Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026

Tifton, Georgia

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TIFTON COUNCIL SAYS NO TO OPEN-CONTAINER ALCOHOL IN DOWNTOWN

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton City Council on Monday voted unanimously against a proposal creating a downtown "entertainment district" where alcohol could be purchased in approved cups from restaurants and bars and carried within the designated district.

"I don't think we're ready for it," said Mayor Julie B. Smith.

The vote came after Karla Hargett, president of the Tifton Merchants Association, spoke in support of the entertainment district, and another downtown business owner, Bruce Green, who was Tifton's first Main Street director, gave an impassioned plea in support.

Green said creating an "experience" is important to growth and bringing people to downtown, and called it a "layered experience" to allow folks to sip a drink while shopping and walking in downtown Tifton.

"It's exciting that we have an opportunity to consider this," Green said.

Several Georgia cities, including Thomasville, have such designated entertainment districts.

Mayor Smith said "the experience of downtown" is "something we need to protect, and we need to treasure," and noted that "we are on an excellent trajectory" downtown. "There are many good things going on, and they're going on in spite of the fact that we don't have this ordinance in place now."

Smith said that Tifton is not ready to create such an entertainment district, "not to say it couldn't be in the future." She noted that the city currently allows such alcohol sales and consumption downtown during designated "Sip & Stroll" and festival events, but there is a process for providing police security and for clean up associated with those events.

She said she and many residents have concerns about allowing "sip and stroll" throughout the week, especially without added security and an additional cleanup plan.

Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. said his concerns with creating the district is with "teenagers being able to get hold of alcohol. That scares me a little bit," along with "issues that the police may have to deal with."

Councilman Josh Reynolds said that City Council supports downtown and the vote is "not personal toward any business." He has heard many concerns from residents and said, "it's just not the right time."

Councilman M. Jay Hall agreed: "We want downtown to grow and thrive. Tell the merchants not to beat us up too bad." The city needs to "go back to the drawing board and study it a little more to make it fit for Tifton," Hall said.

The mayor added that council's vote is not "anti downtown" but there are "valid points we need to work through," establishing "parameters that might be more manageable."

YES, SUMMER IS OVER, BUT IT'S STILL WARM

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Summer's officially over.

Fall crept in at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday with the autumnal equinox when the sun’s center aligns with Earth’s equatorial plane. Astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere does not result in exactly equal day and night lengths.

The line separating day and night, called the terminator, is straight north‑south on both the fall and spring equinoxes.

Meteorologists define “meteorological fall” as the three‑month period September‑November, based on average temperature patterns, rather than the astronomical date.

Of course, high temperatures will remain in the 80s for awhile in the Tiftarea, but we can expect lows in the lower 60s – near the 50s – by this weekend, so cooler weather is just ahead.

TIFT BOE ADOPTS REDUCED MILLAGE RATE FOR 2026

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

During its recent September meeting, the Tift County Board of Education adopted a millage rate of 11.777 mills for 2026, a reduction of 0.498 mills from the 2025 rate of 12.275 mills.

The millage rate is used to calculate the portion of local property taxes that supports the school district. Individual tax bills may vary based on changes in assessed property values and applicable exemptions.

“Adopting the rollback rate reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the community,” said Interim Superintendent Jennifer Howell. “We remain focused on supporting our students, staff, and schools while carefully managing the financial needs of the district.”

The district’s millage rate has declined by 5.155 mills since 2020, the school district said.

Rates for the past several years were:

“The board’s adoption of the rollback rate is the result of careful financial planning and a continued focus on balancing the district’s operational responsibilities with the impact on local taxpayers,” said Klinton Guess, deputy superintendent for business and operations.

“We will continue monitoring revenues and expenditures closely to ensure the district remains financially stable while providing the resources necessary to serve our students effectively,” Guess said.

In a press release, Tift County Schools said it remains committed to "transparency, sound financial management, and making decisions that support its mission to collaborate, learn, and achieve."

IT'S FIESTA TIME AGAIN!

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The 28th annual La Fiesta del Pueblo, South Georgia’s largest Hispanic festival, is scheduled for 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Fulwood Park in Tifton.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with a parade of flags of the Hispanic countries, beginning at 12th Street and crossing the park to 8th Street. Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith will conduct the opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the Truist Southside stage, and the National Anthem will be performed by Giannella Carrera.

All children’s rides are free from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and food trucks and local churches provide food and flavors all day. At 11 a.m., Miss Fiesta will be introduced on the Coca-Cola Stage, centrally located in the park, and the scholarship recipient will be announced.

Entertainment during the day will include Music Solutions at noon, the ABAC Jazz Band at 1 p.m., Cultura Latina Dancers at 1:15 and 2:30 p.m., Noelio Cobon at 2:15 p.m., Cultura Latina dancers at 2:30 p.m., Mariachi Los Arrieros at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and the Marca Distinta band at 3:30 p.m.

Karaoke will be conducted at 5 p.m., and the street dance begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. with Los Compas de Nuevo Leon. 

Dina Willis, one of the festival’s co-founders, explains how the festival began in Omega in 1998 as an event with a Girl Scout troop, hosted by Luz Marti and Willis. As it grew, it moved to downtown Tifton on First Street, and in 2009, it relocated to Fulwood Park. Up to 15,000 people have attended the festival in the past. Willis said people came from counties around Georgia and Florida and even other states farther north.

The event includes a Young Artists Exhibit at the Syd Blackmarr Arts Center on Love Avenue on display from 12-6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

'VEGAS' RETURNS TO TIFTON WITH 'CASINO NIGHT'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

"Vegas" returns to Tifton on Thursday as the Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation holds "Casino Night" to benefit the local library.

The event from 7-10 p.m. Sept. 24 at Tifton's Hilton Garden Inn will have all your favorite casino games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps.

There will be prizes, hors d'oevres, music, drinks, and fun, organizers say.

This fundraiser allows the Library Foundation to support programs, materials, and events at the Tifton-Tift County Public Library.

To get your tickets, call Chairman Becky Smith at 229-402-9391 or email ttcplibraryfoundation@gmail.com

TIFT COUNTY CHOIRS

SET FALL CONCERT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The Tift County Choirs Fall Concert next week features talented students from Tift County High School, Eighth Street Middle School, and Northeast Middle School.

The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Tift County High School Performing Arts Center. Cashless admission is $7.

The full evening of music supports Tifton's student performers.

Clear bags are required, and guests will pass through weapons detection upon entry.

TWO-VEHICLE WRECK RESULTS IN MAN'S DEATH IN THOMAS COUNTY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A driver who apparently failed to stop at an intersection died Monday morning in Thomas County, according to the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. 

The two-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Cairo Road. Authorities did not identify the driver who died but said he was a man in his 40s. The condition of the other driver was not immediately released.

ASHBURN PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT

RECOGNIZED FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY EFFORTS

At the Middle Georgia Traffic Enforcement Network recent annual awards meeting, the Ashburn Department of Public Safety was honored with the Operation Southern Slow Down Award and the Click It or Ticket Award.

The Ashburn department said the collective efforts and dedication of its traffic unit and officers contributed to the accomplishments.

"We would like to thank our traffic unit and all of our officers for their continued commitment to traffic safety, responsible enforcement, and protecting everyone who travels through our community," the department said.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Agrirama," with those oversized ears, little white socks, and the sweetest face, is definitely a cutie. Named after one of Tifton's favorite places, this little guy is hoping his next stop is a forever home. Come meet Agrirama at the Tift County Animal Shelter and visit other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON TOUCHDOWN CLUB ORGANIZED

~ SEPT. 23, 1954

Tifton football supporters gathered on Sept. 23, 1954, and organized the Tifton Touchdown Club. John H. Fletcher was selected as president; J. Roger Morris, vice president; James H. Gatewood, program chairman; and Dillard Hand and C.D. Moore as directors. The new club decided to host a free barbecue at the Country Club for prospective members, football players, and their fathers.

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