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VOL. 115 NO. 8 August 25, 2021 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS Crews respond to early morning truck fire -Joe Brady Millen News Editor North Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Millen Fire Department received an early morning call Friday, regarding an 18-wheeler on fire.. According to authorities, Daniel Holdeman, a driver for Howard Sheppard, Inc. was travelling north on Highway 17 when he noticed a red light emanating from the back of his truck. Holdeman realized as the red light grew in size that his tires were on fire. Fire crews responded to the accident at approximately 6 a.m. and cleared the scene at 7:10 a.m. The truck was carrying bags of clay and other than hosing down the roadway, no injuries were reported. The truck suffered minor damage. Howard Sheppard, Inc. is a family owned Georgia business employing over 500 people. The company is based in Sandersville, GA and is the largest carrier of kaolin, (photo by T. Fries) Schools close once again due to COVID Commissioner Trade Coney is sworn in by Judge Wanda Burke Monday as she prepares to assume her duties on September 1 as District One Com missioner. (photo contributed) Tracie Coney named as County Commissioner -Joe Brady Millen News Editor To help curtail the spread of Co- vid-19 and its variant, the Jenkins County School System has decided to suspend instruction for two weeks. All schools will be closed from Au gust 23 - September 8. Teachers and staff will return on September 7. Once students return on September 9, it will be on a modified schedule. Students with last names of A-K will report to school on Monday -Tuesday. Students with last names of L-Z will report on Thursday - Friday. Teacher work days will be on Wednesdays. Tara Cooper, JCSS Superintendent says, “we will continue with this sched ule until Oct. 1st, at which time the school system enters fall break from Oct. 4-8. We hope to return to normal schedules on Monday, Oct. 11.” Mrs. Cooper cautions, “please stay home as much as possible to stop the spread of this virus and continue to follow CDC guidelines.” Our neighboring counties of Screven and Burke have also closed schools for a two week period. Screven County schools closed to stu dents August 19 - Labor Day. Burke County schools closed their doors August 16-27. There was no word on the closure of Bulloch or Emanuel County schools as of press time. Jenkins County has had more than 780 confirmed cases since the start of this pandemic in January 2020. The state of Georgia has seen 1,287,667 positive cases since the beginning of the pandemic with a record 22,103 deaths. -Joe Brady Millen News Editor The Jenkins County Board of Commissioners have named Tracie Coney to complete the unexpired term of District 1 Commisioner Cynthia McNeely. Ms. McNeely passed away last month, leaving the majority on her third term vacant. Mrs. Tracie Coney will serve the 3 'A years left of McNeely’s term before she can run for her own temi. Tracie has deep roots in Millen and moved here at a young age. She is the daughter of Eva and the late Johnny Smith and a 1993 graduate of JCHS. She and her husband, Robert Coney, Jr. have three children, who all attended Jenkins County public schools. Tracie is the current Site Director for Ashland Online University at CoreCivic. “Previously I was the GED instructor at the prison, I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives,” she explained. She has been in education seven years and holds a Bachelors degree in Math from Georgia Southern University herself. “I have never been in public office but I hope to make a difference,” she added. Tracie was recommended to the Commission because of her dedication to her community and the inspiration she has been to countless others in her district. “I plan on canvassing my district and talking with my constituents, to address their issues. I know District 1 has drainage and blighted property issues that hopefully we can work together to solve. I believe we all want to take pride in our community and together we can do so.” Commissioner Coney will hit the ground running. There are countless workshops and training classes for her to attend as well as hard work in her district. “I’m not afraid to voice my opinion and I’m up for the job,” she said. She will assume her duties on September 1 and her first Commisioners meeting will be September 14 at 4 p.m. in the County chambers. The public is invited to attend. School Board Reschedules August Meeting -Joe Brady themillennews@gmail.com The Jenkins County Board of Education has resched uled the August 30,2021 monthly meeting due to CO VID precautions. The meeting has been set for Monday, September 20,2021 .This will be the first meeting since the untimely demise of long time Board member and Chairman Danny Bennett. The BOE meetings are open to the public and are held the last Monday of the month at the central office. iwicesihcmoaSMwaieiiESRIusffiVATIEee'uaiwarraTORiaKtaiieEffiiiiganaiiaqi^