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Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

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Artist's rendering of what the new stage at Fulwood Park might look like.

FULWOOD STAGE TO BE REBUILT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Instead of a planned renovation, the Syd Blackmarr Stage at Fulwood Park will be razed and rebuilt, Tifton city officials say.

"The stage is in real bad shape," Acting City Manager Larry Lawrence told Tifton City Council last week. "The foundation is not good. It would be better for us to tear the thing down and start fresh."

Lawrence said the city will get quotes "to just demolish the whole thing and start over."

The Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association recently approved up to $250,000 in Tourism Product Development funds to help the city renovate the Fulwood Park stage. City officials had planned to install a new roof over the existing stage, increase usable stage flooring from 900 square feet to 1,200 square feet, add sound and lighting with better access to electrical power, and install a door on the backside of the stage to assist bands loading and unloading equipment.

That renovation had been estimated to cost $500,000, and it was hoped the work would be completed in time for the Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival in March.

However, Lawrence said when the city began seeking bids for the renovations, the deteriorating condition of the entire stage facility came to light.

The Fulwood Park stage has not had any improvements made in more than a decade, city officials have said.

EARLY VOTING ENDS FRIDAY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

With Election Day less than a week away, Georgians wishing to vote early have until 5 p.m. Friday to cast a ballot in the general election.

Early voting in Tift County is available at the elections office on the corner of Fourth Street and Chesnutt Avenue.

After Friday, registered voters will need to visit their home precincts on Tuesday – Election Day – between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. in order to participate in the election.

As of end of the day Tuesday, 9,793 Tift countians had voted in person. With absentee ballots added to that total, the number represents 40% of Tift's registered voters already casting ballots, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office.

Statewide as of Tuesday night, the number of voters thus far – 3,072,623 – represents more than 45% of those registered in Georgia.

Early voting numbers In area counties represent 47% of registered voters in Ben Hill County, 44% in Turner, 42% in Cook, 41% in Irwin, 40% in Berrien, and 36% in Worth County, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

BE SAFE ON HALLOWEEN

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Halloween is Thursday, and the Tift County Sheriff's Office reminds residents to be safe when carving pumpkins, decorating, dressing up in costumes, and trick-or-treating.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers safety tips to help children remain safe while experiencing the fun and excitement of Halloween:

Costumes should be made of flame-resistant fabric (such as polyester and nylon) and should be brightly colored or trimmed with reflective tape to make them visible at night. Also, avoid overly long or baggy costumes to prevent trips and falls.
Masks should have eye holes large enough to allow full visibility and nose holes that allow for adequate breathing.
Candle-lit jack-o-lanterns and decorations should be located where children cannot brush up against the flame (try using LED lights instead).
Use reflective tape on treat bags and check to ensure treats are individually wrapped for safety purposes. Do not give hard candy or toys with small parts to children under age 3.
Be sure children do not walk on streets and roads but on sidewalks and designated paths.

And for a safe time trick-or-treating, Downtown Tifton businesses and organizations are once again offering candy to costumed children from 5-6 p.m. on Halloween. The downtown trick-or-treating is hosted by the Tifton Main Street program in partnership with Downtown businesses and through a sponsorship with Quality Employment Service of Tifton.

GBI ARRESTS ADEL MAN ON CHILD SEX CHARGES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

An Adel man has been arrested on sexual misconduct charges involving children, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday.

Michael Steven Bennett, 43, is charged with solicitation of sodomy, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, cruelty to children in the first degree, and criminal attempt to commit a felony, according to the GBI.

On Oct. 18, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. The GBI said its preliminary information indicates that high school boys were solicited to perform sexual acts.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected, the GBI said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 229-896-74711 or the GBI’s regional investigative office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online here, or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

Pictured from left are Lorenzo Simmons, school nutrition director at Tift County Schools; Chris Franks, school nutrition employee at Eighth Street Middle School; Karen Franks, Chris’ mother; and Paul Nelson, principal at Eighth Street Middle School. The Ga. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities named Franks its regional Employee of the Year.

STATE AGENCY NAMES TIFT SCHOOL WORKER EMPLOYEE OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Barry "Chris" Franks has been selected as the Region 4 Employee of the Year by the Ga. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Franks was honored during a ceremony Monday at The Carter Center in Atlanta. He was chosen for his dedication as a member of Tift County Schools' nutrition department at Eighth Street Middle School. The school said Franks consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and commitment to providing nutritious meals for students.

He is referred to as a reliable and hardworking individual who embodies the values of the Tift County School System and who has made a lasting difference in the community.

In addition to his role in nutrition, Franks has gone above and beyond by volunteering as a football manager for the high school varsity team for more than 20 years.

"He brings a positive attitude and teamwork spirit to everything he does, making a significant impact in our community," said Danny Hoover, chief operating officer at Diversified Enterprises in Tifton.

As Employee of the Year for Region 4, Franks was selected among employees in Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties.

ABAC POLICE OFFICERS PINNED FOR PROMOTIONS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A badge-pinning ceremony Friday for eight ABAC police officers recognized their recent promotions.

“We’re very proud of all these officers,” said ABAC Police Chief Frank Strickland. “Most of them have come to ABAC after years in law enforcement, and we’re proud of the decades of experience they bring to the department.”

Deborah Pyles was promoted to captain; Todd Daunhauer, Joey Johnson, Mike Tompkins, and Sommer Jordan were promoted to lieutenant; and Doug Chadwell, Jill Merritt, and Joey Woods were promoted to sergeant. Their family members were in attendance at the ceremony.

The pinning ceremony is a long-standing tradition within the law enforcement community, and Strickland wanted to bring that tradition to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Officers have a badge pinned on their uniform twice in their career: once when they graduate from the police academy and again upon promotion. The badge is traditionally pinned on by a family member or mentor.

“Each of you standing before us has shown exceptional courage, determination, and a genuine desire to make a difference and have risen in rank as a result,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “Wear your badges with pride, serve with honor, and always strive to be the best version of yourself.”

ABAC BASKETBALL RETURNS WITH TWO BIG WINS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

In the first double-header in more than 15 years, the men's and women's basketball teams won Saturday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Stallions men's team made a victorious return to Gressette Gymnasium, defeating Community Christian College, 83-63.

The Fillies women's team beat East Georgia State College, 81-80, in a thrilling victory.

Basketball has returned to ABAC after a nearly 16-year hiatus.

The Baddie Book Club won first place Tuesday in the Howard Center Trivia Night to benefit Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County. Members of the winning team are, from left, Crystal Gaillard, Sarah Cook, Chelsea Webster, Melissa Wilt, and Andrea McLemore.

'BADDIE BOOK CLUB' WINS TIFTON TRIVIA CONTEST

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Baddie Book Club beat rival trivia teams to take first place Tuesday in the 24th annual Howard Center Trivia Night at Southern Regional Technical College, benefitting Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County.

At the end of official competition, the Book Club team tied for first place with the Tiftarea Academy team, but won with an answer to a tie-breaker question of “What year was the book 'Alice in Wonderland' first banned in China?” The Book Club team, consisting of Crystal Gaillard, Melissa Wilt, Sarah Cook, Andrea McLemore, and Chelsea Webster, guessed 1930, coming the closest to the answer of 1931.

The Tiftarea Academy team including Headmaster Bill Shelnutt, sponsored by Albritton Funeral Directors, came in second. The Rotary Club of Tifton team took third place.

Seventeen teams, a record number, participated. Dinner was provided by Olive Garden, Chicago Pizza, and Chic-Fil-A, with desserts by the Tifton Junior Woman’s Club and beverages by Coca-Cola United.

The event sponsor is The Howard Center, with “Cool Contributors” including Bowen Donaldson Home for Funerals, and Southwell. The originator of the event 25 years ago, Liz Carson Keith, participated on the Bowen Donaldson team.

Prizes were donated by Hilton Garden Inn, Fresco Italiano, Pit Stop, Taco Loco, LongHorn, Chicken Salad Chick, Hog 'N Bones, and Wild Adventures. Lodging for the trivia host was provided by La Quinta of the Williams Hotel Group.

Trivia host David “Big Wave Dave” Holmes, conducted the competition, with assistance provided by Matt Lovelace of Tifton.

Funds raised allow Literacy Volunteers to recruit and train tutors to work with individuals wanting to improve their reading, writing, math, and English-speaking abilities. Literacy Volunteers also provides transportation to qualified adult education students attending GED classes at Southern Regional Technical College's Tifton Campus.

SEN. OSSOFF VISITS TIFTON, ENCOURAGES VOTING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., stopped in Tifton on Saturday during a tour of South Georgia, encouraging Tift County residents to vote and to “remind your neighbors and your cousins, and your neighbors’ cousins, and your cousins’ neighbors” to vote early in the general election to be decided Nov. 5.

“The whole nation is looking to us in Georgia to make that decision again,” the senator said. “This is a much more profound decision for the country than Democrats vs. Republicans.”

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

Meet Sweeney Todd – this handsome guy will steal your heart with his laid-back charm. Sweeney Todd is the perfect blend of affectionate and easygoing, making him an ideal companion for cozy days and quiet evenings. Come 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).

TIFTAREA PHYSICIANS FORM

TRI-COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

~ OCT. 30, 1903

Several Tifton area physicians met on Oct. 30, 1903, in Tifton and formed the Tri-County Medical Society to advance the science of medicine and surgery, and to regulate fees. Dr. J.A. McCrea was elected president; Dr. N. Peterson, vice president; and Dr. W.H. Hendrick, secretary and treasurer.