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Hurricane Irma is just over 24 hours out. Shelters in Douglas are about to open. Here is the latest information: The current forecast track of Hurricane Irma places Coffee County on the east side of the center of the storm. Current predictions of the National Weather Service are for Coffee County to receive tropical storm force winds with the potential for sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph with gusts to 75 mph or greater. These conditions are expected to begin in our area sometime overnight Sunday and remain for 24 to 36 hours. There is an enhanced risk of…

By Hannah Spivey Recently, a group of over 260 Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and teachers attended the State Floral Design Clinic in Covington, GA. Among them was George Washington Carver Freshman Campus’ (GWCFC) very own Abbigail Vaughn and Natalie Grantham. Floral design is the art of using flowers, other plants, known as “filler”, and other floral design products to make floral arrangements. The two traveled to the clinic where they practiced with the advanced class. They practiced skills they already knew and practiced designing arrangements that could be useful in the upcoming Area Floral Design Career Development Event…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Damien Moss has joined the staff as Receptionist. Damien is a native of Fitzgerald, but he came to Douglas at an early age. He is the son of Pastor Christopher K. Swinson I and Keela Swinson of Douglas. Damien and his wife Ambreal Moss have two children, Damien J. Moss Jr., 3, and Tylek Norman, 16. Damien also serves as a youth leader at his local church and is passionate about empowering teens and young adults in the community. He enjoys playing the piano, bass guitar, photography, videography and…

Wednesday, September 6, the Alma Police Department responded to a theft by shoplifting at Julie’s Gifts and Boutique. Officers discovered Pamela Lovejoy, 55 of Alma, had attempted to steal two t-shirts and three pairs of leggings valued at $75.00. APD arrested Lovejoy for misdemeanor theft by shoplifting. Lovejoy was processed for the offense and released on her own recognizance. Within three hours of her release, APD learned Lovejoy entered Fred’s and stole a bed sheet set valued at $39.95; Lovejoy had left the store before law enforcement arrival. APD secured an arrest warrant for Lovejoy and later arrested Lovejoy at…

Coffee County emergency officials and community partners are closely monitoring the progression of Hurricane Irma. Although it is currently a Category 5 storm it is expected to weaken significantly before approaching north Florida and South Georgia. Over 40 local personnel attended a National Weather Service Webinar and briefing in the Coffee County Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday afternoon with more to follow as the storm progresses. Officials will work to notify everyone as conditions change. With the storm several days away beware of social media stories predicting the path of “Irma,” fuel shortages, etc. A lot of uncertainty exists at…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Labor are partnering with the City of Douglas to host the 2017 Douglas-Coffee County Job Fair and Career Expo. Over 50 employers will be represented at the event. It will be held on Tuesday, September 19 from 9 a.m. until noon at Central Square Complex located at 200 South Madison Avenue in Douglas. If you are interest in booth space or would like more information on the event, please call the Department of Labor at 912-389-4254.

A 20-year-old Coffee County man wanted on drug and firearms charges faces numerous additional felonies after being found in possession of various narcotics. Detectives with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, with assistance from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 Unit, arrested Austin Blake Musgrove recently on outstanding warrants for marijuana distribution and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. During the arrest, Musgrove was discovered to be in possession of methamphetamine and illicit pain medications. Musgrove was also involved in an investigation that led to other charges including the sale of various Schedule II controlled substances. In…

Kevin Tatum, 4-H, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting of Tuesday, September 5, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. He gave an update on 4-H activities and spoke about the people who help and the funding requirements. The Kiwanis club members enjoyed and appreciated his presentation.

The South Georgia State College Hawks added three new coaches to begin the 2017-2018 athletic season, welcoming Jacob Crawford for women’s soccer, Erik Thumann for cross country, and Jeff Savage for softball. Jacob Crawford is an alumnus of South Georgia College where he played soccer from 2006-2007. After SGC, he transferred to Valdosta State University and graduated in 2010. He holds a B.S in middle grades education from Valdosta State and a M.S. in kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. For the past seven years, Coach Crawford has been teaching at Valdosta High School and coaching within their soccer program. During…

Sgt. Marc Loren Bennett, age 33, of Douglas, Ga. passed away suddenly on Friday, September 1, 2017. Mr. Bennett was born on August 2, 1984, in Goppingen, Germany to Donald Lee Bennett and Liane Nolte Bennett. Survivors include: his father, Donald “Don” (Tracy) Bennett of Douglas, Ga.; mother, Lili Bennett of Ocala, Fla.; sisters: Katynn Bennett of Douglas, Ga., Madison Bennett of Douglas, Ga., and Diana Myers of Hawaii; brother, Austin Bennett of Douglas, Ga.; paternal grandparents: Don Bennett of Diamond City, Ark, and Laura Nease of Maryville, Tenn.; grandparents: Jerry and Toya Waldron of Douglas, Ga.; several cousins and…