Newspaper Page Text
Page 8 - Wednesday, April 10, 2024
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
Cicada-geddon:
Coming Our Way
Largest numbers in decades
expected this Spring
-Joe Brady, Editor
In an event that has entomologists and nature
enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation, the United
States is bracing for an unprecedented natural
phenomenon dubbed "cicada-geddon." This spring,
parts of the country will witness the emergence of
periodical cicadas, enigmatic creatures that surface
only once every 13 or 17 years, in numbers not seen
in decades, and by some estimates, not in centuries.
Characterized by their black bodies and distinctive
red eyes, these insects are markedly different
from the more familiar, greenish annual cicadas.
After spending years underground, they are set to
invade the landscape en masse, their collective
song reaching volumes comparable to jet engines.
John Cooley, a cicada expert from the University
of Connecticut, describes the upcoming event as
anything but subtle. "Periodic cicadas don’t do
subtle," he stated, highlighting the overwhelming
impact these creatures have on the environments
they inhabit.
Georgia Tech biophysicist Saad Bhamla drew a
comparison between the fascination surrounding
the upcoming solar eclipse and the awe-inspiring
nature of the cicada emergence. "It’s like an entire
alien species living underneath our feet and then
some prime number years they come out to say
hello," Bhamla explained. Despite often being
mistaken for locusts due to their impressive numbers,
periodical cicadas pose little threat to the economy or
agriculture, mainly affecting young trees and some
fruit crops in a manageable way.
The largest of these emergences is set to take place
in the Southeast, with Brood XIX, a 13-year cicada
brood, signaling its impending arrival through
countless boreholes in the Georgia clay. These insects
are triggered to emerge by the warming ground
temperatures, a phenomenon occurring earlier than
in the past. Following closely behind, the Midwest
will see the emergence of its 17-year cicada cousins,
Brood XIII, especially in Illinois. This event could
lead to a rare overlap in a small area near central
Illinois, although entomologists believe interbreeding
between the two broods is unlikely. With estimates
of the cicada population reaching into the hundreds
of trillions, or possibly even quadrillions, covering an
area of hundreds of millions of acres across 16 states,
this year's emergence promises a natural spectacle of
epic proportions. Mike Raupp and Paula Shrewsbury,
entomologists from the University of Maryland,
emphasized the combined impact of Brood XIX and
Brood XIII, stating, "And when you put those two
together... you would have more than anywhere else
at any other time."
As the eastern United States prepares for this
once-in-a-generation event, the anticipation grows
for what is sure to be a memorable encounter with
one of nature's most fascinating phenomena.
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Brunswick man sentenced to 20 years for fentanyl
A Glynn County man has been sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to
trafficking drugs that led to two fatal overdoses. Jon Dillon Screen, 32, of Brunswick
was sentenced and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute, Distribute 50
grams or more of methamphetamine. Screen received one of the highest sentences
in Operation Ghost Busted.
Prison inmate indicted for making bombs
David Cassady, 55, an inmate at Phillips State Prison in Buford, GA and serving a
life term, has been charged with Making an Unregistered Destructive Device; two
counts of Mailing a Destructive Device; and two counts of Attempted Malicious Use
of an Explosive.
Cassady was an inmate at the now closed State Prison in Reidsville when he
constructed bombs and mailed two of them via US Mail to the US Courthouse and
Federal Building in Anchorage, Alaska and to a federal facility in Washington D.C.
The case is being investigated by the US Postal Inspection Service, the US Marshal’s
Service, FBI, Homeland Security, and GBI.
Fulton County jail inmate stabbed to death
A violent altercation last week at the Fulton County Jail left one inmate dead. The deadly stabbing has prompted
an investigation by the Atlanta Police Department. It happened at 6:30 p.m. in the day room at the jail’s housing
zone.
Edward Cherry, 36, is accused of stabbing a fellow inmate multiple time. The inmate, identified as Leonard
Fortner, 37, was pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital at 7:40 p.m. The deceased had been in custody
since January, arrested on allegations of criminal damage to property and was held without bond.
It is believed that it is the same Leonard Fortner who was arrested after a fire on New Year's Day at an apartment
complex on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard.
GA Judge refuses to toss Trump’s charges under First Amendment
The judge overseeing former President Trump’s Georgia election interference case rejected his attempt to toss
the charges under the First Amendment on Thursday.
Trump and some of his co-defendants had contended their charges must be tossed because their efforts to contest
the 2020 election comprised constitutionally protected “core political speech.”
“Even core political speech addressing matters of public concern is not impenetrable from prosecution if allegedly
used to further criminal activity,” Judge Scott McAfee wrote in the 14-page ruling.
McAfee said only a jury can decide the question of whether the speech at issue was carried out with criminal
intent. His ruling leaves open the possibility that Trump could still raise a First Amendment defense down the
road, once the factual record is more developed.
Woman hit with rock on Lake Lanier dock
A woman is recovering after officials say she was attacked at Lake Lanier.
On Thursday, a Hall County Sheriff s deputy was called to a dock at the Port of Indecision at Lake Lanier Islands
by a security guard just before 9 p.m.
When the deputy arrived, he found a 25-year-old woman who had a cut on her forehead.
According to the investigation, the victim had been riding a jet ski with a friend who dropped her off on the dock.
While she was waiting for her friend, another woman on the dock approached her and hit her on the head with
a large rock and punched her.
Authorities said the rock was about the size of a baseball. The victim told police she did not know her attacker.
Officials said there has been no arrest as of Monday.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
The investigation into what prompted the attack remains ongoing.
Earthquake shakes NYC
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 rattled the East Coast on Friday morning, prompting
reports of the temblor in several states, according to officials with the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was
reported near Lebanon, New Jersey, just before 10:25 a.m., officials said. Reports to the USGS show that
people from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts and from Washington, D.C., to Vermont felt the shaking Friday
morning.
City Council Discusses
Infrastructure and
Community Projects
-Joe Brady, Editor
Millen, GA - In a recent regular monthly meeting,
the Millen City Council made several significant
decisions, ranging from welcoming a new police
officer to approving vital infrastructure projects,
reflecting the city's commitment to community safety
and development.
Police Chief Dwayne Herrington introduced the
city’s newest addition to the police force, Officer
Deletheo Tyler, a recent graduate of the Police
Academy in Columbia County. Tyler, originally
from Sylvania, stood out at the academy, earning
the title of class captain for his willingness to assist
others. “We are proud of him,” Herrington expressed,
highlighting the officer's exemplary attributes.
In addition to bolstering the police force, the city
council has a full agenda that includes preparations
for the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Banquet,
set to take place on Cotton Avenue in June. The
council approved the closure of the street for the
event, anticipating a lively community gathering.
Further, the council voted to renew the beer and
wine license for a local business and approved
the 2024 Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) project focusing on essential water, sewer,
stormwater, and residential improvements on
Williams Street from Gilmer Street to Buckhead
Avenue. The city aims to secure $1.2 million from
the grant to address the infrastructure needs, with
City Manager Jeff
Brantley noting the
significance of this
project in mitigatin;
stormwater issues.
Another critical
infrastructure topic discussed was the failing storm
box on North Avenue, a problem attributed to
previous work by the Department of Transportation.
Brantley outlined plans to install a new storm drain
to alleviate the issue, with funding coming from
TSPLOST funds.
The financial overview revealed that while March's
expenses exceeded revenues, the city remains ahead
in revenue year-to-date. Additionally, insurance
costs are rising, and investments are being made in
community amenities like a new stove and oven for
the community house.
Looking ahead, the city plans to address
abandoned properties through available CDBG
funds, enhancing neighborhood aesthetics and safety.
Also, with Jenco ceasing cardboard recycling, Mayor
Rocker highlighted the need to explore sustainable
alternatives to landfill disposal.
As Millen advances with these initiatives, a
budget workshop is scheduled for April 23 to ensure
financial readiness for the upcoming fiscal year,
underscoring the council’s proactive approach to
governance and community welfare.
Advanced Voting & Absentee Voting
May 21, 2024
June 18, 2024
November 5, 2024
December 3, 2024
General Primary/ nonpartisan Election/ Advanced voting dates April 29th - May 17th
General Primary/nonpartisan Runoff / Advanced voting dates ASAP- no later than
June 10th - June 14th
GENERAL ELECTION DAY / Advanced voting dates Oct 15th- Nov 1st
General Runoff / General Runoff for Federal Offices / Advanced voting dates ASAP
no later than Nov 25 - Nov 27th
All Advanced In-Person Voting will take place Monday through Friday (except for mandatory
Saturday voting) from 9:00 am -5:00 pm., at the Jenkins County Courthouse 611 East Winthrope
Avenue, Millen, Georgia 30442.
To request an application for an Absentee Ballot by Mail, contact the Registrar’s Office at 478-982-
3985 or by mail at Jenkins County Registrars P.O. Box 510, Millen, Georgia 30442 or visit the office
at Jenkins County Courthouse, Registrar Office at 611 East Winthrope Avenue, Millen, Georgia
30442.
For additional information about polling locations, sample ballots, advanced voting, absentee voting,
and Election Day voting please visit: mvp.sos.ga.gov
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Wanda P. Burke, Election Superintendent at
478-982-5581.
Wanda P. Burke,Election Superintendent
Patricia Rich, Chief Registrar
P.O. Box 510
611 East Winthrope Avenue Millen, Georgia 30442
478-982-3985