Car Hits Child Outside School

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

VEHICLE HITS CHILD OUTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A five-year-old boy attending Len Lastinger Elementary School is in serious condition after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon as school was dismissed for the day, authorities say.

The boy, who lives near the school, was crossing the street at approximately 2:55 p.m. when he was hit, officials said.

He was transported to Tift Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.

"We would like to thank the community first responders and school staff at the scene for their quick response and attention to the situation. Tifton Police Department and Georgia State Patrol are leading the investigation," said Dana Spurlin, Tift County Schools chief information officer.

"In light of the events today, and in the best interest of our students, there will be no GMAS (Georgia Milestones Assessment System) testing at Len Lastinger" on Wednesday, Spurlin said.

Testing at Len Lastinger Elementary will resume on Thursday with fifth graders taking the science portion, and then all grades taking the second portion of math on Friday. Other schools in the district will remain on their regular testing schedule.

Photo by Frank Sayles Jr.

Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. in Tifton on July 1, 2022, visiting with Jack Stone, left, and Sonny Hamilton, all of Tifton.

TIFTON NATIVE TO LIE IN HONOR AT U.S. CAPITOL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

It's official: The late Ralph Puckett Jr., a Tifton native, will lie in honor on Monday, April 29, inside the U.S. Capitol's rotunda, only one of seven private citizens ever to do so.

The honor is usually reserved for presidents, Supreme Court justices, and distinguished members of Congress. Retired Colonel Puckett was the last living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Korean War and was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the U.S. Army's history.

He died April 8 at age 97 at his home in Columbus. Among his military honors were the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with V device for valor, five Purple Hearts, 10 Air Medals, and the World War II Victory Medal. He received decorations from two U.S. presidents for his heroism in both the Korean and Vietnam wars.

“The extraordinary valor of Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War. He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow Rangers, and is an exceptional model for service members and civilians alike," said U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a joint statement.

"To recognize Colonel Puckett’s remarkable heroism and service, and the contributions of all Korean War veterans, it is our privilege to permit his remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol,” the congressional leaders said.

Puckett joins just a handful of private citizens, including the Rev. Billy Graham and civil-rights pioneer Rosa Parks, to receive this rare tribute inside the Capitol.

Puckett was born and raised in Tifton, leaving to join the Army during World War II and later attending West Point. His heroism during the Korean War and his longtime distinguished service as an Army Ranger has made him a Ranger legend.

CONGRESS SENDING $3M TO UGA TIFTON

FOR PRECISION AG LAB

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The University of Georgia Tifton campus is getting more than $3 million in federal funds to help establish a precision agriculture laboratory, says U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.

The funding will be used to repurpose an under-utilized portion of the 47-year-old Tifton Rural Development Center at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, transforming it into a cutting-edge Interactive Precisions Agriculture Research, Education, and Demonstration Laboratory.

The plan is part of UGA's ongoing project to build a lab that hosts researchers, scientists, and student groups, supports testing, and offers farm demonstrations.

"It would be providing exceptional education space to demonstrate, test, and disseminate information on advanced agricultural practices to Georgia farms. By leveraging the expertise of faculty, staff, and researchers at the University of Georgia, this facility would increase agricultural efficiency, reduce costs, increase yields, and advance precision agriculture research and economic development throughout the state," Congressman Drew Ferguson, R-The Rock, had written in a letter to the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Ossoff's office said the senator, working alongside Ferguson and Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $3,034,000 for the project through this year’s bipartisan government funding package,

“Food security is national security. Georgia farmers feed the nation and the world. Working alongside Senator Reverend Warnock and Congressman Ferguson, we are delivering new resources with bipartisan support to help the University of Georgia create a new precision agriculture demonstration lab in Tifton and help our state’s top industry continue to thrive,” Ossoff said.

Michael Toews, assistant dean of the UGA Tifton campus, said, “We are thrilled for this opportunity to demonstrate the latest technologies across Georgia’s commodities.

“These labs and collaborative spaces will be within walking distance to horticultural, row, turf, and citrus plots, providing stakeholders the ability to see and test technologies for adoption on their farms.”

GSP SEEKS PUBLIC'S AID IN FATAL ACCIDENT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) is making an "urgent appeal" to the public, seeking help in a "critical investigation" involving a fatal accident in Tift County.

At 4:01 a.m. Feb. 7, an unidentified, white male, believed to be in his mid 30’s to early 40’s, died after being struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 75 North at mile marker 54, the GSP said.

Video footage retrieved from the tractor-trailer's dashcam showed the victim emerging from behind a parked vehicle on the shoulder and stepping into the path of the tractor-trailer, the GSP said.

"The parked vehicle, however, which may hold crucial clues to the circumstances of the incident, was not present at the scene when first responders arrived," the GSP said in a statement.

"Despite extensive efforts, we have been unable to identify the male victim or the vehicle involved in the tragic crash. We appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, has information about the male victim, or has seen the vehicle in question to come forward. No detail is too small, and any information could significantly contribute in bringing closure to this investigation and connecting the male with his loved ones."

Authorities said the victim had a small build, dark hair, and a beard.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the GSP Post 13 in Tifton at 229-386-3226.

SRTC TIFTON STUDENT NAMED TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY'S STUDENT OF YEAR

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton student at Southern Regional Technical College was named Georgia's National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Student of the Year at a recent leadership conference and competition in Atlanta.

Not only was Pamela Wagner of Tifton named NTHS Student of the Year, but she placed third in NTHS Prepared Speech competition.

Among the SRTC students competing at the conference were:

Dolores Bradley of Tifton, Impromptu Speaking – fourth place; and NTHS Extemporaneous Speech – third place; and
Micaela Miley of Alapaha, Foundations of Communications – second place; Project Management – second Place and FBLA "Who’s Who Student."

The Georgia State Collegiate chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), along with the National Technical Honor Society and Georgia Student Government Association partnered to host the Georgia Spring Leadership Conference and Competitions.

SRTC was represented by 21 students and advisors.

PLAYGROUND RIBBON CUTTING, TOUCH-A-TRUCK SET FRIDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton officials will formally open the new all-inclusive, disability-accessible playground in Fulwood Park with a ribbon cutting at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting, the City of Tifton will sponsor "Touch-A-Truck," during which children can get up close with fire trucks, police cars, and heavy construction and public safety equipment and meet the vehicles' operators.

The event is part of Georgia Cities Week in Tifton.

The new Fulwood Park playground, which opened to children two months ago, includes a hide-a-way clubhouse, slides, handicap-accessible swings, sensory activities, swizzler, and more.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue improving Fulwood Park,” said City Manager Emily Beeman. “This makes the perfect addition to our existing playground and other outdoor facilities.”

The project cost more than $650,000 and was made possible through a partnership with the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association, which awarded a Product Development Grant of $250,000 for the project.

The City of Tifton matched the grant, and City Council approved the remaining funding for the playground. Bliss Products and Services, Inc. designed and installed the inclusive playground.

The city is also upgrading the park's disc golf course, which is expected to be completed soon.

Proud New Member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce

Receiving Student of Distinction honors in their respective schools at ABAC are, from left, Tucker Parrish, a business major from Adel; Delaney Garcia, a writing and communications major from Albany; Janeth Ovalle, a nursing major from Douglas; and Annah Williams, an agribusiness major from Lenox, who was also chosen as this year’s J.G. Woodroof Scholar.

LENOX STUDENT AT ABAC EARNS

COLLEGE'S TOP ACADEMIC HONOR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Annah Williams, an agribusiness major from Lenox, was chosen as this year’s J.G. Woodroof Scholar, the highest academic honor the college awards each year.

Williams was among four students honored during a ceremony at ABAC on Thursday. Williams was also selected as the Student of Distinction for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Also winning Student of Distinction honors in their respective schools were Tucker Parrish, a business major from Adel, for the Stafford School of Business; Janeth Ovalle, a nursing major from Douglas, for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; and Delaney Garcia, a writing and communications major from Albany, for the School of Arts and Sciences.

The students were chosen by faculty in each school from the list of superior honor and distinguished honor students, who are classified by their earned hours and grade point averages at the end of fall semester 2023. Other factors are also considered, including involvement in learning activities, in clubs and college-sponsored activities, community service, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

The Woodroof Scholar, named for ABAC's first president, is also honored at the University System of Georgia’s Academic Recognition Day. Criteria includes a 4.0 GPA (or close to it) and qualities characteristic of outstanding scholastic achievement.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CATS OF THE WEEK

"Raggedy Ann" and "Andy" are two adorable kittens hanging around the animal shelter just waiting for a home. Come visit them and 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).

NEW MARBLE BANK BUILDING

ANNOUNCED FOR DOWNTOWN TIFTON

~ APRIL 21, 1916

An announcement was made on April 21, 1916, that a contract was let for a new Bank of Tifton building downtown. The one-story, Georgia marble building was to be 65 feet by 65 feet and cost approximately $50,000. The site chosen was on First Street about 15 feet west of Main Street. In more recent years, the building has housed Ameris Bank.