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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…

Mrs. Shirley Fay Hollinger Miller, age 72, of Douglas, passed away Thursday evening, June 29, 2017, at Pruitt Health Fitzgerald in Fitzgerald, GA. following an extended illness. Mrs. Miller was born February 3, 1945, to the late Felton Hollinger and the late Cora Williams Hollinger. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers: Alton Hollinger, Calton Hollinger, Jack Hollinger, Frank Hollinger and Allen Hollinger; sisters: Josie Reliford, Ocie Johnson and Betty King. Mrs. Hollinger, a native of Toomsuba, Mississippi, was a homemaker. She was a member of Fales Pentecostal Church. Survivors include: her husband: Elmer J. Miller, Sr. of Douglas,…

By Kevin Tatum The Coffee County 4-H shotgun team traveled to Savannah for the weekend of May 27th-28th to compete in the Georgia 4-H Trap, Skeet, and Sport Clays Match. The match was held at the Forest City Gun Club. Coffee 4-H had a senior 4-H team and two individuals (grades 9-12) and two junior 4-H teams (7th and 8th graders) to compete. Teams can be composed of three to four members. Senior 4-H team members included Emily Purvis, Huntington Smith, and Barron Thomas on one team and Slade Smith and Lauren Tanner competed as individuals. The Junior 4-H Teams included Aaron Fletcher,…

Just in time for the 4th of July celebrations, the City of Douglas Fire and Police Department would like to encourage citizens to practice safety with fireworks and would like to make the public aware of a few facts about the Fireworks law. The State of Georgia allows for consumer fireworks to be sold statewide. A State license to sell fireworks can be issued to applicants after the applicant meets specific insurance and criminal background requirements and pays the state license fee. Authorized fireworks include firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, sparklers and other combustibles and explosives of like construction. Persons…

The Coffee County School System was recently recognized at the 3rd Annual Charter System Foundation Awards banquet held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 21, 2017. Coffee County was a nominee for the Georgia Charter System Leadership Award along with six other school systems (Atlanta Public, Barrow, Calhoun City, Cartersville City, Fulton and Madison County). The systems were commended for their commitment of local boards of education to allow distributed leadership through the establishment of local school governance teams. The system was approved as a charter system in FY14. Dr. Bernie Evans, Assistant Superintendent, was present to receive the recognition presented by Lieutenant…