The Dodge County News

Kencoa Group, LLC, a strategic aerospace holdings company, announced on September 15, 2017 that it has completed the acquisition of Heart of Georgia Metal Crafters, LLC (HGMC), an Eastman based tier-1 supplier of precision machined and sheet metal fabricated components for the aerospace industry. The acquisition was effective January 1, 2017 and moving forward, the company will be officially conducting business as Kencoa Aerospace, LLC.

HGMC began serving customers in 1998 with a vision of manufacturing advanced fabricated components for the aerospace industry and serving as an economic development driver for the Middle Georgia community of Eastman-Dodge County. Over that time, the company forged many long-term partnerships with customers such as Boeing Defense and Space, Lockheed Martin, Gulfstream Aerospace and many others requiring creative solutions, on-time service and quality excellence.

Commenting on the acquisition, Kencoa Aerospace President and native of Georgia, Jason Premo said, “As part of Kencoa Group, we are now able to further advance the vision to achieve even greater opportunities for our employees, community and most importantly, our customers. We intend to enhance and expand these relationships by further investing in our people, capabilities and capacity, providing even greater added value and extraordinary service.”

Kencoa Aerospace also collaborated with Georgia Economic Development to explore available incentive programs and has committed to adding 100 new jobs over a four-year period, in addition to $2 million in capital investment. At the time of this release, the company is ahead of schedule, having already hired 16 new employees and installed over $1.6 million in new advanced manufacturing equipment.

“Kencoa Aerospace has unlocked an incredible opportunity to capitalize on Georgia’s strong manufacturing and aerospace industries,” said GDEcd Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Aerospace products are the number one export from Georgia, and our leadership position in this sector will help maintain a competitive edge in the global market. I look forward to the success Kencoa will have in Dodge County.”

By Russ Ragan
The Dodge Middle School Lady Warriors softball team got some games in recently around the rough weather that we had lately. Dodge recorded three big region wins. They whipped Dublin after a 17-run first inning, in a 24-2 win.
They recorded 11-3 wins over both Vidalia and Swainsboro. Here are the stat rundowns from those games.
In Dublin, Meg Lewis had three walks and two runs scored; Rebecca Bowling had a walk, a triple and a run scored; Ava Maxwell had three walks and three runs scored; Reagan Graham had a single, a double and three runs scored; Mariah Flowers had a walk, a single, a homer and three runs scored; Alyssa Reed had two walks and three runs scored; Annie Jones had a walk, a homer and three runs scored and Jessica Joiner had two walks, a single and three runs scored. She was also the winning pitcher.
In Vidalia, Ava Rowland had a single, a walk and a run scored; Jayci Yawn had a run scored; Makiyah Roberson had a triple, a double, a walk and three runs scored; JaiunaVae Pattillo had a single and two runs scored; Annie Jones had two singles and three runs scored; Reagan Boney had two singles; Skye Meadows had two walks and a run scored and Brook Perdue was the winning pitcher with two strikeouts.
In Swainsboro, Jayci Yawn had a single and a run scored; Dylana Barton had a single, a triple and a run scored; Makiyah Roberson had a single and a run scored; Reagan Boney had a run scored; Brooke Perdue had a single and two runs scored; Annie Jones had a single and three runs scored and Skye Meadows had a single and two runs scored.

The Eastman Police Department reported the following arrests in the previous week.

Korey Lowrey, age 19, of 5335 Manhasset Cove in Atlanta was arrested for obstructing law enforcement officers and possession/ purchase alcohol under 21.

Hannah Davis, age 26, of 279 Highway 165 in Milan was arrested for criminal trespass, business.

Melinda Long, age 48, of 1623 Belleview Road in Dublin was arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked and failure to stop at stop/ yield sign.

Leonidas De La Cruz, age 42, of 334 5th Avenue Apartment C in Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired new resident.

John Holder, age 37, of 395 Lee Street in Milan was arrested for probation violation.

Jennifer Coons, age 22, of 2661 Dublin Highway in Eastman was arrested for driving while license suspended or revoked.

Martrell Brown, age 33, of 306 South Road in Wauchula, Florida was arrested for driving wile license suspended or revoked and speeding.

Juan Felipe Reyes, age 39, of 5918 Asbury Drive Lot 5 in Eastman was arrested for driving while unlicensed or expired new resident.

Juvenile, age 12, of 120 Holder Place in Eastman was arrested for juvenile runaway.

Prophet Thomas, age 51, of 525 Plaza Avenue Apartment F28 in Eastman was arrested for terrorizing threats and acts.

Laurie Ethridge, age 64, of 5239 Smith Avenue in Eastman was arrested for failure to yield while turning left and driving under the influence of alcohol. [Full Story »]

Dear editor,
School bus safety in the Dodge County School System must become more than a joke. I am not an expert, but I have experience in safety evacuation for more than 29 years, with 13 years in the Dodge County School System. Georgia law requires emergency drills twice a year, which will never fit the bill.
Emergency evacuation drills need to happen several times a year if students are going to get accustomed to responding correctly. Students are introduced to films and video, and these do not serve the purpose.
School bus safety drills need to be conducted by someone who is familiar with the SOP rules, as well as the school buses themselves. Emergency evacuation needs to be conducted by the bus drivers in the presence of the students on each driver’s bus. The bus driver must know and be familiar with the safety rules.
School bus safety is something that should take place at the beginning of the school year. One of the most critical areas is where we have wheelchair or handicap students. Are bus drivers conducting pre-trip and post-trip inspections?
There is a behavior problem on most of the school buses. If a parent is upset, if his/her student is put on the bus, the parent should bring the student to see the transportation commander along with the bus driver, and the problem will be solved without anger.
A board member or the superintendent is not on the bus. School bus safety and emergency evacuation depend on the cooperation of the students an the bus driver. The key importance is that the driver has a good relationship.
Bus drivers must be familiar in all aspects of emergency evacuation. The Dodge County bus system should have a training program for their drivers. I don’t mean bringing all drivers into some kind of classroom. They should be sitting with one or two drivers periodically to discuss the various problems that all bus drivers are faced with, and, with the approval of the transportation director, all drivers should follow the same rules.
For example, during the bus route, all students should remain in their assigned seat, unless the bus driver says so. This will be one step in the right direction.
The safety of all of our students depends on the cooperation of the parents and the entire school faculty.
The most important reason for driving a school bus must always be the safety of school children.
To all bus drivers, whatever problem you might encounter, your first thought will be how you can resolve the problem, not that it cannot be done. Failure may sometimes be an outcome, but never let it be an option. You have been given the power to not accept life the way it comes. Lord Bless.
Johnny L. Blacke, Msg (r)

Age: 92

Deceased: August 29, 2017
Arrangements: Paulk Funeral Home of Fitzgerald