Author: Submitted

Merchants in downtown Douglas will host a Shop Local Spring Open House in conjunction with Georgia Cities Week activities. Main Street merchants will have bargains, special clearances, and sidewalk sales on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. “We are excited about the Shop Local Spring Open House,” says Pattie Merritt, Main Street Coordinator. “We have a 98% occupancy rate in the Main Street district, and most of these businesses are owned by local people who are our neighbors and friends. We hope this will be a successful spring event and would like…

The Nature Conservancy has released its scheduled tour dates for the Broxton Rocks for Spring 2016. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and discover nature’s splendor in Coffee County. Tour dates are April 9 (10 a.m. to noon), April 23 (10 a.m. to noon),andApril 30 (10 a.m. to noon). Considered a natural wonder in South Georgia, the Broxton Rocks are part of a 15,000 square-mile band of subsurface sandstone known as the Altamaha Grit, formed by shifts in the Earth’s tectonic plates eons ago. Rare plants, unique wildlife and a waterfall are only a part of the discoveries…

Mrs. Bessie W. Harper, age 73, of Pearson passed away Sunday evening, April 3, 2016, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born April 28, 1942 to the late Charlton M. Williams and the late Millie Achord Williams. Survivors include: Her Husband: Rev. Don Harper of Pearson, Ga.; 1 Son: Richard (Tammie) Douglas of Nicholls, Ga.; 1 Daughter: Elisabeth “Beth” Douglas of Gulf Breeze, Florida. 1 Brother: Charlton M. Williams, Jr. of Broxton, Ga.; 17 Grandchildren, including: Ryan Austin Douglas of Nicholls, Ga.; Brandon Dewayne Douglas of Douglas, Ga., Ashlee Brooke Shiver of Valdosta, Ga.; Aaron Drew Young…

Vivian Vee Nailling, age 70, of Douglas, GA passed away on Monday, April 4, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Nailling was born on January 29, 1946, in Douglas, GA to the late James Davis and Rose Reliford Davis. Survivors include: her husband, Ronnie Lee Nailling of Douglas, GA; son, George Christopher “Chris” (Ruby Brooke) Holley of Douglas, GA; two sisters, Jackie Rowell and Lorraine Tiller both of Nahunta, GA; four grandsons, Dawson Holley, Rhett Holley, Carter Holley and Beau Holley; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her former husband, William…

The South Georgia State baseball team (21-14, 6-2) has been adding a number of wins to its record in recent weeks, and the series against the West Georgia Tech Golden Knights was no different. The Hawks won 3-out-of-4 in the series, scoring a total of 29 runs over the four games. SGSC won games on March 29 and April 2 by scores of 4-3 and 12-1, respectively. The Hawks split a doubleheader with West Georgia on April 3, losing 7-3 in game one and winning 10-2 in the closing game of the series. The March 29th game saw the Hawks…

The South Georgia State College Lady Hawks softball team went into their games against Darton State College April 3 in Albany with the plan to retain their number one spot in the GCAA standings. After the dust had settled, the Lady Hawks (23-6, 7-1) walked away with two wins that caused Darton to fall to fifth place in conference play. After a hard fought game one, SGSC defeated Darton by a score of 9-7 and then followed with a close 5-4 victory to end the two-game series. The first game ended in dramatic fashion as the Lady Hawks and the…

Congratulations to the George Washington Carver Freshman Campus students of the week for March 21-25. Pictured above, left to right, are James Land, Jose Perez, and Hunter Gibson. – Submitted

Retired City of Douglas Fire Chief Freddie Davis, Sr., age 83, passed away Saturday evening at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Davis was born September 6, 1932 to the late Roy Davis, Sr. and the late Vida Ray Davis. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Betty Jean Malphus Davis of Douglas; three sons, Michael (Hazel) Davis of Sparks, John (Christine) Davis, and Freddie Davis, Jr., all of Douglas, one daughter, Brenda (Fred) Davis Spires of Douglas; two sisters, Mary Fussell of Ambrose and Judy (Vernon) Rickerson of Douglas; two brothers, Donnie (Jean Carol) Davis and Wayne Davis,…

Dear Editor: For three successive years our legislature has devoted considerable time, energy and resources in their attempt to pass into law what is commonly referred to as a “religious freedom bill.” This year a bill was finally submitted to Governor Deal. Much to the displeasure of the religious right Governor Deal vetoed the bill. In so doing he set forth his reasons in some depth and a transcript as well as a video of his announcement is on the internet. Before criticizing him I urge your readers to afford our Governor the courtesy of understanding his reasons for vetoing…