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First Academy has earned Full Accreditation with Quality from the Georgia Accrediting Commission for kindergarten through sixth grade. W.T. Henry from the Georgia Accrediting Commission was very complementary of First Academy. He noted that First Academy was a well-organized operation with a very qualified and capable staff in a great learning climate. He stated, “I was very impressed with the school’s operation as well as their staff and administrative leadership. The Board of Directors as well as the headmaster are most visionary concerning the future for their school. Plans are to add a grade each year until they accommodate all…

Mr. Jesse Dexter Spurling, age 34, of Pembroke, GA, formerly of Coffee County, passed away suddenly Sunday morning, April 2, 2017, as the result of an auto accident in Pembroke. He was born September 26, 1982 to Brian Spurling and Lynn Soles Spurling Keen. Mr. Spurling was employed as a welder with Interstate Paper of Riceboro. Survivors include: Wife Antoinette Sanchez Spurling of Pembroke, GA; daughters Rheanna Spurling and Katie Spurling, both of Bonaire, GA; step-children Briana Sanchez, Mary Peregrina, Atori Peregrina and Santana Peregrina all of Richmond Hill, GA ;mother and step-father Lynn (Karl) Keen of Pembroke, GA; father…

Mrs. Barbara Ann Hoglund Gillespie, age 81, of Pontiac, Illinois, formerly of Coffee County, passed away Saturday, April 1, 2017, in Pontiac, Illinois following a short illness. She was born November 11, 1935 to the late Clarence Hoglund and Hildegarde Holmstedt Hoglund. Survivors include: children Linda Peebles of Gardendale, Alabama, Joan Travis of Galveston, Texas, Cynthia Mock of Gridley, Illinois, and Dan Gillespie of Denver, Colorado; 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Ricketson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Willie William Lewis, age 61, of Pearson, GA passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Lewis was born on February 26, 1956, in Port Saint Joe, FL to the late Hilliard Junior Lewis and Martha Jane Anderson Lewis. Survivors include: his wife, Frances Marie Lewis of Pearson, GA; five daughters, Cynthia King of Pearson, GA, Lesley (Michael) Doolie of Ohio, Elizabeth (James) Taft of Dothan, AL, Stacey (D.J.) Bass of Pearson, GA, and Samantha Lewis of Pearson, GA; three sisters, Elaine (Ray) Taft of Pearson, GA, Martha Ann Jackson of Pearson, GA,…

Ruby Mullinax, age 94, of Broxton, GA passed away on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Mullinax was born on December 31, 1922, in Broxton, GA to the late Pat Smith and Addie Wise Smith. Survivors include: her daughter, Sue Mobley of Broxton, GA; son, Cliff (Lynda) Mobley, Sr. of Broxton, GA; brother, Guy (Karen) Smith of Broxton, GA; four grandchildren, Cliff (April) Mobley, Jr.; Brad Mobley, Laura (Henry) Brown, and Dudley Mobley; four great-grandchildren, Chase Mobley, Courtney Mobley, Braden Mobley, and Quinn Brown; several nieces and nephews; three special caregivers, Christy Bower, Emma…

Looking for a second shot to have the best night of your life? The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Adult Prom on Saturday, May 13 at the Atrium Event Center. “It’s prom the way you always wanted to experience it,” states Andrea Taylor, Chamber President. “No curfew, a live band and lots of fun!” Participants are encouraged to dress according to one of the decades of the 20th century or in current prom attire. In addition to a live band, there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and photo booth. Tickets are $50 and are…

West Green Elementary School is proud to announce that Mrs. Leslie McMillan is our 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. McMillan is a fourth grade science/social studies teacher and has been in education for 11 years. She makes learning fun for her students through hands-on, engaging lessons. Congratulations, Mrs. McMillan!

Congratulations to Ms. Catherine Loveday, Indian Creek’s Employee of the Month for March. She is a sign language interpreter at ICE and loves being a Cardinal. Thank you for all you do, Ms. Loveday!

The South Georgia State College (SGSC) Foundation will host “An Evening of Opportunity” Gala on Tuesday, May 23. Proceeds from the event will provide need-based scholarships for students at SGSC. The event will include a pre-event reception and silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and an awards program at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Engram Hall. Nominations are being accepted for Alumni of the Year awards. One recipient will be selected from each of the following fields – business, education, and healthcare. Visitwww.sgsc.edu/alumniandfriends to complete an online nomination, or contact SGSC’s Vice President for External Affairs Walda Kight…

Silas Childers, Journalism Student at GWCFC George Washington Carver Freshman Campus (GWCFC) Journalism class recently went on a field trip where they visited South Georgia State College (SGSC). The students were driven there on a bus and then they walked back to their school, which was not hard considering the school is less than a mile away. When the students arrived, there was a tour guide named Nikolaos Hutto, who is also SGSC’s head recruiter. Hutto had attended SGSC, so he was able to really give details that would be more helpful to these students who were thinking of attending…