The greater Fitzgerald community along with the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office made sure one of their deputies – a single mother of two children – still celebrated Christmas after the family lost everything, including Christmas gifts, in a house fire on Christmas Eve.

The fire began at about 4 a.m. Monday, the day before Christmas, and destroyed everything, including their clothes, furniture and appliances. The Sheriff's Office staff, their spouses and citizens around the Fitzgerald community immediately gathered to forge a game plan to ensure the family was taken care of at Christmas.

By 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, "All the presents were replaced, clothes for everyone, shoes, two beds, couch/futon, dryer, microwave, dishes, utensils, mattress for king-size bed and much more!," read a post on the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

"Also from the staff and a few awesome citizens, $950 in cash was raised. Since this time, I was contacted and advised we have additional $1,500 on the way," Ben Hill County Sheriff Lee Cone said.

"It’s important for everyone to know: Three of these members and their families had prior engagements to be celebrating Christmas with other family members; they chose to stay and help a co-worker in need on Christmas Eve."

Cone said Thursday that it has "b een such a blessing witnessing the Sheriff’s Office and community coming together for a person in need . Our deputy that lost her house due to fire has been blessed , and she is very thankful for what everyone has brought her – and most of all, for all the prayers ."

The Sheriff's Office is still getting offers of help. "If anyone would like to give at this time, we have found that gift cards for Harvey’s, Walmart, etc., would be perfect at this time," the sheriff said.

"Again, the d eputy is beside herself because of the love shown during this time of need. Thank you all, and may God bless you in a special way ."

Morgan County Citizen photo

Now identified as CPR 7001, the CaterParrott Railnet locomotive was used in the 1992 presidential campaign to take the late President George H.W. Bush from town to town on his whistle-stop campaign tour.

PRESIDENT BUSH'S CAMPAIGN LOCOMOTIVE NOW PULLS FREIGHT FOR CATER-PARROTT RAILNET

During the 1992 presidential campaign, the late President George H.W. Bush did some of his campaigning on a train dubbed the "Spirit of America."

The locomotive that pulled that train now hauls freight and is owned by Tifton-based CaterParrott Railnet, a company led by former Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater and former City Councilman Chris Parrott, according to an article by the Morgan County Citizen of Madison.

Cater and Parrott established CaterParrott Railnet (CPR) in 2005. With a 124-mile network, CPR is the third-largest privately owned shortline railroad in Georgia, serving four rail lines and 11 counties, including Morgan County, the newspaper wrote.

When they bought the locomotive, its presidential history had been forgotten. Cater and Parrott researched its history and discovered that the locomotive transported President Bush "41" during his campaign against Bill Clinton.

“It was Chris’s idea to put a plaque on that locomotive about eight months ago,” Cater told the Madison newspaper. “He said, ‘Why don’t we do this to say it pulled Bush 41?’ And I said, ‘Splendid idea! Splendid idea!’ So that’s what you’ll see on the engineer’s side of it.”

To read the Morgan County Citizen article, Click Here!

State Sen. Greg Kirk , R-Americus, has been designated to oversee legislation proposed by the Senate Study Committee on the Excessive and Duplicative Regulatory Oversight of Community Based Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Services .

The study panel  held its final committee meeting last week and adopted several recommendations to be considered in drafting legislation for the 2019 legislative session . Kirk will carry the legislation forward.

“The certification process for individuals with developmental disabilities shouldn’t be as difficult as it has been,” Kirk said. “The legislation we will create from the recommendations the committee adopted will consolidate the process to allow individuals, as well as agencies, to be clear on who needs to do what , and where information needs to be reported and stored .

"This study committee gave us insight on where the most problems occur and will help to create efficient legislation moving forward.” 

Kirk serves as chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee and represents District 13 , which encompasses Crisp, Dooly, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, and portions of Sumter and Wilcox counties.

“It was an honor to chair this important committee , and I believe the work we did over the interim has led to sound recommendations ,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan , R-Carrollton.

“Our top priority is to make sure that individuals with developmental disabilities have access to proper care , along with agencies having the appropriate framework in place to provide assistance . Senator Kirk has been instrumental throughout the study committee process, and he will do a great job championing this legislation .”

To read the study committee's final report , Click Here!

Farmers with damage from Hurricane Michael may be eligible for disaster assistance from funds allocated during the recent special legislative session , says state Rep. Penny Houston , R-Nashville.

The Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriation Act was amended to provide emergency funding for state agencies and local governments in areas most heavily affected by Hurricane Michael . Funds include $55 million for emergency disaster relief loans .

In keeping with its rural rehabilitation roots, the Georgia Development Authority will administer the special $55 million loan program for the purpose of providing timely relief to farmers through the Safety 21 Loan Program . Funds will be loaned in order to bridge the gap until other disaster program and insurance funds become available .

To be eligible for assistance , the applicant must be a farmer suffering a loss to their income as a result of Hurricane Michael . Loans will have a seven-year term with a graduated rate starting at 1 percent .

As a result of Hurricane Michael , Southwest Georgia experienced approximately $2.5 billion in losses within the agriculture and timber industries.

For information on the aid program, visit  www.gdaonline.com or  www.agr.georgia.gov

TIFTON SENIOR CENTER OFFERS

DRIVER SAFETY COURSE JAN. 19

The AARP Driver Safety Class , open to all drivers age 16 and up , will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19 , at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center on Second Street in Tifton .

The cost is $20 with a $5 discount for AARP members with their card. This is an opportunity for seniors to update their driving skills and earn an insurance discount.

 

AARP developed this six-hour classroom refresher to help drivers 50 years and older improve their skills and prevent crashes . It covers age-related physical changes ,  rules of the road and any recent changes in the law . Participants may be eligible for up to a 20 percent discount from their automobile insurance provider . 

For class information or reservations contact Tasha or Fran at 229-391-3956 or 229-391-9299 or  [email protected]  or [email protected]

The Food Services team at Tift Regional Medical Center provided the annual Christmas feast to all employees on Dec. 12 . Afterwards, the team was served their meal by the system's executive staff .

The Cook Medical Center employee Christmas feast was held Dec. 18. TRMC wanted to show appreciation to all its food services professionals for their work.

Dan Royal outside his pharmacy as he closes its doors this past January.

DAN ROYAL DIES, OWNED AND OPERATED ROYAL PHARMACY

Daniel “Dan” Carlton Royal Jr. , 75, of Tifton , who owned and operated Royal Pharmacy for 49 years, died Dec. 22 at his residence.

A licensed pharmacist , Royal closed his pharmacy on John Orr Drive last Jan. 12 . At the time, he said he wasn't retiring but was looking for the next chapter in his life.

He graduated from Turner County High School and the University of Georgia , and was an avid Georgia football fan. Royal had farming interests in Turner and Wilcox counties and loved the outdoors .

Royal was born Oct. 23, 1943 , in Sumter County . In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Royal . He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Tifton .

Donations may be made in his honor to Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch , 5671 Ga. 122, Hahira, GA 31632, or to the charity of one’s choice . 

Once again, the  Keep Tift Beautiful  organization will be  collecting  live  Christmas trees for  mulching  after the  holidays .

Live trees  may be  dropped off  at  Fulwood Park  from  11 a.m.-2 p.m.  on  Jan 5.

YOUR WEEKEND

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Tifton Grapevine

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