Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

Tift County has cleared the way for a solar farm to be built on 30.3 acres of this 55.52-acre tract highlighted off Oakridge Church Road.

TIFT COUNTY OK's SOLAR FARM

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A proposed 30-acre solar farm on Oakridge Church Road in Tift County has been given a green light to proceed.

The Tift County Commission on Monday voted unanimously to grant a "special exception" to the property's zoning of wholesale light industrial, allowing the development of a solar farm on 30.3 acres of a 55.52-acre tract located at 435 Oakridge Church Road.

The Greater Tift County Planning & Zoning Commission had already endorsed the request to grant a special exception to the existing zoning for the solar farm.

Developer Nick Stein of Inman Solar of Atlanta, on behalf of property owner David J. Mullis, applied for the special exception.

During a public hearing at the County Commission meeting, no one spoke in opposition to the proposal.

County officials said that the applicants met all county requirements along with an approved decommissioning plan for when the solar farm is no longer in use.

Among Inman Solar's projects are solar farms in Ochlocknee; Jacksonville, Fla., Effingham, S.C.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and in Michigan and Massachusetts.

TWO TIFT COUNTY INCUMBENTS FACE OPPOSITION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two Tift County incumbents are facing opposition in the May 21 primary elections.

Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes is facing two challengers for the Democratic nomination for her District 2 seat: Daughtry Melton IV and Cal Russell Thomas.

The nominee will face Republican Priscilla Prince in November for the seat on the Tift County Commission.

Also, Tift County Board of Education incumbent Marilyn R. Burks is being challenged by Ambrose B. King Jr. for the Democratic nomination for the District 1 seat on the school board.

The political parties will hold its primaries May 21 to decide nominees for congressional, state, and local offices. A June 21 runoff is scheduled, if needed.

In Tift County, County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer and Commissioner Fred "Buck" Rigdon have no opposition for re-election; Sheriff Gene Scarbrough also has no opposition. On the Board of Education, Chairman Jonathan Jones and BOE member John Waddell have no opposition for re-election.

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, has no opponent for the GOP nomination, but two candidates are vying for the Democratic nod to face Scott in November: Darrius Maurice Butler, a pastor; and retired writer/editor Vince Watkins.

In the state Legislature, Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, whose district includes Tift, has no opponent for re-election. In the state House, Tift County's two representatives – Penny Houston, R-Nashville; and Clay Pirkle, R-Ashburn – have both announced their retirement from the House.

In Houston's District 170, two candidates are seeking the GOP nomination: Jaclyn Dixon Ford of Alapaha, an agribusiness executive; and Donny Roberson of Nashville, a retired educator.

In Pirkle's District 169, two Republicans are seeking the nomination, and one Democrat – Theresa Rewis, a tax professional in Douglas. The Republican candidates are William Ernest Roberts, an Ocilla farmer; and Angie Butler O'Steen, a registered nurse in Coffee County.

Advance voting will be April 29-May 17. The voter registration deadline for the primaries is April 22.

ON FITZGERALD'S WEEKEND MENU:

WILD CHICKEN FESTIVAL RETURNS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

It's something to crow about!

Burmese chickens are a fixture of the Fitzgerald landscape, and this weekend's Wild Chicken Festival honors the unique residents that have been local attractions since the 1960s.

The celebration of Fitzgerald’s Famous Wild Burmese Chickens is free and held in the downtown historic district of Fitzgerald.

The festival kicks off today (Friday) with a street dance in the White Swan Parking Lot at the corner of Lee and Pine streets starting at 7 p.m. Derrick Dove and the Peacekeepers are the entertainment. The event is sponsored by the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council. 

A cover fee of $5 is charged, and drink tickets may be purchased. Tables seating eight, including cover fee and eight beverage tickets, are $100 or $90 for members of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council. The rain contingency plan moves the entertainment to the Grand Theatre Garden Room. 

The Cancer Coalition of Ben Hill & Irwin is sponsoring its first Run for the Roost 5K and one-mile fun run/walk beginning with a check-in at 7:15 a.m. Saturday on Main Street across from the Community Bank branch. The 5K starts at 8 a.m., and the one-mile fun run/walk starts after the 5K. Registration on Race Day is $30. Each runner gets a free pancake breakfast. Others may purchase pancakes for $10 from 8-10 a.m.

The festival area opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, with 110 street vendors and food trucks, an artisans market, and kid’s activities. No animals are allowed in the festival area. A selfie station will be set up at the giant chicken near the intersection of Central Avenue and Johnston Street. 

Awards are presented at 10 a.m. for the winners of the 5K and one-mile fun run. Soulshine Acoustic Music starts at 11 a.m. The Page Brothers perform at noon; Anna Beth Gay performs at 2 p.m; and Dallas Rogers, at 3:30 p.m.

The Colony Bank Crowing Contest commences at 1 p.m. A $10 entry fee gets participants a T-shirt. Cash prizes are awarded to first, second, and third places in three categories: Adults 14 and up, youths age 6-13, and children age 5 and under. Registration is one hour before the contest. 

The Fitzgerald Antique Tractor Show opens from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Historic Depot, 116 N. Johnson St. The Antique Tractor Parade is at 3 p.m.

Festivities continue with a performance by The Isaacs at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Historic Grand Theatre. Tickets are $35. 

By the way, have you ever wondered where the Fitzgerald chickens came from? Back in the 1960s, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocked Burmese chickens around the state as additional game birds to be hunted like pheasant or quail. These tiny, colorful birds resemble fighting game chickens, sporting brilliant orange and yellow ruffs and gleaming black tail feathers. 

Flocks of chicks were released several miles from Fitzgerald at the Ocmulgee River. Populations of the bird never took hold in other areas of the state, but for some reason, they left the river site and made their way to downtown Fitzgerald, where they have propagated and prospered ever since.

'CAPTAIN' OF TIFTON TOURISM HITS ROAD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift-Tift County Tourism Association has a new mobile visitor center hitting the road to promote tourism and help folks around the region "Think Tifton."

Following a retreat last year to brainstorm ways of increasing tourism in Tifton and Tift County, the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Commission decided to purchase and equip a van, wrap it with distinctive colors and images, and build it out with commercial shelving to carry a variety of local brochures and information about Tifton.

An overhead awning is attached for use when the mobile visitor center is parked at area events, festivals, parades, visitor centers off the interstate exits, and at various sites throughout Georgia.

The tourism staff has named the van "Captain" in honor of Tifton’s founding father Capt. Henry Harding Tift.

So, the next time you see Captain on the road or at an event somewhere, be sure to honk and say howdy.

NEW BLUE DEVILS COACH LITTLETON TO FACE FORMER TEAM THIS FOOTBALL SEASON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County High School Blue Devils varsity football team once again has a tough schedule ahead for the 2024 fall season.

Half of the games will be played at home, along with the scrimmage Aug. 9 against Brooks County.

Among the Tift County adversaries this coming season will be Lee County, Houston, County, Colquitt, Lowndes, and Valdosta. The Blue Devils will also face Griffin, Gadsden, Richmond Hill, and Camden County, as well as Bainbridge – Blue Devils new Head Coach Jeff Littleton's former team.

MAINTENANCE WORK CONTINUES DOWN TIFT AVENUE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Water-line maintenance and repairs are continuing north down Tift Avenue this week as the City of Tifton moves to complete the below-ground work so that paving can start on Tift Avenue within the next few weeks or so.

In some instances, the city has found a thick layer of concrete under the asphalt, which has slowed the work's progress.

Before streets are being paved, the city is inspecting and repairing underground lines along the paving routes.

TIFT SHERIFF SWEARS IN NEW DEPUTY TO

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

There's a new deputy in town.

On Wednesday, Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough, at right in photo, swore in new Deputy Lance Morris.

TOUR de TIFTON BIKE RIDE

RETURNS ON MARCH 23

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tiftarea YMCA will host its 14th Annual Tour De Tifton Ilse Boyette Memorial Charity Bike Ride on Saturday, March 23.

Proceeds benefit local YMCA programs and scholarships for underprivileged youth.

Check-in is at 7 a.m. March 23 at the Tiftarea YMCA’s Hunt Park Campus at 1823 Westover Road, where the ride begins and ends. The route passes through Tift and surrounding counties. 

There will be a beginner’s 11-mile course, intermediate level 24- and 45-mile loops, mixed 48.5-mile track, and 62- and 100-mile century routes for advanced riders (you must finish within seven hours).

Registration is $50, and $55 on the day of the event. All participants will get free snacks and drinks at designated stops along the course and a post-ride meal. Participants completing either of the century courses will receive a special sticker. 

Helmets are required, and participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian rider.

To register, Click Here.

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

ENJOYING SOME 'COMMERCE & COFFEE'

A good crowd of Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce members gathered Wednesday morning for some "Commerce & Coffee" hosted at Hog-N-Bones and sponsored by Synovus. The Chamber event offered members a chance to meet informally at breakfast to better know one another and share ideas.

JOB FAIR NEXT THURSDAY: Quality Employment Service will hold its Third Annual Job Fair from 3-6 p.m. next Thursday, March 21, at the Tift County Recreation Department on Victory Drive. More than 30 local businesses will be participating,

RESIDENTIAL 'BEAUTY SPOT' OF MONTH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB) has named the home of Carline Bodiford, 1702 Melba Drive, as the March Residential Beauty Spot of the Month. Pictured with KTB's Rosemary Hightower is gardener Lamar Richardson.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Divine Skin By SOS

126 First St., Tifton

March 12

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COVID-19 data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of March 13:

TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 7,295 ....................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 181

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 14 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks: 53

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 130 

_______________________________________________________________

GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,456,953

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - Past week: 3,441

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 36,415 ...................................................... GA DEATHS - Past week: 33 

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

This Sunday, March 17, is St. Patrick's Day, time to celebrate the Irish – or the Irish spirit – within you. Because the day falls on Sunday this year, Savannah is celebrating on Saturday with its 200th anniversary of the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade. Savannah's parade is the third-largest in the nation, just behind New York City and Chicago. Following the Savannah parade, River Street will be green with revelers into the night.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

• Tifton Kiwanis Art & Music Showcase, 6 p.m., Tift County High's Performing Arts Center, Tifton
• Wild Chicken Festival Street Dance, 7 p.m., West Pine Street, Fitzgerald
• Berrien County Roundup Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Berrien County Saddle Club Arena, Nashville

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

• Wild Chicken Festival, 8 a.m., Downtown Fitzgerald
• Fire Ant Festival Golf Scramble, 8 a.m., Wanee Lake Golf & RV Park, Sycamore
• Hearts & Diamonds Gala: "Tropical Paradise," 6:30-11 p.m., UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton
• Berrien County Roundup Rodeo, 7:30 p.m., Berrien County Saddle Club Arena, Nashville

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

• Kiwanis Art Showcase Exhibit Opening Reception, 2-4 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Tifton
• The Isaacs in concert, 6:30 p.m., Historic Grand Theatre, Fitzgerald

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YARD SALE HERE!

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YARD SALE, CONTACT US at 

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

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"Grizz" eagerly awaits a new home. With his great personality and friendly demeanor, "Grizz" is sure to become someone's best pal. Come visit him and 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).