Author: Submitted

Premium Peanut, LLC has announced its intentions to build a peanut shelling facility in Coffee County. The facility will be located just west of the City of Douglas on a 42 acre tract on Barrington Road. Initial site work started last week. The plant, which will entail close to $50 million in capital investment, is anticipated to employ approximately 100 people and should open for production around December 2015 to start shelling the 2015 crop. “A commitment of one hundred new jobs is just what we need to kickstart the economy in 2015,” comments JoAnne Lewis, Executive Director for the…

The City of Douglas and OneBlood will be hosting a blood drive Wednesday, Feb. 18, beginning at 10 a.m. OneBlood’s ‘Big Red Bus’ will be at Douglas City Hall at 224 E. Bryan St. All donors will receive a free t-shirt and wellness check-ups, which include blood pressure, iron count and cholesterol screenings. For more information, call (912) 389-3494.

Mary Irvine Spivey Merritt, age 69, of Nicholls, GA passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mrs. Merritt was born on December 23, 1945, in Douglas, GA to the late James Ervin Spivey and Mary Lillian Anderson Spivey. Survivors include: her daughter, Judy (Stevie Cothern) Merritt of Douglas, GA; stepson, Dewayne (Tonya) Spivey of Alma, GA; stepdaughter, Cindy Sheffield of Indiana; two grandchildren, Katie Francis of Nicholls, GA and Jared Francis of Nicholls, GA; four sisters, Ella Mae Stone of Nicholls, GA, Vivian Castro of Douglas, GA, Shirley Hollinger of Tifton,…

William Hugh Park, Sr., age 92, of West Green, Georgia passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at Hospice House in Waycross, GA. He was born September 24, 1922, in Washington County, Georgia, to the late Willie Morris and Carrie Cochran Park. He was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. As a faithful member of West Green Baptist Church, he was known for his love for the Lord and his enjoyment of Sunday School and family night suppers. He retired after thirty years of service as a soil conservation engineer, and the remainder of his years he spent…

The No. 13 South Georgia State College Hawks held onto first place in the GCAA Conference Wednesday night with an 83-72 win over the South Georgia Tech Jets. Jovante’ Spivey led the Hawks (22-2, 11-1) with 31 points and three assists. JeVaughn Sanchez had 10 points, while Daniel Peace finished with a complete game of nine points, four rebounds, 11 assists, and four steals. Demontrez Austin was a factor on the glass, grabbing a total of 14 rebounds. “(Jovante’) Spivey was phenomenal tonight,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “This was probably the most fast-paced game we’ve ever had. That favored…

Two students from Coffee Middle School have been chosen by State School Superintendent Richard Woods to serve on his 2015 Student Advisory Council: Priya Patel, daughter of Smita and Rajendra Patel, and Taylor Justice, daughter of Justin and Suzan Justice. Sixty-four Georgia students were picked by Woods for this honor. Throughout the school year, these middle and high school students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom. Members of the Student Advisory Council will also discuss other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools.…

Mr. Dale Murray, age 56, of Nicholls passed away suddenly Sunday evening, February 1, 2015, at his residence, following a brief illness. He was born August 2, 1958 to the late Harland Murray and Viannah Carver Murray. Survivors include: 1 Son: Matthew Murray of Alma, Ga.; His Mother: Viannah Carver Murray of Nicholls, Ga.; Siblings: George Albert (Jane) Murray of Forsyth, Ga., Sandra (Tom) Nelson of St. Simons, Ga., Pam (Donnie) Smith of Ambrose, Ga., Terry Murray , Gail Murray , Chester Murray , and Scarlett (Ben) Griffin, all of Nicholls, Ga., and Denise (Keith) Burkett of West Green, Ga.;…

Marvin Bailey, age 85, of Douglas, GA passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2015, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Bailey was born on March 31, 1929, in Douglas, GA to the late Louie Maxie Bailey and Lois Maxie Banks Bailey. Survivors include: his wife, Geraldine Johnson Bailey of Douglas, GA; two sons, Tony Bailey of Adel, GA and Mark Bailey of Columbia, SC; two daughters, Cindy Berry of Orangeburg, SC and Lisa Bailey McDonald of Douglas, GA; two sisters, Latrelle Dixon of Hampton, VA and Sherall Spivey of Douglas, GA; brother, Weymond “Coochee” Bailey of…