Author: Submitted

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College learned that the Pharmacy Technology program has been listed in the Top 50 Pharmacy Tech programs in the nation. This ranking was announced by the The Best Colleges.org. The website strives to connect prospective students with the best degree programs. All accredited pharmacy technician programs in the United States were reviewed and the top 50 have been named. The review was based on which accredited programs provided students with the best learning experiences. Pharmacy Technology at Wiregrass is a diploma program and qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant. If students qualify for the HOPE or Zell…

James Willis, area manager for Georgia Power Company in Waycross, recently presented a contribution to the James M. Dye Foundation’s FY 2018 Annual Giving Campaign, which began July 1. Accepting the check was South Georgia State College President Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers. Georgia Power has a long and rich history of engagement and support for education in Georgia. Dramatically improving public education and workforce preparedness are key initiatives for the company. The Dye Foundation provides funding for various initiatives on SGSC’s Waycross Campus, outside of state appropriations, including student scholarships and campus events and programs. Georgia Power has supported the Dye…

Westside Elementary School will host their 2017-2018 Title 1 Annual Parent Meeting on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium immediately followed by PTO and Open House at 7 p.m. We would like to invite all parents, community members, and stakeholders of Westside Elementary School to attend. Your input and suggestions are always welcome. We hope to see you there!

Mr. Bennie Terrell Smith, age 69, of Nicholls, GA passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Smith was born on July 28, 1948 in Fitzgerald, GA to the late Henry James Smith, SR and Lillie Mae Cumbass Smith. Survivors include: wife, Morning Bennett Smith of Nicholls, GA; daughter, Betty Rewis (Robert Cline) of Valdosta, GA; sons: Wendell (Karen) King of Douglas, GA; Mitchell (Amanda) Hall of Nicholls, GA; Donald Hall (Kim Tharpe) of Nicholls, GA; brothers: Herman (Vera) Smith of Alma, GA and Henry Smith of Fitzgerald, GA. 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren;…

Mr. Robert L. Harper, age 84, of Douglas passed away early Thursday morning, August 17, 2017, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Harper was born November 21, 1932 to the late Jake Harper and the late Lillia Youngblood Harper Barrett. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 Step-Brothers; Donald Spell and David Hugh Spell.Mr. Harper was a native of Irwin County. He retired from Coffee County Board of Education where he had worked for many years in the Maintenance Department. He was also self employed as a cabinet builder. Mr. Harper was a faithful…

The demolition of the downtown building located at 106 South Madison Avenue, has been rescheduled to September 16 & 17, 2017. During these two days, a portion of SouthMadison Avenue between Ashley Street (SR 32 East) and Ward Street (SR 32 West), will be temporarily closed. Should delays occur, this section of the street may remain closed on Monday, September 18, 2017. The building scheduled for demolition is located between Trophy World and Shop Eve, and/or across the street from Dewey & Franklin HayesAttorney offices. Detour and road closure signage will be placed appropriately. Business owners located in this area are asked to notify customers…

The Douglas Parks and Recreation Department and Coffee High School have partnered together to provide “Miracle Buckets” at Trojan Football games. “Miracle Buckets” will be at Trojan football games to collect donations for the construction of the Miracle Field. Attendees are asked to donate $1 or spare change to help with the construction of the Miracle Field. “Community support will help make this dream come true for so many special needs children,” says Stevie Young, Parks & Recreation Department Director. “Any amount that a person is willing to donate will help.” The construction cost of the Miracle Field is estimated at $750,000. The field area will include…

There were 21 CHS students that finished the 2017 school year with the distinction of AP Scholar. These students take the rigorous course load of AP classes and then take a national test in that subject area. The College Board and AP Program recognize students who score a three, four or five on three or more exams. Students who score in that range generally receive college credit for that course and more recognition in gaining admission into top universities across Georgia and the United States. With the AP Scholar Awards, the AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated…

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association held its 22nd Annual District II Award Banquet on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 that was held in Camden County. Willis Crockett, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director and Ronnie Bullock, were recognized for their work in the Parks and Recreation field. Crockett was awarded the Roger Johnson Award. The Roger Johnson award was established within GRPA in 2015, after Mr. Johnson’s death. The description of the award reads: “In every generation, a few individuals step forward to assume the reins of leadership and service in providing for the needs of the youth of our nation. These men and women give freely…

Corey Smith pled guilty on Wednesday, Aug. 16, to the 1996 murder of Billy Ray Browning. Judge Andy Spivey presided over the plea while Assistant District Attorney Ian Sansot represented the State. In the early morning hours of June 26, 1996, Smith and three others were driving down 441, north of the city of Douglas. They flagged down Browning who they mistakenly believed to be the individual who previously struck their vehicle. Browning was driving a gray Dodge truck, a similar vehicle to the one they were looking for. Upon both vehicles being stopped on the side of the road,…