Most Crops Survive Freeze

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

MOST S.GA. CROPS SURVIVE RECENT FREEZING WEATHER, OFFICIALS ESTIMATE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Preliminary estimates are that the past weekend's freezing weather had minimum impacts on South Georgia crops as farmers took measures to protect their fields.

Because December and January were relatively warm in the region, many crops had developed much earlier than usual, leaving them vulnerable to the frost. Blueberries were about three weeks ahead of where they would normally be this time of year, farmers said.

The weather also had potential impacts on watermelons and vegetables in South Georgia, but University of Georgia Extension agents said it is too early to know for certain how much those crops have been affected by the cold weather.

The freeze came on the heels of Georgia's 20th warmest year since statewide records began in 1895. The state's overall average temperature in 2021 was relatively high at 64.5 degrees, says the UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.

Although 2021 began warmer than normal, UGA said that from April through July the weather was cooler than average, resulting in a slow start to the growing season. Last April through September was the 27th coldest on record for that period.

Georgia's agricultural climatologists said that November was much cooler than normal while December was nearly 10 degrees warmer than average.

Significant rainfall in 2021 also adversely affected South Georgia crops. The months from June-October, was at least an inch wetter than average, UGA said.

"This resulted in wet fields that were difficult to enter, which caused significant crop impacts from fungal diseases and cloudiness caused by the warm and humid conditions," the college noted.

The wettest parts of the state last year were the local Coastal Plain region and Georgia's far northwest corner.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING TIFT DEATH

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a death reported Friday.

Deputies responded to a call at 6:06 p.m. Friday about Jessica Jacobs, 43, being found unresponsive on Blane Court, the Sheriff's Office said.

Her body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab, where an autopsy is being performed.

The Sheriff's Office has released no other information about the case.

TIFT SEES 4 DEATHS FROM COVID-19 IN PAST WEEK

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County reported four deaths in the past week related to COVID-19, the Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH) said Tuesday.

Also during the week, Tift recorded 145 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 371 confirmed within two weeks. When positive Antigen cases are added, Tift County reports a total of 1,019 positive cases during the two-week period.

Tift has recorded a total of 6,128 cases with 150 deaths, the DPH said.

Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC), in its latest report dated Jan. 30, said it had 55 COVID patients hospitalized, with seven of them in intensive care and three on a ventilator. The average patient age was 66.

TRMC also reported four COVID-related deaths since Jan. 24.

The state reported 11,021 positive cases Tuesday with 62 additional deaths and 273 new hospitalizations. Georgia reports a total of 1,849,369 cases with 27,655 related deaths, according to the DPH.

WIREGRASS EARLY SETTLERS RE-ENACTMENT SATURDAY AT ALAPAHA FOREST ED CENTER

"Living History at the Log Cabin," an historical re-enactment of early settler life in the wiregrass region, will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Gaskins Forest Education Center in Alapaha.

Visitors will see how early settlers lived as they hewed out an existence in a sea of wiregrass under an open pine forest.

Volunteers with the Wiregrass Ecological and Cultural Project will be on site throughout the day as living historians interpreting the lives of frontier folks in the mid 19th century in Georgia.

Admission is a $2 donation.

The Gaskins Forest Education Center is located at 3359 Moore Sawmill Road in Alapaha.

HUGHES

HESTER

STALNAKER

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COMPLETE SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING

ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently recognized several Tift County commissioners for completing training in the organization’s Lifelong Learning Academy.

Commissioner Melissa Hughes received a certificate for completing Citizen Engagement in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Commissioner Donnie Hester was recognized for completing the requirements for the Intergovernmental Relations specialty track. Commissioner Stan Stalnaker was recognized for completing requirements for the Public Safety track.

The commissioners were honored during the recent ACCG County Reconnect Conference at the Savannah Convention Center.

ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With many courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

ABAC PRESENTS! 'RAISIN IN THE SUN'

FEB. 8 AT TIFT COUNTY HIGH PAC

The National Players, as part of their 72nd season performing across America, return to Tifton to present “A Raisin in the Sun” at the Tift County High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) as part of the ABAC Presents! performing arts series.

The performance will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 8. The play spotlights the plight of the Younger family as its members dream of bigger things than the small house they live in on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s.

The award-winning drama explores the challenges of an African-American family dealing with prejudice, history, and a world where everything changes.

ABAC Presents! is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts, which also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets are available at arts.abac.edu and by calling 229-391-4895. Tickets will also be available at the door.

TRMC HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE THURSDAY

TO ADDRESS 'CRITICAL NEED'

Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) is hosting a LifeSouth emergency need blood drive from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the hospital's 18th Street main entrance.

“Help us fight the national shortage by giving blood,” said Chris Efaw, TRMC/Southwell vice president of outreach and development. “LifeSouth blood donations will benefit Tift Regional’s blood bank and will be used to help local patients.”

All blood donors will be entered into a drawing with a chance to win a $100 or $50 Walmart gift card.

“We are facing a nationwide blood crisis, posing a risk to patient care,” Efaw said. “Blood donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. We thank the community for their support.”

'SOCK IT TO 'EM WITH LOVE':

SOCK COLLECTION UNDERWAY

The annual “Sock It To 'Em with Love” collection of socks is underway.

Founded and coordinated by Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, the project collects socks for distribution to needy children in the county.

Socks may be dropped off through Feb. 18 at the Tift County Commission office in the Charles Kent County Administration Building on Tift Avenue and at all Tift County Fire/Rescue stations.

Because of the pandemic, there will be no live event to distribute socks; instead, they will be distributed to local schools, day cares, and to those in need.

Hughes said she started the project nearly a decade ago when she saw children walking to school without socks on a cold winter day.

For additional information, call Hughes at 229-326-0241.

ABAC NAMES RESIDENCE DIRECTOR

A familiar face has returned to the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College campus: Dr. Corey Langston is the new director of residence life and housing.

He previously served as ABAC’s assistant residence director from 2013-20.

“I believe that working with students is a calling, a privilege, and a gift,” Langston said. “I’m committed to creating an inclusive, engaging, and transformative residential experience for all students living on campus.”

During his time as assistant director, Langston oversaw the operations of all housing units and coordinated summer camps for the college.

“I want to create opportunities for student growth and success, improve student retention rates, and promote academic success through programming and collaboration,” Langston said.

ABAC houses more than 1,300 students in apartment-style complexes at ABAC Place and ABAC Lakeside.

TIFTON

2012 Pineview Ave. Tifton, Ga 31793

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Selah Boutique & Spa

118 E. Second St., Tifton

Jan. 28

ABAC PROF ADMITTED TO STATE BAR

Tifton Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Bill Reinhardt recently administered the attorney’s oath of admission to the State Bar to Diantha Virginia Ellis.

She is an associate professor of business in the Stafford School of Business at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Ellis received her business law degree from the Emory University School of Law; her J.D. degree from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law; her master's degree from Valdosta State University; a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southwestern State University; and an associate's degree from ABAC.

While at Mercer Law, Ellis was honored as a four-time CALI Excellence for the Future Award recipient for her achievements in legal writing and research. She also received her Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research, and Drafting for distinguished accomplishment in Mercer Law’s nationally recognized legal writing program.

She is a daughter of Thom and Ginny Ellis of Tifton, and the sister of Zachary Ellis and Denasia Ellis, both of Tifton.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Callie," a female calico cat, is ready for a good home. To adopt Callie and to see other pets available for adoption, visit the Tift County Animal Shelter from 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Pets of the Week are sponsored by:

Branch's Veterinary Clinic

205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055

HENRY BOSTICK NAMED CITY JUDGE

~ FEB. 3, 1964

On Feb. 3, 1964, local attorney Henry Bostick, a Tifton native, was named city court judge. Bostick succeeded Gerald Kunes, who resigned after several years of service.