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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
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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!
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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.
