Author: Submitted

Andrea Taylor, President of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, will continue to serve on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE). Taylor represents Regional 11 for the State of Georgia on the board. GACCE is the professional society of chamber executives and staff. The mission of GACCE is to educate, engage, and empower chamber professionals. “It’s a great honor to represent our region on the GACCE Board of Directors for the third year,” states Taylor. “Chambers across the state make such great contributions to their respective communities. GACCE helps educate our Chamber…

Nathan Gowen, 18-year-old son of Michael and Doralee Solomon Gowen, will report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. After two weeks of intensive training, Elder Gowen will travel to the Idaho Pocatello Mission, where he will serve for two years. Nathan, a 2017 honor graduate of Coffee High School, is a Zell Miller Scholar and an Eagle Scout. Following in the footsteps of his father, Michael Gowen, who served in the California Oakland (Laotian speaking) Mission, Elder Gowen has joined the ranks of…

By Kevin Tatum Coffee County 4th – 6th grade 4-H members had the opportunity to participate in three summer fun days in early June. On Monday, June 5th, we had an activity called “Fun and Games” where we offered crafts like painting ceiling tiles, decorating (and reinforcing) cell phone charging cords or ear buds, making homemade musical instruments, and in the kitchen they were learning to make omelets, pizzas, and homemade ice cream. We also had a puzzle station with some Rubik’s Cubes for them to learn to solve. Mrs. Liz was even teaching them how to sew with the sewing machine.…

The South Georgia BBQ and Outdoor Festival will be held at Central Square Complex in downtown Douglas, September 8, 2017 from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. and September 9, 2017 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Vendors and sponsors are being sought to fill both exhibit halls inside Central Square Complex and the outside grounds as well. Event organizers are planning a festival packed with a combination of events that will include GBA BBQ Competition with a grand prize of $5,000 – the largest GBA payout, Motorcycle Show & Dice Run, NAPA/Brooks Auto Parts Car Show, Friday night concert featuring Midnight Riders – Allman Brothers Tribute Band at the Martin Centre,…

A former Coffee County inmate who walked away from a work detail nearly two years ago is back in the Coffee County Jail. Authorities had been searching for 48-year-old George Michael Cato since October, 2015, after he left a county work detail in the area of General Coffee State Park off Ga. Hwy. 32 East. Information was obtained that led authorities to Baytown, Texas, where Cato was located and taken into custody. He was booked into the Coffee County Jail this week. Cato has been charged with one count of escape in relation to the 2015 incident and faces four…

Mrs. Bertie Mae Miller Wooten, age 92, of Douglas, passed away Monday afternoon, July 3, 2017 at Shady Acres Health and Rehabilitation following an extended illness. Mrs. Wooten was born September 26, 1924 to the late Joseph Faley Miller and the late Nancy Prickett Miller. Other than her parents she was preceded in death by a daughter; her husband, Joel Bryant Wooten; daughter, Nancy Carole Wooten Auger; granddaughter, Carissa Fox Hamaty; sisters: Mary Lee Fletcher and Roxie Evans and brothers: J. L. Miller, Quincy Miller, Jesse Miller and J. B. Miller. Mrs. Wooten retired from Cable Industries after many years…

Coffee County sheriff’s detectives are attempting to locate an individual responsible for an armed robbery that occurred last night at a local convenience store. The individual is believed to be a white male, who entered the Aden’s Minit Market on U.S. Hwy. 221 North around 10 p.m., July 4 .The suspect, who concealed his face, left with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot. K-9 Units from Ware State Prison, along with Georgia State Patrol officials were called to the scene, but authorities were unable to locate the offender. Store surveillance cameras are being reviewed, and detectives continue…

The City of Douglas along with local public safety organizations and community partners invite everyone to join in the fun during National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Central Square Complex. “We are happy to be hosting this national event,” says Police Chief Gary Casteloes. “Positive initiatives like National Night Out will allow public safety and the community to work together to create a more compassionate and secure community for everyone.” The National Night Out Against Crime will also include the Summer Beach Bash which was postponed in June due to inclement weather. Activities will take place…

Sandra Marie Roberson, age 69, passed away on June 28, 2017, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Martha Magdalene (Bunch) Roberson and Curtis Lamar Roberson. She is survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Celeste Roberson Smith and Michael Smith, of Wilmington, NC. Sandra’s journey on this earth was not an easy one, yet she found joy in each day and appreciated all who loved and cared for her. Her wicked sense of humor will long be remembered and enjoyed. Visitation will be on Friday, July 7, 2017, at…

Mrs. Mary Lois Courson, age 89, died peacefully on Thursday morning, June 29, 2017, at her home in Douglas, Ga. following an extended illness. Born in Tampa, Fl. in 1927 she met and married Roe Dean Courson in 1944. Together they had four children. After living in Douglas, Ga. for 30 years, and owning and operating numerous businesses in and around Coffee County, they moved to Panacea, Fl. where they started new businesses and made many more memories and friends. After owning and operating Panacea Plaza, Mary Lois returned to Douglas after 40 years to spend her last years with…