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Faith & Family ..3
Eagle News ..8
Farming & Fishing ..6
Sports 9 & 10
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Page 5
Jenkins
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Sports
Page 8
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Local
Local law
enforcement
apprehend
suspect
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Law enforcement
with the Millen Police
Department and the
Jenkins County Sheriff’s
Office arrested Marcus
Brown, 37, of Millen on
an outstanding warrant
from Richmond County.
The warrant charges
Brown with sexual
exploitation of children,
a felony. Brown has been
transported to the Jenkins
County Jail, awaiting
pick-up by the Richmond
County Sheriff’s Office.
Marcus Brown
Bethel Celebrates
120 Years
Cooper announces retirement
Special
to
The Times
Mrs. Tara Cooper, Superintendent
of Jenkins County Schools,
has announced her retirement
effective June 30, 2023. Mrs.
Cooper has been Superintendent
in Jenkins County since 2011
and says, “I have loved working
for my hometown, and am so
proud of all of the progress we
have made in the last twelve
years!”
Progress shown in the
graduation rate last year
was 82%, the highest
in the last fifteen
years! The graduation
rate was 68% when
Mrs. Cooper began
as Superintendent and
she has worked closely
with the board members
and administrators to
make graduating a priority
for all Jenkins County students.
“The work there is not done, but
The students
know me, and
they know that
they can count
on me if they
need help.
we have made significant
progress.”
Other areas in academics
have reached new heights in
the Jenkins County School
System as well. Results
from Milestones testing for
grades 3rd-8th, and End of
Course testing for 9th-12th
have dramatically increased
since the tests of 2011.
Jenkins County is no
longer in the bottom
two counties in
performance, but
scores higher than
most of the counties
in the CSRA.
Several academic areas
in each of the schools
are higher than the state
average and the CSRA RESA
counties, and one area is one
of the highest in the state! Even
in the wake of the pandemic.
Tara & Cary Cooper
the schools are performing at a
rate not only comparable to peer
school districts, but better in most
areas.
During Mrs. Cooper’s tenure as
Superintendent, a new PreK-12th
See COOPER page 5
By Wanda Dwight
Special Contributor
for
The Times
At 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 16,
2023, Bethel AME Church will
celebrate 120 years at its Walnut
Street location. Surrounded by
Jenkins County Medical Center,
James L. Henry Administrative
Building (housing the Jenkins
County Board of Commissioners
& Jenkins County Magistrate
Court), Regions Bank, USDA
Service Center, Southeast
Produce Council, and the Millen
Municipal Complex, Bethel is
a lasting reminder of a former
residential community that gave
birth to many of its members.
This year’s anniversary kicks
off the church’s 120 Capital
Campaign. Church trustee
Pamelia Dwight points to the
transformation of Walnut Street,
with the current expansion of
the Jenkins County Medical
Center. She shares that the 120
Capital Campaign initiative is not
“keeping up with the Joneses,”
but is the church’s vision for
remaining good stewards of
the amazing trust the property
represents. According to Dwight,
Bethel represents a legacy left by
trailblazers who served during
its 120-year history, including
her mother, the late Mrs. Shirley
Dwight. “We hold fond memories
of growing up in Bethel and the
surrounding neighborhood. As we
reflect on our 120-year journey,
we are aware of our presence
in an evolving landscape. We
recognize our responsibility and
call to maintain our relevance
and viability in an ever-changing
community. We are excited about
our future at 217 Walnut Street.
Google us at BethelMillen.org
to learn more about our journey
into the future, and please join
us for our 120th Anniversary
Celebration.”
Rev. Jerlyn Smith-Hudson is
the pastor, and the guest preacher
will be Rev. Stephen Ivey, pastor
of Flatrock Baptist Church
(Matthews, GA) and Pleasant
Grove Missionary Baptist Church
(Warrenton, GA).
The Jenkins County Middle High
School Symphonic Band recently
performed for the Georgia Music
Educators Association Festival;
a statewide evaluation that rates
the quality of music programs
throughout Georgia. Our War
Eagles Band scored a “Superior”
rating from all four judges to
include the Sight-Reading judge.
This is another wonderful “first”
and the students are thrilled to
continue their journey through
success. Great things come from
Jenkins County! The JCMHS
Band invites you, the public, to
enjoy a night of music on May
23 at 7PM at the PAL theater.
The JCMHS Beginning Band,
JCMHS Symphonic Band, and
our very own special guest, Mr.
Phillip Young, will give you a
musical night to remember! As
always, we thank our Jenkins
County School System Board of
Education, Jenkins County Middle
High School Staff, and the Jenkin
County Chamber of Commerce
for their relentless support of our
children. Photo contributed.
Body discovered
in Atwell Avenue
residence
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Millen Police responded to a call at an East
Atwell Avenue residence Monday, April 10 at
approximately 3:30 p.m., in response to a possible
dead body. Upon arrival, officers discovered a
body that appeared to have been dead over an
extended period.
Although there were no obvious signs of foul
play, the corpse has been sent to the state crime
lab in establishing a cause of death. Authorities are awaiting confirmation of the deceased’s identity. Anyone
with information is encouraged to contact the Millen Police Department at 478-982-2750. The Jenkins County
Times will bring you further information as it becomes available. Photo contributed.
JENKINS COUNTY
931 E Winthrope Ave, Millen, GA 30442
Our Swing Bed skilled care program is the in-patient extended care you need to get home and back to your life. We
help you regain your independence. Visitjenkingmedicalcenter.com or call 478.982.4221 for more information.
