Author: Submitted

The Douglas and Coffee County Chamber and The North Florida and South Georgia office of Dale Carnegie Training®, the worldwide leader in professional development, performance improvement, leadership training and employee engagement, announces the recent graduating class in Douglas, Georgia. The class, which was organized by the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority (“EDA”), included 24 participants from a range of progressive local organizations, including Fresher Brands, Brooks Auto Parts, Optima Chemical, Guthrie Motors, Premium Waters, South Georgia State College, as well as members of the Chamber staff. The Dale Carnegie Training course was conducted at the…

Mrs. Beth Kirkland’s kindergarten class at West Green Elementary School recently enjoyed reading the book “Tops and Bottoms” by Janet Stevens. After reading the book, the students made and enjoyed a delicious salad filled with the “tops and bottoms” mentioned in the book. -Submitted by West Green Elementary School

Mr. Loyd Vernon Courson, age 89, of Douglas passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 25, 2015, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born on October 19, 1925, to the late Loyd Courson and the late Frances Bagley Courson. He was preceded in Death by his late wife Elizabeth Lawanna “Wannie” Griffin Courson. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Kathy (Wendell) Rewis of Alma, Ga.; 4 Sons: Rodney (Glenda) Courson, Dalton (Annette) Courson, and William David Courson, Sr. all of Douglas, Ga., and Charles (Peggy) Courson of Tifton, Ga.; 1 Sister: Maurice Belcher of Douglas, Ga.; 1 Brother: Rodean (Lois) Courson…

Mr. Raymond Lott, Sr., age 71, of Douglas passed away Tuesday morning, March 24, 2015, at his residence, following an extended illness. He was born July 14, 1943 to the late William Roy Lott and the late Alliner Parker Lott. Survivors include: His Wife: Carolyn Strickland Lott of Douglas, Ga. 1 Daughter: Margie Belcher of Douglas, Ga. 1 Son: Raymond Lott, Jr. of Douglas, Ga. 1 Brother: Elisha Lott of Douglas, Ga. 3 Sisters: Pauline Miller of Douglas, Ga., Leola Spivey of Valdosta, Ga., and Thelma Burkett of Alma, Ga. 6 Grandchildren: Kenzie Belcher, Zachery Belcher, Sarah Snipes, Anna Lott,…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will be hosting “Free Application Day” April 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students may apply for Summer Semester on April 2 and have their application fee waived. Summer Semester will begin May 18, 2015. The 12-week semester will finish up August 4. For those who have some college credits, but were not able to finish college, Free Application Day would be a great time to come talk with admissions counselors and learn about the Go Back, Move Ahead Campaign. Wiregrass offers over 100 programs including associate degrees and distance learning options. On Free…

The City of Douglas Police Department is glad to welcome aboard our two newest police officers. Officer Eric Guerrero and Officer Derek Young both graduated from the GPSTC-Tifton Regional Police Academy on Friday, March 20, 2015 and will start their field training program this week. They both did exceptionally well at the academy and are welcome additions to our agency. Both men are from Coffee County and are excited about their new opportunity to serve the citizens of Douglas/Coffee County. -Copy courtesy, Douglas Police Department

The Satilla Regional Library System will be holding the following programs during the month of April for children and teens. For more information about upcoming children and teen programs, please call Julie Macomber, Children’s and Young Adult Librarian, at (912) 384-4667 ext. 222. Please visit our website, www.srlsys.org. Audio Spot Auditions for Children and Teens Ages 9-18 years Come and audition for a public service announcement to possibly be played on the radio promoting our new children’s and young adult books. Auditions will be held at all locations in Douglas, Broxton, Ambrose, Pearson, Willacoochee, and Nicholls. Please call Miss Julie…

Mrs. Vivian Smith Taylor, age 77, of Douglas, GA passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at her home following an extended illness. Mrs. Taylor was born on December 19, 1937 in Nicholls, GA. to the late James William Smith and the late Alma Lee Youngblood Smith. She is survived by her three daughters: Suzette Ludwig, Beverly Thomas and Buffy Waters all of Douglas, GA; three sisters: Audrey (Bernard) Thomas of Douglas, GA; Marcia (Jeff) Cooper of Cherry Lake, FL; Cynthia (Randy) Pearce of Baxley, GA; four brothers: Dewain (Patsy) Smith of Hot Springs, NC; Larry (Iris) Smith of Leicester,…

The Douglas community is saddened today at the loss of one of its lifelong community advocates. Mr. George Melvin “Jimmy” Atkinson, age 88, passed away Sunday, March 22, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Atkinson was born March 5, 1927 in Broxton to the late C. C. Atkinson and the late Eliza Byrd Atkinson. He is survived by his wife, Margie McDuffie Atkinson of Douglas; two sons; Jimbo (Wanda) Atkinson and Joe Atkinson (Vicki Robinson), both of Douglas; one daughter, Jennie Lynn (Rand) Vickers of Douglas; one brother, Carl Atkinson of Broxton; five grandchildren, Joshua Atkinson, Jake Atkinson,…