Armed robbery suspect sought!

VOL. 110, NO. 33, February 5 , 2014
LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY
Two men shot
Sunday morning
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
The Millen Police Department (MPD) is investigating the shooting of two local men early
Sunday morning, Feb. 2.
Around 1:25 a.m., MPD officers responded to a 919 Buckhead Road residence in response to a reported shooting victim. Upon arrival they discovered Malcom Jerome Steele,
30, of Millen, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Optim Medical Center-Jenkins.
The homeowner reported that he had awakened to the sound of someone knocking at the
bedroom window and discovered Steele when he went to investigate.
Upon canvassing the neighborhood, officers found a second gunshot victim at 505 Martin
Luther King Blvd. Human Lamech Hamilton, 41, of Millen, was also transported to Optim
Medical Center.
Both victims were transferred to Georgia Regents Hospital in Augusta.
A person of interest in the case was located early Sunday morning and incarcerated in the
Jenkins County Jail. The case remains under investigation and arrests are pending. Anyone
with information on the incident should call MPD Detective Sgt. Bradley P. Adams at (478)
982-2750.
MILLEN , GEORGIA • 75 CENTS
The “Tire Man” retires
For almost 43 years Howdy McTeer has
been known in Jenkins County as the “tire
man.” That changed Feb. 1 when Howdy officially retired and sold his business, McTeer
Tire Company, to Cates Tire of Waynesboro.
Howdy moved to Millen from South Carolina in 1971 with wife, Mary Pat, and son, Hud,
then 2 years old, at the urging of his good
friend, Charles Allbrittion.
“He was in the tire business and brought me
to Millen and put me in business,” Howdy said.
“I owe him a lot.”
In 1976, McTeer Tire Company moved into
a new building on Hwy. 25 and operated successfully there until 2007. At that time, the
construction of the Savannah River Parkway
through Millen forced the business to move
again to an adjacent location and a new building, located farther off the highway.
For the McTeers, retirement is both bitter
and sweet. They say they will miss seeing the
people they have served for so many years,
but are looking forward to a little “rest.”
“Our customers have been so loyal and
nice and have supported us for almost 43
years. We just appreciate it so much,”
Howdy said. They also noted that they will
miss their employees, who have been loyal
and dedicated as well.
“Bob Shingleton worked with us for 20
years, until his death. Now his nephew,
Ricky Shingleton has been with us 10
years. Eric Bell and Charles Roberts have
also been loyal employees,” Howdy said.
As for future plans, the McTeers are not
ruling out anything. They are especially
looking forward to spending more time
with their son, Hud and wife, Tiffany, and
grandchildren and daughter, Barry.
“We just want to go home and rest up
for awhile,” Howdy said. He also plans
to ride his horses more and do some quail
hunting.”
The business is now operating as Cates
Tire #2.
Armed robbery
suspect sought!
Howdy and Mary Pat McTeer shown in the office of McTeer Tire Company, prior to their
retirement Feb. 1. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)
The Millen Police Department is looking for an armed suspect who robbed the Quick Stop
convenience store on Winthrope Avenue of an undisclosed amount of money around 9 p.m. on
Jan. 30. The suspect was wearing this jacket which was recovered near the scene along with
other items from the robbery. Anyone with any information on the incident should contact
Detective Sgt. Brad Adams at the MPD at (706) 526-2129 or (478) 982-2750. All information
will remain confidential. (Photo contributed)
Howdy McTeer, far right, is shown with employees, from left, Eric Bell, Charles Roberts
and Ricky Shingleton.
Heroes supporting heroes
By Deborah Bennett
Millen News Editor
They are not just avid runners or athletes. They are “heroes”
to the causes they support!
Ray Miller, 66, Randy Brannen, 56, Chad Waters, 34, Rob
Sharkey, 47, Rick Lane, 35, and Jimmy Brannen, 43, will lace
up their running shoes Feb. 27-28 and March 1-2 for their second Benning to Gordon Relay. Each member of the group will
run relay style, approximately 16 miles a day, to benefit the
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the Fisher House.
The WWP serves veterans and service members who incurred
physical or mental injuries, illnesses or wounds related to their
military service on or after Sept. 11, 2011. The program provides long-term support through a variety of complimentary
programs. The Fisher House, located at Ft. Gordon, has been
home to families of patients at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army
Medical Center since 1993. The house is also open to military
and retiree families of patients at the Medical College of Georgia, the Augusta Regional Burn Center, and the Augusta VA
Medical Center.
“It was so successful last year that we just decided to do it
again. We’ve just added a year and a few more miles,” said
Ray, a U.S. Air Force veteran who first conceived the idea.
“Last year, we had people stop us on the side of the road as
we were running, ask what we were doing and then hand us
donations right there. It was amazing,” said Randy.
Last year’s event gathered momentum with each step they
ran, garnering attention for the WWP and the runners. They
were treated to a reception at West Millen Baptist Church upon
arrival in Millen and were surprised to discover that events
were also planned by other communities through which they
passed: Montezuma, Dublin, Hawkinsville, Swainsboro, Twin
City, Garfield and Ft. Gordon. All the support was deeply appreciated, the men said.
“It was an amazing experience to travel across the state and
meet so many people who were patriotic and supported our
veterans. It was great to see so many people who were passionate about our American freedoms and who showed so much
support for the sacrifices our veterans have made to protect
those freedoms. That made the running so worthwhile and
motivated us to run with a purpose,” said Jimmy.
The group will arrive in Millen Saturday, March 1, and spend
the night. They will begin the final leg of their trek to Ft. Gordon early Sunday morning, March 2, along U.S. Hwy. 25
through Burke County and on to Augusta.
An account has been set up at Queensborough National Bank
and Trust to which donations may be made. Donations may
also be mailed to: Benning to Gordon Relay, Queensborough
Bank, P.O. Box 780, Millen, GA 30442.
The runners collected over $4,000 last year and are hoping
to do as well, if not better with this year’s event. And though
they do not consider themselves “heroes”, the definition of the
word does seem to fit: A person who is admired for great or
brave acts or fine qualities.
Members of the Benning to Gordon Relay team are, from
left, kneeling: Jimmy Brannen and Rick Lane; and standing:
Randy Brannen, Chad Waters, Rob Sharkey and Ray Miller.
(Photo contributed)

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