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Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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Artist's rendering of Tift County's new 7th- and 8th-grade middle school that will be located next to Tift County High School. Ground was broken on the project Thursday.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR NEW TIFT MIDDLE SHOOL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County Schools has broken ground for the new 7th-8th grade middle school at 481 New River Church Road on a site adjacent to the high school.

This state-of-the-art 194,918-square-foot school is expected to open in fall 2027.

The project "represents a major investment in the future of our students, our community, and our commitment to providing world-class learning opportunities," the school system said. "We look forward to sharing progress updates as construction continues."

Superintendent Natalie Gore has said that the proximity of the high school will provide opportunities for middle school students who want to take high school classes to go back and forth. Also, both schools could share a teacher for a class such as Spanish, rather than requiring two teachers.

“It will be literally a three-minute walk away,” she said.

The new school is expected to serve approximately 1,200 students. The school system has said the middle school will be designed to support a modern and dynamic educational environment, incorporating both collaborative and innovative learning spaces.

The Tift County Board of Education selected Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) as the architectural firm for the project and Parrish Construction Group as the construction management firm.

The back side of the new Tift County middle school is depicted in this artist rendering.

'RECORD' COLD IN TIFTON? WELL, MAYBE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Unseasonable icy weather Tuesday in Tifton was "unofficially" record-setting.

According to national weather data, Tifton's recorded low temperature for Nov. 11 is 28 degrees. While the National Weather Service says temperatures plunged to 29 degrees early Tuesday morning, the UGA automated weather system in Tifton recorded a minimum air temperature of 27.2 degrees at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Whether or not the low temperature hit a record, everyone agrees that it has been downright cold for this time of year.

But the big chill is over, at least for a while. Wednesday's low will be around 44 degrees, and highs will steadily climb during the coming week. By Saturday, high temperatures are expected to be 76 with a low around 50 degrees.

The upcoming winter forecast for the area is still uncertain but most weather experts don't expect a repeat of January's 5 inches of snow.

And don't even dream about a White Christmas this year.

TIFTON MAN DIES IN SHOOTOUT WITH CRISP COUNTY DEPUTIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton man died Friday in a shootout with Crisp County deputies, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said.

Deonte Rashad Calhoun, 25, of Tifton, died at the scene after an exchange of gunfire with deputies following a traffic stop in Cordele, according to the GBI. No officers were injured.

According to Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock, the Sylvester Police Department alerted the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office that Calhoun was traveling Friday afternoon to Crisp County High School to pick up an acquaintance.

Calhoun was wanted on four felony counts of aggravated assault and for possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, the sheriff said.

Crisp County authorities thought it best to stop Calhoun before he reached the high school, and set up an operation on Frontage Road in Cordele to intercept and apprehend the suspect, Hancock said.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., deputies spotted Calhoun on Frontage Road. Seeing law enforcement, Calhoun parked his vehicle at a Frontage Road hotel and fled on foot, the sheriff said.

"A short chase ensued where gunfire was exchanged, and the subject is deceased," Hancock said.

The Crisp County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to handle the investigation.

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TIFTON REP. SCOTT GETS AGRIBUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Georgia Agribusiness Council has named Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, as the 2025 recipient of the Congressional Agribusiness Leadership Award.

"I was honored to receive the Congressional Agribusiness Leadership Award at the Georgia Agribusiness Council's 50th annual Harvest Celebration this past weekend," Scott said.

"This was a great event with people from all across our state doing critical work for the No. 1 industry in Georgia. I was honored to receive this award and will continue to work tirelessly in Washington, D.C., for our growers and producers," the congressman said.

At its weekend event in Athens, the Agribusiness Council bestowed the Gary W. Black Agribusiness Leadership Award to Sonny Perdue, and the Georgia Legislator of the Year Awards to State Sen. Sam Watson, R-Moultrie, and State Rep. Chas Cannon, R-Moultrie.

Perdue is chancellor of the University System of Georgia, and is a former Georgia governor and a former U.S. secretary of agriculture.

The awards recognize influential individuals for their commitment to Georgia’s agribusiness industry.

AUTHORITIES PROBE 'UNUSUAL ACTIVITY': A NAKED PERSON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Local and state authorities conducted an unsuccessful search Monday for what they called "unusual activity" – someone seen walking naked in the Sparks Cut-Off Wildlife Management Area in Cook County.

In a press release, Cook County Sheriff Douglas G. Hanks said a state game warden received a photo from a trail camera showing "unusual activity" in the Sparks Cut-Off Wildlife Management Area.

"The picture depicted what appeared to be an unknown person walking down a dry creek bed without any clothes on. Due to the quality of the picture, it was impossible to determine any identifying characteristics of the person other than the apparent lack of clothes," the release read.

Sparks Cut-Off is a 340-acre public access property allowing small game hunting.

The Wildlife Management Area requested the sheriff's assistance to search the area. Six canine search teams from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia State Patrol assisted in the search. The Georgia State Patrol dispatched two helicopters including one with forward-looking infrared cameras.

Law Enforcement personnel completed a door-to-door canvas of the neighborhood surrounding the area as well.

"No additional evidence of any nature as to the identity of the unknown person has been found and no local law enforcement agencies have received any reports of anyone missing or endangered," Sheriff Hanks said.

The search of the Wildlife Management Area has been discontinued.

During the search Monday, the Lenox Police Department was involved in a vehicle pursuit that ended in an accident in the wildlife search area. The vehicle's two occupants then fled into the wildlife area, where one was apprehended by Lenox Police and the other occupant was captured a short time later by Cook and Lowndes County deputies.

HAIRE PARK PLAYGROUND OPENS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Local kids and neighborhood residents joined officials from the City of Tifton and Tift County along with representatives from Georgia Power and Coca-Cola United for the grand opening Thursday of the new playground at Haire Park in South Tifton.

The playground is located on the corner of South Ridge Avenue and 11th Street.

The park renovation is a result of a joint public-private effort. Georgia Power provided a $20,000 grant, and Coca-Cola United contributed $10,000. The City of Tifton and Tift County worked together to bring the playground project to fruition.

SOUTHWELL MEDICAL IN ADEL NAMED AMONG NATION'S BEST IN UNPLANNED READMISSIONS AFTER SURGERY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Becker’s Hospital Review recently highlighted Southwell Medical in Adel as one of the nation’s top performers for low unplanned readmissions after outpatient surgeries.

This determination was based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“This recognition reflects the outstanding work of our clinical and support teams, whose commitment to quality and patient-centered care continues to elevate Southwell’s reputation across South Georgia," said Chris Dorman, Southwell president & CEO.

When readmissions are low, it means a hospital is likely providing effective post-discharge care, ensuring patients have the right medications, clear instructions, and are transitioning smoothly to their next care setting, Southwell explained.

Becker’s Hospital Review is an authoritative source for business news and analysis for the hospital industry.

TIFTON MARKS VETERANS DAY

WITH CEREMONY

Residents braved the chilly weather Tuesday to attend the annual Veterans Day program at Jack Stone Veterans Park in Tifton.

The Tifton Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Brenda Shaw sang the National Anthem and "God Bless the USA."

Jonathan Mayberry gave the keynote address. Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith offered opening remarks, and Tyron Spearman once again served as master of ceremonies.

DERRICK DOVE & PEACEMAKERS WIN AGAIN

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton-based band Derrick Dove & The Peacemakers are on a roll these days.

On Saturday, the Tifton band won the Wiregrass Blues Society "Battle of the Blues Bands" in Dothan, Ala.

"I am still amazed at the amount of talent in the South. Everyone competing was top notch," Dove said.

"When we made it to the finals, we had a band meeting and came to terms with ‘If we don’t win, that’s OK because everyone is extremely talented!’

"I about fainted when they announced we had won," Dove said.

Dove & The Peacekeepers will now be representing the Wiregrass Blues Society in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge during January.

On the previous weekend, Dove and his band won Song of the Year – Jazz/Blues at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

On Oct. 25, Dove was inducted into the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame as a songwriter.

In August, Dove & The Peacekeepers received the 2025 Entertainer of the Year Award from the International Singer Songwriters Association.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

89th Annual Coastal Plains Agricultural Fair

1312 U.S. Highway 82 E., Tifton

Nov. 6

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Watcher" is a 10-month-old beauty who has spent half her life waiting patiently at the shelter for someone to notice her. It’s hard to believe she’s still here — she’s as adorable as can be, but even sweeter than she is cute. Visit Watcher 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).

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN DOWNTOWN TIFTON BEFORE THANKSGIVING ... FOR FIRST TIME

~ NOV. 14, 1968

For the first time before Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations were going up in Downtown Tifton – on Nov. 14, 1968. The Tifton Retail Merchants Association said it hoped that early holiday decorations would help "get people in the yuletide spirit."

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