Newspaper Page Text
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.
