MONTY VEAZEY

MELODY COWART

LISA COLLINS

TIFTAREA RESIDENTS NAMED TO GA 500 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Several Tiftarea residents have been named among the 500 Most Influential Leaders in Georgia by Georgia Trend magazine.

Tifton residents Monty Veazey and Melody Cowart, and Lisa S. Collins of Adel join the list along with Brian Marlowe, Georgia Department of Economic Development deputy commissioner for rural initiatives and a former Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce president.

Veazey, president & CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, was named among leaders in the state’s healthcare industry.

Among the leaders in economic development named are Marlowe, Cowart, and Collins. Cowart is president & CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce; Collins is executive director of the Cook County Economic Development Commission.

Georgia Trend said the selections are "based upon extensive research, nominations, and hundreds of interviews, resulting in a selective guide to the Georgians who impact our state."

TIFTON WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER, ASSAULT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Tifton woman has been arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault and battery in the death of a Sylvester man, Tifton Police say.

Brianna Lashon Rich, 29, of Tifton, is in the Tift County jail on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and felony murder in the shooting death of Jonterriouse Orlando Hope, Tifton police said.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday, Tifton Police received a call about a gunshot victim at Tift Regional Medical Center. Police said that a male with a gunshot wound to his head had been driven to the emergency room in a private vehicle.

The man was identified as Jonterriouse Orlando Hope, 24, of Sylvester. He was transported to a medical center in Tallahassee, Fla., in critical condition. At approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday, Hope died from his injuries, police said. 

The investigation is still active. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tifton Police Detective Sgt. Sydney Saylor at 229-382-3132 or to call the police Tip Line at 229-391-3991.

3 COOK COUNTIANS, TIFTON MAN CHARGED IN DRUGS, FIREARMS SEIZURE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Three Cook County men were arrested and a Tifton man was being sought after authorities seized 14 firearms, including two assault rifles, and various drugs in a recent raid on 11 residences in Adel, one in Sparks, and one in Tift County, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Taken into state custody were Calvin James Smith Sr., 54, of Adel, charged with possession of firearm by a convicted felon; Joe Smith, 52, of Sparks, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, trafficking methamphetamine, and felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime; and Justin Thompson, 35, of Adel, charged with unlawful street gang activity.

Authorities were searching for Calvin James Smith Jr., 33, of Tifton, on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and manufacturing/sale/possession of 28 grams or more of MDMA.

Seized during the operation Nov. 10 were two assault rifles, one rifle, one shotgun, and 10 pistols. In addition, 3.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 725 grams of cocaine, 288.8 grams of cocaine base, 74.4 grams of MDMA, 81.6 grams of suspected fentanyl, 9.8 kilograms of THC, and 1,000 miscellaneous prescription pills.

The joint law enforcement operation involved the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Adel Police Department, and the Hahira Police Department.

TIFT CERTIFIES ELECTION RESULTS; PREPARES FOR RUNOFF

Tift County has certified its results in the November general election, reports Leila E. Dollison, election supervisor with the Tift County Board of Elections & Registration.

In official results, 53.64% of Tift’s registered voters – 13,075 out of 24,376 – cast ballots.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Herschel Walker carried Tift County with 8,921 votes to Democrat Raphael Warnock’s 3,878. Libertarian Chase Oliver received 176 votes in Tift.

Warnock and Walker are facing off in a statewide runoff Dec. 6 as neither candidate received more than 50% of the Georgia vote. Statewide, Warnock had 49.44% of the vote, and Walker had 48.49%. Oliver received 2.07% of the vote, according to the Ga. secretary of state’s office.

In other official Tift County results, Brian P. Kemp carried the county in the governor’s race with 9,418 votes to Democrat Stacey Abrams’ 3,546. Libertarian Shane Hazel received 80 votes.

In the contested District 6 race for Tift County Commission, incumbent Greg Wood received 1,934 votes to Rachael Price’s 577.

In other state contested races, Tift County favored the following candidates:

–Lieutenant Governor: Burt Jones (GOP), 9,203

–Secretary of State: Brad Raffensperger (GOP), 9,192

–Attorney General: Chris Carr (GOP), 9,201

–Agriculture Commissioner: Tyler Harper (GOP), 9,421

–Insurance Commissioner: John King (GOP), 9,344

–State School Superintendent: Richard Woods (GOP), 9,457

–Labor Commissioner: Bruce Thompson (GOP), 9,205

–State House of Representatives, District 169: Clay Pirkle (GOP), 2,666 (the district includes parts of multiple counties)

The two state constitutional amendments and state referenda were all favored in Tift County.

In the U.S House District 8 race, incumbent Austin Scott (GOP) received 9,560 votes in Tift County and Darius Butler (Dem) received 3,314 (the district includes multiple counties).

TRMC TREE OF LIFE RETURNS TO IN-PERSON CEREMONY

Tift Regional Medical Center’s 37th annual lighting of the Tree of Life, a symbolic tribute to friends, family, and lost loved ones during the holiday season, will be held in person for the first time since the pandemic at 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

The event will be held on TRMC’s front lawn, 901 E. 18th St. in Tifton.

Lights on the tree may be purchased in honor or memory of someone, with all proceeds benefiting the patients of Hospice of Tift Area and the TRMC Anita Stewart Oncology Center who need extra support. The event will include a candle-lighting ceremony, live holiday music, and complimentary refreshments.

“It wouldn’t be the holiday season without the Tree of Life,” said Hospice of Tift Area Director Tressie Mathis.

“This is the 37th year of this annual event, and it’s really become a great tradition. We are so excited to be able to hold this meaningful service in person once again.” 

Mathis said that purchasing a light for the Tree of Life is a tax-deductible gift which will help Tift Regional’s hospice and cancer patients with special needs.  

“Various giving levels are available,” she said. “If you are looking for a holiday gift for family members, friends, co-workers or clients, purchase a light in their honor or in memory of someone close to them. In addition to serving as a great gift for someone close to you, you’ll also be benefiting a great cause.”

To contribute to the Tree of Life, visit www.mysouthwell.com/TOL. Contributions are accepted until Dec. 31. Call 229-353-6330 for information. 

TIFTAREA ACADEMY STUDENTS SELECTED FOR HEISMAN SCHOLARSHIP

Tiftarea Academy students Carter Cook and Ann Catherine Walker have been selected for the 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy is renowned for symbolizing the pursuit of excellence on the athletic field. The Heisman High School Scholarship extends the Heisman prestige to the "nation’s most esteemed male and female high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities,” the Heisman organization said.

In order to qualify for consideration, student athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, participate in at least one sport consecutively for three years, and be an overall leader within the school and community.

TIFT REGIONAL VP/CHIEF NURSING OFFICER NAMED TO SRTC BOARD

Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) has named Tonia Garrett of Nashville to the SRTC Board of Directors for a three-year term.  

Garrett has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, completing her associate degree in nursing at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and beginning her nursing career at South Georgia Medical Center in 1990. She cared for Southwest Georgia patients and their families as a nurse for a decade before moving into hospital administration at Tift Regional Medical Center.

As she advanced in her career, she earned her bachelor of nursing degree and master’s in healthcare administration from South University in Savannah. 

She now serves as Tift Regional Health System’s vice president and chief nursing officer responsible for the quality and appropriateness of nursing care for patients at Tift Regional Health System’s facilities.

“Tonia’s three decades of nursing experience and healthcare leadership will surely prove invaluable as we work to expand and advance our nursing programs at Southern Regional Technical College,” said President Jim Glass.

CHILDREN’S COAT DRIVE UNDERWAY

Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes has again begun the “Keep ‘Em Warm” coat drive.

The annual coat drive, underway through Dec. 19, was created more than 16 years ago to provide coats to needy local children. Last year’s drive collected more than 500 coats. Hughes said children’s coats are needed in all sizes – from babies to teens.

Coat donations may be taken to Tift County Fire Stations No. 51 on Tift Eldorado Road, No. 52 on North Tift Avenue, and No. 53 on U.S. Highway 319 South in Omega; as well as to the Board of Commissioners office on the second floor of the Charles Kent County Administration Building and to Kelly’s Cleaners in Tifton.

For information, call Hughes at 229-326-0241.

'PINCH THE GRINCH' AT KIWANIS RUN

The 18th annual Kiwanis Pinch the Grinch 5K and Fun Run, in conjunction with Tinsel in Tifton, begins at 8 a.m. Dec. 3.

The event is held annually the first Saturday in December to raise money for local children’s programs, to promote physical fitness, and to highlight Tifton’s historic district. In the past 17 years, more than $70,000 has been raised for local youth programs, and more than 1,000 runners have participated in the race.

The race is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Tifton along with the Circle K Club of ABAC, and Key Clubs at Tift County High and Tiftarea Academy.

The course starts and ends at the corner of Forrest Avenue and W. Fourth Street in Tifton (Spurlin/Sertoma baseball fields) at the Tifton Fire Station (403 Forrest Ave.).

Register at Active.com; the entry fee before Nov. 27: 5K - $25 and 1-mile run/walk - $15; add $5 after Nov. 27.

Participants get a long-sleeved T-shirt, race bib, Kiwanis meeting lunch ticket, medallions to each child participating, and Christmas presents.

Awards will be given to overall male and female winners; overall male and female masters winners (over 40); age groups: under 10 years, 11-14, and 5-year increment age groups to over 75. 

Among those organizations that the race benefits are: Special Olympics, 4-H, FFA, Kiwanis Art and Music Showcase, scholarships for TCHS and Tiftarea Academy, YMCA, Peanut Butter & Jesus, Kiwanis Fishing Rodeo, Tift County Commission on Children and Youth, TCHS and Tiftarea Academy Key Clubs, ABAC Circle K, TA Builder’s Club, and Aktion Club of Tifton.  

For information, contact race chairman Tom Shoup, at 229-388-2142 or tlshoup.kk58@gmail.com

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Darla” is available for adoption today at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt her and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON UNION DEPOT COMPLETED

~ NOV. 17, 1899

Tifton’s Union Depot, “the finest passenger station south of Macon,” was completed as of Nov. 17, 1899, except for some minor additions by the contractor. The depot was “built for the Plant System, Georgia Southern & Florida, Tifton & Northeastern, Tifton, Thomasville & Gulf and Moultrie terminal,” according to news dispatches of the day.