Newspaper Page Text
Vol 2 No 4-0 December 11, 2024- Quality News That Affects You Milieu, Georgia $1.2 5
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Millen Woman
Arrested for
Alleged Identity
Fraud
Millen Police
Investigate
Sunday Night
Shooting, Suspect
in Custody
Georgia Implements
Statewide Floating
Homestead Exemption
Through HB 581
-Joe Brady. Editor
Cartina Marie Hankerson
On December
2, the Millen
Police Department
arrested 43-year-
old Cartina Marie
Hankerson of
Millen on two
counts of identity
fraud. The arrest
followed an
investigation
revealing that
Hankerson used
another individual’s
personal
information to
access a mobile
banking app.
Police reports
indicate that
Hankerson allegedly created an account and
accessed the app using the victim’s identifying
details. She then generated online checks from
the victim’s bank account, defrauding them of
their funds.
Hankerson was taken into custody at her
home without incident and transported to the
Jenkins County Jail.
Chief Dwayne Herrington highlighted the
seriousness of identity theft, stating, “The
effects of stolen identities have long-lasting
impacts that may take years and prove costly
to resolve. The Millen Police Department is
committed to identifying theft and fraud and
arresting those who commit the crime.”
Authorities urge residents to protect their
personal information and remain vigilant against
suspicious activity. This arrest underscores the
importance of preventing identity theft and
holding offenders accountable.
Hankerson’s case is expected to proceed
through the legal system, where she will face
charges for the alleged crimes. Meanwhile,
the Millen Police Department reaffirms its
dedication to safeguarding the community
from fraud and financial exploitation.
-Joe Brady. Editor
Shortly
after
midnight
on Sunday,
December
8, officers
with the
Millen
Police
Department
responded
to reports of
a shooting
at 236
Georgia
Avenue.
Upon
a r r i v a t , Michael Jerome Sapp
officers
discovered a 34-year-old male
suffering from gunshot wounds to
his leg and arm.
The victim was transported to the
Jenkins County Medical Center for
treatment. His identity has not been
released, and his current condition
remains undisclosed.
Through swift investigation,
authorities identified the suspect as
44-year-old Michael Jerome Sapp
of Millen. While officers were still
on the scene, Sapp turned himself in
at the Jenkins County Jail without
incident.
Sapp now faces multiple charges,
including aggravated assault,
possession of a firearm by a
convicted felon, and discharge of a
firearm on or near a public highway.
He is being held in the Jenkins
County Jail as he awaits court
proceedings.
The Millen Police Department
continues to investigate the incident
and urges anyone with additional
information to come forward.
920 Cattle Co. Grand Opening:
A Celebration of Legacy and
Innovation
The grand
opening and
ribbon-cutting
ceremony for
920 Cattle
Co., formerly
Fries Frozen
Foods, was a
day filled with
celebration,
community
pride, and a
nod to both
tradition and
progress.
Jarrod and
Becca Creasy,
the visionaries
serving families across the region.
“The Fries building has always
been a part of the story here in
Millen,” said Rep. Rick Allen. “To
see it revitalized and expanded is
nothing short of inspiring.”
Building the Future
Now operating as 920 Cattle
Co., the site has been reimagined
with the addition of a cutting-edge
facility, showcasing the Creasys’
commitment to innovation
and growth. Designed to meet
modem standards, the expansion
represents a fusion of agriculture,
technology, and entrepreneurship,
ensuring the business can thrive
in today’s
competitive
marketplace.
Jarrod and
Becca Creasy
expressed
their gratitude
for the
overwhelming
community
support,
emphasizing
the importance
of preserving
the area’s
heritage while
forging ahead
with new
opportunities.
“This is
more than just
a business for
us,” said Jarrod Creasy. “It’s about
honoring the legacy of what came
before and building something
that will serve our community for
generations to come.”
A Community United
The ribbon-cutting ceremony
was attended by a host of local
dignitaries, neighbors, and friends,
all eager to witness the next step in
Millen’s journey. From heartfelt
speeches to guided tours of the
new facility, the day highlighted
the unity and determination of the
town to embrace progress while
celebrating its roots.
behind
this transformative venture,
were joined by local leaders,
community members, and
business supporters to mark the
beginning of a new chapter for the
iconic property.
Honoring the Past
The original Fries Frozen Foods
building, a cornerstone of Millen’s
history since its establishment
in 1948, remains a symbol
of resilience and community
spirit. Once a thriving hub for
food storage and distribution,
the facility was known for its
significant contribution to the
local economy and its role in
-Joe
Brady.Editor
-Joe Brady, Editor
Georgia homeowners
will soon benefit
from a statewide
floating homestead
exemption, thanks to the
implementation of House
Bill 581 (HB 581), which
takes effect January 1,
2025. The legislation aims
to ease property tax burdens
by mitigating
the impact of
market-driven
increases in
property values.
What is
a Floating
Homestead
Exemption?
A floating
homestead
exemption is
designed to
offset property
tax increases
caused by inflation. Unlike
traditional exemptions,
which provide a fixed
reduction in taxable value,
a floating exemption
adjusts annually to account
for rising property values.
For example, if a
homeowner’s property
was valued at $100,000 in
a base year and increased
to $110,000 the following
year, the exemption
would cover the $10,000
difference, ensuring taxes
are calculated based on the
original $100,000 value.
How HB 581 Works
HB 581 introduces a
unique floating homestead
exemption with an
inflationary adjustment
tied to the Consumer Price
Index (CPI). For homes
receiving the exemption
starting in 2025, the base
year will be 2024. For
subsequent years, the base
year will correspond to the
prior year’s assessed value.
Key features of HB 581
include:
•Annual CPI Adjustments:
The exemption adjusts
annually based on inflation,
ensuring manageable tax
increases.
•Automatic Application:
Homeowners already
receiving a homestead
exemption will
automatically qualify for
the floating exemption.
•Non- Homesteaded
Properties: Commercial
properties and non-
homesteaded properties
will continue to be taxed at
fair market value.
•Complement to Existing
Exemptions: The new
exemption does not replace
existing local exemptions,
offering taxpayers the
most beneficial option
available.
Local Government
Opt-Out Provisions
Local governments,
including counties,
cities, and school boards,
may choose to opt out of
the HB 581 exemption.
To do so, they must:
•Advertise and hold
three public hearings.
•Adopt and file a
resolution with the
Secretary of State by
March 1, 2025.
Failure to meet these
requirements means the
exemption automatically
applies. Opting out is
irreversible after the March
1, 2025, deadline.
Implications for Property
Taxes
By capping annual
increases in taxable
property values at the
inflation rate, HB 581
aims to provide long-term
stability for homeowners.
However, homes with
substantial improvements
or sales will see the
exemption reset to reflect
new values.
Local Sales Tax Revisions
In addition to property
tax relief, HB 581 revises
Georgia’s local sales tax
structure:
•New Sales Tax for
Property Tax Relief: A
local option sales tax can
be levied in increments
up to 1%, exclusively for
reducing property taxes.
•Tax Eligibility: Counties
and cities must have
a floating homestead
exemption in place to levy
this tax.
•Duration and Renewal:
The tax can run for up to
five years, with renewal
requiring voter approval.
Next Steps for
Homeowners
and Local Governments
With HB 581 set to take
effect, homeowners need
take no action to benefit
from the exemption. Local
governments, however,
must decide whether to
participate in the exemption
or opt out before the March
2025 deadline.
“This legislation marks
a significant step toward
providing relief to Georgia
homeowners while
maintaining flexibility for
local governments,” said a
spokesperson for the bill's
sponsors.
Homeowners and
policymakers alike will
monitor the implementation
of HB 581 as it reshapes
property taxation across
the state.
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Chris^Mas/
JENKINS COUNTY
MEDICAL CENTER
www.jenkinsmedicalcenter.com
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