New Playground at Fulwood Park Under Review

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

An artist’s rendering of the proposed renovated playground at Fulwood Park. The new equipment would be accessible to children with physical handicaps.

CITY CONSIDERS NEW PLAYGROUND AT FULWOOD PARK

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton City Council is reviewing plans for a renovated playground at Fulwood Park that would be accessible to physically handicapped children as well.

At last week’s council workshop meeting, City Planning Director Crystal Gaillard presented plans to completely renovate the playground near the bathrooms at the park, creating a new, “really cool, inclusive" playground that will “really add a value to Fulwood Park and just be a tourism draw, especially for special-needs children,” she said.

The Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association has allocated $250,000 in tourism product development funds for the project with a match of $250,000 from the city. Gaillard said the proposed plans are $150,000 over the $500,000 budget, “but the design is 100% worth it,” she told council.

Councilman Jack Folk suggested that city staff go back to the tourism board because “we need some more of our money for product development."

The city received several proposals for playground designs, and the proposed plans were unanimously selected by a committee of city and tourism staff, and a representative from ESG Operations, which the city contracts with for management and maintenance of facilities.

Gaillard said the proposed design moves the playground into the 21st century. The surface would be poured-in-place rubber that looks like turf, which not only is child-friendly but would alleviate current drainage issues at the park.

The plans include “lots of special-needs features," including "sensory play items,” ramps, swings, and a merry-go-round that are wheelchair accessible, as well as a short “zip line” with a full harness.

The swing set would include a “mom-and-dad” swing next to one for a young child, along with a harness swing and bucket swing, Gaillard said.

She said the project could be completed within three and a half months after council gives the go-ahead.

“This is really going to an enhancement to Fulwood Park,” said Mayor Julie B. Smith.

City Council is expected to decide on the playground plans at an upcoming meeting.

Gaillard said the city hopes to receive other grant funds in August to renovate the other Fulwood Park playground area, which currently has some wooden structures.

A view of the proposed playground area from another side. The zip line is at top left.

SYLVESTER HOMICIDE SUSPECT TURNS

HIMSELF IN, GBI SAYS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A suspect in a deadly shooting during the weekend in Sylvester turned himself in to authorities Tuesday, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Keymon Brown, 19, of Sylvester, is being held in the Dougherty County Jail on charges of murder and aggravated assault, the GBI said Tuesday night.

On Saturday, Sylvester Police responded to a location on S. Jefferson Street and found two men with gunshot wounds. One of the men, identified as David Stephens, 29, of Sylvester, died. The other man is being treated at Phoebe-Putney Hospital in Albany, the GBI said.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sylvester Police Department at 229-776-8500 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Tift Judicial Circuit for prosecution.

Celebrating the news about the NEA grant are from left, Sandy Hester, director, Coastal Plain Regional Library; Dr Charlotte Klesman, chair, Library Board of Trustees; Karen Thompson, branch manager, Tifton-Tift County Public Library; Bonnie Sayles, Literacy board president; Andrea McLemore, executive director, Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County; Kathy Fell, Tifton Arts Council Education chair; and Joy Yost, executive director, Tifton Council for the Arts.

TIFTON LIBRARY RECEIVES NEA ‘BIG READ’ GRANT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton-Tift County Public Library, in partnership with the Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation, Tifton Council for the Arts, and Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County, has been awarded a Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Tifton library is one of only 62 organizations nationwide selected to receive the grant for 2023-2024. The $5,000 grant will support a community-wide reading program during March and April focused on one book, “The Bear,” by Andrew Krivak.

The grant must be matched locally. The Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation has agreed to allocate $4,000 to the project, and the Arts Council and Literacy Volunteers are each donating $500.

“An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens understanding of the world, of communities, and of ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience,” according to a press release.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working together to deliver a broad range of programming and events for March and April 2024," said Karen Thompson, manager of the Tifton-Tift County Public Library.

"Together with the Tifton Council for the Arts and Tifton Literacy Volunteers, we will launch our program at the annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival, where community members can pick up a voucher for a free copy of the book.”

The organizations will have multiple events centered around the theme of the book, one of which is a storytelling event with a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Another event is an author visit from Carmen Agra Deedy, and a third is a field trip series with Mr. Damon's Shadow Puppet Theater.

“We also have programs with the Gaskins Forestry Center, the Valdosta Astronomy Club, and many local artisans and businesses,” Thompson said. “The entire community will have plenty to do, and we are looking forward to our launch.”

Panelists at the inaugural meeting of the South Georgia Women’s Leadership Initiative include, from left, Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, ABAC President Tracy Brundage, Albany State University President Marion Fedrick, Tifton City Manager Emily Beeman, T31 owner and fashion designer Elena Carne Lorenz, and TMC Tax Accountants owner Elaina Lockart.

TIFTONITES JOIN LAUNCH OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP GROUP

Three Tifton women were among the panelists last week at the launch of the South Georgia Women’s Leadership Initiative in Albany.

More than 90 women from across South Georgia attended the inaugural meeting of the organization, sponsored by Georgia Power Co.

Panelists included Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President Tracy Brundage, and Tifton City Manager Emily Beeman.

In a press release, the Leadership Initiative said it seeks to "instill confidence and capability in women across South Georgia to grow and thrive professionally and personally, and in turn, create a more vibrant and flourishing region, and to support, empower, and amplify the impact of women across South Georgia."

Toni Reid, Georgia Power's Tifton area manager, said “Having the opportunity to connect and grow with other women, enhance strengths, and collaborate with leaders across the area will provide a unique opportunity to accelerate growth in our area that will lead to many positive impacts. While this program is designed to empower women, having space for everyone to be involved was essential. We look forward to partnering with community and business leaders across the region.”

The Leadership Initiative will begin a program in September consisting of six sessions, concluding with an Empowerment Celebration event in March. Tuition is $1,000 per participant, with a limited number of scholarships available. Applications open in July. For information, email southgawomenslx@gmail.com

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

~LOUIE FOUND~

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AFTER CAR STOLEN WITH DOG, TIFTON STILL 'LOOKING FOR LOUIE'

UPDATE:

Louie, the dog missing after being thrown out a car as it was stolen in Tifton a week ago, was found Wednesday on Outerbridge Drive near Interstate 75. A couple and their dog saw Louie in some bushes.

The couple asked that they remain anonymous.

Below is the initial story from Tuesday evening.

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Louie, the five-year-old black shih tzu missing after being thrown from a car as it was stolen Wednesday, is still out there somewhere in Tifton, probably in the neighborhood of Northeast Middle School.

He is wearing a collar and a distinctive blue bandana, such as those from groomers.

Sarah Kate Hendrix, his heartbroken owner, said that he is used to being indoors all the time and not around other people.

She has been a teacher at G.O. Bailey Elementary School for five years and was in the process of moving to Perry when she returned to Tifton last week to run errands.

Stopping by a friend’s house on Murray Avenue to drop off a bridesmaid’s dress, Hendrix was out of the car just five minutes when it was stolen with her dog inside at 10:30 a.m. last Wednesday.

“The car was locked with the AC going,” Hendrix said, and she had the keys in her hands. “I didn’t know a car could drive without the keys.”

Somewhere on Murray Avenue or 20th Street, the car thief tossed the dog out of the car and kept going. About that time, Jordan Beard saw a loose dog running on 20th Street, and she and several other women tried to save him. They saw him get bumped by another car and take off near the Veterans Affairs Clinic on the other side of 20th Street.

The stolen car was recovered later the same day, wrecked in a tree near the same school where Hendrix used to teach. No suspects have been arrested.

Several people have since seen the dog from 18th to 28th streets, with the most recent sighting crossing 28th Street and Wilson Avenue at 8 a.m. Monday. About 15 volunteers met up in cars at 5 p.m. Monday to canvass the area.

Some of her teacher friends met Hendrix at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Northeast Middle School and “walked the streets on foot – Hall, Wilson, Ridge,” Hendrix said. A resident of The Orchard told one of them that she may have seen the dog.

Hendrix’ Tifton home is on Belmont Avenue, so Louie is in unfamiliar territory and possibly injured. Hendrix has asked that people not try to approach him, just take a photo if possible, and call her at 229-472-0423. A hashtag #LookforLouie is uniting people on Facebook who are joining the search, and a Facebook group “Looking for Louie” has been started.

“I have met over a hundred good people to offset this one terrible individual” who made the whole miserable situation happen, Hendrix said. “That’s what has been making it bearable.

She said Candas Bennett with Simply Grace rescue has provided help. Wyatt Patterson, an ABAC student, volunteered to bring his deer-tracking dogs to help. Hendrix said she has seen Tifton Police patrolling in areas where she is looking.

The City of Tifton sent out a press release Friday stating “Tifton Police Department is constantly monitoring activity and increasing patrol in areas as needed. Recent incidents in Tifton have been heavily discussed on social media. The city and Tifton Police Department do not take any incident lightly. While social media is a powerful communication tool, the Tifton Police Department reminds residents to call 911 in the case of an emergency.”

The release said police are Increasing patrol visibility at night in residential and commercial areas with spotlights, and parking patrol cars in neighborhoods to deter crime.

“Several recent crimes can be categorized as crimes of opportunity,” the release noted. The city reminded residents to lock cars and other doors, and secure valuables; to never leave a vehicle unattended with the key in the ignition or vehicle running; to hide firearms from public view and remove them from vehicles overnight; to ensure outdoor lights are on, and bushes and shrubs are trimmed back.

DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES GETS NEW DIRECTOR WHEN CURRENT DIRECTOR RETIRES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Board of Health has named Kristy Dominy, business operations manager of Diversified Enterprises, to be the director following the retirement of David T. Wilber on June 30.

Dominy has been with Diversified since 2017 and holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership with concentrations in healthcare administration and public administration from Valdosta State University.

Wilber has been Diversified Enterprises executive director since 2016. His career supporting individuals with disabilities began in 1984, becoming a voice for thousands of people with differing abilities who were unable to speak or fully advocate for their needs.

“While I will miss everyone I worked with at Diversified Enterprises, I know Kristy Dominy will do an outstanding job,” Wilber said. “I am leaving Diversified in great hands with Kristy at the helm, a great leadership team, and awesome staff.”

In April, Wilber was awarded the Georgia Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities' Circle of Excellence Award.

Wilber has “touched and enriched the lives of others through his advocacy for better service rates and higher wages,” the association said. "Through the pandemic, his strategies and processes for maintaining stability and ensuring safety/security for the people we support were not only used across the state but were shared nationwide.”

Diversified Enterprises, based in Tifton, provides support and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, serving approximately 190 people in eight counties.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

RIBBON CUTTING

Bateman Mural at

Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center

511 17th St. W., Tifton

June 8

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Ollie” a male kitty, is among the cute pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Ollie and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 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

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE SELECTS SITE FOR NEW TIFTON POST OFFICE

~ JUNE 13, 1962

The U.S. Postal Service on June 13, 1962, announced the site for a new Post Office in Tifton. The former Annie Belle Clark school property near Downtown Tifton was chosen. The Post Office remains there today on what is now John Howard Way.