Author: Submitted

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, a large group gathered with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Saim Minit Mart located at 6582 Highway 32 West in Douglas. Joining Chamber Board Chairman Stanley Lott, President Andrea Taylor and Director Lisa Hodge were Mayor Tony Paulk, Pastor Joey Copeland and a host of customers, family and friends. Saim also provides great fast food inside the convenience store. Yogi Patel, partners and staff welcome everyone to come out and enjoy specials during the grand opening.

William “Bill” Edward Abercrombie, Sr., age 81, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Abercrombie was born on August 23, 1935, in Ft. Valley, Ga. to the late William Claude Abercrombie, II and Ida Mae Smith Abercrombie. Survivors include: his wife, Barbara Nell Abercrombie of Douglas, Ga.; sons: Ed Abercrombie of Douglas, Ga., Cal (Gloria) Abercrombie of Waynesburg, Pa., and Alan (Ashley) Abercrombie of Social Circle, Ga.; sister, Dottie Small of Hinesville, Ga.; brother, William “Buck” Claude Abercrombie, III of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren: Erin Rishell, Kayla Leavens,…

Mr. Benjamin Franklin Purvis, age 92, of Ambrose, GA passed away early Thursday morning, August 10, 2017, at Pruitt Nursing Home in Ocilla, GA. following an extended illness. Mr. Purvis was born in Irwin County on April 7, 1925 to the late Richard Purvis and the late Nancy Joyce Purvis. Survivors include: several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. The graveside service will be Saturday morning, August 12, 2017 at 11 a.m. at New Hope Cemetery near Ambrose. Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Jacob Wayne Carlyon, age 35, of Jacksonville, FL passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at his residence following a short illness. Mr. Carlyon was born in Fort Walton Beach, FL on August 15, 1981 to Douglas Carlyon and the late Joy Lynn Mckinnon. Survivors include: brother: Kody McKinnon of Jacksonville, FL.; father, Douglas Carlyon of Florida; step-father, Guy McKinnon of Douglas, GA; niece, Kaylyn McKinnon of Douglas, GA; several aunts, ucles, cusins and a hst of fiends The funeral service will be Friday, August 11, 2017 at 2 p.m. the Chapel of Ricketson Funeral Home with Rev. Justin Laurendine…

The Coffee County Adult Education program of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has grants available for students working towards a GED. Students enrolling in GED classes may be eligible for funds to assist with transportation and the cost of the GED tests as well as incentives when completing the GED and entering employment or college. The WIOA Out of School Youth grant is available to students who are at 16-24 years of age and meet other eligibility requirements. Funding is available through a partnership with WorkSource Georgia of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission. The Coffee County Adult Education program is located…

Locate South Georgia LEADS is proud to announce that Mesha Davis, Chief Financial Officer with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, has been chosen to be a part of the LEADS second cohort. Davis is one of 35 participants named to continue the development of a strong leadership pipeline across South Georgia. Presented by Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), Locate South Georgia LEADS (LSGL) will kick off this month on Thursday, August 17, at Southern Woods in Sylvester-Worth County. With representation from 21 counties across South Georgia, LSGL is an eight-month leadership experience that develops individual leadership skills while engaging…

Monday evening, August 7th, an elderly resident of Alma fell victim to a robbery after Kelly Marlette Thomas, 27 of Alma, entered the man’s home, robbed and beat the victim, and then used the victim’s debit/credit card to make several unauthorized purchases. Thomas was arrested on Wednesday, August 9th; Thomas has been charged with robbery, battery, and six counts of financial transaction card fraud. Also on Wednesday, August 9th, APD’s Crime Suppression Unit stopped a vehicle on W. 12th St for an equipment violation. Officers arrested Debra Lynn Hyers, 50 of Alma, for a taillight violation, driving with a suspended…

The National Night Out/Summer Beach Bash/B-Shoc concert was held on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. The event was a huge success and we thank everyone who came out and supported the event. Our local partners included: Douglas Rotary Club, McRae Coca-Cola, Broadcast South, Papa John’s Pizza, Coffee Chrysler, ESG Operations, First National Bank of Coffee County, FNB South, Premium Peanut, Red Brick Farm, Douglas Floral and Gifts, Walmart Store, Walmart DC 6010 and the City of Douglas. 1st place – Faith King, 2nd Place – Zyria Lindsey, 3rd place – Xymesha Walker 1st place – Glenda Lucas, 2nd place – Destini…

Recently, the City of Douglas Natural Gas Department replaced the galvanized piping gas system at South Georgia State College (SGSC). Gas Department employees removed the dated galvanized gas system and replaced it with new polyurethane pipe. The equipment replacement is a safeguard against possible gas leak exposure to students, staff, and citizens at the campus. SGSC depends on natural gas for the campus boilers, dormitory hot water heaters, and cafeteria kitchen appliances to sustain living conditions throughout the year. “The Gas Department team, led by Supervisor Andrew Jackson, worked countless hours outside of normal working time to ensure that South Georgia State College will re-open without any interruptions,”…

The Satilla Riverkeeper is hosting their annual watershed-wide cleanup on September 16, 2017. Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will help pick up litter and trash at boat landings, roadways, river banks, parks and beaches from Douglas to Jekyll Island. Volunteers are invited to join any of the designated clean-up sites throughout the watershed. This is a growing river-wide effort and the Satilla Riverkeeper invites any interested individuals, schools, church groups, businesses or other community groups to get involved. Dumping and littering is a problem throughout the Satilla River watershed. Whether it’s in a yard, street, or outside a dumpster, once…