Author: Submitted

Coffee County School System is proud to announce the achievement and status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2016 Exemplary School Board recognition. The board was recognized for this achievement at the board meeting on December 15. This marks the second consecutive year they have received the award. The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement. Coffee County School district met and/or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn this honor. The GSBA…

Fifth graders at Indian Creek Elementary recently took a trip to Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium. While there, students even got to see Santa swimming with the fish! Students were able to observe up close some of nature’s most interesting underwater creatures. What an exciting experience! – Submitted

The City of Douglas holds an annual Soup Cook-off with employees of the city and chamber of commerce to raise funds for the Mayors Christmas Motorcade each year. Congratulations to this year’s winner, the Douglas Public Works Department, and thanks to all those who participated. Pictured above are Mayor Tony Paulk, Administrative Assistant Lorinda Gray, Interim Public Works Director Anthony Kirkland, and Commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper. – Submitted

Cynergy Cargo, LLC owners and management recently donated a cargo trailer to the Douglas Fire Department. The trailer will first be used for transporting donated toys for the Community Toy Drive. After Christmas, the trailer will be used by the Fire Department for various storage and transportation purposes. Pictured above (l to r) at the city’s commission meeting last Monday are Mayor Tony Paulk, Asst. Fire Chief Casey Wright, Mayor Pro Tem Olivia Pearson, Jessica Vega, Elizabeth Vega- Assistant General Manager, Ron Vega-General Manager, Vigler Mazariegos-Owner, Edelmira Mazariegos-Owner, Fire Chief Larry Wilson, Police Chief Gary Casteloes, Deputy Chief Brannen Pruette,…

Mr. Ricky Elton Taylor, age 59, of Douglas passed away early Tuesday morning, December 15, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born April 4, 1957 to the late Junior Taylor and the late Vernell Batten Taylor. Survivors include: His Wife: Debbie Minix Taylor of Douglas, GA; 2 Daughters: Missy (Jesse) Croft and Kelly (Kirk) Lowe, all of Douglas, GA; 7 Grandchildren: Keegan Howell, Dallas Howell, Caleb Howell, Shelby Croft, Katie Croft, Merci Lowe and Jada Lowe, all of Douglas, GA; 1 Great Grandchild: Kason Howell of Douglas, GA; 3 Brothers: James (Joyce) Taylor of…

Rev. Fred Smith, age 87, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Smith was born on April 26, 1929, in Broxton, Ga. to the late Ma Smith and Daisy May Rowell Smith. Survivors include: his wife, Rev. Ruby Smith of Douglas, Ga.; 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, Dorothy Saegert of Mississippi; three brothers, Maxell Smith of Douglas, Ga., J.H.…

Clara Buchan Barrs, age 85, of Douglas, Ga passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Manor House following an extended illness. Mrs. Barrs was born on June 24, 1931, in Voulsia County, Fla. to the late Selma Monroe Shrouder, Sr. and Wilma Wayne Young Shrouder. Survivors include: her three daughters, Tammie (Jimmy) McCallum of Ambrose, Ga., Joyce (Gary) Gilstrap of Jasper, Ga., and Gwen (Roger) Peddycord of Sandersville, Ga.; son, Keith (Susan) Buchan of Wray, Ga.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Bass of Hazlehurst, Ga.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husbands,…

The South Georgia State College Hawks jumped out to a 23-4 lead in the first seven minutes and never looked back, defeating the USC-Salkehatchie Indians 90-64 Thursday night. The win avenges a 98-95 loss to the Indians in Allendale, S.C. Nov. 15. When asked for the difference between the two games, head coach Cory Baldwin said SGSC’s defense was the biggest factor. “I think that’s the best we’ve played all year,” he said. “Defensively, we were able to hold them to under 30 points in the first half, and that was key.” The Hawks (9-2) never trailed in the game…