Author: Submitted

South Georgia State College’s men’s and women’s swim teams opened their season at home Nov. 7 with a big win against three schools – LaGrange College, Point University, and Thomas University. SGSC finished with a total of 403 points, followed by Thomas University (227), Point University (62), and LaGrange College (44). Leading the Swim Hawks were Carolyn Ives (Carrollton, Ga.) and Mitchell Graham (Columbus, Ga.). Ives won the 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and broke the school record in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:15:52. Graham won both breaststroke events along with the 200 freestyle. Other multiple winners included…

The following students earned recognition for their homerooms in grades 3-5 for Best Informational Writing: (Front Row) Laney Childers, Elyse Spivey, Mailey Sinclair, Geovanni Garcia, Moises Guzman, and Chloe Merritt (Back Row) Nykacria Brockington, Kenneth Cobb, Lisbeth Rodriguez, Deborah Sanchez, Keller Phillilps, Keyonna Cunningham, and Kaylie Porter. Congratulations, Westside Wildcats! – Submitted

Downtown Holiday Open House will be held in downtown Douglas Sunday, November 22. Holiday Open House is celebrated each year the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving and gives shoppers an early glimpse of what to expect in home decorations and accents for the holidays, as well as an opportunity to preview wonderful gift selections. “We would like to invite everyone to take advantage of this great event to start their holiday shopping season,” says Pattie Merritt, Main Street Coordinator. “Many merchants have participated for the past 22 years by opening their doors on this particular Sunday for shoppers and browsers to…

Eastside Elementary School would like to congratulate all of our student of the month honorees. We are so proud of each of you and are thankful that you are a part of Eastside. You make it a better place! – Submitted

The City of Douglas, Douglas – Coffee County Chamber of Commerce, and the Coffee County Commission formally announced today the marshal for the 52nd Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade. Douglas native JoAnne Lewis will be the Grand Marshal for the parade, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Coffee County Courthouse on December 5. “JoAnne was chosen because of her compassion and giving spirit for our community,” says Mayor James H. Dennis. Lewis has more than 30 years of economic development experience with local and state government. On a local level she served a Main Street Director, Director…

William Lee “Billy” Riggins, age 79, of Douglas, GA passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Riggins was born on April 21, 1936, in Ashburn, GA to the late James Jackson Riggins and Nancy Jane Graham Riggins. Survivors include: his two daughters, Sandra (Danny) Chaney and Margaret Merritt, both of Douglas; two brothers, Larry Riggins of Garden City, GA and Raymond Riggins of Milan, GA; sister, Inez Lewis of Douglas, GA; five grandchildren, Clay Chaney, Joseph Merritt, Jessica Spivey, Jeffery Anderson and Tracy Anderson; eleven great grandchildren; several nieces and…

The South Georgia State College Hawks overcame a slow start Saturday afternoon to cruise to an 86-60 win over TAAG Academy. It was the Hawks’ third straight win to open the season. Tyrone Sam led the Hawks with 23 points and three rebounds. Zaire Cook had 11 points and three rebounds, while Khalil Abdullah finished with 10 points and four rebounds. “They (TAAG Academy) were big, so we pushed the tempo to keep them running,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “We were able to play our second and third team for the last 15 minutes of the game, and that…

First Academy is pleased to recognize those students in grades 1-5 who have earned academic honors for the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year. Students who were recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being on the Honor Roll or Headmaster’s List are listed below: FIRST GRADE Kaylee Bice Reese Fender Peyton Gilbert Kezney Kashula Elizabeth Larkey Madge McCranie Tanner McKinnon Ava Murphy Michelle Paik Hannah Powell Luke Rudd MiaBella Stone Landon Tanner Beckett Waldron SECOND GRADE Evan Fender Aubree Fitzgerald Allie Gasque Raiden Grantham Natalie Guthrie Abrah Harris Logan James Olivia LaRiccia Matthis McCullough Russ O’Steen Kiran Reddy Elly…