Friday, July 30, 2021
Tifton, Georgia
GrapeNew
By FRANK SAYLES JR. and BONNIE SAYLES
Tifton Grapevine
While today may be one of the hottest of the summer, it is also the first day of school for Tift County students.

Approximately 7,700 students are enrolled in Tift County Schools this year, said schools spokesman Jonathan Judy.

As of this week, Judy said Thursday, about 350 kindergarten through 12th-grade students had requested online instruction.

The school system this summer had given students and their parents the option of online learning.

TIFT COUNTY SCHOOLS ISSUE GUIDELINES

In guidelines released Tuesday, the school system said that masks are recommended for unvaccinated students, staff, and visitors in the schools. All school bus students and staff are also encouraged to wear masks while traveling to and from schools.

All schools will also encourage physical distancing when possible, the guidelines read. Schools will conduct daily sanitizing and use electrostatic machines for deep sanitizing and disinfecting. Hand-sanitizing stations will be installed throughout all schools.

"Tift County Schools, working in partnership with our local health officials, understands the need for our schools to be operational during the 2021-22 school year," the school system said. "As such, we encourage all eligible staff and students to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19."

The school administration said it will be in "frequent communication with regional Department of Public Health officials to evaluate our current data and determine mitigation measures appropriate at the time. We will monitor each school closely for any school-based spread and respond accordingly."

PRAY FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF

At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Mell Baptist Association is sponsoring an annual prayer event at all Tift County schools. Tim Hocutt, association missionary, said the community is encouraged to “show up at the school of your choice, and walk around the school, gather at the flagpole, or stay in your car as you so choose” to pray for Tift County students, teachers and staff. 

“We are asking church members to go to a school closest to the church," Hocutt said, "or if they have a lot of children or grandchildren among church members, or if teachers from a particular school attend the church, go to that school and pray on Saturday.”
HEAT IS ON, TIFTON
TEMPERATURE WILL FEEL LIKE 110 DEGREES
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
Dangerous heat conditions continue in the Tiftarea as the heat index, what temperatures feel like, remains in the triple digits.

Temperatures could feel like 110 degrees Friday in Tifton and even higher in some area counties, says the National Weather Service's regional office located in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Tiftarea remains under a heat advisory, and conditions aren’t expected to improve on Saturday when the heat index is expected to again reach 110 degrees in Tifton. The National Weather Service (NWS) said Sunday will feel like 106 degrees outside.

The break in the weather is expected to come Monday when highs are expected at less than 90 degrees, and the NWS forecasts thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the NWS asks that Tiftarea residents take precautions in the dangerous high heat this weekend: Drink plenty of fluids; stay in an air-conditioned room and out
of the sun; and check on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles, the NWS advises.

Officials also recommend that residents take extra precautions if they work or spend time outside. When possible, schedule strenuous activities in the early morning or
evening and wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

To reduce risks of being overcome by heat during outdoor work, the U.S. Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
TIFT HAS 117 NEW COVID-19 CASES WITHIN TWO WEEKS; 57 OF THEM IN PAST WEEK
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
Tift County has seen 117 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks – 57 within one week, and 24 of them since Tuesday, according to state data released Thursday.

Tift's new cases represent 287 per 100,000 residents, the Ga. Department of Public Health (DPH) said. The county’s positivity rate for the virus is at 15.5% for the past two weeks, the DPH said.

There have now been a total of 3,607 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Tift County with 102 related deaths.

On Thursday in Georgia, 2,951 new confirmed cases were reported in 24 hours with 9 additional deaths and 115 new related hospitalizations, according to DPH data. The state has seen 929,614 total confirmed cases with 18,699 deaths.

The DPH also reported this week that almost all new COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state during the past seven months have been among unvaccinated residents.

During the period studied, more than 98% of new cases were among the unvaccinated, while more than 99% of coronavirus-related deaths were among those unvaccinated, the DPH reported.
'RED, WHITE & BLUE DEVILS' FOOTBALL GAME TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL VETERANS
By BONNIE SAYLES
Tifton Grapevine
The Tift County High School Blue Devils football team plans a special themed football game on Sept. 10 – a "Red, White, and Blue Devils" game to support awareness and raise funds for local veterans.

Newly appointed Athletic Director Chris Martin told the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday that the theme is the brainchild of new Tift County football Coach Noel Dean, who launched the nation’s first "Pink Out" game for breast cancer awareness in Michigan, where he coached at Lowell High School for 30 years.

That event had spread all over Michigan and then the nation, raising millions of dollars for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

“His ideas stretch beyond the football field,” Martin said of Dean.

For the Red, White and Blue Devils game, Tift players will wear special one-time commemorative jerseys, each with a name of an honored veteran, whose family will receive the jersey after the game.

Fans may purchase limited-edition personalized jerseys in advance to wear to the game at the TiftFootball.com website, now through Aug. 15, for $35 for jerseys and $10 for T-shirts.

Tift County schools will issue commemorative T-shirts to wear to the Sept. 10 game to all high school students, with freshmen receiving red jerseys, sophomores and juniors white ones, and seniors getting blue jerseys, Martin said.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” he said. “It’s something bigger than just winning a game on the football field.”

New this year, Martin said, the public can buy complete season tickets for general admission, in addition to reserved seating. A new All-Sports Pass includes all football games and every other athletic event. These are $200 for adults and $100 for students.

With eight home games this year, the Blue Devils kick off the season Aug. 20, and play at home until Oct. 1, when they go on the road to rival Valdosta High School. The complete game schedule is posted at TiftFootball.com
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER TO BE BUILT AT ABAC WILL HELP COLLEGE 'STEP INTO FUTURE OF AG'
Source: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
With funding secured for construction of an Agricultural Technology Center, at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, President David Bridges says the college is ready to "step into the future of agriculture." 

“Agricultural technology is the future of agriculture at ABAC,” Bridges said. “These new facilities will allow us to train ABAC students with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the art facilities, making sure that ABAC graduates are ready to go to work. Agriculture continues to be Georgia’s largest industry, and we want to be a part of fueling the future."

The General Assembly approved $1.1 million in planning money for the project in the 2021 fiscal year and then followed with $11.8 million in construction funding this year. Bridges hopes that lawmakers will fund $1.5 million in equipment costs in Fiscal Year 2023 to complete the $14.4 million project
The project includes renovating the Chambliss Building and constructing a 28,000-square-foot Agricultural Technology Center, which will include an open-air pavilion and an enclosed space for teaching and demonstration activities for ABAC students.

Tim Carpenter, ABAC facilities director, said the new construction includes a pre-engineered steel structure with brick veneer containing three elements, including a high-bay clear span shop to support large-scale equipment necessary for modern agricultural engineering technology, precision agriculture, and forestry program operations; a high-bay clear span covered structure for livestock and animal science instruction, youth programs, equipment operation and display; and central connector space including instructional, office and service space, and storage.

The Chambliss Building renovation will include enhanced specialized labs to support smaller-scale equipment and materials. “Upgraded shop functions will include welding, hydraulics, engine, machine, and fabrication. The renovation will also include classrooms, offices, and service space,” Carpenter said.
CITY ROLLS BACK MILLAGE TO HELP OFFSET PROPERTY TAX INCREASES
During a special meeting Monday, Tifton City Council rolled back the tax millage rate to help offset new property tax increases based upon reassessments.

Council set the city's millage at 9.357 mills, a rollback of 0.63 mills, which essentially is expected to keep taxes at last year's levels for most residents.

Many residents were hit with higher property taxes recently after the Tift County Tax Assessors Office conducted property reassessments as required by state law.
TIFTON MEALS ON WHEELS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Meals On Wheels in Tifton is seeking volunteers for an hour every other week to assist homebound residents'

For five days each week, Meals On Wheels volunteers deliver a hot meal at noon to Tifton residents who are unable to shop or prepare meals for themselves. 

The city is divided into six routes with 10 or fewer recipients each. Meals are packed in insulated bags, and directions to each home provided. It takes less than an hour to deliver a route, and schedules are on a two-week rotation, the organization said.

For information, call James Marshall at 229-392-2146.

Monetary donations, which are tax deductible, may be made to: Meals On Wheels, P.O. Box 2053, Tifton, GA.  

...TURNER COUNTY MEET & GREET: Turner County has a meet and greet event Saturday for the community to meet new Parks & Recreation Director Shannon Stephens. The event is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Turner County Recreation Complex at 2529 Highway 41 in Ashburn. Parents may bring along their children aged 6 -12 for an afternoon of special fun activities. ... RUNNING FOR LOVE: The 32nd Annual Run for Love 5k and 1-mile fun run benefitting the Tift County Cross Country team will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 14 at ABAC. To register, Click Here!
'TIFTON YOUNG WRITERS' BOOK
SHOWCASES TALENT OF LOCAL STUDENTS
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
The Young Writers Initiative, a project of the Rotary Club of Tifton and the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence, has just published a book of writings by Tift County youths.

"Tifton Young Writers 2021" is now available for sale as a paperback book or electronic book on Amazon.com. There are 23 essays, short stories and poems by students within the county who have just completed grades 9th-12th.

"Kudos and congratulations to the 9th- through 12th-grade students whose work was selected for the first edition of 'Tifton Young Writers,'" said Rick Register, who oversaw the project for the Tifton Rotary Club.

The project is a chance to encourage local students in their creativity, helping them become published authors, and to showcase their talent to the community. More than 80 entries were received. A panel of local professional people, including published writers, selected the entries for publication.

Kaylar Howard, immediate past president of the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence, said the organization was "thrilled to be able to offer the Young Writers Initiative to students in our area. We are always excited and awed to see the works produced by our talented students."

The project was open to all youth in the specified grades in public and private schools, and to home-schooled students. 
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YOUR GUIDE TO ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, July 30, is International Day of Friendship, first proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly. The hope is that friendship among people, countries, and cultures will inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
FRIDAY, JULY 30
  • Tift County Schools Open – Drive Safely: Be Aware of Children
  • Seniors Enjoying Life (SELF) Senior Dance, 7:30 p.m., Leroy Rogers Senior Center, Tifton

SATURDAY, JULY 31
  • Second Harvest of South Georgia food distribution, 7 a.m., UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton
  • Wiregrass Farmers Market (last market of season), 9 a.m.-Noon, Georgia Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
  • Turner County Parks and Recreation Meet & Greet, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Turner County Recreation Complex, U.S. Highway 41, Ashburn
TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S DOG OF THE WEEK
“Domino," is a male pooch available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 S. To see all pets available for adoption, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).
Pets of the Week are sponsored by:
Branch’s Veterinary Clinic
205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055  
candle-flames-banner.jpg

JULY 22
Patricia Ann Johnson Beckham, 85, Tifton
Ruth L. Smith, 95, Fitzgerald
Robert Joseph “Bob” McDonald, 84, Doerun
John Robert Bennett, 72, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, formerly of Tifton
Ruth L. Smith, 95, Fitzgerald
Darrell Purvis, 61, Lenox
 
JULY 23
Donna Kae Jenkins Pritchard, 67, Sylvester
Nancy Dianne Jefferson Hopson, 74, Adel
 
JULY 24
Ronald "Ronnie" Lynn Bristol, 68, Sparks
Barbara Aletha Leverett, 77, Tifton
 
JULY 25
Carl Tomlinson, 82, Sylvester
Burle Wilbur Tillman, Sr., 64, Adel
Ozell “Peter” Barber, 57, Atlanta, formerly of Ashburn
 
JULY 26
 Inez Batten Purvis, 101, Fitzgerald
Marshall Lenard Walker, 92, Orange Park, Fla.
John Isaac Walters, 54, Fitzgerald
Judy F. Nelms, 71, Fitzgerald
Kenneth Randall "Randy" Swords, 58, Lenox
Catherine Range Britten, 68, Atlanta
 
JULY 27
Kenneth Lamar Hitt, Sr., 68, Sylvester
William Jackson “Jack” Pierce Sr., 86, Brookfield
William Scott “Bill” Heath, 57, Tifton
Daniel Mark Lavender, 52, Nichols
Leon A. McDaniel, 79, Ocilla
Cathy Jean Haughton, 59, Tifton
JULY 28
Helen Johnson White, 92, Chula
Tharon Wallace Temples, 74, Nashville
Shirley Mae Henderson, 45, Ocilla
Charlie James Richardson Jr., 44, Doerun
Tifton Grapevine
e-published every Tuesday and Friday

Frank Sayles Jr.
Editor & Publisher
Bonnie Sayles
Managing Editor
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