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Buddy the Newshound

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

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FATAL TIFTON TEEN SHOOTING IGNITES SOCIAL MEDIA FEARS

TIFTON POLICE CHIEF ASKS PARENTS' HELP TO STOP SHOOTINGS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton teenager died of a gunshot wound Sunday while another teen sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the incident and is being treated in the hospital, authorities say.

The shootings apparently ignited "vague threats to TCHS (Tift County High School) being shared via social media," the school system said.

"Investigations have not found any viable threats to our students or staff," a spokesman for Tift County Schools reiterated Tuesday afternoon.

The shootings also prompted Tifton's police chief to once again decry the "senseless violence" and call for parents to step up and aid authorities "in getting illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of our teens."

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), at about 1 p.m. Sunday, Tifton Police found Jamahri Gregor Sims, 16, of Tifton, with a gunshot wound in the 1100 block of South Central Avenue. Sims was taken to Tift Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced dead, the GBI said.

Police discovered that another teen was shot during the incident and was located at a home near East 13th Street. That victim was taken to the hospital where they are being treated for their injuries.

Tift County Schools in a press release Tuesday said it became aware on Monday of vague threats to the high school. "These threats were associated with an event that occurred in the community over the weekend. Yesterday and into the night, we worked closely with local law enforcement to investigate each social media threat as we became aware of them.

"Please know, all threats are taken seriously and treated as credible until law enforcement determines otherwise to keep the community, school, students and staff safe. Investigations have not found any viable threats," the school system said.

Despite rumors of such in the community, "at no time was Tift County High School on lockdown Monday," said Dana R. Spurlin, Tift Schools communications chief.

The school system said that when unfounded threats and rumors are reposted on social media, "they become part of the problem instead of being part of the solution." Instead of reporting such comments, individuals are asked to contact school and law enforcement authorities directly.

Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman noted that after the shootings Sunday, he watched paramedics and other emergency personnel "perform CPR and fight to keep one of our kids alive. I visited the ER, where another teen had been shot multiple times ... because we still can’t seem to put together a simple four-piece puzzle, and until we do, this senseless violence will continue."

Hyman said that law enforcement, the school system, and local government "have all stepped up their part. We’re working together, being proactive, and taking lawful action to stop these things from happening." He added, "I’ve asked parents to step up, to check what their kids are doing, whether they’re possessing guns, and who and where they’re hanging out. We’ve made it simple and safe to speak up. Anonymous tip lines and reporting apps are available, allowing anyone to share information without getting personally involved."

However, the police chief said that "no measure we take, no program we launch, and no operation we conduct can ever equal the power of good parenting at home. That’s where the real change begins."

New City Manager Jeff Shoobridge, in center foreground at Tifton City Council's workshop Monday, offers welcoming comments during his first day in the position.

TIFT BOE ASKS CITY TO ANNEX, REZONE ACCESS TO NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Board of Education (BOE) is asking the City of Tifton to annex and rezone two tracts north of Tift County High School to allow road access to the proposed new middle school and a running track and football field.

School Board Chairman Jonathan Jones told Tifton City Council on Monday that the BOE recently purchased 20.87 acres on Old Ocilla Road and 15.5 acres on New River Road for the proposed access. The properties are currently in the county and zoned agricultural. The BOE is requesting that they be annexed into the city and zoned R-20 residential.

"The tract that goes to Old Ocilla Road will provide an access road for entry and exit to the school. We feel like that would be advantageous to tap into Old Ocilla Road for the amount of traffic we likely to need to accommodate," Jones said.

He said a traffic study has been performed in recent months and engineers are in the process of submitting the documents to the city and state.

Several nearby residents to the properties expressed concern about the increase in traffic once the new middle school is built adjacent to the high school. City Council noted that the issue before it is only the rezoning of the tracts upon annexation and not details about where the access roads would be located.

The city Planning & Zoning Commission has already endorsed the rezoning. Council is expected to take up the matter at its regular meeting later this month.

Also at Monday's council workshop, new City Manager Jeff Shoobridge was formally introduced as he began his first day in the position. The Florida native most recently was city administrator in Crookston, Minn.

Shoobridge said his wife has begun a job at Southwell medical and his daughter is in day care in Tifton. "We’re very happy to be back home in the South from the frozen tundra that I was temporarily exiled to in Minnesota," he said.

Shoobridge said he looks forward to "helping us grow our city smartly. I came from a city in Florida that grew a little out of control, and in growing a little fast in the process they lost their character. Having seen what fast, uncontrolled growth does, I’d like to bring a little bit of thought and process and help us to prevent that and maintain our character here in Tifton – that nice, small town feel in the Friendly City."

City Council and staff gave a standing ovation of appreciation to Chief Financial Officer Larry Lawrence, who served as interim city manager during the past year.

TIFTON'S CYNDI THOMSON NAMED ONE OF NASHVILLE'S 25 'MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE'

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton native Cyndi Thomson has just been named one of Nashville, Tenn.'s "25 Most Beautiful People for 2025" by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine.

The singer-songwriter-jewelry designer said on social media that "I packed up my dreams and moved to Nashville in my early 20s, not knowing what was ahead — only that I had to try. What I found was more than I ever imagined: A city that gave me a career in music, introduced me to my husband, let me raise my kids, and inspired me to build my own business (Haybelle Co.).

"This city has truly become my heart and my home. That’s why I’m beyond honored (and honestly a little giddy!) to be named one of Nashville Lifestyles Magazine’s 25 Most Beautiful People for 2025—a celebration of the creativity, community, and magic that makes Nashville so special," Thomson said.

In the magazine's profile of Thomson, a 1995 Tift County High graduate, she names her first music teacher Susan Beck as her hero: "She pulled me out of band class — probably a relief to everyone since I was a terrible clarinet player! But more importantly, she saw me when I didn’t see myself and believed in my calling long before I did. Her support gave me the confidence to pursue music. ... Her impact means so much to me."

Thomson related a quotation that she lives by: “Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith” by Elisabeth Elliot.

"This quote has stayed with me through every season, whether it was stepping away from the spotlight to raise my children, starting my jewelry line from the ground up, or trusting my path in music again. It reminds me to stay rooted in purpose, even when things feel uncertain," Thomson said.

"Faith planted in love always bears fruit — sometimes you just have to wait and trust the timing."

EXCHANGE CLUB NAMES ITS FIREFIGHTER OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Engineer Erin Jackson with the Tifton Fire Department (TFD) has been named the Exchange Club of Tifton’s 2025 Firefighter of the Year.

Jackson was part of the first recruitment class hosted by the TFD in the fall of 2017 and became a full-time firefighter in April 2018.

Since that time, she has continued to add to her fire certifications, including earning her EMT-B and becoming engineer in 2024. Battalion Chief George Cirilo said “Erin has achieved everything that has been asked of her and has proven to be a good leader.”

In the above photo, Exchange Club Public Safety Chair Melissa Wood, left, poses with Jackson and Cirilo after the trophy presentation.

'BLAST OFF' TO LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Commission on Children and Youth (TCCCY) is having a "Go Light Up Your World Blast Off" event from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Eighth Street Middle School track.

“This is the precursor to the actual ‘Go Light Up Your World’ event that many have participated in previously,” said Robin Rust, TCCCY executive director.

Live music and free food and drinks will be provided, with guest speakers and community sponsors.

“Registration is not required, and everyone is welcome,” Rust said. “It is our hope to inform our community as to why we do the ‘Go Light Up Your World’ event every year. It is our hope that every teen in Tift County, when they see the luminaries lit on Oct. 29, will know that they are loved, and there are safe places that they can go to escape gangs, teen violence, and bullying.”

Since 2014, “Go Light Up Your World” has featured luminaries in multiple locations around Tift County on a Wednesday evening in October. The idea of the late Dave Hetzel, former TCCCY chair, its purpose to show children and youth that the community cares about them.

Participants often post their pictures on Facebook. Last year, these included Annie Belle Clark Elementary School, Called to Care, Cross View Church, the Holy Temple Church of the Trinity, Light House Worship Center, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Southern Regional Technical College, Tift County Schools, Tift County Recreation Department, Tift West and other neighborhoods, Tifton Woman’s Center, and the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the luminary event begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

“We encourage everyone to participate — schools, churches, businesses, agencies, individuals,” Rust said. “For those who have youth groups, we encourage them to make this an event to include the youth in your church, and, if possible, have special programming on that evening focused on making good life choices. TCCCY will supply pledge cards to all youth group leaders for the youth groups in your church. Please spread the word.”

All materials – signs, tea lights, and paper bags – are supplied free of charge and may be picked up at the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth office, 620 Love Lane, next to Walgreens, just off Eighth Street. Rust asks participants to call 229-388-1000 to ensure she is available.

Participants are asked to follow the TCCCY Facebook page and share pictures the night of the event using the hashtag #lightyourworldtift25.

While it is not mandatory to register for participation, Rust encourages every participant to do so to allow inclusion in promotions and media coverage. Register here.

The Tift County Commission on Children and Youth-Family Connection is a nonprofit collaborative that works to improve the conditions for children, families, and communities by working with the community to address serious challenges that face children and their families.

For more information, contact Rust at tc3y@friendlycity.net

KEEP TIFT BEAUTIFUL JOINS

GREATEST AMERICAN CLEANUP

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory group, is joining the "Greatest American Cleanup," the largest community-led cleanup in U.S. history, leading up to Community Pledge Day on Oct. 25.

The group is asking residents and businesses to get involved by participating in cleanups across Tift County. Also, volunteers may help build a new shade structure at the North Central Avenue Community Garden, which will be unveiled at 10 a.m. Oct. 25, said Kara Self, KTB publicity chair (at left in photo with KTB's Rosemary Hightower).

People are also asked to volunteer in the community garden to help revitalize the green spaces.

“Over the next year, 25,000 communities nationwide will work together to remove 25 billion pieces of litter and beautify America in time for the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026,” Self said. “Here in Tift County, Keep Tift Beautiful is proud to join this historic effort.”

Residents may email KeepTiftBeautiful@gmail.com to get involved and to visit www.kab.org/greatest to learn more about the national movement.

The national sponsors of the Great American Clean Up are Coca-Cola and IHeart Radio. Local sponsors and affiliates are the cities of Tifton, Omega, and Ty Ty, and the Georgia Native Plant Society.

“Together, let’s keep Tift beautiful for generations to come,” Self said.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

That Groom Shop

130 Hunt Road, Suite B10, Tifton

Oct. 1

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Leo" has had a rough life living on his own and has a scar on his eye to prove it. However, his eye does not bother him at all and certainly does nothing to slow him down. He seeks a patient, loving family who will let him grow at his own pace. With time, love, and understanding, he can become a deeply loyal and grateful companion. Visit Leo and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON MAYOR RESIGNS, MOVES TO UNADILLA

~ OCT. 9, 1908

Tifton Mayor S.M. Clyatt resigned his office on Oct. 9, 1908, as he was moving his family to Unadilla. Clyatt had served as mayor since January 1906. W.W. Banks was selected to fill the unexpired term.

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