Tifton Gets a ‘B’ Grade

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

TIFTON GETS A 'B'

GRADE AMONG PLACES TO LIVE

BASED ON ONLINE NATIONAL RANKING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton receives an overall B grade among a recent updated online ranking of cities and counties around the country.

Niche.com, an online ranking site for schools and communities, recently updated its rankings based on new Census and economic data.

Other nearby cities in the Tiftarea received overall grades of: Adel, B-; Nashville, B-; Sylvester, C+; Ashburn, C+; Ocilla, C; and Fitzgerald, C.

Communities are graded in categories such as public schools, crime, housing, cost of living, jobs, health, diversity, and weather.

Tifton received its highest grades in diversity (A), and in weather (A-). Tifton's ranking reflects a diverse ethnic population as well as a diverse economic and educated population, largely as a result of the colleges and research entities based here.

Tifton's nightlife was graded B+, which may be somewhat of a surprise but is based on the availability of such activities as live music and stage performances.

The cost of living was graded B+, and public schools in Tifton received a B-, as did the types of jobs and their availability. Housing was graded C+, and the Friendly City got a C for its crime rate.

Niche.com says that “living in Tifton offers residents a sparse suburban feel, and most residents rent their homes. Many families live in Tifton, and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Tifton are above average."

When compared with other Georgia cities, Tifton was ranked 46th in diversity, 139th among places with the lowest cost of living in the state, and ranked 148th among best places to retire in Georgia.

WORLD FACES FOOD SHORTAGE FROM RUSSIA'S INVASION, SAYS REP. SCOTT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, is warning of a dire, global food shortage as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine.

"As many of the farmers in our district have begun their planting season, halfway across the globe in Ukraine, farmers have lost their farmland to battlefields and will be unable to plant a crop this year. I have been warning for several weeks, and President Biden finally confirmed that there will be a global food shortage resulting from Putin's invasion of Ukraine," Scott said.

He said the U.S. "will most likely see an increase in food cost as the global supply decreases, and many countries in Africa and the Middle East will most likely face hunger and famine."

In a recent op-ed commentary in the Washington Examiner, the Tifton congressman said that Ukraine normally exports more than 50 million metric tons of corn and wheat to the world.

"With Putin's invasion, that is unlikely to happen," Scott wrote.

"Russia and Ukraine were expected to provide around 30% of global wheat exports and 20% of corn exports prior to Putin's invasion. For context, the United States accounts for approximately 11% of global wheat exports."

Scott wrote that many of the world's poorest countries may see "a significant decrease in food supply to their people due to rising global costs. A prolonged war in Ukraine means hunger is on the horizon for any nation that cannot adjust to higher food prices and any consumer who cannot foot the bill."

He said countries in South Asia, Western Asia, and Africa are at major risk for food insecurity: "Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine isn't just robbing Ukraine of its freedom — it is stealing from the breadbasket of the world."

STUDY: GA 4th BEST IN U.S. IN TAXPAYER ROI

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Georgia is the fourth best state in the nation for taxpayer return on investment (ROI), according to a new study.

The personal finance outlet WalletHub last week released its report on the "Best & Worst Taxpayer Return on Investment 2022," using 30 metrics to compare the quality and efficiency of state-government services across the categories of education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure & pollution.

Georgia also was named the second-best in the nation regarding ROI on roads and bridges.

"We know that when Georgians pay taxes, that is their money, and it should be spent to best reflect and serve their interests,'' said Gov. Brian P. Kemp.

"I am proud our responsible, conservative approach to governing has led to the Peach State's recognition as one of the best at returning taxpayers' investment through crucial services like quality education, healthcare, and public safety."

The study ranked Georgia fifth nationally in taxpayer ROI regarding the economy, sixth in ROI concerning total taxes per capita, 17th in infrastructure, 29th in safety, 34th in education, and 40th among states in return on investment in the health sector.

TIFT SEES 23 COVID-19 CASES

DURING PAST TWO WEEKS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County reported six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past week and no related deaths, according to data from the Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH).

Tift reported a total of 23 positive cases within two weeks. That represents 56 cases per 100,000 population. In the previous two-week period, Tift County had 17 positive cases.

During the recent period, Tift's testing positivity rate was 4.6%.

Tift has recorded a total of 6,279 confirmed cases with 163 deaths, the DPH said.

The state reported 678 positive cases Tuesday with 39 additional deaths and 103 new hospitalizations. Georgia reports a total of 1,926,192 cases with 31,002 related deaths, according to the DPH.

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ANYONE UP FOR 'TUTU' DISC GOLF?

A group of friends decided Tifton’s disc golf course at Fulwood Park was the ideal location for a bachelor-party-disc-golf game last Saturday – and they donned tutus to festively celebrate their friend’s upcoming marriage.

“I’m the best wo-man,” said sister Ryan Moore of Portland, Ore. She brought the tutus and encouraged their wearing.

In the photo, from left, are David Bulkley of Albuquerque, N.M.; the groom-to-be Troy Moore of Douglas; Ryan Moore; and Mike Hawk of Kennesaw.

BALDWIN PLAYERS TO SERVE ENTERTAINMENT IN 'SPITFIRE GRILL'

The Baldwin Players will open the curtain on the musical, “The Spitfire Grill,” at 7 p.m. Thursday in Howard Auditorium on the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College campus. Performances are also scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cast members include, from left: Sommer Dunston, Hannah Exum, Alena Norton, Ryan Norton, Easton Mayo, and Julie Rucker. Tickets are $10 per person, $5 for students with an ID, and free to ABAC students, staff, and faculty.

WEAR BLUE THIS FRIDAY TO SUPPORT CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

This Friday, April 1, is "Wear Blue Day" to show support for the prevention of child abuse.

Individuals and organizations across the nation will band together to make a visible commitment to prevent child abuse. The community-wide act of wearing blue will help raise awareness that child abuse is preventable, organizers say.

Lillie McEntyre with the Tift County Commission on Children & Youth asks that those wearing blue to take photos of themselves, and of friends and co-workers wearing blue, and share them on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #TiftWearBlue2022

McEntyre also asks that the photos be emailed to tc3y@friendltcity.net

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Ace Hardware

2202 Highway 41 N.

March 25

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Stripling's General Store

2202 Highway 41 N.

March 25

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Patches," a male kitty, is among those available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Patches and see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).