USDA LIFTS SUSPENSION OF TIFTON SLAUGHTERHOUSE

TOWSON COLD STORAGE HAD BEEN FOUND TO INHUMANELY SLAUGHTER A HOG

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has formally lifted its suspension of Towson Cold Storage in Tifton.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) had temporarily halted animal-slaughtering operations at Towson on April 20 "based on the determination that your establishment did not handle or slaughter animals humanely."

The suspension came after Towson personnel electroshocked and prodded a hog for 10 minutes before shooting it in the head six times over the span of nearly seven-and-a-half minutes. During that time, the pig stood standing, crying out, and bleeding "from both nostrils," the FSIS said.

"The evidence demonstrates failure to comply with the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and the regulatory requirements," the FSIS said.

"Please be reminded that as a federally inspected establishment, you are expected to 

comply with FSIS regulations and to take appropriate actions to prevent the inhumane handling of animals," the USDA wrote Towson.

The suspension was temporarily put on hold May 2 after Towson Cold Storage, doing business as Towson Meats, submitted an approved plan to remedy such situations. Owner Bill Towson told the Tifton Grapevine on Thursday that he had received a letter last week formally lifting the suspension after FSIS inspectors verified his company's remediation plan.

Towson said federal inspectors have visited his operation three times in recent weeks, and state inspectors have also visited.

"It's all finished," Towson said. "We did what we were supposed to do. We are retraining all employees."

A USDA spokesman in Washington, D.C., confirmed to the Grapevine that "the establishment in question has demonstrated regulatory compliance."

But PETA (People for the Ethical treatment of Animals) last week sent a letter to Tift County Solicitor General Jason Hoffman calling on him to investigate and file criminal charges against Towson Cold Storage workers responsible for the treatment of the pig.

Hoffman could not be reached for comment Thursday.

According to the USDA's letter of suspension, on April 18 "during routine slaughter of

swine," inspection program personnel at Towson Cold Storage witnessed plant personnel attempting for approximately 10 minutes to move the first hog "into the stunning area with both a paddle and a hot-shot device."

The USDA wrote that the pig "was poked in both the abdomen and thoracic cavity" and "was vocalizing while being prodded with both hot shot and paddles." The pig was brought into the stunning area and "plant personnel attempted to stun the animal using a .22-caliber long rifle. "

The pig "did not go down after the first attempted stun and continued to stay standing with blood seen dripping from both nostrils." The USDA wrote that the bullet was jammed inside the rifle, and personnel took four minutes to get it unjammed. A second shot had little effect, 50 seconds elapsed, and a "third shot with the .22 long rifle was administered to the hog," who "did not go down, remained standing, and vocalized.

"Forty-five seconds elapsed, and the fourth shot with a captive bolt was administered to the hog. The hog did not go down, remained standing, and vocalized. Fifty seconds elapsed and a fifth shot with the .22 long rifle was administered to the hog," who remained standing and crying out. After another minute elapsed, a sixth shot was successful.

At that time, the USDA said "operations were stopped, and (a) U.S. reject tag ... was applied to the stunning area to prevent any additional animals from being slaughtered. Plant management was verbally made aware of the halt in operations. ... The establishment has a Robust Systemic Approach for humane handling of livestock, but it was not effectively implemented to prevent the noncompliance."

In its response to the USDA, Towson said there were not any firearms of bigger caliber on hand at the time and the .22-caliber rifle was inadequately cleaned and had a faulty spring.

In its remediation plan, the Towson company said it would have both a .22-caliber rifle and 30/30 rifle "on the kill floor for larger hogs," would document firearm cleanings on a maintenance log, would specify that "bigger hogs" are those over 500 pounds, would implement a restraining gate, and would retrain employees, including having a signed training log and monthly training sessions.

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's Class of 2027 gathers on the college front lawn. ABAC is experiencing strong enrollment growth this school year.

ABAC ENROLLMENT AT FIVE-YEAR HIGH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Fall semester is under way at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with its largest enrollment increase in five years.

More than 3,700 students are enrolled, increasing more than 3.5% from last fall.

“Considering the challenges that higher education is facing across the country, this increase is a testament to the hard work from so many people on this campus,” said President Tracy Brundage.

“In the last year, our focus on enrollment and retention has been intentional. We’re seeing that hard work pay off.”

The uptick was seen across ABAC’s four schools of study as each saw an enrollment increase. The School of Agriculture and National Resources crossed the threshold of 1,500 students for the first time. The School of Arts and Sciences saw 15% more students majoring in biology.

Enrollment in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences was up, especially in its popular associate of science in nursing degree program, and the Stafford School Business showed an increase of about 8%.

Early numbers indicate ABAC students this fall are from 16 states, 21 countries, and more than 600 high schools. The college also saw an all-time high in applications (a 9.9% rise), an increase in freshman enrollment for only the fourth time in 16 years, and a record number of students in dual enrollment.

Nearly 69% of ABAC students this fall are pursuing four-year degrees. ABAC offers 14 bachelor's degrees.

Among those attending U.S. Rep. Scott’s reading of the Congressional Record honoring Syd Blackmarr are Tifton Arts Council board members, family members, and supporters, from left, Chase Nixon, Lillia Lizama Aranda, Kelly Blackmarr, Amy Blackmarr, Kathy Moreno, Ann Wolf, Joy Yost, Dr. Margaret Nixon, Marianna Keesee, Steve Woodham, and Beth Lewis. 

SCOTT PRESENTS CONGRESSIONAL RECORD HONORING

SYD BLACKMARR

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

“We don’t do this for many people, but for the Queen of the Arts, we did a Congressional Record,” Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, told local arts supporters and daughters of the late Syd Blackmarr on Thursday at the Tifton arts center named in Blackmarr's honor. 

Scott read a framed copy of the Congressional Record dated July 27, and recorded by the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing Blackmarr:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Tifton, Georgia’s ‘Queen of Arts’ Syd Blackmarr, who recently passed at the age of 89.

“Her commitment to promoting the arts in Georgia has left a great mark on the cultural landscape of Georgia’s Eighth District.

“Her legacy will be remembered in the cultural heritage she helped build, from the main stage at Fulwood Park that is named in her honor, to the former Tifton Museum of Arts & Heritage that was renamed the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center to recognize her contribution to our community.

“She also founded the Arts Experiment Station at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1976, which fostered the creation of eight local arts councils. It was Georgia’s first rural arts consortium, and her work paved the way for collaborations across South Georgia, leading the growth of arts organizations and public art installations throughout out our state.

“She envisioned arts affirming cultural diversity and helped initiate the Arts in Black Festival and the Fiesta del Pueblo.

“Syd’s accolades and recognitions, such as the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities and Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership are a testament to her unwavering dedication and the immense impact she had on the arts community.

“Syd’s impact in Georgia’s Eighth District will be felt for generations to come.”

TIFT'S JOBLESS RATE INCHES UPWARD IN JULY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County's unemployment rate rose slightly during July while labor-force numbers continue to fall, according to data released Thursday by the Ga. Department of Labor (GDOL).

Tift County's jobless rate rose slightly to 3.4% in July, up from 3.3% in June. 

Tift County’s labor force – the number of people who are employed or are unemployed and seeking employment – was at 20,700 during the month, which is 30 lower than the previous month and 77 below the same period last year, according to GDOL data.

July's jobless rates in area counties versus the previous month's rates were: Turner, 4.2% vs. 4.5%; Worth, 3.2% vs. 3.4%; Irwin, 4.6% vs. 4.2%; Cook, 3.3% vs. 3.3%; Berrien, 4.1% vs. 3.8%; and Ben Hill, 4.7% vs. 4.7%.

Statewide, July's unemployment rate remained steady at 3.2%, unchanged from the past three months. The national jobless rate in July was 3.5%, the GDOL reported.

The statewide labor force was up by 9,048 to 5,309,578, an all-time high, and was up by 75,862 since the beginning of the year.

COACHES TALK FOOTBALL AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 'TAILGATE' MEETING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County High Football Coach Noel Dean (pictured above) and Tiftarea Academy Coach Erik Soliday continued their joint road show Thursday speaking to the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce's monthly membership meeting, which had a football tailgating theme.

Both coaches talked about how their primary job is helping to develop youths into responsible, educated young men prepared for life.

The Tift County Blue Devils face off with Dutchtown High at 7:30 tonight at Brodie Field for Senior Night. The Tiftarea Academy Panthers travel to St. Simons Island tonight to play Frederica Academy.

WWALS WORKS TOWARD HEALTHY WATERSHED ALONG SUWANNEE

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

At Wednesday's Tifton Rotary Club meeting, Gretchen Quarterman, executive director of WWALS Watershed Coalition, detailed the many responsibilities and activities of the group known as the riverkeeper for the Suwannee River.

WWALS is named for the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, and Suwannee rivers. The top of the watershed is in Cordele. It encompasses 33 counties, four major rivers, and many smaller rivers, streams, swamps, sinks, and more, Quarterman said. It goes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. 

“Our vision is for a healthy watershed with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable water,” she said. “We advocate not only for the rivers on the surface, but also the groundwater, the aquifer that we all drink from.” 

WWALS was formed from two informal groups, one from Tift County and one from Lowndes County. Part of the reason for Valdosta concerns was because the city had a big wastewater treatment plant submersion in 2009. The plant was on the banks of the Withlacoochee River, Quarterman said.

“There was a flood. It went underwater. The power was off, and all of the waste from the whole city just spewed into the river.”

A Tifton group called “Water Matters” was meeting at the same time this happened. The two groups starting meeting together in Adel and members pitched in their own funds to form a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2012, as an educational organization that advocates for healthy water. 

In Lowndes, the greatest concern was water quality, and they learned how to test water. "We found that test kits cost $300-$500 apiece,” Quarterman said. Bacterial testing cost an additional amount.  

In 2015, the coalition became affiliated with Waterkeeper International, hired a Riverkeeper, and put together a website: WWALS.net. The coalition represents a watershed that is bigger than most states, Quarterman said, and has a smaller population than any state. The Suwannee River is 9,950 square miles. 

“The population is uncharacteristically poor,” Quarterman said, which is important, because people need to know that if they are swimming in a river because they don’t have a swimming pool, or digging a well, that the water is clean."

In addition to advocating for clean water, the group hosts frequent river clean ups and paddle outings, at least one a month during a full moon. Quarterman suggested interested people sign up to participate in a full-moon outing, in which boats are provided free of charge. Reservations must be made on the website. 

WWALS is incorporating its Sixth Annual Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest into its inaugural WWALS River Revue. This indoor fundraising dinner to benefit WWALS Watershed Coalition will be at 6-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta.

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TIFTON CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FACE NO OPPOSITION IN PRELIMINARY QUALIFYING

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

As of day's end Thursday, one person in each Tifton City Council race had qualified as candidates.

The qualification period for candidates in the Nov. 7 Tifton city election ends at 4:30 p.m. today (Friday).

Thus far, incumbents Mayor Julie B. Smith and District 4 Councilman M. Jay Hall are the only candidates in those races.

In Council District 2, where incumbent Jack Folk is not seeking re-election, Michael Franks is the only candidate thus far.

Qualification is open today at the city clerk's office in City Hall. For information, call 229-391-3970.

COVID-19 data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of Aug. 23:

TOTAL TIFT COUNTY CASES: 7,069 ....................................... TOTAL TIFT DEATHS: 179

CONFIRMED TIFT CASES - 2 weeks: 67 ....................................... DEATHS - Past week: 0

CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES: 222

TIFT CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - 2 weeks, per 100K population: 544 

_______________________________________________________________

GEORGIA TOTAL CASES: 2,383,225

GEORGIA CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES - Past week: 10,870

TOTAL GA DEATHS: 35,556 ..................................................... GA DEATHS - Past week: 13 

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE TIFTAREA

Saturday, Aug. 26, is National Dog Day.

The day promotes dog ownership and encourages adoption from animal shelters.

The day has begun to be recognized across the world, as other cultures have embraced honoring dogs for what they add to one's life.

So, go ahead and take your dog for a walk. And if you don't have a dog, consider saving one from the shelter.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

• Tift County High Blue Devils football vs. Dutchtown High Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m., Brodie Field
• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football @ Frederica Academy Knights, 7:30 p.m., St. Simons Island

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

• TiftCon cosplay event, 4-8 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton
• NPC Night of the Gladiators bodybuilding competition, 5:30 p.m., UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton

ADVERTISE

YOUR

YARD SALE HERE!

TO ADVERTISE YOUR

RESIDENTIAL YARD SALE,

CONTACT US at 

yardsales@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Polar Bear," a happy and friendly boy, is ready to become part of a new family. Come see Polar Bear and 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).