Tift Planning Says No to Crypto Mining

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

CHINESE FIRM LOSES ITS INITIAL STEP TO LOCATE CRYPTO MINING FACILITY

PROPOSAL NOW GOES TO TIFT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A Chinese cryptocurrency mining company has lost in its first step to locate a digital mining operation in Tift County.

At its meeting Thursday night, the Greater Tift County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended against amending county zoning codes to allow cryptocurrency mining facilities under the county’s wholesale light industrial zoning classification.

The Chinese company, White Rock Solutions, is seeking a text amendment to county zoning codes to allow cryptocurrency mining facilities under that zoning classification. County officials say that the Chinese company is focused on property off Carpenter Road, roughly behind the Lowe’s store, which is already zoned wholesale light industrial.

At Thursday's Planning Commission meeting, two people spoke in favor of amending the zoning code while approximately 70 residents were there in opposition. The Planning Commission's recommendation now goes to the Tift County Commission, which is scheduled to address the issue at 6 p.m. June 13.

County Commissioner Donnie Hester, whose district includes the proposed site, says he is opposed to any cryptocurrency mining facility in Tift County. County Manager Jim Carter also says that he has serious reservations about the proposal and doesn’t foresee a recommendation for it from his office.

Cryptocurrency mining facilities handle digital currency, such as Bitcoin, using specialized, high-powered computers, servers, and software to verify and secure the currency. The operations use a high volume of electrical power and generate a lot of heat, using huge air conditioners to cool the operation, causing constant noise.

MAN FOUND DEAD IN YARD

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the death of a Tift County man found with an apparent gunshot wound.

Tift County Sheriff's deputies on Friday had responded to a report of an apparently lifeless man in a yard in the 2700 block of South Ridge Avenue.

Authorities identified the man as Teajuwan Osby, 19. The GBI is conducting an autopsy at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur and is continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Tift County Sheriff’s Office at 229-388-6020 or the GBI Sylvester Field Office at 229-777-2080.

Natalie Rippy, left, and Carolyn Brown are Tiftarea Academy's Upper and Lower School Teachers of the Year.

TA NAMES TEACHERS OF YEAR

Tiftarea Academy (TA) has named its Upper and Lower School Teachers of the Year: Natalie Rippy and Carolyn Brown, respectively.

Rippy, the Upper School Teacher of the Year, teaches eighth- and ninth-grade English and was the literary sponsor to this year’s state champion Literary Team, the first in TA’s history. She has been a teacher for 17 years and has spent the past decade at Tiftarea Academy. She also serves as the Beta Club sponsor.

Carolyn Brown, the Lower School Teacher of the Year, teaches fifth grade and has been a teacher for 33 years, spending the past 11 years at Tiftarea Academy, where her grandchildren also attend. She said she loves having a front row seat to all of her students’ accomplishments.

Tiftarea Academy on Friday graduated 38 students during ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Tifton.

Photos by Herimar Hurst Photography

TIFTON CELEBRATES PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE AT WIREGRASS BALL

As part of the celebration of Tifton's 150th anniversary of the city's settlement, Tiftonites gathered Saturday night for a Wiregrass Ball and farm-to-table dinner.

Held at the Peanut Museum on the grounds of the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, the event included live music and square dancing under the stars.

More events are planned in celebration of Tifton's sesquicentennial, including a community birthday party, Rock the Block event, fireworks, and a special city honor for Tifton's own Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient – all scheduled for July 1.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Train That Dog!

Tifton, May 3

President David Bridges, left, receives the Abraham Baldwin Distinguished Service Award from Jerry Baker, ABAC provost and vice president for academic affairs.

ABAC PRESENTS DISTINGUISHED

SERVICE AWARD TO PRESIDENT BRIDGES

Dr. David Bridges is the second person in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College's 114-year history to receive the college's Distinguished Service Award. He received the award during spring commencement last week.

Bridges is retiring this summer after 16 years as president.

Jerry Baker, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the Distinguished Service Award which had only been given to alumnus George T. Smith, Class of ’40. Smith is the only person in state history to win election to all three branches of state government: He served as lieutenant governor, speaker of the House, and chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.

“Today’s award is being presented to a man who has spent the last 16 years of his life making our college and his alma mater better, much better,” Baker said. “President Bridges has moved ABAC from a two-year college to Georgia’s 'state college of choice.'"

“This is just too much,” Bridges said. “It has been a pleasure being the president of ABAC; I have so many memories. ABAC is where my heart is.”

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Goldie" is among many kittens available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Goldie 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

AIR MAIL LEAVES TIFTON

~ MAY 1, 1938

A large crowd turned out at 10:30 a.m. May 18, 1938, to see a plane arrive in Tifton to pick up 273 pieces of air mail and then take off with the mail safely aboard and bound for far-off delivery.