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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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OSSOFF ALLEGES MEDICAL NEGLECT IN DETENTION CENTERS

OCILLA ICE DETENTION CENTER NOW REOPENED

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

In a new report released Friday, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., says his ongoing investigation has uncovered 85 "credible reports" of medical neglect in federal immigration detention centers, including cases that allegedly led to life-threatening injuries and complications.

This comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is once again using the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla for immigrant detainees. The federal contract with the Ocilla facility had been terminated in 2021. A congressional investigation had found that some female detainees there were, without their consent, subjected to "excessive, invasive, and often unnecessary" gynecological procedures.

In his new report, Ossoff said his recent investigation reveals instances of medical neglect and denial of adequate food or water for ICE detainees that allegedly led to malnutrition or dehydration.

“The American people demand and deserve secure borders. The American people also believe every human being should be treated with dignity and respect, and where anybody is being denied necessary medical care or necessary nutrition, that should concern us all,” Ossoff said.

Of the 85 cases of neglect, 22 were found in Georgia facilities. The report does not specify their locations.

Among cases cited in the report are ones that allegedly led to a heart attack after days of untreated chest pain, complications from untreated diabetes, and denial of necessary medications; denial of bottled water for baby formula, instead offering foul-smelling, discolored water; vermin infestation and animal feces in food.

A U.S. government official working at a federal site where detainees are reportedly being held reported to Ossoff’s staff that “ambulances have to come almost every day” and that detainees are “passing out,” the report states.

Ossoff previously led an 18-month bipartisan probe into medical mistreatment of women in U.S. detention, including at the now-reopened Irwin County Detention Center. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security took issue with the results of that investigation. It hasn't yet responded to Ossoff's latest report.

Amnesty International and the National Immigration Project are among the entities condemning the reopening of the Irwin County Detention Center as an ICE facility.

Also criticizing the reopening is the ranking member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said the move to "reopen a facility that was the site of so many horrors, with zero oversight in place, is malicious and negligent."

The Irwin County Detention Center is a private, for-profit facility.

IT'S ELECTION DAY IN GEORGIA

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Today (Tuesday) is Election Day In Georgia. Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

On the statewide ballot, a special election will decide two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. In District 2, Republican incumbent Tim Echols, who has served since 2011, faces Democrat Alicia M. Johnson.

In District 3 on the PSC, are Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson, appointed in 2021, and Democratic challenger Peter Hubbard.

The PSC controls electric rates and statewide energy policies.

Residents in the City of Omega will choose City Council members. In Omega, four City Council seats are on the ballot with three of them contested.

Christopher W. Ponder is running unopposed for Post 1; incumbent Cecile L. Gilliard and Rene Christian Martinez are vying for the Post 2 seat; Rodney D. Glaze and Ryan Voris are running for the Post 3 seat; and for the Post 4 seat on Omega City Council, incumbent Charles Alvin White faces Gwendolyn C. Robinson.

Because incumbent city councilmen in Tifton and Ty Ty are all unopposed, they have been removed from the ballot.

In Tifton, District 1 Councilman Josh Reynolds and District 3 Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. will be elected to their second terms on City Council.

In the City of Ty Ty, longtime Ty Ty Mayor J. Keith Beasley, who first was elected to Ty Ty City Council in 1989, is unopposed as are Ty Ty Council members Tony C. Randall (Post 2), Kasey Luke (Post 3), and Linda Drawdy (Post 4).

FITZGERALD STUDENT DETAINED AFTER FIREARM ALERT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A student in Fitzgerald High School's College and Career Academy was taken into custody Wednesday after the school received an anonymous alert that a student had a firearm on campus.

The firearm was later found to be an airsoft gun, a realistic firearm replica that shoots plastic BBs using compressed air, electricity, or gas and is used for recreational sports, such competitive shooting and team-based games.

However, the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office said the airsoft gun "looked exactly like a real firearm. While incapable of firing live ammunition, a live 9mm round was in a magazine."

"School administration and resource officers responded promptly and securely retrieved the weapon. Law enforcement officers took the student into custody. The alert did not specify any threats directed toward students or staff. The situation was managed efficiently and without incident," the Ben Hill County School District said.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:20 p.m. Wednesday. The student is dually enrolled at Wiregrass Technical College, and the sheriff's office said the student was arrested there that afternoon.

"Procedures and protocols are currently being reviewed to ensure that Ben Hill County schools maintain the safest possible environment for students and staff," the school district said.

The sheriff's office said it is continuing to investigate the incident.

TIFT PROPERTY TAX BILLS OUT; FULL PAYMENT DUE BY DEC. 30

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The 2025 Tift County property tax bills were mailed to property owners on Thursday, Tift County Tax Commissioner Chad Alexander announced.

Taxes are due Dec. 30, and partial payments may be made. However, Alexander said interest will accrue after Dec. 30 if the tax bill is not paid in full at that time.

The Tax Commissioners Office mails property owners a tax bill even if the taxes are paid from an escrow account. If you sold property during the year, you may forward the tax bill to the new owner.

Property tax bills may be paid online by clicking here.

In October, The Tift County Board of Education set its millage rate at 12.275 mills for 2025, which the BOE said is a 12% tax reduction for property owners this year.

This comes after the school board had set a 2024 millage rate of 14 mills, a 2.5-mill rollback resulting in a property tax increase of 19.54% last year.

TIFT COUNTY HIGH TEAMS WIN AWARDS, ACCOLADES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Student teams at Tift County High School have won major accolades in recent days.

Last week, the TCHS One Act Play Team became the 2025 Region 1-AAAAAA champions. This year’s performance of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is said to have "wowed the judges and earned them the top spot."

The one-act musical follows a group of unique and impassioned adolescents as they compete for a spelling bee championship.

Another group of students, Tift County HIgh's FFA Agricultural Communications Team earned a Silver Emblem recently during national competition. At the event, students were challenged to showcase their skills in writing, broadcasting, magazine layout, and social media campaigns — all centered around agricultural storytelling.

And the TCHS Blue Devil Brigade band received straight superior ratings and placed third in its class in the recent Deep South Marching Competition.

"We are incredibly proud of these talented groups for their hard work, creativity, and dedication," TCHS said on social media.

HAIRE PARK PLAYGROUND'S GRAND OPENING THURSDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The grand opening ceremony is scheduled for the newly renovated playground at Haire Park in South Tifton.

The playground, which includes new equipment, benches, and landscaping, will have a grand opening at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the park on the corner of South Ridge Avenue and 11th Street.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include music and refreshments.

The park renovation is a result of a joint public-private effort. Georgia Power provided a $20,000 grant, and Coca-Cola United contributed $10,000 for the playground equipment. The City of Tifton and Tift County worked together on it with county public works personnel handling the installation.

TRICK-OR-TREATING IN DOWNTOWN TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Scores of costumed kids came out on Halloween to trick-or-treat in Downtown Tifton, a tradition that goes back decades.

Each Halloween, downtown merchants offer candy to the ghosts, ghouls, clowns, dinosaurs, princesses, superheroes, and others who fill Main Street and environs.

Generations of local folks have been participating for years. Some of today's parents of children trick-or-treating were once kids themselves collecting Halloween treats from downtown businesses.

This year's even was sponsored by Tifton Main Street and Quality Employment Service.

CHANCELLOR PERDUE

VISITS, PRAISES ABAC

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) recently hosted University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue for a special event – “Celebrating ABAC’s Impact with Chancellor Sonny Perdue.”

The gathering brought together members of the community, alumni, the Foundation, alumni boards, as well as faculty and staff, to recognize the institution’s ongoing contributions to education, agriculture, and economic development.

During his visit, Perdue, a former governor and former U.S. agriculture secretary, met with campus and community leaders to discuss the college’s mission, vision, and momentum. He praised President Tracy Brundage’s leadership and commended ABAC’s role as a model institution within the University System of Georgia.

“Chancellor Perdue’s visit to ABAC was truly meaningful, and I am deeply grateful for the time he spent meeting with some of our strongest supporters,” Brundage said. “His encouragement and support for ABAC’s mission reinforce our positive momentum as a college.”

Perdue said ABAC is a cornerstone of agricultural and experiential education in Georgia’s top industry, preparing graduates to meet workforce demands in a rapidly changing economy. He called ABAC one of Georgia’s iconic institutions with a proud legacy.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Dottie" is a 4-month-old sweet, little girl who adores attention, purrs up a storm, and is ready for cozy naps, toys, and a family of her own. She’s playful, affectionate, and full of charm — everything you could want in a kitten. Visit Dottie 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).

TIFTON NATIVE RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL

MEDAL OF HONOR POSTHUMOUSLY

~ NOV. 6, 1969

Press reports from Nov. 6, 1969, informed local residents that the family of 2nd Lt. Harold Bascom "Pinkey" Durham Jr. of Tifton was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor on Durham's behalf at a White House ceremony conducted by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. Durham, who was killed Oct. 17, 1967, while fighting in Vietnam, was awarded the honor posthumously.

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