Newspaper Page Text
CO
ui
Q\
o
CO
o
CO
LD
• MILLEN • PERKINS • RED HILL • SCARBORO • BUTTS • EMMALANE • THRIFT • BIRDSVILLE • FOUR POINTS •
SHOP
LOCAL
EAT
LOCAL
Vol 1 No 45 January 17, 2024
Quality News That Affects You
IMillen, Georgia $1.25
STRUCTURE FIRE Causes Traffic Disruption
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Last Wednesday, commuters
on the Millen-Sylvania bypass,
Highway 21, experienced
significant delays as fire crews
battled a fierce structure fire on
1173 E. Hwy 21. The incident,
which unfolded around 4 p.m.,
drew the attention of both the
Millen Fire Department and
the North Jenkins Volunteer
Fire Department. Traffic
disruptions lasted several hours
as emergency crews battled
the situation. Commuters
faced delays as they navigated
through the affected area.
The property, owned by Mr. Russell Thompson, became the epicenter of the firefighting efforts as over half
of the structure was engulfed in flames upon the arrival of the fire crews. Spectators gathered, their attention
captivated by the unfolding drama, as firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.
For nearly three hours, fire crews fought the inferno, employing various tactics to contain and extinguish
the flames. Despite their valiant efforts, the structure ultimately succumbed to the fire, resulting in a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains elusive, and investigators are diligently working to uncover the origin of the
blaze. As of now, there is no immediate information on what triggered the fire.
Thankfully, no severe injuries were reported. The swift response from the Millen Fire Department and the
North Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department undoubtedly played a crucial role in preventing the situation from
escalating further.
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the community is left to reflect on the unpredictable
nature of such incidents. The resilience displayed by the firefighters and the absence of severe injuries serve as
reminders of the importance of preparedness and swift response in the face of emergencies.
For now, the Millen-Sylvania bypass has returned to its normal flow, but the charred remnants of 1173
E. Hwy 21 stand as a somber testament to the unpredictable challenges that can arise, even on an ordinary
Wednesday afternoon.
Suspect Apprehended After
Counterfeit Money Incident
Leads to Multiple Charges
By Joe Brady,
Editor
for
The Times
In a series of events beginning
on Monday, December 18th,
officers from the Millen Police
Department successfully
apprehended 24-year-old Jerome
Banner, of Garfield, following a
complaint of counterfeit money
being circulated at Neighbors
Convenience Store.
Upon responding to the initial
complaint, officers discovered a
counterfeit $50 bill and identified
Banner as the suspect. The
following day, officers returned to
the store after receiving reports of
Banner's presence. Upon arrival,
they confronted him, leading to
Banner fleeing on foot. During the
subsequent investigation, officers
uncovered contraband in Banner's
vehicle. On New Year' Eve, Banner
was taken into custody during a
routine traffic stop. The arrest
proceeded without incident, and
he was transported to the Jenkins
County Jail.
Jerome Banner now faces an array
of charges, including:
1 .Possession of marijuana with
intent to distribute
2. Possession of a firearm during
the commission of a felony
3. Possession of drug-related
objects (Misdemeanor)
4.Obstruction of a law
enforcement officer
5. Forgery in the 1st degree
6. Theft by receiving stolen
property
The charges reflect the
seriousness of Banner's alleged
activities, ranging from drug
offenses to obstruction of
law enforcement and forgery.
Authorities are working diligently
to gather more information related
to the case.
The Millen Police Department
emphasized the importance
of community cooperation in
reporting suspicious activities and
urged residents to remain vigilant.
The successful resolution of this
case highlights the dedication of
local law enforcement in ensuring
the safety and well-being of the
community. Jerome Banner is
now awaiting legal proceedings
to determine the outcome of the
charges against him.
Vicente Arrested for Online Child
Solicitation and Child Molestation
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
On Friday, January 5th, the Millen Police Department took swift action,
arresting 29-year-old Pedro Vicente of Statesboro on charges related to the
attempted solicitation of a child for unlawful sex acts online.
According to law enforcement, Vicente was apprehended after attempting to
solicit a child through online communication. Investigator Tony Taylor revealed that “Vicente had engaged in
conversations with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. Disturbingly, the suspect had planned
to meet the minor at a local business. However, we intervened, resulting in Vicente's immediate arrest upon
arrival.”
Vicente now faces serious charges, including Child Molestation, electronically furnishing obscene materials
to minors, and enticing a child for indecent purposes. These charges highlight the gravity of his actions and the
potential harm he posed to the minor involved.
Following his arrest, Pedro Vicente was booked into the Jenkins County Jail, where he is currently awaiting
court proceedings. The Millen Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of the community,
especially in cases involving crimes against minors.
The arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance online and the dedication of law enforcement
to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. As the legal process unfolds, the Millen community awaits
justice for the alleged offenses committed by Pedro Vicente.
JCMS Included in Georgia’s
ATSI List for Additional
Support
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
In a recent announcement by the Georgia Department of Education,
Jenkins County Middle School has been identified and included in the
Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI) list for the 2023-
2024 academic year. The state uses a meticulous identification process
to categorize schools into two groups: Targeted Support & Improvement
(TSI) and ATSI.
TSI schools are identified if they have one or more consistently
underperforming subgroups. On the other hand, ATSI schools meet
TSI criteria but go a step further by singling out any school where
an individual student group, on its own, would be recognized as a
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school. CSI schools
comprise the lowest performing 5% of all Title I schools, high schools
with a graduation rate below 67%, or an ATSI school that has been on the
list for the previous six years.
Superintendent Dr. John Paul Hearn says, “The Jenkins County
Middle School has made significant gains in achievement over the last
two years. This past year among the 12 school systems in the CSRA
RESA, JCMS ranked 2nd in content mastery and in closing gaps. That
means our students scored well on standardized tests as well as closed
the gap between low scores and high scores. However, we realize there
is still work to do to achieve the growth we want to see in our students
with disabilities. That group did not show sufficient growth and it is
something we are addressing.”
The release of the 2023-2024 list of schools requiring additional
support follows the federal law outlined in Every Student Succeeds
Act. This legislation mandates states to pinpoint schools in need of extra
assistance to ensure the improvement of educational opportunities for
all students.
A total of 185 schools across Georgia have been identified for
additional support in the current academic year. State Superintendent
Richard Woods emphasized the state's commitment to helping every
school improve and providing the best education for children. In an
interview with this newspaper, Woods clarified, "The list is not meant
to label schools but to identify the problem(s) and partner with them to
increase opportunities for our students."
“JCMS will have the ATSI designation for three years”, states Dr. Hearn.
During this time JCMS will work together with the Georgia Department
of Education to implement best practices to ensure all students in our
school system are achieving. Dr. Hearn emphasizes that we have a great
faculty and staff at JCMS and they are aheady discussing how we can
best meet the needs of our students.
The inclusion of Jenkins County Middle School on the ATSI
list signifies a collective effort to address specific challenges and
collaboratively work towards enhancing the educational experience for
students. The state education department aims to establish partnerships
with the identified schools to facilitate targeted improvements and
ensure that every student has access to quality education.
Governor budgets for dental
school at Georgia Southern
By Dwayne Grice,
Special Contributor
for
The Times
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at
the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s
annual Eggs and Issues legislative
preview event, Georgia Governor
Brian R Kemp announced his
budget proposal will include 178
million dollars for the design and
construction for a dental school at
Georgia Southern University - the
first school of its kind in our state
since the moon landing in 1969!
"This is a great day for Georgia and especially for Georgia Southern
University. We are thrilled to see this included in Governor Kemp's
budget and we owe a special thanks to Representative Butch Parrish for
leading the charge on this. The shortage of dentist in Georgia is a critical
healthcare priority," said Senator Billy Hickman, Chairman of Higher
Education and Appropriations member.
Governor Kemp’s address celebrated years of record-breaking
economic development and laying out priorities for the 2024 legislative
session to continue that success.
The Governor announced his administration’s priorities to continue
addressing workforce development challenges, including in healthcare;
reinforce Georgia's status as a right-to-work state; address the need
for more information regarding civil litigation; invest in infrastructure
across the state, including workforce housing; and establish new higher
education assets.
Below are the Governor’s prepared remarks in full:
Good morning, thank you for that introduction. I’m proud to be here
today with the nation’s best First Lady - Marty Kemp! And we’re glad to
be here with Speaker Bums, Lt. Governor Jones, other members of the
General Assembly, Mayor Dickens, and some of the great local partners
who have helped us keep Georgia the best state for opportunity. I also
want to thank Chris Clark and the Georgia Chamber team for making
this yearly event possible.
It’s thanks to all of these
partners, and many others See DENTAL SCHOOL page 7
GEORGIA
SOU'
HERN
UNIVERSITY
_
BiTs f
0
s *
A)// r
3EJ
iy, Feb. 11, 2024 j
r
j
*