Tift Jobless Rate Improves

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

TIFT JOBLESS RATE, SOUTH GA LABOR PICTURE IMPROVE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

South Georgia counties saw positive key labor indicators during February, and Tift County's jobless rate is getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Ga. Department of Labor (DOL).

“February’s numbers are a strong indication the state is getting back to where it was prior to the pandemic,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

“Not only are we seeing growth for nearly every indicator in each region and county, but we are seeing the momentum start to switch in our favor," Butler said.

"The unemployment rates are drastically dropping, the labor force numbers are gearing up, and most importantly, we are seeing initial (unemployment) claims decrease in almost every region and county.”

According to the latest DOL data, Tift County had a 3.8 percent unemployment rate during February. The rate was 4.3 percent in January, and was 3.3 percent in February 2020.

Tift posted that 20,543 residents were employed in February out of the county's 21,353 labor force, the DOL reported.

Jobless rates improved in all Tiftarea counties, including Worth, at 4.4 percent; Turner, 6.0; Irwin, 4.8; Cook, 3.6; Berrien, 3.7; and Ben Hill County, 5.9 percent

The DOL offers online resources for finding a job, building a resume, and assisting with other re-employment needs. As of Tuesday, 231,753 job listings were available in the state at employgeorgia.com

The number of jobs listed online in the state has more than tripled since the beginning of the pandemic from the April 2020 listing of just 73,000 jobs.

The DOL also said that Georgians have received $20.2 billion in unemployment insurance payments since March 21, 2020, more than the past 82 years combined before the pandemic.

TIFTON VICE MAYOR NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton Vice Mayor Wes Ehlers will not seek re-election this year to Tifton City Council.

The District 1 councilman told council members Monday night that after eight years on council, he needs to devote more time to his family as his two young children are growing up and now getting involved in sports.

“God, family and then work is the order I live by,” Ehlers said.

The election for the District 1 seat will be in November. Ehlers said he is announcing his intention now to give time for anyone interested in running to prepare and attend City Council meetings to familiarize themselves with the issues.

“People don’t realize how much time and energy we give this job,” Ehlers said. “It’s not easy. ... There is a learning curve, and if you can minimize that curve you will be a more effective leader."

Ehlers, vice president at Colony Bank in Tifton, was first elected in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017.

“It’s been an honor and pleasure to know you and to work with you,” said Councilman Johnny Terrell.

GA SURPASSES 4.2 MILLION COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES

TIFT COUNTY GIVES 14,422 DOSES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Georgia has now given more than 4.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and Tift County has administered more than 14,000 doses.

The state surpassed the 4 million mark on Saturday. As of Tuesday, 27 percent of Georgians have received at least one vaccine dose and 15 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH).

Tift County has given 14,422 doses as of Tuesday, with 20 percent of the county's residents receiving at least one dose and 16 percent Tift countians fully vaccinated.

"We continue to make steady progress in our vaccine administration here in Georgia," said Gov. Brian P. Kemp.

"The life-saving COVID-19 vaccine is our key back to normal, and with all Georgians ages 16 and over now eligible to receive the shot, we are well on our way as we head into spring and summer," the governor said.

"I continue to ask all Georgians to follow best practices, public health guidance, and most importantly, schedule their vaccine appointment with a local provider or at one of our state-operated sites using MyVaccineGeorgia.com."

On Tuesday, the DPH reported that Tift County has seen 15 new cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks, which is 37 per 100,000 population.

During that period, Tift's positive testing rate was 5.6 percent. Since the pandemic began, Tift County has had 3,401 reported cases with 94 related deaths, the DPH said.

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PINWHEELS REPRESENT 323 ABUSED TIFT COUNTY CHILDREN

Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith and members of the Tifton Police Department attend the Tift County Council on Child Abuse’s Pinwheel Ceremony on Thursday to raise awareness of child abuse in our community. The 323 pinwheels outside the Tift County Recreation pool complex represent the 323 children in Tift County who were reported as abused or neglected during 2020.

LITERACY 'BASKETS ON PARADE' A SUCCESS

The recent "Baskets on Parade" Facebook-based auction was a “complete success,” according to Bonnie Sayles, board member of Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County.

Replacing the annual "Choc-It-Up for Literacy" event and celebrating spring, the event to benefit local literacy efforts featured 17 baskets of items and services from local businesses.

A photo album of all the baskets, which remained at the sponsoring businesses, was hosted on the literacy organization's Facebook page. Interested individuals posted bids on the photos, and the highest bidders were announced in a Facebook live on Thursday, April 1.

Along with support from the sponsor, The Howard Center, the event raised $4,000, just $500 less than the in-person fundraiser Choc-It-Up raised in 2020.

“We had to do things differently this year, but several of our longtime supporters of literacy came through for us as always, joined by a large number of new donors,” Sayles said.

The local sponsors of baskets and gift certificates are: Annie's Place, Ashley’s Home Goods, Bob's Flowers, Black Gold Cotton Compost, Bula's Antiques, Calhoun Produce, the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, the Georgia Peanut Commission, the Howard Diet Center, Indulgence Massage & Spa, The Local at the Lankford, Lowe’s, Petsense, Pineapple Post, Plantation 59, Rutland Farms, Simply Sweet Celebrations, Southern Grace Farms, Southern Pickers, Southwell, Spring Hill Country Club, Springhill Suites, The Studio Hair Salon, Surchero’s, T&L Collectibles, Think Tifton – Tourism Association of Tifton-Tift County, the Tifton Grapevine, and Liz Carson Keith’s donations of paintings, prints and fine jewelry.

Literacy Volunteers recruits and trains tutors to work with local residents wanting to improve reading skills, work toward earning GEDs, or learn the English language. Those interested in volunteering to tutor clients in reading, math or the English language may email [email protected] or call Literacy Volunteers at 229-391-2527.

At the technology donation ceremony are, from left, Dr. Mark Kistler, dean of ABAC's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Dr. Jerry Baker, ABAC provost and vice president of academic affairs; and from ClicRtechnologies: Joseph Spicola, chairman and CEO; and Richard Ledbetter, information technology.

COMPANY DONATES TECHNOLOGY FOR 3-D LIVESTOCK WEIGHING AT ABAC

New technology is at the fingertips of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students thanks to a $40,000 donation to the ABAC Foundation from ClicRtechnologies.

A ClicRweight Bovine Solution System, which uses 3-D imaging technology that reads cattle, pig, and alligator weights without disrupting animals' routines, will be used at the Beef Unit at ABAC’s J.G. Woodroof Farm.

Dr. Mark Kistler, dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said having students use the latest technology will help them have the knowledge and skills they need for future employment.

Joseph Spicola Sr., chairman and CEO of ClicRtechnologies, believes ranchers need to embrace technology or get left behind.

“We hope to emphasize skills gained in the different degrees and tracks offered at ABAC to encourage people to pursue an education in agriculture,” Spicola said. “We believe ABAC will give ranchers and small family farms an opportunity to see this revolutionary technology firsthand.”

4-H SHARPSHOOTERS PLACE IN STATE

The Tift County 4-H SharpShooters team placed third Saturday at the VFW State BB Match in Douglas.

The third-place finish qualifies the team for the Daisy Nationals BB Gun and Air Rifle competition in Rogers, Ark., if the match is held this year, pending COVID-19 concerns.

Pictured from left are: Dalton Billings, Melvin Hines, Haley Brannen, Coach David Haire,Charlee Anne Walls, Kallie Gaskins, James Wise and Colin Williamson.

Haley Brannen placed fourth overall with a score of 379-20, first in prone shooting with a perfect 100, and was fourth in sitting with a 96. Also with an individual award was Charlee Anne Walls, who fired a 98 in kneeling for second place.

The 4-H SharpShooters' second team of Norah Owens, Case Crosby, Aayden Harten, Gabriel Milton, Courtland Pellegrino and Tyson Craig placed eighth with a new team high score of 1,704-32.

"Always proud working with this great group of 4-H'ers. Also, thanks to everyone who helped with or bought Boston butts as part of our fundraiser on Good Friday," Coach Haire said.

SGBC NAMES NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Erika Culpepper of Tifton has been named senior vice president of South Georgia Banking Co.'s (SGBC) Second Street branch in Tifton.

With more than 20 years of experience in banking, Culpepper’s expertise is in loan operations, risk management, and credit administration management.

“Erika’s extensive experience and her desire to make a difference make her a perfect fit for our organization and our customers,“ said Sam McCard, SGBC president.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Luna," a female tortoiseshell cat, is available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt her and to see other pets available, visit the Animal Shelter from 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Pets of the Week are sponsored by:

Branch's Veterinary Clinic

205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055

NO SPITTING IN TIFTON

– APRIL 8, 1910

Tifton City Council adopted a "sanitary ordinance" on April 8, 1910, that prohibits "spitting on sidewalks or in any public building." Citizens were admonished to "get a garbage can."