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TIFT STUDENT TEAMS RECEIVE ACADEMIC GRANTS

Laura Cutts, TCFEE executive director, from left; Brian Tapscott, ESMS robotics sponsor and teacher; Dr. Kaylar Howard, Howard Center and TCFEE executive board member; Greer Howard, Howard Center; and Paul Nelson ESMS principal.

Northeast Middle School Assistant Principals, from left, Ariel Wilson and Caleb Rice; Dr. Kaylar Howard, Howard Center; NEMS teacher and Junior Beta Club Advisor Dr. Trisha Bridges; TCFEE Executive Director Laura Cutts; Greer Howard, Howard Center; NEMS Principal Michelle Huffman; and NEMS Assistant Principal Bradley Winger.

From left are TCHS Principal Jennifer Johnson; TCHS Assistant Principals Dr. Chanon Collins, Patty Walters, and Debbie Brow; TCHS teacher & CTI advisor Duran Paulk; Greer Howard, Howard Center;TCFEE Executive Director Laura Cutts; and TCHS Assistant Principal Dr. William Madison.

Northeast Middle School Assistant Principal Caleb Rice, from left; with Greer Howard of the Howard Center; NEMS teacher and Robotics team advisor Stephen Compton, Dr. Kaylar Howard, Howard Center and TCFEE board member; TCFEE Executive Director Laura Cutts; NEMS Assistant Principal Bradley Winger; NEMS Principal Michelle Huffman,; and Northeast Middle School Assistant Principal Ariel Wilson.

HOWARD CENTER GRANTS TOTAL $2,000

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE) recently awarded a total of $2,000 in academic grants to three Tift County schools' academic teams. 

Student teams from Eighth Street Middle School, Northeast Middle, and Tift County High received the Howard Center Academic Competition Team Grants from TCFEE executive board member Dr. Kaylar Howard and Greer Howard of the Howard Center, and Laura Cutts, TCFEE executive director.

Robotics team sponsor Brian Tapscott at Eighth Street Middle School was awarded $575 to support students competing in robotics competitions. This is the fourth Howard Center Academic Grant that the robotics team has been awarded.

Robotics team sponsor and teacher Stephen Compton at Northeast Middle was awarded $400 to support students competing in robotics competitions. This is the second Howard Center Academic Grant that that robotics team has been awarded.

Also at Northeast Middle School, Dr. Trisha Bridges, sponsor of the Junior Beta Club, was awarded $575 to support competitions at their state convention.

At Tift County High, Career & Technical Instruction (CTI) Coordinator Christopher "Duran" Paulk received $450 to aid students competing in leadership and state CTI conferences. This is the sixth Howard Center Academic Grant that Paulk and his CTI teams have been awarded. 

The Howard Academic Competition Team Grants were introduced in 2014. Since then, 42 grants totaling nearly $22,000 have bolstered academic teams featuring some of Tift County’s top students.

GBI PROBING INMATE DEATH IN ADEL

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

At the request of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, GBI agents are investigating an inmate death in the Cook County Jail.

At about 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, John Vanhouten, 47, of Adel, was found unresponsive in his cell. Jail officers and responding EMTs attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful, the GBI said.

The GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Macon will complete an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at 229-896-74711 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

During 2024, 2,386 children participated in YMCA youth sports through the Tiftarea YMCA.

TIFTAREA YMCA LOOKS AHEAD TO 2025

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The Tiftarea YMCA experienced a growth year in 2024 and looks forward to 2025.

Jason Bishoff, Tiftarea YMCA CEO, sent a recap of 2024 activities to members along with plans for 2025.

“We are very excited about the New Year and all that it will bring to our facilities and programs. There are great things in store for 2025,” he said. “Over the past several years, we have invested in new services, new programs, new equipment, and have improved our facility.

“We have a brand new Anderson Family Pickleball Complex with six courts. In our main facility, we have new treadmills, a brand-new women's-only area, and over 25 group exercise classes. We look forward to seeing you soon.” 

More than 2,000 people are members of the Tiftarea YMCA, supporting a variety of community-related activities. “Our goal is to improve our service to each member of this family, and at the same time, provide the greatest value for your membership dollars,” Bishoff said. 

He said that membership rates have remained unchanged since March 2013 and will increase nominally in 2025, “in order to continue providing the greatest service and benefits,” Bishoff said. Membership at the Tiftarea YMCA allows members to access to any YMCA in the nation. 

On Jan. 1, rates at the Tiftarea YMCA will increase by approximately $5 a month.

During 2024, 2,386 children participated in YMCA youth sports, and 309 children were served in afterschool care, including 98 at the city's Anthony Bateman Center. Thirty-three active older adults aged 80 and above received free membership through the Sunshine Club. 

YMCA Childcare provided 2,288 hours of care at the Y’s facilities. One hundred eighty-seven children received swim lessons, and 286 second graders participated in the YMCA Learn to Swim program.

Financial assistance provided to deserving households was $202,292.55. 

“Financial assistance is available to those who qualify,” Bishoff said. “Our philosophy is that no one will ever be turned away for an inability to pay," the YMCA director said.

“Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make Tifton and Tift County a better place to live.”

Photo by Grant Blankenship/GPB News

Nimsy Gomez tries on a knitted shawl while going through clothes donated by United Farm Workers to a community of Latino laborers still recovering from Hurricane Helene east of Tifton.

GPB: FARM WORKERS SEE LITTLE RELIEF AFTER HURRICANE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

As area farms focus on recovering from the devastation by Hurricane Helene, immigrant farm workers have largely been left out of storm relief programs, says Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) in a new report.

"Months later, most communities of farm workers, those employed in the fields and packing houses, are still struggling with no real help in sight," says GPB's Sofi Gratas, reporting from a small neighborhood of farm workers just outside Tifton.

To read GPB's report, Click Here.

TIFT COUNTY SHERIFF SWEARS IN NEW DETENTION OFFICERS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough swore in two new detention officers on Wednesday.



The new detention officers are Matthew Dorlon and Cecilia Torres.

FROM A DREAM TO A TRADITION:

TIFTON NEIGHBORHOOD LUMINARY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift Terrace and Orchard neighborhoods will celebrate their ninth annual luminary event Dec. 23.

Norah Campbell, daughter of Jeremy and Maghan Campbell, initiated the idea as a five-year old in 2016. She is now organizing the event, continuing what has become a beloved neighborhood tradition.

“I love being part of something that has been so special all these years,” Norah said. "I’ve learned a lot about planning and working with others, but mostly, it’s about keeping the spirit of the event alive and making sure everyone can still come together to celebrate."

Each year, the community’s participation and support continue to grow, with neighbors volunteering to help those who can’t set up the displays themselves. The event offers a peaceful, reflective break from the holiday rush, with families walking or driving through the illuminated streets.

The luminaries will light up Emmett Drive to Love Avenue, 20th to 30th streets, and Willingham Way on Monday night. According to the Campbell family, it’s a reminder of the importance of community and the simple joy of holiday traditions.

MIKE RICE

VICTOR PIRES

SGBC PROMOTES TWO OFFICERS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

South Georgia Banking Co. (SGBC) has promoted two officers, Mike Rice and Victor Pires, to critical leadership roles.

Rice has been named chief retail lending officer, and Pires is now chief operating officer.

Rice, with more than 25 years of experience, has expertise in consumer and small business lending. He has been instrumental in leading SGBC’s efforts to secure the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) designation, a recognition from the U.S. Treasury that enables SGBC to offer financial services and education to underserved areas.

“Mike’s leadership has transformed our ability to serve our community,” said Sam McCard, SGBC president and CCO. “Through his guidance, we’ve brought critical lending resources and financial literacy programs to areas that need them most.”

Pires, as chief operating officer, brings more than 20 years of banking experience and a record of driving innovation. During his time as chief retail banking officer, he led such initiatives as creating a treasury management department to enhance services for business clients and implementing improvements in customer experiences.

“Victor’s forward-thinking leadership has been a cornerstone of SGBC’s success,” McCard said. “His ability to identify opportunities and execute strategies has strengthened our services and empowered our team.”

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Saturday, Dec. 21, is the Winter Solstice, the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year – all because of the Earth's tilt. The winter solstice is the first day of winter – "astronomical winter." However, if you're referring to "meteorological winter," then the first day of winter would be Dec. 1. This is because meteorologists split the year evenly, with three months for each of the four seasons. Even though it is winter, the coldest weather during the daytime hours are generally felt some time after the shortest day has passed when the days are actually beginning to get longer.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

• Teen Dragons & Dungeons, ages 12-17, 4:30-6 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
• Christmas Movie Night: "Journey to Bethlehem," free admission, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

• Tiftarea Junior Gardeners Club, 2 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
• Matt Stone as Elvis, in concert, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

YOUR YARD SALE

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"Giovanni," a 46-pound gentleman, may have been found as a stray but don’t let his past fool you – he is all about the finer things in life. With his charming personality and a name as regal as Giovanni, he’s ready to be the star of your household. Whether he’s strutting his stuff on a walk or curling up for some quality cuddle time, Giovanni knows how to steal the spotlight. Come visit him 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).

We are Grateful for Our Many Friends and Customers Throughout the Tiftarea Who Allow Us to Serve Your Real Estate Needs. We Appreciate You, and Wish You and Your Family a Warm and Joyous Christmas Season.