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.

TEACHER ARRESTED FOR CRUELTY, BATTERY OF KIDS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tift County special education teacher has been charged with battery and cruelty to children involving two students at Eighth Street Middle School, authorities said.

Dixie Hardy, 55, of Tifton, was arrested on Wednesday morning following the investigation of a complaint to Tift County Schools, Tifton Police said Thursday. 

Hardy is charged with one count of cruelty to children in the first degree and one count of simple battery, Tifton Police said.

Hardy turned herself in Wednesday to the Tifton Police Department.

The charges came after a police investigation. Tifton Police said that Tift County Schools notified law enforcement May 9 following a complaint alleging a teacher had assaulted students at Eighth Street Middle School.

Tift County Schools released a statement Thursday saying that on May 9, Eighth Street Middle School administrators were made aware of "an incident involving the inappropriate treatment of two students by a staff member." The school contacted the district office, and a human resources investigation began and both law enforcement and the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) in Tifton were notified, the school system said.

"Additionally, the families of all students in the class were personally contacted to inform them of the situation," Tift County Schools said.

Hardy was placed on administrative leave as investigations got underway.

"At this time, both personnel and criminal investigations are ongoing. As such, we are limited in the amount of information we are able to share," the school system said.

Before Hardy worked at Eighth Street Middle School, she worked at J.T. Reddick Elementary School in Tifton. She studied at Valdosta State University and attended both Tift County High School and Winder-Barrow High School in Winder.

The families of the two students did not comment to the Tifton Grapevine when contacted, but one of the parents, Lakishia Nycole, posted a comment on social media. She said she viewed video of the incident and said, "I am disgusted, disappointed, upset, and can no longer trust staff that was involved in this incident." She said both students involved are non-verbal and "cannot speak for themselves."

In its statement Thursday, Tift County Schools said the school system "is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. Any accusation of student mistreatment is taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly and addressed appropriately."

SYLVESTER MAN GETS LIFE SENTENCE AFTER JURY FINDS HIM GULTY OF MURDER, ASSAULT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Sylvester man was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years after a Worth County jury returned a guilty verdict in a murder and aggravated assault that occurred in 2023, Tifton Judicial Circuit District Attorney Patrick Warren said Thursday.

Keymon “Peebo” Brown was convicted of the murder of David Lee “Bubba” Stephens III, 29, and the aggravated assault of Calvin Matthew Oliver, Warren said.

The shooting of both men, who were first cousins, occurred June 10, 2023, on South Jefferson Street in Sylvester in an area commonly referred to as “the boot.”

Brown, who was 19 at the time, turned himself in to authorities three days later.

Following the verdict Thursday, Superior Court Judge Melanie B. Cross sentenced Brown to life in prison plus another 10 years to serve consecutively.

“I want to sincerely thank the jury for their time, attention, and consideration of all of the facts in this case,” the district attorney said. “We thank the family for their trust in the judicial system and our office in prosecuting this case. Although nothing can bring David back, and Calvin will live with permanent injuries from that night, we believe this verdict brings justice for this family and the community. It holds the defendant accountable for his actions that night."

Warren added that the case “underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and the role our justice system plays in ensuring that communities remain safe. Justice for the victims is vital not only for the families directly affected but also for the entire community that deserves to live free from fear of such violent acts. Today, justice was served.”

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Melanie Brogden Cooksey with the assistance of GBI Special Agent Kaitlyn Hardy and Sylvester Police Detective Daniel Mothershed.

Also providing critical assistance in the prosecution was District Attorney’s Office Investigator Jacob Teter, Victim Advocate Simona Hernandez, and Administrative Assistant Abby Alvis.

STATE'S GOAL: ELIMINATE

GEORGIA INCOME TAX, SEN. SUMMERS SAYS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

State Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, told the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday that state government is working toward eliminating income tax.

“Our intention is to have no state tax,” he announced during the Chamber's monthly lunch meeting. Tift County's state legislative delegation gave Chamber members an update following this year's General Assembly session.

Summers noted that the state is incrementally decreasing the state tax rate. In the meantime, he said he's working toward perfecting a bill that, if passed, would negate state income taxes for residents aged 16-21 who decide to live and work in rural South Georgia. Cities or counties with populations under 50,000 are designated rural areas.

Summers is proposing eliminating state income tax for those up to age 28 pursuing a medical degree or working in medicine in rural areas.

“If we can get people to stay three years in an area, they will put down roots,” he said.

Summers said the state is very secure financially and has a $11 billion surplus. “That’s from conservative leadership,” he said. “If we don’t budget it, that’s one thing Georgia does – we’re returning the money to you.” He noted that every taxpayer in Georgia will get returned $250 per person and $500 per couple.

The senator also said the Georgia Lottery has $12 billion, “so we can take care of our kids for a long time.” And a school choice bill gives a $6,500 voucher to parents who feel they need to take their child out of public school and enroll them in private school or homeschool.

“They’re still paying (local school) taxes in the county they're living in,” he said. “And we did increase the child tax credit.”

Hurricane relief funds in the amount of $850 million is continuing to help farms, families, and businesses in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene last September.

“No county was harder hit than Coffee County,” Summers said. “There were no roads to get into Coffee County.” He said he called the governor and said, “You better send bulldozers and front-end loaders to clear these roads. This beautiful city of trees, it doesn’t exist anymore. It touched everybody.”

He said there was “an unbelievable outpouring of people who tried to help from across the country, not just Georgia, and there’s a lot of clean-up left to do.”

Summers added that South Georgia has to fight for attention in Atlanta. Of the 56 state senators, he said “only six of us are south of Warner Robins.”

Among his goals is strengthening rural hospitals. “There are 70 rural hospitals, and 35 are at risk of closing,” Summers said. “We need to look out for hospitals to prop up our communities.” 

The Chamber also heard from two new State House members who represent parts of Tift County: Rep. Angie O'Steen, R-Douglas, who succeeded Clay Pirkle; and Rep. Jaclyn Ford, R-Alapaha, who succeeded Penny Houston. 

O'Steen told about the new Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act that increases penalties for possession of the drug in the state. For at least four grams up to eight, the penalty will be a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years and a $75,000 fine. For eight grams of fentanyl, the mandatory sentence will be 15 years and $150,000.

“It goes all the way up to 28 grams or more, and with a 35-year penalty and $750,000,” O'Steen said. Suspects charged in a case earlier this month in Turner County will be tried under this act, she said.

About the Hurricane Relief Bill, O'Steen said, “We can’t make you whole, but we are trying our best to ease the burden a little bit.” Much of the relief went to foresters who lost timber. 

Ford discussed the Tort Reform Bill, which protects businesses from frivolous lawsuits, such as suing a business for a crime committed in its parking lot. She said it passed in the House by one vote.

“This bill does not mean that you can’t sue somebody,” she said. “It protects some of the businesses from lawsuits. It was a big thing for governor.”

Following the school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, which resulted in four deaths and seven injuries in September, Ford said school safety was a big issue in the Legislature.

“We passed a law that requires schools to transfer records in five days from one school to another when a student transfers," she said. “If Apalachee had known about the mental health issues that this child had, it (the shooting) probably could have been prevented.”

Ford said new metal detectors and funds for more resource officers are being provided to schools statewide. Also, another bill bans cell phones among students in school through the eighth grade, she said.

“We’re probably going to increase that through high school in the future,” she said.

An income tax reduction bill will save taxpayers about $800 million, Ford said. She added that funding was approved for a new ABAC water tower, and an additional judge in the Alapaha Judicial Circuit was approved.

NEW TIFTON CRIMEFIGHTER 'SNIFFS OUT' ILLEGAL DRUGS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Police Department’s newest crimefighter keeps his nose to the ground as he patrols the city.

Niko is a narcotics detection K-9 and has a proven track record of sniffing out crime. Officer Jacob Stubbs is Niko’s handler and together they work as team to keep Tifton safe.

In Niko’s short time in Tifton, he has already helped detect trafficked illegal narcotics along Interstate 75 in multiple instances and has located narcotics on city streets.

When Niko is not sniffing out crime, he represents the Friendly City as one of the city's friendliest ambassadors.

'CARRY THE LOAD' WALK RETURNS TO ABAC ON SUNDAY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Carry The Load, a national nonprofit that is working to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day and honor fallen military and first responders, brings its annual "Memorial May" walk back to Tifton this Sunday.

Following its mission of providing active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made by military, veterans, first responders, and their families, thousands of people across the country are walking in honor and remembrance of fallen service members at Carry The Load events throughout this month during is national relay.

On Sunday, the organization will gather from 3:45-4:20 p.m. at Tift Hall on the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College campus before walking the loop around ABAC. Sunday's event will continue until 6:30 p.m.

"This year we expect a large group of supporters in Tifton. Carry The Load Operations and Events Director Matt Fryman will be joining the group," the organization says.

Fryman, an ABAC graduate, first got involved with Carry the Load at ABAC in 2014 when he volunteered as a relay team member before deciding to take a full-time position with the organization. He has worn multiple hats, most prominently as national relay director during which he created and grew four of the five national relay routes, bringing Carry The Load’s National Relay to 48 states, covering 20,000 miles.

Former ABAC faculty member Mark “Dill” Driscoll, when he was co-dean, with his wife Susan, of ABAC's Stafford School of Business, brought Carry the Load to the Tifton campus in 2014. Driscoll, who is now a board member of the national organization, helped the organizers create a national program for Carry the Load in 2011-12. The national relay began in 2012, and Driscoll walked with the team for 27 days across part of the country during its first five years.

Each "Memorial May," Carry The Load raises funds to assist with challenges facing service members, veterans, and their families. Peer-to-peer fundraising and donations go toward strengthening nationwide services, such as counseling, adaptive training, suicide prevention, equine therapy, service dogs, job placements, transition, home improvements, education scholarships for children of the fallen, and more. 

This year’s goal is to raise $1.5 million. Since 2011, Carry The Load has raised $46 million, with 93% of the funds raised going directly to programs.

JPMorganChase is the national presenting sponsor of Carry The Load for the 11th consecutive year.

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

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

LIFEhouse Parenting Center & Clinic

May 14

209 Fourth St. E., Tifton

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

This Saturday, May 17, is Armed Forces Day, celebrating all five branches of the United States military: The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. President Harry S. Truman established the observance in 1949. President John F. Kennedy designated the day as an official holiday in 1962 to honor all service men and women in the United States.

FRIDAY, MAY 16

• Annual Dr. Larry Moorman Golf Tournament, 8 a.m., Forest Lake Golf Club at ABAC, Tifton

• Tiftarea Academy Senior Graduation, 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, Tifton

SATURDAY, MAY 17

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

• "Who Dunnit? A Dance Mystery," presented by South Georgia Dance Company, 2 & 5 p.m., Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center, 9900 Highway 37, Adel

SUNDAY, MAY 18

• "A Day in My Shoes" – Tift County Schools Art Exhibit Reception, 2-4 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, 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

"Violet Crumb" as sweet as her name and twice as lovable. This little lady is full of affection and charm. She adores people, gets along well with other dogs, and is always happy to make a new friend. She loves treats, cuddle time, and any chance to be close to you. Come visit Violet Crumb 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