Tyler Wagner is shown on the JumboTron as he announces the Atlanta Braves' starting lineup for the Aug. 22 game. (Photo contributed)

Justin McBride promoted to First Lieutenant

During a ceremony held Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the headquarters of the First Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment in Winder, Justin Grey McBride was promoted to First Lieutenant.

The order states, "The President of the United States, acting upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Army, has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of Justin Grey McBride. In view of the qualities, demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the United States Army, he is hereby promoted to First Lieutenant with a date of rank of 01 June 2009."

He is the son of Buford and Melodye Williams of Millen and Jerry McBride of Sylvania. He is the grandson of Melvin and Annelle Dickey of Millen.

Tyler Wagner announces starting line up for the Braves

Local boys play with East Georgia Tigers The East Georgia Tigers baseball team from Twin City traveled to Southern Pines Regional Park in Dublin recently to participate in the annual Triple Play Classic. The team won first place and came home with the gold. Jenkins County players shown are, from left, Tyler Taylor, Gresham Conway and Dee Brown. (Photo contributed)

A Millen 7th grader was the guest Public Address Announcer at the Atlanta Braves game Saturday, Aug. 22. As part of Braves Radio Network Affiliates weekend, Tyler Wagner won a raffle to announce the starting line up for the home team while pictured on the JumboTron in front of 35,000 fans at Turner Field. Tyler was joined in the control room by his brother Austin and father John Wagner of WXRS Radio, Swainsboro, and Braves Public Address Announcer Casey Motter.

After Tyler's duty on the microphone he met team president John Schuerholtz who told him, "Not to pressure you, but I hope you gave us a good lineup. We need to win this game."

It must have worked. The Braves jumped out to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first inning, and held on for a 4-3 victory over league rival Florida Marlins.

Tyler was also accompanied to the game by his mother, Dale Wagner, and grandmother, Marie Busby, the widow of former Braves' third base coach Jim Busby.

Jenkins County teen set to graduate from Georgia's Youth Challenge Academy

Floyd Brinson III of Millen was among 215 youth who graduate from the Fort Gordon

Youth Challenge program 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Bell Auditorium located in Augusta.

Georgia's Youth Challenge is a 22- week residential youth program for teens aged 16-18 who have dropped out of school. The military-styled program provides teens with the opportunity to complete basic academic courses leading to a high school diploma or GED. The voluntary program also provides teens valuable life skills training emphasizing academic, physical fitness and personal discipline.

The Georgia National Guard operates two Youth Challenge Academy campuses in the state, the original campus at Fort Stewart near Savannah, and a second campus at Fort Gordon near Augusta that opened in 2000. To date more than 8,500 formerly "at risk" teens have graduated from the Youth Challenge Academy program at the two Georgia campuses.