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On Saturday, August 30, 2025, members of the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council, Keep Douglas Beautiful, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, and Douglas Masonic Lodge #73 came together to enhance Roundtree Park by planting trees and installing a new recreational picnic table. This project was funded through the Youth Placemaking Grant from the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative and Georgia Cities Foundation. The Placemaking Collaborative emphasizes the importance of equitable and inclusive community engagement in developing locally based placemaking projects. “Exciting developments are just around the corner for the 2025-2026 team!” exclaims Youth Council Coordinator Dinitra Williams. “We can’t wait to dive into a fabulous year…

Tuesday morning, a written challenge to the mayoral candidacy of John Allen Moore was filed by Derek Harper, a city of Pearson voter, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §21-2-6. The Atkinson County Board of Elections & Registration has tentatively scheduled a hearing on the challenge for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at their office in Pearson. The basis of the challenge is an allegation of Mr. Moore having state income tax liens and falsifying his oath of candidacy by declaring he was not a defaulter on any federal or state taxes. The Board has also been presented separately with…

Vera Googe, age 95, of Douglas, GA, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 1st, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center. She was born on April 23rd, 2025, the daughter of Aubrey Hugh Powell and Novella Graham Powell. Her survivors include: one daughter, Karen Alisa (Richard) Crawford of Ware Shoals, SC; one son, Charles Ricky (Dawn) Googe of Douglas, GA; one brother, Donnie (Jill) Powell of Thomasville, GA; five grandchildren, Neil (Stacey) Googe, Justin Holt, Ryan Holt, Amanda Edge, and Robert Martin; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by: her beloved husband, Dolvin Googe; one son,…

On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council conducted the first meeting of the 2025-2026 term. Junior Mayor Zipporiah Wilcox welcomed everyone to the new session and announced the goals for the upcoming term. Tracy Davis from Light House Church delivered the invocation to begin the meeting, and Braylon White was recognized as the outstanding community youth. Braylon White, a 10th grader at Coffee High School, was recognized for his courage and inspiration in the face of adversity. Braylon is the son of Shay Edwards and Anthony White. Diagnosed with a serious heart condition at a young age, Braylon received a…

Johnnie Michael “Mike” Smith, age 69, of Broxton, GA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30th, 2025, at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, GA. He was born on May 21st, 1956, the son of Hoke Cummings “Brother” Smith and Betty Carver Smith. His survivors include: his beloved wife, June S. Smith of Broxton, GA; two sons, John M.(Shannon) Smith Jr. of Broxton, GA and Mark (Brittany) Smith of Douglas, GA; two grandchildren, John Carter Smith and Paxton Riley Smith; one brother, Edward Darrell(Debra) Smith of Broxton, GA; and one sister, Felicia Smith of Fitzgerald, GA. He was preceded in…

Several former Coffee Trojans are playing college football and are enjoying some early season success. The list of CHS alumni in the college ranks go from junior college teams to Division I programs. And it hasn’t taken long for them to show their value at the next level. Maybe the headliner of the group is Maurice Turner, a redshirt junior running back at Tulane. Turner originally went to Louisville and played well for the Cardinals. He looked positioned to be Louisville’s starting running back last year but injuries significantly limited his playing time. Though he did come back and get…

Coffee Regional Medical Center, in partnership with CRH Urology Group, will host a free prostate exam and PSA test on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the CRH Urology Clinic. Did you know that 1 out of every 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime? Early detection saves lives, and this free screening event provides an important opportunity for men in the Coffee County community to take charge of their health. No appointment is necessary. Simply walk in between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to receive your free exam and PSA test. This event is made possible…

Ms. Margie Harper Solomon, age 85, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, August 27, 2025 at The Landings of Douglas following a lengthy illness. Margie was born in Douglas, Georgia to Nathan Harper and Lola Thompson Harper. Margie was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Lisa Kay Solomon, by her five brothers, Edward Lee Harper, Buck Harper, Hubert Harper, Bobby Harper and Donnie Harper and one sister, Dorothy Harper. Margie leaves behind her two sons, Jeffery (Jan) Solomon of Athens and Morgan Jason (Audrey) Solomon of Douglas, two sisters, Joanne Ridley and Carolyn (Roy) Bland, and 6…

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dora Nadine Radcliffe, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who peacefully departed this world on August 19, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on October 30, 1936, in Douglas, Georgia, Nadine was a beacon of love, warmth, and generosity throughout her life. Nadine dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her family and was a devoted homemaker. Nadine was an incredible host, always ready to open her home for gatherings and celebrations. Her culinary skills brought family and friends together, and her delectable dishes will be missed by all who…

Ms. Melissa Jean Lloyd Bennett, age 56, of Douglas, Georgia passed away Thursday afternoon at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, following a recent illness. Melissa was born September 22, 1968 in Ft. Pierce, Florida to the late Austin James Lloyd, Jr. and the late Margaret Faye Herring. She will long be remembered as a loving mother, a wonderful cook, and a talented artist. She also found great joy in deer hunting and motorcycle riding. She was of the Baptist faith. Melissa leaves behind her 3 children: Gage Lloyd Bennett, Athan Hall Bennett, and Margaret Jean Bennett, all of Clyde,…