Author: Submitted

Ms. Cecilia Johnson Hutchinson, age 62, of Douglas passed away Friday, June 24, 2016, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. She was born November 23, 1953 to Clarence Johnson, Jr. and Mildred McKinnon J. Collier. Survivors include: Her Father: Clarence Johnson, Jr. of Douglas, Ga.; Her Mother: Mildred M. (Phillip) Collier of Douglas, Ga.; 1 Sister: Kathy (Gary) Melton of Douglas, Ga.; Memorial Services will follow Saturday, July 9, 2016, at 2:00 P. M., at the Saving Grace Ministry, with Rev. Cliff Kirkland officiating. Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the Arrangements.

Little Miss Annalee Nichole Harper, age 0, of Douglas, GA passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Little Miss Harper was born on June 25, 2016, in Douglas, GA to Dasha Nicole Merritt and Jared Harper. Survivors include: her mother, Dasha Merritt of Douglas, GA; father, Jared Harper of Douglas, GA; maternal grandmother, Misty Merritt of Hawkinsville, GA; paternal grandparents, Diane and James Harper of Douglas, GA; paternal great grandparents, Lamar Harper and Brenda Harper of Ambrose, GA; aunts and uncles, Jessica Harper, Cody Harper, Jaimee Harper, Evan Harper, Candy Harper, Leihi Stevens, Austin Phillips,…

Mary Ellen Lancaster Lauber, age 75, of Rome, GA passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Lauber was born on March 10, 1941, in Jacksonville, FL to the late N.R. Lancaster and Ouida Sumner Lancaster. Survivors include: her son, Kevin Scopp of Mayville, WI; two sisters, Raleigh (Rex) Hussmann of Rome, GA and Markey (Lawton) Cady of Douglas, GA; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 10:00 am until funeral hour. Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 11:00…

There’s nothing much better than a freshly picked, homegrown tomato. When it comes to tomato varieties, the sky is the limit. There are many different shapes, colors and sizes available. Here are some tips from Joe Slusher, Ware County Extension Agent, on how to grow high-quality tomatoes in the home garden. Tomatoes are either determinate or indeterminate. Determinate varieties grow a more compact bush and produce most of their crop at one time, in two to five pickings. Indeterminate varieties set fruit clusters along a vine stem that continue to grow all season. Tomatoes are susceptible to many diseases, viruses…

The Douglas Exchange Club, Douglas-Coffee County Parks & Recreation, and the City of Douglas are proud to announce the 2016 Freedom Fest celebration is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 4 at JC Adams Municipal Park. The gates will open at 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. There will be live entertainment, food vendors, and fireworks after dark. The Exchange Club is currently accepting vendors of all kinds. “Freedom Fest has become a traditional celebration in Douglas and we could not provide this celebration without support from our local businesses and private supporters,” says celebration chairman Will Thompson.…

Douglas was recently ranked as one of the top micropolitan cities in the U.S. for new and expanding industrial facilities for bySite Selection magazine, the official publication of the Global FDI Association and the Industrial Asset Management Council. The magazine ranked 576 of the nation’s micropolitan areas, cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. In addition, the State of Georgia claimed the number 5 spot on the top 10 list for most micropolitans. “Douglas-Coffee County is proud to be ranked as one of the top micropolitan communities in the United States, and to have contributed to…

Mr. Billy Monroe Jowers, age 77, of Ambrose passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Manor House in Douglas, following an extended illness. Mr. Jowers was born March 6, 1939 to the late William Lawrence Jowers and the late Margaret Luree Mullis Jowers. Survivors include: His wife: Helen Dale Jowers of Ambrose, GA; 1 Daughter: Krista Dale (Stephen Thomas) Stapleton of Douglasville, GA ;1 Sister: Jane Jowers Hutto of Ambrose, GA; 2 Grandchildren: Jack Andrew Stapleton and Luke Pearo Stapleton of Douglasville, GA; Several Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Other Relatives. Funeral Services will be Sunday, June 26, 2016 at…

FINAL GOAT TAGGING DAY We had a great turnout for the 4-H/FFA Goat Show meeting on June 23. We have approximately 20 students who are registering to participate in the State and County Goat Shows this year. That means there will be approximately 40 goats in this year’s county show. If you are a 4-H or FFA member who plans to participate but missed the meeting, please mark your calendars for the final tagging day for goats. It will be held at the Coffee High School Animal Science Building on Tuesday, July 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Remember, this…

At the regularly scheduled meeting for the Magnolia Midlands Travel Association on Thursday, June 23, City of Douglas Public Information Director Georgia Henderson was elected to serve as the president for the association. The Magnolia Midlands Travel Association is one of the nine travel regions classified by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). The Magnolia Midlands Travel Association consists of 24 counties in Southeast Georgia. As the president of MMTA, Mrs. Henderson shall be responsible for presiding over all monthly meetings and shall have the duties normally conferred as parliamentarian usage of this office. The president is also responsible…

Meaghan Smith, a leader with the Bahamas U17 national team and captain of the Grand Bahamas Champions League winner Borussia Dortmund, has signed with the South Georgia State College (SGSC) women’s soccer team. Smith was named MVP of the Bahamas U17 match against Turks & Caicos. She was also the two-time MVP of the Grand Bahama Secondary School Association where she played for the seven-time defending champion Sunland Baptist Academy. A clear “dual threat” competitor – outstanding in the classroom and on the field – Smith has benefited from tremendous preparation with her high school coach Eon Austin and her…