4 Flu Deaths in S.Ga.

FEB. 6, 2018

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

4 DIE FROM FLU

IN SOUTH GA.

51 FLU DEATHS AROUND STATE, OFFICIALS SAY

The Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed that there have been four flu deaths in South Georgia this season, and 51 flu deaths across the state.

Three of the deaths are in the South Health District, which encompasses Tift, Turner, Irwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier and Lowndes counties. The other South Georgia death is in Lee County, which is in the Southwest Health District of the state.

The DPH did not specify where the flu-related deaths occurred in the South Health

District. Of the 51 state deaths: one involves a child; seven are between the ages of 18 and 51; seven deaths are people between the ages of 51 and 64; and there are 36 deaths of Georgians over the age of 65, officials say.

The H3N2 strain of influenza seen this year can be particularly hard on the very young, people over age 65, or those with existing medical conditions, said Kenneth Lowery, health district epidemiologist. Symptoms vary from person to person and can include cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. One of the most pronounced flu symptoms is an overall feeling of achiness and discomfort that comes on quickly.

"The most effective way to prevent the flu is getting your flu vaccine each year," said Dr. William Grow, district health director. "It's not too late to get your flu vaccine at any of our health departments, local pharmacies or doctors' offices."

The DPH also recommends the following:

Frequent and thorough hand washing will help guard against the flu. Alcohol-based gels are the next best thing if there is no access to soap and water. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing to help prevent the spread of the flu. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of the elbow or arm. Avoid touching your face as flu germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes. If you are sick, stay home from school or work. Flu sufferers should be free of a fever without the use of a fever reducer for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school.

LOCAL PHONE SCAM REPORTED

USING PREPAID MONEY CARDS

The Tift County Sheriff's Office has received several recent complaints about scam artists impersonating law enforcement officers, the Sheriff's Office reports.

The bogus officer is telling local residents that they were a witness to an accident in 2017


SCARBROUGH

and failed to appear in court, and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The scam artist then tells them to get a green dot card or similar prepaid money card for several hundred dollars and to call them back with the numbers from the card.

The Tift County Sheriff's Office does not solicit money over the phone and does not call anyone before serving a warrant. The office advises residents to hang up if they receive such calls and to call 911.

Sheriff Gene Scarbrough also warns about a scam involving pop-up messages on computers that claim there are computer problems, and a tech support person offers to help.

"This scam is in Tift County and has scammed a resident out of $4,999 charges to his credit card for checking malware on his computer," the sheriff says. "The original charge was $3889.99, and when he called his credit card company ... they had charged the $4999.
The company name is 'TECHSECUR.'"

At Tuesday's ceremony are, from left, state Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville; Tifton Mayor Julie Smith; DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn; Tifton City Manager Pete Pyrzenski; and state Rep. Clay Pirkle, R-Ashburn.

TIFTON GETS STATE RECOGNITION

FOR SUCCESSFUL PLANNING

The City of Tifton was honored today (Tuesday) for being one of nine communities statewide recognized for successful planning.

In a ceremony in Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) presented Tifton Mayor Julie Smith with the statewide distinction in the PlanFirst program, which recognizes excellence in community planning.

The commendation is given to communities with a proven track record of strong development and implementation of their comprehensive plan.

"Good planning sets the stage for economic growth," said DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn. "PlanFirst communities should serve as role models for cities and counties around the state -- showing strategic and bold vision for the future, and how to turn this vision into a solid, practical plan."

The designation is for three years and enables the communities to take advantage of various incentives that include public recognition, the eligibility to apply for certain state grants and reduced rates in specified state loan programs.

In addition to Tifton, also named PlanFirst communities were Crawford County and the cities of Adel, Byron, Forsyth, Griffin, Jesup, Perry and Thomasville.

SORORITY OBSERVES 'IMPACT DAY'

The Sigma Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held its "Impact Day" recently emphasizing "family strengthening." The event targets critical issues facing many families, such as a lack of food, shelter and financial means.

The initiative also targets childhood hunger by launching partnerships with local agencies, food banks and community pantries. Sigma Alpha Omega also provided healthy snacks to school-age children.

Chapter President Dr. Tonja Tift presented a check for $150 to the Tiftarea Community Food Bank. April Holmes serves as committee chairman, and Carletha Parson as co-chairman.

Pictured are members of the food bank and the sorority as Tift presents the check.

PECAN GROWERS TO MEET IN TIFTON

The Georgia Pecan Growers Association will hold its 53rd Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show on March 26-28, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

The event had record attendance in 2017. The schedule this year includes D r. Lenny Wells' orchard tour at the UGA Ponder Farm in Ty Ty, an annual golf tournament, an awards luncheon and numerous booths spotlighting the latest products and equipment available to pecan growers.

The Georgia Pecan Growers Association is headquartered on Second Street in Downtown Tifton. For information, call 229-382-2187.

TIFTON RAPPER GETTING NOTICED

A Tifton rapper is getting recognition for his music and has just released his third single.

Bernard Jabs released "Together Forever" on Friday, which is generating buzz on some music web sites.


BERNARD JABS

Pigeons and Planes, a music discovery site, noted on its Facebook page: "Keep an eye on Bernard Jabs. This kid is good."

About Jabs' latest release, the Pigeons and Planes web site said "Bernard comes with a subtly catchy hook that sticks after just a couple of listens and mixes melodic moments into his quickfire rapped verses."

And web site HotNewHipHop.com advised: "Don't sleep on up-and-comer Bernard Jabs. The young rapper from Tifton, Georgia, is slowly making the rounds as he edges closer to finding his artistic voice.

"Undoubtedly a talent, Bernard Jabs is already showing potential to be a force in the industry one day, although he definitely has a long road ahead of him."

And this from the web site fashionably-early.com: " Bernard Jabs is one of our favorite up and comers for good reason, and the masses are starting to pick up on it. ... This man's just beginning, so please catch on."

POSITION NOW AVAILABLE!

Pianist

Tifton First United

Methodist Church

107 W 12th St., Tifton, Ga.

Tifton First United Methodist Church has an opening for a church pianist.

This is a part-time position.

The pianist is responsible for preparing for and practicing with

the chancel choir, orchestra and ensemble on Wednesday evenings

for about two hours and for playing at Sunday traditional services

at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., as well as at special services.

Interested persons should contact Angie Carr at musicdirector@tiftonfumc.org or call

229-382-6100

ABAC CONTRACTOR SODEXO

GETS GLOBAL SAFETY AWARD

T he Sodexo unit at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently received the Global Safety Award for Contract Site Performance in Paris, France.

Dan Miller, the ABAC general manager for Sodexo, traveled to Paris to receive the award along with ABAC Sodexo employees Margie Dove and Tomira Tucker.

"We have a great employee family that is dedicated to looking for new ways to improve


	In Paris for the award presentation are, from left, Dan Miller, ABAC Sodexo general manager; Margie Dove, ABAC unit clerk and safety director; Tomira Tucker, ABAC painter and safety committee leader; and Sodexo CEO Denis Machuel.

campus safety," Miller said. "This award wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of our staff."

ABAC's Sodexo unit is comprised of three departments: Maintenance, Grounds, and Environmental Services. To make certain that safety remains a priority on the ABAC campus, the unit meets once a month to review concerns and recommendations.

"It is a huge accomplishment that we were the only ones from North America nominated to go," Dove said. "Sixty percent of Sodexo's business takes place in the United States. Winning this award places ABAC's name out there on a global scale."

At the time of the trip, ABAC Sodexo employees had compiled 939 accident-free days.

Sodexo is a France-based food services and facilities management company that provides contract services to ABAC.