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

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com ~ 478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

To SUBSCRIBE, Click Here!

NOTE: Depending on your computer's settings, you may need to click the link at the bottom

of the edition to download its entirety.

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence this week presented incentive grants for teachers' classroom projects to all Tift County public schools. In photo above, Foundation representatives present a grant to teachers at Tift County High with school and district staff.

TIFT SCHOOLS GET INCENTIVE GRANTS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence this week has awarded a total $51,481 in Incentive Grants to teachers throughout Tift County Schools.

Teachers applied for the grants to fund a variety of projects that aid in educating and developing students. A Foundation committee reviewed the requests and made recommendations to its board.

Thirty teachers received grants awarded for "out-of-the-box" ideas for classroom learning projects. Students from pre K through 12th grade in Tift County's 11 schools will benefit from the grants.

The Incentive Grants are funded by the Foundation’s educational chairs in such areas as reading, writing, languages, agriculture, science, mathematics, music, arts, government, physical fitness, and special needs.

Since its founding in 1991, the Foundation for Educational Excellence has awarded $671,000 in incentive grants to Tift County Schools.

Schools and teachers receiving grants for classroom projects are:

• J.T. Reddick Elementary: Maria Hamill, $1,865 through the Julian Cannon Chair of Reading & Writing Skills Enhancement

• Northside Elementary: Tracey Dicks, $2,205 through Janet & Julie Cannon Chair of Reading Encouragement & Development (photo above)

• Omega Elementary: Carolyn Bowden, $1,760 through Cathy Kvien Family Reading Chair

• Annie Belle Clark Elementary: Reneasee Chatfield, $3,000 through Special Hearts Chair; Tori Bennett, $4,100; Cannon Legacy Chair; Betsy Jones, $2,770, Virginia Tift Brumby Music Chair; Emily Branch, $1,050, Mikie Wolff Humanities Chair

• G.O. Bailey Elementary: Joanna Daniels, $400, Virginia Short Lindskog Foreign Language & Global Awareness Chair; Jennifer Turner, $210, Glenn Burton Science Chair; Library – Book Taco, $2,815, Cannon Legacy Chair

• Charles Spencer Elementary: Samantha Walker, $2 405, Terri Nalls Reading Angel Chair; Samantha Walker, $1,400, Joe Courson Media Chair

• Eighth Street Middle School: Jennifer Braziel, $2,000, Homer Rankin Journalism Chair 

• Matt Wilson Elementary: Jessica Hall, $435, George McCarty School Counseling Chair; Stephanie Shiver, $800, Virginia Tift Brumby Music Chair; Belinda Griffin, $650, Sara B. Gibbs Mathematics Chair; Holly McCrary, $340, Mother Goose Early Reading Chair; Temeka Butts & Crystal Satonica, $2,310, Cannon Legacy Chair (photo above)

• Len Lastinger Elementary: Renee Sullivan, $876, Syd Blackmarr Arts Chair; Emily Fincher, $2,375, Cannon Legacy Chair

• Northeast Middle School: Drew Ellis, $1,500, Virginia Tift Brumby Music Chair; Brian Saturday, $3,500, Steve Rigdon Community Service Chair

• Tift County High School: Lacy Cargle, $1,000, Bob Wight Challenge Chair; Lacy Cargle, $500, Fred Tucker Physical Fitness Chair; Christi Fletcher, $500, Harold & Linda Abbott Kindness Chair; Melissa Busbin, $3,000, It's a Small World Geography Studies Chair; Jennifer Alexander, $300, Mother Earth Environmental Studies Chair;

Christopher D. Paulk, $500, Mike & Moppy Brumby Leadership Chair; Breanne Dawson, $1,000, Woody Wagenhorst Legal, Oratorical & Governmental Chair; Beth Rehberg & Melissa Busbin, $3,000, Skoot Dimon Healing Arts Chair; Jake Alley, $2,265, Vincent & Marianna Keesee Visual Arts Chair; Ashley Thoron, $650, William & Hattie Hanna Agriculture Chair

'BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL' AIDS FARMERS, REDUCES MEDICAID & SNAP FUNDING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

By one vote early Thursday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” which has provisions to help the agriculture industry but also could negatively affect low-income Americans with Medicaid and SNAP food benefits, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate where its fate is uncertain. The nonpartisan CBO estimates that the bill – which increases spending for Homeland Security, immigration enforcement, and the military – could also increase the federal deficit by approximately $3 trillion in the next decade.

U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, voted for the bill and applauded its passage.

“This legislation includes the first updated reference prices for our farmers since 2018, which is a huge and overdue relief for the agricultural industry,” Scott said in a statement.

“Vital tax relief for all Americans was in this legislation, including my provision to give some tax relief to combat-disabled Purple Heart recipients so they are not penalized for re-entering the workforce by giving them a one-year tax credit to make up for any loss of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits that they are entitled to” Scott said.

“This bill is a victory for America's farmers, veterans, and taxpayers, and I urge the Senate to pass it quickly.”

The bill has several other provisions that directly benefit agriculture. It extends and enhances the small business deduction, allowing for immediate expensing of new agricultural buildings and structures. Additionally, it invests $60 billion in new money for agricultural programs, providing aid to farmers.

The legislation also seeks to increase and make permanent the death-tax exemption, ensuring family farms can be passed down to future generations. 

Among other measures, along with extending tax cuts, the “One Big Beautiful Bill”eliminates taxes on tips and overtime wages and gives seniors a higher tax deduction.

It also aims to cut Medicaid spending through several measures such as work requirements, stricter eligibility verification, and co-pays for some recipients. The bill also reduces funding for the SNAP program, which provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families. 

The CBO said the legislation includes $698 billion less in federal subsidies to the Medicaid program and $267 billion less in federal spending for SNAP. 

A CBO analysis said the bill's total net effect by 2027 would lead to the bottom 10% of Americans seeing their household resources reduced by 4% — “mainly as a result of losses of in-kind transfers, such as Medicaid and SNAP” — while the top 10% in the country would see an increase in their resources by 2%.

JOBLESS RATES IMPROVE ACROSS AREA COUNTIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The unemployment rate improved across the Tiftarea during the past month, according to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).

Every area county recorded fewer people unemployed. In Tift County, the jobless rate dropped to 2.6% in April from 3.2% during March, GDOL said.

But Tift County’s labor force – the number of people who are employed or are unemployed and seeking employment – was 19,619 during the month, a decrease of 419, or 2% – from the previous month, according to GDOL data.

April's unemployment rates in area counties versus the previous month's rates were: Turner, 3.3% vs. 4.1%; Worth, 3.1% vs. 3.8%; Irwin, 3.1% vs. 3.5%; Cook, 2.8% vs. 3.6%; Berrien, 3.3% vs. 3.5%; and Ben Hill, 3.6% vs. 4.3%.

Georgia's March unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6%. The national unemployment rate for the month was 4.2%, according to the GDOL.

"For 11 consecutive months, Georgia's unemployment rate has held at 3.6%, consistently outperforming the national average. This sustained economic success supporting a globally competitive labor force of over 5 million is a testament to the power of collaboration between our state government, business leaders and communities," said state Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes.

Statewide, jobs rose by 3,700 during the month to 4,983,200, and increased by 16,000 during the past 12 months.

Sectors with the most job gains in the past month included accommodation and food services, 3,500; transportation and warehousing, 3,100; real estate and rental and leasing, 1,900; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 1,400; and private educational services, 900.

TIFTON GETS $500,000 GRANT FOR HOUSING REHABS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The City of Tifton was been awarded an additional $500,000 in Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) Grant funds from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.

CHIP Grant funds are provided through an annual allocation of HOME Investment Program funds that DCA receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“This grant will allow the city to continue our housing rehab efforts and offer assistance to those homeowners who need it the most,” said Tifton City Clerk Jessica White.

CHIP funds are awarded to communities through a competitive and collaborative process that reviews and scores applicants who prioritize providing safe, decent, and affordable housing. Tifton was one of the 15 applicants awarded funding across the state.

Tifton was also granted $400,000 in CHIP funds in 2023 for owner-occupied rehabilitation. Currently, one home has been completed, and three are under construction.

To be eligible for the grant program, applicants must own and occupy their home, be located within the targeted area, and be able to meet other applicant requirements. It's anticipated that the funding will be available in the fall. The city is currently accepting applications.

The target-area map is below.

Proud New Member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce

ABAC Ambassadors President Jenna Williams was recently awarded the Michael D. Chason Ambassador of the Year award. Pictured are, from left, Ambassador co-advisor Sunny Sparrow, Public Relations Director Emeritus Michael D. Chason, Williams, and Ambassador co-advisor Abby Clark.

ABAC AMBASSADORS AWARD NAMED FOR MIKE CHASON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The ABAC Ambassadors at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently named their Ambassador of the Year award in honor of Director of Public Relations Emeritus Michael D. Chason.

“Mike was the founder of the ABAC Ambassadors program, which began in 1987,” said Sunny Sparrow, ABAC’s assistant director of enrollment management. “Since then, 339 students have carried on the tradition he started nearly four decades ago.”

Sparrow serves as the Ambassadors’ advisor along with Marketing Media Coordinator Abby Clark.

The Ambassadors dedicate hours representing ABAC. The Ambassador of the Year award is presented annually to an Ambassador who goes above and beyond in service, leadership, and love for ABAC.

“Mike began his ABAC journey in 1979 and has left a meaningful legacy,” Sparrow said. “His passion for students, love of storytelling, and unwavering support for ABAC have made him a true symbol of what it means to be an ABAC Stallion.

“He has supported this program both personally and financially, always believing in the leadership and potential of our Ambassadors,” she added. “Today, we say thank you for his years of service and dedication to ABAC and its students. It’s only fitting that this award now carries his name, the Michael D. Chason Ambassador of the Year Award.”

Chason retired in 2011 after 32 years as ABAC’s public relations director; in 2012, he was named director of public relations emeritus. He continued to serve ABAC in a part-time position until 2024. He was on hand to present the award to Jenna Williams from Douglas.

“I love the Ambassadors and the positive way they represent this institution,” Chason said. “This is a great honor for me, and I look forward to seeing the outstanding students who will receive this award.” 

Sparrow said Williams is a student leader who represents “the absolute best of ABAC. She has served as a role model for her peers, a tireless advocate for the college, and a true champion of student involvement.” 

Williams has served as the Ambassador president, Student Government Association president, president of Phi Theta Kappa, co-president of the Stallion Society, an Executive Board member for CAB, the ATOM communications coordinator, Tri Beta RSO representative, and was crowned Ms. ABAC 2024.

To Subscribe, Click Here!

Your free subscription allows you to receive our MidWeek and Weekender editions in your in-box, along with occasional Sponsored Editions.

Your subscription is free because of the support of local advertisers.

Please support the businesses and organizations who make this possible.

To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, May 23, begins a three-day holiday weekend and the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day on Monday. But the last Monday in May serves, more importantly, as a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in American history and tradition. The day actually began as “Decoration Day” following the Civil War, when mourners placed flowers and flags on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. 

SATURDAY, MAY 24

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

• Starting a Native Plant Landscape," free event presented by Georgia Native Plant Society, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton

MONDAY, MAY 26 ~ Memorial Day

• Memorial Day Tribute, 11 a.m., Jack Stone Veterans Memorial Park, Downtown Tifton

YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE HERE

To Advertise Your Home Yard Sale, Contact:

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Amor" is a sweet girl with a calm and gentle nature. She soaks up every bit of attention offered. Amor absolutely adores people and has a quiet, comforting presence that makes her the perfect companion for anyone in need of a loyal and loving friend. Visit Amor 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