Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 106, NO. 3, AUGUST 5, 2009
LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY
MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
More local children are living in poverty
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
More local children arc living
in poverty, according to a report
recently released by the Annie
E. Casey Foundation. The 2009
Kids Count Data Book compiles
information on child well-being
and ranks states based on 10
factors. Statistics on individual
states are then broken down by
counties.
Statistics for Jenkins County
reveal that the number of the
children living in poverty has
increased from 32.1 percent in
2003 to 37.7 percent in 2007.
On the state level. 19.8 percent
of Georgia’s children were re
ported living in poverty in 2007.
This was down from 20.3 per
cent in 2006.
An associated statistic, the
rise in the number of unem
ployed in the county, was ex
pected. Jenkins County has con
sistently ranked number one and
number two in unemployment
statewide since the closings of
the Jockey International and
M.I. Home Products plants. Un
employment was reported as
having risen from 5.8 percent in
2004 to 14.8 percent in 2008.
The rate for June 2009 was 20.7
percent. The state’s 2008 unem
ployment rate was reported to be
6.8 percent, an increase from the
4.7 percent in 2007.
On a brighter note, a decrease
in the number of substantiated
incidents of local child abuse
and/or neglect was reported. The
number of substantiated cases
fell from the highest of 110 in
2000 to 77 for 2007. The state
also made a significant stride in
the area, with number of cases
falling from 16.1 percent in
2006 to 13.7 in 2007.
Pam Brown, Jenkins County
Family Enrichment Center
(JCFEC) noted that the number
of local substantiated child
abuse and/or neglect cases for
2008 continued to decline, fall
ing to only 30. Lack of supervi
sion was the top type of abuse/
neglect substantiated, and emo
tional abuse was the second
highest. Four out of 10 cases in
volved substance abuse, and
four out of six cases involved
domestic violence. These 2008
facts were somewhat surprising,
she said.
“In past years, inadequate
food, shelter, clothing has been
the second highest substantiated
type of abuse/neglect. It is inter
esting that in a county that had
the highest rate of unemploy
ment in the state for several
quarters, inadequate food, shel
ter. clothing did not continue to
be one of our two highest forms
of abuse (for 2008). Prevent
Child Abuse Jenkins attributes
this to the Department of Fam
ily and Children Services’
(DFCS) ability to now work less
severe reports for 30 days as a
Diversion. This enables DFCS
to support families by making
referrals to needed services so
that families can meet their
children’s needs. Also, the avail
ability of resources offered
through JCFEC Resource Cen
ter enables some families to
meet the basic needs of their
children before the family
reaches a crisis and DFCS inter
vention is needed,’’ she said.
Progress has also been made
in the number of students who
graduate from high school on
time. Only 54.5 percent did so
in 2004 while 72.3 percent
graduated on time in 2008.
Statewide, the percentage rose
from 72.3 percent in 2006 to
75.4 percent in 2007. In 2004,
only 65.4 percent of the state’s
students graduated from high
school on time.
The local improvement can be
attributed to two programs,
among other things. Jenkins
County High School (JCHS) ini
tiated “Eagle Academy” and a
credit-recovery program to help
more students graduate on time.
Dr. Joey Kirkland, JCHS prin
cipal, recently commented.
"Due to budget cuts last school
year, the system was forced to
shut down our Eagle Academy,
which is an academic alternative
school. This program would
have helped more students to
graduate on time. I am very
pleased with the board's recent
decision to reinstate the Eagle
Academy for this coming school
year. We will see our graduate
rate rise again.”
Overall, the report indicated
that the health and well-being of
Georgia’s children is among the
worst in the nation. The state
ranked below the national aver
age on nine of 10 indicators and
was in the bottom 10 states on
five.
The entire report can be
viewed online at http://
www. aecf. org/kidscount.
REPAIRS BEGIN SOON
Courthouse
gets a
face-lift
The dome of the Jenkins County Court
house will soon get a “face-lift” as part of a
renovation/repair project recently approved
by the Jenkins County Commissioners. In
preparation for the dome repairs, scaffolding
is currently being erected with the actual
work expected to begin sometime in the near
future. (Photo contributed)
Four charged in
burglaries of two
local businesses
The Millen Police Department has arrested three juveniles
and one adult in connection with the July 16 burglary of the
New and Used Bargain Store on Harvey Street. Alton Marcella
Williams Jr., 17, and the three juveniles have all been charged
with burglary.
At approximately 1 a.m. on July 16, the four entered the busi
ness by breaking out the front glass. Items taken include nine
iPods and one digital camera. These items were not recovered.
The four were also charged with an attempted burglary at the
Rocker Supply lumber yard. In an unsuccessful attempt to steal
a golf cart, extensive damage was done to the rear gate of the
lumber yard.
Two of the juveniles were taken to Augusta RYDC where
they remained detained following a detention hearing July 27.
The other juvenile was released to his legal custodian pending
court action. Williams remains incarcerated at the Jenkins
County Jail.
VFW honors local
commander
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States
announced recently that Byron Scogins of Millen has achieved
“All American” status as a post com
mander.
Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner
said, “Scogins, Commander of Post 2776
in Millen, is one of only 198 VFW Post
Commanders world-wide selected for the
All American Post Commander. The cri
teria for this honor are based on outstand
ing achievement in membership growth
and participation in other VFW programs
that benefit veterans and their communi
ties. The title of All American Com
mander is one of the most prestigious
honors given by our organization.”
The VFW of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans’ service organi
zation composed of combat veterans and those who currently
serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Founded in
1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936. the VFW is the
nation’s largest organization for war veterans and is one of its
oldest veterans’ organizations.
BYRON
SCOGINS
Massage Works opens
The Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored a ribbon-cutting
ceremony for Massage Works by Vanessa, located in the One Body Fitness Gym on Cotton
Avenue. Owner, Vanessa Posey, is a licensed massage therapist. Shown during the ceremony
are, from left, Paula Herrington, chamber executive director; Clay Boulineau, chamber
director; Jewell Dixon; Vanessa Posey, owner; Robbie Coleman; Delylia Posey; Jessica
Samson; Sunny Posey; and Lamar Faircloth, City of Millen manager. Hours are by ap
pointment only. For appointments call (478) 494-5895. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)
New hair salon cuts the ribbon
The Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored a ribbon cutting
ceremony for J.D.’s Hair Salon, located on Cotton Avenue. Participating were, from left,
Paula Herrington, chamber executive director; Lasharett Wilkerson, J.D.’s Hair Salon;
Lucretia D. Davis, owner; Lorando Evan, chamber; and Art Johnson, chamber director.
The hours of operation are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 6 a.m. -1 p.m.,
Saturday. For appointments, call (478) 982-3823. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)