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Convicted child molester Donald Steve Bigelow was arrested Monday on a probation violation and is incarcerated at the Coffee County Jail. Bigelow was convicted of two counts of child molestation in Coffee County Superior Court in 2008 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released to supervisory probation in July 2012. Bigelow is accused of violating the terms of his probation by having contact with minor children. He is a registered sex offender in the State of Florida.

The South Georgia State College Hawks took advantage of strong shooting Monday night to dominate the Atlanta Metro Trailblazers 105-78. The Hawks (19-7, 7-5) scored 59 points in the first half by shooting 70 percent from the field (24-of-34) and 62 percent from the three-point line (10-of-16). Their percentages didn’t dip much in the second half as the Hawks finished the game shooting 64 percent from the field and 59 percent from behind the arc. “Outside of our season opener, tonight has got to be the best we’ve shot the ball all season,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “To make…

Mrs. Lou Ellen Joyner Carter, age 86, of Douglas passed away Sunday evening, February 19, 2017, at her residence, following an extended illness. She was born August 30, 1930 to the late Henry Joyner and the late Irene Walker Joyner. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy Carter, 1 daughter, Phyllis Moon, 1 Son, Gary Carter and 1 Grandson, Van Carter, Jr. Mrs. Carter and her husband owned and operated Speed Queen Laundry and Dry Cleaners for many years. She was an active member of Eastside Baptist Church. Survivors include: 1 Daughter Deborah Ellen…

Ardelia Smith, age 97, of Douglas, GA passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017, at her daughter’s residence in Fitzgerald, GA following an extended illness. Mrs. Smith was born on November 13, 1919, in Douglas, GA to the late Simon Peter Lott and Olif Sears Lott. Survivors include: her daughter, Janice (JL) Ely of Fitzgerald, GA; two grandchildren, Kathy (Bobby) Avant of Fitzgerald, GA and Angela (David) During of Valdosta, GA; five great-grandchildren, Sierra Ely, Emily During, Krystopher Avant, Robbie Avant, and Josh Avant; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Odus Smith; parents, Simon…

The church family at Northside Baptist Church is pleased to announce the addition of Brother Skip Wells as the new interim pastor effective Feb. 1. At the end of the service on Feb. 1, Brother Skip and his wife Theresa (Terri) requested to become members of Northside and were unanimously approved. The members of Northside look forward to Brother Skip’s biblically sound messages on Sunday and his Bible teachings on Wednesday evening. If you are in the Douglas area and do not have a home church we welcome you to join us. Services are 10:45 and 6:00 PM on Sunday…

Commissioner Oliva Pearson, Commissioner Cindy McNeill, and Commissioner Kentaiwon Durham along with Community Development Director Dale Batten accepted the PlanFirst plaque on behalf of the City of Douglas in Atlanta recently. The group first met at the Coverdale Legislative Office Building where the plaque was presented to city officials then they went to the Capitol for a picture with Governor Nathan Deal. The award was presented by staff of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Cook County, City of Dunwoody and City of Vidalia were also awarded the PlanFirst designation.

The South Georgia State College baseball team split its four-game series with St. Johns River State over the weekend. On Friday the Hawks hosted SJRS, winning game one 2–1 before falling in game two 6-5. Both teams were strong on the mound in the opening game, but SGSC pulled ahead with the victory. Will Lane earned the win. He tossed seven innings, giving up one run, six hits, striking out four, and walking zero. Zach Rafuse and Chase Hinson each gathered one hit for the Hawks. Game two turned out to be a heartbreaker for the SGSC Hawks, as they…

On Friday, Premium Waters’s corporate office, along with the local Premium Waters Employees Committee, presented the City of Douglas and Douglas Coffee County Parks and Recreation Department with two checks totaling $15,625. The first check, in the amount of $15,000, came directly from Premium Waters’s corporate office, located in Minneapolis, Minn. The second check was presented by the Premium Team Employees Committee in the amount of $625. Motivated and result driven, this team of employees quickly got involved and within one month held a cookie sale and donation drive to benefit this community project. “This year, our corporate office implemented…

Ruth Hutto, age 80, of Douglas, GA passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at her son’s residence in Ocilla, GA following an extended illness. Mrs. Hutto was born on March 17, 1936, in Ocilla, GA to the late Williams Thomas Brady and Minnie Estelle McLemore Brady. Survivors include: her two sons, Kenneth (Angie) Hutto of Ocilla, GA and Jerry Hutto of Douglas, GA; five grandchildren, Nikoloas (Jenna) Hutto, Spencer (Gretta) Hutto, Austen Hutto, Heather (Brian) Nipper, and Michelle (Christopher) McLaughin; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Buruas of Fitzgerald, GA and Christine Smith of Acworth, GA; several nieces and nephews.…

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Douglas Housing Authority. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about at least one day after the end of the comment period the Douglas Housing Authority will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development for the release of Capital Fund Program funds under 24 CFR 905.100 for 2015, 2016, & 2017, as amended, to undertake a project known as 937 Thrash Circle for the purpose of modification and new construction to the existing community,…