Snow Blankets South Ga.

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Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

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RECORD SNOWFALL BLANKETS TIFTON

A blanket of snow covers Tift Avenue in Tifton on Tuesday.

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A heavy snowfall, as rare as finding grits on a menu up North, arrived in South Georgia on Tuesday, delighting the young and young at heart while causing headaches for motorists and local businesses.

An unofficial accumulation estimate late Tuesday had the snowfall at more than three inches in the heart of Tifton, which would make it a record for The Friendly City. Snow was continuing to fall at midnight.

According to records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the most snow officially recorded in Tifton was on Feb. 11, 1934, when 2.2 inches of snow fell. The second-highest snowfall recorded in Tifton was 1.1 inches on Feb. 13, 1958.

Of course, snow has fallen in Tifton since then. A light snow fell in December 1989; on Jan. 29, 2014, Tifton got a dusting of snow; and on Jan. 3, 2018, some areas of Tifton got up to a half-inch of snow.

The Ga. Department of Transportation (GDOT) Southwest Region office in Tifton is urging motorists to stay home and off roads until they are clear of snow and ice. Crews are busy clearing snow and ice off the roadways, prioritizing interstates and state routes.

Early Tuesday night, southbound lanes of Interstate 75 in Crisp County were temporarily blocked at Mile Marker 97 because of icy conditions, GDOT said.

Tifton city and Tift County offices are closed Wednesday, along with area schools and colleges.

Snow is expected to stop overnight Tuesday, and Wednesday is forecast to be sunny and cold, with a high near 34. Freezing weather is expected at least through Saturday night as temperatures are expected to be in the 20s each night.

Because of the extremely cold weather, a warming station has been opened in the Tift County Multi-Purpose Building at 401 N. Victory Drive. The City of Sylvester also has a comfort station open nightly at the Train Depot located at 102 South Main St.

Both stations are for those individuals at risk from the extreme cold. People should bring their own blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, non-perishable food and necessary personal items.

Joe Boddiford, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, at left, poses with some of those recognized during the recent Georgia Peanut Farm Show in Tifton. Beside Boddiford are, from left, Research and Education Award recipient Tim Brenneman, UGA professor of plant pathology; Distinguished Service Award recipient T.E. Moye Jr., president of the Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service; Karla Heath-Sands accepting the Media Award on behalf of Jim Wallace, former anchor at WALB-TV; and Ryan Ireland of Ashburn, recipient of the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award.

GA PEANUT FARM SHOW NAMES TOP FARMERS, INDUSTRY LEADERS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A Turner County farmer was named the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer during the 48th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference held Thursday in Tifton.

Ryan Ireland of Ashburn received the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and BASF. The award is presented to a peanut farmer based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership and community service activities.

Ireland grows peanuts, cotton, corn, wheat, hay and cattle. The GPC said Ireland strives to incorporate innovative ways to increase yields and be a natural steward of the land, choosing to focus on water retention, disease control, and overall soil quality.

The Peanut Commission and Agri Supply also presented the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts. The District 2 Peanut Farmer of the Year is Billy Senkbeil of Sylvester.

The GPC also presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts across the United States. The award recipients include Distinguished Service Award – T.E. Moye, Jr., president of Georgia Federal State Inspection Service; Research and Education Award – Tim Brenneman, UGA Tifton professor and plant pathologist; and the Media Award – Jim Wallace, retired news anchor for WALB TV.

More than 1,500 peanut farmers and industry representatives attended the annual peanut show last week to get the latest information to fine-tune farming operations. Sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission, the one-day show also offered farmers a chance to view the products and services of nearly 100 exhibitors.

The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational peanut production seminar focusing on the impacts of multiple weather events in 2024 and what to expect in 2025, management of foliage feeders and soil borne insects, history of tropical spiderwort in Georgia and how to manage it, and effects of the expanded season and weather on leafspot management. An industry seed seminar was held highlighting peanut varieties available this year.

ABAC RECOGNIZES

FALL GRADUATES

Tifton Gazette Staff Reports

A total of 244 students completed the requirements for graduation from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at the end of the 2024 fall semester. Of those students, 155 received bachelor’s degrees.

ABAC students completed four-year degrees in agribusiness, agriculture, agricultural communication, agricultural education, agricultural technology management, biology, business, criminal justice, environmental horticulture, history and government, natural resource management, nursing, rural community development, and writing and communication.

Other ABAC graduates completed the associate degree in nursing, fine arts in music, science, as well as certificates in digital media and professional communication and instructional support personnel.

Fall graduates from the Tiftarea include:

ADEL – Jessica Lamas-Bravo, Alexxus Chanelle Thomas, Kwinci Yvonne-Lauren Way; ARABI – Erin Melcher; ASHBURN – Cierra Jazmine Boney; CHULA – Brentan Reed Davis, Nehemiah Tucker; ENIGMA – Gregory Coy Donley, Ricky Clayton Tucker; FITZGERALD – Samuel Jesse Bowen, Kristie Alexis Davis, Rainey Michelle Kirkland, Marlaina Frances Reaves, Kennedie Leighann Stembridge, Andrew Jacob Wiley, Kemetrius Jeremiah Williams; LENOX – Jacob Wayne Shirah; NASHVILLE – Gaylen Griner, Alexis Courtney Sirmans; NORMAN PARK – Martin Fernandez, Jessie Luke Tompkins; OMEGA – Rylan Jean Bozeman, Enrique Alan Garcia, Jessica Michelle Gibbs,

Tristin Martinez, Sara Casey Smith; POULAN – Eliana Duckworth, Margaret Williams; SPARKS – Shelby Griffin, Lesly I. Gutierrez; SYCAMORE – Josie Bullington; SYLVESTER – Sandra Cecilia Garcia, Marley Key Gunter, Amie Nicole Jones, Julianna Massey, Sarah Mckenzie Moore;

TIFTON – Laine Anderson, Shamya Amanda Ann Anderson, Emma F. Barr, Sydney Allison Barry, Lily Grace Fowler Bates, Chase Bazemore, Shekanah Dean, Madelyn English, Dasia Flanders, Laura Angelica Gomez, Casey Terin Harrison, Kiersten Mary Huggins, Madison Leigh Ingram, Clare Giovanna Jarboe, Macy Keever, Anyston Renet Lyon, Beyonce’ Amirah Parker, Emily Elise Rowland, Raelea Gabrielle Rutledge Schemmel, Shellieann Pearl Stainback, Anna Leigh Sumner, Kaylee Breann Timmons,

Abbegayle Weaver, Charles Owen Willis.

NATIVE PLANT WORKSHOP SATURDAY; 'WEED WRANGLE' RESCHEDULED

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A workshop, “How to Get Started with Native Plants,” is scheduled for 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tifton-Tift County Public Library.

Hosted by the Coastal Plain Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and Keep Tift Beautiful, the event is free to the public but registration is needed by emailing cpcgnps@gmail.com.

On a related note, the fourth annual "Weed Wrangle" that was scheduled last Monday at ABAC's Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton has been rescheduled to 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

The event is an effort to conserve a public nature trail by removing invasive species and restoring its natural beauty.

The Weed Wrangle is sponsored by UGA's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, Gaskins Forest Education Center, and the Coastal Plain Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society.

Volunteers are needed to help clear the nature trail behind the ag museum's Country Store, clearing the way for beneficial native species and playing a vital role in protecting the local ecosystem.

Hand tools will be provided, but volunteers may bring their favorite hand tools and should wear sturdy shoes and bring a cooler with water and snacks.

To reserve a spot, Click Here! Questions may be directed to Caroline Shaw at caroline.shaw2@uga.edu

NEW RESTAURANT EXPECTED TO BRING

UP TO 60 JOBS TO OCILLA

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Southern quick-service food chain J ack’s Family Restaurants is planning a location soon in Ocilla, generating up to 60 new jobs in the Irwin County seat, according to the company.

The location at 601 N. Irwin Ave., will offer made-from-scratch biscuits, hand-breaded chicken, made-to-order burgers, among other menu items.

“We’re thrilled to bring Jack’s to Ocilla,” Jack’s Family Restaurants CEO Todd Bartmess said in a statement. “Whether you’re heading to the Annual Georgia Sweet Potato Festival, enjoying the Prater Music Fest or simply looking for a place to share a warm meal, Jack’s is excited to welcome you.”

Jack’s began in Alabama in 1960 as a hamburger stand and now has more than 260 locations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

Meet "Tuesday" — the best part of your week. This sweet girl will turn every day into a purr-fect one! She found her way to the shelter through no fault of her own, and now she’s on the hunt for a forever home. Tuesday is as loving as they come, always ready for snuggles and attention. Visit her and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

TIFTON FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

BUYS $3,000 ORGAN FOR NEW BUILDING

~ JAN. 25, 1907

The organ committee at Tifton's First Baptist Church approved a contract Jan. 27, 1907, for an organ to be installed in the new church building. The $3,000 organ came from Estey Organ Co. in Battleboro, Vt.