About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2023)
Page 6 - Friday, May 5, 2023 The Jenkins County Times thejenkinscountytimes.com Counterfeiters pass off bills that look real By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times By Hannah Derriso, Reporter for The Times Imagine calling the fire department, and nobody answers the phone, leaving your home to be caught in a blaze. While many fire departments are currently active, it is mainly because people are willing to volunteer their time. Every single day, firefighters across the United States can respond to multiple calls a day. However, a shortage of firemen across the country could put response times, as well as the ability to put out blazes, at risk, and Jenkins County is no exception. According to Jenkins County Chief of Police & Fire Services, Dwayne Herrington, “Jenkins County is currently short of two full-time and as many as nine volunteer firefighters.” When asked what he thought contributed to the shortage. Chief Herrington stated, “this is not just a Jenkins County problem, but a national problem. People just aren’t interested in that kind of work anymore. We used to have a waiting list of people who wanted to apply to be firefighters, but these days, it’s just not the same.” Many believe the shortage is due to recent economic issues and the rising cost of living. Jenkins County offers competitive pay as well as full benefits to all full time firefighters, as well as paying all volunteers per call. To find out more information about applying or volunteering for Jenkins County Fire Department, you can call the Millen City Hall at (478) 982-2512 or email Chief Herrington at dherrington@ cityofmillenga.gov. The Georgia Cotton Commission is pleased to announce the guest speakers at the Commission’s 2023 Mid- Year Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at the Nesmith- Lane Conference Center in Statesboro. The inaugural Mid- Year Meeting is held in conjunction with a UGA Cotton Pre-Harvest Workshop conducted by members of the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team as well as the Georgia pre-harvest safety meeting of the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association. The UGA Cotton Pre-Harvest Workshop will feature sessions where attendees will receive a 2023 crop update and defoliation considerations, pre harvest economic update and marketing considerations and late season pest management considerations. The program speakers are Dr. Bart Fischer, Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and Mr. Hank Reichle, President and CEO of Staplcotn. • Dr. Bart Fischer currently serves as the Co-Director of the Agricultural & Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and as Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Dr. Fischer’s research focuses on solving real- world policy problems for agricultural producers and on anticipating potential policy changes for Congress to consider. Before joining the university in September 2019, he held roles with the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, most recently as the Deputy Staff Director & Chief Economist under the leadership of Congressman Mike Conaway. Dr. Fischer holds degrees from Oklahoma State University, Cambridge University, and Texas A&M University. Dr. Fischer is the 5th generation to be raised on his family’s wheat, cotton, and cattle operation in Southwest Oklahoma, where he continues to be actively involved. • Hank Reichle, Jr. is President and CEO of Staplcotn, headquartered in Greenwood, Mississippi. Founded in 1921, Staplcotn is the oldest cotton marketing cooperative in the U.S., and it markets approximately 2.5 - 3 million bales of U.S. cotton annually on behalf of its more than 5,000 members. Hank, a Mississippi native, received his degree at the University of Mississippi. Reichle has been with Staplcotn since 2004 and was promoted to the position of President and CEO of Staplcotn in 2018, after working in public accounting and for The Seam. Reichle serves on the boards of the National Cotton Council, AMCOT, The Seam, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, and the Memphis Branch of the St. Louis Federal Reserve; and is also a former president of Cotton Council International. He is involved in several community and civic organizations and is active in his local church. During the lunch program, Tillman White with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will provide an overview of the Protocol’s program and how producers can benefit from the Climate Smart Cotton Program as well as the presentation of the Georgia Quality Cotton Awards for the 2022 crop. Following lunch and to conclude the meeting, there will be a 2023 harvest preparation and panel discussion on the prevention of plastic contamination in cotton. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at https://academics. georgiasouthern.edu/ ce/conferences/georgia- c ott on-commissions- mid-year-meeting/ or call the Commission’s Office at (478) 988-4235 The Wrens Police Department has issued a warning for the area this week. There are three individuals wanted for questioning in the passing of counterfeit bills. So far the one hundred dollar bills have been found in Gibson and Wrens. “Do not take this money,” Wrens Police Chief John Maynard explains. “The counterfeit pens don’t work properly on these bills. The serial number, so far, as been the same on all the bills, L06492069.” If you have any information regarding this case you may call the Wrens Police Department at 706-547-3232 or our local law enforcement at 478-982- 2750 or 478-982-4211. Firefighter Shortage Reaches Jenkins County Maybe it’s Time To Add A New Suit To Your Wardrobe Firefighters Are Needed Georgia Cotton Commission to hold Mid- Year Meeting July 26, 2023 Special to The Times AREA EVENTS OF INTEREST Saturda y, May 6: Gallery 123 and the Arts Guild of Jefferson County will hold a Spring Art Show from 7-9 p.m. at Pansy’s Restaurant in Louisville. Live music! Now - May 16: The library is currently host to a touring exhibit called “Georgia’s Response to the Holocaust: Survivors and Liberators.” Saturda y, May 20: Millen’s own Hushpuppies Band will perform a ben efit concert at the Averitt Performing Arts Center/ Emma Kelly Theater at 7:30. All proceeds benefit Ambucs. Purchase tickets at www.averittcenterforth- earts.org Thursday, May 22: The Jenkins County BOE will hold its monthly meet ing at the Board office at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Tuesday, May 30: The next blood drive is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. in the parking lot of the JCMC. The March blood drive saw 19 donors! Thank you Jenkins County! June 3rd: Rural Church Ramblings sponsored by Jenkins County Chamber and Newington Heritage Society. $60 per person includes lunch at Rounds on Winthrope. Meet at the Screven County Rec Department at 8:15 a.m. Space is limited so contact the Chamber office to reserve a seat! 478-982-5595 June 24: The next Perkins Music Show is scheduled at 6 p.m. The Palmetto Cadillacs will perform the entire evening. The public is invited to the old depot! Live Auctions Every Friday & Saturday!! ^ \ fcv\ 425 Hwy 25 South A * <V e , ^ c\ Gillen, Georgia 30467 (478)401-5007 Welcome Jenkins County Times! Woman sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $1 million in restitution for Covid fraud Salmat Deyji, 26, of Stockbridge, GAhas been sentenced to 26 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud and money laundering. Deyji has also been ordered to pay $1.3 million in restitution to the government and to serve 3 years of probation. Governor strengthens healthcare access Governor Brian Kemp signed multiple bills that improve maternal health, increases access to healthcare, and protects healthcare heroes. The Governor hopes that by signing the bills, Georgians will be able to choose the right health insurance coverage for their families and improve the safety of healthcare heroes. “These are critical steps in improving the health and well-being of communities across our state, and I am thankful for everyone who played a role in these measures.” For maternal health, the governor expanded TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In HB 383, steps have been taken to protect healthcare workers by increasing penalties for those who commit violent acts against healthcare professionals and allowing hospitals to establish campus police. Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb confirmed as Dept, of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb has been appointed by Governor Kemp as the permanent Commissioner of Dept, of Juvenile Justice. The Board of Juvenile Justice voted this week to confirm her appointment. She has been serving as interim commissioner since December 2022. Georgia Power completes hot functional testing on Vogtle unit Georgia Power has announced the completion of hot functional testing for Unit 4 at the Vogtle nuclear expansion project. The completion of testing marks a significant step towards operations and providing customers with a reliable, carbon-free energy source for the next 60-80 years. Unit 4 is projected to enter service in late 2023 or early 2024. Laurens County man sentenced in drug trafficking conspiracy A Laurens County man, involved in a now-dismantled drug trafficking consipiracy has been sentenced to prison, joining seven other defendants identified in the investigation. Quaveris Leshaun Mims, a.k.a. Strong, 51, of Dublin, was sentenced to 108 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth and cocaine. 15 Chatham County defendants indicted A newly unsealed federal indictment names 15 defendants as part of a major drug trafficking network operating in Savannah. Along with drug possession and distribution charges against multiple defendants, all 15 are charged with Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine, 28 g of crack cocaine, and a quantity of fentanyl, meth, and marijuana. Valdosta man sentenced over child sex crime James Spencer Cochran, 50, has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for possessing sexual child abuse material of extremely young minors. The investigation began in May 2018 when a teenager reported that her privacy had been violated by a customer at her workplace; Cochran was taking photos of her with his phone inside the restaurant she worked. A search of his phone revealed photos of the woman, as well as photos of fully clothed, prepubescent females under the age of 12. Seminole Deputy arrested for domestic incident A Seminole deputy has been arrested this week over a domestic incident, according to Decatur County Sheriff’s deputies. Randall Craig Carr was arrested Monday on aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident with his estranged significant other. The incident happened at their home in Decatur County. The victim had been choked and had visible marks. Carr was transported to the Decatur County Jail.
