CITY PLANS TO INCREASE LIGHTING, SECURITY CAMERAS AT FULWOOD PARK

AFTER ASSAILANT RECENTLY SHOOTS AT SCHOOL TEACHER SITTING IN CAR

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton city officials say they are looking at adding more lighting and additional security cameras in Fulwood Park following an incident there on Nov. 18 when an assailant shot at a Tifton public school teacher at point-blank range when she refused to roll down her car window.

The bullet missed striking the teacher by inches and went through the coat she was wearing.

"This is something that we are taking very serious,” Acting City Manager Emily Beeman told Tifton City Council at its meeting Monday night. “We have started the ball rolling to put additional cameras out there. ... The chief and I have met at the park to see where we really need additional security cameras as well as additional lighting."

Police Chief Steve Hyman told council, “I feel secure in the park; I feel that the park is secure.” He added, “I feel like our park is safe, but we do have to be aware.” The chief said the recent shooting incident “could happen anywhere in Tifton."

Hyman added that his department has “beefed up patrol – not because the park is unsafe but because of the Christmas holidays."

City officials said they hope folks continue visiting Fulwood Park.

“If you stop going to the park, that bad element ... wins,” said Mayor Julie B. Smith.

Councilman M. Jay Hall, whose district includes Fulwood Park, asked residents not to be critical of the park.

“Don’t down your own park,” Hall said. “We’re looking at improving the park with more lighting and more cameras. Give us some time. ... We’re going to keep it safe for everyone."

He told residents, “Don't get discouraged; things happen everywhere."

Hall said that “sometimes, people don’t understand things might be in investigation, things might be going on so you may not get that news as fast as you want it."

However, the shooting victim told the Tifton Grapevine that she only came forward with her story after two weeks when nothing was reported or said publicly about the incident, and she believed the public should be aware before something similar happened again.

The school teacher said she had taken her dog to the park and was sitting in her car talking on her phone some time after 9 p.m. Nov. 18 when two men came up on both sides of her vehicle and motioned for her to roll down her windows. She instead began backing up her car and one of the men aimed a handgun at her, firing through her window.

Police said the bullet grazed her front seat and and entered the pillar where the shoulder restraint comes out.

No arrests have been made in the case, and police say they are continuing to investigate.

ASHBURN 'BIG PEANUT' MONUMENT GETS $10,000 FOR RESTORATION

AgGEORGIA FARM CREDIT’S DONATION CAPS

FUND DRIVE FOR TURNER COUNTY LANDMARK

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Turner County officials recently received a final $10,000 donation to fully rebuild Ashburn’s big peanut monument.

AgGeorgia Farm Credit donated the final amount to restore the state monument destroyed in 2018 when Hurricane Michael walloped South Georgia. Since then, Turner County has been working to get the 20-foot-tall landmark back up along Interstate 75.

The latest donation, along with funds from the Ashburn-Turner County Chamber of Commerce, the Turner County Young Farmers, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, ensures that the monument will once again greet travelers on I-75.

“The big peanut monument is a tribute to all of South Georgia’s farmers and agricultural industries that are the backbone of our economy. We are proud that Turner County is home to this testament, and we are working hard to get it back up, repaired and restored in all its former glory,” said Ashley Miller, the Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.

Miller coordinated restoration efforts and helped bring awareness to funding needs.

“We are excited to be a part of the monument’s reconstruction,” said AgGeorgia’s CEO Rob Crain. “Supporting our state’s No. 1 industry, along with supporting this local community and its farmers is an opportunity our organization couldn’t pass up.  

"We understand the significance of agriculture and the major economic impact it has for our state. We are proud to be involved in the re-establishment of this monument.”

Georgia leads the nation in peanut production; nearly half of all of all peanuts grown in the United States come from Georgia.

The monument restoration may take up to $90,000. State Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, was able to secure $55,000 from the state agriculture department after finding a section in the state code allowing for the restoration of state monuments.

The big peanut, built atop a crown on a brick base in 1975, was made the state’s official peanut monument in 1998. 

“I was really blown away how many people around the state know Turner County because of that peanut,” Summers said.

Metal fabricator Cole Sercer expects to have the reconstruction completed in early 2023, said Dennis Kendrick, Turner County Young Farmer advisor.

“We’ll be glad to have the monument back up and to have everyone celebrate with us,” Kendrick said.

~ Click Video Above ~

‘LABOR OF LOVE’: ALAPAHA RESTORES HISTORIC DEPOT

By VICKIE HARSEY

For the Tifton Grapevine

EDITOR’S NOTE: The historic Alapaha Station Depot, built circa 1876 as a major destination stop on the Brunswick & Albany Railroad, was said to exist before the Town of Alapaha was incorporated in 1881. In severe disrepair in recent years, the depot has undergone a rebirth and was rededicated last Saturday.

Alapaha Councilwoman Vickie Harsey, who created a public relations campaign for the restoration project, shares the story.

What wonderful blessings happen for a community when its people come together with a common goal: On Saturday, Dec.10, the Alapaha Strong Volunteers had the honor of cutting the ribbon on the grand reopening of the town’s beloved depot.

Work on the restoration project began in November 2021 when the volunteers helped clear overgrown shrubs and vines from the old depot and caboose. The clearing revealed the devastating truth that the historic structure was suffering. Without another thought, the first volunteers began working to save the building. As word quickly spread, more volunteers joined the effort, and area businesses began donating funds and materials. The effort truly became a labor of love.

During the ceremony, Mayor Benjamin Davis thanked the volunteers and the supporters for all they did to see the project through. Davis and Hayden Hancock of the Berrien County Chamber Board of Directors acknowledged each volunteer with a Certificate of Appreciation.

“It was a promise made and a promise kept,” Davis said, referring to his mayoral campaign and to the volunteers and supporters who had held the same vision in their hearts for past two decades.

Among the key volunteers were George and Sandy Harper, who, upon seeing the condition of the depot, broke out the tools and rolled up their sleeves; Brenda Hickey, a local artist and designer, who joined in the work and helped create the vision for the finished depot; Sylvia Roberts, retired vice president of Bank of Alapaha, who saw the work at Stage One and got busy raising the needed funds; and Rudolph Smith, retired city manager of Norcross, who stepped up as project manager, laborer, and fundraiser.

“I appreciate Alapaha and its people,” Project Manager Smith said. "They always come together to work toward a common goal.”

In a social media post, Project Designer Hickey expressed it best when she wrote: “It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the Alapaha Strong Team who had hands on this building. The team was the first group that took on this renovation in November 2021 through May 2022; they’re the best bunch of hard-working people in Alapaha.

"It’s also been an honor working with our Project Manager Rudolph Smith from Day One and Ga. Correctional Engineer Johnny Simpson and his team that worked June through December 2022 to finish this project. Thank you all that had a hand in making this happen.”

The Town of Alapaha sends its deep appreciation to all of the Alapaha Strong Volunteers, the Neighborhood Watch Volunteers, our local businesses, and those who provided meals for all of the workers throughout the year.

A special thank you goes to Georgia Correctional Engineer Johnny Simpson and his work team, Sheriff Ray Paulk and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and their work team, Ben Warren and the Berrien County Roads & Bridges Department, Scott Bass and the Home Depot team, and Alapaha Public Works Manager Anthony Powell and his team.

Thank you also goes to state Rep. Penny Houston for her support and faith in our renovation project. 

The Alapaha Station Depot will be used as an event venue for weddings, reunions, birthdays, repasts/funerals and other social functions.

Volunteers at the Alapaha Station Depot ribbon cutting Saturday included, from left on the front row: Dolly Smith, Sylvia Roberts, Mattie and Johnny Davis, George Harper, Rudolph Smith, Mayor Ben Davis, Heather Brasell, Sandy Harper, Brenda and Bruce Hickey, Barbara Harper, and Hayden Hancock. From left, back row: Dana Echols, Dona Fields, Alfonzo Boone, Jeremy Roberts, Stanley Harsey, Sharon Greene, Lynda Carter, Gayle Tucker, and Norma Gaskins.

TIFTON REJECTS PROPOSED RATE HIKE FOR SOLID WASTE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

With little comment, Tifton City Council voted unanimously Monday to reject an increase in city solid waste fees proposed by Ryland Environmental.

Council voted to maintain the current fees after Acting City Manager Emily Beeman reported that it is “not in the best interest of the city” to take on the billing of garbage collection fees from Ryland.

At a recent council workshop, Ryland representatives said proposed increases could be reduced if the city handled the billing of customers for solid waste services.

Ryland Environmental had proposed raising residential rates 3% – from $17.33 to $17.85 a month – and increasing commercial rates by 10%, or approximately $7.

Ryland said it was requesting an increase because of rising costs for fuel, materials, and labor.

GDOT TO RESURFACE U.S. 319

The Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently awarded a $9.35 million contract to resurface 10.33 miles of U.S. Highway 319 in Tift County.

The contract, awarded to The Scruggs Co. of Hahira, is for resurfacing the road from the Colquitt County line to just south of U.S. Highway 82 in Tifton. The project is scheduled to be completed by next Sept. 30.

The Tift County project was the single largest GDOT project among approximately $152,464,122 recently awarded in the state.

TCHS BLUE DEVILS NAMED TO

ALL-REGION FOOTBALL TEAM

Several Tift County High Blue Devils have been named to the Georgia High School Association's Region 1-6A All-Region football team following the recent prep football season.

Damian Moate, a TCHS junior running back, has been named to the first team offense. Two Blue Devils have been named to the first-team defense: Jacoiley Nathan, a senior defensive lineman; and Za’Morian Brown, a junior defensive back.

On the All-Region second-team offense, TCHS has two players: Tyler Parker, a senior wide receiver; and Tyrese Brown, a senior offensive lineman.

Jonta Strozier, a senior linebacker for the Blue Devils, was named to the second-team defense.

TCHS kicker Antonio Gomez was also named to the All-Region second team.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Tiny Tim,” this cute, lonely kitten, is hoping his Christmas wish comes true and he gets a new home for the holidays. Tiny Tim is available for adoption today at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt him and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

COUNCIL PANEL ENDORSES $80,000 IN BONDS FOR TIFTON IMPROVEMENTS

~ DEC. 16, 1915

A Tifton City Council committee on Dec. 16, 1915, unanimously endorsed an $80,000 bond issue for municipal improvements: $30,000 for a high school building, $24,000 for waterworks improvements, $16,000 for a city hall, and $10,000 for street paving.

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