Author: Submitted

West Green Elementary School was recently recognized as a 2016 Governor’s Shape Honor Roll school. This award recognizes elementary, middle, and high schools for their dedication to creating a healthy school environment and a culture of wellness for staff, students and community. Georgia’s K-12 public schools were invited to submit an application to be recognized by the Governor’s office, the Georgia Department of Education, and the Georgia Department of Public Health for their exceptional participation in the annual fitness assessment data collection process as well as their commitment to efforts that improve student wellness. This year, schools were recognized…

Standard & Poor Global Ratings raised its long-term bond rating and elevated the financial outlook to positive on the Coffee County Hospital Authority, tax exempt revenue bonds, issued for Coffee Regional Medical Center Inc. S&P Global Ratings analyst Aamna Shah said “We assessed CRMC’s financial profile as adequate based on sustained improvement in most key metrics since fiscal 2013. More specifically, operating margins in the past two years have been robust compared with prior years as a result of operational improvements led by management. We anticipate that financial performance will remain in line with recent results because of the improvements…

West Green Elementary’s 2nd grade students completed a family tree project in order to make a real-world connection to the reading basal story, “My Family.” Students enjoyed sharing their family trees with one another and learning how all families are alike and different. – Submitted

Satilla Elementary School representatives thanked today Ms. Evie Woodward, a local 4-H’er who has been working on a Leadership In Action (LIA) project called “Bagging Hunger” for several months now. The project provides students at Satilla with a snack bag throughout the school year. Evie teams up with our local food bank, Second Harvest, for snacks, and the bags are distributed by the school staff. Evie is lucky to have her fellow club members help out when the bags need assembling; this time, approximately 20 senior members participated. This project would not be possible without the support of the 4-H…

Mrs. Gerrell Faye Law Duren, age 70 of Douglas, passed away Tuesday morning, September 6, 2016 at her residence following a short illness. Mrs. Duren, a native of Irwin County, was born February 17, 1946 to the late Roy Law and the late Mamie Richardson Law. Survivors include: Her Husband, Joel Shafter Duren of Douglas, GA; 2 Daughters, Shelda (Kenneth “Sam”) Kirkland of Hazlehurst, GA and Regina (David) Cook of Ocilla, GA; 2 Brothers, Dempsey Law of Social Circle, GA and Jimmy Law of Watkinsville, GA; 4 Grandchildren, Trent Ashley Cook of Hazlehurst, GA Blaine Cook, Ben Cook and Shelby…

Think you can call up a big bird? Don’t miss your chance to show off your turkey calling expertise! The Turkey Calling Contest, sponsored by Mossy Creek Game Calls, will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Youth Center located inside Central Square Complex during the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival. Registration for the contest will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be three divisions for the contest: Seniors ages 21 & up, Intermediate ages 16-20,and Juniors 15 & under. Registration fee for Seniors and Intermediate is $15 and Juniors, $5. The…

The City of Douglas announced today the formation of the Douglas Utilities Department that will consist of electric, water/wastewater, and gas divisions. The new Douglas Utilities Department director will be longtime employee and Gas/Water/Wastewater Director Michael Hudson. Along with merging these departments, the City will roll out a new branding campaign beginning with a new Douglas Utilities logo and new residential utilities bill, while also changing the name of the Customer Service Department to the Utility Billing and Payments Department with Tommy Harrell as the manager. Citizens will also notice new decals on Douglas Utilities vehicles, and the new logo…

Mr. Paul Quincey “Buddy” Arnold, age 87 of Ambrose, GA, passed away Sunday afternoon, September 4, 2016 at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Arnold was born October 2, 1929 to the late Alton Arnold and the late Lena Paul Arnold. Mr. Arnold was also preceded in death by 2 wives, Elma Stewart Arnold and Betty Varnedoe Knowles Arnold. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Connie Jean Arnold of Ambrose, GA; 7 Step-Children: Janet Smith of Ambrose, GA, Elaine Knowles, Katherine Barber, Joe (Lee) Knowles and Ashley Knowles all of Douglas, GA, Larry Knowles and Gerald Knowles both of Ellijay, GA;…

Georgia DNR’s Fisheries Regional Supervisor (Waycross) Bert Deener will present a free workshop, “South Georgia Swamp and River Fishing,” on Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. in the Dogwood meeting room of the Central Square Complex in Douglas. Bert fishes for everything from small fliers in the Okefenokee Swamp to giant tarpon on the Georgia Coast. He oversees four public fishing areas and several coastal rivers in the 32 county South Central region. Bert’s talk will focus on techniques that catch fish in South Georgia rivers and the Okefenokee Swamp. Come out and…

Rockdog Entertainment is proud to present this Friday’s night concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. with KOA and Laney Strickland Band. Don’t miss JJ Grey and Mofro, who will be the music headliner for the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival! From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions. His presence before an audience is something startling and immediate, at times a funk rave-up, other times a sort of mass-absolution for the mortal weaknesses that make him…