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UPta JHtllm Nctos VOL. 116 NO. 47 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, May 24 2023 * 750 Sheriff recovers stolen AT Vs CAROL McLEOD Associate Editor Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby last week announced the recovery of three stolen vehicles. Chief Deputy Wesley Aaron said two Honda 4-wheelers and one side-by-side vehicle were recovered Thursday, May 18. The 4-wheelers had been stolen from inside Jenkins County while the side-by-side had been stolen from the Atlanta area. The East Point Police Department had re leased information about the side-by- side, alerting other law enforcement agencies about the theft. The 4-wheelers were found in Emanuel County; and, the side-by- side was found in Jefferson County. “One of our citizens legitimately bought the side-by-side,” Aaron said, adding that if someone brings a vehicle to the sheriff’s office, a deputy will run the VIN (vehicle identification number) to see if it’s been reported stolen. “Take it to the closest law enforce ment office,” he said. “We have to be in the presence of the vehicle. You can’t just call us.” Aaron said an arrest has been made in this case but declined to identify the suspect at this stage of the inves tigation. “There is a lot going on with this case,” he said. Aaron said the vehicles have report edly been connected to local burglar ies. Items that have been reported stolen during these burglaries include several firearms, miscellaneous tools, coolers and hunting items. “A lot was recovered,” he said. The investigation is continuing; and Aaron said charges in this case will be felonies. Two 4-wheelers that were recovered by the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office are shown. A side-by-side was also recovered. TCHS Class of 2023 Wa. t0 graduate Friday Tiie tradition continues! The Jenkins County High School [JCHS) Class of 2023 assembled on the lawn of the Jenkins County Courthouse on Tuesday for a class photo. The group will assemble again for the last time 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, in the school Performance Gym to receive their diplomas. Each graduate received 2d tickets to give to family and friends. Those attending the event must have a ticket to enter. Parking is available across the street from the gym. Police arrest burglar CAROL McLEOD Associate Editor On May 8, officers of the Mil len Police Department (MPD) responded to Foggy Field Road in Millen to a reported break-in. Sgt. Tony Taylor, an investiga tor with MPD said that “Upon arrival, officers discovered that the victim was able to identify the suspect as Kwmaine Shingleton, a former boyfriend. With further investigation, officers learned that Shingleton entered forcibly through a back window and attacked the victim with her small child present.” Warrants were issued charging Shingleton with burglary in the first degree; aggravated assault; and, cruelty to children in the third Kwmaine Shingleton degree. He was arrested on May 9 and is incarcerated in the Jenkins County Jail pending court action. Millen man dies in 2-vehicle accident DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor Timothy Lewis Johnson of Mil len died from injuries received in a 2-vehicle accident that oc curred around 6:45 a.m. May 17 on U.S. Hwy. 25 North. According to the Georgia State Patrol accident report, Johnson, driving a 1998 Ford Ranger, and Valerie Marie Ramirez of Bruns wick, driving a 2017 Chrysler 300 Limited, were both traveling south on Hwy. 25 in the right-hand lane. Ramirez was traveling behind John son when the front of her vehicle struck Johnson’s vehicle in the rear. Following the initial impact, Ramirez’s vehicle traveled to a final uncontrolled rest in the left-hand lane of the west fog line facing south. Johnson’s vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right before it began to overturn. The vehicle came to a final uncontrolled rest on the driver’s side, facing west. According to the report, Ramirez stated that she was tired and went out for a second. When she looked up, there was a vehicle in front of her and she could not stop. ScotBilt Homes celebrates 386 days with no accidents DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor ScotBilt Homes in Millen has the distinction of being the only plant of Champion Homes’ 42 facilities in the U.S. and Canada to ever have achieved 386 days without any ac cidents or injuries. In recognition of this achievement, employees at the local plant were treated to a luncheon May 17 at the facility. Company officials in attendance included Tod Boone, Operations Manager; Ryan Duke, Service Man ager; Mike Godbee, Safety Director; Chris Miller, Regional Vice-Pres ident; Tom Shudden - Division of Risk Management; Jimmy Johnson, General Manager; and Ryan Boehn, Vice-President Human Resources. During their comments to employ ees company officials praised them for their efforts involving safety and stated that their work had far reaching effects. To emphasize this, Boehn, who resides in Michigan, related how sev eral times he was stopped in stores by strangers who recognized the compa ny logo on the hat that he was wearing. “They would say, ‘I know that com pany. I have a home made by them’, and they begin to tell me how much they enjoy their homes and how well they are made,” he said. “So, you see, you are making a difference.” Tonia Davis is one of those em ployees who have been a part of that “making a difference.” Employed at ScotBilt since December, 2017, she started in the cabinet shop as a supervisor. While the position was a little unusual for a woman, she said that her previous work experience secured the job for her. “I had worked building furniture for aircrafts at a previous job,” she said. Currently, Davis is a Qual ity Control Manager, a posi tion she takes very seriously. “I am the last one in the home. I do the final inspection before it is locked down and goes out on the lot for delivery. I feel that I have a re sponsibility to make sure everything is right with the home,” she said. She also credited her fellow employ ees with making her job easier by do ing their best on their respective jobs. ScotBilt Homes was founded in 2004 by Sam, Sherry, and Greg Scott. The company began operations in Millen in February, 2018 with 20 employees. It was purchased by Champion Homes in March, 2021, and currently has SEE approximately 140 SCOTBUILT, employees. Employ- ^ ment has been as high Ryan Boehn, Vice President Hu man Resources, is shown wearing the company hat that is recognized everywhere he goes. Tonia Davis, Quality Control Man ager, is responsible for putting the final stamp of approval on ScotBilt mobile homes.