About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2024)
Page 12 - Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Sylvania Times thesy lvaniatimes .com meMb mmmdbb By Joe Brady. Editor Mother and son tax preparers sentenced for tax fraud The owners of a McDuffie County tax service have been sentenced to prison for filing dozens of fraudulent tax returns to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars for clients. Annie Bailey and Tremarcus Bailey were sentenced up to 30 months each for pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. The duo lied about their customers’ income to get back huge tax refunds. Judge considering Willis’ removal from election interference case A Georgia judge is deciding whether to remove Fani Willis from the election interference case against Donald Trump. Allegations of a romantic relationship between Willis and attorney Nathan Wade surfaced last month. Willis disputes the charges. Bipartisan criminal justice bills seek to lower recidivism passes Georgia House. Two bills granting greater clemency to those in Georgia’s criminal justice system passed the Georgia Flouse this week. The first bill grants more guidance for juvenile drug and mental health courts. The other bill amends the first offenders act, allowing court records to be sealed at sentencing rather than upon completion of their sentence. Georgia bill requires private schools to get parent approval before addressing gender issues A Georgia Senate committee is advancing a bill aimed at stopping private schools from talking about gender identity without parental permission. The bill states, “private schools will have to obtain written permission from all parents before instruction on gender identity, queer theory, gender ideology, or gender transition, can be discussed.” Plant Vogtle reaches milestone in producing electric power Georgia Power has announced that Unit 4 of the Vogtle Expansion Project has safely reached initial criticality, which is the key to the startup testing sequence and demonstrates that plant operators were able to safely start nuclear reactions in the second reactor, a step before the nuclear fission reaction becomes self-sustaining. Governor sends national guard to border Members of the Georgia National Guard will travel to the U.S. Mexico border this spring to assist border agents in Texas, Gov. Kemp announced last week. They will join existing Georgia National Guard already stationed there. Although 90% of those arrested on drug trafficking are U.S. Citizens, lawmakers say that closing the border is necessary to curb drug trafficking. Kemp said the national guard will not be arresting anyone, that is up to the Texas authorities. UGA to create 2nd medical school in the state UGA announced last Tuesday that it will be creating an independent school of medicine at the campus in Athens. The university said the news comes as Georgia’s population has surged, causing the medical infrastructure to be strained. Georgia has the 8th largest population, and more is expected. The University of Georgia School of Medicine will expand the pool of medical professionals in Georgia. Police continue search in deadly Zaxby’s shooting in DeKalb County On Feb. 6, two men got into an argument outside of a Zaxby’s in DeKalb County. That’s when one of the men pulled a gun and shot the other several times. The suspect then began physically assaulting the victim before running away. DeKalb police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. Elizabeth and Roy Burke Crowned "Senior Sweethearts" -Rose Nunnalv, Special Contributor/Joe Brady, Editor The Senior Center in Sylvania embraced the spirit of love and togetherness on Valentine's Day by crowning Elizabeth and Roy Burke as the "Senior Sweethearts" of the day. Cynthia Burgest, the director of the center, announced the couple's honorary title, recognizing their remarkable 67 years of marriage and their regular attendance at the Senior Center. "The Burkes have been an integral part of our Senior Center community for many years. Their enduring love and commitment to each other are truly inspirational," said Cynthia Burgest, expressing admiration for the couple's longstanding union. The Valentine's Day celebration continued with a festive lunch, where members of the JTEKT Community Outreach generously provided refreshments for the seniors. The atmosphere was filled with wamith and joy as the Senior Center members shared stories, laughter, and the companionship that makes the center a second home for many. Following the delightful lunch, the Senior Center transformed into a hub of excitement as the group engaged in a spirited game of Bingo. The games were made even more special as JTEKT, a dedicated community partner, stepped in to sponsor and provide prizes for the event. The participants eagerly played for a chance to win various prizes, adding an extra layer of fun and camaraderie to the Valentine's Day festivities. The generosity of JTEKT Community Outreach not only added to the enjoyment of the day but also highlighted the importance of community partnerships in creating meaningful and memorable experiences for seniors. Photo by Rose Nunnaly. The photo is a depiction of the model and make of the new police vehicle, not the actual vehicle. Photo contributed Hiltonia Explores Police Department Upgrades -Joe Brady, Editor In the February town council meeting, Hiltonia has received approval for an additional $33,000 in state funds to complete the LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) project, focusing on the repaving of 4th Street. The town has already contributed $23,947 from TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) to support the local portion of the project. City Clerk Shannon Moore has taken the initiative to apply for the 2024 LMIG grant to further enhance local infrastructure. Simultaneously, the town is in the process of acquiring a new patrol car. Quotes were obtained from Brannen Motors and Woody Folsom Dodge, with Woody Folsom Dodge offering the most competitive bid at $42,500 for a Dodge Ram crew cab. The town will bear 45% of the purchase price, and Chief Taylor is actively seeking grants to alleviate the financial burden. The estimated cost of outfitting the new patrol car for police use is $15,000. The town council has unanimously decided to proceed with the purchase from Woody Folsom, aiming to enhance the capabilities of the police department. Chief Tony Taylor is also exploring a grant for body cameras. Currently, the police department shares two cameras among on-duty officers. With an additional four cameras, each officer will have their own, enhancing transparency and accountability. The grant in consideration is a 50-50 arrangement, with the town covering 50% of the approximately $1,000 cost per camera. In the realm of technology upgrades, the town is addressing the phasing out of the current police department software by the end of summer 2024. The council has approved the adoption of Justice One as the new software, albeit with a monthly cost increase of $325, totaling $775/month. To offset this expense, council members are considering a $25 increase in fines. Furthermore, the town council is actively exploring cost- effective measures for the water and wastewater project. After reviewing quotes, M.E. Sack Engineering emerged as a potential vendor for maintaining the project. While Tindall, the current vendor, charges between $690 and $1500 per month. Sack has quoted a fixed rate of $450 per month for similar duties. The council has voted to finalize the vendor change pending clarification of the scope of work with Sack. These recent decisions and initiatives reflect the town's commitment to enhancing infrastructure, public safety, and operational efficiency, showcasing a proactive approach to community development. BLESSSING OF THE CROPS SCREVEN COUNTY FARM BUREAU IS HAVING THEIR ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE CROPS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024, AT 6:00 PM. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE SCREVEN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE. PLEASE COME JOIN US IN ASKING THE LORD TO BLESS THIS SEASON OF PLANTING, GROWING, HARVESTING AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FARMERS. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. CONTACT PERSON: BETH REDDICK (912) 564-7891 Run 2/14-2/21 estate Farm Good Neighbor Agent since 1988 Darlene F Anthony Agent 616 W Ogeechee Street Sylvania, GA 30467-2217 Bus 912-564-7678 Fax 912-564-7671 darlene.anthony.cfh6@statefarm.com THE POETSJ_ CORNER Do not live half a life and do not die a half death If you choose silence, then be silent When you speak, do so until you are finished If you accept, then express it bluntly Do not mask it If you refuse, then be clear about it for an ambiguous refusal is but a weak acceptance Do not accept half a solution Do not believe half truths Do not dream half a dream Do not fantasize about half hopes Half the way will get you no where You are a whole that exists to live a life not half a life. -Khalil Gibran Khalil Gibran Middle School FFA Honors Local Farmers with Breakfast By Sarah Saxon, Reporter On Friday, February 16, the agricultural community of Screven County gathered at the Screven County Middle School for a breakfast organized by the Screven County Middle School FFA and the Screven County Farm Bureau. Approximately 15 farmers from the area attended the event. The breakfast menu featured a variety of mouthwatering dishes including eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls. The farmers, joined by members of the FFA and other community members, enjoyed the morning together in a celebration of the county's agricultural heritage. Erica Frost, the Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at SCMS, expressed her gratitude to all those involved in making the event possible. She specifically thanked Pop’s Kitchen for their culinary contributions, as well as Joe Boddiford and Beth Reddick from the Farm Bureau for their support. Frost also extended her appreciation to the parents of FFA students who generously aided with the breakfast. Frost highlighted the significance of honoring the county's farmers, stating, "The students who had been planning FFA decided that they wanted to start with the farmers since they are the ones who provided their food, so they decided to thank them by providing breakfast for them." This gesture underscored the students' recognition of the vital role farmers play in sustaining their community. During the event, Joe Boddiford took a moment to address the attendees, expressing his gratitude to all those present and expressing his hope that they thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast and the camaraderie shared among neighbors and friends. The breakfast served as a meaningful occasion to express appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Screven County's farmers. It also provided an opportunity for the community to come together in recognition of the indispensable contributions of agriculture to their way of life. Photo by Sarah Saxon FREE DELIVERY Driver works on tips. 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