About The Millen news. (Millen, Jenkins County, Ga.) 1903-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2024)
themillennews.com The Millen News Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Page 3 JCES to offer mentoring program DEBORAH BENNETT Millen News Editor Jenkins County Elemen tary School (JCES) is offering a new mentoring program for students in grades K-3. The program is led by MEN TOR Georgia at the Univer sity of Georgia and is funded by the Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy. The purpose of the program is to help communities prepare volunteers to support literacy development among children through supportive, caring relationships as mentors. A $52,250 grant will allow UGA to bring the total number of communities utilizing the literacy mentoring program to six by summer 2025. “Supportive relationships and the ability to read are among the most foundational building blocks of a happy, healthy life,” said Leslie Hale, executive director of MEN TOR Georgia and the creator of the literacy mentoring concept. School Superintendent Dr. John Paul Hearn announced the new program last week. JCES is asking for volunteers who will be will be assigned a stu dent with whom they will meet one hour per week, during the school year, to read together and engage in games that sup port reading literacy develop ment. Requirements include filling out an application, a background check for which the school will pay, 4-hours of training, and a weekly com mitment of one hour a week. You may request a paper ap plication at the school or go online at https://forms,gle/ gfcYeMfM8VdE7Ju56. Anyone desiring to make a positive impact on JCES students and help create a love for reading is encouraged to volunteer. For more information, con tact Renee Hearn or Katie Tay lor at 478-982-5503 or email them at reneeheam@jchs.com or katietaylor @jchs.com Regions Grant to fund Homeownership Workshop The Millen Georgia Initia tive for Community Housing (GICH) team is the recipient of a $2,500 grant from Regions Bank. The grant will be used to fund a homeownership work shop. The Homeownership 101: “Be a Good Neighbor” workshop is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 20,2025. “This generous donation will help ensure the event is a suc cess, providing resources, din ner and incentives for attend ees,” said Mandy Underwood, Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce/Development Au thority Executive Director. “The workshop will offer a unique opportunity for hom eowners to connect with local professionals, learn practical tips, and build stronger com munity ties.” The workshop will focus on scheduled maintenance and long-term property care. Local experts, including representa tives from banks, insurance agencies, home inspection services, plumbers, and other homeownership vendors will be present to discuss services and their importance as related to home homeownership. Mark your calendars, and plan to attend. For more infor mation, contact Mandy Under wood at the Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce office, 478-982-5595. Georgia Power hiking rates next month DAVE WILLIAMS Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service Georgia energy regulators [lave signed off on a 3.5% rate increase for customers of Georgia Power. Members of the state Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved the increase Tuesday, which will raise average residential cus tomer bills by $5.48 per month. The rate hike is the latest of a series of increases the PSC has granted Georgia Power during the last couple of years that have raised monthly bills by more than $40. Two of those rate hikes were associated with the completion of two new nuclear reactors at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle. The second of those new units went into full commercial op eration last spring. Another rate increase the commission approved in May of last year was to help offset rising fuel costs. While Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald voted for the latest rate increase, he ques tioned the timing of Georgia Power's request, just as inflated food and gasoline prices are beginning to come down. "We need (to do) everything we can to hold down rate in creases ... and give America a chance to breathe again," Mc Donald said when the proposed rate hike came before the PSC's Energy Committee last week. Brandon Marzo, a lawyer representing Georgia Power, told commissioners the Atlan ta-based utility sympathizes with McDonald's position but that the rate hike is necessary. "The investments related to this ... are being made and have been made," Marzo said. The rate increase will take effect Jan. 1. Magnolia Springs State Park to offer First Day Hike Magnolia Springs State Park will join parks all across the country as people welcome 2025 with an inspirational “First Day Hike” on New Year’s Day. Georgia’s State Park and Historic Site rang ers are offering more than 70 guided adventures where participants can connect with friends, family, and the great outdoors. Visitors can choose from a variety of distances and difficulties, from kid-friendly HB581 from the millage equivalent calculated to provide the juris diction with the same net pro ceeds from the current year’s net taxable tax digest value. Each taxpayer’s property tax bill must clearly state the dollar amount by which the property tax has been reduced as a result oftheFLOST. Should the school board of a county opt out of the FLOST, counties, and cities can still levy the tax as long as all other requirements are met. Schools generally cannot receive rev enues from sales taxes other than the ESPLOST or existing constitutional amendments. So, a constitutional amendment would be required authorizing the school districts to receive a strolls to heart-pumping treks and wheelchair accessible trails. Participants will go home with a First Day Hikes sticker to commemorate their accomplishment as part of this nationwide movement. First Day Hikes is a national initiative from America’s State Parks that encourages people to get outside and explore na ture. It began more than three decades ago, and all 50 states have participated. Continued from front share in the FLOST. Should a city or county opt out of the FLOST it may be come eligible to levy the tax in the future through an eligible homestead exemption put in place by the Local Act of the General Assembly. If a governing body passes on the FLOST and their leg islative delegation does not approve the renewal or does not renew it, then the most likely outcome is an increase in millage rates. HB581 is intended to pro vide property tax relief for the state’s taxpayers without placing an excessive burden on governing bodies from the loss of revenue. Magnolia Springs State Park is offering First Day Hike: Camp Lawton Trail 2-3 p.m. on Jan. 1st. The hike will go up to the Earth Works of the 160-year-old Civil War Earthen Fort. Hikers will learn the his tory of the site from one of the Park Rangers. After the short hike, the group will take a trip to the Museum to learn more about the park’s history. $5 parking applies. For more information, call the park office at 478-982- 1660. For park guests who want to celebrate a quiet New Year’s Eve surrounded by fresh air, Georgia’s State Parks offer cozy cabins, heated yurts and MAGNOLIA SPRINGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturday, Dec. 28 Camp Lawton Guided Tour - 10-10:45 a.m. Gather at Camp Lawton History Center for a guided tour of historic Camp Lawton. Admission to the History Center is included. $5 plus $5 parking. Hand-Dipped Candles -11-12 p.m. Join us at Camp Lawton History Center and learn how to make an old-fashioned hand- dipped candle. Registration is required in advance. $3 plus $5 parking. Grinch Archery - 2-3 p.m. Learn archery from a certified instructor with all equipment provided. Then, take on your Grinch name and see how many Christmas balloons you can pop. This is fun practice for experienced archers as well. Meet at the archery range. $10 plus $5 parking. Wednesday, Jan. 1 1st Day Hike: Camp Lawton Trail - 2-3 p.m. Join us on the 1st Day Hike up to the Earth Works of a 160-year-old Civil War Earthen Fort. Hikers will get to learn the history of the site from one of the park rangers. After the short hike, we will take a trip to the museum to learn more about the park’s history for $5 parking. For more information, contact the park office at 478-982- 1660. LOOKING BACK {this week in Jenkins County history} COMPILED by TARA SASSER 10 YEARS AGO-DECEMBER 22,2014 The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association named Jenkins County High School Cross Country Coach Bobby James as the state’s 2014 “Coach of the Year”. Jenkins County is listed as third in unemployment state wide. First was Chattahoochee County with a rate of 15.9, Telfair County came in 2nd with a rate of 13.4 and Jenkins County hit 3rd with a rate of 13.3. Demolition of the old Cavalier Home Plant 2 buildings is in progress to eventually make way for the new county jail. The Dairy Queen of Millen received the Golden Crown award for outstanding sales in 2013. 25 YEARS AGO-DECEMBER 24,1999 An ornament contest was held at the Jenkins County Middle School. The top four winners were able to show off their ornaments by displaying them on the school’s Christmas tree. Colton Childs, Ashley Dudarenke, Lawandex Williams, and Travis McClain were all winners. Sylvania Ford - Mercury Inc. presented $1,000 worth of toys to the Jenkins County Department of Family and Chil dren Services for the Toys for Tots campaign. Those accept ing on behalf of the department were Pam Brown, Leigh Ann Hendrix, Terri Adams, Shannon Rogers, Cassandra Anthony, Correy Weathersby, and Terri Doss. For the first time in a while, Jenkins County High School held a junior-senior prom. In previous years several private groups held formals, but this year the school kicked off its own prom. Jenkins County Principal Ray Miller stated, “I want to start a prom tradition.” 50 YEARS AGO-DECEMBER 29,1974 This week’s featured Rescue Squad members were an nounced. William Casey Johnson was born in Emanuel County and is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tobe Johnson. He served several years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Billy Bragg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bragg, was bom in Millen. He graduated from Jenkins County High School (JCHS) and South Georgia Technical and Vocational School. Ralph Edwin Crowe Jr., was born in Millen and is the son the Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Crowe Sr. He attended UGA, Brewton Parker College, Southern College, GA Southwestern College, and Gupton - Jones College of Mortuary Science. The JCHS girls’ basketball tournament was held and the best of the girls were selected to play on the team: Linda Childs, Sandra Bass, Donna Lane, Christine Reese, Mary Carter, Bernall Miller, Latrelle Handberry, and Jackie Rob erson. Allied Department Store Christmas Sales were advertised: boys’ and girls’ knot headwear 88 cents (normally $1.39), girls’ body shirts, $1.22 (normal price of $3.99), dresses, $8.97 (regular price $15 and up), ladies briefs, 22 cents, Jr. boys’ windbreakers, $2.66 (normal price $3.99), and ladies’ bedroom slippers, $1.33. GRACE COUNSELING ¥ r — virtual & in-person sessions available Dr. Jon has experience with: ° Relationships ° Marriage ° Individuals o Depression Anxiety Communication 3 Christian development 3 Affair recovery 3 Men’s issues 3 Missionary families 3 Grief and loss 3 Trauma 3 & much more fassociation.com/counselin i Sullivan, Ph. D., HC-BCP, BCCC rd Certified Christian Counselor 417 Walnut St Millen, Ga 30442 Call or text: 478-351-0117 Office open by appointment only HOME IMPROVEMENTS aMTACTUsfoanxm FREE ESTIMATE Ogeechee Unlimited Renovations, LLC Bathroom/Kitchen Remodeling Tile Porches/Decks MORE THAN ^ fl 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE f 1 1-1 1357 ourenovations@gmail.com ANNUAL REPORT 2024 REPORT ON PROJECTS FUNDEDTHROUGH SPECIAL LOCAL OPTION SALESTAX FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,2024 SPIOST N7 PROJECT YEAR APPROVED ORIGINAL ESTIMATED COST 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 2023/2024 2024/2025 TOTAL AMOUNT EXPENDED EXCESS PROCEEDS PROJECT BEHIND SCHEDULE YORN PROJECT UNDERFUNDED JENKINS COUNTY TIER 1 PROJECTS 2018 $900,000.00 $0.00 $170,655.35 $71,145.72 $280,248.19 $318,201.14 $0.00 $840,250.40 N N M PUBUC SAFETY BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT 2018 $395,000.00 $0.00 $36,800.00 $294,057.64 $99,414.22 $169,606.63 $0.00 $599,878.49 N N N 6ENEAAL GOVENRMEMT 2018 $128,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $11,116.82 $29,492.42 $50,591.00 $0.00 $91,200.24 N N N ROADS, BRIDGES, & LANDFILL EQUIPMENT 2018 $1,155,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $10,594.40 $0.00 $13,910.64 $0.00 $24,505.04 N N N ROAD AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS 2018 $95,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 N N N RECREATION DEPARTMENT 2018 $150,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $21,964.40 $7,013.50 $5,500.00 $0.00 $34,477.90 N N N ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2018 $100,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $100,000.00 $0.00 $100,000.00 N N N COUNTY BUILDINGS & EQUIPMENT 2018 $200,000 00 $0.00 $0.00 $35,890.00 $0.00 $18.238 86 $0.00 $54,128.86 N N N CITY OF MILLEN DEPARTMENTAL CAPITAL PROJECT5 2018 $1,197,000.00 $40,007.63 $275,467.17 $292,594.61 $316,014.55 $324,289.71 $0.00 $1,248,373.67 N N N Note: For projects that are behind schedule or underfunded, the annual report must include a statement of what corrective actions the local government plans to implement to address the situation. • The description of the projects should at least contain the details set forth in the ballot upon which they were approved, on the ballot have been completed. 4 Excess proceeds are those proceeds of a SPLOST that remain after all approved SPLOST projects listed •Unaudited Results COME msEh«e+ IP.'.! Sunday - Friday 11:00 am-2:00 pm THE CAFE <)INJ 535 Cotton Ave. Millen, Georgia 30442 (478) 982-3432
