Author: Submitted

Ron Morris, a local cyclist, competed in four different events in the Senior Games (formerly Senior Olympics) in Birmingham, Ala., earlier this month. Morris, who began racing only three years ago, was the qualifier in Georgia for the 10k time trial, the 5k time trials, the 20k road race and the 40k road race. Over 4,000 volunteers helped put on the Games in Birmingham. Seniors from throughout the United States and several other countries competed in such sports as volleyball, softball, basketball, speed walking, triathlon and several others. Morris said that he was pleased with his showing at the Birmingham…

A registered sex offender residing in Coffee County was jailed by sheriff’s investigators Tuesday after failing to comply with the requirements of his sex offender status. 50-year-old Randy Flanagan was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child in Turner County, Ga. following a 2006 incident. He was subsequently released from incarceration in 2011, but served another sentence for failing to register as a sex offender between 2013 and 2016. Flanagan had registered his most recent address at a residence on Madison Ave. in Douglas, but Coffee County detectives learned he had moved from that address nearly a month ago without…

At the regular City Commission Meeting on Monday, June 19, 2017, Mayor Tony L. Paulk and City Commissioners congratulated Ms. Sharnae Pegues for being named Georgia Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of America. Pegues was introduced by Barry Bloom, President & CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Coffee County Region. Bloom stated, “Sharnae was named the local Youth of the Year, went on to compete on astate level, won, and was named the Georgia Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Recently, she competed and won the Southeast Regional title as well, which qualifies her to advance on to…

Mr. Daniel Seaborn Sellers, 82 of Douglas, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 18, 2017, at Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness. He was born March 26, 1935 to the late Joseph Lewis Sellers, Sr. and the late Nora Lydia Salter Sellers. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters: Ethelene Walker, Novella Spivey and Nettie Ponder and brother Ernest Sellers. Mr. Sellers was born in Worth County, but had lived in Coffee County for a number of years. He retired from Joseph Campbell Company and was currently employed at Procare in Douglas. He was…

Selected among nine outstanding finalists from Boys & Girls Clubs across the region, Sharnae Pegues from Boys & Girls Club of Coffee County Region has been named the Southeast Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She will receive a $10,000 college scholarship renewable for up to four years, leading to a total of $40,000. Pegues was selected as the Southeast Youth of the Year because of her leadership and drive to help others. “The Boys & Girls Club of Coffee County Region has been a place of refuge, a place of healing and a place…

Coffee Drug Agents arrested a 19-year-old Douglas woman on marijuana distribution charges following an incident on June 19. Douglas police met with Dacia Desiree Diaz on June 19 initially in reference to a domestic issue. Officers detected the smell of marijuana while speaking with Diaz and discovered she was in possession of a small amount of the drug. A subsequent investigation by the Douglas – Coffee Drug Unit led to the discovery over three ounces. Diaz was booked into the Coffee County Jail and charged with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. In an unrelated incident,…

Dudley Clarence Ray of Braselton, Georgia passed away on June 15, 2017, just three days shy of his 87th birthday. He was born in McRae, Georgia, the 2nd of three sons to Mamie and Joe Ray. Survivors include: his wife JoAnn Dorminey Ray of Braselton, GA; daughter, Lisa Jardine Cyrus and her husband Stratton Cyrus of Austin, TX; son, Dudley C. Ray, Jr. (a.k.a Chip) of Gainesville, GA; granddaughters, Whitney Fulton Jardine of San Francisco, CA., Suzannah Harrington Ray of NYC and Stephanie Victoria Ray of Gainesville, GA. Dudley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joe Ray…

Johnnie Sue Gonzolez, age 64, of Ambrose, GA passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Gonzolez was born on November 19, 1952, in Douglas, GA to the late John Henry Guess and Magdalene Holton Guess. Survivors include: her husband, Rigoberto Gonzelez of Ambrose, GA.; daughter, Brandi (Lupe) Garcia White of Douglas, GA.; son, William Christopher (Mandy) White of Anniston, AL.; three sisters, Lucille (Jimmy) Brown of Hazelhurst, GA., Patsy (Carey) Sherrod of Douglas, GA., and Nancy (Freddie) Fowler of Tampa, FL; brother, Donald (Dee) Guess of Blackshear, GA.; grandchildren, Ashley…

Mrs. Elizabeth Burnam Parker, age 59, of Douglas passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2017 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. She was born January 28, 1958 to the late William L. Burnam and the late Shirley Tanner Lott. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Anita Faye Burch and brother-in-law, Tony Parker. Elizabeth had worked as a L.P.N. at Coffee Regional Medical Center and also at Dr. Leon M. Armoreda’s office. She also had been employed with the City of Douglas Water Department as a Water Analysis Specialist. She was a…

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 15 for new restaurant owners, Frank and Lakita Bussey of Happy Crabby Steak & Seafood. The new restaurant is located at 400 NW 206 Connector Road in Douglas. The restaurant has been opened for only a few weeks and hours of operation are already being extended to include Thursdays from 4-9 p.m. in addition to their previous hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 4-10 p.m. “The food is excellent!” said attending guest. “Some of the best seafood I’ve ever eaten!” The Bussey’s invites all to visit Happy…