Friday, December 26, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

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TIFT BOE GETS UPDATE ON ESPLOST, PROJECTS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Board of Education (BOE) has several projects underway, including construction of a new 7th- and 8th-grade middle school, a multi-use activity pavilion, and various school improvements.

During the recent December Board of Education meeting, Klinton Guess, deputy superintendent of business and operations, gave an annual update on ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) projects.

Construction has already begun on the new middle school, to be located next to Tift County High School. The school represents a major system realignment project to consolidate students into fewer schools and modernize facilities.

 The 194,918-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

In other school projects, Guess noted that J.T. Reddick Elementary School is being painted and the original scoreboards are being replaced in the main gymnasium at Tift County High.

His presentation also included a brief history of ESPLOST in Tift County Schools, tracing its impact since the program’s inception in 1997.

The school system said that ESPLOST funding through the years has played a critical role in improving school facilities, enhancing learning environments, and supporting long-term planning across the district without increasing the property tax burden on local residents. About 60% of ESPLOST dollars have historically been contributed by non-Tift individuals who stop and shop in Tifton.

"Through ESPLOST, Tift County Schools has been able to make significant investments that directly benefit students by providing safe, modern, and well-equipped facilities that support teaching and learning. This dedicated source of local revenue continues to strengthen our schools and helps ensure that student needs remain at the forefront of every project," the school system said.

TRMC IMPLANT PROCEDURE IS FIRST

IN SOUTH GEORGIA

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Urogynecologist Dr. Judy Yeh and the Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) operating-room team on Tuesday conducted the first Altaviva procedure in the region.

Approved by the FDA in September, Medtronic's Altaviva is an implantable tibial neurostimulator device that treats urge urinary incontinence (UUI).

“Unlike medications or injections that target bladder muscles, the Altaviva implant is a small device that is placed under the skin near the ankle and sends electrical pulses to the tibial nerve, which helps regulate bladder function,” Yeh said.

UUI causes frequent urges to urinate with sudden leaks. In many cases, it is connected to an overactive bladder. UUI affects millions of all ages and genders but is more common in women.

“The Altavivia procedure offers a simple, hopeful, next step for managing UUI,” Yeh said. “It’s designed to fit easily into daily life, automatically delivering therapy to restore bladder control and allowing patients to stay active and confident. I am pleased we can offer this cutting-edge procedure here in South Georgia, close to home, work, and family for area women.”

Georgia Peanut Commission's 2026 calendar features photographs submitted from around Georgia. The photo above by Jamie Freeman in Miller County was chosen for the month of March. Photos from Tift and Berrien counties were also chosen for the calendar.

TIFT, BERRIEN PHOTOS CHOSEN FOR GA PEANUT COMMISSION CALENDAR

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Georgia Peanut Commission's 2026 calendar includes photos submitted from Tift and Berrien counties.

The Peanut Commission hosted a photo contest throughout to fill the pages of its calendar. Peanut farmers and industry representatives from across Georgia were encouraged to submit their best, high-resolution photos from the farm for a chance to be featured.

A photo by Kaelyn Morgan of Tift County is featured for the month of May (photo at right), and photos by Faith Railey of Berrien County have been chosen for the months of June and July.

Nearly 100 entries were submitted from across the peanut belt and only 12 were selected as a monthly feature. Photos were selected based on quality, originality, and diversity in the field.

Winners are:

• January: Whitney Sheppard, Screven County
• February: Brandon Walker, Jenkins County
• March: Jamie Freeman, Miller County
• April: Corey Cotton, Terrell County
• May: Kaelyn Morgan, Tift County
• June: Faith Railey, Berrien County
• July: Faith Railey, Berrien County
• August: Holli Sapp, Mitchell County
• September: Jamie Freeman, Miller County
• October: Beka Wilkes, Lee County
• November: Whitney Sheppard, Screven County
• December: Tosha Womble, Seminole County

Photo submissions will be used in Peanut Commission promotional materials throughout the year.

The Georgia Peanut Commission is headquartered in Tifton.

Photos by Faith Railey of Berrien County are featured in the 2026 calendar from the Georgia Peanut Commission.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Love's Travel Stops

178 Southwell Boulevard, Tifton

Dec. 18

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER

TIFTAREA

Saturday, Dec. 27, is National Fruitcake Day, a day to celebrate every eccentric person you know. Wait! That’s not right. It’s a day for lovers of fruitcake to rejoice in the delights of the world’s most misunderstood fruit. A fruitcake is a chewy, rich amalgam of dried fruit, nuts, and sugar, sometimes saturated with your favorite alcohol. That produces a dense, sweet, and textured treat generally served around Christmas. Fruitcakes have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, so the tradition is steeped in history.

Born on Dec. 26: Henry Miller, author, 1891-1980; Mao Zedong, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, 1893-1976; Steve Allen, first host of "The Tonight Show," 1921-2000; Phil Spector, record producer, 1939- 2021; Carlton Fisk, Baseball Hall of Fame member, 1947-; Jared Leto, actor, 1971- .

FRIDAY, DEC. 26

• Ferry Lake Lights, free display, 6-11 p.m., 1719 Ferry Lake Road, Tifton

SATURDAY, DEC. 27

• Ferry Lake Lights, free display, 6-11 p.m., 1719 Ferry Lake Road, Tifton

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Thank you very much. Everyone who contributes to the Tifton Grapevine will be entered in a monthly drawing for a Grapevine coffee mug.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

Wizard is a one-year-old boy weighing 37 pounds who is ready for a fresh start. He is easygoing, sweet, and friendly, and does well with other dogs. Visit Wizard 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).

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