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A former Brooklyn, N.Y., man with prior bank robbery convictions has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for robbing a Waycross bank. Matthew McCloskey, 34, of Waycross, was sentenced to 168 months in prison after pleading guilty to Bank Robbery, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker ordered that McCloskey’s sentence run concurrently with his state sentence on a kidnapping conviction related to the bank robbery, ordered him to pay $877 in restitution, and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.…

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the GBI arrested and charged Pablo Miranda, age 32, of Pearson, Georgia, with MaliceMurder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Assault, in connection to the death ofJohan Romero, age 27, of Pearson, GA. On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Officerequested the GBI to conduct a death investigation after receiving a 911 callreporting an unresponsive man found in a car on Wright Road in Axson, AtkinsonCounty, Georgia. Deputies responded and found Romero dead in the car withgunshot wounds. Physical evidence found at the scene and information providedduring interviews led investigators to Miranda. Law enforcement also executed…

Coffee Regional Medical Center proudly announces its continued recognition with an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group for the Spring 2024 assessment period. The Leapfrog Group, a respected national nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare in the United States, rigorously evaluates nearly 3,000 general hospitals biannually. Grades ranging from A to F are assigned based on comprehensive assessments encompassing over 30 criteria, including errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, along with the efficacy of preventative measures implemented by hospitals. Vicki Lewis, President and CEO of Coffee Regional Medical Center, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We…

South Georgia State College is pleased to announce its annual commencement ceremonies honoring graduates from summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024. The Douglas Campus ceremony will be held Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 8:30 am on the Peterson Hall front lawn. The Waycross Campus ceremonies will be held Friday, May 10, 2024. The first ceremony will be at 12:30 pm, and the second at 7:00 pm, both in the Waycross Campus Gymnasium. A livestream of each event will be available for those unable to attend to share in the celebration. A link to the livestream will be found on…

Ame Wilkerson, Registrar and Phi Theta Kappa advisor for the Kappa Sigma chapter at South Georgia State College, has been selected as the recipient of a Hallmark Distinguished Advisor Award from Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. The award is presented to advisers with at least four or more years of service as of January 10, 2024. She received the award during the Georgia Region Spring Conference in March hosted by Georgia Highlands College in Cartersville. She earned an associate degree from the former Waycross College where she became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Rho Omega chapter. She…

The Douglas Police Department aims to spread kindness and positivity throughout the community. Every year, DPD personnel organize “A Day to Celebrate and Encourage Random Acts of Kindness” to inspire people to make kindness a habit. This past February, they partnered with Zaxby’s to distribute cookies as a random act of kindness. The event was a huge success and the department is looking for ways to keep the momentum going. Douglas Police Chief Brannen Pruette stated, “The Douglas Police Department’s Mission Statement reads, ‘We are dedicated to working in partnership with the community to provide exemplary service by maintaining a…

South Georgia State College (SGSC) students Emma Wilkerson and Benjamin Jared Davis, both of Douglas, Ga., were named to the All-Georgia Academic Team, a program recognizing the scholarly achievements of students enrolled in two-year programs at Georgia’s colleges and universities. Colleges may nominate students from their campuses to the All-USA Academic Team. Students from Georgia nominated to the national team make up the All-Georgia Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a valued partner of the All-Georgia Academic Team. Emma is pursuing a degree in nursing…

Coffee FFA and 4-H combined their efforts this year in horse judging with a plan that would maximize the number of participants throughout the county. The efforts paid off in a big way. The senior team brought back a state championship and Madeleine Tuten scored the highest in the senior division and earned Master 4-H’er status. On April 5, Coffee High FFA students Grace Barrett, Josie Grantham, Jayla Cobb, and Mikayla Hayes were named the State FFA Reserve Champions. The event consisted of placing five classes of horses including two halter classes and three performance classes – western pleasure, hunter…

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all of Georgia’s Regional Commissions reported a slight rise in March unemployment rates. “Georgia’s job market is red hot with opportunity,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “This continuous growth is a strong indicator that our economic momentum is not slowing down any time soon. Once again, Georgia continues to shatter records in growing businesses statewide and creating jobs for hardworking Georgians.” Please see a synopsis of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s unemployment report below. Coffee and Atkinson counties belong to this commission: Southern Georgia

By Valeria Vega, CHS FBLA Reporter The Coffee County High School FBLA attended the 2024 State Leadership Conference at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta. Nine members and their advisers, Brandy Barlow, Kelly Gilliard, and Kristi Joyner, attended this year’s FBLA State Leadership Conference, where members of FBLA from the entire state gathered together to participate in competitive events, workshops/team building exercises, and other activities. They also enjoyed networking and meeting FBLA members from other regions across Georgia. During the drive to Atlanta, FBLA stopped by the Shoppes at River Crossing in Macon, where members were allowed to shop, eat…