Newspaper Page Text
Page 8 - Wednesday, May 8, 2024
The Jenkins County Times
j enkinscountytimes. com
Agei to Perfection
Jenkins County
Senior Center
By Lee Wilson, Special Contributor
Thank you, Lord...
sometimes we forget
to thank you for life!
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when
the alarms rings... thank you, Lord, that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the
morning light as long as possible... thank you, Lord,
that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in bed and put off rising...
thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There
are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when
socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and
my children are loud...thank you, Lord, for my family.
There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like
the picture in magazines and the menu is at times
unbalanced...thank you, Lord, for the food that we
have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is
monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to
work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from
day to day and wish my circumstances were not so
modest, thank you, Lord, for life!
Savannah Landlord to pay $6oomillion in Harassment Lawsuit
Iraj Shambayati, a landlord who owns over 45 residential properties around Savannah has
agreed to pay $6ook to resolve allegations that he violated the FHA by sexually harassing
and retaliating against his female tenants.
The lawsuit, filed in August 2023, alleged that, since at least 2008, Shambayati harassed
female tenants by making repeated and unwelcome sexual comments and advances,
inappropriately touching their bodies without their permission, entering their homes
without their permission or knowledge, requesting sexual acts from them in exchange
for rent or other housing-related benefits and taking retaliatory actions against female
tenants who rejected his sexual advances or complained about the harassment.
Gov. announces expansion of Standard AERO
The Governor has announced that StandardAero, a leading provider of business aircraft
maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, began work on a $33million expansion of
their operations in Augusta. The expansion will create almost too new jobs in Richmond County.
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StandardAero will construct a new hangar and engine shop at 1150 Hangar Road adjacent to the Augusta
Regional Airport. The expansion will add 80,500 square feet to the company’s footprint in Augusta.
GA Man Accused of Killing Grandmother Arrested
A Georgia man is accused of beating his Riverdale grandmother to death and then fleeing to North Carolina, has
been arrested.
Takeem Moore, 33, was taken into custody in Buncombe County, NC, almost 200 miles from where deputies said
he killed his grandmother at her home. Deputies were called to do a wellness check last week and found a dead
woman lying on the living room floor. An autopsy revealed she had blunt force trauma to her face, neck and body.
Lee County Man Found with Gunshot Wound
Lee County Sheriff s Office found a man shot in his home on Alder Drive after conducting a wellness check.
Officers arrived on the scene after 5:30 pm Sunday afternoon. Upon investigation, officers found the homeowner
suffering from a gunshot wound and with no life-threatening injuries.
The man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Albany Woman Celebrates 101st Birthday
A resident of Dougherty County marked a significant birthday milestone this past weekend, with just as large a
family on hand to celebrate.
Beatrice Malone Smith celebrated her 101st birthday with her family gathering in Albany, where Beatrice has
lived her entire life.
Her extensive family consists of 12 children, 39 grandchildren, 94 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-
grandchildren.
Huey Magoo’s Open in Statesboro
Another new restaurant is now OPEN in Statesboro, GA. Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders restaurant in the Publix
shopping center is ready to serve, with a mission of providing great tasting, handcrafted chicken tenders while
spreading happiness.
Metter Youth Pastor Arrested for Inappropriate Contact with Minor
Benjamin Dalton Houser of Glennville was taken into custody last week for obscene internet contact with a minor.
He was employed by the Cedar Street Baptist Church in Metter as Youth Pastor.
Obscene internet contact with a minor is a felony, and Houser has been ordered to not have contact with anyone
in the case. He’s being held at the Candler County Jail on a bond of $25,000 cash or $50,000 in property.
According to an initial incident report, the Candler County Sheriff s Office responded to Cedar Street Baptist
Church on March 29th to meet with church leadership about possible crimes against children. The case was then
turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBI is the lead agency on the case.
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The Jenkins County Board of Education meeting dates for 2024 has been approved:
All meetings are held at the board office at 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted prior to
the meeting, May 20, June 17,July 29, September 30, October 28, November 18,
December 16, January 27, 2025
Jenkins County Development Authority meets the 4th Monday at 10 a.m. Next
meeting is Monday May 27th at 10 a.m. in the Millen City Hall Chambers
The American Legion for Screven and Jenkins Counties meets monthly on the 4th
Tuesday at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at 112 Community Dr. Sylvania
The American Legion Auxiliary for Screven and Jenkins Counties meets monthly on
the 2nd Tuesday at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at 112 Community Dr. Sylvania
lenkins County Commissioners meet the second Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
May 14th
The Jenkins County Democratic Committee meets every second Saturday at 10:30
a.m. at the Jenkins County Senior Citizen building, located at 98 College Ave., Millen,
GA 30442. May 11th
June 29-July 15, 2024, The military will once again be offering free health
screenings, eye care, and dentistry at the JCES. This program is part of the IRT
program.
The Jenkins County Baccalaureate Service will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at
4 p.m., in the Gymnatorium. Speaker for the occasion will be Pastor Jeremy Lindsey,
Connections Church. Seniors should arrive by 3:30 with their cap and gowns. All are
welcome to attend!
Georgia Peanut Commission Receives
Overwhelming Support in Referendum
Joe Brady
The Georgia Peanut
Commission (GPC) has received
resounding reaffirmation from
the state's peanut farmers with
a remarkable vote of 91.99
percent during the recent
referendum, held from March 8
through April 8, 2024.
Joe Boddiford, a farmer
from Sylvania, Georgia, and
Chairman of the GPC, expressed
gratitude for the overwhelming
support, stating, "I appreciate
the farmers’ confidence in
the commission, and we are
committed to continue earning that confidence." He emphasized the collaborative
efforts between Georgia's peanut farmers and the commission board and staff
in funding research projects, promoting peanuts, and advocating for farmers'
interests in Washington, D.C.
As mandated by Georgia state law, peanut farmers in the state vote on the
commission every three years. The ballots were distributed to peanut growers the
week of March 8, and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett, and
Bassett meticulously counted the returned ballots on May 1.
Don Koehler, Executive Director of the GPC, expressed humility in response to
the overwhelming support from peanut farmers, stating, "Our staff is humbled
by the support of peanut farmers in Georgia." He affirmed the commission's
commitment to seeking opportunities through research, education, and promotion
programs aimed at enhancing profit opportunities for farmers.
Georgia peanut farmers contribute $2 per ton annually to the commission,
which is utilized in various program areas such as research, promotion, and
education. This investment plays a crucial role in advancing the peanut industry in
Georgia and ensuring its sustainability for the future.
For those interested in learning more about the Georgia Peanut Commission
and its activities, additional information can be found on their website at www.
gapeanuts.com.
The reaffirmation of the Georgia Peanut Commission's mandate by such an
overwhelming majority underscores the importance of the commission's work in
supporting peanut farmers, promoting the industry, and advancing research initiatives
aimed at ensuring a healthy and profitable future for Georgia's peanut growers.
Heating &
Air Conditioning
Residential or
Commercial
Contact:
Emmanuel Watson
478-259-9009
Free Estimates
United Methodist Church
Removes Ban on LGBTQ Clergy Ordination
-Special to The Times
The
United
Methodist
Church
In a landmark decision, the General Conference of
The United Methodist Church has unanimously voted
to abolish the ban on the ordination of clergy who are
"self-avowed practicing homosexuals," overturning a
prohibition that has been in place since 1984.
The decisive vote took place during the morning
plenary session on May 1, where General Conference
delegates approved the change alongside 22 other
pieces of legislation on the consent calendar. This method
allows delegates to pass multiple petitions in bulk if they
have overwhelming support in the legislative committee
and do not have budgetary or constitutional implications.
The vote on the consent calendar saw overwhelming
approval, with 692 delegates voting in favor and only
51 opposed, marking a significant 93% approval rate.
The announcement of the decision was met with applause from both delegates and
observers present at the conference.
Among the key changes approved on the consent calendar is a directive
that superintendents are not to penalize clergy or churches for either holding
or refraining from holding same-sex weddings. Additionally, the General
Conference has urged the Council of Bishops to prioritize inclusivity in naming
representatives to ecumenical organizations, considering factors such as gender,
race, ethnicity, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, and economic condition.
This move by the General Conference reflects a broader trend of the
denomination quietly reversing longstanding restrictions against LGBTQ members.
More potential changes are anticipated in the future, including the elimination of the
ban on using United Methodist funds to "promote acceptance of homosexuality."
Notably, the legislation approved explicitly protects the right of clergy and
churches not to officiate at or host same-sex weddings, ensuring that individual
beliefs and practices are respected within the denomination.
Following the historic vote, retired Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, a vocal advocate
for LGBTQ inclusion in church life, offered a prayer, emphasizing the importance
of serving with compassion and devotion. Similarly, Bishop Karen Oliveto, the
denomination's first openly gay and married bishop, expressed gratitude for
the progress made and highlighted the ongoing commitment to inclusivity and
acceptance within The United Methodist Church.
EVER
OUNTS
Advanced Voting & Absentee Voting
May 21, 2024 General Primary/ nonpartisan Election/ Advanced voting dates
April 29th - May 17th
June 18, 2024 General Primary/nonpartisan Runoff / Advanced voting dates
ASAP- no later than June 10th - June 14th
November 5, 2024 GENERAL ELECTION DAY / Advanced voting dates
Oct 15th- Nov 1st
December 3, 2024 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