Friday, May 17, 2019 Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

At the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon Thursday are, from left, state Reps. Clay Pirkle and Penny Houston, state Sen. Greg Kirk and Tift Chamber Chairman Darian Peavy.

GA MAKES EDUCATION A PRIORITY, LAWMAKERS SAY

By BONNIE SAYLES and FRANK SAYLES JR. Tifton Grapevine State government has made kindergarten-12th grade education funding a priority , increasing it 43 percent over 2014 levels, the local legislative delegation told the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday . " Seventy percent of all new revenue is going to education ," Rep. Clay Pirkle , R-Ashburn, told Chamber members. Pirkle was joined by Rep. Penny Houston , R-Nashville; and Sen. Greg Kirk , R-Americus, who all represent parts of Tift County . Rep. Sam Watson , R-Moultrie, who also represents a part of Tift , was absent . The lawmakers noted that the state budget includes a $3,000 pay raise for public school teachers and fully funds the Quality Basic Education program, or QBE . Each school system is also getting $30,000 for school safety initiatives , Houston said. Kirk said this was his fifth year in the Senate , and "there was more significant legislation in this one year than any other year " that he has been in the Legislature . He said the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" that the governor signed into law was "historic legislation;" it prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected . The lawmakers ticked off a long list of legislation that was addressed in this year's General Assembly . To applause, Houston announced that the state budget includes funding to pave the entire parking lot at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center .

HUD RELEASING SOME DISASTER AID TO GEORGIA BUT AID TO FARMERS STILL DELAYED

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will release $34.9 million to Georgia to r epair or replace infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Michael last fall, HUD announced this week. The infrastructure money is the first federal funds that have been freed for Hurricane Michael disaster relief in Georgia . Disaster aid to farmers who suffered losses during the storm continues to be delayed by a dispute between President Donald Trump and Congress over hurricane disaster relief to Puerto Rico . The U.S. House last Friday overwhelmingly passed a $19.1 billion relief bill to provide federal aid to communities – including those in Southwest Georgia – hit hard by natural disasters. The president blasted the bill because of what he said was excessive funding allocated toward Puerto Rico recovery efforts, arguing the island has mismanaged the aid already sent to it. The president told Republicans to “reject the disaster bill” but 34 Republicans joined all of the House's Democrats to pass the package, 257-150 . Some of the most loyal conservative supporters broke with the president . Among them were Georgia Congressmen Austin Scott of Tifton , Buddy Carter of Pooler and Rick Allen of Augusta . The U.S. Senate is expected to take up the measure next week . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is urging lawmakers to come together on a bipartisan disaster relief bill saying that “ Americans who have suffered have been waiting too long for relief .”

TIFT DEPUTIES ARREST 94 IN APRIL

Tift County Sheriff's deputies during April arrested 94 people, some on multiple charges , says Sheriff Gene Scarbrough . He said there were three fraud charges, 42 charges of parole/probation violations, 16 drug charges, 12 failure-to-appear charges, two weapons violations, two child support cases, nine obstruction cases, seven crimes against a person charges, six property crimes charges and 10 non-traffic cases. Traffic stops conducted by deputies led to three charges of driving under the influence, six drug charges, 29 individuals having a suspended or revoked driver’s license as well as the arrest of five wanted persons; a stolen vehicle was also recovered , the sheriff said. Deputies responded to 3,219 calls for service, conducted 1,297 business and property checks, 616 mobile home park and subdivision checks with 34 school checks. Scarbrough said deputies served 103 warrants, 111 civil papers and 256  subpoenas. He added that deputies completed 630 reports, worked 18 accidents, patrolled 66,065 miles and verified the home addresses of 67 registered sex offenders residing in Tift County. The sheriff also reported that deputies provided 77 transports, totaling 216 hours and 8,074 miles.

'PUT ON PURPLE' TODAY FOR LUPUS

Today (Friday, May 17) is the Lupus Foundation's Put on Purple Day for Lupus awareness. May is Lupus Awareness Month . The chronic autoimmune disease can affect numerous organs inside the body as well as the skin and joints . It is currently incurable . Tift and surrounding counties are going purple for Lupus today. Local organizers say this how you can help : Wear purple clothes on Friday, and tell people that you're dressing up to help start conversations about lupus awareness. Share a lupus story if you or someone you know has the disease. Make a donation to support lupus research by Clicking Here.

Photo by Marque "Milla" Reese

BLUE DEVILS SHINE IN SCRIMMAGE

As spring football gets fully underway, the Tift County High School Blue Devils varsity squad racked up a 14-0 score over the Fitzgerald High Purple Hurricanes in a scrimmage Wednesday evening in Fitzgerald . The Blue Devils will face Lee County in another scrimmage on Aug. 15 in Leesburg , with the season home opener on Aug. 23 against Warner Robins at Brodie Field .

TIFTON FRED'S STORE TO CLOSE AS DISCOUNT CHAIN SHUTTERS MORE SITES

The Fred's store in Tifton is among 104 additional stores the discount chain plans to close by the end of June , the Memphis-based retailer announced Thursday . The closures are in addition to the 159 store closings that Fred's announced last month . Thursday's announcement means that a total of 13 Fred’s locations will be closing in Southwest Georgia . The Tifton store is located at 1442 Tift Ave. N. "These additional store closures are a difficult but necessary step in the continued restructuring of Fred's," CEO Joseph Anto said in a press release. Fred's will have less than 300 stores left after the closings. The chain began the year with 557 stores, primarily in Southeastern states. Among closings announced Thursday are stores in Ocilla, Adel, Albany, Douglas, Thomasville and Valdosta.

SRTC RECOGNIZES TOP STUDENTS

Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) on Wednesday recognized 375 exceptional students achieving the honor of President’s List and Dean’s List for the spring term.  Each semester, SRTC recognizes students who have accomplished high academic achievement through the President’s List . In order to qualify, students must earn a grade of “A” in all coursework and be enrolled in 12 semester credit hours or more .  President’s List designees include :  Tifton – Juan Castillo, Tanner Nimmo, Audrey Williams, Clint Morgan, Kachria Singleton, Charles Stewart, Adriana Arredondo, Hally Branch, Taylor Dean, Karla Maton, Lashonda Prince, Madison Robinson, Lisa Tullo, Emily Walker, Shannon Thomas, Abigail Woodall, Sarne Bush, Robert Giddens, Ryan Garrett, Allison Stone, Ramon Lagunas, Daniel Lamb, Perla Escolero, Christina Myers, Megan Sharpe, and James Slater. TyTy – Courtney Draughon; Adel – David Register; Alapaha – Deborrah Collins; Arabi – Katelyn Patterson; Ashburn – Anjali Patel, Ivan Zapote, and Jake Rice; Fitzgerald – Stephanie Thomas. Sycamore – Deasa Cox and Hunter Waller; Sylvester – Hannah Cooper, Michelle Jackson, Mary Shealey and Jodine Adkins.

KEEP TIFT BEAUTIFUL NAMES LOCAL BEAUTY SPOTS OF THE MONTH The Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB) board is recognizing the yard of Nola Jackson at 506 14th St. (pictured above) as the  residential Beauty Spot of the Month . KTB is also recognizing Fresco Italiano restaurant at 103 Tift Ave. S.  as the commercial Beauty Spot of the Month.

David and Jane Smith of Ashburn flank their son Remington who won the gold medal for his age division at the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championship in Colorado.

TURNER COUNTY 4-H MEMBER WINS NATIONAL AIR PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Remington Smith , 14, of Ashburn , recently placed first iin his age division in the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championship in the air pistol competition . He placed 15th overall among other age divisions in the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championship in Colorado . Remington , an eighth-grade homeschooled student, has been a member of the Turner County 4-H air pistol team for five years.

The Tifton 20th Century Library Club is establishing a new scholarship in honor of Harriet Herring, left, and Irene Blalock.

CLUB AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP AT FASHION SHOW

The GFWC Tifton 20 th Century Library Club announced its 2019 scholarship winner on Tuesday at the club’s fourth annual “Fashion with a Passion” Fashion Show at Leroy Rogers Senior Center; 20 models showcased fashions from local stores.  Rebecca Loye "Ree" Daniell received the Bergeron/Whiddon Memorial Scholarship . Ree is the daughter of Karen Daniell and Jay Daniell , sister of Ella Daniell , and granddaughter of Bill and Shirene Daniell .  Ree served as the TCHS FFA chapter president , was a varsity cheerleader and participated in community and church activities.  Not only does the fashion show recognize the club’s scholarship winner and raise funds for future scholarships , but also features women making a difference in the community. Mayor Julie Smith and Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes kicked it off with outfits from Belk .  Other shops featured were the Coastal Lifestyle Clothing Shop, Ellie’s Clothing Boutique, Julie’s Closet, Mama Rubye’s House of Style and T he Mint Boutique and More. BJ Smith catered the evening, and Publix provided the cake.    The club has presented a scholarship for the past 35 years. The Bergeron/Whiddon Memorial Tift County High School Scholarship is named in memory of Tunkey Bergeron and Marion Whiddon and is presented each year to a graduating senior from Tift County High planning to attend ABAC . The club also announced an additional future scholarship – the Blalock/Herring Scholarship in honor of Irene Blalock and Harriet Herring , the club's longest serving members. This scholarship will be for a nontraditional student planning to attend ABAC .  Models participating in the fashion show included: Ella Daniell, Michelle Gilder, Riley Griffin, Melissa Hughes, Fran Kinchen, Makayla Lindsey, Maggie McCranie, Cherie Morgan, Madison Phillips, Catherine Roach, Allie Smith, Becky Smith, Julie Smith, Lindsey Snipes, Shelby Lynn Thomas, Sydnee Tyson, Abby Unger, Isabell Waddell, Mallory Waddell and Ruth Zimmerman.

Rotarian Becky Smith, left presents a Rotary Club donation to Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County representatives Bonnie Sayles, Victor Pires and Dr. John Hamm.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING A BIG ISSUE IN GEORGIA, TIFTON ROTARY TOLD Atlanta is the No. 1 city for human trafficking in the nation, in terms of money generated, according to organizations fighting the crime, retired school counselor Margaret Kelly told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday .  “ Human trafficking threatens families, women and children,” she said. “It affects us all . In Atlanta , it is a $290 million business.” This is because of the number of conventions there and its access to major interstates . She said a pimp can make $36,000 a week. The money attracts a lot of people.  The definition of human trafficking , she said, is slavery . She said it refers to “all acts related to the recruitment, transport, sale or purchase of individuals through force, fraud or other coercive means for the purpose of economic exploitation.”  A myth is that it refers involves undocumented immigrants . Eighty-five percent are U.S. citizens , according to the Polaris Project. These are our children that are being trafficked,” Kelly said. The Georgia Baptist Women Union adopted this project about 10 years ago, she said. The national hotline is 1 -888-373-7888 , and website is inourbackyard.org Another myth she said is that only criminals try to buy people for sex . “The truth is,” she said, “ anyone can be a sex buyer : teachers, business owners, coworkers, doctors, police, ministers, and NFL owners.” At the start of Wednesday’ s meeting, the Rotary Club presented a check for $2,517 to Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County , funded by the Breakfast with Santa event.

YOUR WEEKEND ...at a Glance  FRIDAY, MAY 17 SELF Dinner & Dance, 6 p.m., Leroy Rogers Senior Center, Tifton SATURDAY, MAY 18 Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton Alcohol Ink Workshop," 9:30 a.m.-Noon, Museum of Arts & Heritage, Tifton "Striving for Excellence" Delta Lambda Zeta Chapter Scholarship Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Leroy Rogers Senior Center, Tifton "Myth: Male Images, Recent Photographs by Allan Pierce," 5-8 p.m., Plough Gallery, Tifton "An Unfinished Inventory Of Light," Photography by Dennis Sperling of Ft. Lauderdale, 5-8 p.m., Plough Gallery, Tifton

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MAY 9 Vera Melissa McMillan Brogdon, 97, Tifton Lee Tompkins Jr., 89, Sylvester John Gilbert Boyette, 87,  Tifton Mary Elizabeth (Fletcher) Drury, 101, Tallahassee, Fla. Robert Day, 86, Adel MAY 11 Raymond E. Hightower Sr., 76, Tifton Marcus Eugene "Gene" Watson, 86, Nashville Ella Lee Roddy, 83, Sylvester MAY 12 Jill Feagin, 49, Worth County Cynthia Renee Jacobs, 52, Enigma Curtis Bennett Sutton, 66, Fitzgerald Franklin Eugene “Gene” McDuffie, 86, Fitzgerald Emma Lou Gibbs, 84, Sparks Shirley J. Yawn Edmondson Billingsley, 82, Morven MAY 13 George Hoyt Helms Sr., 78, Brookfield Betty Johnson Patrick, 84, Tifton Billy C. Rowan, 77, Fitzgerald Alicia Diane Taylor, 53, Sparks Mary Summers Fountain, 82, Valdosta Gerry Jermaine Adams, 45, Albany MAY 14 Louis Grady Benson Jr., 81, Eufaula Grady Williams, 89, Quitman MAY 15 John Raymond Smith Jr., 71, Adel Frances Nadine "Deana" Heath, 65, Nashville The Rev. Godfrey Miller O’Rear, 89, Fitzgerald Bobby Eugene Sell, 83, Albany 

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