Tifton Goes Better with Coke

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

CELEBRATING COCA-COLA IN THE FRIENDLY CITY

Photos by Frank Sayles Jr.

Among those toasting the new Coca-Cola distribution center in Tifton on Friday are, from left: Brian Marlowe, state deputy commissioner for rural Georgia initiatives; Julie Smith, Tifton mayor; Tony McBrayer, Tift County Commission chairman; Crawford Jones, Coca-Cola United east region vice president; U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton; Gov. Brian Kemp; and Charlie Yawn, Tifton Coca-Cola sales center manager.

GRAND OPENING A

REAL HOMECOMING

COCA-COLA PART OF TIFTON'S PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Once again, Coca-Cola is officially back in Tifton.

On Friday, local and state officials, area business people, and representatives of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United gathered at the company's new $65 million, state-of-the-art sales and distribution center to formally celebrate its grand opening on Tifton's Lamb Loop between U.S. Highway 41 and Interstate 75.

The first Coca-Cola plant had arrived in Tifton in 1901, but it had relocated to nearby communities in more recent decades. In her remarks to the audience, Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith recited the history of Coke with Tifton and noted that now, "Everything is in place, and everything is as it should be.

"We say, 'Welcome Home!’ It's good to have you back where you belong."

John Sherman, Coca-Cola United president & CEO, noted "that this is an amazing South Georgia community. ... In 2019, we announced our plans to invest in the Tifton community, and this investment also represents our continued commitment to the state of Georgia."

During the past five years, Coca-Cola United has invested more than $200 million in the state, Sherman said.

Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, touted the Tifton facility's approximately 275 jobs and $13 million annual payroll. “Our families want the jobs; our families need the jobs; our families are going to make the most of the jobs," he said.

Gov. Brian P. Kemp, saying it was "a great day in Tifton," noted that "we are committed, here in this state, to bring prosperity and opportunity to all parts of Georgia. ... and I remain committed to celebrate more days like this throughout rural Georgia in the future."

The new Tifton Coca-Cola Bottling Co. serves 21 counties in South Georgia and three counties in the Florida panhandle, distributing Coca-Cola products to more than 600,000 consumers annually. Company officials said the Tifton facility "sets a new standard in technology for a beverage sales and distribution center" and will become a model for future such operations.

"This facility is one of the most technologically advanced distribution facilities in the North America beverage industry," said Crawford Jones, Coca-Cola United's east region vice president.

Regarding Coca-Cola being back in Tifton, Sherman, the company's president, added, "We're going to be around a long time – 100 years at least."

Officials and guests gather at the Tifton Coca-Cola Bottling Co.'s grand opening.

For Tickets, Click Here!

GBI CHARGE TIFTON MAN

WITH MURDER, ASSAULT

Staff Reports

A Tifton man has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a woman found Sunday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said Tuesday.

Willie Goodman, 68, of Tifton, is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, the GBI said.

Shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Tift County deputies responded to a call involving a residence in the 300 block of Wilson Street, authorities said. When deputies arrived, they found Ethel Michelle Strawter, 59, with a gunshot wound. Strawter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Goodman is being held at the Tift County Jail. An autopsy will be performed on the victim's body at the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday had asked the GBI to conduct an investigation into the incident. The GBI said Tuesday that the investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at 229-388-6020 or the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or online here, or by downloading the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app.

TIFT COVID-19 CASES

DROP BY HALF IN 2 WEEKS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Positive COVID-19 cases in Tift County declined by almost half in the past two weeks, according to data Tuesday from the Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH).

Tift reported a total of 67 positive cases within two weeks; 131 positive cases were reported in the previous two-week period.

During the past week, Tift recorded no additional COVID-related deaths, along with eight confirmed PCR cases. During the two-week period, Tift saw 25 confirmed cases; the 67 positive cases are the total when positive rapid Antigen cases are added.

Tift has recorded a total of 6,260 cases with 160 deaths, the DPH said.

The state reported 1,599 positive cases Tuesday with 106 additional deaths and 154 new hospitalizations. Georgia reports a total of 1,912,239 cases with 29,832 related deaths, according to the DPH.

SOUTHWELL RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES FOR SERVICE

With the theme “We rise by lifting one another,” Southwell recently recognized 2021 award winners and long-serving employees at a virtual awards ceremony.

“Each year, our system holds an awards banquet to salute our skilled, compassionate, and hard-working staff members. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we are recognizing our honorees virtually again this year,” said Chris Dorman, Southwell president and chief executive officer.

Southwell presented the John B. Prince III Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Steve Rigdon, who was “integral in establishing Tift Regional Medical Center as the healthcare institution of choice within our region and beyond,” said Dorman.

Rigdon “provided skilled and compassionate adult medicine for more than 40 years, which improved the lives of countless patients and enhanced the overall health of our community.”

Mamie Stephens with Hospice of Tift Area was recognized as the Dixon-Dorminy Employee of the Year for Tift Regional Medical Center. Allison Horne with Southwell Health and Rehabilitation was named the Southwell Medical Outstanding Employee of the Year.

The winner of the Jensen-Patrick Nursing Excellence Award, presented by the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, was Bernadette Owens, a registered nurse with Hospice of Tift Area.

The foundation presented the Exceptional Physician Award to Dr. Vincent Valencia with Southwell Medical Adel Primary Care, and also presented Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Awards to Tom Shoup and Francis Wisham.

Foundation Executive Director Mandy Brooks presented the foundation awards.

Southwell also saluted employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service. Employees receiving special recognition for 40 years of service include Peggy Morrow, Earnest Reese, and Jane Richardson.

To view the virtual awards ceremony, visit https://vimeo.com/mysouthwell or www.facebook.com/mysouthwell

Coach Julie Conner and ABAC’s 2002 state championship basketball team will be inducted into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame on April 1.

ABAC TO ADD ATHLETES, TEAM TO ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Eight individuals and one team will be honored with induction into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022 on April 1 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

This class was originally scheduled to be inducted in 2020 before the pandemic closed all public events at ABAC.

Athletics Director Alan Kramer said the 2022 class includes the 2002 women’s state championship basketball team; tennis player German Dalmagro; three-sport letterman Clayt Hurst; softball player Lee Davis Watson; soccer standout Nikita Morris; tennis player, coach, and contributor Margaret Treadway; contributor and volunteer assistant softball coach James Winfred “Vic” Vickers; contributor and volunteer assistant softball coach Jimmy Spurlin; and Public Relations Director Emeritus Michael D. Chason.

“This is our largest group of inductees, and they cover a lot of ground. From all the way back to the ABAC football team to the soccer field and even the broadcast booth, we’ve got it covered this year," Kramer said.

The Hall of Fame Banquet is set for 6 p.m. April 1 in Gressette Gym. For information, call 229-391-4930.

KIWANIS HONORS HAL HENDERSON

The Kiwanis Club of Tifton presented a Diamond Level George F. Hixon Fellowship Award to Dr. Hal Henderson at a recent meeting.

The club donated $1,000 to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund in Henderson's name. A faithful Kiwanian for 47 years, Henderson had been an active member of the club holding various positions.

Before his retirement, Henderson was a professor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for decades

In 1983, the Kiwanis Children's Fund established the George F. Hixson Fellowship. Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give $1,000 or more to the Children's Fund as a way of recognizing those who have contributed to Kiwanis’ history of generosity.

In the photo, from left, are Teena Henderson, Hal Henderson, and Tifton Kiwanis President Barbara Wilber.

ABAC CELEBRATING

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Women’s History Month is underway at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Among speakers scheduled during March are Dr. Elizabeth Medley, lecturing on “Rise of the Resistance: Immigrant Women’s Political Activism from Ellis Island to the Modern Era” at 6 p.m. March 3 in Ernest Edwards Hall, and Dr. Jennifer Koslow on “A History of Women’s Engagement in Public Health in the United States” at 5:30 p.m. March 15 in Bowen 100.

Diantha Ellis, ABAC associate professor of business, will also speak on “Women’s Equal Pay Day: Salary Negotiation” at 11 a.m. March 17 in the Donaldson Dining Hall, and Kayla Myers will speak on “Advocacy for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Survivors” at 5:30 p.m. March 29 in Bowen 100.

Wellness Wednesday events are planned for ABAC’s pedestrian mall on March 9 and March 16 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Other activities during the month include meditation and yoga, a poster contest, and Wear Purple Day.

For more information, contact Donna Webb at dwebb@abac.edu

TIFTON NAMES MAIN STREET MANAGER

Guthrie Henderson Groh has been named Tifton's Main Street manager.

Groh, of Nashville, is a former downtown redevelopment director/event coordinator for the City of Pearson. She is also a former volunteer advocacy coordinator at CASA of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit.

Among her duties will be to work with the Tifton Merchants Association (TMA), said Tifton Downtown Development Director Abbey McLaren.

The TMA will have its next meeting at 8:30 a.m. March 9 in the Downtown Development Authority conference room at 506 S. Main St.

HARGRAY CAMPAIGN AIMS TO HELP STUDENTS 'DREAM BIGGER'

Schools and organizations serving kindergarten-12th grade students within Hargray Communications service areas have a chance to win $3,000 to fund their science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) project or club as part of the Internet service provider’s annual “Dream Bigger” social media campaign.

The schools and organizations may enter by sharing a photo and outline about how the funds would be used to fund their technology project – whether for equipment, competition fees, field trips, or otherwise – and how it benefits students. Two entities will be selected to each receive $3,000.

“Through our continued commitment to connecting the communities we serve, we are proud to provide resources enabling enhanced learning opportunities for the bright minds of the future,” said Trish Niemann, Hargray vice president, communications strategy.

Entries will be accepted through March 21 at www.hargray.com/campaign/contest Five finalists will be selected, and the winner will be determined by public voting between March 24-31.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Camole Mexican Grill

814 W. Second St., Tifton

Feb. 22

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

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

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

Pets of the Week are sponsored by:

Branch's Veterinary Clinic

205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055

TIFTON VOTES TO INSTALL

DOWNTOWN PARKING METERS

~ MARCH 4, 1948

The Tifton City Commission voted March 4, 1948, to place parking meters downtown on a six-month trial basis. Money from the meters was to be split 50-50 between the city and the meter company.