Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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)