About The Millen news. (Millen, Jenkins County, Ga.) 1903-current | View Entire Issue (July 24, 2024)
VOL. 118 NO. 04 Millen, Ga. 30442 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY SINCE 1903 Wednesday, July 24, 2024 « 750 Gov. Kemp announces $10 million for overpass project DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor The overpass project on the Millen By-Pass is on the fast track to becom ing a reality! Gov. Brian Kemp announced on Monday of this week that $10 mil lion for the project is included in the state’s Amended FY 2024 budget. The project is part of a historic $1.5 billion funding for improvements in transportation infrastructure across the state. This funding will advance transportation projects reviewed by the State Transportation Board during its monthly meeting. “Over the last few years, we’ve wel comed unprecedented job creation to all regions of the Peach State, and this funding will ensure our already reli able infrastructure network can meet the needs of that incredible growth.... In the months ahead, hardworking Georgians will see further improve ments to the roads and bridges they drive each day,” commented Gov. Kemp. In December 2023 U.S. Transporta tion Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to Millen and joined state and local leaders in announcing a $12 million federal grant to the Georgia Depart ment of Transportation (GDOT) that will fund the project’s first stage. The grant is part of a new $645 million investment in 18 rural communities as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infra structure Law. It was also announced at that time that the GDOT would provide an ad ditional $3 million in matching funds for the effort. “Local leaders anticipate this ad ditional $10 million, along with the already allocated funding, will cover the cost of the project,” said Mandy Underwood, Executive Director, Jen kins County Development Authority. Delinquent property tax sale is Aug. 6 DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor Property owners in the City of Millen and Jenkins County with de linquent property taxes will have their properties sold at auction on August 6th if they fail to pay their taxes. The sale will take place on the Jenkins County Courthouse lawn beginning at 10 a.m. Jenkins County Tax Commissioner Tina Burke said that as of Tuesday, June 23, there are 17 properties in the city and 32 properties in the county listed for the sale. Property owners may pay their delinquent taxes, in cluding interest and penal ties, up until the auction begins Aug. 6th. SALE Even if the properties ^ are sold on Aug. 6th the Thursday, July 25 The Dairy Queen of Millen is participating in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle (CMNH) Treat Day fundraiser on July 25. All proceeds from the sale of Blizzards on this day will be donated to the CMNH to benefit the Augusta Children’s Hospital. Numerous children from Jenkins County are treated annually at the hospital. Shown during a previous event with their Blizzards are Cierra Royal and Mackenzie Coleman. Stephen Thompson is the recipient of the WJBF television “Salute to Service” award for his work with veterans. Thompson receives WJBF "Salute to Service” award Stephen Thompson, a proud veteran and founder of the United Veterans of Millen (UVOM), was honored last week with the WJBF Channel 6 “Salute to Service” award. It was something Thompson said he never expected to receive but he is very ap preciative of the honor. After graduating high school in 1988, Thompson joined the U.S. Navy where served as a Gunners Mate after completing boot camp and training. He was eventually assigned to the U.S .S. Reasoner and served nine years in the Navy. While in the Navy, Thompson said he met people and forged relation ships that changed his life. The event that ignited his desire to help fellow veterans occurred when he connected with a group of veterans who were walking all over the country. “They were walking to SEE AWARD, 2 Paul Anderson Youth Home Bike Ride stops at Magnolia Springs DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor Riders with the annual Paul Ander son Youth Home (PAYH) Bike Ride stopped at Magnolia Springs State Park in Jenkins County on July 18, and spent the night while on their ap proximate 550-mile trek fundraiser. Twelve riders set out on July 13 from the home in Vidalia, and returned to the home on July 19. Three young men participated in the ride, along with four staff members, and five support staff followed. The PAYH, a fully accredited and licensed recovery program, of fers troubled young men a second chance. The ride celebrates one of the most significant moments in the 63-year history of the organization. In its founding year, 1961, Paul and Glenda Anderson were striving to gain attention to help launch their Chris tian Home as an alternative to youth incarceration, when Paul devised an idea. He hopped on his bicycle in Vidalia and headed for Omaha, Nebraska, 1,200 miles away. As a nationally famous athlete known for his feats of strength, and work as an Olympic goodwill ambassador in the 1950s, Paul’s ride generated media attention and secured needed funds for the home. “I can still remem ber Paul getting on his bicycle and heading for Omaha. It seemed At right, are Danielle Hutcheson, Jack, Jaxon, Michael, Molly Farrow, David Sherrod, and Mac Jordan during a stopover at Magnolia Springs State Park for the Paul Anderson Youth Home Bike Ride. SEE BIKE RIDE, 11
