Author: Submitted

South Georgia State College officially celebrated the start of the 2017-2018 school year at Convocation on August 7th on the Douglas Campus. Convocation is an annual tradition that gathers the faculty and staff from all SGSC campuses and instructional sites to spotlight the successes and plans of the College and to welcome new employees. SGSC’s newly appointed president, Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers, along with the administrative team, new and continuing faculty, and members of the staff gathered for this year’s Convocation which was presided over by Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, Dr. Robert Page. Dr. Page began the…

The Coffee County Adult Education program of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College now offers free English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes. ELS classes help improve one’s skills in speaking, comprehending, reading, or writing the English language. Classes are designed for those beginning to learn English or those wanting to improve their English-speaking skills. The Coffee County Adult Education program is located at 706 West Baker Highway in Douglas, and ESL classes are offered Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m-noon and Monday/Thursday 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Call 229-468-2263 for more information or visit www.wiregrass.edu/adulted.

Wednesday afternoon, August 16th, the Alma Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit arrested Donnie Ray Reynolds, 40 of Baxley, and Jala Gwinnette Howard, 37 of Baxley, following a traffic stop on W. 12th St. for an equipment violation. Reynolds and Howard were both charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance (Adderall). APD detectives are also investigating two motor vehicle thefts. Last Friday morning, August 11th, a Chevrolet pickup was stolen from Miles Auto Sales on U.S. 1; this vehicle was recovered Sunday, August 13th, in Clinch County. Today, August 16th, APD and BCSO responded to Mid-South Feeds…

Members of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce/EDA Leadership Coffee Class of 2017 were treated to a tour of the Ashley Slater House on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. Pattie Merritt, Main Street Manager, led the group through a tragic and history filled story about the home that was once the residence of Mr. John Ashley, Mrs. Ada Ashley-Slater, and Mr. John Slater in the early 1900s. The former residence is now home to the Douglas Visitor Information Center. For more information about the Douglas Visitor Information Center, call 912-384-4555.

SGBOF Committee members have been meeting monthly preparing for the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival. The Douglas and Coffee County area should get ready for another exciting festival complete with general & food vendors, Rockdog Entertainment’s Friday Night concert featuring the Midnight Riders, Jack Pearson, and the Brady Clampitt Band, GBA BBQ Competition, NAPA/Brooks Auto Car Show, Helping Hands Bikers Motorcycle Show and Dice Run. Special shows this year feature the World Record Tucker Buck, Southeastern Snake Encounter, Coca Cola Hug Me vendor, clogging, free fishing workshops, kids fun area, and much more! For more information, call 912-383-0277 or…

Cindy Youngblood pled guilty today to criminal attempt to commit murder. Her co-defendant, Reggie Lockhart, pled on Friday, August 11. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ian Sansot and Judge Andy Spivey presided over the plea. Roughly one year ago on August 11, 2016, deputies with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to Harvey Smith Road after Mr. Anthony Youngblood reported an individual, later identified as Reggie Lockhart, fired on him outside his residence. Upon being interviewed by law enforcement, Lockhart admitted that he did attempt to take Mr. Youngblood’s life at the request of Cindy Youngblood, whom…

Scott Harper, Fortis USA, was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting of Tuesday, August 15, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. He spoke about his background in law enforcement and his company, Fortis USA, which provides firearms training and self-defense training to individuals and groups as well as providing security assessments and security guards for businesses. The Kiwanis club members enjoyed and appreciated his presentation

FNBCC is proud to announce the appointment of the following students to the 2017-2018 First National Bank of Coffee County Junior Board of Directors. Being strong advocates of this community, these students represent the future of Coffee County through their display of integrity, quality, and commitment. From Coffee High School, members include: Allison Dorsey, Anna Grace Grantham, Korinda Johnson, William Brice Minix, Deep Patel, Mona Patel, Nidhi Patel, Caris Ruis, Courtney Toth, Kiara Trejo, Kensley Vickers. From Citizens Christian Academy, members include: LeAnne Brown, Lance Fountain, Lari Lott, & Laura Ashley Pridgen. These 15 students represent the top of their…

The Airbase Preservation and Development Committee will host its first National Aviation Day Fly-In on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 10am – 2pm at the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport located at 3 Airport Circle. “Everyone is encouraged to attend and to come out and learn about preservation efforts of this historic WWII Airbase,” says Dr. Carl McDonald, APDC Chairman. On National Aviation Day, organizers are planning activities for the public that will promote interest in the WWII Airbase as well as an interest in aviation. Visitors to the airport will have the chance to see a private aircraft display, flight fly overs, military vehicle display,…

The South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival will be held in Douglas on Friday, September 8 and on Saturday, September 9, 2017. The Douglas BBQ Cook-Off is held in conjunction with the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival. “We are thrilled, again, to partner with Georgia BBQ Association for the Douglas BBQ Cook-Off and are increasing our payout to $20,000 in cash and prizes,” says Georgia\ Henderson, Public Information Department Director. “Having a grand payout of $5,000 makes our cook-off the largest payout with GBA to date. Last year, we had over 30 professional teams competing and this year we are hoping to host even more!”…