Author: Submitted

Commissioner Durham was acknowledged by the Mayor and City Commission for receiving the Certificate of Achievement at the Annual GMA Conference that was held in Savannah, Georgia in June 2017. Congratulations Commissioner Durham!

On Monday night, July 17, 2017, Mayor Tony Paulk signed a proclamation naming August 19, 2017 as National Aviation Day in Douglas. The Airbase Preservation and Development Committee will host its first National Aviation Day Fly-In at Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport. Dr. Carl McDonald, chairman of the Airbase Preservation and Development Committee, shares with the City Commission the plans for the first National Aviation Day Fly-In.

Coffee High School Economics teacher, Cathy Latham, recently attended the Cowin Financial Literacy Institute at Columbia University in New York City and received national certification in the teaching of Financial Literacy and Education. Held on the Teachers College campus of Columbia University and the New York Federal Reserve, the Institute consists of a series of collaborative and interactive workshops on personal finance with explicit ties to standards and curricula. Participants learn from content area experts and work with colleagues to create customized instructional materials to support students in making good choices about budgeting, saving, investing, consumption, and borrowing. Mrs. Latham…

Richard Nichols gave the program at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting of Tuesday the 18th of July at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. He spoke about spiritual markers in our lives by comparing passages in the Bible to physical monuments in our county and what they mean. The Kiwanis club members enjoyed and appreciated his presentation.

South Georgia State College begins its fall semester on August 14. On-campus housing is still available for students who will be attending the Douglas Campus, and interested students should contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing as soon as possible. SGSC’s residence halls are state-of-the-art facilities without the worries of monthly bills, daily commutes, or security concerns. The suite-style housing includes a private bedroom, semi-private bathroom, cable television service, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and designated study rooms.Your first step to living on campus is to complete a Residence Hall Application found at www.sgsc.edu and pay the applicable housing application fees.…

At the regular City Commission meeting that was held on Monday, June 19, 2017, Douglas Mayor and City Commissioners approved a new ordinance on prostitution, pimping and pandering within the City of Douglas. Prior to this ordinance, the City of Douglas had no ordinance to cover the crimes of prostitution, pimping, and pandering. Cases relating to these offenses were transferred and disposed of in State court. City Attorney Jerome Adams developed an ordinance that mirrors the State statue but will allow these cases to be tried in the City of Douglas Municipal Court as an ordinance violation. The new ordinance…

In May 2017, the Mayor and Board of Commissioners amended the Douglas codes and ordinances by adding noise control which includes mechanical sound–making devices, human-produced sounds, commercial advertising, and party noise and deleted and replaced Sections 38-26 through 38-32 of the environmental nuisance ordinance. The Noise Ordinance enforces new fines for noise violators within the City of Douglas. The ordinance was adopted to establish standards that will reduce excessive\ community noises. The penalties for violating the noise ordinance include a misdemeanor conviction and fines beginning at $195 for the first offense, $425 for the second offense, and $695 for the third offense. Convictions after the third offense…

On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Douglas neighborhoods are invited to join other communities throughout the United States for the “34th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event at Central Square Complex. National Night Out will involve over 16,500 communities from all 50 states, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 38.5 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime”. The National Night Out Against Crime will feature a free concert by gospel rapper “B-Shoc” at 6:30 p.m. at Central Square Complex. Attendees can register for drawings for free tablets as well…

Douglas and Coffee County resident, Brice Grantham, recently traveled to Budapest, Hungary to represent the United States. Brice has been shooting sporting clays since he was eight years old and is a current member of Team U.S.A. and is in his second year competing with the Professional Sporting Clays Association. Brice’s coach and mentor, Anthony Matarese, Team U.S.A. member and 2016 World English Champion says “Brice has so much potential and I am ready to see him reach all his goals.” His first trip out of the country, Grantham was thrilled to be shooting with other shooters from around the…

The fall 2017 semester is quickly approaching, and South Georgia State College is gearing up for an exciting academic year. Classes begin Monday, August 14, 2017, at the Douglas and Waycross Campuses and at the Entry Programs in Valdosta and Americus. Time is quickly running out; now is the time to complete the application process if you haven’t already done so. Students who have already registered for classes will need to make payment arrangements before the deadline of Thursday, August 3 at 5 p.m. for all locations. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Students should complete the Free…