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South Georgia State College’s Demontrez Austin is a good example of reaping the benefits of hard work. He has been named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association’s Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 17-24 and has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Kennesaw State University (KSU). A 6’6″ redshirt sophomore from Guyton, Ga., Austin averaged 14.5 points and 18.5 rebounds for the Hawks (8-1) last week in games against Brewton-Parker College (JV) and the College of Central Florida. “I’m thankful for this honor, but I never get satisfied,” said Austin. “I always want…

The South Georgia State College Hawks are now 8-1 on the season following a 67-44 win against the TAAG Academy Ambassadors Tuesday night. Jovante’ Spivey led all scorers with 22 points, four rebounds, and four assists. JeVaughn Sanchez had eight points and three rebounds, while Demontrez Austin finished with six points and eight rebounds. “This was one of our better nights defensively,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “They (TAAG) have some good inside players who were able to disrupt us a little, but we wore them down in the second half.” The Hawks will enjoy the Thanksgiving break then return…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College practical nursing students on the Coffee campus received their nursing pins during a ceremony held prior to graduation on Friday, November 21. These 15 students have been in the WGTC practical nursing program for 18 months. The nurse’s pin is part of the nurse’s uniform and is symbolic as a badge of office and achievement and a great honor to receive. Students receiving their nurse’s pin included Kimberly Burke, Jana Fussell, Teshante Lawson, Laura Love, Leighanna McBride, Adrianna McRae, Lucero “Lucy” Pedraza, Arabi Vickers, and Halley Yarberry of Coffee County; Shandriqua Coley of Dodge County;…

The City of Douglas is encouraging neighborhoods to participate in the City of Douglas N.I.P. Christmas home decorating contest. N.I.P. is the City’s Neighborhood Involvement Program. In order to participate, residents must live inside the city limits. This contest will be judged on the creativity and splendor of holiday décor on the home exterior. Previous winners will not be eligible to participate for three years. In order to participate in the N.I.P. Christmas Home Decorating Contest, home owners must sign up by December 16. Decorations must be up by the night of December 16 in order to give voters time…

DouglasNow.com joins the Coffee County community in mourning the passing of long-time parks and recreation department head Roger Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a warm-hearted, much loved and admired figure for countless numbers of youth during his time with the recreation department and will be missed deeply. DouglasNow.com extends condolences to the Johnson family. Following is his obituary from Sims Funeral Home: Roger C. Johnson, Jr., age 61 of Douglas, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014, at Tift Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Mr. Johnson was born on March 17, 1953, in Douglas to the late Roger C. Johnson,…

City of Douglas Main Street has announced its participation in this year’s Small Business Saturday, taking place on November 29, 2014. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting local small businesses. Now in its fifth year, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. In 2013, nearly 1,500 Neighborhood Champions rallied local businesses and created events and activities to drive shopping at small businesses around the country. The day was also championed by elected officials in all 50 states and Washington D.C.…

Mrs. Betty Edna Turner Taylor, age 74, of Douglas passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the Memorial Medical Center in Savannah, following a short illness. She was born July 14, 1940 to the late Archie Daniel Turner and the late Doris Iona Whitley Turner. She was also preceded in death by 3 Brothers, Hansel Turner, Troy Turner, and Travis Turner. Survivors include: Her Husband: William D. Taylor of Douglas, Ga.; 2 Sons: Gregory Britt Taylor, and William Donald Taylor, both of Douglas, Ga.; 2 Grandchildren: Jonathan Britt Taylor, and Jeremy Delott Anderson, both of Douglas, Ga.; 1 Great Grandchild:…

Mr. Richard Galin Keene, age 61, of Douglas passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. He was born May 17, 1953 to the late Harold D. Keene and the late Dorothy Louise Daniels Keene. Survivors include: His Wife: Rev. Carol Elaine Rolls Keene of Douglas, GA; 1 Son: Steven (Janet) Keene of Douglas, GA; 1 Daughter: Regina Stone of Douglas, GA; 4 Grandchildren: Joshua Keene, Jordan Keene, Ansley Keene and Mia Bella Stone all of Douglas, GA; 2 Brothers: Bob (Angie) Keene of Albuquerque, NM; Michael (Susan) Keene of Waynesville, GA;…

Local philanthropist and developer Francis Lott received the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) Volunteer of the Year award at the association’s November annual awards luncheon. Governor Nathan Deal presented Lott with the award, which was offered in recognition of Lott’s outstanding contribution to the spirit of volunteerism and the economic development of Coffee County and the state of Georgia. He is only one of two people in the state who have ever received the award more than once, taking home the award once before in 1995. Lott has been involved as a Chamber and community volunteer since 1975, helping drive…