Author: Submitted

Mr. Olan Mitchell Merritt, age 76 of Douglas, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 19, 2014, at the Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Merritt was born May 9, 1938, to the late Fred Merritt and the late Ethel Vickers Merritt. Survivors include his wife, Ann Dora Veal Merritt of Douglas; children, Mickey Merritt of Crestview, FL , Rickey Merritt and Eddie Merritt both of Douglas, Lamar Merritt of Dublin, Traci Merritt of Alma; one sister, Fannie Ruth Roberson of Nicholls; seven grand children and two great grand children; several nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives. Funeral…

James Woods, age 78 of Douglas, passed away Monday, August 18, 2014, at Coffee Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Mr. Woods was born October 9,1936, in Douglas to the late William Riley Woods and Devada Bagley Woods. He was a Korea War veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Betty Foskey Woods of Douglas; three daughters, Debbie Woods, Cathy (Steve) Phillips, and Sheryl (John) Adams all of Douglas; son, David (Billie Kaye) Woods of Douglas; ten grandchildren, Christy Nipper, Wendy Nipper Giddens, Anthony Nipper, Lauren Phillips, Brooke Dancy, Bryan Vickers, Neil Floyd, II,…

Mary Wilkerson, age 76, of Douglas, passed away Monday, August 18, 2014, at her residence following an extended illness. Ms. Wilkerson was born January 19, 1938, in Willacoochee to the late Henry Wilkerson and Maude Floyd Wilkerson. Mary was a member of First Baptist Church of Douglas. She retired from SunTrust Bank with 34 years of service. Survivors include her sister, Mattie Wilkerson of Douglas; nine nieces and nephews, Robert (Viveca) Parker of Glasco, KY, David Randall Parker of Ft. Pierce, FL, John Daniel (Heather) Parker of Ft. Pierce, FL, Joan Lorraine (David) Roberts of Ft. Pierce, FL, Stephen Austin…

A Douglas native and 2008 Coffee High graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a hand-picked crew charged with bringing the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier into service. Petty Officer Second Class Deandra Douglas, who enlisted four years ago, is a personnel specialist aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first ship in its class and the successor to the Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that have been in operation for the last half century. Douglas, the first in her immediate family to both earn a college degree and join the military, and the rest of the…

First National Bank of Coffee County (FNBCC) is proud to announce the appointment of the following students to the 2014-2015 First National Bank of Coffee County Junior Board of Directors. Being strong advocates of this community, these students represent the future of Coffee County through their display of integrity, quality, and commitment. From Coffee High School, members include Mr. Neil Andharia, Miss Kelsey Cumbass, Mr. Jacob Hicks, Miss Alexis McKinnon, Miss Sarah Nugent, Miss Kajal Patel, Miss Cariana Spivey, Miss Adeline Thomason, and Miss Jessalyn Youngblood. From Citizens Christian Academy, members include Miss Bailey Davis, Mr. Zach Ray, and Miss…

Westside Elementary is proud to announce Mrs. Kim Caves as their 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year. Ms. Caves was selected by her peers to receive this honor in recognition of her dedication to her fifth grade students and Westside School. Ms. Caves has gone above and beyond her job description in an effort to make Westside the best side. – Submitted by Westside Elementary School

Officials with the City of Douglas are asking motorists and pedestrians to use caution over the next several days when passing through the intersection of Walker St. and Gaskin Ave. The traffic light at the intersection is currently flashing “red” due to a problem with the controller, officials with the city say, and temporary stop signs have been erected indicating the area as a four-way stop. The Georgia Department of Transportation and City of Douglas Electric Department have been notified and hope to have the issue resolved no later than Tuesday, Aug. 19th. -Submitted by the City of Douglas

On August 12, 2014, Congressman John Barrow visited Westside Elementary School. Congressman Barrow received a spirited welcome from Westy, the school mascot (aka Barbara Joiner), and the Westside Wildcats who sang the school theme song, “Roar”. Mr. Barrow explained how students can participate in his reading program, “Barrow’s Bookworms.” Congressman Barrow also assisted Superintendent Leis and Principal Wendy Jowers in drawing student names for free books. Superintendent Leis and Principal Wendy Jowers challenged students to get excited about reading and become one of “Barrow’s Bookworms!” For more information about Congressman Barrow’s reading program, visit the following website: http://barrow.house.gov/bookworms -Submitted by…

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College practical nursing students on the Ben Hill-Irwin campus received their nursing pins during a ceremony held prior to graduation on Friday, August 1. These 16 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 Adrianna Gillis and Regina Mancil of Atkinson County; Abigail Jones –Bostick, Rick Jones, Lucy Palmer-Jordan, Crystal Lately, Drancy Sanders, Lauren Wilson, and Cara Young of Ben Hill County; …