Friday, February 13, 2026

Tifton, Georgia

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Tifton Fire Chief Bobby Bennett, left, takes the oath of office Thursday as Tifton's new city manager from City Attorney Rob Wilmot.

TIFTON FIRE CHIEF NAMED NEW CITY MANAGER

BOBBY 'ROHO' BENNETT HAS SERVED CITY FOR 30 YEARS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton City Council, choosing "experience over experimentation" as the mayor said, named Fire Chief Bobby "Roho" Bennett as city manager during a special meeting Thursday evening.

Bennett, who just marked his 30th year with the city fire department on Wednesday, succeeds Jeff Shoobridge, who resigned Monday as city manager after four months in the position. City officials declined to discuss specifics about Shoobridge's resignation citing internal personnel matters, but reports are that the separation was mutual.

Bennett, who was sworn in as city manager during Thursday's meeting, is a Tifton native and graduate of Tift County High School. He received a standing ovation by the audience in a packed City Council chambers.

"Tonight, we stand before you not to talk about where we've been but to announce exactly where we are going, and we're going to move Tifton forward," said Mayor Julie B. Smith. Rather than conducting another nationwide search for a city manager, "we simply looked in our own backyard," the mayor said.

"We're not hitting the reset button but are hitting the gas pedal," Smith said, adding that Bennett is "the leader Tifton needs."

Bennett became Tifton fire chief in May 2017 after serving in the department for 21 years, moving through the ranks as a firefighter, engineer, lieutenant, captain, and interim fire chief. He undertook extensive studies at the Georgia Fire Academy.

“Knowing that the only way to get better was to go to school and learn as much as I could, so I never quit going to school and took class after class. I basically lived at the Georgia Fire Academy,” he once said.

Under Bennett’s leadership, the Tifton Fire Department (TFD) achieved new heights. In 2022, Tifton’s ISO rating improved from Class 3 to Class 2, which indicates exceptional fire protection capabilities, placing TFD in the top tier of fire departments nationwide. 

"Through his impacts, Bennett has become a respected leader within the community and has served as strong support for the city by providing input and direction in times of need," the city said in a statement. "Bennett has proven expertise in positive leadership, commitment to integrity, unwavering fidelity of service to the Tifton community, proven strength through challenges, aptitude to solve complex issues that affect our city’s residents, and a deep love and understanding for the people of Tifton."

Bennett told council that it is an honor to be named city manager and thanked council members for having "trust in me." Bennett aded that "walking away from the fire department is the hardest decision I've ever made in my life."

Before becoming fire chief, Bennett also served for 16 years as the grounds and athletic facilities director for Tift County Schools.

With Bennett’s promotion, Assistant Fire Chief Kiefer Daughtry has been named be TFD’s new fire chief. Daughtry has 15 years of experience.

Daughtry has a bachelor's of business administration from Georgia Southwestern State University, an associate of science degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and an associate of applied science in fire science from Southern Regional Technical College. He is in the process of earning a master's degree in fire and emergency sciences from the University of Florida.

"The City of Tifton is proud to promote from within and to have such capable and committed leaders serving our citizens and lighting the path to our future," the city said in a written statement.

Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band and Malcolm Mitchell, a former Super Bowl champ with the New England Patriots, meet Monday with Pre-K students at Len Lastinger Elementary. The Pre-K class won a state photo contest based on a book that Bowles and Mitchell co-wrote.

TIFT COUNTY PRE-K CLASS WINS STATE PHOTO CONTEST

LEN LASTINGER ELEMENTARY CLASS GETS VISIT FROM ZAC BROWN BAND MEMBER, FORMER PATRIOTS SUPER BOWL CHAMP

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Myra Smith’s Pre-K class at Len Lastinger Elementary School in Tifton had a special celebration Monday with a couple of Georgia celebrities and the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

The students won a statewide photo contest that DECAL sponsored based on a book written by Coy Bowles of the Zac Brown Band and Malcolm Mitchell, a former member of a Super Bowl champion New England Patriots team and UGA alumnus.

DECAL featured Bowles's and Mitchell’s book, "Every Amazing Story," as the centerpiece of this year’s Georgia Pre-K Week in October. The book, which was distributed to all Georgia Pre-K students and classrooms, asserts that every child has an amazing story to tell. The two authors challenged all classes to submit photos that celebrate their own amazing stories, and the Len Lastinger class was selected as the statewide winner.

On Monday, Bowles and Mitchell visited the Tifton school and joined the Pre-K class for songs, activities, and a reading of "Every Amazing Story." DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs also joined the celebration.

PAULK VINEYARDS CONTINUES GROWTH WITH TIFTON LOCATION

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Jorjanne Paulk, retail and events manager with Paulk Vineyards, told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday how Paulk Vineyards began and grew, and eventually how they established their Tifton Tasting Room in Downtown Tifton.

“Although I was more an indoor bookworm as a little girl, growing up in Lands Crossing near Irwinville,” Paulk said, “I do have fond memories of picking muscadines and scuppernongs in my Grandma Tucker’s backyard. At the time, it was the largest vineyard I had ever seen, probably six or eight rows of grapevines that I could get lost in.”

She had no idea she would one day fall in love with a boy on the other side of the county, “and marry into a family with the largest muscadine vineyard in the world,” she said. Her husband, Chris, is currently director of winery operations at Paulk Vineyards and CEO of Muscadine Products Corp.

In 1970, “Papa” Jacob Paulk started Paulk Vineyards by planting muscadine vines on the family farm. Over the years, those few acres have grown to more than 800 acres, making Paulk Vineyards the world's largest muscadine vineyard, she said.

Jacob Paulk’s sons Gary and J.W. joined him in the business, “and together they have been selling fresh fruits to grocery stores and farmers’ markets all over the country for over 50 years,” she said.

In 2002, “Papa Jacob” invited his grandson Chris to join him business to sell products made from muscadines, “such as juices, jellies, and dietary supplements,” Jorjanne Paulk said. Paulk Vineyards began selling tankards of muscadine juices to be made into wines. In 2018, the company expanded the Paulk Vineyards location because it realized customers want to see and experience the winemaking process. They built a Wine Tasting Room in order to build their wine brand at their location in Wray, near Ocilla.

“That was our first step into agribusiness and hospitality,” she said. They created a space that felt warm and welcoming and not pretentious. Events included the South Georgia Wine Festival, ladies nights out, live music concerts, bingo sessions, and murder mystery dinners. This year's 7th Annual South Georgia Wine Festival will be held at the farm in Wray on March 14.

Paulk Vineyards has about 25 wines in its repertoire with several named for family members. 

In 2021, Paulk said, Abbey McLauren, who worked with the Tifton Downtown Development Authority at the time, convinced them to bring the Tasting Room atmosphere to Tifton.

The Paulks eventually decided that Tifton was far enough away from their original tasting room, but not too far for them to manage. 

The location they selected formerly was the Army-Navy Surplus Store and Orr’s TV at 201 E. Fifth St. in downtown Tifton. The Paulks signed on the building in November 2024, and renovations began in January 2025. She said she and Chris are grateful to their contractor, Jason Hendricks, “who worked tirelessly to restore and update such a beautiful old building,” and interior designer Roxie Crain, who helped “dress up the city cousin of our farm tasting room.”

The Paulks have learned of some of the history of the location, which was once Kendrick Recreation Center, known as “the Pool Hall,” until the late 1980s. She is seeking old photos to adorn the walls in the event space. 

They opened their doors in October. Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County held its “Sweet Taste of Tifton” fundraising event there Tuesday night with about 150 people in attendance. An adjoining outdoor space is available in good weather. 

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Most of the events from the farm will now be taking place at the Tifton Tasting Room. The Tifton Council for the Arts is hosting a paint and sip party on Feb. 28. The sold-out Murder Mystery Dinner is happening this weekend. The Tifton event space is also available for private events,

“We hope we can provide a space for families and friends to celebrate and build community,” Jorjanne Paulk said.

TIFT COUNTY HIGH NAMES STAR STUDENT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Thomas He has been named the Tift County High School Class of 2026's STAR Student.

Thomas earned the honor by achieving the highest SAT score of the TCHS senior class — an accomplishment that reflects his dedication, hard work, and academic excellence, the school said.

Thomas selected Brett McLemore as this year's STAR Teacher, honoring the impact and support he has provided.

Tiftarea Ministerial Association

to Host Lenten Luncheons

As we enter the season of Lent, the TIftarea Ministerial Association would like to invite citizens of Tifton and the surrounding communities to participate in a series of Lenten Lunches at Tifton’s Leroy Rogers Center.

The lunches, which will be held from 12:00 to 1:00, will begin Wednesday, Feb. 18, and take place each Wednesday through April 1.

The lunches will be a “bring your own bag lunch and drink,”

and enjoy the program as pastors from area churches deliver a weekly message.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN ASHBURN WHEN YOU

SEE THIS SIGN

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The City of Ashburn in Turner County has a new welcome sign near Interstate 75's Exit 82, and it helps promote Ashburn's signature annual festival.

This year is the 30th "ant-iversary" of Ashburn's Fire Ant Festival, scheduled March 27-28. This year's theme is "Fire Ant Freedom," celebrating America's 250th birthday. The festival is known for some wacky events, such as the "Manty Hose Contest" for men, the "Fire Ant Calling" contest, and the "Fire Ant Lip Sync" contest.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES SET AROUND TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Several blood drives are scheduled during the next few days in Tifton to aid the American Red Cross in addressing Georgia’s blood shortage. 

Today, Friday, Feb. 13, a blood drive is scheduled from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Tift Regional Medical Center's Tifton Physicians Building at 907 18th St.

On Monday, the Eastern Star's White Star Chapter 11 is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive between 2-7 p.m. at the Tift County Extension Services building, 1468 S. Carpenter Road.

Then on Tuesday, a blood drive is scheduled 1-6 p.m. at Tifton Methodist Church, 107 W. 12th St.

Appointments are necessary to donate blood. Schedule online here or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Greer's Gifts

Tifton Mall, 458 Virginia Ave. N., Suite 4, Tifton

Feb. 11

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER

TIFTAREA

This Saturday, Feb. 14, is Valentine's Day, a day set aside to express one's love to someone special. Some say the origin came from a Catholic Church feast for patron saints named Valentine during 496 A.D. to replace the pagan festival of Lupercalia. Historians believe that the romanticized element of Valentine’s Day came from a priest who was martyred by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus in about 270 A.D. Varying stories cite different St. Valentines, one marrying couples in secret to prevent men going to war and another who wrote letters to his daughter signed "your Valentine." During the 1400s, widespread messages, or "Valentines" as they were called, began to appear – hand-written notes and poems declaring affection. In the mid-1800s, Valentine’s cards began to be commercially produced and traditional gifts were candy and flowers, as they are today.

Born on Feb. 13: Bess Truman, 35th First Lady of the U.S., 1885-1982; Grant Wood, American artist, 1891-1942; "Tennessee" Ernie Ford, country music singer, 1919-1991; Chuck Yeager, first pilot to break the sound barrier, 1923-2020; Kim Novak, actress, 1933– ; George Segal, actor, 1934-2021; Peter Tork, member of the musical group The Monkees, 1942-2019; Jerry Springer, TV talk show host, 1944- 2023; Stockard Channing, actress, 1944– ; Peter Gabriel, rock singer and composer, 1950– .

FRIDAY, FEB. 13

• Home School Hangout: Scratch Project Work Day, 11 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Love Avenue, Tifton

• Family Art Hour, hosted by Tifton Council for the Arts, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, Tifton

• Tiftarea YMCA Father-Daughter Dance: Belle of the Ball, 3rd grade & younger: 5-7 p.m., 3rd grade & older, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Ministry Center, First Baptist Church, Tifton

• Tift County High Blue Devils girls & boys basketball vs. Lowndes County High Vikings, 6 p.m., Tift County High School, Tifton

• Tifton's Masked Singer 2026, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SATURDAY, FEB. 14

• Downtown Tifton Second Saturday: Love Local, sip, stroll, & shop, all day, Downtown Tifton

• ABAC Fillies womens' basketball vs. Point University Skyhawks, noon, Gressette Gym, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• ABAC Stallions mens' basketball vs. Point University Skyhawks, 2 p.m., Gressette Gym, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton

• Sweetheart Dance, hosted by Sylvester Main Street: food, beverages, music by DJ Phun, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Train Depot, Downtown Sylvester

SUNDAY, FEB. 15

• Kraken Pro-Wrestling, 4 p.m., Chino & Letty's Place, 102 W. Third St., Tifton

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TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

"Hampton" is about 10 months old and 35 pounds, and he came into the animal shelter as a stray. He is a sweet but nervous boy who is still learning that he is safe. Despite his uncertainty, Hampton shows nothing but kindness and gentle affection to everyone. He does well with other dogs and is comforted by both canine and human companionship. Come meet Hampton 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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