Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

GrapeNew
478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

SRTC RECORDS 10% ENROLLMENT GROWTH

DOUBLE OF STATE AVERAGE

STAFF REPORTS

Student enrollment at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) has increased 10.2% for the spring semester, the college announced Monday.


SRTC's total enrollment for the current semester is 4,463, up from the 2022 spring enrollment of 4,027. This 10.2% growth represents the fifth-highest growth in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) for the semester, the college said.


These numbers are nearly twice the 5.2% statewide average enrollment growth across the TCSG in the same period. 


SRTC's sites include a Tifton campus.


“Our faculty members are committed to providing the kind of high-quality education that is required in our service delivery area,” said SRTC President Jim Glass.


“Before an individual can become a successful graduate, however, they must first become a successful student. Our staff frequently go far above and beyond for our students, assisting and supporting them every step of the way. From application to graduation, our students are never alone.” 


During the past several semesters, SRTC has added numerous student-focused initiatives. To assist new students, the college established "Stay on T.R.A.C.K." advisement centers. Since spring 2021, new students have met with “success coaches" in the centers to register for their classes.


By assisting students with identifying and creating goals, developing plans to achieve their goals, and entering appropriate programs to reach their goals, Stay on T.R.A.C.K. Center success coaches have aided in student retention and success, the college said.


In 2022, SRTC introduced "Target X,” a student management system that simplifies the application process, provides students with ongoing staff guidance and support, and improves communication between students and the college. 


Additionally, SRTC has streamlined the student experience with “MySRTC," a tab on the college website that gives students easy access to numerous SRTC resources including their email, online classes, and student records.


SRTC has instructional sites in Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties. The college offers more than 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and to 19 private colleges and universities in the state.

State Senate District 11 encompasses Cook, Colquitt, Brooks, Decatur, Grady, Seminole, and Thomas counties. Watson in recent years represented part of Tift County in the Ga. House of Representatives.

SAM WATSON WINS

STATE SENATE SEAT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Former state Rep. Sam Watson, R-Moultrie, who in recent years represented part of Tift County, was elected Tuesday to fill a vacant seat in the state Senate.


Watson, a Colquitt County farmer, had resigned his House seat to run for senator in Senate District 11. That seat became open when Sen. Dean Burke resigned to become chief medical officer of the Georgia Department of Community Health


Senate District 11 covers several counties: Cook (Adel), Colquitt (Moultrie), Brooks, Decatur, Grady, Seminole, and Thomas (Thomasville).


In unofficial results in Tuesday’s special election, Watson received 10,097 votes, or 76.04% of the ballots. Democrat Mary Weaver-Anderson of Cairo received 3,048 votes (22.95%), and Libertarian candidate John H. Monds of Cairo received 134 votes (1.01%), according to the Georgia secretary of state’s office.


All precincts are reporting, but the totals will remain unofficial until all provisional ballots are cleared within the next few days and the totals certified.


Also Tuesday, Colquitt County Administrator Charles “Chas” Cannon, a Republican, was elected unopposed to fill Watson’s House seat; after reapportionment last year, that House district now encompasses Colquitt County and parts of Cook and Thomas counties.

FITZGERALD AREA TEEN DIES IN ACCIDENT

STAFF REPORTS

A 15-year-old boy from the Fitzgerald area was killed Saturday night in a traffic accident in Berrien County during a fishing trip, authorities say.


Michael Huffman, 15, and another teen were riding on the outside of a vehicle when they apparently slipped and fell. Huffman was run over and the other juvenile suffered serious injuries, authorities said.


The accident occurred in the Paradise Public Fishing Area in Enigma.


The youths were transported to Tift Regional Medical Center where Huffman died. The name and condition of the other teen was not released.


The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident.

BEYOND CHOCOLATE: CHOC-IT-UP TO FEATURE BBQ, WINE, JEWELRY

Necklaces from the Cabin Shop and Roberts Jewelry, a weekend getaway in Georgia wine country, and a six-week class in dog obedience are among the live and silent auction items at the ninth annual Choc-It-Up for Literacy, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at The Station, 101 Tift Ave. in downtown Tifton


Attendees will sample some of Tifton’s best chocolate desserts and vote for the best tasting, most original, the greatest variety, and the best presentation. The event is shaping up to be a real Taste of Tifton


Participating restaurants and bakeries are still signing up and include Cole’s Cakery, Cakes by Audrey, The Local, Rutland Farms, Tifton Sweet Treats, and The Howard Center. Savor the Flavor is providing the wine for the event, and Sonny’s Barbecue will have BBQ sandwich samples, along with their chocolate chip cookies. 


Auction items include a kayaking adventure on the Kinchafoonee River, a stay at The Keith Retreat in Dahlonega, a one-year membership at the Tiftarea YMCA by Clearwave Fiber, a glass-painting party for six, a Valentine’s night of comedy at Chino and Letty’s Place, and more! 


Literacy Volunteers makes a difference in Tift County by recruiting and training tutors to work one-on-one with clients and by providing transportation to the GED classes in Adult Education at Southern Regional Technical College. Also, the agency is providing class content at the new Adult Literacy classroom at the Bateman Youth Development Center. 


Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door the night of the event. They may be purchased at Cole’s Cakery and Vintage 41 on Main Street in Tifton, or by calling 229-391-2527.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Towne Center Lofts

501 Main St. S., Tifton

Jan. 27

GA POWER VOLUNTEERS MAKE

A DIFFERENCE ON MLK JR. DAY

To mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day recently, more than 1,000 Georgia Power employees and their loved ones volunteered in more than 30 service projects throughout the state.

 

In Tifton, volunteers with the Citizens of Georgia Power Chapter partnered with the Second Harvest of South Georgia food bank for its annual MLK Day project. Twenty volunteers with the Tifton chapter – comprised of Tifton Distribution, Tifton Transmission, Community Relations, and Region External team members – assembled 100 boxes of food at the Second Harvest distribution center in Tifton.


Afterward, Georgia Power employees delivered the food boxes to the Tiftarea House of Hope, which provides emergency and transitional shelter for homeless women and children in the Tiftarea.

 

Tifton has an energized Georgia Power employee volunteer chapter that is ready to make a difference; 2023 has already kicked off in a major way starting with our MLK volunteer event. Whether working along with local community nonprofits or collaborating with other businesses, we are consistently seeking ways to volunteer and connect within our community, looking to make an impactful difference,” said Georgia Power Area Manager Toni Reid.

 

In a statement on social media, the Tiftarea House of Hope said: "We want to thank Toni Reid, Georgia Power Tifton area manager, and the Georgia Power Citizens chapter for their large donation of non-perishable items to our shelter. They even stayed for a few minutes to help store it all away.


"We love our community partners. If you see any of their linemen or employees working around town, make sure you give them a huge hug and high-five for us."

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

Cupid,” a sweet kitty all ready for Valentine’s Day, is among the pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Cupid and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

Pets of the Week are sponsored by:
Branch's Veterinary Clinic
205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055

TIFTON CITY & TIFT COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS

SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE

~ FEB. 3, 1949

The Tifton city and Tift County boards of education met jointly on Feb. 3, 1949, and voted to ask the General Assembly to approve enabling legislation to consolidate the city and county schools systems into one system. The General Assembly did not set a Tift County voter referendum on school consolidation until 1953.

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Frank Sayles Jr.
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