Friday, September 11, 2026

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

To Subscribe, Click Here

FIRED TIFT SUPERINTENDENT CLAIMS BOE RETALIATION

BOE SAYS IT LOST CONFIDENCE THAT NATALIE GORE WOULD ACT WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Board of Education (BOE) fired Superintendent Natalie A. Gore "in retaliation against me for exercising my rights, opposing unlawful activity, and protecting myself," she claims in her formal written response to the BOE.

Gore released her written response Thursday to the Tifton Grapevine. She had presented it to the board on Sept. 2 during a closed hearing before they voted to terminate her contract.

When asked if she plans legal action relating to her dismissal, Gore told the Grapevine on Thursday that "I have had an attorney engaged with me since April. I will withhold comment in regard to any next steps to be taken."

She confirmed that because the BOE said it dismissed her for cause, she is not being paid anything additional beyond the days she has already worked.

In her written response to the board, Gore alleged that the BOE had not acted "in good faith" during her dismissal process. "I fully understand that you have already made your decision, irrespective of any facts that I provide you, and that your decision has been made based on pretext designed to damage me, my financial future, and my reputation," she said.

Gore also said she was denied to have a lawyer present during her hearing, which she said violated the law, and that the hearing behind closed doors violated the state's Open Meetings Act.

She denied each point the BOE made in its written Notice of Dismissal and Termination of Contract presented to her on Aug. 27 and signed by BOE Chairman Jonathan Jones, when she was placed on administrative leave.

In its notice of termination, the BOE said Gore was being dismissed "for cause for conduct that is seriously prejudicial to the (school) system." She was cited for insubordination, incompetence, immorality, and "other good or sufficient cause."

The charges stem from a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issue that Gore had cited to the Board of Education. She had noted that two FMLA matters were handled differently and inconsistently by the school system and the BOE, which she said opens the system to possible legal exposure.

Regarding insubordination, the BOE said Gore offered a legal opinion to the board and evaded and misrepresented whether she had discussed the matter with the board's attorney.

Regarding the charge of incompetence, the BOE said Gore gave the board a legal opinion and advice without consulting the board's attorney. "Providing legal advice when you are neither an attorney nor have you consulted the board's attorney on such matters constitutes incompetence," the BOE notice states.

Regarding the immorality charge, the BOE said Gore failed to respond with complete honesty about her "legal opinion" and its origin, diminishing her ability to function professionally.

About "other good or sufficient cause," the BOE said Gore gave a legal opinion and advice to the board while she had filed an EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) claim against the school system about her own request for FMLA leave. The BOE said she misrepresented her own "self-serving recommendations" while representing them as advice from the board's attorney.

"The board has lost confidence that you will perform your duties with honesty and integrity and in the best interests of the district," the BOE wrote.

Apparently, a case involving Gore was one of the two FMLA cases she had cited that was handled inconsistently. It appears she had been informed that restoration to her position would be denied upon return from leave, which wasn't the case in the other FMLA matter.

In her written response to the board, she stated that she had withdrawn "my request for FMLA leave prior to documenting the needs and recommending next steps" to make the school system's processes consistent.

"In sum, this termination notice is full of mischaracterizations, misstatements, and outright falsehoods," Gore said.

TIFTON REMEMBERS:

9/11, 25 YEARS LATER

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Twenty-five years ago today, hijacked passenger planes took down the World Trade Center’s twin towers, a third plane slammed into one side of the Pentagon, and a fourth plane cut a swath into the earth in Shanksville, Pa., as heroes on board thwarted those hijackers’ plans.

Suddenly, the world changed. 

It was the worst terrorist attack on American soil. Everyone remembers where they were when they learned what was happening. People in Tifton came together as friends and neighbors and hugged and supported each other in grocery stores, on soccer fields, and in other public places.

Each year since 2002, the citizens of Tifton pay tribute to the firefighters and other first responders, and remember the fallen by gathering at the Tifton Fire Station on Forrest Avenue. This year, as in the past, The Exchange Club of Tifton hosts the event, which begins at 10 a.m. today.

Guest speaker at today’s event will be Jonathan Mayberry, a Tifton native and Army veteran who was injured during two deployments fighting in Iraq. He is an advocate for veterans overcoming PTSD through his work with the nonprofit Boulder Crest Foundation.

Tift County 4-H’ers and their families joined the Exchange Club this week to plant flags in honor and remembrance of the lives lost and the heroes who served on Sept. 11, 2001. There are 2,977 flags flying in the wind at the Tifton Fire Department from now through Saturday in recognition and memory of the 2,977 people killed in the attacks on the United States. The victims ranged in age from 2 to 85 years old.

Also, a replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be on display at the main entrance of Tifton Mall, Virginia Avenue, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. today.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to American service members who died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., just outside Washington, D.C. This half-sized replica is owned and managed by the Exchange Club of Rome.

TIFT, BERRIEN, BEN HILL RECEIVE FEDERAL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tift, Berrien, and Ben Hill counties are among 42 communities receiving more than $40.9 million in federal grants for infrastructure improvements.

Tift County is receiving $1 million in funds from Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for street and drainage improvements in the Brunswick Avenue area.

The project will benefit 58 people, of whom 55, or 94.83%, have low-to-moderate income, the state reported. The total project cost is $3,589,342 with $2,589,342 in match, leverage, and in-kind donations.

Berrien County proposes to use $624,179 in CDBG funds for street and drainage improvements on Heather Lane. The project will benefit 26 people, 20 of whom (76.92%), are low-to-moderate income. The total project cost is $735,179, with $111,000 in match and leverage, the state said.

Ben Hill County is receiving $1 million in CDBG funds for street and drainage improvements in the Eastside Church Road target area. The project will benefit 125 people, of whom 108 (86.4%) are low-to-moderate income.

The total project cost is $1,169,426, with $169,426 in match and leverage.

The City of Nashville is also receiving $1 million in CDBG funds for water and sewer improvements along several streets in the northeastern portion of the city, benefitting 145 people. The state said 142, or 97.93%, of them fall into the low-to-moderate income range.

That total project cost is $1,375,991, with $375,991, in match, leverage, and in-kind donations.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates these funds annually to Georgia’s CDBG program, which is administered by the state Department of Community Affairs.

Georgia’s CDBG program is available to non-entitlement local governments and specifically targets rural communities.

FORMER TIFT SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

DAN MCINTYRE DIES AT 81

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Former Tift County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan McIntyre, 81, died Tuesday in Vero Beach, Fla., after a brief illness.

McIntyre served as superintendent for Tift County Schools from 1994-2001. He spent four decades in education, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, and superintendent of schools across Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia.

Those who worked with him cited his commitment to students and staff, and said he worked to enhance educational systems while advocating fiscal responsibility.

Daniel Lee McIntyre was born July 12, 1945, in Ocala, Fla., and leaves his wife Phyllis and daughter Katie Gingrich and her husband Chris.

McIntyre graduated from Thomson High School in 1963 and attended the University of Georgia. He later obtained his bachelor's degree in education and history from Augusta College in 1969. He began his career teaching and coaching in Georgia and North Carolina. In 1974, he earned his master's degree in educational leadership from Western Carolina University, followed by a doctorate in educational administration in 1985 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

He served as both deacon and elder in his Presbyterian church, was a member of the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, served on various community boards, and had coached Little League.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 26, at Brooksville Cemetery, 1275 Olmes Road, Brooksville, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., or to Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, N.C.

These young Tiftarea Academy students get into the swing of 'Decade Day.'

FAR OUT!

TIFTAREA ACADEMY CELEBRATES

'DECADE DAY' DURING HOMECOMING WEEK

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tiftarea Academy has a tradition of dressing up for different themes during Homecoming Week.

For today's Homecoming football game vs. Valwood, Tiftarea Academy students and staff have had fun showing their spirit all week.

Tuesday was "Neon Day," with bright, glowing attire; Wednesday was "Tourist vs. Safari Day," with students dressing as tourists or as if they were heading on a safari; and Thursday was "Decade Day," with students and staff dressing to represent different decades.

Right on and Far Out!

LEADERSHIP GEORGIA

TO VISIT TIFTON

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Members of the Leadership Georgia class will visit Tifton next week, Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19.

About 100 members of the organization will unload three buses at City Hall at 3:45 p.m. Thursday and tour the downtown area from 4-6 p.m. They will receive a passport with places to visit as part of the only free time they will have during their time in Tifton, according to Main Street Director Abbey McLaren.

There will be photo opportunities along Main Street, and the group will convene at Paulk Vineyards Tasting Room at 6 p.m. 

“These are good people to have in your store,” she told members of the Tifton Merchants Association at its monthly meeting Sept. 2.

McLaren said she will be putting together 100 bags containing marketing flyers and sample items from TMA members to give the visitors from across the state.

Leadership Georgia is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful leadership training programs for young business, civic, and community leaders that have the desire and potential to work together for a better Georgia.

“The purpose of Leadership Georgia is to prepare strong and effective leaders for the future development of this state. Those who participate are young people coming from every nook and cranny of Georgia … the small town, the open country, the big city,” according to founder J.W. Fanning.

Tifton is one of only five locations that members of the leadership class will visit during the 2026 year. The other communities are Brasstown Valley, Dublin, Athens, and Atlanta.

Tift County Commissioner Tyler Riddle is representing Tifton as part of this year's Leadership Georgia class.

TIFTON CITY COUNCIL SETS SPECIAL MEETING

TO SET FINAL MILLAGE RATE FOR 2026

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton City Council has scheduled a special called meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at Tifton City Hall.

The purpose of the meeting is to approve the final tax digest and set the city’s final millage rate for 2026.

There is no other action on the agenda.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Hill on Wheels Land Clearing

Mobile business, Tifton

Sept. 10

REACH THOUSANDS OF FOLKS IN THE TIFTAREA ~ 

ADVERTISE IN THE TIFTON GRAPEVINE!

Call Us at 478-227-7126

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com

Your Locally Owned Digital Newspaper!

e-published late every Tuesday night & early every Friday morning

To Subscribe, CLICK HERE!

Our MidWeek Edition includes 'This Week in Tifton History'

Our Weekender Edition includes Recent Local Deaths

Please Support Our Advertisers: 

They Allow You to Receive the Tifton Grapevine Free of Charge

www.tiftongrapevine.com

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER

TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day – National Day of Service and Remembrance, observed every Sept. 11. The day invokes a solemn remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 2001 terror attacks and honors victims, survivors, and the brave first responders who exemplified heroism – 343 New York City firefighters died that day. Twenty-five years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers flew two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, and another plane into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.. A fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after the plane's passengers fought the hijackers. That plane was believed to be headed for the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

Born on September 11: Johann Pachelbel, composer, 1653-1706; Carl Zeiss, scientist & lens crafter, 1816-1888; William Sydney Porter (O. Henry), writer, 1862-1910; D.H. Lawrence, writer, 1885-1930; Paul "Bear" Bryant, Alabama football coach, 1913-1983; Ferdinand Marcos, Philippines president, 1917-1989; Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys football coach, 1924-2000; Earl Holliman, actor, 1928-2024; Reubin Askew, Florida governor, 1928-2014; David S. Broder, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, 1929-2011; Brian DePalma, film director, 1940–; Jack Ely, singer-guitarist with The Kingsmen, 1943-2015; Mickey Hart, drummer with the Grateful Dead, 1943–; Leo Kottke, guitarist, 1945–; Tommy Shaw, singer-guitarist with Styx, 1953–; Kristy McNichol, actress, 1962–; Harry Connick Jr., singer, 1967–; Ludacris (Christopher Bridges), singer-musician, 1977–.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11

• Patriot Day Ceremony, Jonathan Mayberry, guest speaker; sponsored by the Exchange Club of Tifton, 10 a.m., Tifton Fire Department, 403 Forrest Ave., Tifton

• Glassblowing Class, hosted by Tifton Council for the Arts, 4 p.m., Main Street Arts Studio, 910 Main St. S., Tifton

• Tift County High Blue Devils football @ Crisp County High Cougars, 7:30 p.m., Cordele

• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football vs. Valwood Valiants, 7:30 p.m., Panther Pit, Chula

• Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricane football @ Dodge County High Indians, 7:30 p.m., Eastman

• Irwin County High Indians football @ Turner County High Titans, 7:30 p.m., Ashburn

• Worth County High Rams football @ Thomasville High Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m., Thomasville

• Cook County High Hornets football vs. West Laurens High Raiders, 7:30 p.m., Adel

SATURDAY, SEPT. 12

• Community Garden Volunteering, hosted by Keep Tift Beautiful, 9:30-11 a.m., 1413 Central Ave. S., Tifton

• Glassblowing Class, hosted by Tifton Council for the Arts, Noon, 4 p.m., Main Street Arts Studio, 910 Main St. S., Tifton

• Miss Georgia Sweet Potato Pageant, 2 p.m., Irwin County High School, Ocilla

• Democratic Candidate Forum, hosted by Tift County Democratic Party & the Democratic Party of Georgia, 2 p.m., Georgia Museum of Agriculture Conference Center, Whiddon Mill Road, Tifton

• Miss Fiesta del Pueblo 2026, 6 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tifton

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

While the Tifton Grapevine news may be free, journalism is not. If you enjoy reading the Grapevine, please consider donating to keep local journalism alive. Any amount is appreciated. 

Just click HERE!

Thank you very much. Everyone who contributes to the Tifton Grapevine will be entered in a monthly drawing for a Grapevine coffee mug.

WALTER EUGENE 'GENE' WOOD

Mr. Walter Eugene "Gene" Wood, 76, of Sylvester, died Monday, September 7, 2026, at his residence.

Mr. Wood was cremated, and a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the family residence.

Mr. Wood was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 28, 1950, to the late John Allen and Lucille Casey Wood. He was a 1972 graduate of Georgia Tech and was a Mechanical Engineer and Inventor. Mr. Wood was a professional engineer in 48 states. He never stopped studying and learning his trade. Mr. Wood was an avid Georgia Tech Fan.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Margie McClellan Wood; brother, David M. Wood of Fayetteville, Ga., and a host of extended family. 

Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com

Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK

"Possum" has plenty of personality. She’s the kind of girl who looks like she could make you laugh without trying and somehow convince you she deserves the best seat on the couch. She’s ready for a family of her own and a place where she can settle in and be spoiled. Come meet Possum 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).

Subscribe to the 

Tifton Grapevine

Use the QR code at left

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com | 478-227-7126 | tiftongrapevine.com

A Service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC, Tifton, Georgia

See what's happening on our Facebook site: