The wife and family of the late Tift County Coach Anthony G. Bateman cut the ribbon at the dedication Thursday of the Bateman Youth Center on West 17th Street.

TIFTON DEDICATES ANTHONY BATEMAN YOUTH CENTER

OFFICIALS HOPE CENTER WILL HAVE

POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON NEIGHBORHOOD

By FRANK SAYLES JR. and BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

The cornerstone of South Tifton’s community renewal – the Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center – was dedicated Thursday amid fanfare.

The City of Tifton intends for the center to be a positive influence in a section of town that was long neglected. The hope is that the Bateman Center will encourage the growth and development of youth as well as adults.

“The vision for this center began many years ago as Council member Johnny Terrell and I talked about what we could do to make a positive change for this Tifton neighborhood,” said Mayor Julie B. Smith.

"We challenged our city team members to help us determine how we could make the most impact in the best way. We talked to you, the neighbors; we looked at all the options. We knew we had to do something for not only the kids who lived nearby, but really any child or family who wants to participate in wholesome, safe, enriching programs."

The center is a partnership with the Tiftarea YMCA, which will offer recreational opportunities for children, after-school activities, and a summer feeding program; and with Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County, which, in a separate room, will offer adult literacy classes to help adults with remedial reading, GED preparation, and with learning English.

"As we provide these experiences, we look forward to them learning and growing, and keeping them engaged so that they will be successful and productive citizens. This is not the end – keep the same fire, the same enthusiasm, because we’re going to need you all ... this is just the fanfare day. The true work will begin after today,” said Dr. Tonja Tift, a retired local educator and the center’s director.

The center at 511 West 17th St., across from Matt Wilson Elementary School, was funded through a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant from the state along with funds from the City of Tifton.

The Tift County Board of Education donated the site for the construction.

"Our children mean so much to us, and giving them a safe place that they can come and gather and be mentored by people that are going to teach them right from wrong, that are going to help them grow as individuals so that they can be productive members of our community – it’s such a very, very special thing,” said Tift County School Superintendent Adam Hathaway.

"To have this building represents so much more than just a structure."

The center is named for the late Tift County coach and educator Anthony “Bate” Bateman, who died suddenly three years ago. Bateman was a mentor and friend to more than a generation of local children.

"Although Coach Bateman didn’t have any children, he was the father of many, many children here in Tift County. We want to continue that family structure as we work with the children that will come here to this youth center,” said Center Director Tift.

Participating in the ABAC groundbreaking are, from left, Finance/Operations Vice President Deidra Jackson, Acting Provost/Academic Affairs VP Amy Willis, Agriculture & Natural Resources Dean Mark Kistler, President Tracy Brundage, and Facilities Director Tim Carpenter.

ABAC BREAKS GROUND ON $11 MILLION

AG TECH BUILDING

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College broke ground Wednesday on an $11 million, 19,000-square-foot agricultural technology building.

Located on Moore Highway at the north end of campus, the project is expected to be completed by next October.

“This building will provide a technology-rich learning environment to support courses that incorporate large pieces of agricultural equipment into their curriculums,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage.

“Best of all, this building represents one more way for us to provide a modern learning lab for our students. We pride ourselves on not just offering courses but opening students’ minds to the innovative and modern technology they will need in the workplace.”

Dr. Mark Kistler, dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the project  is the result of a lot of groundwork from many people during the past five years.

“The building will provide all of our students with an outstanding learning environment to prepare them for careers in agriculture, our state’s No. 1 economic driver,” Kistler said.

The state-of-the-art building will feature a high-bay, clear-span shop to support large-scale equipment for modern agricultural engineering technology. It will also include a covered structure for livestock and animal science instruction, youth programs, equipment operation and display, and other activities that benefit from an open-air venue.

The building will include 7,500 square feet of demonstration/multi-purpose open space, a 4,900-square-foot demonstration and simulation laboratory, three faculty offices, and three classrooms.

Coupled with the renovation of Chambliss Hall, built in 1971, the entire ag enhancement project totals $14.4 million.

WASHINGTON

PRINCE

DENNIS

TIFT SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS 3 ON DRUG, FIREARMS CHARGES 

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Three Tift County men were arrested Tuesday and charged with drug distribution and firearm offenses after a lengthy investigation by Tift County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team served the arrest  warrants and recovered numerous firearms, amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine, and prescription narcotics, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Jeremy Washington of 4114 Westview Ave. is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Jaheim Prince of 4109 Midland Ave. is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule I narcotic with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Akeveyan Dennis of 4109 Midland Ave. is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule I narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Tift County Sheriff’s Office said the arrests came after an investigation and tips from the community.

Tips may be submitted to the Sheriff’s Office online at https://www.tiftsheriff.org, or by downloading the Tift County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.

TIFT RECORDS 8 CASES OF

COVID-19 IN PAST WEEK

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Tift County during the past week, according to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

There were 13 new confirmed cases reported in the past two weeks. Tift's testing positivity rate for the two-week period was 2.5%, the DPH said. 

The numbers have been going up and down slightly in recent weeks but still remaining low.

Tift has seen a total of 6,725 cases; no additional deaths were recorded in the county during the past 10 weeks, leaving the total at 171.

Tift County’s total positive cases in the past two weeks are 33 when unconfirmed cases are added.

Georgia has recorded a total of 2,249,087 confirmed cases and 33,740 related deaths, the DPH reported. There were 3,865 more total cases reported in the past week and 68 additional related deaths statewide. There also were 385 COVID-related hospitalizations in Georgia in the past week, the DPH said.

TIFTON COACH FRED TUCKER FOCUS OF 'POP-UP’ EXHIBIT AT GA MUSEUM OF AGRICULTURE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture on Saturday will open a special, one-week “pop-up” exhibit about the late, legendary South Georgia and Tifton coach Fred Tucker.

Tucker, a Tift County native who was a local educator and coach for nearly 70 years, died three years ago at age 96. Into his 90s, he still volunteered in Tift County schools and helped coach football and track.

The Tucker exhibit runs Oct. 29-Nov. 5 in the Art Gallery at the main museum building. It will be open during museum hours, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.

A lifelong physical fitness buff, Tucker’s heart had been damaged by rheumatic fever as a child. During the 1930s, his physician suggested that he begin walking for exercise, if possible. After Tucker began regularly walking, his doctor suggested he try running, if he could manage it – and Tucker began running.

He never stopped moving after that. 

When Tucker was 89, the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence named the Fred Tucker Physical Fitness Chair for him. At that time, Tucker was still teaching and coaching, while continuing to walk 10 to 15 miles every day. He would open Omega School at 6:10 each morning and do much of his walking before teaching his five physical education classes. He would walk a mile with each class, then head for Eighth Street Middle School to help coach football and track. Tucker would then end the day with a final 30-minute walk before heading home.

As a youth, he had played football for Tifton High School and later for Georgia Military College, where he played in the 1946 Peach Bowl. Tucker later graduated from the University of Georgia.

In 1948, Tucker began working in Tifton as a physical education teacher and coach until 1960. He then went on to work in Randolph and Berrien counties until 1978, when he retired from public education and then went to serve at Irwin Academy until 1984, returning to Tift County schools and working until age 93.

Among Tucker’s athletic accomplishments is winning three consecutive state titles as track coach.

Legions of his students and athletes remember Coach Tucker fondly. One story involves Charlie Ferguson, who Tucker coached in Cuthbert during the early 1960s. Ferguson earned a scholarship to play for Coach Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama and became a star athlete.

At the end of Ferguson’s football career, he was asked in an interview what was it like to play for the “greatest coach in America.” Without missing a beat, Ferguson answered, “Glad you asked; let me tell you about Coach Tucker."

AGRICULTURE GENERATES $485M IN TIFT COUNTY,

CHAMBER TOLD

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Justin Hand, Tift County Extension Service coordinator, told the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday that Tift County is consistent in its agricultural production numbers.

“Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Tift County with $485 million a year and 2,400 jobs,” Hand said. “Crop value is $165 million, off a bit this year due to weather issues.”

Although Tift County is 114th in land size among Georgia counties, it is fifth in the state in vegetable production, Hand said. Counties surrounding Tift may produce more peanuts and cotton than Tift, but Tift’s crops are ranked as high as or higher in value.

Tift County is the top producer of strawberries in the state, he said. The county is also ranked first in the state in specialty peppers, such as habaneros, jalapeños and banana peppers.

Tift County goes back and forth between No.s 1 and 2 in the state in production of kale, collards, turnip and mustard greens, and is consistently No. 1 or 2 in watermelons with Crisp and Colquitt counties. Tift is second in production of zucchini and snap beans, and third in blackberries and citrus.

“We went through a drought period, followed by a rainy period, followed by drought again,” Hand said, so farmers have been facing some challenges. Cotton is about halfway through the harvesting period. “They’re ginning it as fast as they can get it in,” he said. 

Some cotton plants suffered boll rot issues on their lower bolls, which is where the best cotton is found. 

The extension service is well known for its 4-H program. Tift County has the largest 4-H program in South Georgia with almost 1,000 registered members, Hand said. 

POLLS OPEN SATURDAY FOR EARLY VOTING, WHICH ENDS NEXT WEEK 

Polls will be open this Saturday for early voting, currently underway for the Nov. 8 general election.

On Saturday, Tift countians may vote from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Tift County Board of Elections office on the corner of Fourth Street and Chesnutt Avenue.

The upcoming week is the last one for advance voting. Polls will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Nov. 4.

Following that, voters will have to wait and cast ballots on election day, Nov. 8, at their home precincts.

Today, Friday, Oct. 28, is the deadline for submitting absentee ballots.

BOO!

IT’S TRICK OR TREATING TIME!

Halloween is on Monday, and several residents have asked when and what time is trick-or-treating in the City of Tifton and in Tift County.

While some neighborhoods have organized their own suggested trick-or-treating times and some churches and organizations are sponsoring “trunk-or-treats” on various days, there are no set times for observing Halloween within the city and county.

"We have not set a designated time for trick-or-treating, but I would hope that everybody would do it between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.," said Tifton Police Chief Steve Hyman.

When asked, a spokesman for the Tift County Sheriff’s Office said, "We do not have any county guidelines as far as when or what times to observe Halloween,” but there are plans to post Halloween safety tips on both the Sheriff’s Office website and on their mobile app.

And, of course, Downtown Tifton merchants will once again offer trick-or-treating from 5-6 p.m. Monday, organized by Tifton Main Street. The event always brings out a large crowd of ghosts and ghouls.

TODAY’S LIBRARY MUCH MORE THAN MERE BOOKS, LIBRARIAN SAYS

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Karen Thompson, the newly appointed branch manager of the Tifton-Tift County Public Library, shared with the Tifton Rotary Club on Wednesday her commitment to extend the library’s reach into the community.

With a previous career in architecture and interior design, Thompson fell in love with what libraries do, and “I made a commitment to be what I truly believe librarians are, which is a community builder.

“That’s why the library is lit up like Christmas, because that is what we are up to,” she said.

“There’s a common misperception that all we do is read and check out books. That is not all we are about,” Thompson said.

The library was engaging 3,000 to 4,000 people monthly at the time Thompson came to work there. “We peaked in the summer during our summer reading program just shy of 9,000 people in the month of June,” she said. “We are maintaining a reach of 6,000 to 7,000 people a month.”

The logo has changed with a more contemporary look, and the former library RV – "Big Green Reading Machine” – has been replaced with a “Library on the Loose” vehicle decorated with icons depicting of some of the library’s outreach efforts.

“We have a strong focus on our school partnership,” Thompson said. The library supports the reading-on-grade-level movement and is exercising an increased presence in the schools and a strong after-school program.

And the library is working with daycares to help children develop a passion and love of reading and storytelling before they enter school.

The library is also focused on technology literacy, with computer classes for adults and children, and introduction to emerging technology classes. “The goal of the programming is to figure out what our community wants and needs from us,” Thompson said. 

An adult book club has grown in membership. Children’s STEM classes and community story times have also grown significantly. Neurodivergent programs and robotics programs will reach other audiences. 

"Cats on Mats" is a yoga program with visits by cats from the Tift County Animal Shelter and will be held at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 28. 

A paranormal investigative team was invited to check out suspected activity at the library. Its findings, including a video and audio evidence, will be discussed during a reveal to the community at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the library. 

Before moving to Tifton in mid-February, Thompson worked in the metro Chattanooga area.

“I have met nothing but the nicest, kindest, sweetest people since moving here,” she said. “It has been a pure treat to be out and about in our community. It’s just such a great place to be.”

YOUR GUIDE TO ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND IN THE TIFTAREA

Today, Friday, Oct. 28, is National Chocolate Day, a tribute to what has been called mankind’s greatest culinary invention. A healthful hint: Reach for chocolate with a “high cacao” percentage and low added sugar.

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

• Guided Nature Tour, 6 p.m., Reed Bingham State Park, Adel
• Tift County High Blue Devils football @ Houston County High Bears, 7:30 p.m., Warner Robins
• Tiftarea Academy Panthers football vs. Southland Academy Raiders, 7:30 p.m., Panther Pit, Chula

SATURDAY, OCT. 29

• ABAC’s Run for the Nurses 5K & Half Marathon, 8 a.m, ABAC campus, Tifton
• Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Trick or Treat in the Village, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Skate Day at the Park, 4 p.m., Fitzgerald Skate Park, Fitzgerald

THIS WEEKEND'S

YARD SALE

Moving/Estate Yard Sale

31 Craigs Lane, Tifton 

Saturday, October 29

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

TO ADVERTISE YOUR YARD SALE,

CONTACT US at 

yardsales@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

“Sasha” a friendly girl, is among the pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. Visit her and other pets available at the shelter on Highway 125 South between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).