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Santa is coming and he’s bringing some friends! This year’s Santa’s North Pole Plaza is bigger and better than before. Santa and friends will be taking wishes and pictures, Mrs. Claus and her kitchen elves will serve up hot chocolate and cookies, there will be elves helping children create keepsake ornaments, and even a special gift for mom or grandma. Our elves will be painting sweet faces with Christmas designs, and there will be visits from The Grinch and his sidekick, Max. Cindy Lou Who, Elsa and Anna, and both the boy and girl Elf on the Shelf will be…

Myrtle Merritt, age 77, of Nicholls, Ga. passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2016, at Bacon County Hospital following an extended illness. Mrs. Merritt was born on November 10, 1939, in Broxton, Ga. to the late Easton Merritt and Louise Batten Merritt. Survivors include: her husband, R.T. Merritt of Nicholls, Ga.; son, Autrey (Rhonda) Merritt of Nicholls, Ga.; daughter, Phyllis (Foye) McGray of Nicholls, Ga.; two sisters, Carolyn Rollins of Douglas, Ga. and Marie Carver of Douglas, Ga.; brother, Ronnie Merritt of Broxton, Ga.; four grandchildren, Joei Tanner, Coye McGray, Lee Merritt, and Alyssa Carver; three great-grandchildren, Macy Tanner, Kreed…

Aubrey Batten, age 75, of Ambrose, Ga. passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Batten was born on June 2, 1941, in Pearson, Ga to the late Elisha Batten and Myrle Baker Batten. Survivors include: his wife, Sandra Faye Batten of Ambrose, Ga.; daughter, Kimberlee Batten Smith of Ambrose, Ga.; three brothers, Ralph Batten of St. Marys, Ga., Clinton Batten of Pearson, Ga., and Herman Batten of Tifton, Ga.; sister, Mildred Deen of St. Marys, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Aubrie Anna Smith, Alix Troupe Batten, Kylie Jo Batten, Philip Daniel Smith,…

Citizens in Douglas and Coffee County are encouraged to join in a season of giving by participating in the Coffee County Community Toy Drive. The City of Douglas, along with many local community agencies, are hosting a toy drive for boys and girls ages 12 & under. “We have approximately 1,000 youth in our community who are on toy lists with local agencies,” says Mayor Tony Paulk. “So far, we have raised approximately $2,300, which does not include toys that have been donated. If you do the math, based on money collected, that only provides 230 children with $10 gifts. …

Friday, Nov. 18, 2016, Heaven Preview Foundation, Inc. awarded two $250 Diana Alexandra grants to Niya Jordan and Craig Reddix, students at the SGSC Valdosta Entry Program. The event was hosted by Dr. Codrina Cozma, SGSC Associate Professor of English and President and Founder of Heaven Preview Foundation, Inc. In attendance were Valerie Webster, Director of the SGSC Valdosta Entry Program, Wendy Butler with the VSU Centralized Advising Office, and SGSC and VSU students. As in past years, this award ceremony not only recognized the academic performance of commendable students, but became a nurturing and inspiring platform for sharing touching…

As registration continues for the Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, parade officials are releasing rules, regulations, and important information regarding the parade. The primary mission of the Annual Festival of Lights Parade is to provide a safe, enjoyable, and quality family environment, in and on the streets of Douglas. In order to do so, the following rules and regulations are asked to be followed. All entries (no exception) must have an entry card on file at the Visitor Information Center (Ashley-Slater House) Offices on or before noon on Friday, December 2, 2016. Entry fees should be paid to the…

Jerry Spikes, age 73, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Monday, November 21, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Spikes was born on July 23, 1943, in Douglas, Ga. to the late Joseph Wilson Spikes and Norma Virginia Lewis Spikes. Survivors include: his wife, Judy Spikes of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Chip Spikes of Douglas, Ga. and Mark (April) Spikes of Douglas, Ga.; three grandchildren, Adalyn Spikes, Jackson Spikes, and Walker Altman; brother, Joe (Sissy) Spikes of Ormond Beach, Fla.; brother-in-law, Jamey Altman of Douglas, Ga.; several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday, November…

The South Georgia State College Hawks held the New Rock Prep Sports Academy Wolverines to seven points in the first 13 minutes and built a 21-point halftime lead en route to a 76-56 win Monday night. Zaire Cook led the Hawks (7-1) with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Zaquavian Smith finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. The Wolverines made things interesting in the second half as they slowly chipped away at the lead to get to within 10 points. Head coach Cory Baldwin pointed to the play of New Rock’s Ubong Okon as…

Rosemary Nahra Cato, age 79, of West Green, Ga. passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at Satilla Hospice in Waycross, Ga. Mrs. Cato was born on March 30, 1937, in Douglas, Ga. to the late John Nahra and Louis Farris Nahra. Survivors include: her husband, George Wiley Cato of West Green, Ga.; two daughters, Crystal Hodges Layfield of Port Saint Joe, Fla. and Carolyn Gay Hazouri of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Marvin Lynn Hazouri of Port Lavaca, Tx. and Michael Jay Hazouri of Victoria, Tx.; four grandchildren, Christa Need, Justin Hodges, Michael Hazouri, and Jessica Hazouri; two great grandchildren,…