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Vol 1 No 43 January 3, 2024
Quality News That Affects You
IVIillen, Georgia $1.25
Community Rallies to
Support Family Devastated
by Christmas Eve Fire
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Christmas took an
unexpected turn for the
Kelley family of five as
tragedy struck their home
on Christmas Eve. Arlinda
Kelley and her loved ones
were in the midst of holiday
preparations in their home
on Herrmanns Road, when
a grease fire erupted
around 5 p.m., resulting in
the complete loss of their
residence.
The devastating incident left the family without a
home during what should have been a joyous time of
celebration. However, the spirit of community and
compassion emerged as local organizations quickly
mobilized to provide assistance.
Organizations such as the St. Nicholas Toy Box
of Millen and Fostering Bulloch Hope Chest wasted
no time in springing into action. Recognizing the
immediate need for support, these groups have
stepped forward to help the Kelley family navigate
through the challenges brought on by the fire during
the holiday season.
For those in the community who wish to extend a
helping hand to the Kelley family during this difficult
FIRElMMim
time. Fostering Bulloch Hope Chest is facilitating the
collection of donations and assistance. Individuals
interested in contributing or providing support can
reach out to Fostering Bulloch Hope Chest for more
information.
In the face of tragedy, the response from local
organizations and the community at large serves as a
poignant reminder of the strength that can be found
in unity and compassion. As the Kelley family begins
the process of rebuilding their lives, the support from
neighbors, friends, and community organizations is
sure to make a significant impact in helping them
find hope and comfort during this challenging time.
Joint Law Enforcement
Operation Results in
Arrest of Alleged Child
Predator
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
In a collaborative effort, detectives
from the Jefferson County Vice and
Narcotics Division, in conjunction with
agents from the FBI and U.S. Secret
Service, successfully conducted an
operation leading to the apprehension
of 39-year-old Christopher Card from
Pinson, Alabama. Card stands accused
of attempting to meet a 14-year-old
minor for sexual purposes, and the
operation unfolded on December 22,
2023, in Fultondale, Alabama.
The meticulous operation involved setting up surveillance in the parking
lot of Home to Suites in Fultondale, where authorities arrested Card upon
his entry.
The investigation, initiated on December 4, 2023, by officers from
the Millen Police Department (MPD), focused on proactively targeting
internet crimes against children and online enticement of minors for sexual
acts. MPD officers, working diligently to protect young individuals from
potential harm, established an online chat with Christopher Card. Under
the guise of a 14-year-old girl, officers engaged with Card, who, unaware of
the identity, made arrangements to meet at a motel in Fultondale, Alabama.
As the investigation progressed, officials in Alabama joined forces with
the Millen Police Department to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated
effort against the alleged predator.
A pre-arranged meeting was scheduled between Card and the online
persona he believed to be a minor, leading to his arrest as he entered the
designated location. Christopher Card is currently held in the Jefferson
County Jail on a $90,000 bond. He faces charges of electronic solicitation
of a child for sex and traveling to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging
in sexual acts.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMITTEE
ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Gavin Underwood is attending
Florence Darlington Technical College in
Florence, SC. Gavin is a JCHS graduate
of 2023, a Nancy Wolfinger Scholarship
recipient. Gavin is the son of Mandy and
Brian Underwood.
Marisol Guzman-Rangel is the 2023
JCHS Valedictorian. She is the daughter
of Enrique Guzman and Elizabeth Rangel.
She is currently attending Georgia
College and State University where she is
pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology.
PEYTON MERRIER
By Johnnie Mae Sherrod, Special Contributor
for
LAWREN SCOTT
Attends University of West Georgia
Grace Curry. She is a 2023 recipient of
the MLK scholarship and will be honored
at the upcoming banquet on January
13th. Grace is currently attending
Southeastern Tech where she is actively
pursuing a business degree in hopes of
one day opening up her own business. I
am attaching three pictures we had taken
a the historic courthouse in Brunswick
this past weekend. Please feel free to use
whichever one work best for your paper.
Thanks!
The annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
Breakfast will be held on Saturday,
January 6, 2024, at 8:00 am at
the First Baptist Church on Old
Waynesboro Road in Millen. The
speaker for the occasion will be
Minister Mariam Jackson.
Marian Jackson is a native of
Burke County Georgia. She was
educated in the Burke County
Public School System. She is
a 1984 graduate of Waynesboro
High School. She began her
career in public service in 1987
as a billing and collections clerk
for the City of Waynesboro. In
1996 she transitioned to Burke
County Board of Commissioners
as a personal property appraiser
for the Board of Assessors. Marian
received her Level 2 Appraisal
recognition and became the
Property Records and Mapping
Coordinator. As an appraiser she
had the opportunity to work closely
with the tax commissioner’s office.
Marian noticed practices that
could be implemented in the tax
commissioner's office to better
service the citizens of Burke
County. In 2012 she made the
decision to qualify and place her hat
in the race for Tax Commissioner.
On July 31, 2012, her heart’s desire
was answered. She successfully
ousted the longtime Commissioner.
Marian married Allen Jackson
June 1, 1985. Together they have
two daughters, Shelby and Devon.
She has one non-biological son,
Tetric and three grandchildren,
Nyla, Tetric Jr, Khalani.
Marian credits God for being
who she is and where she is. She
realizes it’s only by His grace
that she serves as Burke County’s
first African American Tax
Commissioner.
The Martin Luther King, Jr./
Charles Beale Memorial Banquet
will be held January 13, 2024, at
6:00 pm at the Jenkins County
Senior Citizens Center. The
speaker for the occasion will be
Miss Shiamante’ Grimes. Miss
Grimes is a 2011 recipient of the
Scholarship.
Shiamante’ Grimes is a native of
Jenkins County and the daughter
of Aaron and Betty Grimes. She
is the proud mother of Daylan
Lakes. She is a 2012 graduate of
Jenkins County High School and a
recipient of the Charles Beale and
the David L. Reese Scholarship.
Shiamante furthered her education
by earning a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Sociology and Criminal
Justice from Augusta University in
2017. She is currently employed
by Textron Specialized Vehicles
(EZ-GO), where she leads the
University Relations program. She
has also served as the Executive
Assistant for the Most Impactful
Women Influences in the CSRA.
Shiamante enjoys attending
networking events and being active
in the community, where she has
supported back to school drives as
well as coat giveaways. It is her
sincere belief that “God is within
her; she will not fail.”
(Psalm 46:5)
2023 MLK, JR./Charles Beale
Scholarship Recipients:
* Grace Curry
* Lawren Scott
* Gavin Underwood
* Marisol Guzman-Rangel
* Peyton Merrier
2024 Scholarship applications may
be found in the JCHS counselor’s
office. All seniors who are
planning to attend college or a
technical school are encouraged
to apply for this scholarship.
MARIAN S. JACKSON
SHIAMANTE' GRIMES
71 fa he. Tlfl 5/5
540 E Winthrope Ave, Millen, GA 30442
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