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ELECTION SET FOR VACANT SEAT ON TIFT COMMISSION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A special election is set for Sept. 16 to fill the unexpired term of the late Fred "Buck" Rigdon on the Tift County Board of Commissioners.

Rigdon was just re-elected to a four-year term in November. He died May 12 after serving more than 20 years on the Tift County Commission.

According to Tift County Election Supervisor Leila E. Dollison, qualifying for the District 5 seat on the County Commission will be from 8 a.m. June 16 until noon June 18.

At a special called meeting Tuesday, the Tift County commissioners called for the special election and set the qualifying fee for candidates at $282.24. Candidates must reside in county District 5, which encompasses Tifton's historic district and beyond.

PSC CANDIDATE OFFICIALLY DISQUALIFIED

On Wednesday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger formally disqualified Daniel Blackman from seeking the nomination for a seat on the state Public Service Commission (PSC).

Early voting had already begun Tuesday for the June 17 special primary for PSC seats. As required by law, the Secretary of State's Office said, "all votes cast for such candidate (Blackman) shall be void and shall not be counted."

On Tuesday, an administrative law judge ruled that Blackman did not meet requirements for living in PSC District 3, which represents Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties. Although PSC commissioners must reside in specified districts, they are elected by voters statewide.

Early voting for two seats on the PSC continues from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays until June 13. Also, Saturday voting will be available this Saturday and on June 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Advance voting in Tift County is done at the county elections office on Chesnutt Avenue. On the PSC election day June 17, voters will cast ballots at their home precincts.

In PSC District 3, Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones, and Keisha Sean Waites are seeking the Democratic nomination. The victor will face Republican Fitz Johnson, the incumbent, in the PSC's Nov. 4 election.

In PSC District 2, Republicans Tim Echols, the incumbent, and Lee Muns are seeking their party's nomination. The winner will face Democrat Alicia M. Johnson in November.

IRWIN COUNTY TRAFFIC STOP AGAIN RESULTS IN ANOTHER DRUG ARREST

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Another traffic stop in Irwin County has resulted in a drug arrest.

Irwin County's South Central Drug Task Force, working with the Georgia State Patrol, conducted a vehicle traffic stop this week, determining that the driver was trafficking approximately two ounces of suspected methamphetamine.

Authorities said the meth being trafficked originated from the Tift County area.

Earlier this month, the South Central Drug Task Force had conducted a traffic stop in Irwin County that resulted in a driver being charged with cocaine possession.

"Whether narcotics are coming through or coming to Irwin County, the South Central Drug Task Force stays ready to intercept the threat and protect our communities from the destructive impact of drugs," the task force said on social media.

TIFTON ROTARY CLUB SENDING 2 STUDENTS TO LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The Rotary Club of Tifton has selected two Tift County High School students to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program June 11-14 in Brunswick.

Rising senior Chloe Hubbell and rising junior Pratyush Biswal were recommended by TCHS Guidance Counselor Jean Guzman. Both students are looking forward to the opportunity to network and to continue developing leadership skills. 

During her high school experience, Chloe has maintained the honor roll, and completed AP and honors classes. As a junior, she has completed all credits required to graduate, and she will start next year as a freshman at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall.

She plans to pursue a nursing career. She is the daughter of Krystal and Austin Youngblood. 

Pratyush received the Superior Honors Award at TCHS and has been a member of both the chess and the robotics clubs and participates in peer tutoring. He plans to pursue an education and career in computer science or cyber security. He is the son of Puspaluta and Akshaya Kumar Biswal.

RYLA students from around the Southeastern part of Georgia attend an all expense-paid four-day event at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, where they expand their perceptions, learn about themselves, discuss leadership skills, and put those skills to practice.

Students are spotted by their high school counselors and local Rotary Clubs for their high leadership potential. They often make new life-long friends through the experience. RYLA brings together individuals from different educational levels and offers experience with noted community professionals to interact, learn, and discuss leadership and business strategies for dealing with future challenges and opportunities.

During the RYLA experience, students in Rotary District 6920 will also enhance their communication skills and learn about Rotary’s purpose and service to the community.

The Rotary Club of Tifton received a District 6920 grant to sponsor the two students from Tift County.

TIFTON EVENTS TO MARK JUNETEENTH IN COMING WEEKS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton will have two observations of Juneteenth, one the first weekend in June and the traditional one on June 19-21.

Local organization Jake’s Hands is sponsoring its Third Annual Juneteenth Festival at 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, June 7, at Fulwood Park, with entertainment, vendors, arts and crafts, a kids zone, and food. Alcoholic beverages will be available.

And Tifton's 11th Annual Juneteenth Celebration sponsored by Dee and Doc Melton Cultural Visions will begin with the annual Juneteenth Parade at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, at Community Mortuary, 102 13½ Street. It culminates at the Tift County Courthouse on Second Street.

The celebration continues with the Juneteenth Annual Banquet at 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tifton. Keynote speaker will be Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Albany. A field day – “Unity in the Community” – will follow at 10 a.m. June 21, at Mott Litman Gym, with free food, basketball games, and water activities.

Dee and Doc Melton Cultural Visions will award educational scholarships to a single parent and to a student currently attending college.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that recognizes the freedom of formerly enslaved black people. The commemoration traditionally takes place on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to share the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, announcing the official end of the Civil War.

Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021.

KTB NAMES 'BEAUTY SPOTS' OF MONTH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial "Beauty Spots" for June.

The home of Maggie Cooper on Willow Creek Drive, pictured above, is this month's residential Beauty Spot. 

The Tift County Schools Administrative Office on 12th Street  (pictured below) is June's commercial Beauty Spot.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFT ANIMAL RESCUE OFFERING

VACCINE & MICROCHIP CLINIC ON SATURDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift Animal Rescue is hosting another vaccine and microchip clinic for dogs and cats at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Tift County Animal Shelter, 278 GA. Highway 125 South.

A $25 donation includes: Rabies vaccine, canine DAPP or feline HCP vaccine, and a microchip inserted under the pet's skin. Payment options include cash, credit or debit card, PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp.

The clinic is sponsored by Tift Animal Rescue Inc. and Petco Love, with Dr. Jessica Giddens of JAG Veterinary Services. It is open to the public, including residents outside Tift County. There is no limit on the number of pets, and no appointment is needed.

Pets must be leashed or crated. Georgia state law requires rabies shots at three months or older. DAPP vaccines help prevent parvovirus in dogs. HCP vaccines help prevent distemper in cats. Both are highly contagious and often fatal.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY: 

Letters must address local issues only. All letters are subject to editing for brevity, for libelous statements, and for egregious language. 

Include your name, phone number, and address for verification purposes. Email letters to: IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com

DEMAND FEDERAL RELIEF FOR FARMERS, SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HOLD COVID DISASTER LOANS

To the Editor:

During COVID, several Georgia farmers and small business owners applied for and received EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loans) from SBA.

These loans were not forgiven like the fraud-ridden PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans were.

Now with Hurricane Helene, farmers are again relying on EIDL loans from SBA for capital, along with loans from USDA and the Georgia Development Authority. There is also a media report that USDA discriminated against certain farmers in a loan forgiveness program.

The time is now for the U.S. Congress to forgive the COVID-era EIDL loans in counties that were declared a Presidential Disaster Area from Hurricane Helene. This will grant immediate relief to farmers and small businesses who are already facing questionable practices from property-insurance carriers who are canceling policies post-Helene.

I think it is imperative that we contact our representatives in Washington and demand action for our farmers and small businesses. 

L. Chase Daughtrey

Probate Judge, Cook County

Lenox

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, June 1, begins Georgia Blueberry Month. Georgia is a leading blueberry farming state, ranking fifth in the U.S. Fresh blueberries are usually harvested between May and July with peak picking times of mid-June to August. In 2012, Gov. Nathan Deal proclaimed June to be Georgia Blueberry Month in order to showcase the abundant supply of the state’s valuable fruit.

FRIDAY, MAY 30

• Fifth Friday Mayhem Celebration, games, bouncy house, food trucks, 4-8 p.m., Downtown Ocilla

• "Color Our World – with Reading & Wellness," Cook County summer reading kickoff, 4:30 p.m., Cook County Public Library, Adel

• Final Friday, lawn games, food trucks, live music by Walt Dunn; 5-8 p.m., Connie's Children's Park, Downtown Nashville

• Horror Circus, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SATURDAY, MAY 31

• Yard Sale Fundraiser, conducted by American Legion Post 21 Ladies Auxiliary, 8 a.m.-Noon, 1224 Moore Highway, Tifton

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

• Books on the Block, summer reading kickoff party with food, games, bouncy house, music; 7-9 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton

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YARD SALE HERE

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"Georgia Blu" is as sweet as a Georgia peach and twice as charming. This lovely lady is full of Southern grace and gentle spirit. With eyes that melt hearts and a tail that never stops wagging, Georgia Blu is the kind of pup who makes every day a little brighter. 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

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