Author: Submitted

James Merritt, age 69, of Broxton, Ga. passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at St. Joseph’s Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Merritt was born on November 26, 1947, in Ambrose, Ga. to the late Thomas Amos Merritt and Annie Ruth Fussell Merritt. Survivors include: his wife, Marie Merritt of Broxton, Ga.; four sons, Jimmy Raper of Pridgen, Ga., Jerome Merritt of Douglas, Ga., Amos Merritt of Workmore, Ga., and Chris Merritt of Broxton, Ga.; three sisters, Lounelle Beecher of Grenville, Sc., Carolyn Bryson of Mt. Airy, Ga., and Faye Nugent of Douglas, Ga.; fifteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation North recently held its 31st annual meeting at the Charles Harris Learning Center on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus. Approximately 250 guests filled the banquet room decorated in a Christmas theme. This annual event, given by the Foundation to honor supporters of the college and the Foundation, is held each year to recognize and say thank you to the friends of the college. This year’s event was dedicated to Mr. Rod Martin, former Foundation trustee from Coffee County. Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson welcomed everyone to the annual event. She opened the evening by sharing…

Student tardies in the system’s elementary schools range from 33% to 53% of the schools’ population. Studies conducted by the U.S. Dept. of Education on truancy, which is connected with tardiness, show that school attendance is a major factor when it comes to school success and student behavior. Problems with Tardiness The most crucial learning hours of a school day are the morning hours, because they are when students are most attentive. Students who are tardy miss the beginning of their morning classes, and they also cause a distraction when they arrive late to class. Academics and Achievement Students who…

Mrs. Norma Kay Vickers Dockery, age 68, of Broxton passed away late Tuesday night, November 29, 2016 at Specialty Hospital of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, FL following an extended illness. Mrs. Dockery was born February 25, 1948 to the late Grady Vickers and the late Bertha White Vickers. She was also preceded in death by a brother Ronald Vickers. Survivors include: Her Husband: John William “J. W.” Dockery of Broxton, GA; 3 Children: Jennifer (Richard) McDonald of Homerville, GA, Norman (Shantae) Dockery and Amelia (Joel) Auger both of Broxton, GA; 2 Brothers: Donald Vickers of Bridgetown, GA, J. O. Vickers of…

The CTAE Resource Network, the Georgia Department of Education, and the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education (GACTE) proudly announce the inaugural class of LEAD CTAE. LEAD CTAE is a leadership development program designed for CTAE classroom teachers who wish to gain valuable skills and knowledge in the areas of team building, leadership, priority management, business engagement, legislative advocacy and policy, communication, instruction, economic development, and more through participation in five program sessions culminating at the annual GACTE summer conference in Atlanta in July of 2017. This first class of 20 teachers represents 20 schools from 19 school systems…

Coffee High School hosted its annual Parent Lunch and Learn event on Nov. 27. The total number of attendees far exceeded the number from the previous year. Parents enjoyed a wonderful lunch and a “Ted Talk” Presentation by Jennifer Senior entitled For Parents, Happiness is a Very High Bar. Interested parents are encouraged to sign up in the guidance office to participate in the next Parent Lunch and Learn session. – Submitted

Coffee High’s Senior Audit Nights on Nov. 14 & 16 were a huge success! Our seniors, along with their parents, met with Senior Counselor Rachel Ho. The purpose was to ensure that students were on track for graduation. In addition, guests received information regarding college entry exams, financial aid, college scholarships, and graduation supplies. – Submitted

As the holiday season is upon us, the City of Douglas Police Department would like to remind everyone that holiday shopping can present some danger. During the holiday season, people become less attentive as their lives become more hectic, which could make them susceptible to crime and danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help ensure a jovial holiday season. “The holiday shopping season can cause some people to be more at risk to theft and other holiday crime,” says Chief Casteloes. “We hope that by sharing these safety tips, it will remind people to be more prepared by being…

Edford “Ed” Courson, age 77, of Millwood, Ga. passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Courson was born on December 13, 1938, in Millwood, Ga. to the late Willie Levi Courson and Daisey Brown Courson. Survivors include: his wife, Jenalda Courson of Millwood, Ga.; three daughters, Calisse (Jim) Owens of Knoxville, Tn., Karen Johnson of Nicholls, Ga., and Sherry (Sid) Adams of Douglas, Ga.; two sons, Franklin Courson of Nicholls, Ga. and David Anthony (Kaneah) Courson of Millwood, Ga.; twenty-three grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister, Miram Krain of Sebring, Fla.; and several nieces…