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By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

It's "pepper" time again in Omega, and this year's Pepper Festival, which gets underway tonight and continues all day and into the evening Saturday, promises to be hotter than ever.

More than 80 food and craft vendors will fill Ponder Park along with Kid's Zone activities, and nearly nonstop music.

Headlining the music this year are The Tams, bringing their hit songs and their soulful R&B/Beach Music sound.

The Tams are known for such hits as "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy," "What Kind of Fool," "I've Been Hurt, " "Untie Me," "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me," and "Ain't Nothin Like Shaggin'."

The group was named "Beach Band of the Decade” in 1986 by Beach Music Awards, named ”Outstanding Black Musical Group” in 1988 by the Atlanta Black History Awards, was inducted into the Atlanta Hall of Fame in 1992, inducted in the Beach Music Hall of Fame in 1994, inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 1999 recorded a song with Jimmy Buffett and toured with him that year.

Other music at this weekend's Omega Pepper Festival includes local favorites The Mood Doctors, The Page Brothers, Dixie Divas & David Ray, and the Marca Distinta band.

The popular Pepper Parade gets underway Saturday morning, and the festival continues through 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Great Music!

Terrific Food!

Family-Friendly Activities!

Come on down to Ponder Park in Omega on 

September 13-14. 

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday with opening ceremonies; the entertainment for the night will be Marca Distinta, a local Hispanic band. 

Saturday will include the parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. with music and events all day. The highlight of the night will be The Tams. 

We have over 80 craft and food vendors and will also have our kid's zone with activities for kids of all ages.

TIFTON POLICE CHIEF ASKS PARENTS TO DISCUSS SCHOOL THREATS WITH KIDS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Schools across the state and across South Georgia have received unfounded threats after last week's fatal shooting at a school in Winder; several students have been arrested and charged with felonies for making bogus threats.

These incidents have prompted Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman to release the following statement Thursday:

"For the last couple of weeks, I have read of too many kids throughout the state being charged for making school threats through social media. Law enforcement, school districts, and parents take all threats seriously for the safety of our kids. We are going to thoroughly investigate each and charge those who make them, whether they are found to be real or a hoax.

"I’m asking parents to please take a few minutes to discuss making threats with their kids, re-sharing posts of threats, and what to do if they hear or know of a threat. They must understand the severity of this action and know that you, law enforcement, and the school district have zero tolerance for threats or actions to harm people in our schools and community.

"If you have knowledge of a threat or see one online, please don't forward it through social media. Please notify law enforcement and school officials immediately so we can work to neutralize the threat.

"Together, we can keep our schools safe."

The Tift County school system also noted on its website that its anonymous tip line is accessible from any page on the website: "Students or parents can submit information related to any suspicious activity. Alerts are monitored by school administrators and system security staff and responded to in a timely manner."

The school system also added that it is "resolute in our commitment to protecting our students. That's why we have a dedicated school safety officer (SSO) at every school campus. These trained professionals work tirelessly to ensure a secure learning environment for all students and staff."

SRTC SEES RECORD ENROLLMENT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) is experiencing an increase in enrollment for the seventh consecutive semester since fall 2022, the college said Thursday.

SRTC's total enrollment for the current fall semester is 5,326, up from the 2023 fall enrollment of 5,070. This 5% growth puts SRTC among the 19 technical colleges in the state that experienced growth this fall above last. It also marks another milestone for the college's largest enrollment to date.

SRTC President Jim Glass credits the growth to the combined efforts of faculty and staff.

"Our faculty members are committed to providing the kind of high-quality education that is required in our service-delivery area," Glass said. "Before an individual can become a successful graduate, however, they must first become a successful student. Our staff frequently go far above and beyond for our students, assisting and supporting them every step of the way. From application to graduation, our students are never alone."

In March 2022, Glass introduced an enrollment campaign – #GimmeFive – to all employees. The objective was a reminder that all employees play an active role in meeting and exceeding the 5% enrollment growth target.

SRTC has added 35 new programs in the past three years to address the evolving demands of various industries and to equip students with skills needed for current job markets. SRTC has established a new partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, and through the Georgia AIM grant, SRTC has created new manufacturing engineering and precision machining labs to advance precision manufacturing offerings in the region.

This year, SRTC sees strong enrollment numbers in several of its high-demand programs. The commercial truck driving (CDL) program attracted 234 students, while the welding program had an even larger enrollment of 435 students. However, the most popular field by far was nursing and related health sciences, which boasted a total enrollment of 1,554 students. These figures underscore the continued demand for skilled professionals in transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors in the region.

TRMC/SOUTHWELL ENDING PARTICIPATION WITH UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

After two years of unresolved disputes and multiple contract extensions, Tift Regional Medical Center/Southwell Medical (collectively “TRMC”) announced that its in-network participation agreement with the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage (UHCMA) plan will expire Oct. 31, and will not be renewed.

This does not affect traditional Medicare or United Healthcare’s commercial plans, TRMC said.

“TRMC is not able to renew the agreement because payments from UHCMA are delayed in many cases and do not appropriately cover the true cost of care,” said Christopher Dorman, TRMC president/CEO. 

“We rely on fair, timely payments to provide the high-quality services expected by our patients and the community. Basically, UHCMA is paying what they want to pay and when they want to pay without regard to what is in the agreement.”

Dorman said TRMC is not alone and that some of the other hospital systems in the region do not have a network participation agreement with UHCMA for the same reasons.

“Unlike for-profit United Healthcare, TRMC has no stockholders; we just have stakeholders,” Dorman said. “TRMC is a nonprofit hospital which negotiated contract terms in good faith on behalf of the communities we serve.”

Dorman said TRMC is notifying the public now because the open enrollment period for Medicare begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.  

“The open enrollment period is an opportunity for UCHMA enrollees to transfer to a Medicare Advantage plan that has a network participation agreement with TRMC,” he said. “These Medicare Advantage plans include Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Clear Spring Health, Clover Health, Humana, Pruitt Health Premier, and WellCare.”

TIFT COMMUNITY LEADER

ROGER DILL DIES AT 87

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Roger C. Dill, a longtime leader in Tift County's economic development and tireless civic volunteer, died Thursday in Tifton at age 87.

Dill was named to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's Wall of Fame in 2016. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in 2020 named its new Tifton district office in Dill's honor.

Dill, a civil engineer, spent 23 years with GDOT and participated in the development and construction of Interstate 75, among many transportation projects. He later worked in private industry for Scruggs Co. and then for Reeves Construction Co. as its president.

He assisted in the engineering and construction of Tift County High School 's stadium.

Dill served on the Georgia Highway Contractors Board and the National Asphalt Pavement Association Board, and later began his own consulting business. Dill became the go-to guy to help with getting road and transportation projects in Tift County and often was seen in Atlanta lobbying for local projects at the state Capitol.

He also served as interim Tift County manager and as interim Tift Chamber of Commerce president.

Dill, who was an Eagle Scout, continued his community service on numerous volunteer boards and organizations, among them the Abraham Baldwin College Foundation, Georgia Agrirama Authority, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, Tift County Development Authority, Tift County Tourism Board, Tiftarea YMCA, Tift County Recreation Department, Tifton Rotary Club, Springhill County Club, and Ruth’s Cottage and Patticake House, where he led a charge for a new facility.

He was also instrumental in getting the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate System Monument, located outside the Ga. Museum of Agriculture in Tifton. 

Dill also sent 25 years as a high school football official and coached youth sports. While attending Irwin County High School, he played on its state runner-up football team. A proud graduate of Auburn University, he often wore its colors and always loudly rooted for its football team.

Dill, who had also served in the Army National Guard, was a member of First Baptist Church of Tifton. His wife, JoAnn Smith Dill, had died on May 4.

FAMILY, FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE BOSTICK'S 100th BIRTHDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Longtime Tifton resident Elizabeth Bostick, wife of the late state lawmaker and Tifton lawyer Henry W. Bostick, is celebrating her 100th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Her family is planning a big celebration Wednesday.

"Mother is having her birthday party at the Golden Corral – her favorite eating place – in Tifton on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Everyone is invited to come by and speak, as well as sign her birthday card. She will love that!" said her daughter Joy Branch.

They plan to be at the restaurant from about 11:30 a.m. until about 1 p.m.

Cora Elizabeth Turner Bostick was born on Sept. 18, 1924, in Lathamtown, Ga., in Cherokee County. She and her three sisters – Rebecca, Jackie, and Bonnie – were raised by their mother in Sycamore, in Turner County.

She was married for 63 years to Henry W. Bostick, who represented Tift County in the Ga. House of Representatives for 26 years and died in 2006. Together, they had five children. Mrs. Bostick now has nine grandchildren and five great-grand children.

"Her 100th birthday is a special day of celebration for a special lady," the family said.

PARAPRO AT MATT WILSON ELEMENTARY RECEIVES 'BEYOND THE T' AWARD

Tift County Staff Reports

April Story, a paraprofessional at Matt Wilson Elementary School, received the "Beyond the T" award at Thursday's meeting of the Tift County Board of Education.

School officials cited Story's quick response in recently performing the Heimlich maneuver on a student in the cafeteria who was apparently choking. Officials said Story "exemplifies the spirit of going above and beyond. Her actions truly embody what it means to go 'Beyond the T.'"

In the photo above, Story is presented with the award by BOE Chairman Jonathan Jones and Superintendent Natalie Gore.

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Data released from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)

every two weeks: Period Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2024

TIFT 14-DAY CASE COUNT: .............................................................................................68

TIFT 14-DAY CASE COUNT PER 100,000 POPULATION .............................................. 167

STATEWIDE 14-DAY CASE COUNT ........................................................................... 11,683

STATEWIDE 14-DAY CASES PER 100,000 POPULATION ............................................ 109

COVID-19 cases include both reported confirmed cases and antigen positive cases.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Sept. 13, is National Peanut Day, celebrating Georgia's state crop. Georgia is the top producer of peanuts in the United States, providing fully half of all peanuts in the nation. Georgia peanuts produce a farm-gate value of well over $600 million.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13

• Downtown Sylvester Sip & Stroll, 5-7:30 p.m., Downtown Sylvester
• Omega Pepper Festival, opening ceremonies, music by Marca Distinta band, 6-10 p.m., Ponder Park, Omega
• Tift County High Blue Devils football vs. Houston County High Bears, 7:30 p.m., Brodie Field, Tifton
• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football @ Westfield School Hornets, 7:30 p.m., Perry

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

• ABAC Cattle Classic, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., UGA Extension, 1468 Carpenter Road S., Tifton
• Second Saturday, shopping, art exhibits, food, beverages, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Downtown Tifton
• ThunderCon at ABAC, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Carlton Center, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton
• Omega Pepper Festival, parade: 10:30 a.m.; Mood Doctors band: 12:30 p.m.; The Page Brothers band: 3 p.m.; Dixie Divas & David Ray: 5:30 p.m.; The Tams: 8-10 p.m., Ponder Park, Omega
• Picnic on the Farm, 1-4 p.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Miss Fiesta del Pueblo Pageant, 6-9 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

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"Jelly Belly" is a gentle and affectionate girl ready to become your best friend. Come visit her and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).