Author: Submitted

Westside Elementary hosted a school-wide spelling bee on Jan. 14 starring homeroom spelling bee winners in grades four and five. All participants were presented with certificates in recognition of their hard work in preparation for the contest. The following students, pictured above, participated in the spelling bee: Back Row (Left to Right): Hank Thomas, Michaiah Williams, Zyindia Wiley, Caroline Allen, Moises Guzman, Emily Banda, Debora Sanchez, Kaylie Porter. Front Row (Left to Right): Angel Rojas, Jordan Carter, Laney Childers, Abby Greer, Carson Neeley, Tamira Coffee, Eli Stodghill, Kiara Williams. Congratulations also goes to the following spelling bee winners pictured below: …

Douglas – Coffee County Parks and Recreation recently received a $1,000 grant from Seven Rivers Resource Development & Conservation Council, located in Baxley, Georgia. These funds will be used to help build bleacher canopies at Huckaby Softball Complex, which is located inside JC Adams Municipal Park. Pictured above, left to right, are Eugene Dyal, Program Coordinator for Seven Rivers RDC, Stevie Young, DCCPRD Director, and Rob Hicks, Grant Administrator for the Plum Creek Grant. – Submitted

South Georgia State College’s (SGSC) men’s and women’s swim teams excelled Saturday, Jan. 9, during the South Georgia Sprint Meet held on SGSC’s Douglas Campus. The Hawks finished first with both the men’s and women’s teams beating Thomas University. Point University came in third followed by LaGrange College in fourth place. Coach CM Jenkins states, “It’s always tough to compete right after the holiday break, so it was great to see some strong times today as well as get the win for our fans. We still have some work to do to get ready for Regionals and Nationals; however, this…

On Monday, January 18, City of Douglas employees and community members will be participating in a “Day On” community project in honor of the Martin Luther, King Jr. holiday at the historic African American Cemetery in Nicholls, Georgia. Mr. Otis Everett is the caretaker of this 100-year-old cemetery. Volunteers will help rake, weed eat, pick up trash, trim limbs and help with other cleanup in the cemetery. “We would like to encourage our community and citizens to use the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday as a day to come together and lend a hand for a worthwhile community project,” says…

Jimmy Cecil Stone, age 77, of Douglas, GA passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Stone was born on October 1, 1938, in Douglas, GA to the late Edwin Stone and Minnie Lou Courson Stone. Survivors include: his daughter, Renae Braynard of Macon, GA; three sisters, Frances Stone Carver of Douglas, GA, Tommie Stone of Douglas, GA and Helen Stone Smith of Pacific Grove, CA; brother, Joel Stone of Dublin, GA; three grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, George…

Timothy “Tim” Gardner, age 48, of Cape Coral, FL passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2016, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, in Sarasota, FL following an auto accident. Mr. Gardner was born on July 16, 1968, in Homerville, GA to Gerald Gardner and Teary Evaline Cheshire Gardner. Survivors include: his daughter, Shelby Kay (Joshua) Padilla of Olney, IL; parents, Gerald and Teary Evaline Cheshire Gardner of Douglas, GA; two brothers, Dustin (Desiree) Gardner of Cape Coral, FL and Greg (Renae) Gardner of Meridian, MS; grandson, Anson Padilla; niece, Iris Gardner; nephew, Griffen Gardner; and two special friends, Debbie and Phillip Giovannozzi.…

The Satilla Regional Library System will be holding a Teen Advisory Kick-Off Party at the Douglas/Coffee County Public Library Saturday, January 16, from 12 to 2 p.m. in the large meeting room. There will be fun teen activities, crafts, food, and fun! Come and see what teen advisory is all about and have a great time with other teen peers. If you have any questions about teen programming, contact Julie Macomber, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian, at (912) 384-4667 ext. 222. Please visit Satilla Regional Library System on the web at www.srlsys.org. – Submitted

Douglas Lions Club Vice President Brian Norris welcomed Lion Candace Reed, owner of Positive Alternatives Counseling in Douglas, and Brandi Smith, counselor, as speakers for the Tuesday, Jan. 12, meeting of the Lions Club. Reed spoke on the counseling services offered to adults, teens, and children in the Douglas area and throughout the region. Smith, who is visually impaired, spoke of her positive experiences as a youth at the Lions Club Camp for the Blind in Waycross and how she has overcome obstacles on her way to becoming a counselor. – Submitted

The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce’s 89th Annual Event is coming up soon on Thursday, January 28, 2016. One of the main items on the event agenda that evening is the passing of the Chairman’s Gavel from Christian Taylor, AgSouth Leasing Specialist, to Stanley Lott, GA Department of Labor Business Services Recruiter. Lott was born and raised in Ambrose, GA. He attended Ambrose Elementary and graduated from Coffee High School in 1982. He attended South Georgia College and graduated from The University of Georgia in 1988. After completing his undergraduate degree, Lott continued his education at The University of Georgia…

There is a buzz of excitement regarding a wonderful opportunity for the women of our community which will be coming to the UGA Tifton Conference Center February 6, 2016. The Outrageous and Contagious Women’s Conference has earned the reputation for being a joyful outreach to women of all ages, all denominations and those who need a special time of refreshment with hundreds of “sisters” from all over Georgia and neighboring states. The conference team joyfully announces partnership with Compassion International for the coming year which will provide opportunities for missions around the globe. This ministry’s Mission Statement is “Releasing children…