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Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements is excited to share that the college’s enrollment has increased by 11.7% this Spring 2024 Semester compared to the Spring 2023 Semester. This marks the seventh straight semester the college has seen an increase in enrollment compared to the previous year. Fall 2023 Semester’s enrollment increased 9.6% compared to the Fall 2022 Semester. “We are excited to see these increases and are preparing now for continued increase in the number of students,” shared President Clements. “We are consistently looking to see what other programs are needed by the businesses and industries in our 11-county…

The Douglas Fire Department (DFD) has recently received a new instructional building at the DFD Fire Training Facility. This new modular building includes a spacious classroom-style training area, two offices, a storage room, and two restrooms. The facility is primarily used for training city firefighters, but it also offers its services to the Coffee County Fire Department and surrounding counties for training assistance as needed. The training areas on-site are diverse and extensive, including classroom training, a firehouse, a two-story burn building, a three-story rescue tower, a confined spaces training area, and live fire props. These training areas provide a comprehensive…

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), along with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), announces the arrest of an Athens man in the murder investigation of Tara Louise Baker. After 23 years, GBI agents have charged Edrick Lamont Faust, age 48, with murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault, concealing the death of another, arson, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and one count of aggravated sodomy in connection with Baker’s death. In September of 2023, the GBI Cold Case Unit partnered with ACCPD to conduct an in-depth review…

On Tuesday, April 23, Coffee County FFA kicked off the 96th Georgia State FFA Convention by sending off Mikayal Hayes and John Johnson to Macon Ambassador Training. These two spent the week serving with the Georgia FFA Foundation in assisting sponsors. On Wednesday, April 24, the rest of the Coffee FFA “herd” headed up to the Convention. The bus was packed with FFA members from Coffee High, George Washington Carver Freshman Campus, and Coffee Middle School. Jaxsen Guthrie competed in the State Extemporaneous Speaking Leadership Development Event. FFA members Emma Driggers, Layton Parker, and Kensley Knight competed in the State…

Leaders from various clubs and organizations at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College were honored Tuesday night during the college’s annual Green & Gold Gala, hosted by ABAC’s Student Government Association (SGA). For the second consecutive year, the college’s Pre-Vet Club was honored as the Club of the Year. With 72 active members, the Pre-Vet Club is comprised of ABAC students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Along with its participation in several campus events, the club spent over nine months planning its first “Cattle Classic” last September. The event drew dozens of 4-12 grade students from four states that…

The national, non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA) has named Dawn Lewis, M.Ed.L, School Nutrition Director for Coffee County School System, the Southeast region Director of the Year. The award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of school nutrition directors who manage effective school meal programs providing healthy, appetizing meals to students. Dawn Lewis is credited with revamping her district’s food service program. When she started as director, the program was close to operating in the red and hampered by outdated equipment. They now operate with a fund balance, and she has developed an equipment replacement plan and implemented a new software program to increase efficiencies in food and…

CHS student Luke Barrett received the Student of Excellence Award on Friday, May 3, 2024 from Wina Low, State Director of Special Services; Dr. Richard Woods, State School Superintendent; and by the local Georgia Learning Resources System.The Division for Special Education Services and Supports seeks to recognize high school seniors with disabilities who have had academic and/or extracurricular accomplishments. It is a great opportunity to spotlight the outstanding achievement of a senior in our school district and honor the hard work and support of the family, teachers, and staff.A review of all applications was completed by the Georgia Department of…

A former Brooklyn, N.Y., man with prior bank robbery convictions has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for robbing a Waycross bank. Matthew McCloskey, 34, of Waycross, was sentenced to 168 months in prison after pleading guilty to Bank Robbery, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker ordered that McCloskey’s sentence run concurrently with his state sentence on a kidnapping conviction related to the bank robbery, ordered him to pay $877 in restitution, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.…

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the GBI arrested and charged Pablo Miranda, age 32, of Pearson, Georgia, with MaliceMurder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault, in connection to the death ofJohan Romero, age 27, of Pearson, GA. On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Officerequested the GBI to conduct a death investigation after receiving a 911 callreporting an unresponsive man found in a car on Wright Road in Axson, AtkinsonCounty, Georgia. Deputies responded and found Romero dead in the car withgunshot wounds. Physical evidence found at the scene and information providedduring interviews led investigators to Miranda. Law enforcement also executed…

Coffee Regional Medical Center proudly announces its continued recognition with an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group for the Spring 2024 assessment period. The Leapfrog Group, a respected national nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare in the United States, rigorously evaluates nearly 3,000 general hospitals biannually. Grades ranging from A to F are assigned based on comprehensive assessments encompassing over 30 criteria, including errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, along with the efficacy of preventative measures implemented by hospitals. Vicki Lewis, President and CEO of Coffee Regional Medical Center, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We…