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

TWO TIFTONITES NAMED TO UGA's '40 UNDER 40'

PEANUT SHELLERS' CHRIS CHAMMOUN, SOUTHWELL'S TAMARA BRANCH RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP

CHRIS CHAMMOUN

TAMARA BRANCH

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Two Tifton residents are among the University of Georgia's "40 Under 40" Class of 2024, a group of young alumni leaders in their industries and communities.

Tamara Branch, vice president of legal at Southwell heath system, and Chris Chammoun, executive director of the American Peanut Shellers Association and president of the Peanut Institute, are among the 40 UGA alumni being honored.

The 40 Under 40 program celebrates the personal, professional, and philanthropic achievements of successful UGA graduates under the age of 40. The honorees will be recognized during the 14th annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon on the Athens campus in September.

Branch received her bachelor's degree in 2009 and her law degree in 2012. She provides legal counsel for Southwell's Tift Regional Health System and has mentored UGA School of Law students.

She is said to have provided the hospital system with hands-on assistance and "crucial expertise" during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time when regulations and guidance were constantly changing.

Branch is involved with the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and the State Bar Association in Tifton.

Branch and her family also participate in the Backyard Barbecue competition during the annual Tifton Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival. UGA calls Branch "an award-winning grillmaster." She and her family's team, Butcher & Banker, have in the past taken home top prizes for their tacos, Boston Butts, pork loins, and Bloody Mary drink recipe.

Regarding her recognition in UGA's 40 Under 40, Branch told the Tifton Grapevine: "I've been blown away by the outpouring of support from the community, from my amazing colleagues at Southwell, and from my family and friends. I'm proud to represent Tifton and our amazing community, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do so. This is the greatest honor to be recognized by my alma mater. Go Dawgs!"

Also being recognized is Chris Chammoun of Tifton, executive director at the American Peanut Shellers Association and president of the Peanut Institute.

An Adel native, Chammoun earned a bachelor of sciences degree in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia in 2008, and has a master of science in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University.

He previously served as director of agricultural technology at the Center of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Chammoun has served in several roles at the Department of Economic Development, including division director for Rural Georgia Initiatives and the director of the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness.

Chammoun also has served as public affairs director for the Georgia Cotton Commission and been honored with multiple alumni service awards from UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA's J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.

Mims Kids’ 13th Annual Stay in School Rally will be held Saturday, July 20, from 12 noon until supplies last. Students must be present to pick up their supplies. The pickup will be curbside at 41 South Farmers Market, 2505 S. Main Street, Tifton, Georgia. The Rally’s purpose is to provide students with the supplies they need to begin the school year. Mims Kids’ mission is to assist each student in reaching his/her fullest potential. In addition to school supplies, clothing items and shoes will be made available to students.

For more information, please contact M.Jay Hall, Executive Director, (229) 392-2071

CITY'S PROPERTY REVALUATION MEETING WAS ATTEMPT TO 'PROVIDE INFO'

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

During Tifton City Council's workshop Monday, Mayor Julie B. Smith reiterated that the city hosted last Saturday's meeting on property assessments "to provide information to the entire community."

She apologized to those folks who were unable to get into the meeting at the Tift Regional Community Events Center when the inside capacity was reached.

"We really did try to explore every option" for a meeting place, Smith said. She said several venues and local churches either had other events going on or their audio-visual staffs were unavailable to handle the projected images for the meeting.

The mayor said the meeting has been well-documented and is available online, and there is no need for another community information meeting on the issue.

"It won't matter if have a hundred meetings; the answers won't change," Smith said.

She added that after the meeting, she reached out to county officials and was told they had contacted the Georgia Department of Revenue to see if there are any avenues for the county to delay or get relief from the state's guidelines.

"Essentially, they were told this is the law," Smith said. "there's not going to be a quick fix for 2024 for Tift County; we're going to have to go through the process."

Smith also noted that there has "been a lot of negativity surrounding (Saturday's) meeting, and that's very frustrating."

The mayor said that "we are one Tifton," and encouraged everyone to focus on the positives in the community.

$10,000 REWARD IN TIFT ARSON FIRE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A $10,000 reward is being offered in connection with a Tift County arson, state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced Thursday.

At approximately 5:45 p.m. July 11, investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to a structure fire in the 4000 block of Emerson O’Bynes Avenue in Tifton. The structure was under construction and was unoccupied at the time.

Following a thorough investigation, the incident has been classified as incendiary, authorities said.

“Investigators from our office and Tift County Fire Rescue are actively pursuing several leads related to the structure fire,” said Commissioner King. “I am asking anyone with information to call the 24/7 Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. A reward of up to $10,000 is available for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for arson. Callers may remain anonymous.”

The state fire commissioner's office is working closely with Tift County Fire Rescue and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

TIFT COUNTY REC 12U MAJOR ALL-STAR BASEBALL WINS GRPA STATE TITLE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

For the first time in more than 20 years, a Tift County Recreation baseball team has won a state championship.

The Rec Department's 12U Major Baseball All-Star Team recently clinched the Georgia Recreation and Park Association's state baseball title.

The team showcased its dominance by triumphing in the district tournament and maintaining an undefeated record throughout the state tourney, which was held in Gainesville at the end of June.

"This triumph not only highlights the dedication and skill of our young athletes but also underscores the commitment to excellence fostered within the Tift County Recreation Department. Congratulations to the players, coaches, and all who supported this remarkable achievement," said Tift County Recreation Director Tim Petrea.

Tift's championship team was led by Head Coach John White and assistant coaches Brad Hall, BJ Southers, and Wes Ehlers.

The team consisted of players Tony Battle, Julian Bryant, Eli Callison, John Michael Cavenaugh, J. Keegan Ehlers, Matthew Fowler, Hogan Gordon, Bowman Hall, Jackson Howell, Bo NeSmith, Sam Passmore, Charles Sheppard, Bearett Southers, Daniel Vonier, and Jaxson White.

ABAC NAMES INTERIM COACH OF CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Taelor Hill has been named as the interim coach of the cross country teams at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The announcement was made by ABAC Athletic Director Charles Wimberly.

“Taelor’s energy and enthusiasm are evident in everything that she does,” Wimberly said. “She is an outstanding person, and she has consistently demonstrated her leadership abilities in many areas. I’m confident that she’ll continue the momentum our cross country program has as we begin competition in the Southern States Athletic Conference and NAIA competition.”

Hill currently serves as the athletic program’s eligibility and compliance coordinator and is also ABAC’s senior women leader representative for the NAIA.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Hill said. “We have a great mix of returning student-athletes as well as new runners entering the program. It’s an exciting time for all our programs, and I can’t wait to get started.”

ABAC’s cross country programs began in fall 2022 and will enter their third season of competition this fall. Former coach Mike Beeman retired earlier this year, and Hill said she is grateful for the foundation he built.

“Coach Beeman did a fantastic job getting our programs competitive so quickly,” Hill said. “I am committed to continuing that success. Tifton has a huge running community and that will continue to be an asset for our programs.”

Hill is a graduate of ABAC’s Stafford School of Business and competed in cross country as well as track and field in high school, as well as soccer, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics.

FITZGERALD-BEN HILL COUNTY 'CREATIVE PLACEMAKING' PROJECT CONTINUES WITH COMMUNITY ART

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County are continuing their "creative placemaking" efforts first begun years ago as an economic development and tourism team initiative.

Creative Placemaking “Amped Up” is a project to improve the appeal of the community and quality of life through community art. The latest phase has been partially funded through a Ga. Council for the Arts Vibrant Communities Grant awarded to the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council.

"Community arts experiences" have been continuing throughout Fitzgerald. They include the painting of dumpsters, fire hydrants, exterior pipes on buildings, and reviving two of the existing murals in town.

"We are excited to watch this continue as more people and organizations get involved as we make more and more places in our town creative," said the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Arts Council. 

THREE JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AUTO

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton Police on Wednesday arrested three 13-year-old males attempting to enter an automobile.

At approximately 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, Tifton Police were made aware of three male juveniles attempting to enter an automobile in the Newton Drive area. Officers located three male juveniles in the area of 12th Street and Ferrylake Road and charged them each with criminal attempt to commit entering an automobile.

Police thanked the community for calling and alerting them to the activity in that neighborhood. If anybody has any video footage or information, they are asked to contact the Tifton Police Department at 229-382-3132 or use the Tip411 app.

TIFTON THIRD-GRADER HAD UNDEFEATED WRESTLING SEASON IN GEORGIA, FLORIDA

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Jackson Reynolds of Tifton, an upcoming fourth-grader at G.O. Bailey Elementary School, had an undefeated year as a wrestler.

While starting as an eight-year-old third-grader on the Tift County Middle School Wrestling team, Jackson wrestled at the lightest weight for the team at 65 pounds. Throughout the season he stayed undefeated with a middle school record of 13-0.

He was part of the state champion middle school wrestling team under Coach Rayder Schemmel.

After completing the middle school season, Jackson went on to wrestle across Georgia and Florida, wrestling in many Georgia (USA) tournaments and Georgia and Florida AAU tournaments. He finished as the 8U 65-pound USA state champion, and six days later became the Georgia AAU 8U 65-pound state champion as well.

He ended the overall competition year with a 69-0 record. Jackson said he owes all the credit to Coach Schemmel, who has been his coach since Jackson was five years old.

Jackson is the son of Tifton Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds and LeighAnn Reynolds.

ANTHONY G. BATEMAN CENTER

HOSTS BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

About 200 children and their parents from the neighborhood and beyond had a blast at the Back-to-School Bash on Thursday at the Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center.

Organized by Dr. Tonja Tift, executive director of the Bateman Center, the event featured a water slide, a fire truck, a bounce house, and hotdogs and popsicles.

Kids were hula-hooping, throwing discs, kicking soccer balls, and choosing free books at a variety of reading levels from a table hosted by Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County. The Bateman provides after-school care during the school year, conducted by the Tiftarea YMCA, and Literacy Volunteer tutors provide free English language classes at the Bateman on Saturdays.

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Statewide influenza data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of week ending July 6:

Since Seasonal Tracking Beginning Oct. 23, 2023:

TOTAL INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS: 199 ............................................... LATEST WEEK: 0

TOTAL METRO AREA HOSPITALIZATIONS: 4,415 ..............................LATEST WEEK: 2

TOTAL INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED DEATHS: 59 ................................. LATEST WEEK: 0

In Georgia, influenza is not a reportable condition, with the exception of influenza-associated deaths and outbreaks.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

Sunday, July 21, is National Ice Cream Day, celebrating one of the world's favorite desserts. It’s been said that ice cream-like food was first consumed in China between 618-97 A.D. The first mention of ice cream in the United States is found in a letter written in Maryland in 1744 by a guest of Gov. William Bladen. Then, the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777, printed the first advertisement for ice cream in the United States. Following the American Revolution, ice cream became very popular in the United States. Thomas Jefferson, perhaps America's first "foodie," brought home a recipe for vanilla ice cream from France and was known to serve it several times a week during summer months.

FRIDAY, JULY 19

• Jeopardy: Tifton Edition, local trivia, 10 a.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
• "Poke' Ball," come dressed as a Poke'mon character; games & prizes, 5-7 p.m., Tifton-Tift County Public Library, Tifton
• Gospel Music Concert with Debra Snipes & the Angels, bring your lawn chairs, 7-9 p.m., The Depot, Downtown Sylvester

SATURDAY, JULY 20

• Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Christmas in July, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., on the Lawn, 5th Street and Parrish Avenue, Adel
• Golf Cart Parade, 10 a.m., The Depot, Adel
• Mims Kids Stay in School Rally, noon, 41 South Farmers Market, 2505 S. Main St., Tifton

YOUR YARD SALE

HERE!

TO ADVERTISE YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE, CONTACT US at 

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Fitz" is young and energetic, and is a dog that loves to play. He's also affectionate and would be a great addition to your home. Come meet Fitz 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).