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By: Andrew L. Lawrence President Biden’s performance at Thursday’s debate has thrust the Democratic Party into a state of disarray, raising significant concerns among voters and political analysts alike regarding his mental acuity. As the nation contemplates the implications of re-electing an octogenarian leader, we’ve all been left asking: Should Jill Biden encourage her husband to step aside? The 90-minute matchup against former President Trump revealed a side of President Biden that many had hoped was merely a product of opposition rhetoric. His lapses in memory, verbal stumbles, and moments of apparent confusion painted a picture that even his staunchest supporters…

The Georgia HEART 2023 Annual Report reveals how, through the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit program, concerned Georgia citizens have helped enhance the financial stability, operational capacities, and health care outcomes of rural hospitals throughout the state. During the seven years of its existence, the Georgia HEART Hospital Program has generated an impressive $358 million in support of eligible rural hospitals, including the highest-ever total of $72.4 million in 2023. The participating rural hospitals have used these critical funds to expand and upgrade services, as well as to acquire vital medical equipment such as X-ray detectors, MRI machines, 3D mammogram equipment, and…

A Georgia man with multiple bank robbery convictions has been sentenced to federal prison for the second time. David Wayne Stanley, 59, of Cochran, Ga., was sentenced to 160 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 Chief Judge R. Stan Baker ordered Stanley to pay $6,677 in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of is prison term. Stanley also must serve 12 additional months in prison, consecutive to his new sentence, after Chief Judge Baker revoked Stanley’s supervised…

The Douglas Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the Christmas Parade Theme Contest. The Chamber is inviting all Coffee County kids ages 12 and under to put on their thinking caps and come up with a theme for this year’s 60th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. The lucky winner will not only get the thrill of seeing their theme come to life during the parade but will also have the incredible opportunity to ride with Santa in his sleigh. As if that isn’t enough, thanks to the fantastic folks at Vyve Broadband, the winner will also…

South Georgia State College’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program has been recognized as the fifth best nursing program in the state of Georgia for 2024 by RNCareers.org. This prestigious ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation of National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) first-time pass rates, program accreditation, the number of students taking the exam, and other critical metrics. The School of Nursing at South Georgia State College is dedicated to providing high-quality education with a focus on individual attention. This commitment is supported by a rich clinical learning environment, which includes state-of-the-art simulation labs where students engage in…

City of Douglas Ward 6 Commissioner Steve Bailey received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificate of Recognition during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention in Savannah on June 24, 2024. The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. “This is a significant milestone,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We congratulate Commissioner Steve Bailey and his dedication to professional development is an inspiration and a testament to the valuable resources…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College announces another opportunity to save money on application fees during the college’s second Free Application Week, July 15-19. Those interested in applying for Fall Semester 2024 can apply online at Wiregrass.edu and save money. Several new programs are starting for the Fall Semester. The Valdosta Campus will offer Medical Laboratory Technology as a Degree program. Students will learn to perform laboratory tests on bodily fluids and evaluate and correlate medical laboratory test results performed on patients. This program would be a great program for Phlebotomists who would like to increase their skill level and education. The…

The City of Douglas, GFL Environmental, and other great partners will host the 2024 Freedom Fest celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at JC Adams Municipal Park – Jardine Stadium. The gates will open at 5 p.m. and stadium seating will be provided. Admission and parking are free. There will be rides at the Rucker Family Kids Carnival, food and general vendors, and fireworks at dark. Food vendors include Super Yum Foods, Kona-Ice of Lowndes, Martha’s Kitchen, Taqueria Tamaulipas, Bennett’s Cool Treats, LA Twister Fun Cups, Tutti Fruitti’s, Keanum’s Creamery, and Martha’s Kitchen. Other vendors onsite will be Casi’s Custom…

This summer, forty-six students from Coffee FFA and FCCLA attended a Summer Leadership Camp (SLC) at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center in Covington, on the banks of Jackson Lake. Summer Leadership Camp is open to FFA and FCCLA students from all over the state of Georgia.  Coffee High FFA advisors Josh Rogers, Kailee Bennett, and Darien Ball; Coffee High FCCLA Advisors, Lea Roberts and Tara Carver; and Coffee Middle School FFA advisor, Tyler Metts took the group for a week of camp where they participated in a leadership program designed to build relationships, develop teamwork and leadership attributes, and of course…

The City of Douglas would like to encourage citizens to practice safety with fireworks and would like to make the public aware of the city ordinance regarding fireworks. Fireworks can be used during the hours of 10 am and 9 pm. On July 3rd and 4th, fireworks can be used for an extended time from 9 p.m.-11:59 p.m. It is illegal to use any fireworks indoors. It is unlawful to ignite fireworks within or on a roadway, city/county property, or within 100 yards of a hospital or nursing home.  Persons must be at least 18 years of age to purchase,…