Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 106, NO. 15, OCTOBER 28, 2009
LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY
MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
Fall is in the air!
This display at Magnolia Springs State Park north of Millen calls attention to the changing of the seasons and welcomes
visitors to the park. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)
Public asked not to visit JCH
Officials at the Jenkins
County Hospital (JCH) are re
questing the public’s coopera
tion with their efforts to protect
patients from any exposure to
the H1N1 (Swine) flu virus and
have issued the following Pub
lic Health Announcement from
hospital Administration and In
fection Control.
"For your protection and the
protection of our patients, we
would like to encourage you to
not enter the hospital to visit
patients or employees unless it
is absolutely necessary. These
precautions are necessary to
limit any exposure to the Swine
Flu Virus and are recommended
by the Jenkins County Health
Department. You may call the
patient by telephone or speak
with the nursing staff to check
on their well-being. Your coop
eration is very important and
will be greatly appreciated un
til the swine flu virus is no
longer considered a public
health threat. Repeat, please do
not enter the hospital to visit pa
tients unless it is absolutely nec
essary.”
It was also noted that the
World Health Organization has
the level of threat from the vi
rus at the Global Pandemic
level, and the hospital is simply
trying to “protect the citizens of
our community and our pa
tients.”
County ranked
second in
unemployment
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
After months of consistently holding the highest unemploy
ment rate in the state, Jenkins County dropped to second place,
19.8, for the month of August, behind Warren County which
had a 20.3 rate. Jenkins County’s July rate was 21.5.
Statistics released by the Georgia Department of Labor indi
cate that 535, or 20 percent, of the county’s 2,701 labor force
remain unemployed. However, initial unemployment claims
dropped from 178 in August to 63 in September.
Following Jenkins County in the August rankings were Cof
fee County with a 16.5 rate; Telfair County, 15.8; and Spalding
County, 15.4.
The rankings of surrounding counties for August were as
follows: Bulloch, 8.8; Burke, 12.4; Candler, 9.0; Emanuel, 10.4;
and Screven, 13.4. The state’s unemployment rate for the month
of August was 10.2, and the nation’s rate was 9.6.
There is a bit of good news concerning the local job market.
The Jenkins County Development Authority recently an
nounced that Doctor’s Hospice of Georgia, Inc. has signed a
Letter of Intent to purchase property for the location of a hos
pice hospital in Millen. The facility will employ 50-60 persons
when it begins operations.
Also, there are efforts underway to locate a 1,000 bed prison
in Jenkins County by the Corrections Corporation of America.
If successful, the facility will employ approximately 200 per
sons initially. A decision on this project is expected within the
next few weeks.
New business opens in Millen
The Millen-Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Davis Auto Repair,
617 Highway 25 South. Participating were, from left, first row: Lamar Faircloth, City of Millen Manager; Paula Herrington,
chamber executive director; Shawn Lancaster; Skyler Davis; Brad Davis, owner; and Clay Boulineau, chamber director;
and second row: Charles Black, Sherry Black, Ruth Davis, Amber Lancaster, Bradley Black, Barbara Davis, Chandler
Cates and Albert Davis. The business is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The telephone
number is 982-2400. (Staffphoto by Deborah Bennett)
City election to
be held Nov. 3
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
City of Millen voters in Ward #1 will go to the polls Tues
day, Nov. 3, to cast their ballots in a General Election to name
a representative on Millen City Council. All voting will take
place at the City of Millen Municipal Building (city hall) with
the polls being open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Candidates for the position are incumbent Walter Thomas
and challenger Walter Herrington.
Since candidates for council seats inWard #2, Jane Johnson,
and Ward #3, incumbent James Ford, are unopposed, it will
not be necessary to hold an election in those wards.
In the event of a Run-off Election, it will be held Dec. 1.
For additional information, contact Wanda Burke, election
superintendent, at 982-5581.
Harvest of Fun to
be held Saturday
The annual Harvest of Fun Festival, sponsored by Millen
Better Hometown and Millen/Jenkins County Chamber of
Commerce, will be held 6-9 p.m. this Saturday at the Jenkins
County Recreation Department. Children, up to age 12, are
invited to enjoy free games, activities and prizes sponsored by
local merchants, civic groups and churches.
A popular activity of the evening is the costume contest.
Judging will be in three categories: 6:15 p.m., ages 0-4; 6:30
p.m., ages 5-7; 6:45 p.m., ages 8-12; 7 p.m., adults. Overall
first, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each
category.
This year’s event will feature a new activity, the traditional
“Trick or Treat.” Anyone who would like to participate should
decorate the trunk of their vehicle from which they may dis
tribute candy to children attending the festival.
The success of this event depends on the participation of
civic groups, businesses, churches and individuals who pro
vide games for the children or who make candy or monetary
donations. Any group who wishes to support the project should
call Beth Collins at 982-3336, or the chamber office at 982-
5595 to volunteer or for more information.
Attendees at the Harvest of Fun are requested to not bring
pets, skateboards or bicycles.
BOE honors Jean Gay as Teacher of the Year
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
The Jenkins County Board of
Education (BOE) recognized
one of its own during the group’s
Oct. 12. Jean Gay, system-wide
Teacher of the Year, was pre
sented with a Teacher of the Year
ring in recognition of her
achievement.
Gay, a math teacher at Jenkins
County High School (JCHS),
has been employed by the local
school system since 1994. She
was chosen STAR teacher at
David Emanuel Academy and
has received the honor twice
during her 14 years at JCHS. She
holds a bachelor of science de
gree in Computer Science from
the University of Georgia and
received her Level T-4 teaching
certification in Middle Grades
Education and Secondary Math
Education from Georgia South
ern University.
“You epitomize an excellent
teacher,” commented Jenkins
County School Superintendent
Melissa Williams during the pre
sentation.
JCHS was also recognized for
having been named the regional
Class 3A winner in the
Governor’s Cup program. As a
regional winner, JCHS received
a regional champion trophy and
a $1,000 grant. Regional win
ners are recognized for having
the largest numerical improve
ment in SAT scores among
schools in their Georgia High
School Association (GHSA) re
gion.
In other business. Superinten
dent Williams reported that the
Jenkins County Middle School
(JCMS) Leadership Council had
written a letter to Mayor King
Rocker requesting that he look
into the feasibility of painting a
crosswalk on Barney Avenue
between the JCHS/JCMS build
ing and the Jenkins County Ag
riculture Center, noting that nu
merous students cross the busy
street to attend various activities
at the agriculture center.
Superintendent Williams re
ported that enrollment in the lo
cal school system was up one
student from the previous month
for a total enrollment of 1,515.
Enrollment at the three schools
was reported as follows: JCHS,
422; JCMS, 318; and Jenkins
County Elementary (JCES), 775.
Several personnel issues were
approved by the BOE as fol
lows: resignations of the JCES
Food Service Manager and
JCHS assistant varsity baseball
coach were accepted; four full
time bus driver positions were
approved; two substitute bus
driver positions were approved;
and additions to the Substitute
Teacher List and School Food
Service substitutes were ap
proved.
From left, Jenkins County School Superintendent Melissa
Williams presents Jean Gay, system-wide Teacher of the
Year, with a ring in recognition of her achievement. (Staff
photo by Deborah Bennett)