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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

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DEPUTIES SEEK ARMED ROBBER OF FOOD MART

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

No arrest had been made as of late Tuesday in the armed robbery Monday morning at the Eldorado Food Mart at U.S. 41 South and Omega-Eldorado Road, the Tift County Sheriff's Office said.

The same store was the scene of an armed robbery during which the owner was killed in 2018. During Monday's robbery, no one was injured, the sheriff's office said.

At 9:55 a.m. Monday, a man entered the convenience store and brandished a firearm. He fled on foot toward Interstate 75 with an undetermined amount of money, authorities said.

Deputies searched the area shortly thereafter but did not see anyone matching the robber's description – a black male standing about 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Tift County Sheriff's Offiice at 229-388-6090.

The Eldorado Food Mart was also robbed during July 2018. During that afternoon robbery, Akhtar "Oscar" Perveez, 55, the store's owner, was shot and killed. Three individuals were later charged and sentenced in that incident.

Retirement Sale Begins Wednesday, November 19, 2025

THE BIG STORE | 346 MAIN STREET | DOWNTOWN TIFTON

MAN FLEEING COPS IN TURNER & TIFT CAUSES MULTIPLE CRASHES IN TIFTON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A man fleeing police in Turner and Tift counties Sunday morning ran several traffic lights in Tifton, ending up causing several vehicle crashes and serious injuries, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said.

According to the GSP, a Sycamore Police officer attempted to stop a 2023 Dodge Challenger for speeding on Interstate 75 South in Turner County. The Challenger refused to stop, and the officer lost sight of the vehicle just north of Tift County.

The Sycamore officer passed along an alert for the vehicle as it traveled south on I-75. A Tift County Sheriff's deputy spotted the Challenger near Mile Marker 63, where the vehicle left the interstate, the GSP said. The Tift deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the driver of the Challenger fled west on King Road toward Carpenter Road.

A GSP trooper was stopped at the intersection of King Road and Carpenter Road and saw the Challenger pass him, running the red traffic light and turning south onto Carpenter Road.

The trooper activated his lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle. At approximately 8:29 a.m., the Challenger ran the red light at the intersection of Carpenter Road and U.S. Highway 82, where a Ford F-350 pickup truck was traveling east on Highway 82.

The front of the Challenger struck the left side of the F-350, causing the cab to separate from the truck's bed. Parts of the F-350 struck two unoccupied parked vehicles in the nearby Hog N Bones restaurant parking lot, the GSP said.

The Challenger came to rest on Carpenter Road just south of the intersection. The trooper continued toward the Challenger and traveled across an oil patch, which caused his patrol vehicle to slide to a stop, striking the right side of the Challenger.

As a result of the initial crash, the fleeing driver sustained severe injuries and was transported to Tift Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to Navicent Health in Macon.

The F-350 driver was transported to an area hospital with injuries.

The GSP said a small amount of suspected marijuana was found in the Challenger along with a firearm and a large quantity of cash. The trooper was uninjured; there was only minor damage to the patrol car, the GSP said.

A supervisor with GSP Post 13 in Tifton arrived to conduct a crash investigation, as did the Troop H Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team.

The conditions of the injured individuals were unavailable late Tuesday.

UGA INSTITUTE TO HELP LEAD PLANNING FOR FORMER

SHORT & PAULK SITE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton is partnering with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government to help lead the community in developing a plan for best using the former Short & Paulk property on South Main Street.

The City of Tifton, Tifton Urban Redevelopment Agency (TURA), and the Tifton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) late last year purchased the 9.7-acre former Tifton location of the Short & Paulk Supply Co., dubbing the site as the "Short and Paulk Renaissance Project."

UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute will work with Tifton residents, stakeholders, leaders, and others to form a plan for the property that best fits the Tifton community, its culture, and current and future needs.

This planning initiative is made possible through funding awarded from Georgia’s Rural Center, whose support enables the UGA team to lead the development of a comprehensive, community-driven plan. Engaging the Carl Vinson Institute of Government will ensure "that this transformative redevelopment is guided by expert facilitation and strong community collaboration," Tifton officials said.

The service contract outlines planning conversations and actions beginning as early as February. The community-based planning process will span several months to allow for analysis of public input and responses.

The city, TURA, and DDA said residents may still sign up for the Community Engagement Group by Clicking Here.

SOUTHWELL CEO NAMED BOARD CHAIR OF HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT CO.

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Southwell recently announced that President & CEO Christopher K. Dorman has been appointed chairman of the board of Vizient Southern States, one of the nation’s largest healthcare performance improvement companies.

Vizient Southern States represents leading not-for-profit health systems across Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Dorman’s appointment is the result of a nomination and selection process led by fellow health system CEOs across the region.

“I’m truly honored by this appointment,” Dorman said. “Being nominated by colleagues I deeply respect makes this role especially meaningful. Vizient Southern States has a long tradition of advancing collaboration and elevating care across our region. This opportunity reflects the incredible work happening at Southwell every day and the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff. I’m grateful to represent our organization and our region in service to this mission.”

As board chairman, Dorman will help guide strategic initiatives focused on improving clinical outcomes, strengthening operational performance, expanding regional collaboration, and supporting innovative care models that benefit patients and communities across the Southeast.

'MOBILE LIBRARY' PROGRAM TO END THIS YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Coastal Plain Regional Library System said it is discontinuing "Library Everywhere," its mobile library, at the end of the year to focus on "increasing participation in community events and partnerships in the new year."

Library Everywhere was a mobile library that visits sites in Ben Hill, Berrien, Cook, Irwin, Tift, and Turner counties and offers such library functions as checkout of materials such as books, Chromebooks, testing devices, DVDs, free WiFi, library card registration. and free copying, printing, and computers for public use.

The library system said that pivoting away for the mobile library will allow the system to better support its branches and serve its communities .While Library Everywhere will not be operating in the same function as a mobile library, the library van will still be on the road for various outreach needs.

Library Everywhere has been operating for three years and was built to meet needs following the COVID pandemic.

Anyone interested in exploring new library outreach opportunities may contact Kristen Harrington, the Outreach, Programs, & Partnerships coordinator, at 229-386-3400 or email kharrington@cprl.org.

Tifton Elks members at left help build an entertainment room/theater at the Oasis Recovery Community Organization center on South Main Street. In photo at right, Jerry Holley (left) and Carol Owens (at right) present $800 on behalf of the Lodge to Candas Bennett of Simply Grace Rescue for feeding rescue dogs.

TIFTON ELKS LODGE RECEIVES GRANT TO HELP IMPROVE OASIS RCO CENTER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tifton Elks Lodge has received a $10,000 Impact Grant from the Elks National Foundation for physical improvements to the Oasis Recovery Community Organization (RCO) center on south Main Street.

The money pays for materials, and the local Elks Lodge provides labor. The Tifton Lodge is building out an entertainment room/theater at the center and finishing a community laundry room there.

Oasis RCO provides free resources for individuals in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use.

Tifton Elks also recently raised $800 for Simply Grace Rescue, which works to find homes for homeless dogs.

Carol Owens and Jerry Holley presented a check to Candas Bennett of Simply Grace Rescue to assist in providing food for the dogs they currently are offering sanctuary.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Magnolia" is a gentle, affectionate kitten who loves soft blankets, quiet moments, and the comfort of a loving hand. She’s blossomed since arriving at the shelter after being abandoned, and she’s ready to share her love with a forever family. Visit Magnolia 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).

J.M. HARVEY RENTS STORE ON SECOND STREET

TO OPEN A GROCERY

~ NOV. 21, 1914

On Nov. 21, 1914, J.M. Harvey rented a store and its storeroom fixtures on Second Street previously occupied by the E.B. O'Neal Grocery. Harvey, a young entrepreneur, planned to open a grocery in the Tifton building on Dec. 1. He later relocated to Nashville, where, in 1924, he officially founded Harveys Supermarkets. At its height, the Harveys company operated 43 supermarkets across the Southeast.

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