About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2024)
thesylvaniatimes.com The Sylvania Times Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - Page 9 wmgm j&moss €EECMR(HMt By Joe Brady, Editor for The Times Augusta man sentenced for drug trafficking Conway James Rhinehart, 43, of Augusta has been sentenced to 108 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically a PHP. He has also been ordered to pay $50k. Even after his pre-trial release, Rhinehart continued to sell the drugs until taken back into custody According to investigators, Rhinehart was operating a mail order dmg distribution from his home. He was marketing the drugs as energy powders. Raffensperger scores another victory in election conspiracy case Georgia’s Secretary of State scored another victory in the Curling Case for a second time. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the Secretary, finding once again that adoption of the plaintiffs position in the case was a clear error. The activist plaintiffs have used overblown rhetoric and conspiracy theories. They have offered no evidence of election interference. Press Secretary Mike Hassinger said, “Georgia’s election security practices are top tier. Casting doubt on Georgia’s elections, which these plaintiffs are doing, is really trying to cast doubt on all elections. Georgia midwives advocate for equitable maternal care The lack of access to OB-GYN care is a big part of why Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is so high. State representatives met last week to discuss the issue. The number of Georgian’s who died while pregnant, during childbirth, or immediately after has gone up in recent years. It is among the worst in all other states with 30.2 per every 100,000. Every county surrounding Savannah is considered a low-access or maternity care desert. However, the Midwife Group Women’s Health and Birth Center, one of the only of its kind in Georgia, suggests adding more birthing center and midwives across the state to ease the burden. Georgia employees most likely to play online games at work Georgia ranks amongst the highest in the nation when it comes to secretly playing online games at work. A study revealed that 8 out of 10 employees admitted to playing games on the boss’ time at least two to three times per week. People in advertising tend to engage in this behavior the most and 83% have considered calling in sick or have already to make time for gaming during work hours. Armed robbers tell Henry County gas station clerk to open safe Henry County police are looking for two men accused of armed robbery of a gas station in Jonesboro. Two men pointed a handgun at the clerk’s head, and demanded she open the safe. The suspect fled on foot. Investigators have not revealed how much money was stolen. 2 men stole thousands in clothes from Fulton sporting goods store Last Monday at 7:30 p.m. police responded to Hibbets Sports to a report of shoplifting. Store video shows two men taking nike sweatsuits from the shelves and leaving the store. The estimated value is $3000-$5000. Mother, son arrested after shooting in Covington Walmart parking lot An altercation has led to one man being hospitalized. On Saturday evening Newton County Sheriff’s deputies said an altercation that started inside the store between Christopher Scott and a woman continued in the parking lot. As Scott was leaving the store he was approached by the woman’s son, David Ruffin. Ruffin and Scott had another altercation in the parking lot. Ruffin shot Scott in each leg. Scott is listed as stable in a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing. Charges dismissed in charges against former Homerville police officer A Homerville police captain has had criminal charges he faced in 2022 dismissed. Captain Derek Manning was arrested by the GBI in March 2022 for pandering and violation of oath charges. The charges stemmed from an investigation where messages were exchanged between Manning and another person where he was attempting to solicit a prostitute. Though he was arrested in Homerville, his case was prosecuted in Lowndes County due to that being his county of residence. Ranger with Reptiles Saturday, Jan 27, 2024 10 AM Magnolia Springs State Park - Millen, GA Meet behind the Visitor Center for a fun filled reptile program that features some of the most iconic animals found at Magnolia Springs! Registration is required in advance. (Ages 3 and under free) $5 plus $5 parking. 478-982-1660. Archery Saturday. Jan 27, 2024 3 PM to 4 PM Magnolia Springs State Park - Millen, GA Learn archery from a certified instructor with all equipment provided. This is a great opportunity for experienced archers to improve your skills. Meet at the archery range. $10 plus $5 parking. 478-982-1660 Magnolia Springs State Park participates in the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program that is sponsored by the Wildlife Resource Division of DNR. This program allows park visitors to rent fishing poles and equipment for free while they are visiting the park! Stop by the park office and rent your fishing gear and see what you can catch in our 30-acre lake! Here’s what Georgia is doing with your driver license By Ciara Cummings, Special Contributor to The Times Going to the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles and getting your picture taken is expected, but the agency is also keeping that photo in a facial recognition system. According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), it does so to help law enforcement in cases of specific violent crimes. However, some state lawmakers were unsettled after an Atlanta News First investigation uncovered the process. State Reps. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) and Brian Prince (D-Augusta) weren’t aware of the process. Both lawmakers sit on the House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committee which, according to its mission statement, works on issues involving new and emerging technologies and their implications for Georgia’s economy. “It’s something we need to look into and it’s something we need to take very seriously,” Thomas said, adding some protections are needed. “We as a government [have] to do a better job or [have] to do a good job making sure citizens know,” Prince said. When submitting an ID application to the DDS, the use of the tech is not explicitly disclosed to the applicant, except for the general “acknowledgement” section the applicant is required to check off: “Under penalty of law, I swear or affirm that I am a resident of the State of Georgia, and the information provided on this form is true and correct ... I grant permission to the Department of Driver Services to verify information furnished to the Department through the release of any and all applicant information to third parties which shall include, but not be limited to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or other public or private entities ...” Since 2008, the DDS has awarded contracts to private facial recognition companies, according to documents obtained by Atlanta News First Investigates. “You don’t know when they’re using the data, how they’re using the data, or in what form are they using this data,” said Ramnath Chellappa, an associate dean at Emory University who studies artificial intelligence and its impact on privacy, and who raises concerns about the unintended consequences. For example, on Oct. 7, 2015, Marquis Stephens, 41, was shot and killed during a “botched” armed robbery attempt in southwest Atlanta. At the time, police did not have a suspect’s name, but a witness provided an Instagram photo of a possible suspect. Atlanta police detectives sent the image to the DDS, which ran a facial recognition search, using the state database of driver’s license photos. Case files show 25 photos delivered back as possible matches. Among the returned photos, Kevin Reeves would later be one of two men convicted in Stephens’ murder. However, images were released of more than a dozen other men who had nothing to do with the crime, and police were able to use any those images to potentially build a suspect lineup. Kay Levine, a former prosecutor who is now an Emory Law School professor, said many Georgia residents have likely been in photo lineups based on this process. “If anybody thinks the only people concerned about privacy are those people who have criminal behavior to hide, who have heroin in the trunk of their car, or machine guns in their garage, they are mistaken,” Levine said. Beyond privacy, Levine argues the process could pose a court challenge. Under Georgia’s Election Integrity Act of 2021, IDs are now required to cast a ballot. When a resident has no other form of ID, they can get a free voter ID card from the DDS. But that same voter ID image could also be subjected to a facial recognition system. “This could possibly be a new frontier for people who want to assert an impact on their ability to vote,” Levine said. This is uncharted territory for lawmakers who want state legislation, instead of waiting on federal guidance. “The state has a role in it, especially if you’re funding those agencies,” Prince said. “Anything less than absolute maximum transparency would be unwise by us policy makers,” Thomas said. Applicants for voting can their voter ID card from other agencies such as county registrar offices. DDS officials declined interview requests, but a statement from the agency cited state law authorizing it to to provide information to law enforcement. The statement said the agency only assists on active cases involving murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, sexual battery, and voluntary manslaughter. The agency has a special investigative unit of 11 certified officers. “A strong working relationship between motor vehicle agencies and law enforcement is essential to public safety, homeland security, and identity protection,” DDS said. “Sharing of FR data plays an important role in meeting local, state, and federal public safety goals. It provides an opportunity for sharing resources and data to enable motor vehicle agencies to enhance the DL enrollment process and serves as one of many tools, and not the only investigative resource, used by law enforcement when investigating criminal cases.” State motor vehicle departments across the nation could be using facial recognition technology similarly. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators is recommending national best practices for the use of facial recognition technology among state motor vehicle departments. Despite the Georgia DDS using the technology, the agency has no official policy on record. 3 DOS 12/1 4b EXP 12/1: DRIVER'S LICENSE 4dOL mo. 123792392 • CLASS C 2 FAKE 1 TEMPLATE a 123FAKETEMPLATE.COM SMYRNA, GA 30080 FULTON 12 REST A Sa END NONE 4. iss 12/05/2020 M is EYES BLK Dl IS SEX 1 "h&Wn,pMiHb 1681b YETI Hiltonia City Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Oliver Town Council meets first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Rocky Ford City/ Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Newington Town Council meeting are the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m Screven County/ Board of Education meets second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Sylvania City/ Council meets first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. THE CORNER Written in London 1802 Composed Upon Westminster Bridge Earth has not anything to show more fair: Dull would he be of soul who could pass by A sight so touching in its majesty: This City now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning: silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie Open unto the fields, and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill; Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! The river glideth at his own sweet will: Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! Mayor Justine Brown swears in returning council members Herman Holland and Marvin Mock Photo By; Sarah Saxon Oliver City Council Addresses Community Concerns in Monthly Meeting By Sarah Saxon, Reporter for The Times The City of Oliver convened for its monthly council meeting at the town hall on Monday, January 8, addressing a range of issues and receiving updates from key figures within the municipal government. Present at the meeting were Council members Gary Curtis, Marvin Mock, and Herman Holland, with Shante Roper notably absent, also present was mayor Justine Brown. The session commenced with Councilman Marvin Mock leading the Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Brown presided over the swearing-in ceremony for returning Councilmen Marvin Mock and Herman Holland, formalizing their continued service to the community. The council delved into the routine business of reviewing and approving the minutes and financial reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in their operations. Chief Pierre Jorden provided a comprehensive report detailing his recent activities in the line of duty. He informed the council that he conducted 41 checks on businesses, churches, and residences, issued 30 citations, and made an arrest on December 20. Additionally, Chief Jorden expressed his desire to transition from part-time to full-time employment, a proposal that will be discussed further in an upcoming meeting. Community concerns took center stage as residents voiced complaints about potholes within the city. With the council's approval. Chief Jorden will address this issue promptly by procuring the necessary materials from the hardware store. A particular emphasis was placed on a deep and wide pothole on Oliver Kildare Road, highlighting the need for urgent attention. Another infrastructure concern raised was the malfunctioning pole lights within the city. It was decided that a thorough inspection would be conducted to identify the locations of the faulty lights, and the information would be relayed to Georgia Power for necessary repairs. In a move to address staffing changes, Councilman Holland informed the assembly that discussions had taken place with Grady Reddick about appointing a new solicitor, giving Evelyn Hubbard's impending retirement. The council approved Councilman Holland's proposal to contact Attorney Reddick and make the necessary arrangements. City Clerk Mabel Barber reported that the city had fulfilled its obligations by paying the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) dues, ensuring the city's continued participation in this important municipal association. As the meeting concluded. Mayor Brown expressed optimism for the continued progress of the city and thanked all present for their commitment to the community's well-being. The Oliver Town Council remains dedicated to addressing citizen concerns and fostering positive developments in the city Town of Rocky Ford Employment Opportunity Part-time Maintenance Person Required Qualifications: 1. Valid driver’s license 2. High School diploma, GED or equivalent 3. Pass drug test. Once employed, subject to random drug testing 4. Operate equipment 5. Self motivated 6. as needed 7. Interact well with the community Submit applications to: Rocky Ford Town Hall 160 Main Street Rocky Ford GA 30455 or email townofrockyford@gmail.com (912) 863-7121
