For the first time ever, the state municipal and county associations will be led in the coming year by elected officials from Tifton and Tift County.

Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes was recently sworn in as president of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG); next month, Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith will be sworn in as president of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA).

"This is definitely history; this is just awesome," Hughes said. "This is an exciting time for both of us."

Smith said: "What’s special to me is that I will be serving at the same time Commissioner Hughes is president of ACCG. And while having two presidents from the same community has happened a few times in the histories of the two organizations, we are making history as the first two women to serve together from the same community."

Hughes noted that she and Smith "will be able to gather information from other cities and counties around the state and bring it back to our community," especially information and ideas from communities of similar size.

“I am extremely excited to serve as ACCG president. As I stated in my message at my installation, we are all a piece of the puzzle; if one piece of the puzzle is missing, the puzzle is not complete," Hughes said.

"This rings truth in life and politics. It is about the relationships we build, the friendships we continue, always giving the best of ourselves and being strong for others. I envision continuing the thriving legacy of improving our counties similar to those of past presidents."

Smith, who will be installed as GMA president at the organization's meeting in late June in Savannah, said that she is "beyond thrilled to be able to be of service to not only TIfton but all 537 municipalities in our great state. TIfton has never had a GMA president before.

"It is a honor to serve, but extra special to serve alongside my friend Commissioner Hughes,” the mayor said.

Both Hughes and Smith have risen through the ranks as officers of their respective organizations, serving as vice presidents and as committee chairs. They are elected to their positions by their peers from around the state.

A Chinese cryptocurrency mining company is seeking a text amendment to county zoning codes to allow digital mining operations under the county’s wholesale light industrial zoning classification.

County officials say the Chinese company, White Rock Solutions, is looking at property off Carpenter Road roughly behind the Lowe’s store, which is already zoned wholesale light industrial.

During an informal meeting last week with some Tift County residents, county officials

said they have issues with allowing cryptocurrency mining facilities under that zoning classification. And County Commissioner Donnie Hester said he is totally against cryptocurrency mining anywhere in Tift County.

"I promise you, I'm going to do all I can, at the best of my ability, not to let this come into this county," Hester said.

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. A cryptocurrency facility in Adel has prompted complaints by nearby residents of constant noise coming from the operation, akin to a constant whir of helicopters.

County Manager Jim Carter told the residents meeting at Grace Baptist Church last week that cryptocurrency mining facilities are currently prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Tift County.

"I don’t see a recommendation” coming from his office to allow such facilities in light industrial zoning, Carter said. If they would go anywhere, Carter said that he "can see it only work" in areas zoned for heavy industrial, such as the Industrial Park, and then only with supplemental standards.

"Where they are looking, we do not feel this is a good fit,” the county manager said.

"This is a very iffy thing for White Rock Solutions. I haven’t talked to anybody in Tift County who wants it.”

He noted that White Rock claims the operation would generate 80 jobs." I don’t see 80 jobs," Carter said. "We are going to approach this very, very cautiously and follow the law."

The county zoning board was to meet on the proposed text amendment change last night. The County Commission is expected to address the matter at its meeting June 13.

MORE THAN 300

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College awarded degrees to approximately 315 graduates during two commencement ceremonies Thursday.

Retiring President David Bridges presided over his last graduation ceremonies: One for the graduates of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the School of Arts and Sciences; and the other for graduates of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Stafford School of Business.

Charley Lollis received the David and Kim Bridges Award, which was first given at the fall 2014 graduation to an outstanding bachelor's degree graduate. The graduate must be dedicated to his/her studies and actively participate in other organizations.

Elijah Alford received the Donaldson Award for most outstanding student graduating with an associate’s degree. The award, first presented in 1962 in honor of Dr. George P. "Pete" Donaldson upon his retirement as president. "Mr. Pete" believed that students should be well-rounded and be encouraged to be their very best.

Tift County's positive COVID-19 cases rose to 30 during the past two weeks, increasing from 18 in the previous period, according to data from the state Department of Public Health (DPH).

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were 12 within the past week, the DPH reported. There were no additional deaths in Tift County during the past two weeks.

Tift County’s total positive cases represent 73 cases per 100,000 population, the measure used across the country to compare case rates among communities and states.

Tift's testing positivity rate for the period was 4.5%, the DPH reported.

Tift has seen a total of 6,304 cases with 164 related deaths, the DPH said.

The state recorded a total of 1,962,028 confirmed cases and 31,693 related deaths, the DPH said; the state reports COVID-19 data once a week.

Tiftarea Academy's Class of 2022 has been offered nearly $2.2 million in merit-based scholarships.

In the photo, many of the students are wearing shirts proclaiming their future college.

The Tiftarea Academy class holds its graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Tifton.

Tift County High School will hold its graduation on May 21.

Visit us on Facebook and Instagram

The 19th annual Nanci Bowen Golf Tournament benefitting Southwell hospice and oncology patients was held on Monday in Tifton.

First-place winners were, from left, Pete Boggs, Bob Doolan, Chris Hammond, and Jim Currington. They were awarded a two-night stay and two rounds of golf at the King and Prince resort in St. Simons Island.

ACCG, Georgia’s county association, recently awarded Tift County Commissioner Donnie Hester with a certificate for completing requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.

Hester was recognized for successfully completing the Quality of Life/Social Issues specialty track. He was among recipients recognized during the ACCG Annual Conference in Savannah.

ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With many courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.

“County officials are faced with many challenges and ever-evolving circumstances under which they must govern Georgia’s local communities,” said Dave Wills, ACCG’s executive director. “The Lifelong Learning Academy was created to help them navigate those challenges. I commend county leaders who take full advantage of educational opportunities to further their knowledge on how to better serve their communities.”

Ameris Bank recently contributed $75,000 to Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) through the Georgia HEART program. 

“We are so grateful to Ameris Bank for supporting our mission,” said Chris Efaw, Southwell vice president, outreach and development. “They are a true community partner, and we appreciate their generosity.”  

The Georgia HEART (Helping Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) program provides organizations, individuals, and married couples the opportunity to donate to qualified rural hospitals in the state and receive a 100% state tax credit. 

In the photo from left, are Jelks Warren, Ameris Bank senior vice president, commercial banker; Josh Bowen, Ameris Bank market president; William Bowen, board member with both Ameris and Southwell; and Southwell Vice President Chris Efaw. 

Visit www.GeorgiaHeart.org for more information. 

To Subscribe, Click Here!

Your free subscription allows you to receive our MidWeek and Weekender editions in your in-box, along with occasional Sponsored Editions.

To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

Today, Friday, May 13, is National Apple Pie Day, a treat that has become synonymous with America. But apple pie has been around since the Middle Ages; a Dutch cookbook in 1514 lists a recipe for "Appeltaerten" – a pie crust around soft, seedless apples, and spices cooked in a traditional Dutch oven. The English version dates to Chaucer's time and includes figs and raisins. Apple pie was eventually brought to the American colonies, along with apple trees, and became a very popular dessert.

"Odin is a sweet boy ready for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).

205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055  

A Service of Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC, Tifton, Georgia