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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,…

Georgia’s Departments of Agriculture, Education and Public Health, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and Georgia Organics came together at the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot to celebrate the over 40 percent of Georgia school districts with outstanding farm to school programs. Seventy-five school districts, serving more than one million students in Georgia, are now participating in farm to school. These districts served more than 97 million school meals with local food items during the 2016-17 school year. Coffee County School System was recognized at the Bronze level for their accomplishments during the 2016-17 school year, including: · Troy Highsmith’s agriculture…

Mrs. Juanita Denise Stephens, age 61, of New Port Richey, Fla., passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017,at her Residence. Mrs. Stephens was born on February 3, 1956, in Avon Park, Florida to the late Johnny Price and Doris Cogburn Sosa. Survivors include: her daughter, Darra Stephens of New Port Richey, Fla.; son, Duran Stephens of Dahlonega, Ga.; sister, Gloria Herrington of Tampa, Fla.; brothers: Edward Price and Michael Price and Ernie Sosa; grandchildren: Kaylee Stephens, Dakota Stephens, Savannah Stephens, Alexis Stephens, Logan Stephens, Abigail Stephens. Preceded by her husband: Otis Stephens; father, Johnny Price; mother, Doris Cogburn Sosa; sister,…

Marshall Reed Stephens, age 64, of Lakeland, Fla. passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health. Mr. Stephens was born on October 23, 1953, in Miami, Fla. to the late J.O. Stephens and Carolyn Luvenia Peacock Stephens. Survivors include: his daughter, Jessica Hampton of Bethlehem, Ga.; son, Lanis Stephens of Lakeland, Fla.; half-brother, James O’Dell Stephens of Winter Haven, Fla.; grandchildren: Clayton Hampton, Cory Hampton, Cason Hampton, Kayleigh O’Bright and Joseph Cook. Funeral service was held on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Douglas Gospel Assembly at 11 a.m. where Rev. Allen Peacock officiated. Interment followed at Douglas…

Four Wiregrass Georgia Technical College students have been selected as the college’s semi-finalists for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to Lydia Hubert, coordinator for the Wiregrass GOAL program. Chosen as semifinalists are: Monique Carter (Associate of Science in Nursing) Lowndes County, Sierra Ely (EMS) Coffee County, Olivia Gilliland (Auto Collision Repair) Lowndes County, and Ryan Mathis (Business Management) from Hamilton County, Florida. Moninque Carter shared she chose the Associate of Science in Nursing program to become a caring and compassionate Registered Nurse who demonstrates clinical experience while maintaining the highest standard of holistic care. Sierra Ely was…

Mr. Fred Kitchens with the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Georgia Foundation (WSWG) recently visited the Douglas Campus of South Georgia State College (SGSC) and presented the 2017-2018 Harry Dixon Scholarship to Miss Tia Kornegay. Tia is a 2017 honor graduate from Jeff Davis High School in Hazlehurst, Georgia and is studying nursing. The scholarship was established in 2000 and is named in honor of the late Georgia State Representative Harry Dixon of Waycross. Recipients must be a resident of Georgia and be enrolled full-time. Kornegay is one of 12 recipients selected this year to receive a scholarship from the…

Saturday evening, October 28, the Alma Police Department received a report of a reckless driver on GA HWY 32 near the airport. APD officers stopped the vehicle at Parker’s Food Mart. The driver, Stella Dugan, 32 of Alma, was arrested for failure to exercise due care, DUI-drugs, and possession of a scheduled controlled substance (Tramadol).

The new state Route 158 Satilla River bridge that replaces the old structure built in 1958 is scheduled to open Tuesday. The bridge is 12 miles west of Douglas. A subcontractor was installing guardrail Friday and temporary striping should be done Monday. Barring unforeseen delays, traffic is scheduled to move from the adjacent temporary on-site detour bridge the following day. The schedule is subject to change depending on weather and subcontractor schedules. When the old bridge was designed truck configuration weights were less than current state legal truck weights. The new bridge meets current design standards and is also wider.…

By Kevin Tatum JUNIOR CONFERENCE Coffee County Junior 4-H Club members (7th & 8th graders) will be heading to the Rock Eagle 4-H Center this weekend where they will be “Rollin’ into 4-H”. This weekend is a statewide conference for junior 4-H members. Coffee County 4-H members will be joining other 4-H members from across Georgia to participate in an exhibit fair, workshops, recreational events, service projects, a dance and see Georgia 4-H’s Clovers & Co. perform. We hope they have a great time at this event this weekend. FALL FORUM The Georgia 4-H Board of Directors are planning a…