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SHERIFF INCREASES PATROLS AFTER BULLET STRIKES HOME, HITS WOMAN

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

After a grandmother was shot when a bullet smashed into her home Tuesday in the Unionville area south of Tifton, the Tift County Sheriff's Office is escalating its presence in that community.

“We are continuing to investigate these incidents in conjunction with the Tifton Police Department," said Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough. "Our deputies are increasing their patrols in the area. We’re are also asking for help from the community for any information they may have to help bring these individuals to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at 229-388-6090.

The Sheriff's Office said Thursday that no arrests have been made in the incident on the 3000 block of Hillcrest Circle. Shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a possible gunshot victim there. A 59-year-old woman was found with an apparent gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital.

The wound is not life-threatening, authorities said.

In recent weeks, there have been several reports of gunshots around the Tifton community, some striking residences and other buildings. In one incident last month, a stray bullet struck a window at Tift Regional Medical Center's emergency room, creating a "spider-web crack." No one was injured.

All of these incidents prompted Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman to take to social media this week and make a plea to parents to get more involved in their children's lives and know what they are doing and with whom they are hanging around. And he implored the juvenile justice system to step up and hold young people with guns more accountable.

"We have teenagers in our community with guns. They’re not just carrying them; they’re using them. They’re shooting at each other. They’re shooting at each other's homes. They’re putting you, your family, your neighbors, and innocent people in the crossfire," the police chief wrote.

"The path that some are on leads to prison or the grave, and it doesn't have to be this way."

ABAC CONFERS DEGREES DURING CEREMONIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College held two spring commencement ceremonies Thursday in the college’s Gressette Gymnasium.

A ceremony at 10 a.m. was for graduates from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Arts and Sciences. At 3 p.m., a ceremony was conducted for graduates from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Stafford School of Business.

Kamren Yaughn received the David and Kim Bridges Award. Named for the former long-serving ABAC president and his wife, the award recognizes scholarship, leadership, and citizenship to a graduate receiving a four-year degree.

Yaughn graduated summa cum laude with a degree in agricultural education. In the photo, she poses with ABAC President Tracy Brundage.

IRWIN TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS IN COCAINE ARREST

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A traffic stop Wednesday in Irwin County resulted in the driver being arrested for cocaine possession, according to the South Central Drug Task Force.

While conducting a traffic stop near the Pleasure Lake community along U.S. Highway 319 in Irwin County, Task Force agents said they noticed the driver behaving suspiciously. The driver was asked if there were any illegal substances in the vehicle.

Following a brief investigation, a personal-use amount of cocaine powder was found inside the car, agents said. The driver, who was not identified, was taken into custody without incident.

The South Central Drug Task Force said it is maintaining a strong presence in areas known for drug activity.

TIFT BOE NAMES PRINCIPAL AT SPENCER ELEMENTARY

Tifton Grapevine Staf Reports

The Tift County Board of Education on Thursday night named Markcus Lawson as principal of Charles Spencer Elementary for the 2025–2026 school year.

A Fitzgerald native, Lawson began his teaching career at Worth County High School in Sylvester after earning a bachelor of science in biology. He later completed his teaching certification and went on to teach at Howard High School in Bibb County.

Lawson has spent the past five years serving as an administrator in Bibb County schools, demonstrating a commitment to student achievement and school improvement, officials said.

He has a master’s degree in biology, a graduate certificate in emerging infectious diseases, and both Tier 1 and Tier 2 leadership certification, earned from Kennesaw State University and the University of West Georgia.

He is currently pursuing his doctorate from Liberty University.

ABAC STALLIONS TO COMPETE IN NAIA NATIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The ABAC Stallions baseball team has been selected as one of the 46 teams to compete in the NAIA National Baseball Tournament. The field was announced Wednesday afternoon.

The Stallions will compete in the five-team regional in Lakeland, Fla., as the fourth seed. They will open play Monday against the fifth-seeded Briar Cliff (Iowa) Chargers. ABAC’s game will be Monday’s first game of the day at Ted A. Broer Stadium, although no game time has been set.

If the Stallions win, they will play the regional’s top seed, Southeastern University, later Monday. If they lose, they will play the loser of the second game of the day between Central Methodist, Mo., and Arizona Christian.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” ABAC head coach Blake Williams said. “They’ve competed hard all year, and I have no doubt that’s what they’ll do in Lakeland. It’s great to have a chance to play against the best teams in the country. We’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

The announcement capped a noteworthy year for the Stallions, who joined the rest of the ABAC athletic teams and jumped to NAIA four-year competition less than a year ago. The postseason opportunity comes in Williams’ first year at the helm.

“It’s pretty incredible,” he said. “My assistant coaches have done a great job; the administration has given us a lot of support; and our players have represented ABAC well. I’m sure we’ll look back at some point, and it will sink in. But right now, we’re going to try to keep this thing going as long as we can.”

The Stallions enter the national tournament with a 35-14 overall record after finishing third in the Southern States Athletic Conference. Last week in Jackson, Tenn., the Stallions won their first two games in the SSAC tournament before falling to eventual conference champion Loyola (La.).

Regular-season conference champion William Carey University also made the national tournament field and will host a regional in Hattiesburg, Miss., while Loyola will play in Waleska, Ga. in a four-team regional hosted by Reinhardt University.

In Briar Cliff, ABAC will face a team that finished 28-22 overall and was seeded fourth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament last week in Sioux City, Iowa. But the Chargers topped the No. 1 seed Concordia in their pool play, advancing to the championship game and defeating Mount Marty 6-5.

Briar Cliff hit .304 as a team with 49 home runs and a team earned run average of 6.62. By comparison, the Stallions hit .292 as a team with 52 home runs and a team ERA of 5.63.

An advantage ABAC will definitely have is proximity to the playoff site. While ABAC is four hours from Lakeland, Fla., the Chargers will travel a little over 1,500 miles for the regional.

The regional is scheduled Monday-Wednesday with a game Thursday, if necessary. The winners of the 10 regionals will meet in the NAIA Baseball World Series May 23-31 in Lewiston, Idaho.

ABAC is one of six programs making its debut in the event.

TIFTON WOMANS CLUB HONORS STUDENT WHO WON STATEWIDE ART COMPETITION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Members of the Tifton Woman's Club recently congratulated Antron Johnson at Tift County High School for his inspiring self portrait. His artwork won first place in a women's club statewide competition among high school students.

Johnson received a certificate, blue ribbon, and a check for $400 from the Georgia General Federation of Women's Clubs.

In the photo above are Tifton Woman's Club members, from left, Shirene Daniell, President Debbie Thompson, the artist's mother Lacava Alford, Antron Johnson, and club member Pat Guill. 

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

The Local Graze

May 7

212 Main St., Tifton

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

This Sunday, May 11, is Mother's Day. President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 established the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day to honor all mothers in the United States. According to the latest statistics and estimations, $34.1 billion is expected to be spent on Mother's Day this year. Approximately 84% of Americans celebrate Mother's Day, with many spending on gifts, flowers, and special outings such as dinner or brunch. The most popular gift categories are flowers (74%), greeting cards (73%), and special outings (61%). Mother's Day is said to be the second-busiest day of the year for florists.

FRIDAY, MAY 9

• Mother's Day Tea Party, Older Americans Month, 2 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

• To the Limit: Ultimate Eagles Experience, live, 7:30 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SATURDAY, MAY 10

• Run for Hope 5K & Fun Run, 8:30 a.m., hosted by Tiftarea House of Hope, Northeast Middle School, Tifton

• Adel Daylily Festival, 5K run, entertainment, arts & crafts, kids' activities, food trucks, car cruise-in, daylilies and other plants, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., The Depot, Downtown Adel

• Tifton Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Tifton Gardens, Downtown Tifton

• Tifton Second Saturday celebrating Mother's Day: Storewide sales, sip & stroll; 10 a.m., Downtown Tifton

• Ocilla Second Saturday, photos with mom, special flower bouquets, Mother's Day gifts, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Ocilla

• Kids Studio Saturday, arts workshop for ages 7-12, 10 a.m.-Noon, Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton

• Super Saturday Art Class, kids ages 4-10, 11 a.m.-Noon, 115 W. Pine St., Fitzgerald

• Mommy & Me Karaoke, 5-8 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SUNDAY, MAY 11

• Happy Mother's Day

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"Potato" is a soulful girl who was found wandering alone; she deserves a soft place to land. This "sweet Potato" is adorable and just wants to curl up next to someone who loves her. Come visit her and see other pets available for adoption at 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).

Tifton Grapevine

e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.

Editor & Publisher

Bonnie Sayles

Managing Editor