Newspaper Page Text
(Ktr JHtllctt Nctas
VOL. 116 NO. 40 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 * 750
calls in
MPD
CAROL McLEOD
Associate Editor
Millen police officers responded
to a report of a disorderly person at
the Dollar General Store during the
evening of Sunday, April 2.
MPD Sgt. Tony Taylor said the
suspect, later identified as Andrew
Dean Wilson, 44, was seen by officers
damaging products inside the store.
“As officers attempted to approach
Wilson, he fled on foot but fell,” Tay
lor said in a statement.
“As they attempted to arrest Wilson,
he brandished and threatened officers
with a knife. Wilson again fled across
East Winthrope Avenue into an aban
doned house, where he barricaded
himself inside,” Taylor said.
Officers set up a perimeter around
the house, requested additional of
ficers and attempted to make contact
with Wilson through the broken win
dows and doors to try to get him to
leave the house. When their efforts
were unsuccessful, the Burke County
SWAT was requested. They entered
the building and removed Wilson
without further incident.
Wilson, whose last known address
was Sylvania, was examined and
treated at the scene for superficial
injuries by Jenkins County EMS and
transported to the Jenkins County Jail.
Wilson is charged with aggravated
assault on a police officer and ob
struction of an officer. Each charge
is a felony.
Although the investigation into the
initial incident is ongoing, Taylor said
no additional charges are anticipated.
Easter Sunrise Services
at
Big Buckhead Baptist Church
Easter Sunrise Services will be held at Big Buckhead Baptist Church 7
a.m. April 9th. Plans include music by a men’s quartet of Burkeland Men-
nonite Church and a dialogue “On the Road to Emmaus” by two ministers.
Though the church was damaged by a fallen tree, the interior was not af
fected. The public is encouraged to attend.
NAPA changes ownership
DEBORAH BENNETT
Millen News Editor
For sixty-six years Walter Bragg has
been a familiar face at the local NAPA
auto parts store on Gray Street. This
past Saturday, Mr. Bragg turned own
ership of the business over to Sawyer
Collins. Mr. Collins’ prior employer
was Howard Farms.
Mr. Bragg began working for NAPA
in 1957 and eventually bought the
business from J.P. Redding in 1986.
“I have always been at NAPA,” Mr.
Bragg said of his longevity with the
company.
And, for him, his presence there has
been more than just that of running a
business.
“I’ve enjoyed the customers who
come in everyday the most - and the
paycheck, too,” he jokes.
“We even have a ‘prayer bench’ for
the regulars - Junior Joyner, Charlie
Wasden and others,” he added.
Mr. Bragg also recalled several
employees who worked with him at
NAPA through the years who passed
away while doing so - Harry Den
ham, Mark Bowers, H.T. Clifton and
Joe Law.
Changes have occurred through
the years, but the store still has the
feeling of stepping back in time when
customers walk through the doors.
Numerous shelves hold various auto
parts as they have done for years, and
if the walls could talk - the stories
they would tell!
Mr. Bragg says he expects to
continue to have a “presence” at the
business.
“I expect I will take up a spot on
that prayer bench a few days a week,”
he said.
Mr. Bragg expressed his apprecia
tion for all of the customers who sup
ported the business through the years
and urged them to support the new
owner as well.
Mr. Collins invites NAPA custom
ers to visit the store, join Mr. Bragg
on the bench, and while he takes care
of their auto parts needs, tell a few
stories. The walls maybe listening,
but they’re not talking!
From left, Walter Bragg, retiring owner of NAPA, is shown with his wife, Velma
Bragg, and new owner, Sawyer Collins.
Millen native wins first in baking contest
CAROL McLEOD
Associate Editor
Lazar Oglesby, a native of Millen
and owner of Honey Specialties, has
taken first place in Baked Goods for her
Honey’s Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
at an annual Taste of Georgia contest
sponsored by the University of Georgia.
(UGA)
“We entered this competition six or
seven years in a row,” Oglesby said.
“We never made it to the ‘Final 3’ until
this year. We did place in the top three in
2018 with our Savory Pimento Cheese
Cheesecake.”
This specific contest is the Product
Contest sponsored by UGA’s College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sci
ences.
“I was surprised and pleased to place
in the top three,” she said.
“To win was a dream and something
I can check off my business bucket list.
I was honored to be in a room with so
many other small business owners in the
food industry. I know the hard work and
dedication it takes to create a product and
be competitive in larger markets.”
This recognition, while important to
Oglesby, does not mean she’s ready to
rest on her laurels. She plans to enter the
Garden and Gun Made in the South Awards
later this year.
“We have created over 100 cheesecake
flavors in the last 11 years in business. I
want to keep things fresh and fun! My
motto is anything that tastes great alone
tastes better in cheesecake,” she said.
Oglesby started her business venture
in Millen more than 10 years ago with
Honey Cafe. She closed that restaurant
but continues her catering business, Honey
Catering in the city as well as opening
two restaurants, Honey Too and Dolan’s
Barbecue, in Statesboro.
Oglesby co-owns these restaurants with
her sister Mary Beth Brown.
“I’m so thankful for everyone who has
purchased our products and supported our
business. I can’t say thank you enough,”
she said.
To contact Honey Specialties, the um
brella name for all of Oglesby’s businesses,
visit her website at honeycatering.com.
At right, Lazar Oglesby, owner of
Honey Specialities, is shown with her
first place entry in the Taste of Georgia
contest sponosred by the University of
Georgia.