About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2023)
Local Living „2 Perspective „4 Faith & Family ..3 Eagle Notes „8 Farming & Fishing ..11 Sports 9 JCHS Track and Field Wins Big at State Read full story on page 9 MILLEN • PERKINS • SCARBORO • BUTTS • EMMALANE • THRIFT • BIRDSVILLE • FOUR POINTS • Jenkins County Times Shop Local and Eat Local Vol 1 No 11 May 19, 2023 Quality News That Affects You Millen, Georgia $1.25 Early morning accident claims life By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times An early morning accident has claimed the life of a Millen man. Tim Johnson, a Jenkins County native, and an employee of ScotBilt, was traveling southbound on Highway 25 near the old Magnolia motel when his and another vehicle collided. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident and Information is still coming into the newsroom as The Times goes to press. Mr. Johnson succumbed to his injuries. There will be further details on our website as they become available. Train derailment still under investigation By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Last Thursday, 5/11, a Norfolk Southern train derailed along the Winthrope Avenue line. There were no injuries reported. According to initial reports from a Norfolk Southern spokesperson, “three cars came off the tracks-they remained upright. There was never any concern or threat to the community.” Railroad crews arrived at approximately 11 p.m. Thursday night with a crane to remove the cars from the railway. The tracks were cleared by 1 a.m. According to the spokesperson, “the incident is under investigation and then will be turned over to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the federal agency that regulates and supports rail transportation. Photo by Paul Hearn Four grads receive WOLFINGER Scholarship The Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce board of directors has released the 2023 Nancy Wolflnger Scholarship recipients. The scholarship is funded each year by the memorial tree lighting each December. The recipients are: Shamiya Thomas, Grace Curry, Gavin Underwood, Baker Jenkins. Each student had to complete an application and an essay detailing how they intend to give back to their community after graduation. Each student received $500. Top Left to Right: Shamiya Thomas, Garvin Underwood Bottom Left to Right: Baker Jenkins, Grace Curry Cannons not heard in Millen since Sherman By Joe Brady, Editor The Times Steve Burke with the Son’s of the American Revolution stole the show at this year’s Historic Preservation Month on Cotton Avenue with his cannon. A replica of the one used during the war for independence. The National Trust for Historic Preservation established National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005 the celebration was extended to the entire month of May. Across the country, local governments and historical societies promote historic places for the purpose of instilling pride and tourism. The Millen event was started over ten years ago by Mrs. Art Johnson. During Covid, the event was canceled. Each year Main Street Millen invites fifth grade students to visit historic Cotton Avenue for a tour of the downtown area and learn about events that shaped our community. The group toured the caboose, museum, depot, and some stores such as Neal Hardware, Cotton Gin, Charm B arn. and the downtown mural. “On behalf of Main Street Millen, we want to give a huge thank you to all the volunteers. The event would not have been possible without your help,” Mandy Underwood explained. Left: Steve Burke was the highlight of the afternoon as students covered their ears. Who knew the cannon fire was so loud! Photo by D. Hearn Below: Fifth graders toured historic downtown and listened as volunteers gave a histoty of our community. Photo contributed. ScotBilt celebrates safety with luncheon Credits employees for teamwork By Sam Eades, Publisher for The Times Caring for employees is sometimes hard to do, but not for Scot Built Homes in Millen. The care and training they give each employee are second to none. This training is so good that the employees have gone 386 days without an accident. Mike Godbee, Safety Coordinator for the Jenkins County plant said, "our employees take good instruction, and they trust me to give them the best information on safety. My door is always open for our employees. All our staff are excellent at sharing safety techniques with new employees. It takes the whole team, for this to work." ScotBilt homes build mobile housing. They have over 42 divisions throughout the country. Ryan Duke, Service Manager for the company, says, "our employees stay a long time with us. I would say that 75% of our employees have been with us more than one year." It is obvious why they do so well. The company rewarded those same employees with a luncheon held this past Wednesday. The staff enjoyed steaks, baked potato with all the trimmings and even low country boil and desserts. Diane Potter of Sylvania catered the event. Along with the luncheon, all employees were given a half day off on Thursday, with full pay. "The employees are the key to our success,” says, Winton Fail, the production manager for the company. Before we sat down to eat lunch, a prayer was offered by Buddy Thompson. "We also pray at our daily meetings. It gives us a terrific day of work," says Thompson. After lunch, I was provided with a tour of the plant. The company produces four or more homes each day. Winton Fail said, "over the past year of operation, there has been a tremendous emphasis put on cleanliness and safety. This contributes to this great award. We appreciate all of our employees, today and every day." Congratulations ScotBilt for over a year of safety! ■ -il-, ^ jfV j- L ■ ■ ■ 1 ► --*■r: - L : J ,r Employees of Scotbilt wait in line for a steak lunch Photo by Sam Eades JCHS annual Baccalaureate Service to be this Sunday By Johnnie Mae Sherrod, Special Contributor for The Times As Jenkins County High School prepares to celebrate the Graduating class of 2023, the public is invited to attend the annual Baccalaureate Service. This service will be held on Sunday May 21st at 4:00 pm in the High School gymnatorium. This event is a long- standing spiritual tradition and is about our students’ future as they head into the next phase of their lives and gives them a blessing as they go off to college. All graduating seniors are asked to arrive at the gymnatorium at 3:30 pm with their cap and gown. The public is cordially invited to come and celebrate with the Jenkins County graduating class of 2023.
