About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2023)
jenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - Page 7 By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Multiple defendants prosecuted on federal firearms, drug charges Six people have been indicted on felony charges including illegal possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. The defendants range from Augusta to Savannah and as far east as Dublin. The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and the FBI. Two men sentenced for trafficking fentanyl Two Georgians, including one from Bryan County have been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl. Darien Cothem, 34, of Marietta was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and Javarus McKinney, 34, of Richmond Hill was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release. McKinney was convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in or near schools. He was acquitted on charges related to the death of an overdose victim. Cothem pled guilty to distribution of fentanyl and his plea acknowledged that the death resulted from the drags the victim purchased from Cothem. Governor announces GEORGIA MATCH direct college admissions initiative GEORGIA MATCH is one of the largest state run direct admissions initiatives in the nation. The culmination of multiple state agencies working together to ease the process of connecting students with higher education opportunities. No other state in the country has a direct admissions initiative of this scope. The number of schools listed on a GEORGIA MATCH letter is determined by the student’s 11th grade HOPE GPA and freshman index score. All students will receive a letter of academic eligibility for admission to the twenty-two Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Georgia man pleads guilty to bank fraud Marqualdis Antwon Logan, 38, of Stone Mountain, was sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty to 8 counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Logan also has to pay restitution of $272,097 and to serve five years of supervised release. A Columbia County woman and her daughter alerted their bank in September 2020 when they noticed suspicious activity in their money market account. The FBI determined a fraudulent profile had gained access and was cashing checks. Georgia number one state for business for 10th consecutive year For ten years, Georgia has been named the number one state for business. No other state in the nation has achieved this benchmark. Georgia GOP senators ask for sanctions against Fulton DA over Trump charges Georgia republican senators have asked a newly created board overseeing the state’s district attorneys to investigate Democrat Fulton County DA Fani Willis, asking for the board to sanction Willis after she indicted Trump and 18 of his allies. The complaint accuses Willis of cherry picking cases to further her political agenda. Willis has declined comment on the complaint but has previously said the law is racist against the state’s prosecutors of color. Title Max accused of scamming Georgia customers Georgia is one of the only states that has very few or no laws to protect consumers from title loans. Georgia residents say their suffering as a result, saying they are struggling to get ahead of sky-high interest rates and debts that won’t stop piling up. One customer has paid more than $20k on a loan for $6k and still owes thousands of dollars. The customer says no one from Title Max ever discussed the terms of the loan with him. Countless customers have said the same thing. “All Title Max wants is their money, nothing but money.” One customer explained. HEEHAW Continued from page 1 MAYOR Continued from page 1 other beloved songs. Sam Eades, the producer and director of the show, expressed his excitement, stating, "This show is bound to be one of the favorite shows of the year. All the country hits and comedy will be provided by local talent." The talented individuals taking the stage include Elva Mills, Hubert Reeves, Hank Williams Woodard Bluegrass/ C o u n t r y artist Aiden H e i d 1 e r, Rising Country Star Briar Lee, Shana Godbee, actor and singer Anna Burch, Minnie Pearl played by Debbie Hearn, Riley Dority, Sarah Woodard, Hunter Woodard, Hee Haw's gossip ladies Granny Sue Gillis, Molly Edenfield Farrow, and Sheriff Robert Oglesby. The production is set to capture the essence of the 1970s hit, blending humor and fanfare. "Hee Haw" is designed to be enjoyed by individuals of all ages, making it the perfect family-friendly outing. Mandy Underwood, the director of the Jenkins County Chamber, emphasized the family appeal of the show, saying, "This is just one of those shows that the whole family should attend." Tickets for the "Hee Haw" production are currently available for purchase through the Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce. Two ticket options are on offer: reserved seating at $25.00 and general admission for $15.00. The proceeds from this production will be dedicated to the renovation of the Historic Pal Theatre, a cherished local landmark. Looking ahead, the Jenkins County Players have more exciting productions in store. The next play on the schedule is "The Help," slated for the beginning of 2024, with audition details to be announced in December. Additionally, the Players will present the hit musical "Peter Pan" in May or June of 2024. This nostalgic production of "Hee Haw" is exclusively brought to you by The Jenkins County Times and The Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce. So, put on your best country attire and prepare to laugh your heart out! Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. expansion of the city limits to accommodate the growth of utilities, such as water services. Future development would extend city services to areas like the bypass, ensuring that progress benefits all residents.” Notably, King Rocker serves as the Chairman of the Development Authority and actively seeks new employers and expansion opportunities. “My goal is to continue building the city while preserving its small-town values.” Under his leadership, Millen has secured approximately $5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These funds have been instrumental in expanding services and addressing housing needs, whether through replacement or demolition projects. The mayor has also set his sights on seeking a grant from the governor's office to further expand housing options. One common question from taxpayers pertains to the downtown area and why the city can’t rehab the commercial district. Rocker provides clarity, explaining “the city can't use public funds to rehabilitate buildings downtown, as they don't own them. However, the council {city} understands the importance of Eagles School Menu October 23-27 Breakfast - Daily choices of 100% Fruit Juice, Assorted Fruit, 1%FF Assorted Milk or GNG (Grab ‘n Go). October 23 - Strawberry Cream Cheese Bagel or GNG Chex Mix & Juice. October 24 - Egg & Cheese Stuffed Hashbrown or Parfait w/Fruit & Granola or GNG Blueberry Muffin & Juice. October 25 - Pancake on a Stick or GNG Cereal & Juice. October 26 - Pancakes & Sausage or GNG Granola Bar, Cheese & Juice. October 27 - Grits, Sausage & Toast or GNG Variety. Lunch - May choose PB&J Uncrustable instead of Hot Entree, All meals are served with a choice of assorted fruits & milk, MUST choose at least 3 items. One MUST be a FRUIT or VEGETABLE. October 23 - Sweet- N-Sour Chicken, Chow Mein Noodles, Stir Fry Veggies, Breadstick, Baby Carrots w/Dip. HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available. October 24 - Oven Fried Chicken Filet, Fries, Garden Salad w/Ranch, Broccoli Snack Packs w/Dip. HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available. October 25 - Salisbury Steak w/ Gravy, Brown Rice Casserole, Blackeye Peas, Baby Carrots w/Dip, Wheat Roll. HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available. October 26 - Chicken Nuggets, Creamed Com, Roll, Garden Salad w/ Ranch, Broccoli Snack Pack w/Dip. HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available. October 27: WAR EAGLE Cheeseburger, Tater Tots, Garden Salad w/Ranch, Sliced Tomatoes & Pickles, Brownie. HS Choice: Pizza or Salad Bar Available. maintaining a vibrant downtown and continues to explore avenues for its revitalization.” His long-standing presence in public service has not only earned him the trust of the community but also proven financially beneficial. When facing a costly issue with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the wastewater treatment plant, his extensive government experience helped avoid a significant $ 1 million expenditure. As a member of the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Roundtable, King played a pivotal role in bringing $15 million to the city and county for road projects, as well as an additional $12 million for special projects. His service on the Roundtable underscores his dedication to securing resources for the betterment of Millen and Jenkins County. Mayor King Rocker is not just a public official; he's a symbol of unwavering dedication to Jenkins County's growth, the well-being of its residents, and the preservation of its unique character. His legacy of service and commitment continues to shape the community, making a brighter and more prosperous future for all. EAGLE defending national Continued from page 4 champions. They didn’t get to this point by luck. Nor did they get there because they were motivated each day. They got there through self-discipline. Players and coaches alike will tell you that each of them makes a conscious decision each day to work hard to better themselves and their team. Former Navy Seal Jocko Willink says that discipline will beat motivation every time. You may be asking what all of this means. You may be saying we won't have a Navy Seal or an Olympic swimmer or a college national champion from Millen. I believe we will. But whether someone is a national champion or a teacher or a carpenter or a farmer or whatever they choose to be in life, our job is to prepare them to be as successful as they possibly can be. Employment Available The Jenkins County Board of Commissioners is seeking to fill the position of Appraisal Clerk in the Tax Assessor’s Office. This position is responsible for performing clerical and data-entry work, maintaining the County’s real property records, and providing assistance to citizens regarding the County’s appraisal system. Essential Duties for this position include but not limited to: Receiving and updating information on real property records Receiving and forwarding applications, tax returns, citizen complaints and other materials to appropriate staff Processing property appraisal revisions for the County Tax Digest Recording transactions and data into County records Assisting in the printing, sorting, and mailing of various tax documents Preforming routine clerical duties such as ordering supplies, filing, mailing, and preparing correspondence for the Chief Appraiser Efficiently operating essential office equipment Picking up the mail from the post office daily Answering phones and greeting visitors with a friendly and helpful attitude Qualifications for this position include: High School Diploma or GED, supplemented by six months prior experience in clerical work Knowledge of: General office procedures Interpersonal communication skills Microsoft Office- Word & Excel Any combination of education and experience which results in the requisite skill for this position Applicant must be willing to obtain a Level One Appraiser status within the first year of employment and complete ongoing continuing education training as provided by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Applications may be picked up from the Tax Assessors office and should be submitted to Vicky Patrick, Chief Appraiser, at the Jenkins County Courthouse at 611 East Winthrope Ave in Millen. Applications must be received by Wednesday, November 1, 2023 to be considered for this position. The Jenkins County Board of Commissioners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. lAncomma St. Nicholas Toybox applications are available at Eagle, Chamber, and Spring Creek/JCT office. Completed apps must be postmarked by Dec. 2 and returned to P.O. Box 1448 Millen, GA 30442 or you may drop them off at the chamber office or auction house. October 24 - Downtown Swainsboro Fall Festival, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. October 28 - Holidays on Canvas, 10 am - 2 pm, The American Legion Hut (112 Community Drive), $20 covers all painting supplies needed and finger foods. October 29 - First Christian Church (306 Frontage Rd East) Fall Festival, October 29, 5p.m. - 7 p.m., Games, Food, and lots of Fun, October 31 - Halloween. MONSTER MASH ON MAIN 5:30-7:30 p.m. Downtown Millen, Cotton Ave October 31- Halloween Around Millen Door to Door 6-9 p.m. November 10- Evening w/Tim Tebow, Burke County Health (1057 Burke Veterans Parkway, Waynesboro), 6:30 p.m., tickets $50. November 30 - Downtown Waynesboro Christmas, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. December 9 - Sylvania Christmas Extravaganza. December 16 - Jenkins County Christmas Tour of Homes Saturday, 4-8 p.m. And I believe that begins with not settling for “Good.” Our kids in Jenkins County deserve the absolute best we can give them every single day. That means giving them the best possible chance to succeed in this world we live in. That means ALL of our decisions must be what is best for kids. It also means I must give them the best of me every single day. It’s not always easy, but it's always right.
