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VOL.2 NO. 30 August 16, 2023 | LEGAL ORGAN OF SCREVEN COUNTY | Sylvania, Georgia $1.25
Farm and Land ...4 | Editorials ...12 | Church News ...8 | Obituaries ...5 | Classifieds ... 6 | Legals ...10-11 | Sports..13-14
Arrests Made in
Burglary Case
Bv Joe Brady, Editor J V
for
The Times
Sylvania - In a significant
development, local authorities
have apprehended two
individuals. Derrick Howard
and Troy Clark, in connection
with multiple counts involving
burglary. The arrests come after a
prompt response by the Sylvania
Police Department to a reported
theft on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
According to the Sylvania
Police Department, officers were
dispatched to the 400 block of
East Ogeechee Street following
reports of a theft. Upon arrival,
law enforcement encountered a
senior adult victim who recounted
the distressing discovery upon
returning home around 1 a.m.
The victim revealed that the door
of their pickup truck had been
left open, prompting immediate
concern.
The victim's account detailed
the loss of valuable possessions,
including a Stihl chain saw,
a Husqvama weed eater, and
a staggering collection of 8
firearms.
Both Derrick Howard and Troy
Clark have been charged with
a series of offenses, including
Entering an auto, firearms-related
charges, possession by a convicted
felon, and theft by taking. These
charges underline the severity of
their alleged involvement in the
burglary incident. Investigator
Norman Royal, who played a
pivotal role in the case, expressed
gratitude for the tireless efforts of
the Sylvania Police Department.
"Thanks to the diligent police
work by the Sylvania Police
Department, we are glad to
have these two off the streets,"
Investigator Royal remarked.
The arrest of Howard and Clark
sheds light on the ongoing efforts
of law enforcement to maintain
public safety and uphold the
mle of law in the city. This event
also emphasizes the significance
of community vigilance and
cooperation in curbing criminal
activities.
Screven County has a burglary
rate graded as "C," indicating
a slightly higher occurrence of
such incidents compared to the
average US county. Furthemiore,
the county's safety ranking in
the 42nd percentile serves as a
reminder of the importance of
continued efforts to enhance local
safety measures.
Editor's Note: The crime
statistics and safety ranking are
sourced from crimegrade.org.
Passionate Military
Veteran Andi Johnson
Inspires Success
Through Martial Arts
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Florida native and military veteran,
Andi Johnson, has dedicated her life
to helping students succeed through
martial arts education. Her journey
from military service to becoming a
5th-degree black belt and accomplished
instructor showcases her determination
and commitment to both personal
growth and community impact.
Sylvania - Andi Johnson's story is
one of resilience, ambition, and the
pursuit of excellence. After her military
service, Johnson, a master apprentice,
and 5th-degree black belt, found her
calling in martial arts and education.
Her recent achievements at the Global
Championships in Dallas, TX, where
she clinched the World Championship
title in Taekwondo forms, underscore
her dedication to leading by example.
Bom and raised in Florida, Andi Johnson's
journey took her from the military to
academia, ultimately leading her to the
field of martial arts. Johnson's relocation
to Sylvania was accompanied by her
enrollment at Georgia Southern University,
where she earned a bachelor's degree in
psychology. It was during this time that she
discovered her love for martial arts, and by
2009, she had achieved the esteemed rank of
black belt.
"It feels good to be fit and strong, I am goal
oriented, so competition complements that,"
Johnson explains. Her passion for martial
arts was so profound that her instmctor
encouraged her to open a taekwondo club.
After graduating, she acted on this advice
and established the first location of On
In the Global Championships, Andi won the title of World
Champion in Taekwondo Forms. Photo contributed.
Target Martial Arts in Millen. Notably, this
venture marked the beginning of her journey
as a mentor and instmctor.
With her dedication and unwavering
commitment, Andi Johnson expanded her
martial arts influence by opening a second
location in Sylvania just two years later.
This momentum continued, culminating in
the acquisition of Statesboro Martial Arts,
a testament to her growing impact on the
community.
Johnson's passion and dedication
to taekwondo come full circle as she
navigates roles as a student, competitor, and
instmctor. Her recent victory at the Global
SEE MARTIAL, PAGE 7
Sylvania’s Andy Clifton
Elected to Leadership
GBA Board of Directors
Special
to
The Times
ATLANTA - Andy Clifton, senior
vice president at Farmers & Merchants
Bank in Sylvania, has been elected by
his peers in central Georgia to serve
a three-year term on the Leadership
GBA Board of Directors.
A section of the Georgia Bankers
Association, Leadership GBA
supports the advancement of career
bankers by providing leadership
development training, serving as a
forum through which career bankers
can network and exchange ideas
and promoting industry advocacy
activities at the local, state and federal
levels.
"Andy is one of Georgia banking’s
best and brightest leaders, and we're
fortunate to have someone of his
caliber in a leadership role for his
peers around the state. We look forward to
benefiting from his perspective, wisdom
and experience,” said GBA Chairman Kim
Wilson, president and CEO of OneSouth
Bank in Macon.
Clifton has worked in the banking
industry for 25 years. Originally from
Millen, Clifton began his career in
banking at age 16 as a part-time teller.
He has worked in many parts of the
bank, including in proof, bookkeeping,
as a CSR, loan processor, credit analyst,
lending officer and market president
before joining Farmers & Merchants
Bank in 2017. In addition to lending and
operations, he is currently responsible for
financial operations and human resources.
Clifton graduated from Georgia
Southern University with a bachelor’s
degree in finance in 2004 and a MBA in
2011. He is a 2008 graduate of the Georgia
Banking School and a 2014 graduate of
The Graduate School of Banking at LSU.
In his community, Clifton is a 2006
graduate of Leadership Screven. He is
also a member of the Sylvania Rotary
Club, where he serves as treasurer and was
president in 2018 and 2021.
About the Georgia Bankers Association:
Founded in 1892, the Georgia Bankers
Association promotes the general welfare
and usefulness of banking and the
preservation of a sound banking system.
For 131 years, GBA has been the resource
that empowers Georgia’s banks, providing
effective government relations and public
advocacy, a community of professional
peers, top-quality education and
professional development, and revenue
enhancing products and services.
