Diamond Rio Headlines Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Fest

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Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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DIAMOND RIO COMING TO TIFTON'S RHYTHM & RIBS FEST

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Headlining Tifton's Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival on March 7 in Fulwood Park will be Grammy-winning country band Diamond Rio, festival organizers have announced.

Diamond Rio, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has charted 20 Top 10 singles, 15 Top 5 singles, and seven No. 1 singles.

Known for such hit songs as “Meet in The Middle,” “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” “Unbelievable,” "Mirror, Mirror", "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me," "Norma Jean Riley," and "Nowhere Bound," the Nashville, Tenn. band has sold more than 6.8 million albums and has more than 1.05 billion global online music streams.

Diamond Rio received the Academy of Country Music's award for Top Vocal Group in 1991 and 1992. During 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997, they also received the Country Music Association's award for Vocal Group of the Year – an award for which they received 15 total nominations, more than any other country music group.

The band has received 13 Grammy Award nominations, winning in 2011. In 2010, Diamond Rio got three nominations for the GMA Dove Awards and won Country Album of the Year.

The Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival has become Tifton's signature event, drawing thousands of people from across the region and beyond – even attracting the attention of TV's Food Network, which visited in 2022 and highlighted the festival on one of its shows.

In the coming days, festival organizers plan to announce the remaining entertainers for the March 6-7 festival. All entertainment is free. In addition to entertainment, Rhythm & Ribs includes the Georgia Barbecue Association's professional BBQ competition, a local amateur backyard BBQ competition, and many food and craft vendors.

The festival began in 2009 in Downtown Tifton, moving to the Historic Village at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture before finding a permanent home in Tifton's Fulwood Park.

VIDEO: Listen to Diamond Rio's first No. 1 hit, "Meet in the Middle."

TIFTON TO HONOR LIVES LOST ON 9/11

By FRANK SAYLES JR. & BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Thursday is Patriot Day, a day of remembrance marking 24 years since nearly 3,000 people were killed during the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

In Tifton, the city's Exchange Club and Rotary Club are sponsoring a remembrance ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Tifton Fire Department, 403 Forrest Ave. The public is invited.

The guest speaker will be John Curtis Falotico, local businessman and pastor at Enigma Baptist Church, as well as a U.S. Army veteran. A field of flags will represent the lives lost in the Sept. 11 attacks at New York's World Trade Center, at the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and in the plane crash in Shanksville, Pa.

It is fitting that the Tifton ceremony will be at the fire station as 9/11 marks the largest loss of life for any emergency response agency in history and the deadliest day for U.S. firefighters when 343 of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

This past weekend, members of the Tifton Fire Department participated in the 9/11 Memorial 5K in Valdosta, joining fellow firefighters, first responders, and local citizens honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

The Tifton Fire Department said on social media that the Valdosta memorial run was a tribute to the lost firefighter brothers and sisters and to the "brave police, EMS, and civilians who answered the call, and to the spirit of unity that rose from tragedy

This run wasn’t just about the miles — it was about the mission: Never Forget."

TIFTON MAN DIES IN MOTORCYCLE-CAR COLLISION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton motorcyclist was killed in a collision Thursday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 319 and Kell Road, authorities said.

Adam Caseres, 59, of Tifton, riding a 2024 Harley Davidson motorcycle, died after colliding with a 2018 BMW X5 shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

Caseres was heading north on Highway 319 in the left lane, and the BMW driven by Lora Swan, 47, of Tifton was heading west on Kell Road and making a left turn at the intersection of Highway 319 when the collision occurred, according to a preliminary investigation, the GSP said.

The motorcylist was thrown from his bike and died in an ambulance en route to Tift Regional Medical Center, authorities said. The BMW driver was uninjured. There were no other occupants of either vehicle.

Caseres is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.

The GSP's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident. No charges have been filed.

ATLANTA-AREA MEN ARRESTED IN BURGLARY OF TIFTON CONVENIENCE STORE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Two men from the Atlanta metro area have been arrested and charged in connection with a burglary at a Tifton convenience store.

Aarinton Griffin, 36, of Roswell, and Labrinzo Stephens, 48, of Atlanta, are both charged with one count of burglary in the second degree involving a break-in and theft Thursday at Pepi’s Food Mart at 909 W. 20th St., Tifton Police said.

At approximately 7:15 a.m. Thursday, two men exited a late-model black Chevrolet Blazer and entered Pepi’s Food Mart. Police said that based on video surveillance footage, one of the men is seen appearing to distract the Pepi’s cashier as the other man appears to be breaking into the office and stealing a large sum of cash.

Both men then left the store and appeared to merge onto Interstate 75 heading north, police said.

Other law enforcement agencies were notified, and Dooly County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the suspects’ vehicle and the two individuals, police said.

Photos by Jimmy Cole

A home at Wilson Avenue and 14th Street is engulfed in flames Friday night in Tifton. The house was a total loss, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

FIRE DESTROYS WILSON AVE. HOME

By FRANK SAYLES JR

Tifton Grapevine

An intense fire destroyed a house Friday night at the corner of Wilson Avenue and 14th Street in Tifton, Tifton fire officials say.

The Tifton Fire Department arrived on scene at 1224 Wilson Ave. at 11:57 p.m. Friday, three minutes after receiving a call, said Fire Chief Bobby Bennett.

Firefighters found heavy fire coming through the roof at the right side of the structure, which means the fire had been burning for a while before being noticed, the chief said. The firefighters "made an interior attack on the house to find heavy fire load and heavy fire conditions," Bennett said.

Because of the fire's location, intensity, and smoke conditions, the house was a total loss, the chief said.

It took firefighters approximately one hour to get the blaze under control; crews stayed until after 1 a.m. to make sure all hot spots were out.

No one was home at the time, and no injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation by the fire investigators division of the Tifton Fire Department.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR & TRUE BLUE AWARD RECIPIENT: Pictured from left are Tift School Superintendent Natalie Gore, Tift County High Principal Jennifer Johnson, District True Blue Award winner Haley Dillard, Teacher of the Year Lia Taylor, Matt Wilson Elementary Principal Patti Dean, and Tift Schools Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Howell.

TIFT SCHOOLS RECOGNIZES TEACHER OF YEAR & TRUE BLUE AWARD RECIPIENT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Lia Taylor of Matt Wilson Elementary has been named the 2025 Tift County Teacher of the Year; and Haley Dillard, a social worker at Tift County High School, has been named the District True Blue Award recipient.

Taylor, a first-grade teacher at Matt Wilson, in May was named the 2025 Teacher Hero Award recipient, an honor sponsored by Grace Ed Technologies. She was selected from a pool of nominations submitted by parents and her co-workers.

Tift County Schools said Taylor exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional educator and role model: "She is the kind of teacher every parent hopes for—compassionate, dedicated, and deeply skilled in her profession.

"Known for her energy and heart, Mrs. Taylor brings creativity and engagement to every lesson. Her teaching style makes learning fun and accessible, while her genuine care for each child fosters a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment. She goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels supported, confident, and motivated to succeed."

As Tift Teacher of the Year, Taylor has been presented with a vehicle from Tenneson Nissan to drive during the school year.

Haley Dillard, Tift County Schools' True Blue Award winner for 2025, was chosen by her peers. Tift County High School said Dillard is an "amazing school social worker" being recognized for her "hard work, unwavering dedication, and her constant willingness to support both students and staff. Whether it's offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or going the extra mile, Haley embodies what it means to be True Blue."

The Tift County Schools' True Blue Award recognizes a dedicated staff member who consistently demonstrates commitment and goes above and beyond in their role within the school system. The award highlights individuals who serve as positive role models and make significant contributions to the school community.

FORMER TIFTAREA COACH, LONGTIME SUPPORTER 'SARGE' DORSEY DIES AT 96

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Newell "Ned" "Sarge" Dorsey, a legendary coach and tireless supporter at Tiftarea Academy, died Sunday at age 96.

For more than a half century, Dorsey was a part of Tiftarea Academy, first coaching track, basketball, and golf, and then continuing to show up and support students through the decades.

"He led our girls' track team to their first-ever state title and built a legacy that will live on for generations," Tiftarea Academy (TA) wrote on social media. "Thank you, Coach Dorsey, for everything. You will be deeply missed."

Dorsey began working for TA in 1973 as the boys basketball coach. In 1975, he helped start the Panthers’ track program. In 2022, Tiftarea named its running track the N.E. “Sarge” Dorsey Track, dedicating it during the annual Sarge Dorsey Youth Track Invitational.

Born in Waco, Texas, Dorsey served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years after graduating from high school in Wisconsin. Following his military service, he obtained his bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University and master's degree in athletics from Georgia Southern University.

He aided the athletics department at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, but his heart was always at Tiftarea Academy, where he provided support and encouragement to students through the years.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with interment at Tift Memorial Gardens.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

FASTRAC

1650 Carpenter Road S., Tifton

Sept. 5

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Goliath" is a big, gentle guy who has been at the animal shelter since February, recovering from severe injuries to his neck and ear. While healing, he’s packed on some weight — now weighing a whopping 19 pounds! Affectionate, low-key, and easygoing, Goliath is ready to trade his kennel for a loving home where he can enjoy the freedom he deserves. Visit him 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).

TIFTON REQUIRES SMALL-POX VACCINATIONS

~ SEPT. 9, 1903

The Tifton City Council on Sept. 9, 1903, unanimously approved an ordinance requiring all residents of Tifton to be vaccinated against small pox. The ordinance passed with little discussion.

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