Douglas County Sentinel

Teams from across metro Atlanta gathered at New New Manchester Jaguars on Thursday for a 7-on-7 tournament that was about a whole lot more than just football.

Players at the Trust Downs 7-on-7 Academy took part in a morning seminar that included faith and transitions to adulthood, mental health and financial literacy before taking the field.

The academy was put on by the Downs family, including New Manchester head coach Olten Downs, his brother Gary, a former NFL running back, and Gary's sons Josh, a wide receiver with the Indianapolis Colts, and Caleb, a safety who won a national championship at Ohio State and was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL draft.

"We're trying to prepare the guys for the fifth quarter life," Olten Downs said. "Preparing young men for life after football and using football as a tool to get you where you want to go in life. And it's not just, 'I want to make it to these places, and that's it.' Having a plan beyond that."

In the afternoon, the seven teams — including New Manchester, Douglas County, Newton County, Langston Hughes, North Clayton, Meadow Creek and Columbia — competed in a 7-on-7 passing tournament.

Newton finished as the tournament champion, with Langston Hughes taking the runner-up trophy.

Newton rising junior Kevin Hartsfield, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, was named the tournament MVP.

Players received gear, water and other items from sponsorships through Adidas, Callaway Blue and Celsius, Downs said.

The coach said he hopes the Trust Downs 7-on-7 Academy becomes an annual event at New Manchester.

"It was an awesome time to be here on campus and let people see our beautiful campus here and give back to the community," he said.

Downs family turns 7-on-7 tournament into a lesson for life Teams from across metro Atlanta gathered at New Manchester High School on Thursday for a 7-on-7 tournament that was about a whole lot more than just football.

Crews pile rubble from City of Douglasville - Government old city hall Thursday as demolition of the structure started this week. The process will make way for a new $37 million facility – one city officials say will set a modern tone for the downtown area. Construction of the new hall is expected to begin after demolition and site preparation are complete. The new building is projected to open in 2028.

Douglas County commissioners rejected plans Tuesday for a 700-acre data center campus near Liberty Road, marking the second time in seven months they have turned down a proposal to build a large-scale data center on the property.

East Dothan Village had requested a future land use plan amendment from Rural Places to Commerce Center, rezoning from Residential Agriculture to Planned Unit Development and special use permits allowing for a utility substation and buildings larger than 50,000 square feet.

The campus would have included six buildings totaling 4.4 million square feet and a utility substation. When the size of the project was announced, it drew audible jeers from a packed Citizens Hall of residents gathered for Tuesday's public hearing at the courthouse.

The Douglas County Commission voted 4-1 to deny each of the requests following unanimous recommendations from the county's Planning and Zoning Commission. District 1 Commissioner Henry Mitchell cast the lone vote against denying the applications.

County rejects plans for 700-acre data center campus Douglas County commissioners rejected plans Tuesday for a 700-acre data center campus near Liberty Road, marking the second time in seven months they have turned down a proposal to build

A third person has been charged with murder in the killing of an Atlanta man whose body was found in the Dog River Reservoir in May.

Ambria Sadia Symone Boyd, 35, of Stone Mountain, also faces charges of obstructing law enforcement officers and making a false statement. She is being held without bond in the Douglas County Jail.

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, also are charged with murder in the death of Jamal Parker, 37, of Atlanta.

According to arrest warrants from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Boyd lied to investigators about knowing Barber or Baker even though she was living at their Langdon Chase home.

Third person charged in death of man found in reservoir A third person has been charged with murder in the killing of an Atlanta man whose body was found in the Dog Creek Reservoir in May.

Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson has been elected to a leadership position with the Georgia Municipal Association.

Robinson was elected Third Vice President of the GMA for the 2026-2027 term during GMA’s annual convention in Savannah.

The annual convention brings together city officials and municipal leaders from across Georgia for training, education, networking, and collaboration focused on strengthening cities throughout the state.

“This is a proud moment for Douglasville,” Robinson said in a statement. “I am honored to serve in this leadership role and to continue working alongside municipal leaders from across Georgia. Cities are where residents experience government most directly, and I look forward to supporting GMA’s work to strengthen local governance, advocate for our communities, and help cities continue moving Georgia forward.”

As Third Vice President, Mayor Robinson will serve on GMA’s Executive Committee and chair Georgia Cities Week. She will also continue serving as a key liaison between GMA and local municipal officials. Her responsibilities include assisting in the implementation of GMA policies, advocating on behalf of cities, and supporting efforts to strengthen local governance through training and networking.

The role also places Mayor Robinson in line to become GMA President in 2029.

The 2026-2027 GMA Board Officers include President Andrea Gibby, Mayor of Young Harris; First Vice President James M. Burnette, Mayor of Suwanee; Second Vice President Carlos Duffey, Mayor of Jackson; Third Vice President Rochelle Robinson, Mayor of Douglasville; and Immediate Past President Bianca Motley Broom, Mayor of College Park.

Based in Atlanta, the Georgia Municipal Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit, and consulting services to its 536 member cities. Created in 1933, GMA is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia.

“This is a proud moment for Douglasville,” said Mayor Rochelle Robinson. “I am honored to serve in this leadership role and to continue working alongside municipal leaders from across Georgia. Cities are where residents experience government most directly, and I look forward to supporting GMA’s work to strengthen local governance, advocate for our communities, and help cities continue moving Georgia forward.”

GMA’s Board of Directors provides general oversight and guidance to the 536-member organization, adopts governance policies, and advocates for cities’ legislative interests at the state and federal levels. The 66-member board consists of active city officials, primarily mayors and councilmembers, from across the state. Seats are also designated for the presidents of the Georgia City-County Management Association, the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association, and the GMA City Attorneys Section, as well as the chair of the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System Board of Trustees.

Mayor Rochelle Robinson named to GMA leadership position Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson has been appointed to a leadership position with the Georgia Municipal Association.

A Winston man remains in custody after he strangled a relative, then attacked her with a hammer, breaking her hand and smashing three phones that belonged to her.

Ryan James Tuggle, 51, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault strangulation, kidnapping, aggravated battery, battery, simple battery, criminal trespass, and two counts of criminal damage to property. Tuggle was arrested Friday and is being held at the Douglas County Jail without bond.

Man attacks relative with hammer, police say A Winston man remains in custody after he strangled a relative, then attacked her with a hammer, breaking her hand and smashing three phones that belonged to her.

Planning vacations or family get-aways during the 2026-27 school year? The Douglas County Georgia Schools has mapped out all student breaks during the upcoming school year.

📅 Planning family time for the 2026-2027 school year? We've mapped out every break, from the 4-day Labor Day weekend to the 17-day Christmas Break, so you can schedule trips and celebrations around the school calendar.

Planning your travel during these dates keeps your student in class on learning days while enjoying precious time with family.

Save this graphic and start planning. Here's to another year of growing greatness!

Members of the Douglas County Republican Women's Club with help from the county's GOP Party and Mark Alcarez for District 4 Commissioner hosted members of the Douglasville Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office (Georgia) and Douglas County Fire/EMS Department, 911 call center for a cookout for those working on the holiday.

Spectators lined Church Street for the City of Douglasville - Government annual Fourth of July parade. Former NFL standout and Douglas County High School graduate Mike Tolbert led the parade as the grand marshal.

Douglas County teachers could receive raises for the coming school year without an increase in property taxes under a proposed $359 million budget being considered by school board members.

The school board will hold a public hearing Monday, during which it is expected to roll back its millage rate by 1.3 mills.

The proposed $359 million budget, which will be considered at a later date, represents a 5% increase over the $341 million budget approved for FY26. The increase is driven largely by higher personnel costs, including teacher raises and enrollment and operational expenses, according to school officials.

“We’re going to set it at the rollback rate,” said Superintendent Trent North. “There will be no tax increase at all.”

No tax increase: School board to roll back millage rate Douglas County teachers could receive raises for the coming school year without an increase in property taxes under a proposed $359 million budget being considered by school board members.