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UPta JHtllm Nctas VOL. 116 NO. 45 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, May 10, 2023 * 750 City names code enforcement officer DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor During its monthly meeting Tues day, May 2, City Manager Jeff Brant ley said the city hired a code enforce ment officer, Bryan Budget, a Millen native and business owner. “He started Friday,” Brantley said. Budget, a former Marine, owns a roofing company and serves the com munity as a backup school bus driver. He will be taking training for this new position. Council approved allowing the CSRARegional Commission to write an application for a Community De velopment Block Grant (CDBG) for infrastructure and housing improve ments on the north side of Winthrope Ave. Brantley said the city will not know if the $1.2 million grant is approved until October. Council continued its discussion regarding raising utility fees. “The cost of water testing has gone up,” Brantley said. After a brief discussion about the possible benefit to have an in-house employee who could provide the testing over the continued use of a contractor, Coun cilman Darrell Clifton said he would like the council to review all the city’s expenses. “Look at everything across the board,” he said. “We need to look at everything.” “My concern is that 37 percent of our residents are below the pov erty line; and, this affects them,” said Councilman Dr. Giovanni Shumake. Mayor King Rocker said, “This af fects everybody.” After more discussion, Councilman Ed Fuller suggested tabling the issue and holding a work session. Clifton said the council needs a list of every thing that brings in revenue to the city. Rocker said they would look at the issue next month and call a work session. Utnmeps etnitomiced B9Q Boogie Grand Champion winner - Hunnin’ Lovirs Tin annum BBQ Bwgia, tponuM by ih* JanMns County Chamber of Cmhiihihh^m halt) ait the JtnUn* County Recreation Complex an Saturday. * cook-off contest was held end numanua vendors ware on hand to about off their Winners In the cook-off we re; Grand Champion- HunnliT twins- $1 d 0Mgrand prt»; Chicken - let Place - Butt Naked BBQ - Luke Morrta, 2nd Mace - Hunnln' Loulnt - Brandon IteEJwean, and 3rd Place - Papa Robte BBQ - Rob Oops* Pork - 1at Place - Beer and Bonaa - Chad Buaby h 2nd Place - Road Kill Grill - George Saxon, and Sad Place - Hunnin 1 Lnvlna - Brandon McEluean; Rlbe-1 at Place- Bryant Brother RBQ,2nd Place - Baer and Bona* - Chad Buaby, and 3rd Place - Hunnln' Lwins - Biandon McEtaan; Sauce - 1*1 Place - Bryant Brother BBC, 2nd Plena - Butt naked BBQ - Luka llorrie, and 3rd Plane - Up In Brook* - Richard Stidona; and Geeaart - let Piece - Sera Jo Britt, 2nd Place - Sara Jo Brtu, and 3rd Place - Helen Taylor WHO ends pandemic - effects Unger DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor The World Health Organization (WHO) reported last week that Co- vid-19 is no longer a global public health emergency, and the U.S. is set to end its Covid declaration on Thursday of this week. But, for many people their experiences over the past three years are something they will never forget. Annelle Dickey had the distinction of being the first person in Jenkins County to have tested positive for Co vid-19 at the onset of the pandemic in January, 2020. Within a few days, her husband, Melvin also tested positive. “It all started when Melvin had to go to a hospital in Augusta for a procedure. We were in the crowded waiting room for awhile before they took him back. And, that is the only place we had been. So, we know that is where we picked it up,” Mrs. Dickey said. Mr. Dickey was hospitalized for several days with the virus while Mrs. Melvin and Annelle Dicke Dickey was in bed at home. They didn’t go anywhere, they said, relying upon their three daughters to bring them whatever they needed. And, after they had recovered, they still remained at home. Today, the Dickeys still mostly stay home, not from fear of Covid, but due to other health issues that limit their Susan Myers holds a photo of her self and husband, Tommy Myers. mobility. Mrs. Dickey, a talented artist, stays SEE busy creating beauti- PANDEMIC, ful paintings, and Mr. 3 Sheriff’s deputies involved in vehicle/foot chase DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor Deputies of the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a brief vehicle and foot chase April 20 that resulted in the arrest of Zy’kece Alford, 17. The incident began when a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a red Ford Crown Victoria driven by Alford which was being operated without a proper tag. The vehicle led deputies on the chase before becom ing stuck. At this point the driver ex ited and fled, initiating a foot pursuit. Alford was apprehended in the area of East Winthrope Avenue and B&T Fresh Market. He was identified and transported to the Jenkins County Jail without incident. Alford is charged with the follow ing: fleeing or attempting to elude police officer; (misdemeanor) ob struction of an officer; failure to stop Zy-kece Alford at stop sign, three counts; failure to drive within single lane/maintain lane; reckless driving; child restraint, three counts; failure to register vehicle/no tag; no insurance; improper left turn and no driver’s license. Area law enforcement officers pass range test Jenkins County Deputies Gerald Graham and Sterling Boyett manipulate a reload drill during the pistol qualification course. CAROL McLEOD Associate Editor Sgt. Tony Taylor, a training officer with the Millen Police Department, put area law enforcement officers through their paces when conducting an annual test April 25 and April 26. The test allowed officers to demon strate their ability to hre a variety of weapons. Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby said there was a twist to the qualifying test this time. “They had turning targets this time. That’s dif ferent,” he said. “We go to Screven County,” Taylor said, adding Screven County’s sher iff’s office received a grant to buy the system. “It puts a little more stress on the course; and, that’s what we’re look ing for.” The qualification process is required every year by the Peace Officer Stan dards and Training Council (POST). “Officers from the following agen cies, Millen Police Department, Jen kins County Sheriff’s Office, Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania Po lice Department, Hiltonia Police De partment, Sardis Police Department, Twin City Police Officers, Midville Police Department and Newington Police Department took part in the yearly event. Officers were afforded the opportunity to qualify with service weapons, back-up weapons, patrol rifles, shotguns as well as shooting in low light conditions,” Taylor said. “Everybody from the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office qualified and passed,” Oglesby said. “We didn’t have any problems.” In all, approximately 80 officers were qualified with their various weapons.