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BRIDGES TO RETIRE AGAIN: NOW FROM

GA RURAL CENTER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Dr. David Bridges plans to retire – again.

Bridges, director of the state's Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, informed the Rural Development Council on Monday that he intends to retire June 30. He agreed to stay on until a successor is found.

Bridges retired as president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in 2022 after 16 years. But he continued as "interim" director of the rural prosperity center, established in 2018 by the House Rural Development Council and housed at ABAC in Tifton.

The rural prosperity center serves as a central information and research hub for rural best practices, which includes community planning, industry-specific assistance, and cooperative efforts with other organizations. The center focuses on producing results that directly affect people and places in the state's rural communities.

A review of the rural prosperity center's work showed that during the past seven years, the center has completed more than 70 projects that was said to have positively affected 73 counties. The initiatives helped rural communities, reaching all 159 of Georgia’s metro, suburban, and rural areas through regional and statewide efforts.

The center has published more than 200 articles, stories, and news briefs to promote and advocate for rural Georgia. Rural center projects have generated more than $408 million in total investment, yielding a 132-to-1 return on an initial $3 million investment.

During the Rural Development Council meeting Monday, members received updates on current state legislation, including House Bill 495, which was approved and sent to the governor to transfer the rural prosperity center from the University System of Georgia to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Also at the meeting, Jim Matney, president and CEO of Colquitt Regional Medical Center, was elected as the new chairman of the Rural Development Council. Members appointed by Gov. Brian P. Kemp include Marjorie J. “Betts” Berry, Gabe Evans, Barbara Holmes, and Dr. Stuart E. Rayfield.

Those appointed by former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan are Michelle Higdon, Jimmy Lewis, and Becca Turner, while Wayne Christian, Drew Echols, and Kent Sanford were appointed by former House Speaker David Ralston.

Nearly nine miles of State Route 182 in Ben Hill County is being resurfaced. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. Meanwhile, traffic will be affected along the two-lane road. The photo shows work on a bridge and the resurfacing underway along the lane at left.

GDOT ROAD PROJECT UNDERWAY IN BEN HILL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is currently handling a milling, resurfacing, and shoulder rehabilitation project on State Route (SR) 182 in Ben Hill County.

The 8.680-mile project begins at SR 11 and ends at SR 107.

Resurfacing a two-lane road means that traffic must be flagged in order for the work to continue; GDOT officials said they appreciate the public's patience while construction is underway.

East Coast Asphalt LLC has been awarded the $2.46 million contract for the project. The current scheduled completion date is Oct. 31.

Pictured from left are Jordan Pope, Laura Pope, Josh Pope, and Traci Haswell of the Pope Real Estate Co.; Harold Abbott, 2025 Brumby Legacy Award recipient; Savannah Harvin, 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient; Shae Tucker, G.O. Bailey principal; Laura Cutts, TCFEE executive director; and Mike and Moppy Brumby, retired TCFEE directors.

TCFEE LEGACY AWARD DONATION GOES TO

G.O. BAILEY ELEMENTARY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Foundation for Education Excellence's (TCFEE) Brumby Legacy Award recipient this year, Harold Abbott, has selected G.O. Bailey Elementary School to receive a $500 donation.

The Brumby Legacy Award, created in honor of retired TCFEE directors Mike and Moppy Brumby, offers the opportunity to select a Tift County school to receive $500 to expand excellence in education. The Pope Real Estate Co. sponsors the cash award.

Abbott, who retired as Tift County Schools superintendent, was the first principal of G.O. Bailey Elementary in 1973, and said he has many fond memories of his time at the school.

Abbott presented the check and celebrated the continued legacy of excellence in Tift County education.

FEMA OKs $560M IN AID TO GA STORM SURVIVORS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, reported Thursday that the agency has approved more than $359.7 million in aid to Georgians affected by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby.

FEMA said it approved more than 402,600 applications for assistance, including more than $10.2 million in rental assistance for more than 4,200 families, and long-term housing secured for nearly 180 households.

In addition, FEMA has provided more than $461.9 million in public assistance to support statewide debris removal and recovery efforts, with more than 38.4 million cubic yards of debris cleared thus far.

The agency asks all survivors to keep their contact information up to date so they don’t miss follow-ups about additional aid or housing resources. Survivors may call 1-800-621-3362 to make updates or ask questions about the recovery process.

“FEMA remains committed to Georgians and their recovery. We continue to work with the state of Georgia and our local and state officials in making sure that we’re addressing survivors’ recovery needs and providing the best support we can," said FEMA spokesman James Wood.

Tift County High students Josiah Zorn and Laken Tabor perform the theme song from "Beauty and the Beast" at the Tifton Rotary Club's meeting Wednesday. The Blue Devil Players will present the show May 1-4.

BLUE DEVIL PLAYERS TO PERFORM 'BEAUTY AND BEAST'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County High School Blue Devil Players will present Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast" at 6 p.m., May 1-3, and 3 p.m. May 4, at the TCHS Performing Arts Center.

Two of the performers, Josiah Zorn and Laken Tabor, gave the Tifton Rotary Club a taste of the production Wednesday with by singing the theme song, "Beauty and the Beast."

Zorn will play the candlestick character of Lumiere, and Tabor will be a napkin in the production. 

“Our shows are top notch,“ said Jake Alley, the drama teacher. "Our kids run the shows.” He said that during performances, he might work concessions while the students put on the show as they are in charge of the production.

Tickets are sold at the door, cash, check or QR payment. Adults are $15, and students are $10.

For information, email tchs_drama@tiftschools.com.

TIFTON EXCHANGE CLUB HONORS LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER SPEARMAN WITH LEGACY AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Exchange Club of Tifton has presented its inaugural Legacy Award to Tyron Spearman of the Spearman Agency.

Spearman is the longest serving member of the club, being active for nearly 56 years; he joined on Sept. 1, 1969.

The Exchange Club said Spearman has been invaluable to the club and continues to be an indispensable member.

Club President Levetta Jefferson presented the award as part of the club's 77th anniversary celebration.

PB2 Foods leaders include, from left, Chief Customer Officer John Monczynski, Vice President of Marketing Owen White, CEO Craig Entwistle, and Chief Financial Officer Steven Ramage.

TIFTON-BASED PB2 FOODS ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

PB2 Foods, the original powdered peanut butter pioneer based in Tifton, has announced key leadership promotions as the company continues to expand.

John Monczynski has been named chief customer officer (CCO), Steven Ramage has been elevated to chief financial officer (CFO), and Owen White has been promoted to vice president of marketing.

The leadership moves come as PB2 solidifies its position as the category leader in powdered peanut butter, with a 51% share of the retail market, according to Nielsen data.

"These three associates have played instrumental roles in PB2's success, and their strategic insights, customer-first approach, and ability to drive results make them ideal leaders to drive our future growth," said Craig Entwistle, PB2 Foods CEO.

Ramage, the new CFO, has been instrumental in leading PB2's $9.3 million plant expansion project in Tifton, working closely with operations to maximize production output. As CFO, he will continue to oversee the company's financial strategy, cash flow, and accounting best practices.

At a time when many U.S. companies are scaling back, PB2 says it remains committed to strategic investments in talent and growth. The company continues to prioritize American jobs in Georgia's agricultural hub — a federally designated Historically Underutilized Business Zone — and currently employs more than 100 associates in Tifton.

TIFTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

HEARS ABOUT PROVIDENCE SCHOOL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Victoria Harris, head of Providence School of Tifton, addressed the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's membership meeting Thursday, telling about the school's classical Christian education program.

The private school recently moved into a building on Tifton's Main Street.

ALAPAHA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT APPOINTS INTERIM JUDGE, STREAMLINES SERVICES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Alapaha Chief Superior Court Judge Clayton Tomlinson recently appointed retired Judge Judy Mullis to serve as the magistrate and probate judge for Clinch County.

The Alapaha Judicial Circuit includes the counties of Berrien, Cook, Atkinson, Clinch, and Lanier.

Mullis has three decades of experience and recently retired from the bench in Lanier County. Mullis will serve until a special election is certified and a successor takes office. 

Tomlinson had appointed Cook County Probate Judge Chase Daughtrey to serve in a pro tempore capacity since the first of the year, and Daughtrey has been full time in the office since the vacancy occurred last month.

Daughtrey organized a strike team of judges from the Alapaha Circuit, including Judge Christina Allen from Berrien County and Judge Carol Durrance from Atkinson County, to revamp the two courts. Several measures were taken to save taxpayer money, including the elimination of the constable position, creation of a cap on vital record fees that the judge receives, additional accountability and security to the funds that flow through the court, and an updated filing and recording system of cases. 

“I am proud of the progress the judges have made over the past month to ensure the courts are properly managed, and the citizens get the judiciary their tax money is paying for,” said Judge Tomlinson.

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, April 20, is Easter, the single most important holy day throughout Christianity. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ — a central belief for Christians worldwide and the focal point of the faith. Religious scholars believe the event occurred three days after the Romans crucified Jesus in roughly 30 A.D. Christians therefore derive hope that they too will experience a resurrection in Heaven. Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox on March 21.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18

• Sylvester Police Department's Easter Egg Hunt, food & drinks, face-painting, kids' activities, 6-8 p.m., Jeffords Park, Sylvester

• "Easter in Art," film and refreshments, light hors d’oeuvres, $5; 7-8:30 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, Tifton

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

• Cruisin' Sylvester 2025, annual car show, 8 a.m., Train Depot, Sylvester

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• Easter Egg Hunt, children 12 & under, 11 a.m., Berrien County Parks & Recreation Department, 801 Tifton Highway, Nashville

SUNDAY, APRIL 20

• Easter

YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE HERE

To Advertise Your Home Yard Sale, Contact:

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

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Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Babe is a handsome young boy taken in by a kind person who found him as a stray, but sadly, a “no pets” rule from the landlord meant Babe had to be surrendered. Now, he is hoping for a forever family of his very own. He is fun, loving, and full of personality. Babe gets along well with other dogs and absolutely adores people. Come visit Babe and see other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor