Vol 2 No 42 January 1, 2025
Qualit^NewsThatAffectsYou
Millen, Georgia $1.25
Beloved Jenkins County
Businessman Ralph Crowe Dies
Ralph Crowe, a cherished figure in the
Jenkins County community and a respected
businessman, passed away on Saturday,
December 21, 2024, following an extended
illness.
Crowe was widely known for his dedication
and service as a partner at Crowe Fields
Funeral Home, a cornerstone of the community,
which he operated alongside his business
partner, Robert Fields. His commitment to his
work and the families he served left a lasting
impression on all who knew him.
Family, friends, and community members
will gather to honor Ralph Crowe's life and
legacy during visitation hours on Monday,
December 30, 2024, at Crowe Fields Funeral
Home. The visitation will be held from 6 to 8
p.m.
Funeral services will take place the following
day, Tuesday, December 31, at 2 p.m., at Millen
Methodist Church, where loved ones will
celebrate the life of a man who gave so much to
Jenkins County.
Ralph Crowe will be remembered not only
for his contributions to the business community
but also for his kindness, compassion, and
unwavering dedication to those around him.
The Jenkins County community mourns the
loss of a truly remarkable individual.
Tragic Wreck Claims
Lives of Grandmother
and Granddaughter
-Joe Brady. Editor
Starting January 1, Georgia Power customers will see their
electricity bills increase yet again, with the average household
spending about $43 more on electricity since the start of
2023. This comes after a series of rate hikes tied to base rate
adjustments, excess fuel cost recovery, and the completion of
two nuclear power units at Plant Vogtle.
The latest 3.5% rate hike, approved unanimously by the
Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, will
raise typical household bills by an additional $5.48 in 2025. The
increase allows Georgia Power to recover $306 million invested
in upgrading the power grid and developing new energy
sources.
See POWER page 5
Refugio Gudino Christy Boyett
Deputy of the Year Jailor/Dispatcher of the Year
The Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office held their annual Christmas party last week and named Deputy
Refugio Gudino deputy of the year and Christy Boyett as jailer/dispatcher of the year.
This year Chief Deputy Aaron presented Deputy Refugio Gudino with the Deputy of the Year Award. This
makes Deputy Gudino Deputy of the Year for the second time in a row.
Sheriff Robert Oglesby also presented Christy Boyett with the Jailer/Dispatcher of the Year Award. “We
have a dedicated staff, and they all do an excellent job for this county. They are all outstanding folks.” Sheriff
Oglesby said.
-Joe Brady. Editor
An early morning crash at the intersection of Highway 21 and
Highway 23 in front of the new Dollar General has tragically
claimed the lives of a grandmother and her granddaughter.
The wreck occurred around 8 a.m., prompting a 911 call to
dispatchers reporting the devastating scene.
According to the Georgia State Patrol’s preliminary
investigation, Stephen Davis, 48, of Newington, was driving
a Hobart service truck northwest on Highway 21 when the
collision occurred. Deborah Griffin, 69, of Girard, was behind
the wheel of a Chevrolet Malibu traveling east on Highway
23. Authorities determined that Ms. Griffin failed to yield after
stopping at the stop sign on Highway 23, leading to the deadly
collision.
Mr. Davis was unable to avoid the Malibu, striking its
passenger side. The force of the impact caused the Malibu to
spin clockwise before hitting a stop sign in the right turn lane of
Highway 23. Tragically, Ms. Griffin’s passenger, her 23-year-
old granddaughter Ashanee Dixon, was pronounced dead at the
scene, confirmed Jenkins County Coroner Henry Young. Dixon
was an employee at Neighbors Express in Millen and was well
loved by her colleagues and community.
Ms. Griffin sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to
Augusta University Medical Center, where she later succumbed
to her injuries. Stephen Davis was transported to Jenkins County
Medical Center, where he was treated for non-life-threatening
injuries.
Funeral services for Deborah Griffin and Ashanee Dixon
were held Sunday, December 29, at Friendship Baptist Church
Cemetery. The community continues to mourn the loss of these
two lives, whose absence will be deeply felt.
Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby said, “Please folks,
remember to exercise caution and obey traffic signs to prevent
similar tragedies in the future. There have been a lot of wrecks
and fatalities right here at this intersection.” The investigation
into the incident is ongoing.
Georgia Power
Customers to
Gudino and Boyett Award Top Honors
Anonymous Donor Restores Running
Water to Perkins
-Joe Brady. Editor
The residents of Perkins can finally celebrate a return to normalcy,
as running water has been restored to the small town, thanks to an
anonymous donor. The town’s 98 residents have straggled without a
steady water supply since March 2023, relying on community support
for necessities like drinking and cleaning.
Perkins' water crisis began when William “Bill” Sipes, then-
president of the Perkins Water Authority, was arrested for embezzling
$28,000 from the organization’s treasury. Despite the community’s
efforts to raise funds to address the immediate issue, their attempts to
fix the water system fell short.
Since the crisis began, local organizations such as the North Jenkins
Volunteer Fire Department and individual donors have stepped up,
delivering cases of water to help residents. The story of Perkins’ plight
gained broader attention after it was featured in the September 10
edition of JCT.
In a game-changing development, an anonymous donor stepped
forward to replace the town’s well. Young’s Welldrilling Pump Services, a Hephzibah-based company with over 20 years
of experience, was commissioned for the project. The new well has finally resolved the town’s ongoing water issues.
County Commissioner Jonathan Powell expressed his gratitude, saying, “The Perkins residents are relieved to once
again have accessible water, and we would like to thank the donor who came forward to solve the problem.”
The restoration of running water marks a new chapter for Perkins, as the town moves past months of uncertainty
and difficulty. “Residents and community leaders alike are hopeful that this renewed access will provide stability and
improve the quality of life for everyone in the town,” Powell said.
Face Higher Bills
Congratulations
to Jeff Murray for his dedication and hard work in our
Pulmonary Rehabilitation program! Your commitment
and progress are truly inspiring! Jeff is pictured at left with
Keith Baker, Director of Pulmonary Services.
"I'm going to do
whatever I have to do
and I'm not ever
quitting."
JENKINS COUNTY
MEDICAL CENTER
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
at Jenkins County Medical Center is
designed to help patients recover from
acute lung disease or lessen the severity of
chronic pulmonary conditions including
COPD, emphysema, asthma, chronic
bronchitis, and post-COVID issues.
For details, call 478-982-4221 or go to
jenkinsmedicalcenter.com
under the “Services” tab
