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INDIANA MAN STRUCK BY TRAIN, DIES,

IN TIFT COUNTY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift County authorities are investigating the death of an Indiana man struck by a train on Friday in a rural area in the northern part of the county.

The victim has been identified as Alonzo Buchie Williams Jr. II, 30, of Indianapolis and Marion, Ind.

At approximately 6:40 p.m. Friday, a Norfolk Southern train operator spotted a body lying next to the tracks near U.S. Highway 41 N. between Red Oak and Cromer roads, authorities said. A Tift County Sheriff's deputy responded and found the man deceased.

Authorities speculate that he may have been struck by a previous train. Both the Tift County Sheriff's Office and the County Coroner's Office are still investigating his manner of death and nothing has been ruled out as of yet, authorities said Tuesday.

The victim had gone missing from his family for about 30 days and had traveled to Florida, authorities said, and was apparently en route back home at the time of his death.

Warner Robins double-murder suspect Rashad Williams, 29, is captured Sunday in an abandoned farmhouse in Warwick.

DOUBLE-MURDER SUSPECT NABBED IN WORTH COUNTY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Cordele man, charged in the deaths of his girlfriend and her mother in Warner Robins, was apprehended Sunday afternoon in Warwick.

Rashad Williams, 29, of Cordele, is charged with two counts of murder and is being held at the Houston County Detention Center. Authorities say additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Williams was located in an abandoned farmhouse in the Worth County town of Warwick and was taken into custody without incident at approximately 4 p.m. Sunday. The Worth County Sheriff's Office had joined the Houston County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Crisp County Sheriff's Office in the search for the suspect.

Re'Dashia Boston, 29, and her mother, Virginia Boston, 49, were found dead at about 6:35 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the 200 block of Woodland Trail in Warner Robins, according to the Houston County Sheriff's Office. Deputies determined that the deaths were a result of homicide, the sheriff's office said.

Williams, who was in a relationship with the younger victim, was quickly identified as a person of interest, and an immediate search for him ensued.

Authorities have not released details of how the two women were killed.

SYLVESTER MAN DROWNS IN CREEK

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

No foul play is suspected in the death of a Sylvester man who was found Saturday in a creek in the Worth County town, authorities say.

The body of Carson Smith, 68, was retrieved at approximately noon Saturday in the creek near the 400 block of West Pope Street. The Worth County coroner said Smith had medical issues, and a seizure may have caused him to fall into the creek and drown.

Sylvester Police are calling the death a "freak accident."

14 DIE ON GA ROADS DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Ga. Department of Public Safety (DPS) said Tuesday there were a total of 14 traffic fatalities on state roads during this year's Memorial Day holiday travel period.

There were 11 fatalities during the period last year.

"The preliminary final numbers reflect continued concern on Georgia’s roadways," DPS said. "Troopers and officers responded to numerous crashes, DUI arrests, and distracted driving violations throughout the travel period," which began Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

The Georgia State Patrol said that 189 people were injured in crashes during the three-day period. Also, 413 people were arrested on DUI charges; troopers issued 1,086 citations for distracted driving and 6,870 citations for seatbelt violations.

LIBRARY KICKS OFF SUMMER READING WITH SATURDAY EVENT

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

"Books on the Block" will kick off the Tifton-Tift County Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program at 7-9 p.m. Saturday, starting at the library at 245 Love Ave., and extending down Library Lane.

“We’re kicking things off with an evening full of food, games, music, and surprises. Think bubble stations, live DJs, giant inflatables, and so much more,” said Tina O’Day, interim branch manager.

“This year’s theme is 'Color Our World,' and we’re bringing the color in every way we can,” she said. “Get ready for a vibrant celebration that sets the stage for a summer full of reading and fun.”

When children register for the Summer Reading Program in front of the library, they can pick up a calendar of library events, bookmarks, and “the beloved reading logs.”

The reading logs have 60 bubbles, and each bubble filled in represents 20 minutes of reading. Kids get a “book buck” for every bubble filled in, O’Day said. Book bucks are exchanged for prizes in the library's prize room.

“Grown-ups, we’ve got something for you, too,” O’Day said. “Every completed reading log earns a chance to win a grand prize.”

Approximately 16 community businesses and service organizations are participating with giveaways and activities at each station. Touch-A-Truck will be on Library Lane along with a bouncy house, jousting, and basketball hoop toss. D.J. G-Man will be playing music. 

Library activities are free, but the food trucks Dairy King and Snow Biz will have costs associated with them.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS FOR PSC

PRIMARY ELECTION; JUDGE RECOMMENDS CANDIDATE BE DISQUALIFIED

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Early voting began Tuesday for the June 17 special primary election for the Ga. Public Service Commission (PSC), and an administrative law judge recommended on Tuesday that one of the candidates on the ballot be disqualified.

The judge ruled that Daniel Blackman, a Democrat seeking the nomination for the District 3 seat representing Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties, has not resided in the district for at least 12 months, as required under law.

The ruling is a a recommendation, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will decide the issue.

PSC commissioners must reside within their districts, but Georgians statewide vote on all the candidates. The PSC is a five-member board that decides what rates that utilities can charge consumers and businesses. 

There are two district seats on the ballot for the primary election. Early voting is available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until June 13. Saturday voting will be available this Saturday and on June 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Advance voting in Tift County is done at the county elections office on Chesnutt Avenue. On election day June 17, voters will cast ballots at their home precincts.

In District 3, Blackman is vying against Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones, and Keisha Sean Waites for the Democratic nomination. The victor will face Republican Fitz Johnson, the incumbent, in the PSC's Nov. 4 election.

In District 2, Republicans Tim Echols, the incumbent, and Lee Muns are seeking their party's nomination. The winner will face Democrat Alicia M. Johnson in November.

GA TAX OFFICIALS NAME TIFT'S CHAD ALEXANDER AS TAX COMMISSIONER OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tift County Tax Commissioner Chad Alexander has been named the Tax Commissioner of the Year at the recent annual conference of the Georgia Association of Tax Officials (GATO).

Tax Commissioner of the Year is an honor awarded by peers to the tax commissioner who has gone above and beyond for the advancement of the association.

Alexander was first elected Tift County tax commissioner in 2012 and has held office since Jan. 1, 2013. He was elected to GATO's Executive Board in 2015 and currently serves as the association's treasurer.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CATS OF THE WEEK

"Belladonna" and "Binx" are two tiny black kittens full of mischief, magic, and so much love. They are playful, curious, and endlessly entertaining. They’re still just babies and are hoping to grow up in loving forever homes. Visit Binx and Belladonna 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).

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS

'SMOKER' FOR TIFTON BUSINESSMEN

~ MAY 27, 1910

The Tifton Chamber of Commerce on May 27, 1910, entertained Tifton's businessmen at a "smoker" in the Elks Club. More than 200 attended to discuss Tifton's business interests and future ways to promote the city's commercial importance.

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