OCILLA MAYOR DIES SUDDENLY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Mayor Horace L. Hudgins of Ocilla, who turned 71 on Tuesday, died Wednesday night of a heart attack, his family says.

Hudgins was serving his second stint as Ocilla's mayor. He served in 2014-15 before resigning to unsuccessfully seek a seat in the Ga. House of Representatives. He was elected mayor again in November 2021.

Hudgins had spent more than 40 years with Georgia Power and had served as a district manager for the Ocilla and Ashburn areas. During his longtime service with the power company, many knew him by his nickname "Kilowatt."

"Last night, when I received the call about the passing of my dear friend Horace Hudgins (Kilowatt), my heart was heavy with sadness; we had just spoken earlier in the day," state Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, said on social media.

"He was at home helping his community. He worked hard for Ocilla and Irwin County as mayor. We worked on many projects together, and everywhere we went, everyone knew Horace. Horace had a story to tell about friends all over the state," Summers said.

"I will miss my friend; I will miss his guidance; I will miss his kindness. I pray for comfort for his family, and I remind everyone reading this post: No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so always tell your family and friends how much they mean to you because all of our days are numbered."

Tift County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer wrote to the Hudgins family on social media: "I am so saddened to hear this shocking news! Praying for you and your family."

Spud Bowen of Tifton said, "Prayers for the family. Horace was a good and a helpful friend to so many. All of Georgia will miss him."

Among his civic activities, Hudgins was a longtime Rotary Club member and had served as a Rotary assistant governor for the southeastern district of Georgia. He also had served on the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes Board of Directors.

As of late Thursday, funeral arrangements were pending.

CRISP COUNTY DEPUTY SHOT DEAD AT TRAFFIC STOP IN CORDELE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A traffic stop early Wednesday in Cordele turned deadly, leaving a Crisp County Sheriff’s deputy shot dead and the suspect stealing the patrol car and leading authorities on a multi-county chase, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says.

The GBI says it is investigating the incident that led to the death of Deputy Tyee Browne, 26, of Macon County, as well as an officer-involved shooting. 

The preliminary investigation indicates that at about 3:40 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, Crisp County Deputy Browne stopped to check on a truck in the middle of the road near the 1300 block of Highway 280 W. in Cordele, the GBI said.

The vehicle’s history came back as stolen. As the deputy approached the vehicle, the driver shot Deputy Browne, stealing his patrol car and speeding away, the GBI said. Responding Crisp County deputies fired shots at the fleeing vehicle, pursuing it through multiple counties. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office ultimately arrested the suspect on Interstate 475 near the Bibb-Monroe County line.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office also recovered the stolen patrol unit. 

Crisp County EMS took Deputy Browne to a local hospital where he later died, the GBI said. He had been on the job less than a year.

Croshawn Cross, 25, of Unadilla has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, theft by receiving stolen property, carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and two counts of theft by taking, the GBI said. 

Cross went before a Crisp County magistrate Thursday to face the charges and was denied bond.

Tyee Browne’s funeral is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, July 10, at the Crisp County Middle School auditorium.

GA POWER STILL PROBING OUTAGE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Georgia Power officials said Thursday they are still working to determine the cause of a electrical outage Wednesday afternoon that affected approximately 3,800 customers, primarily in the central part of Tifton.

Power went out shortly before 3:30 p.m. and was restored about two hours later. 

"An outage occurred Wednesday afternoon at one of our substations in the Tifton area," Georgia Power said in a written statement. "We worked safely and as quickly as possible to restore service to all impacted customers just before 5:30 p.m. There were no injuries reported, and the company is working to determine the exact cause of the outage."

During the outage, several traffic lights were out around the city, including some downtown streets as well as along a busy commercial stretch of U.S. Highway 82. Several businesses around the city closed early for the day because of the outage.

STATE PROGRAM HELPS RURAL RESIDENTS WITH HOME OWNERSHIP

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

State Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville, who represents part of Tift County, says she wants to make area residents aware of the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, a state program created to make home ownership possible for eligible rural Georgians.

Residents in Tift, Berrien, and Cook counties with incomes up to $74,500 for a two-person household or $86,000 per year. for larger households may apply for affordable financing options, down payment and closing cost assistance, and homebuyer education.

“Every Georgian deserves the opportunity to achieve the dream of home ownership," Houston said. “Empowering residents to fulfill their homeownership aspirations ensures a brighter future for our rural communities. Georgia Dream provides vital support and removes barriers to homeownership, and I want to encourage citizens to help spread the word about this program with their families and neighbors.”

The average Georgia Dream process takes about 60 days from application to closing. An eligible applicant is typically a first-time home buyer or a home buyer who has not owned a home in the past three years. Borrowers must attend and complete either a homebuyer education workshop, individual housing counseling sessions, or an online homebuyer education course.

In February, Georgia Dream initiated a temporary increase for down payment assistance amounts: $10,000 is available to all eligible homebuyers; and $12,500 is available to active military members, public protectors, educators, health-care providers, and residents with family members living with a disability.

Residents living in Tift and Berrien counties must be first-time homebuyers. Cook County is considered a “targeted area,” and Cook County residents do not have to be first-time buyers.

Tift, Berrien, and Cook County residents could qualify for assistance for homes that cost up to $297,000. Applicants must be able to contribute a minimum of $1,000 toward the purchase.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs acts as the secondary market for lenders who want to provide an affordable mortgage product. Potential homebuyers may apply with participating lenders for Georgia Dream loans. The loans are secured or guaranteed by FHA, VA, USDA-RD or conventional uninsured loans.

For information, call 1-800-359-HOME (4663) or Click Here.

UGA GETS $18.5 MILLION FOR LAKE BLACKSHEAR TRACT

Source: University of Georgia

A wooded parcel of land on Lake Blackshear has netted a sizable gift for the forestry school at the University of Georgia.

The 2,500-acre property — one of the last undeveloped parcels on the lake — recently sold for $18.5 million to an undisclosed buyer. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, which received the land as a donation from businessman Charles Wheatley in 1989.

The land was given with one stipulation – that the school use it “as it deems best.” Since then, Warnell has managed the land for timber and hunting. But last year, after fielding several inquiries about the property, the school investigated a possible sale.

The timing was right, said Warnell's dean, Dale Greene.

“After years of stewardship, we felt the market was in a good place,” he said. “We are very pleased with the outcome, and the funds from the sale will be transformative for our school as we prepare the next generation of foresters and natural resources professionals.”

The school plans to create three funds from the land sale; One dedicated to updatIng campus facilities in Athens, and two funds established as endowments to allow the school to benefit in perpetuity. One endowed fund will support research while the other will enhance student learning through hiring additional instructors and improving technology.

Since receiving the property more than 30 years ago, the UGA forestry school has invested more than $1.3 million for reforestation and control of invasive species while receiving $8.2 million from timber sales and other investment earnings.

EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS FOUND IN HORSE NEAR ADEL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Cook County, says the Ga. Department of Public Health's South Health District.

The South Health District "reminds all South Georgians that prevention is the best tool for avoiding mosquito-borne illnesses." Officials noted there is no vaccine available for humans, although there is one for horses.

Most mosquito-borne illnesses are transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

To help prevent mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picardin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Wear long sleeves and pants whenever possible.
• Have secure, intact screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels, wading pools, and other containers. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.
• Use repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider indoor activities during these times because of peak mosquito-biting hours.

“Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for EEE to be detected in our region during the summer months,” said Chris Calhoun, district environmental health director. “That is why we encourage everyone to take mosquito-bite prevention seriously.”

Health officials said anyone interested in having their horse vaccinated should contact a veterinarian as early as possible.

GEORGIA DOE AWARDS FUNDS TO SCHOOLS FOR DYSLEXIA SCREENING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Georgia Department of Education is awarding $3.5 million to school districts to screen students for dyslexia.

At its June meeting, the State Board of Education approved State School Superintendent Richard Woods' recommendation to award the funding.

Every Local Educational Authority (LEA) – each school district and state charter school – will receive funding based on the number of K-3 students they enroll. LEAs will use the funds to screen students for characteristics of dyslexia in the early grades to identify those students needing support.

“Knowing the paramount importance of literacy learning, we are committed to providing the resources school districts need to screen students for signs of dyslexia and provide the necessary supports," Woods said.

Senate Bill 48, signed into law in 2019, requires that local school systems – beginning with the 2024-2025 school year – screen all students in kindergarten and grades 1-3 for characteristics of dyslexia. Funding was provided by the General Assembly.

JULY'S RESIDENTIAL BEAUTY SPOT

The Keep Tift Beautiful advisory board has named the Cole's residence at 620 N. Ridge Ave. in Tifton as this month's Residential Beauty Spot. Keep Tift Beautiful is a city-county advisory board promoting recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification

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To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

COVID-19 data released from the

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of July 5:

TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 6,960 ..................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 177

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 15 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES: 39

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 96

_______________________________________________________________

GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,368,077

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 1 week: 1,636

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 35,469 ....................................................... GA DEATHS - 1 week: 10

YOUR GUIDE TO ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN

THE TIFTAREA

Saturday, July 8, is National Blueberry Day. Blueberries were originally planted as a replacement crop for tobacco. Today, they're the No. 1 fruit produced in Georgia with a farm gate value of $348.7 million. In Tift County, blueberries were produced on seven acres for a value of $110,250 during 2021. Rabbiteye blueberries are native to Georgia and make up most of our commercial production.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

• Confederate Railroad & Hard Times Band, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Berrien County VFW, 801 Tifton Highway, Nashville

SATURDAY, JULY 8

• Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Downtown Tifton Second Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Downtown Tifton
• Exhibit Opening Reception: "What Color is Water – Growing Up Black in a Segregated South," 5-7 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, Tifton
• Matt the Welder & Average Joey – Tax Evasion Tour, 7:30 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

ADVERTISE

YOUR

YARD SALE HERE!

TO ADVERTISE YOUR

RESIDENTIAL YARD SALE,

CONTACT US at 

yardsales@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

“Teddy Ruxpin” a friendly male, is ready for a new home. To adopt Teddy Ruxpin and to see other pets available for adoption, visit 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).