Newspaper Page Text
Page 2— Wednesday, June 24, 2020, The True Citizen
State, federal agents raid Midville cockfighting ring
DIANA ROYAL
jdianaroyal@gmail.com
A Midville man has received
federal charges following a
raid on his property Saturday
in which a cockfighting event
was discovered.
William Shannon Scott, 48,
is one of almost 200 potential
defendants identified after
two major federal investiga
tions shut down the operation.
Scott’s arrest warrant was un
sealed Monday, June 22, in U.
S. District Court in Statesboro,
after a raid by at least nine
federal and state agencies. Ac
cording to Bobby L. Christine,
U.S. Attorney for the Southern
district of Georgia, 178 were in
attendance.
“Most people in our commu
nity rightly would be shocked
to learn that the barbaric blood-
sport of cockfighting still ex
ists, is happening right in their
midst and may involve numer
ous other types of criminal
activity,” he said. “But thanks
to the outstanding cooperation
and work of our law enforce
ment partners, these cruel
activities and a potential bevy
of other criminal activities
have been dealt a significant
blow in the Southern District
of Georgia.”
Scott was charged with spon
soring or exhibiting an animal
in an animal fighting venture,
and additional charges are
pending.
Saturday’s raid, dubbed Op
eration Sunrise, began with
information developed by the
South Carolina Department
of Public Safety Immigration
Enforcement Unit and led to
an investigation by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Office of the Inspector Gen
eral (USDA-
OIG). That SEE
investigation COCKFIGHT,
identified a e
Blood needed desperately in summer months
Blood centers across the
world showed appreciation for
blood donors this month for
World Blood Donor Day which
was on June 14. Shepeard
Blood Center recognizes their
blood donors as heroes and are
calling on these heroes to help
prevent blood shortages. The
summer months present the
usual challenges for blood col
lections and coupled with the
added obstacles of COVID-19,
the blood supply is danger
ously low.
The blood center is extend
ing an invitation to their Burke
County Community Blood
Drive on Tuesday, June 30.
The drive will be located at
the Wardlow Building, 210
Academy Ave. in Waynesboro
from 2-6 p.m.
According to Jacqueline
Clemmons, recruitment spe
cialist for Shepeard Commu
nity Blood Center, someone
needs blood every two
seconds. “Cancer
patients, trauma
patients and
patients who
need surgery are
all depending on
blood donations,"
she says. “Shepeard
Blood Center
needs consistent
blood donations
so that we can
distribute the
blood to local hos
pitals. One blood donation
can save three lives. Shepeard
needs all blood types, but
especially O positive and O
negative.”
Clemmons went on to say
that people who have attempted
to donate but were deferred
may now have a chance. “The
Food and Drug Adminis
tration has altered
the deferrals
for military
travel, trav
el to areas
where
malaria
is pres
ent and for
tattoos and pierc
ings. Those who are
interested in donating
and were previously
deferred for the afore
mentioned reasons can
contact Shepeard Com
munity Blood Center.”
All donors will receive a
Taco Tuesday t-shirt and a
movie ticket at the Burke
County Community Blood
Drive.
Donors should eat a full meal
before donating, stay hydrated
and get lots of rest the night
before. They must be in good
general health, weigh at least
110 pounds and be at least 17
years old (or 16 with written
parental consent) to donate.
Be sure to bring a photo ID or
Shepeard donor card with you
when you come to donate. All
donors will receive points to
use in Shepeard’s Donor Store
for incentives such as T-shirts
or gift cards.
For more information, con
tact Clemmons at 706-737-
4551 or visit the Shepeard
Community Blood Center
website at Shepeard blood.org.
Mad Anthony's Big Boom
It’s the final countdown and the City of Waynesboro’s
Downtown Development Authority is just $60 away from
hitting its goal for the Mad Anthony’s Big Boom Fireworks
Extravaganza.
According to DDA Director Don Fively, this week’s do
nations brought in another $1,600, sending the grand total
of contributions up to $9,180, just $60 shy of the $9,240
price tag for the show.
Fively says any overage in donations this year will be
set aside to start saving for next year’s show.
“We have been looking forward to this event from the
moment we decided to move forward with it,” Fively said.
“I think everyone needs it, and we welcome our neighbors
in other cities to come enjoy the show with us.”
Mad Anthony’s Big Boom will take place on Friday,
July 3, at Jonathan Broxton Park. Though showtime is at
“dark-thirty,” other events will take place leading up to the
main event. See next week’s True Citizen for full details.
This local fireworks show is fully funded by donations
made by businesses and individuals throughout the county.
THIS WEEK’S DONATIONS:
Burke County Commission
$1,000
Burke Truck and Tractor
$100
Cates Firestone
$300
Stacey and Julie Herrmann
$100
Burke County Women's Club
$100
Total
$$1,600
TOTAL TO DATE: $9,180
GOAL: $9,240
NEEDED: $$60
WANT TO HELP?
City of Waynesboro/DDA c/o Don Lively 628 Myrick
St. Waynesboro, GA 30830. For more information call
706.554.8018 or email dlively@waynesboroga.com.
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706-554-2114 www.mizellford.com Waynesboro, Ga.