Blue Devil Graduation This Thursday

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Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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TCHS BLUE DEVIL GRADUATION SET FOR THURSDAY NIGHT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Last year's graduation ceremony for Tift County High School worked so well on a Thursday evening that the school decided to stay with that schedule. This Thursday night, 469 graduates are set to cross the stage at Brodie Field.

When forecasts of inclement weather last year forced TCHS to make alternate plans for graduation, which had been scheduled for a Saturday morning at The Brodie as usual, the initial thought was to hold the ceremony on that Saturday inside the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

But most seniors wanted to keep graduation at the high school stadium. School officials surveyed the seniors and 77% of them voted to hold the ceremony earlier on Thursday night at Brodie Field.

Thus, a new tradition was born.

Thursday's ceremony will begin at 7:15 p.m., and guests are asked to be seated by 7 p.m. Gates at Brodie Field will open at 5 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to arrive early as all guests will go through a weapons detection system. They will be required to adhere to the school system's clear-bag policy.

The TCHS valedictorian and salutatorian will deliver graduation addresses along with an inspirational message by the STAR student.

For those unable to attend the ceremony, it will be live-streamed on Tift Schools' YouTube channel here.

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TIFTAREA ACADEMY GRADUATES 34 LAST WEEK

Tiftarea Academy in Chula held its senior graduation ceremony last Friday at First Baptist Church in Tifton.

Thirty-four seniors received diplomas from the private school.

Wednesday is the last day of school for all other grades at Tiftarea Academy. The new school year gets underway in Chula on Aug. 13.

Photo by Shine Rankin/South Georgia Sports Network

Tiftarea Academy graduates celebrate after Friday's ceremony at Tifton's First Baptist Church.

TIFTON MOSQUITO-SPRAYING SETTLED – AT LEAST FOR NOW

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The mosquito-spraying issue in the City of Tifton is apparently settled for now, as far as Tifton City Council is concerned.

On Monday, some residents once again implored council members to reconsider the vote to contract with Astro Exterminating to spray a chemical called PermX to kill adult mosquitoes. The residents say the chemical poses a threat to people, pets, and pollinating insects.

However, the two councilman who can recall the issue appear reluctant to do so.

Only the councilmen who voted for the contract can bring it back for reconsideration: Councilmen M.Jay Hall and Michael Franks. They and Mayor Julie B. Smith voted for it, but the mayor is prohibited from recalling a vote.

The 3-2 vote occurred in March with Councilmen Josh Reynolds and Lester Cromer Jr. voting against it.

At Monday's council meeting, Hall noted that the mosquito spraying is in "100% compliance" with the state agriculture department.

"We don't make all the right decisions all the time, but we are in a contract right now with Astro. ... If we walk away from that contract, we're still liable for that contract," Hall said. "I don't see us leaving money on the table."

In two years when the nearly $53,000 contract ends, "we can revisit it and have a discussion," Hall said. He added that larvicide is also being dumped in bodies of water around the city to combat mosquitoes.

Franks did not comment on the issue at Monday's meeting.

During council's public comment portion of the meeting, Michelle Powers, Faith Royal, and Sheri Johnson said the chemical being used to spray mosquitoes is killing pollinators such as bees. Both Powers and Royal said the chemical is unsafe and that Astro is disregarding rules prohibiting spraying when wind speeds exceed 10 mph.

Also at the council meeting, Dr. Tonja Tift presented Antron Johnson, a graduating senior at Tift County High School, with the Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center Scholarship. Johnson plans to use the $1,000 scholarship for attending Kennesaw State in the fall.

Johnson's artwork recently won first place in statewide competition among high school students, receiving a $400 award from the Georgia General Federation of Women's Clubs. He also was Tift County High's prom king this year.

TIFTON TO OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY

WITH TRIBUTE MONDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton's annual Memorial Day tribute honoring and remembering those who died while serving in the U.S. military will be held downtown at 11 a.m. Monday at Jack Stone Veterans Memorial Park.

A day of mourning and reflection, the national holiday will be observed in Tifton with the presentation of colors by the Tifton Fire Department Honor Guard, and a keynote address by state Rep. Angie O'Steen, R-Douglas, who represents part of Tift County.

Local singer Brenda Shaw will sing the National Anthem and "God Bless the USA," the Rev. Chip Grantham of Tifton First Methodist Church will offer the invocation and benediction, and Megan DuBose will play "Taps."

Tyron Spearman is the master of ceremonies, and Mayor Julie B. Smith will give welcoming remarks.

AMERICAN LEGION PLACING FLAGS ON GRAVES

For Memorial Day, American Legion Post 21 members and other local residents will be placing American flags on veterans' graves beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The group will start at Tifton's Oakridge Cemetery, then Tifton Memorial Gardens, and will move on to local church cemeteries throughout the community. Churches, civic organizations, local groups, and individuals are all invited to help.

For information, call 478-319-3716.

TIFTON BAR ASSOC. PRESENTS LIBERTY BELL AWARD, HONORS MOCK TRIAL ESSAY WINNER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton Bar Association presented Terrie Doolan, a judicial assistant, with the 2025 Liberty Bell Award at a luncheon during a recent Law Day celebration.

The Liberty Bell Award recognizes non-lawyers who have contributed significantly to the greater understanding of the legal system, engaged in the betterment of their communities, or helped to strengthen and improve the American justice system. It is the most prestigious award given by lawyers to a non-lawyer.

Doolan, who has more than 22 years of service in the judge’s office, was chosen by the circuit’s attorneys. Since 2009, she has been judicial assistant to Tifton Circuit Chief Judge Bill Reinhardt (pictured with Doolan).

Also at the luncheon, Sawyer Miller, a student at G.O. Bailey Elementary School, was honored for having the best essay in the fourth grade about her experience in this year’s Mock Trial hosted by the Tift County State Court.

More than 550 students representing every fourth-grade class in Tift County schools had an opportunity to participate. Each class was invited to visit the state courtroom and present a short play depicting legal situations that may arise from various characters, such as the Queen of Hearts vs. Alice in Wonderland, People vs. Woody, and The Three Little Pigs vs. The Big Bad Wolf.

Each student was assigned roles in each “case” such as judge, defense attorney, juror, bailiff, witness, or other legal participants to help students get an early understanding of Georgia’s justice system.

Each student is asked to write an essay about their mock trial experience; a winning essay is chosen from the entries.

Sawyer Miller – called “Sawyer the Lawyer” – was presented the Joyce Mims Mock Trial Essay Award Certificate along with a gift card for her winning entry. Retired State Court Judge Larry Mims started the mock trial program, and current State Court Judge Herbert Benson (pictured above with Sawyer) is continuing it.

TIFT SCHOOLS' RETIREES REPRESENT 815 YEARS IN EDUCATION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County Schools this week celebrated 32 educators who are retiring after dedicating a combined 815-plus years to the field of education.

"Your passion, commitment, and impact have helped shape generations of students, and your legacy will live on in every life you've touched," the school system said.

The 2024-2025 retirees are: Katrina Godwin, Annie Belle Clark Elementary; Kelly Merritt, Annie Belle Clark; Cele Bullard, Charles Spencer Elementary; Linda Guthrie, Charles Spencer; June Drawdy, Eighth Street Middle; Doug Head, Eighth Street Middle; Donna Martinez, Eighth Street Middle; Pam McClellan, Eighth Street Middle; Brian Marchant, G.O. Bailey Elementary; Sylvia Roberts, G.O. Bailey; Annette Brown, J.T. Reddick Elementary; Lynn Harrell, Len Lastinger Elementary; Gwen Robinson, Len Lastinger; Sonya Locke, Matt Wilson Elementary; Ken Shealy, Northeast Middle; Tammy Byrd, Northside Elementary; Keily Parrish, Omega Elementary; Loretta Drummond, School Nutrition; Beverly Gainer, School Nutrition; Carolyn Graham, School Nutrition; Stella Hopkins, School Nutrition; Marian Paulhill, School Nutrition; Georgia Roberts, School Nutrition; Olivia Whiddon, School Nutrition; Gloria Beard, Tift County High; Mickey Bentley, Tift County High; Ashley Cody, Tift County High; Russ Davis, Tift County High; Glenn Hudson, Tift County High; Cathy McDaniel, Tift County High; Ellen Moore, Tift County High; and Mickey Weldon, Administrative Office.

TRMC AGAIN GETS 'A' RATING

FOR PATIENT SAFETY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) once again earned an “A” hospital safety grade from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit, independent watchdog organization focused on patient safety.

Leapfrog assigns a grade from “A” to “F” to hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

“For the sixth Leapfrog survey period in a row, our team of medical professionals and support staff have demonstrated their commitment to quality care and patient safety,” said Christopher Dorman, Southwell president/CEO. “This national distinction celebrates Tift Regional’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.”

Leah Binder, president/CEO of the Leapfrog Group, said “A” grades since 2022 reflect TRMC’s dedication to patient safety.

“I extend my congratulations to TRMC, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first,” said Binder.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections, and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. The program is peer reviewed, transparent, and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Pistachio" is a sweet cat who came to the animal shelter 40 days ago, underweight and suffering from hair loss. Today, he’s healthy, happy, and ready for a loving home. Visit Pistachio 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 CITY COUNCIL SETS

RETAIL BEER LICENSE AT $25 A YEAR

~ MAY 23, 1935

During a special-called meeting of Tifton City Council on May 23, 1935, the city commissioners set a retail license fee for beer sales at $25 a year (approximately $584 in today's dollars) and set a wholesale beer license at $100 per year (about $2,336 today). The action followed a long discussion.