Author: Submitted

Each year, the Elks Club hosts a Hoop Shoot Contest. Students from across Coffee County compete in the event. Eastside Elementary School would like to say “congratulations” to 4th grader NorKoya Cooper and 5th grader Natalie Newell for placing in this years contest! Norkoya will compete in the Girls Age 8-9 year old Elks Hoop Shoot competition. Natalie will compete in the Girls Age 10-11 Elks Hoop Shoot competition. Both students will participate in the District Level Hoop Shoot at Coffee Middle School this Saturday, February 4. Winners will advance to the Georgia State Hoop Shoot Competition on February 25.…

Last week, the Senate completed our eighth legislative day, marking only 32 legislative days remaining to complete our business. The Senate assembled in Chamber for four days this week, full of the introductions of bills and resolutions, as well as the beginning of committee meetings. But first, I would like to acknowledge the recent fatal storms which have devastated much of the southwestern portions of our state. Our district, as well as our neighbors in rural Georgia, witnessed tornados which ripped apart homes and businesses and cost the lives of many. I wish to extend my deepest and most heartfelt…

Tommy Newbern, age 59, of Douglas, GA passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Newbern was born on March 14, 1957, in Douglas, GA to the late Thurman Newbern and Catherine Lott Newbern. Survivors include: his two sisters, Linda Sue (Michael) Gilliard of Douglas, GA and Judy (Tillman) Hattaway of Wray, GA; four nieces, Melissa Jewell of Douglas, GA, Michelle Gilliard of Douglas, GA, Kimberly (Mark) Dill of Ocilla, GA, and Bridgette Hattaway of Douglas, GA; nephew, Michael Gilliard of Douglas, GA; special friend, Pam Cook of Douglas, GA; several…

The South Georgia State College Academic Quiz team has earned the 18th seed in the Community College Championship Tournament (CCCT) to be held in Minnesota February 24-25. CCCT is the national competition for two year schools or first and second year students at four year schools. The top twenty-four teams in the nation are invited to compete based on rankings by the governing body, National Academic Quiz Teams, LLC, (NAQT). According to the NAQT website, “Quiz bowl questions range over the entire spectrum of a community college curriculum and also include a certain amount of current events, sports, and popular…

Jennifer Taylor, age 33, of Fitzgerald, GA passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at her residence following a brief illness. Mrs. Taylor was born on April 30, 1983, in Hillsborough County, FL to Terri Lynn Elliott Spires Harper and the late Robert Bennie Spires. Survivors include: her mother, Terri Spires Harper of Pridgen, GA; sister, Cristal Tilley of Douglas, GA; niece, Kaitlyn Adams of Douglas, GA and nephew, Brennen Adams of Douglas, GA; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marissalynn Grace Taylor. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from…

At George Washington Carver Freshman Campus (GWCFC), the Agriculture (Ag) classes have been working in the school’s garden. Many crops have been planted from previous classes last semester. While in the garden, instructor Spencer Highsmith showed his class how to harvest some of the crops. The crops that were planted included broccoli, carrots, collards, mustards, and cabbage. Highsmith also showed his students the correct way to pick each plant by hand. The class is also learning about the different types of leaves and their shape. In the past, Highsmith has delivered some of the crops to nearby neighbors of GWCFC,…

As February approaches, the Okefenokee Heritage Center is geared up to host a series of events in celebration of African American History Month. Rehearsals are currently taking place at the OHC with Purlie Productions for a production of “God’s Trombones” – a series of seven sermons written by James Weldon Johnson, author of Lift Every Voice and Sing. These sermons were written down to show how slaves used to share the Bible to people who could not read. The sermons go through the entirety of the Bible and will be separated with Slave Spirituals, arranged by Mr. Willie Character, and…

Rev. Ruby Smith, age 82, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Smith was born on December 27, 1934, in Coffee County, Ga. to the late Henry Kinch Hilliard and Lovie Wooten Hilliard. Survivors include: her son, Jackie Fred Smith, Sr. of Douglas, Ga.; three daughters, Brenda Jean Copeland of Douglas, Ga., Janice McLaughlin of Macon, Ga., Sherry Giardina of Alachua, Fla.; adopted son, Rev. Darrell Smith of Waycross, Ga.; sister, Inez Smith of Broxton, Ga.; eleven grandchildren, Jamie Brown, Victoria Kitchens, Jacqueline Kristin Taylor, Jackie Fred Smith, Jr.,…

Coffee Middle School Cluster 7D teachers celebrated students who made honor roll for the second nine weeks with a breakfast reception. The students were very appreciative, and both the cluster teachers and students worked hard to achieve this honor. Cluster D teachers are Keela Swinson, Therese Paulk, Ed Connell, CleeAnn Carver, Amanda Clement, Annette Harris, and Glenda Newton. Keep up the good work! – Submitted

Miss Marisalyn Grace Taylor, age 9, of West Green passed away suddenly Thursday evening in Fitzgerald, following a brief illness. She was born July 2, 2007 to Daniel Taylor and Jennifer Grace Spires. She was a student at Fitzgerald Elementary School. Survivors include: Her Father, Daniel Taylor of West Green, GA; 1 Brother, Ayden Cole Taylor of West Green, GA; 1 Sister, Morgan Alexis Taylor of West Green, GA; Paternal Grandmother, Kathy Jean Thomas Taylor of West Green, GA; Maternal Grandmother, Terri Lynn Harper of Broxton, GA; Paternal Great Grandmother, Carrie Jean Thomas of Nicholls, GA; Several Uncles, Aunts, Cousins…