About The Lee County ledger. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1978-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2024)
The Led County Ledger Your Hometown Source Of Local News Hometown Newspaper of Joan Deck Volume XLVI- Number 35 Leesburg, Georgia - - May 29, 2024 Fifty Cents Lee County Vice-Chairman Chris Guarnieri Recognized For Academic Achievement In Lifelong Learning Academy Special to the Ledger The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgia’s County Asso ciation) recently award ed county officials with certificates for complet ing core requirements in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy. Lee County Vice-Chairman Chris Guarnieri was honored during the As sociation’s 2024 Annual Conference in Chatham County. “Lifelong learning stands as a vital pillar within our association,” said Executive Director Dave Wills. “Through collaboration with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, we offer a diverse array of train ing and development opportunities, aimed at equipping county officials to navigate the challenges inherent in local government. I commend leaders like Vice-Chairman Guarni eri for their unwavering dedication to continuing their education in order to better serve their constituents.” The Lifelong Learning Academy is a product of the longstanding part nership between ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Govern ment at the University of Georgia (CVIOG). Created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making chal lenges they faced regu larly, it is a unique adult education program that provides county officials with a tailor-made learn ing experience to assist them with governing at the local level. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee - which comprises county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and CVIOG - meet regularly to review the curriculum and adjust accordingly. The Lifelong Learn ing Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the current needs of their constituents thanks to the collaborative approach undertaken by ACCG and CVIOG. Mr. Guarnieri states “It is an honor to be rec ognized as a Certified County Commissioner from ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the Uni versity of Georgia. This program is an asset to County Commis sioners as we undertake these import ant duties in service to commu- our commu nity.” ACCG is Georgia’s county association and works Chris Guarnieri nities by providing public policy and legislative advocacy, leadership develop ment, civic and community engage- on behalf of county officials and their ment initiatives, insur ance and retirement pro grams that specialize in local government needs and other cost-saving programs. Formed in 1914 when county offi cials came together to help fund the state’s first highway department, ACCG today serves as a catalyst for advancing Georgia’s counties. For more information, go to www.accg.org LCHS Literary Team members, Kason Watson, Caleb Dale and Loryn Bell were recognized at the Lee County Board of Education meeting May 13th. Lee County High’s Literary team competed in State Literary March 16 at Bremen High School. Literary has 12 events including Extemporaneous Speaking, Music, Theatre Interp, and Essay. The literary team competed in two events to compete at the state-level after winning at the region-level. Duo Interpretation team, Kason Watson and Caleb Dale, placed first in the state. Argumentative Essayist, Loryn Bell, brought home first place for Lee County. The LCHS Literary team, as a whole, placed sixth in the state. Kason Watson, Caleb Dale and Loryn Bell are pictured with Dr. Kathleen Truitt, Superintendent and board of education members, Fran Walls, Donna Ford, Claire Lang and Jamie McDowell. LCHS’s seven students that finished in the state competition top three places at the State SkillsUSA in Atlanta, February 22-24 were recognized at the Lee County Board of Education meeting May 13th. Quirin Rudolf and Kaleb Blalock qualified to compete in the SkillsUSA National Championships that will be held in Atlanta the week of June 24-28 by placing first place in their competition. Quirin Rudolf will compete in Carpentry and Kaleb Blalock in sheet metal. Taryn Lee finished third in blueprint reading and Jon Henderson and Ryland Butts finished third in construction technology. Thomas Nichols and Hunter Daughtry finish second in vehicle shop.The SkillsUSA winners are pictured with SkillsUSA are pictured with Dr. Kathleen Truitt, Superintendent, John Wanner, construction teacher and board of education members, Fran Walls, Donna Ford, Jamie McDowell and Claire Lang. Jeffcoat Sentenced to 286 Months Federal Prison Special to the Ledger On November 7, 2023, 8 10499 02456 8 DOHERTY, DUGGAN, HART&TIERNAN INSURORS Home • Auto • Business • Life/Health P.O.Box 71628 (229)888-2040 Albany, GA 31708-1628 800-628-2040 2301 Dawson Road (31707) Fax (229) 435-3036 www.ddhtins.com Leesburg City Council will meet Tuesday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Leesburg City Hall the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Inves tigation Division (LCSO NID) participated in a multi-agency, joint surveillance/enforce ment operation target ing Brian Chadwick Jeffcoat of Lee County, GA. Also present were investigators/agents with the Albany-Dougherty Special Investigative Unit (formerly ADDU), Georgia Bureau of Investigation South western Regional Drug Enforcement Office (GBI SWRDEO), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Investigators previously received information that Jeffcoat was distrib uting methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Lee County and Dougherty County area. Investi gators were aware of Jeffcoat and knew he was under active state and federal probation conditions for prior drug distribution crimes. On November 7, 2023, investigators conducted surveillance on Jeffcoat and located him in his vehicle near the entrance of the Coun try Inn Suites on Notting ham Way in Albany, GA. There, investiga tors made contact with Jeffcoat and conducted a probable cause search of his vehicle where they located distribution quantities of metham phetamine and fentanyl. Investigators conducted a subsequent search of Jeffcoat’s person and hotel room where they located addition al smaller amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Jeffcoat was arrested and charged with trafficking meth amphetamine and trafficking fentanyl. A federal grand jury later indicted Jeffcoat as it relates to this investigation. On May 23, 2024, Jeffcoat appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Louis Sands at the federal courthouse in Alba ny, GA for sentencing in this case. Jeffcoat was sentenced to 262 months imprisonment, followed by 8 years of supervised release (federal proba tion). Jeffcoat was also sentenced to an addi tional 24 months of im prisonment regarding a probation revocation due to being on supervised release at the time of the November 7 incident. Jeffcoat received a total sentence of 286 months in federal prison as a re sult of this investigation. This case was pros ecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Geor gia, Albany Division. Sheriff Reggie D. Rachals would like to thank everyone in- Homeownership is within your reach, even if you don't have much to put toward a down payment. GCB has you covered with low mortgage insurance premiums. Contact us to get a quote today! Georgia Community Bank 3000 N. Slappey Blvd. (229) 446-0102 Online @ GCB.bank NMLS # 648124 Subject tO Member credit approval. FDIC | Lsi To Subscribe Call 229-759-2413 Brian Chadwick Jeffcoat volved in this case for their hard work and dedication to fighting the scourge of illegal narcotics in our area. This case showcases the importance of teamwork and interagency cooper ation.
