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Police Chief Anthony H. (Tony) Tanner was sworn in as the new 4th Vice President of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The GACP is the organization that represents Chiefs of Police from across the State of Georgia and, as one of its duties, is responsible for the training and professional development of all Chiefs of Police. Chief Tanner is the police chief for the City of Waycross, Ga. He was appointed as chief in 2005 and continues to serve as chief. Chief Tanner’s career in law enforcement began in 1987 with the…

The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will officially become Horizons Community Solutions on Aug. 1, 2016. Built upon the Cancer Coalition’s strong foundation, Horizons will continue the fight against cancer, but also will do even more to strengthen local communities toward greater health and productivity. Moving into its 15th year, the Cancer Coalition has been effectively changing the face of cancer in the region. In fact, the organization is now recognized nationally and statewide for its innovative programs and research – and that work will continue. “However, we realized that we must address the underlying causes of disparities in order to…

Dan Michael Merritt, age 56, of Ocilla, GA passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2016, at Pruitt Health following an extended illness. Mr. Merritt was born on September 16, 1959, in Fitzgerald, GA to the late Dan Merritt and Betty Lou Bostic Merritt. Survivors include: his son, Roman Merritt of Ambrose, GA; three sisters, Bridgette Wampler of Ambrose, GA, Dana (Jackie) Flanagan of Douglas, GA, and CeCe (Kenneth) Brigmond of Wray, GA; four brothers, Frederick (Gloria) Merritt of Douglas, GA, Darrell Merritt of Ambrose, GA, Joe (Dedra) Merritt of Douglas, GA, and Anthony (Patsy) Merritt of Douglas, GA; several nieces…

Mrs. Sandra Kay Cothern Chybicki, age 57, of Denton, GA passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Chybicki was born on October 1, 1958 in Douglas, GA to Mrs. Laverne Cothern and the late L. G. Cothern. Survivors include: Her husband: Donald Chybicki of Denton, GA; her daughter: Sandy (Brian) Hunter of Baxley, GA; her son: Andy (Cassander) Powell of West Green, GA; her mother: Laverne Cothern of Denton, GA; brother: Charlie (Norma) Adams, Warner Robins, GA; sister: Debbie Cothern, Denton, GA; six grandchildren: Nathan Powell, Cassidy Powell, Gage Powell,…

Mrs. Sylvia Odessa Crozier Bray, age 80, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at her home following an extended illness. Mrs. Bray was born on August 1, 1935 in Douglas, GA to the late Patrick Henry Crozier and Vera Roxanne Vickers Crozier. She was preceded in death by Donald Edward Bray, three brothers, Horace Crozier, William F. Crozier and Ray Crozier, and three sisters, Susie Crozier Sutton, Bennie Crozier Stevens, and Mary Frances Crozier McDermott. Survivors include two daughters, Carla Sue (David) Temple of BonAqua, TN; Rhonda Kay (Walter) Daniel of Douglas, GA and one son,…

Mrs. Elouise Henderson Tanner, age 75 of Douglas, passed away early Thursday morning, July 21, 2016 at Shady Acres Health and Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Tanner was born March 27, 1941 in Clinch County to the late William Troy Henderson and the late Elsie Paige Henderson. Survivors include: 2 Daughters: Patricia Tanner and Timothy Vaughn of Douglas, GA, Brenda (Josea) Cruz of Warner Robins, GA; 3 Sons: Donald (Deavie) Tanner of Americus, GA, Ray (Kay) Tanner of Swainsboro, GA, Tommy Wooten of Douglas, GA; 17 Grandchildren. 20 Great Grandchildren. 1 Great Great Grandchild. Several Nieces, Nephews, Friends…

Mrs. Shirley Ann Raper Luke, age 67, of Nicholls, GA passed away Tuesday morning, July 19, 2016 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Luke was born August 22, 1948 to the late Edward Raper, Sr. and the late Haven Solomon Raper Spann. Mrs. Luke retired from the Coffee County School System after 29 years of service as a teacher with Ambrose Elementary School. She also received the honor of being named “Teacher of the Year” at Ambrose Elementary School. She was also a retired Literacy Coach. She attended South Georgia College and Valdosta State University where…

Robert “Shayne” Sinquefield, age 55, of Douglas, GA passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a sudden illness. Mr. Sinquefield was born on March 26, 1961, in Mount Dora, FL to Marjorie Rollins Sinquefield and the late William Randolf Sinquefield, Sr. Survivors include: his wife, Gina Sinquefield, of Douglas, GA; two sons, Robert “Rob” Shayne Sinquefield, Jr. of Douglas, GA and Perryn “Chase” Sinquefield of Douglas, GA; mother, Marjorie Rollins Sinquefield of Douglas, GA; three sisters, Toya (Jerry) Waldron, of Douglas, GA, Renae (Charles) Woods, of Douglas, GA, and Debbie (Gerald) Carver, of Douglas,…

Satilla Regional Library System welcomed Ms. Linda Brunson of Balloons R 4 Twisting to the Douglas-Coffee County and Willacoochee Public Libraries on Wednesday to perform the show, Balloon Sports. Ms. Brunson discussed the sports of baseball, basketball, and football while giving a history of each sport. Ms. Brunson gave the children football balloons, and she instructed the audience on how to make a baseball and a basketball with a basketball hoop out of balloons. This was a great interactive performance with the audience, and everyone had a great time! The final Summer Reading Program performance will be Bright Star Touring…