Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

DR. CHAD STONE: FROM GEORGIA'S PRINCIPAL OF YEAR TO FACING SIX FELONY CHARGES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

It has been a rollercoaster year for former Tift County High Principal Chad Stone: From being named named Georgia's 2023 Principal of the Year and vying for the national title to being suspended, resigning, and now arrested by the GBI and charged with six felonies relating to his time as principal.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has charged Stone with one felony count of theft by taking and five felony counts of unauthorized use of a financial transaction card/misuse of government-issued cards.

Georgia law defines "theft by taking" as occurring when a person unlawfully takes or unlawfully appropriates any property of another with the intention of depriving him of the property.

"The investigation shows that Stone, while serving as the principal of Tift County High School, misused school credit cards and made unauthorized purchases," the GBI said.

Stone, 50, turned himself in to the Tift County Jail on Wednesday morning and is free on $10,000 bond.

The charges are a result of a GBI investigation begun Feb. 6, when the Tifton Police Department requested that the GBI look into information police had obtained.

The GBI charges are apparently unrelated to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) ruling in January that Stone had violated professional standards dealing with misuse of public funds and property, remunerative conduct, and unethical professional conduct.

Although the GPSC declined to give specifics of its findings "until there is a resolution," the initial finding of "misuse of public funds" is said to involve Stone paying his daughter, a student, a total of $3,300 in school funds to clean Brodie Field after events.

It has been reported that the remunerative and unethical professional conduct findings referred to Stone soliciting sales for a golf-cart dealer using his well-known slogan "Better Today Than Yesterday" (BTTY), using students to cut out his "BTTY" decals for a vehicle he was using from a local business, and using school equipment to record a personal video critical of school district leadership that he posted on social media.

The GPSC on Jan. 11 suspended Stone's educator certification for 30 days. Following that action, the Tift County Board of Education (BOE) immediately placed Stone on administrative leave with pay. Stone had said he planned to appeal the GPSC ruling and said he didn't feel he had done anything "ethically wrong."

After the GPSC's suspension, other financial transactions came to light, prompting the GBI's investigation.

Stone resigned his position on Feb. 12.

The Tift BOE had also placed Stone on administrative leave for five days in September for unspecified reasons. At that time, a contrite Stone made a public apology for unspecified "ethical lapses," which he said he would "repay restitution to the school system."

The GBI says its investigation into Stone is still active, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Tifton Police Department at 229-382-3132 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online here or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Tift County District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Photo by Frank Sayles Jr.

Breaking ground for the USDA Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) new Tifton facility on Wednesday are, from left, Dr. Corley Holbrook, ARS research leader and local coordinator of the Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit; Archie Tucker, ARS Southeast director; Dr. Simon Liu, ARS administrator; Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA under secretary for research, education, and economics as well as USDA's chief scientist; U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., D-Albany; Dr. Michael Toews, assistant dean, UGA Tifton; U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton; and Dr. Gale Buchanan, former director of the UGA Coastal Plain Experiment Station, dean emeritus of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and former USDA under secretary.

USDA BREAKS GROUND ON RESEARCH FACILITY AT UGA TIFTON CAMPUS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Calling it a "milestone for agricultural research," local and national officials broke ground Wednesday on a $29.6 million state-of-the-art research facility in Tifton for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS).

The 31,000-square-foot building on the University of Georgia Tifton campus will house the Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory and the Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit. 

USDA scientists and ARS researchers will work alongside UGA Tifton personnel to advance climate-smart agricultural research involving water resources in the coastal plain, management of insect pests and pollinators, and enhancement of crop diversity and productivity.

The new facility will also help advance work on breeding and genetic studies of peanut, corn, cotton, forage, turf grasses, and bioenergy crops.

Noting its effect on water resources and the U.S. food supply, Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, said "the research that happens right here is as important for our national security" as other defense operations.

During the ceremony at the UGA Tifton campus' Centennial Gardens, several officials noted the significance of the new research facility, which is expected to be completed by January 2026.

“Cutting-edge research keeps American agriculture competitive and helps farmers and ranchers stay ahead of emerging threats like climate change and emerging pests and diseases," said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA chief scientist and under secretary for research, education, and economics.

"We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with scientists and students at the University of Georgia-Tifton, and we look forward to seeing this state-of-the-art facility foster additional innovation, breakthroughs, and even recruitment of new talent to our organizations,” she told the audience.

Jacobs-Young said the average age of farmers is 58.1 years and increasing. She said creation of cutting-edge facilities such as this one being built in Tifton will help create "a pipeline for the next generation of agricultural professionals."

Dr. Michael Toews, assistant dean at the UGA Tifton Campus, cited the long collaboration between UGA and the USDA.

“State and federal scientists stationed at the UGA Tifton campus have a long history of working together to solve some of the most difficult production challenges in the Southeast. This building will improve our collective ability to recruit top scientists, provide laboratory space for cutting-edge approaches, and leverage existing campus assets,” Toews said.

The USDA said that each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

Photos by Bonnie Sayles

NEW PLAYGROUND NOW OPEN IN FULWOOD PARK

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The new Fulwood Park playground is open. More than 50 children were joyfully playing on and running around the equipment Thursday while approximately 20 adults observed and joined in the fun.

The playground will be formally dedicated at a later date but with the rubber flooring fully cured, the city allowed staff to cut the surrounding fence and caution tape and let the fun commence.

The City of Tifton playground has all-inclusive ADA-accessible equipment. The playground includes a hide-a-way clubhouse, slides, handicap-accessible swings, and sensory activities. 

On Thursday, mothers Rachel Futch and Heather Wade, both of Tifton, enjoyed watching the children play.

“It’s been pretty busy today,” said Wade. “The kids are loving it,” said Futch. “It’s really nice equipment – and something for all the ages, from the little to the big.” 

Moms were pushing kids on swings, older kids were pushing smaller children on the zip line, while a line of kids patiently waited their turns, and a dad rocked kids in a boat-like piece of equipment that seated six.

A wide-eyed toddler raced from his dad toward a ramp to enter a new world of enchantment. 

The project was made possible through a city partnership with the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Commission utilizing a Product Development Grant.

Among the 'Listen to the Land' team members receiving the award are Anfernee McDonald, Sydney Doss, Colton Creel, Russell Pryor, Abisai Vazquez, Hayden Norman, Polly Huff, and Thomas Grant.

ABAC AG MUSEUM MULTIMEDIA PROJECT WINS STATE AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

“Listen to the Land,” a student-run and -produced multimedia collaboration between the Gallery at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture and the ABAC School of Arts & Sciences, received the 2024 Multimedia Award from the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries. 

The award was announced during the recent museums association conference in Athens. The awards committee congratulated the “Listen to the Land” team for what the project contributed to the Tifton community and to the museum field.

ABAC’s “Listen to the Land” was launched in the 2022 fall semester with funding from the Gail Dillard Faculty Enrichment Grant and the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. The opening event on April 7, 2023, featured a podcast premiere, visual arts exhibition, written-word display, a digital mapping software, a scent library interactive display, and a Georgia-grown foods reception at the gallery.

This was the ABAC gallery’s first multimedia event to combine sound, visual, writing, digital, scent, and taste into one project, which was compiled by a group of 11 ABAC students with Dr. Thomas Grant, Curator Polly Huff, Dr. Russell Pryor, and Dr. Michael Maw.

Season 2 of “Listen to the Land” will premiere with a screening and an exhibition later in September.

TIFTON AGAIN NAMED 'TREE CITY'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Arbor Day Foundation has once again named Tifton a Tree City USA Community, recognizing the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management. 

Tifton achieved the 2023 Tree City USA designation by meeting the program’s four requirements: Maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree-care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. 

The City of Tifton has been named a Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation for more than 30 years. Through the efforts of the Tifton Tree Board, the city has planted 1,000 trees, 160 during 2023. 

The Tifton Tree Board and Mayor Julie B. Smith came together to proclaim Wednesday, Feb. 21 as Arbor Day. In celebration, the Tifton Tree Board planted a live oak tree in the area of Bellview Circle. Trees were also planted along Maple Street, Ferry Lake Road, Third Street, and Park Avenue. 

The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the Tree City USA program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

“The trees being planted and cared for by Tifton are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education,” said Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation chief executive.

The Tifton Tree Board consists of community volunteers members, including Elizabeth McCarty, Dr. George Vellidis, Jimmy Felton, Al Potts, Todd Green, and city employee liaison Michael Mitchem.

20 STUDENTS VIE FOR MS. ABAC TITLE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Twenty contestants will compete in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s 54th annual Ms. ABAC contest on Feb. 29.

The event, which is sponsored by the ABAC Agripreneurs, begins at 7 p.m. in ABAC’s Howard Auditorium. Admission is $10, and advance ticket purchase is advised.

“Being involved in this long-standing tradition is a highlight of each year,” said Dr. Audrey Luke-Morgan, associate professor of agribusiness.

“This is the 12th Ms. ABAC pageant I have directed, and each group of young adults brings something new and different to the experience. From planning and organizing the pageant as an Agripreneurs’ member to competing as one of the 20 fabulous contestants, each individual has the opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. It takes a lot of hard work, but everyone has fun through the process.”

Contestants will compete in casual and evening wear, and will be judged on a written essay and interview with the judges. The top 10 contestants will answer a question on stage.

Students competing are: Reanna Brown, of Lake Wales, Fla.; Carson D. Carter, Wrightsville; Chaney Hogan, Grey; Wyleigh Rose Sturdevan, Rebecca; Savannah Beasley, Screven; Alexis Carvalho, Cumming; Kamren Seree Yaughn, Byron; Jordan Bayne Hurley, Hartford, Ala.; Anslee James, Sylvester; Carsen Jane Carter, Willacoochee; Jazzmyn Armstrong, Collins; Brianna Payne, Lincoln, Ala.; MaKayla Huttinger, Palmetto, Fla.; Emily Rodriguez, Pitts; Jenna Williams, Douglas; Analucia Guardia, Clewiston, Fla.; Celie Streetman, Union Springs, Ala.; Molly Parris, Hampton; Khali Duncan, Kenansville, Fla.; and Aubrey Kinard, Thomasville.

GDOT SEEKS INPUT ON REPLACING I-75 BRIDGE AT CHULA BROOKFIELD ROAD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking comments from Tift County residents on a proposed Transportation Investment Act project on Interstate 75 at Exit 69, Chula Brookfield Road.

Residents' input is being sought on the proposed plans to replace the bridge on Chula Brookfield Road at I-75 and improve the interchange's entrance and exit ramps.

Information may be found and comments may be made here. The deadline for comments is Feb. 28.

The $20.9 million project is proposed to replace the substandard bridge with a new bridge that meets modern standards for construction and load-carrying capacity and that accommodates the future widening of I-75.

The project would also bring the I-75 access ramps up to current design standards.

The GDOT said the project would enhance safety by replacing the substandard bridge and bringing north and southbound entrance and exit ramps up to current standards for acceleration and deceleration, and would promote economic development by facilitating access to area businesses.

The existing four-span bridge was built in 1959.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Adore Nails & Spa

458 Virginia Ave., Suite 2A, Tifton

Feb. 22

CAMELLIA GARDEN CLUB OBSERVES 'CAMELLIA DAY'

At the February meeting of Tifton's Camellia Garden Club, members celebrated "Camellia Day" by taking floral arrangements of camellias to various locations around town. Shown preparing to take camellia arrangements are, from left, Terri Branch, Peggy Edwards, Genie McCook, Linda Chandler, Laresa Golden, Linda Frazier, Joyce Johnson, Gail Gibson, and Pat Guill (not pictured Teresa Lasseter). The members took the flower arrangements to Maple Court, Cypress Pond, and Legacy Village assisted living facilities; to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce; South Georgia Banking Co. on Second Street; Tifton-Tift County Public and Regional libraries on Love Avenue and Chesnutt Avenue; the Ty Ty Post Office; and to numerous shut-ins. This has been an annual project of the club since 1969.

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COVID-19 data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of Feb. 21:

TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 7,268 ....................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 181

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 46 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks: 118

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 289 

_______________________________________________________________

GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,450,522

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - Past week: 6,956

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 36,309 .................................................. GA DEATHS - Past week: 31 

TIFTON INTERSECTION CLOSED TODAY

The intersection of Second Street and Tift Avenue will be closed from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Friday, because of maintenance repairs, according to the City of Tifton. Be advised of detours and construction happening in the area.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE TIFTAREA

Today, Feb. 23, is National Banana Bread Day. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, money was so tight that people would not throw away food past its prime and began using overly ripe bananas for banana bread. By the mid '30s, banana bread recipes began appearing in U.S. cookbooks. When the "Chiquita Banana Recipe Book" in 1950 promoted banana bread, its popularity soared.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

• The Great Estate Sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Carey Antiques, 512 S. Tift Ave., Tifton
• 14th Annual Women's Conference, 6 p.m., 1137 N. Merrimac Drive Ext., Fitzgerald
• "The Last Drop," free sci-fi film about relationship abuse, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton
• Tift County High Lady Devils vs. Glynn Academy, second-round state basketball playoffs, 7 p.m., TCHS, Tifton

SATURDAY, FEB. 24

• The Great Estate Sale, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Carey Antiques, 512 S. Tift Ave., Tifton
• 14th Annual Women's Conference, 9 a.m., 1137 N. Merrimac Drive Ext., Fitzgerald
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Kickoff, 10 a.m., Margaret Jones Public Library, Sylvester
• Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Nashville

SUNDAY, FEB. 25

• Tiftarea Academy Admissions Open House, 2-4 p.m., Tiftarea Academy, Chula

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YARD SALE, CONTACT US at 

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"Moni" is seeking a forever home and a loving family to call her own. Moni is always ready for cuddles and playtime. With her wagging tail and loving eyes, she'll steal your heart in no time. Visit this sweet girl and 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).