Author: Submitted

Jessie “Goldman” Harper, age 76, of Broxton, Ga. passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Harper was born on January 11, 1940, in Douglas, Ga. to the late Hubert Harper and Eva Kate Rawlins Harper. Survivors include: his wife, Teresa Harper of Broxton, Ga.; daughter, Donn (Bud) Drew of Douglas, Ga.; four grandchildren, Reed Harper, Randy (Alison) Drew, Dr. Stuart Drew, and Aaron Drew; four great-grandchildren, Dillon Drew, Alyssa Drew, Addison Drew, and Ansley Drew; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Jesse Harper. The family will…

Representatives from the Douglas Area Employer Committee recently presented donations to each of the eight elementary school principals in Coffee County for the Reading Counts program. This is one of the many projects that the DAEC does for the community. Other projects the group are involved in include the “Coats for Kids”, REACH Scholarship Program, and many more. The DAEC will also be making donations to Atkinson and Bacon Counties for the Reading Counts Program. Douglas Area Employer Committee members pictured above are Stanley Lott, GA Department of Labor, Business Services Unit; Sandy Sharp, Southwire; Brad Riner, Coffee County Schools…

Georgia Henderson, City of Douglas Public Information Director, and Michaela Curry, Douglas Vistors Information Center Information Specialist, attended a Regional Visitor Information Center Workshop on Thursday, Dec. 8 in Statesboro along with other visitor information centers in the region. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss ways to improve visitation and how to build better relationships with local hoteliers and attractions. Pictured above are: (L-R) Alexa Britton (Vidalia CVB), Becky Davis (Statesboro CVB), Nija Torrence (GDEcD Tourism Operations Manager/RVIC Coordinator), Erin Taylor (Eastman-Dodge Co. Chamber), Andrew Martin (Eastman-Dodge Co. Chamber), Nancy McEver (Perry CVB), Robin Davis (Cochran-Bleckley Chamber of…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been named one of the nation’s best colleges for online learning by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (ACO), a leader in higher education information, resources and rankings. Wiregrass was recognized twice by ACO, which generated their rankings by analyzing cost and quality metrics of thousands of U.S. colleges with online degree programs. “We wanted to honor the colleges and universities setting the bar for online learning,” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and Founder of AffordableCollegesOnline.org “These schools are going above and beyond the industry standard to help make online education programs more affordable.” Only public, not-for-profit institutions were eligible for…

There were two special recognitions at the Coffee County Board of Education’s November School Board Meeting this week, the School Nutrition Department for receiving the Golden Radish Award and the presentation of the GSBA safety grant. The Coffee County School System was recognized with the Golden Radish Award at the Honorary level for their accomplishments during the 2015-2016 school year, which include: locally grown foods were featured 178 days during the school year, and students regularly enjoyed local cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and green bell peppers in their salad bar. The Golden Radish Award publicly recognizes school districts for all aspects…

The fourth grade class of West Green Elementary School had a great day learning about the colonial way of life recently at General Coffee State Park. The students enjoyed participating in the following activities: candle making, plowing and planting crops, quilting, writing with ink made from blueberries, making butter, making soap, creating corn husk dolls, wood carving, eating foods from that time period, and visiting a camp site! Thanks to Mrs. McMillan, Mrs. Carver, and Mrs. Courson for planning such a wonderful learning experience for their students. Also, a very special thanks to all of the volunteers who made Colonial…

The Coffee High School Fall 2016 FAFSA Completion Event was a success! Seniors and their parents successfully completed and submitted their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with the help of a financial aid expert. The next CHS financial aid presentation event is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 6-7 p.m. at CHS cafeteria. – Submitted

Members of the Douglas Lions Club commemorated Pearl Harbor Day this week, placing American flags along the streets of downtown Douglas. Pearl Harbor Day is observed each year on Dec. 7 to honor the men and women who were killed in a surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941.

Sherman Bay Paulk, Jr., age 44, of Ambrose, Ga passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, following a brief illness. Mr. Paulk was born on March 22, 1972, in Ocilla, Ga to Debra Ann Bryant Paulk Cribbs and the late Sherman Bay Paulk, Sr. Survivors include: his son, William Barnes of Panama City, Fla.; daughter, Dena Barnes of Panama City, Fla.; mother and stepfather, Debra Ann Paulk Cribbs and Elton Cribbs of Ambrose, Ga.; brother, Michael W. Paulk of Gainesville, Fla.; two sisters, Ladonna Wilson and brother-in-law, Billy Wilson of Valdosta, Ga. and Amanda Cribbs of Douglas, Ga.; best friend,…