Friday, February 20, 2026

Tifton, Georgia

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DNR: NO ANIMALS SHOT AT TIFT WILDLIFE REHAB

DOGS KILLED ANIMALS AT SITE; DNR CHARGES OWNER WITH FAILING TO SECURE FACILITIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has determined that “no gunshots at all” were involved with animals killed at a Tift County wildlife rehabilitation facility in January, a DNR official says, and the state has charged the facility owner with "failure to provide secure facilities and enclosures necessary to protect both the wildlife and the public."

The DNR reported late Thursday that the animals were killed after domestic dogs entered enclosures at the rehab facility. Jessica L. Pisciotta, owner-operator of Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab Inc., previously said that some of the animals at the rehab facility had been shot in the head in what she called "a massacre."

“This week, Georgia DNR Law Enforcement game wardens completed an investigation of the Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab Inc., after multiple captive wildlife and domestic animals at the facility were found dead in late January,” the DNR Public Affairs Office said in a statement. 

“On Jan. 26, DNR LE investigators responded to the facility in Tifton, Ga, after they were notified of the deceased animals. After collecting evidence from the scene, necropsies were performed on the animals, and the facility operator Jessica Pisciotta was interviewed.

“The investigation determined that all of the captive wildlife and domestic animals were killed after domestic dogs gained access to their enclosures," according to a statement forwarded to the Tifton Grapevine by Mark McKinnon, public affairs officer with DNR Law Enforcement Division.

“Based on the findings of the investigation, Pisciotta was charged with one misdemeanor count of violation of wildlife rehabilitation permit, citing failure to provide secure facilities and enclosures necessary to protect both the wildlife and the public, as required under Georgia law," the statement said.

A DNR official told the Grapevine that the courts will decide what penalty to impose.

The DNR Law Enforcement Division said it will continue to monitor Pisciotta’s rehabilitation operation in the coming months to "ensure compliance with all state wildlife regulations.”

Approximately 10 animals were discovered killed Jan. 26, at the Tift County wildlife rehab. Among the dead animals that Pisciotta had been rehabilitating were several deer, an emu, a gosling, and a turkey. 

Pisciotta told the Tifton Grapevine at the time that "multiple weapons" were used by "multiple people" to slay the animals. On Thursday, Pisciotta told the Grapevine that "I don't remember saying that."

Kelly Grozier with Steadfast Wildlife Rehab said she was with Pisciotta when the animals were found and when DNR personnel first arrived. She said that it was DNR officials who initially said that some of the animals appeared to have been shot.

"DNR specifically took us and showed us entrance and exit wounds," Grozier said. "They specifically showed us the wounds and said it looks like gunshots. They said they didn't know if they were from a .22 bullet or a cattle prod."

Both Grozier and Pisciotta said someone broke into the Wildlife Rehab area to let in the dogs.

"Metal clamps were taken off cages," Grozier said. "Dogs don't remove hardware."

"Humans unbolted it," Pisciotta said.

In a statement on social media Thursday night, Pisciotta said the "clamps/bolts were removed from the chain link allowing dogs into the enclosure bypassing our locks. The six large metal clamps/12 bolts were not left behind or found anywhere on the property. ... I was prepared to protect the wildlife against predators; however I never expected the need to protect against humans with tools to dismantle enclosures and let predators in."

Pisciotta said DNR has pinged a cell phone in the vicinity at the time of the attack and is trying to ascertain its owner.

Grozier said there was a second dog attack on Feb. 6 at the rehab facility with the same dogs. She said two goats and an emu were killed in that instance. Pisciotta said volunteers are taking shifts to stay at the rehab overnight, and dogs also attacked the volunteer who was there. She said he shot at the dogs in self-defense, killing one.

She said there are now additional cameras at the site, which captured an image of a black, four-door truck during the second attack. Animal control could tell that collars were removed from the dogs just before they were let into the rehab area, Pisciotta said, and that a dog had been neutered, so they were domesticated.

"Some things do need to be updated" at the rehab facility, Grozier said, adding that Pisciotta had to relocate there quickly when the city last year forced her to move the operation from her home in a Tifton neighborhood because it was a zoning violation.

"She is working to make the facility secure," Grozier said of Pisciotta. "We would like the public's help."

Discussions are underway for developing the 9.7-acre former Short & Paulk Supply Co. site on Tifton's South Main Street. Public comment is still being sought.

CITY OF TIFTON'S

SHORT & PAULK PROJECT GATHERS RESIDENTS' INPUT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton's "Short & Paulk Renaissance Project" held several community sessions this week to get ideas on how to develop the 9.7-acre former industrial site on South Main Street into a vibrant community space.

Among ideas that have come from citizens are to use the site for multi-purposes, such as youth activities – a skate park, climbing wall, splash pad – as a site for events and food trucks, as a small-business "incubator" where small businesses can share such resources as conference tables and equipment, as a green space with water attractions, and as a place for live entertainment and other family activities.

UGA's Carl Vinson Institute of Government is leading the discussions and will help the city, the Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency, and the Downtown Development Authority compile the suggestions and devise a strategic vision for the site.

The city has said its goal is to create a community-focused space that reflects local needs for today and tomorrow, and is a source of pride for residents.

“This acquisition represents more than just land – it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Tifton in a way that reflects the hopes and needs of our entire community,” Mayor Julie B. Smith said last year when the property was acquired. "We are committed to ensuring it becomes a source of pride and progress for all.” 

The city said it hopes the former Short & Paulk Supply Co. property is able to "bring new life and opportunity to the heart of our city."

For those residents who were unable to attend a community input session this week, they may add their thoughts to an online survey by clicking here.

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, stands with Tifton Police Detectives Jerry Fulford, left, and Michael Gaskins, right, after presenting flags flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor. In photo below, Scott presents a flag to Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman.

REP. SCOTT PRESENTS U.S. CAPITOL FLAGS TO TIFTON POLICE RECOVERING FROM GUNSHOTS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, visited the Tifton Police Department (TPD) on Wednesday to present three United States flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the two TPD detectives shot in early December when attempting to serve a warrant.

Scott presented a flag to Detective Jerry Fulford, Detective Michael Gaskins, and a flag to Police Chief Steve Hyman to honor the entire police department.

Both officers are recovering from their wounds, and Scott shared his wishes for their continued healing and thanked Tifton Police for the sometimes dangerous work they do every day.

Present at the ceremony were many of the first responders from surrounding local and state agencies who responded to the shooting scene on Dec. 5. The suspect in the shooting later died in the Coffee County Jail in what was determined to be a suicide.

WASDON GRAYDON, 75, DIES; ONE OF TIFT'S FIRST BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Wasdon Graydon Jr., one of the leaders in the local black community who helped change the way representatives are elected in Tift County, died Sunday in his Tifton residence at the age of 75.

Graydon, along with Ronald Nixon, were the first blacks elected to the Tift County Board of Commissioners in 1985.

Graydon, had joined with Dr. Homer Day, Larry Mims, Roosevelt Russell Sr., Sharon Bryant, and Betty Anderson in filing a lawsuit in 1983 against Tift County and the county school board challenging the at-large voting districts at the time and seeking single-member districts representing geographical communities.

A consent decree settled the lawsuit by establishing single-member districts for the county commission and board of education, allowing the chair of each board to be elected at large.

Several of the lawsuit's plaintiffs went on to serve in local leadership positions. While Graydon served two terms on the county commission, Russell went on to serve on Tifton City Council, Mims became a state court judge and senior judge, and Day served as interim president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC).

Graydon recorded another first as one of the first black students at ABAC in 1968. A 1970 ABAC graduate, he later became an ABAC administrator, directing sponsored programs and the college's Minority Advising Program before his retirement in 2010 after a 37-year career.

Graydon was a 1968 graduate of Tift County High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in history and education from Georgia Southern University and a master of education degree from Valdosta State.

He was selected as a member of the Leadership Georgia program in 1991 and was named Arts Citizen of the Year in Tift County in 1994. In 2001, Graydon received the E. Lanier Carson Leadership Award for College Administrators at ABAC and the President's Award for Achievement, Leadership, and Service.

He also served on the Hospital Authority of Tift County.

Graydon's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Tifton First Methodist Church.

MAN WITH HATCHET, WEARING CLOWN MASK ARRESTED OUTSIDE TIFTON MALL AFTER RUNNING FROM TIFTON POLICE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Police apprehended a man Monday dressed all in black, wearing a clown mask, and carrying a hatchet outside the Tifton Mall and who ran from officers.

Police approached the man and got the hatchet from him, but he then ran into the mall with police following him. The man kept running and ran back outside the mall, where other officers were able to apprehend him.

Joshua Dunkleberger, 37, is charged with one count of obstructing officers and was transported to Tift County Jail, authorities said. Officers say they also found plastic baggies containing a suspicious residue.

Tiftarea Ministerial Association

to Host Lenten Luncheons

As we enter the season of Lent, the TIftarea Ministerial Association would like to invite citizens of Tifton and the surrounding communities to participate in a series of Lenten Lunches at Tifton’s Leroy Rogers Center.

The lunches, which will be held from 12:00 to 1:00, will begin Wednesday, Feb. 18, and take place each Wednesday through April 1.

The lunches will be a “bring your own bag lunch and drink,”

and enjoy the program as pastors from area churches deliver a weekly message.

SCAD STUDENTS FILM MOVIE SCENE WITH 'STRANGER THINGS' ACTRESS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The World’s Largest Peanut Monument in Ashburn was in a scene shot Monday, part of a short movie by students from the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD) with Hollywood actress Catherine Curtin, whose credits include "Stranger Things" and "Orange is the New Black."

SCAD senior thesis film students shot the final scene of their film “Listen, Linda!” at the big peanut. The film follows two elderly twin sisters on their final road trip together — and Ashburn's peanut monument reportedly helps bring the story to a meaningful end.

The SCAD seniors start their next quarter working on the film's post production and hope to submit it to summer film festivals for acceptance.

The Ashburn peanut, Georgia's official peanut monument, was destroyed by Hurricane Michael in 2018. It was restored in 2023 at a cost of about $70,000 with funds coming from the state and area organizations and businesses. 

The 20-foot-tall Turner County landmark was built atop a crown on a brick base in 1975. It was named the state’s official peanut monument in 1998. For a half century, the "Big Peanut" has been a well-known landmark off Interstate 75 with the distinction of being the world's largest peanut.

TIFTON'S MASKED SINGERS 'UNMASKED'!

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts held its "Tifton's Masked Singer 2026" competition last weekend in time for Valentine's Day, and "Lady Love" (Deedra Holton) won first place.

The second place winner was "Love Witch" (Rilee Vance), and third place/People's Choice was "Love Bites" (Amanda Harrelson and Kayleigh Peretz).

In the photo at right, are the unmasked winners, from left: Peretz & Harrelson, Holton, and Vance.

Guest judges and host were Meagan Mayne, Timothy Goins, Allison Jones, and Richell Hart.

Quality Employment Service and Southeastern Credit Union donated gifts to the judges.

TIFT COUNTY SHERIFF DELIVERS BIKES TO

GEORGIA SHERIFF'S BOYS RANCH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough donated and delivered 16 bicycles to the Georgia Sheriff's Boys Ranch in Hahira this week. Tracy Stafford accepted the bikes on behalf of the Boys Ranch.

The Boys Ranch was established in 1960 to give the state's most at-risk children the love, safety, and stability needed to become successful adults. The Hahira facility encompasses more than 400 acres and serves both boys and girls.

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER

TIFTAREA

This Sunday, Feb. 22, is National Margarita Day. The popular drink was either invented in 1938 in Baja, Calif., or in 1942 in Juárez, Mexico, according to competing legends. One thing is clear: By the 1950s, the drink was becoming popular across America with a surge in popularity after Jimmy Buffett first sang of "Margaritaville" in 1977. So, celebrate – it's five o'clock somewhere – and keep looking for that lost shaker of salt!

Born on Feb. 20: Ansel Adams, photographer, 1902-1984; Gloria Vanderbilt, fashion designer, 1924-2019; Sidney Poitier, actor, 1927- 2022; Amanda Blake, actress, "Miss Kitty" on "Gunsmoke," 1929-1989; Bobby Unser, Indy auto driver, 1934-2021; Nancy Wilson, singer, 1937-2018; Buffy Sainte-Marie, folk singer, 1941–; Mitch McConnell, U.S. senator, 1942–; Sandy Duncan, actress, 1946–; J. Geils, guitarist & founder of the J. Geils Band, 1946-2017; Gene Scarbrough, Tift County sheriff, 1948–; Ivanka Trump, ex-wife of Donald Trump, 1949-2022; Walter Becker, musician with band Steely Dan, 1950-2017; Patty Hearst, former kidnap victim, 1954–; Bonnie Sayles, managing editor of Tifton Grapevine, 1958–; Charles Barkley, basketball hall-of-famer, 1963–; Cindy Crawford, model, 1966–; Kurt Cobain, singer-songwriter with Nirvana, 1967-1994; Trevor Noah, comedian & TV host, 1984–; Rihanna, singer-songwriter, 1988–.

FRIDAY, FEB. 20

• Home School Hangout, 11 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Love Avenue, Tifton

• Kiwanis Art & Music Showcase, 4th-12th grade students, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Tift County High School, Tifton

SATURDAY, FEB. 21

• Founding Fathers 5K Run & Walk, hosted by The Assembly at Adel, 9 a.m., 601 Massee Post Road, Adel

• 2nd Annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off, hosted by Adel Main Street, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 125 S. Hutchinson Ave, Adel

• Beginner Watercolor Class for Adults, free program, 10 a.m., Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library, 315 W. Marion Ave., Nashville

• The Original Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off, hosted by Nashville Main Street, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 102 N. Jefferson St., Nashville

• Kingdom of Wonder Circus, free admission, sponsored by the Town of Sumner & Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce, 2:30 & 5 p.m. shows, 413 Main St., Sumner

• Community Craft Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, 255 Love Ave., Tifton

• Beast Feast: 12th Annual Wild Game Supper, sponsored by ABAC Wildlife Society, 6 p.m., ABAC Agricultural Technology Building, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Moore Highway, Tifton

• Matt Stone as Elvis, live performance, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SUNDAY, FEB. 22

• Tiftarea Academy Admissions Open House, 2-4 p.m., Tiftarea Academy, 3144 Highway 41 N., Chula

• Kingdom of Wonder Circus, free admission, sponsored by the Town of Sumner & Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce, 2:30 & 5 p.m. shows, 413 Main St., Sumner

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TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

"Snickers" is about a year old and 50 pounds and was a stray. She has made it clear that she would prefer to be the only dog in the home, where she can soak up all the attention for herself. She loves people and always wants to be close to them. Come meet Snickers 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).

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