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Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

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GSP ARRESTS MAN IN HIT & RUN

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton man has been arrested and charged in the hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Downtown Tifton, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).


Alejandro Cruz, 32, is charged with hit-and-run and tampering with evidence – both felonies – and with three misdemeanors: knowingly driving with a suspended license, driving without a valid license, and with driving without insurance.


On Jan. 23, a pedestrianJohnnie McKinnon, 81, of Tifton, was struck on U.S. Highway 82 near Tift Avenue. He later died of his injuries. The GSP released an image of a white Dodge Durango that was being sought in connection with the accident.


Information from the community contributed to locating Cruz, said Trooper J. Brown of GSP Post 13 in Tifton.


Authorities said that after being struck on the highway, McKinnon was also subsequently hit by other vehicles.

TIFTON FIRE DEPARTMENT USES NEW 'BURN BUILDING' FOR FIREFIGHTER TRAINING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The City of Tifton’s Fire Department has begun using a new burn building training facility at the department’s training site on Old Omega Road.


Officials say the hands-on fire training can help save firefighters' lives by providing scenarios they may face.

 

“This is a critical training prop that is as realistic as we can get to an actual structure fire. We are very blessed to have a City Council that supports our vision and mission,” said Fire Chief Bobby Bennett.


Featuring three levels, multiple doors, windows, chimney vents, and movable indoor walls, the training building can be maneuvered to run various training scenarios. The burn building is a three-story structure that can simulate stairwells that may be found in homes and motels.

 

The burn building is constructed of recycled shipping containers and will last for 1,000 evolutions, the city said.

 

“The No. 1 priority of the Tifton City Council is the safety of its citizens with a well-trained and well-equipped fire department. The new training facility should have a significant impact on maintaining a low ISO rating for fire protection in Tifton,” said Acting City Manager Larry Lawrence.


“The ISO fire protection rating is a major factor in determining premiums that insurance companies charge for homeowners insurance and should help in maintaining lower premiums for the citizens of Tifton,” Lawrence said.

HELP ADULT LITERACY, SAMPLE LOCAL CHOCOLATE

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The 11th annual chocolate-tasting fundraiser, "Choc-it-Up for Literacy," will feature chocolate desserts from area restaurants and bakers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Hilton Garden Inn.


Tickets are $30 in advance and include all desserts and two drink tickets. They may be purchased online here or in person at the Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Turner's Fine Furniture, and Aero Boutique. Tickets are $40 at the door.


Among the items in the live auction that night are a laser hair removal session by Belovese Med Spa, valued at $2,800; a four-night stay at the Lodge at Mountaineer Square in Crested Butte, Colo., valued at $2,400; and a mother-of-pearl heart-shaped pendant necklace by Central Jewelry.


Also featured are artwork by local artists Brenda Rose and Jennifer McCall, and a Pet Portrait Session by Cris Lawson. A one-year gym membership at Southern Bodies also will be auctioned. 


A silent auction with potential Valentine’s gifts and gift certificates from local merchants, department stores, and service providers will be ongoing during the event.


Admission tickets allow participants to enjoy wine and other refreshments with their desserts. Participants will taste vendors’ desserts and vote for the Best Taste, Best Presentation, and Most Original.

 

The event is a fundraiser for Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County, which works to increase adult literacy in the community through tutoring, English (ESL) classes, GED scholarships, and transportation for qualifying GED students to Southern Regional Technical College Adult Ed classes. 


For information contact tiftlv@gmail.com or message Literacy Volunteers' Facebook page.

South Georgia Photography

Among Hall of Fame honorees are Alex Abbott, John Davis, Lindsey Welker, Jenna Shiver Abbott, Coach Eric Holland, Kevin Tolbert, Austin Scott with family members on behalf of Dr. James Scott, and Jay Gaskins.

TIFT COUNTY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTS MEMBERS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its latest class last week.


The inductees include athletes Alex Abbott, Jenna Shiver Abbott, Theoplis Bryant, David Denham, Jay Gaskins, Lindsay Welker Herlong, Kevin Tolbert, Coach Eric Holland, and the 1998-99 Tift County High Lady Devils basketball team. Dr. James Scott received the Anthony Bateman Meritorious Service Award.


Alex Abbott: The Los Angeles Angels drafted the top TCHS player in 2014 during the sixth round of the Major League Baseball draft – the highest-drafted baseball player in TCHS history. He was named first team All-Region in all four seasons in Tift County.


Jenna Shiver Abbott: The Tift County softball player received two-time All-State honors, was a member of a TCHS region championship team, and was one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of Lady Devil softball.


Theoplis Bryant: A TCHS football star, he scored six touchdowns during the 1971 season was a standout fullback and linebacker, and was recognized with All-Tiftarea, All-Region, and All-State awards.


David Denham: The Tift County golfer won the Georgia State Amateur Championship in 2004 and played in the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2004 and 2005, as well as an amateur in the U.S. Open.


Jay Gaskins: A leader on the Blue Devils' 2006 region football champion team, he was selected to three All-State teams and also was a leader on the 2006-2007 TCHS basketball team. 


Lindsey Welker Herlong: The Tift County tennis and basketball star was recognized for her basketball prowess, being named All-region three times and named All-State twice.


Kevin Tolbert: A high-scoring member of Tift County High's 1996 state championship basketball team, he was named several times All-Tiftarea, All-Region, and All-State.


Eric Holland: As the Blue Devils basketball coach, he won state championships in 2014 and 2017 as well as seven region championships during his eight seasons as TCHS coach.


The 1998-99 Lady Devils Basketball Team: One of the most dominant teams in Tift County High's history with a 27-3 record, the team advanced to the second round of the state tournament.


Dr. James Scott: A team doctor and consultant to the TCHS athletic program, he volunteered expertise to Tift County athletes and developed and hosted an annual sports medicine seminar, providing coaches, trainers, physical therapists, and medical providers with knowledge and resources to enhance care for student athletes.


The Hall of Fame also named two current TCHS students as male and female athletes of the year:


Jalaya Miller: The 2024-2025 Female Athlete of the Year is a key player for the Lady Devil basketball team and is an honor student in the classroom.


John Davis: The 2024-2025 Male Athlete of the Year is an honor student who has twice been named Region Player of the Year on the TCHS baseball team.

TIFT JOBLESS RATE INCREASES SLIGHTLY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The unemployment rate in Tift County increased slightly during December to 2.8%, according to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL).


November's jobless rate in Tift was 2.7%.


Tift County’s labor force – the number of people who are employed or are unemployed and seeking employment – declined by 390 to a total of 21,361 during the month, according to GDOL data.


December's unemployment rates in area counties versus the previous month's rates were: Turner, 4.3% vs. 4.7%Worth, 3.5% vs. 3.6%Irwin, 3.9% vs. 3.7%Cook, 4.0% vs. 3.2%Berrien, 9.5% vs. 4.1%; and Ben Hill, 5.1% vs. 4.9%.


Georgia's December unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%. The unemployment rate was four-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate, according to the GDOL.


Statewide, jobs were up by 9,900 during the month and up by 60,400 over the previous year to 4,9994,900, an all-time high.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WRITER, NOVELIST TO LECTURE FEB. 10 AT ABAC

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Writers’ Harvest Series at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) will present an evening with lecturer and novelist John B. Edwards at 7 p.m. Feb. 10.


Edwards has more than 45 years of law enforcement experience and has used his knowledge to write four books on criminal investigation, police operations, leadership, and management. He has received national awards and recognition for his work and, in 2014, was selected for the Georgia State Governor’s Public Safety Award for his contribution to the profession.


Edwards travels throughout the United States lecturing for federal, state, and local agencies, colleges and universities, and law enforcement associations on the topics of police and public safety operations, leadership, and management while also holding seminars based on his books, “The Burden of Command” and “Homicide Investigative Praxis."


He has also authored two novels, “Sunlight Over the Marshes,” which centers on drug smuggling in coastal Georgia in the 1970s, and “Darkness Under the Oaks” about organized crime in Georgia.


The event, part of the annual ABAC Arts and Culture season, will be in Bowen Hall Room 100. Admission is a canned good or non-perishable food item. All proceeds from the Writers’ Harvest Series will benefit the ABAC Food Pantry, supporting students in need.

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YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, Feb. 2, is Groundhog Day, on which if a groundhog sees his shadow, according to legend, there's six more weeks of winter weather. The practice dates to the Pennsylvania Dutch, who were German-speaking immigrants settling in Pennsylvania. They developed their own take on the legend of Candlemas in the 18th and 19th centuries, bringing with them the custom of the native Groundhog as their annual winter forecaster. The most famous groundhog weather forecaster is Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil. Here in Georgia, we have our own groundhog forecaster for the SouthGen. Beauregard Lee.

FRIDAY, JAN. 31

  • Homeschool Hangout, 10 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
  • Final Friday, live music by Lizz Faith, food vendors, lawn games, 5-7 p.m., Connie's Children's Park, Nashville
  • Fourth Friday on Fourth "Chili Crawl," 6-8 p.m., Fourth Street, Ocilla
  • Tift County High Lady Devils basketball @ Richmond Hill High girls, 4:30 p.m., Richmond Hill
  • Tift County High Blue Devils basketball @ Richmond Hill High Wildcats, 6 p.m., Richmond Hill


SATURDAY, FEB. 1

  • Kid's Studio Saturday, art workshop for children age seven-12, 10 a.m.-Noon, Syd Blackmarr Arts Center, Love Avenue, Tifton
  • Super Saturday, art project for children age four-10, 11 a.m.-Noon, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council, 120 S. Lee St., Fitzgerald
  • Jennifer Moorman, meet the author discussing her latest novel, "The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds," 1:30 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
  • Tift County High Lady Devils basketball @ Lowndes High girls, 6 p.m., Valdosta
  • Tift County High Blue Devils basketball @ Lowndes High Vikings, 7:30 p.m., Valdosta

YOUR YARD SALE

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TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

"Be-Mine" is a sweet girl who is on the lookout for her forever family. She’s hoping to land the perfect home in time for sharing Valentine’s Day. Be-Mine is ready to give all the love, kisses, and cuddles you could ever want. Come visit her 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).

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JAN. 21

Libby Josephine Hinson Stone, 82, Omega

Bobby Nix, 92, Nashville

Alice Helen Jones Maitland, 59, Willacoochee

Edgar Byrd Hutchinson, 55, Fitzgerald

Madison "Matt" Timothy Brown, 66, Tifton

Edgar Byrd Hutchinson, 55, Fitzgerald

Reginald Scott LeGrier, 66, Sylvester


JAN. 22

Sally “Delores” Withers Stone, 81, Tifton

Donna “Sue” Andrews Brown, 67, Tifton

Glenn Lamar Franklin, 70, Nashville

Daisy Joiner Chaney, 83, Ocilla

Carolyn Dennard, 76, Tifton


JAN. 23

Lawrence E. Keen, 85, Tifton

Elsie Mae Chukes, 75, Tifton

Robert “Bob” Edward Rushing, 85, Wichita Falls, Texas, formerly Lakeland

Jimmy Dean Morstatter, 70, Tifton

Lester Lee Martin Sr., 64, Ashburn

Johnnie McKennon, 81, Tifton


JAN. 24

Homer William Baldree, 82, Tifton

Antonio Arturo Cervantes, 66, Omega

Jerry E. Wells, 82, Worth County

Jerome Baker Jr., 93, Tifton


JAN. 25

Arma Jean Gray Bentley, 86, Tifton

Kenneth "Kenny" Chambless, 69, Poulan

Douglas Leon Yarbrough, 82, Fitzgerald

Sgt. 1st Class Clifton Corey Love, 38, Ashburn

Eddie Lee Sims, 72, Enigma

JAN. 26

Michael "Mike" David Buhler Sr., 62, Tifton

Johnny Edward “JB” Bell, 69, Ashburn


JAN. 27

Patsy Strickland, 60, Adel


JAN. 28

Robert Lee Simpson, 77, Alapaha

Joe Talmadge Fletcher, 88, Fitzgerald

Esther Faye Ruth Warren, 80, Ashburn


JAN. 29

Dorothy T. Wright, 85, Adel

Tifton Grapevine
e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.
Editor & Publisher
Bonnie Sayles
Managing Editor
A Service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC, Tifton, Georgia
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