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$6.9B IN FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS ON HOLD, INCLUDING $800,000 IN TIFT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Trump Administration is freezing nearly $6.9 billion in Congress-approved federal education grants to schools across the nation, including more than $800,000 to Tift County Schools.

In Georgia, more than $200 million in education grants is being withheld for review, according to the National Education Association.

Among K-12th grade programs affected include federal funding for migrant education, English learners, and extended learning opportunities outside regular school hours.

"These programs provide more than $800,000 in annual funding to Tift County Schools," said Dr. Michael Slaven, Tift County assistant superintendent for beyond the core, who also oversees the school system's federal programs.

"Several staff members are funded through these grants, and the delay directly impacts critical services we provide to our students, especially those in vulnerable populations such as migrant students, English learners, and virtual learners," Slaven said. "Additionally, these funds support professional development for educators and supplemental services for students, including initiatives that promote attendance, academic support, and emotional well-being."

The federal government notified states that the funds would be withheld one day before they are traditionally disbursed on July 1. Little explanation was offered, other than “ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the president’s priorities.”

Congress passed a continuing resolution in March, which President Trump signed extending previous funding levels through fiscal year 2025. The Office of Management and Budget had OK'd the education funds in March, and Georgia’s state and local education budgets were finalized in June.

"I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible – releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump," said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. "In Georgia, we’re getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students.”

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, told the Tifton Grapevine on Thursday that the "money that Congress has appropriated for K-12 schools, including schools in Tift County, should be delivered to the school system. As a fiscal conservative, I am grateful for the administration's review of spending across all the departments and also want to ensure these funds are delivered to the schools that need them as quickly as possible.”

Tift County Schools said it is now uncertain about the exact amount of federal funding it will receive: "We are extremely concerned about this development and were only informed in the last few weeks of this situation. ... Until these funds are received, many essential services are at risk of being delayed or reduced, placing additional financial pressure on the local district to fill these gaps."

The Trump administration's proposed FY 2026 budget eliminates all the grant programs now under review, according to national press reports.

TIFTON NATIVE WINS PEACHTREE ROAD RACE T-SHIRT COMPETITION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

More than 52,000 runners participated in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Peachtree Road Race on July 4, and all who finished received the official race T-shirt designed this year by a Tifton native.

Russ Vann, who attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia, is the son of David and Tammy Vann of Tifton.

Vann, who has lived in Atlanta for more than a dozen years where he is creative director for the Daniel Richards Group, has been submitting designs for the T-shirt competition since 2018. He has been a finalist several times.

Vann will receive a $5,600 prize for his T-shirt design, which was among more than 100 entries this year. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) says the Peachtree Road Race's official T-shirt is "a much-coveted item."

“My design this year features the iconic peach and skyline with a road running through the middle symbolizing the way this race connects many parts of the city. It’s not just about the miles, but the runners who participate and the people who make it happen,” Vann told the AJC.

The Tifton native's design for the 56th annual race's T-shirt now becomes part of the history of one of Atlanta's iconic traditions – the world's largest 10K road race.

SOUTHWELL EXPANDS CARE FOR HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Southwell is expanding access to specialized maternal care, providing support for high-risk pregnancies in South Georgia.

With its new Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) program, made possible in part by Georgia HEART funds, Southwell is enhancing maternal fetal monitoring services with state-of-the-art ultrasound technology.

The health system said access to MFM services is especially critical in rural areas where specialized care for high-risk pregnancies can be limited. Early detection and intervention through advanced fetal monitoring can reduce pregnancy complications.

“Expanding maternal fetal medicine services aligns with our mission to provide high-quality, accessible care to the communities we serve,” said Chris Dorman, Southwell president/CEO. “Through the support of Georgia HEART funds, we are able to offer advanced ultrasound technology that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of expectant mothers and their babies.”

MFM appointments are held at Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Tifton. After being referred by their OB/GYN provider, patients will be contacted to schedule an appointment. During the visit, an ultrasound technologist will perform a detailed ultrasound in person. The patient then will consult with the MFM provider through real-time telemedicine, with the physician able to view the ultrasound and interact directly with both the patient and technologist.

Dr. Kristin Yates, TRMC medical director for OB hospitalists, said the program enhances care without replacing a patient’s current provider.

“The MFM team provides additional expertise and monitoring to help guide important decisions, such as where a patient will deliver and what care may be needed throughout pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum. The combination of in-person ultrasound with real-time telemedicine allows patients to get the specialized care they need close to home,” Yates said.

MANY BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENTS SET IN TIFTAREA

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Among the many back-to-school events this month is the annual Back-to-School Community Resource Fair and School Supply Giveaway scheduled 4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Tift County Recreation Department, 401 Victory Drive. 

Last year, about 500 families attended, each with one or more children in tow.

Vendors representing local businesses, civic clubs, and nonprofit agencies will participate by distributing information along with school supplies, such as pencils, notebook paper, binders, and more, as families circulate in an organized line among the tables. 

Registration is still open for vendors by calling Tift County Commission on Children and Youth, 229-388-1000, or emailing tc3y@friendlycity.net

A child must be present to get supplies. Sponsors are Tift County, the Jay Deason Fund, Southwell, and the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth Family Connection.

A Back to School event will be held at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church's friendship field, 2110 Park Ave. S., at 3-8 p.m. Saturday, July 12, with a DJ, games, line dancing, bounce houses, and water slides.

The Howard Center is hosting its first Back-to-School Supply Giveaway drive-thru event at 1948 Old Ocilla Road from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, July 17. The first 200 families will receive a bag of school essentials. Children must be present to receive a bag.

The Mims Kids 14th Annual Stay in School Rally will be at noon Saturday, July 19, at 41 South Farmers Market, 2505 S. Main St. 

Rip’s Wings & Things will also have a back to school giveaway at 12-4 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at 103 Sycamore St. in Tifton. There will be free school supplies and free food.

Conger LP Gas will hold a Hometown Heroes Kids Event with "touch-a-truck" at 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at its offices at 146 S. Ridge Ave. Participants are asked to bring crayons, composition books, and other school supplies to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

Sylvester will host the Margaret White Night Out Against Crime and Back to School Bash at 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, in Jeffords Park with free school supplies, food, and books for attendees.

The Back to School Back Packs and Supplies Giveaway, sponsored by Aisha Hill Hope Fund, will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at 2737 S. Central Ave. in Tifton.

Omega Church of God will have a Back to School Bash at 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at 1471 Georgia Ave. in Omega. There will be free food and drinks, backpack door prizes, school supply giveaways, games, inflatables, snow cones, popcorn, face painting, and vendors including the CPRL Mobile Library and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Poulan will have a Back to School Bash from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Poulan City Park with a bouncy house, water slide, free lunch, and a school supplies giveaway.

LLana Event Rentals will host a Back to School Giveaway at 5 p.m. Monday, July 28, at 373 Main St. in Tifton. Backpacks, school supplies, cupcakes, snow cones, and popcorn will be offered. A child must be present to receive school supplies,

Tifton's Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center holds its Back-to-School Bash at 4:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 29. “It’s simply a time for the children to come out and enjoy themselves,” said Executive Director Dr. Tonja Tift. “There will be a bouncy house, water slide, face painting by the Tifton Youth Council, a DJ, food, the fire and police departments will be there, and much more.”

The Ashburn Department of Public Safety hosts its National Night Out at 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at the Turner County Civic Center. Police, fire, EMS, and the Sheriff’s Office will be there, and there will be free school supplies, free food, games and activities.

The Goat + Crew Gives Back will be hosting a back-to-school event  9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at Mott Litman Gym in Tifton featuring free hairstyling (wig installs included), free haircuts, free food, free school supplies, book-bag giveaway, and raffles for a bike, roblox gift card, laptop, and chromebook. 

And finally, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, the First Willie T. Bankston Sr. Bookbag Giveaway will be at J.T. Reddick Elementary School, 404 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Tifton.

Credit to Rachel Elizondo and TiftonMoms.com for information on some of these events.

NBC-TV photo

Austin Brown performs again on 'America's Got Talent.' His rendition of an original song wows the judges.

SECOND TIME'S A CHARM FOR TIFTON'S AUSTIN BROWN ON NBC's 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton native Austin Brown, formerly of the a cappella country singing group Home Free, got a second chance to audition for "America's Got Talent" on NBC-TV, and Tuesday night he advanced with a "yes" from all four judges.

Brown had auditioned on the TV show a few weeks ago with his rendition of "When A Man Loves A Woman," but the judges weren't totally impressed. Judge Simon Cowell suggested that he come back later with a different song.

This time, Brown sang an original song about overcoming obstacles.

"I always get worried when somebody sings an original because obviously nobody knows it apart from you – but that actually really made sense, and I could feel what you were feeling," said Judge Mel B. "I liked it a lot."

"You have a beautiful voice. It reminds me of a country version of Christopher Cross. You’ve got that high range, and I really like it in the mode of country," said Judge Howie Mandel.

Judge Sofía Vergara said Brown's second audition was a "big difference. This is you. It feels organic. It was what you were meant to always be singing."

Cowell agreed.

"This, I think, sounded true to who you are," Cowell said. "You made the right decision to come back; well done."

Dr. Tonja Tift, right, incoming president of the Rotary Club of Tifton, presents a plaque thanking Cindy Evers-Peake, left, for serving as club president in the past year.

TIFTON ROTARY CLUB INSTALLS

DR. TONJA TIFT AS PRESIDENT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Rotary Club of Tifton on Wednesday formally installed Dr. Tonja Tift as club president for the 2025-26 year.

Tift, a former educator, is executive director of Tifton's Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center and oversees the city's Financial Literacy Initiative.

Numerous city officials attended her installation as Rotary Club president.

Tift thanked outgoing Club President Cindy Evers-Peake for her leadership during the past year. Evers-Peake of Alliance for Children stepped up early in the role when former President Toni Reid of Georgia Power was transferred out of town.

Tifton Rotary's new Board of Directors includes Tift and Evers-Peake, Sonya Aldridge, William Bowen, Patricia Brooks, Nancy Bryan, Adrian Israel Martinez-Franco, Evangela Hampton, Amy Hightower, Tonya Payne, Bonnie Sayles, Frank Sayles Jr., and Becky Smith.

THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS IN JULY, TIFTON ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR'S HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS THEME

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

It's Christmas in July!

Well, not exactly, but the City of Tifton says there is "snow doubt about it: Our elves have been hard at work preparing for Tifton's Hometown Holidays Celebration in hopes of bringing everyone the magic of Christmas this year!"

The city has announced this year's theme for Tifton's annual Christmas celebration: "Candy Land."

"Think of candy – all the sweet treats, beautiful colors, candy canes, and gumdrops!" the city says.

The Hometown Holidays Celebration will be on Dec. 6, the first Saturday in December. The annual Tifton Christmas Parade will begin at 5 p.m. that day, followed by the Tifton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a night filled with music, children's rides, shopping, and fun activities in the heart of downtown.

Organizers say this year's "Candy Land" theme will usher in the "sweetest holiday festival around."

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Kay Jewelers

1505 U.S. Highway 82, Suite A, Tifton

July 8

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, July 13, is National Beans 'n' Franks Day, celebrating a comfort food combo developed in the United States. Frank Van Camp of the Van Camp Packing Co. in Indiana is credited with inventing the now-famous pork and beans in tomato sauce dish in 1894, but it wasn't until the 1980s that sliced, bite-sized hot dogs were added to beans and available in cans. Today, Van Camp owns the "Beanie Weenies" trademark.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

• "Inside Out" movie and popcorn, 11 a.m., Victoria Evans Memorial Library, 605 North St., Ashburn

• Adult Pottery Workshop, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, Tifton

SATURDAY, JULY 12

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

• Tifton's Second Saturday, storewide sales, sip & stroll, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Downtown Tifton

• Super Saturday Tie Dye Workshop, 11 a.m., The Studio community center, 115 W Pine St, Fitzgerald

• Worth County Class of 1980 45th Reunion, 6 p.m., Southern Woods Plantation, Sylvester

SUNDAY, JULY 13

• Kraken Pro Wrestling, 4 p.m., Leroy Rogers Center, Tifton

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"Robin Hood" is a friendly guy with happy energy. He’s the kind of dog who will greet you like you’re his favorite person every single time. Come visit Robin Hood 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

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