documents at Parker’s Food Mart in the amount of $350.00 and at Jay’s IGA in the amount of $860.00. Wednesday afternoon, November…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is proud to sponsor registered apprenticeships with local industries. Wiregrass recently sponsored apprenticeships with Midway Truck and American Truck Parts in Douglas in conjunction with the college’s Diesel Maintenance Technician program and Valdosta Toyota in Valdosta. Two of the students in the Diesel Maintenance Technician program, Zane Beck and Jacob Mancil, are enjoying paid apprenticeships at these two long-serving Douglas diesel repair facilities. “We have seen great results from the apprenticeship program with Wiregrass, and look forward to participating in the future, “shared Kurt Deen, General Manager of Midway Truck. Under the apprenticeship agreement sponsored by…

Bernard Majdi (third row, center), associate professor of chemistry/biology at South Georgia State College (SGSC), was invited recently to lead the monthly meeting of the Junior Naturalists at the Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP). Majdi led the Junior Naturalists participants in experiments. Kathi Murray (third row, right), environmental educator for the OSP and Okefenokee RESA, serves as coordinator of the Junior Naturalists program and said the participants loved the experiments. The Junior Naturalists is a camp for children 8-12 years old who meet on the fourth Saturday of each month from January through October. Participants learn more about the Okefenokee Swamp,…