Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Tifton, Georgia

Your Local Digital Newspaper for Tifton and the Greater Tiftarea

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

CHANNEN BROWN

COREY RICHARDSON

2 FITZGERALD SHOOTINGS INJURE 5, KILL 15-YEAR-OLD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Six people have been shot, including a 15-year-old cheerleader who died, in two separate shootings Sunday and Monday in Fitzgerald, authorities say.

The shooting early Sunday morning at an after-prom party injured three teens and killed Chyell Paulk, 15, a freshman honor-roll student and cheerleader at Irwin County High School. On Monday afternoon, two men were injured in a drive-by shooting in Fitzgerald, which police believe is retaliation for Sunday's shooting.

Authorities say the shootings apparently are gang-related. The City of Fitzgerald on Monday set a curfew from midnight until 6 a.m. daily for minors under age 17 without adult supervision, except for specified exemptions.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said it has arrested and charged a 17-year-old for the shooting incident that occurred early Sunday at the after-prom party in Fitzgerald.

Officials have identified the suspect as Channen Brown. The suspect is accused of shooting four people and charged with one count of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the GBI said.

Fitzgerald Police requested the GBI to investigate after officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 300 block of East Pine Street in Fitzgerald at about 1:10 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived, they found four people had been shot. All the victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment, where 15-year-old Paulk was pronounced dead of gunshot wounds. All the victims – a 19-year-old and two minors – are from Ben Hill County, the GBI said.

Paulk, who was shot in her side, apparently was a bystander when the shooting started.

The second shooting shortly after 2 p.m. Monday occurred near the Bridge Creek Apartments off Bowens Mill Highway in Fitzgerald. In that incident, two men – one 24 and one 21 – were shot from a vehicle as they sat on a porch, authorities said.

An area man, Corey Richardson, has been arrested on two counts of party to a crime and two counts of participating in criminal gang activity, authorities said.

Police are still investigating both shooting incidents and believe more people may be involved.

Ross McClellan, 6, was hit by a car Friday outside his home on Goff Street. Troy Barnes, 35, is charged with DUI and hit and run in that incident, authorities said.

2ND CHILD IN THREE DAYS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN TIFTON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Another young boy has been hit by a vehicle in Tifton, the second time within three days.

On Friday, a hit-and-run driver struck a six-year-old boy as he was playing on his scooter outside his home on Goff Street, authorities said.

On the previous Tuesday, a five-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle after he darted into traffic while crossing the street from Len Lastinger Elementary School. In that accident, the driver stopped and attempted to aid the five-year-old.

In Friday's incident on Goff Street, a man has been arrested. Troy Xavier Barnes, 35, is in Tift County Jail facing charges of hit and run, driving under the influence, driving without a license, and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, according to the jail booking report.

Barnes ran from the scene but was apprehended nearby at approximately 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Ross Thomas McClellan, age six, and his brother were playing with a scooter outside their home when Ross was hit, authorities said. He is in an Atlanta hospital and experienced a brain bleed, neck injuries, and injury to his liver. His family said he has now been moved out of intensive care but is in much pain.

Neighbors along Goff Street told WALB-TV that cars routinely speed past them and sometimes run the stop sign at the end of the street.

In the previous unrelated incident involving a child hit outside the Tifton elementary school, Isaiah Silva, age five, was severely injured when struck by an SUV. He is currently on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma at a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. No charges are expected in that incident.

U.S. Army photos

The nation's top military officials honor the cremated remains Monday of Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., a Tifton native, during a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. Second from left is U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Saluting fourth from right, in civilian clothes, is retired Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

U.S. CAPITOL HONORS A HERO FROM TIFTON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

A soft-spoken wartime hero from Tifton received one of the nation's highest tributes Monday – his remains were lying in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., who died April 8 at age 97 at his home in Columbus, was a Tifton native and one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the U.S. Army's history. Among his many decorations were honors from two U.S. presidents, including the Medal of Honor. Puckett was the last Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War.

“Ralph Puckett wore our nation’s highest military decoration. And in the hearts of generations of soldiers to come, the courage and self-sacrifice that earned that honor will be this great man’s eternal legacy,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell during a ceremony Monday at the Capitol.

“‘Dear God, don’t let me get a bunch of good guys killed;’ that’s how the man we honor today, a well-trained professional soldier, greeted the task before him as he assumed command of the 8th Army Ranger Company in 1950 with humility and with clear eyes about the horrors of war,” McConnell said.

Puckett received the Medal of Honor for his heroics during a battle in 1950. McConnell said Puckett led his Army Rangers through “a crucible of staggering odds,” being outnumbered by the enemy 10-to-1. Puckett “repeatedly risked his own life to defend his position, rally his men, and order them to safety without him,” McConnell said.

Puckett was severely injured during the battle and was hospitalized for 11 months.

“Many soldiers in the Korean War paid the ultimate sacrifice. Seven thousand others remain unaccounted for, but a select few, like the colonel, went above and beyond the call of duty,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said at Monday's ceremony.

Puckett's wife and children also were also in attendance along with other legislators, top military officials, and Medal of Honor recipients from other wars.

Puckett is only one of seven private citizens to lie in honor at the Capitol. The honor is usually reserved for presidents, Supreme Court justices, and distinguished members of Congress.

TWO I-75 CRASHES SNARL TRAFFIC IN TIFT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Two unrelated accidents Saturday morning snarled traffic on Interstate 75 in Tift County.

Shortly before 9 a.m. near mile marker 60 on I-75 South, a tractor-trailer struck the rear of a Toyota. The tractor-trailer then jackknifed, hitting another tractor-trailer and causing a fire, officials said.

Three southbound lanes of I-75 were temporarily closed as the accident was cleared, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

Earlier in the morning, at approximately 3:01 a.m., a pickup truck on I-75 hit the back of a tractor-trailer, causing the pickup to overturn and travel onto the median wall, blocking the north and southbound lanes, the GSP said. An SUV then struck the tractor-trailer, the GSP said.

None of the injuries in the two accidents were said to be life-threatening.

TIFTON JUDICIAL CIRCUIT GETTING THIRD JUDGE

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

During a visit to Valdosta on Tuesday, Gov. Brian P. Kemp signed several bills into law, including adding a third judge to the Tifton Judicial Circuit of Tift, Turner, Irwin, and Worth counties.

During a meeting last August, the Judicial Council of Georgia determined that the Tifton Judicial Circuit had the most pressing need in the state for an additional judge. The Council ranked Tifton No. 1 in need among nine judicial circuits eligible for additional judges based upon workloads.

Superior Court Chief Judge Bill Reinhardt of the Tifton Judicial Circuit had presented his case to Council members, noting that the Tifton Circuit has had only two judges for 43 years while caseloads and population within the four-county circuit has increased.

Reinhardt noted that both Tift and Turner counties are on Interstate 75: "Our case counts are exploding. (Interstate) 75 is a great economic pipeline for Tift County ... but we also get a lot of negative things. Our drug-trafficking cases have exploded; our murder cases have exploded."

He and the other superior court judge in the circuit – Melanie B. Cross – were handling 18 murder cases each at that time last summer. "And we've had six murders in our circuit" since that number was calculated, Reinhardt had said.

"Our criminal cases are overwhelming," Reinhardt said, which is causing delays in civil cases.

"It's an access to justice issue for us," the Tifton judge said. "We need some help; our citizens need some help. We feel like it's our turn after 43 years."

Based on the Judicial Council's recommendation, the General Assembly this year approved expanding the number of judges in the Tifton Circuit.

The governor will appoint the initial judge, and the successors will be elected.

Resident Services Advocate

Vacancy Announcement

The Tifton Housing Authority is now accepting applications for the position of Resident Services Advocate. Applications may be obtained from and returned to the Administration Office located at 1425 N. Tift Building 15, Tifton, GA, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Applications accepted until position is filled. Applications may be mailed to the Tifton Housing Authority, P.O. Box 12, Tifton, GA 31793 or emailed to info@tiftonhousing.org.

This is responsible work related to the Authority’s resident services functions. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating services for residents, recruiting volunteers for resident services and conducting needs assessments for residents. The incumbent exercises judgment and initiative in carrying out the responsibilities of the position subject to established procedures, practices, and standards. Duties include interviewing residents to assess resident social service needs and making referrals to social service agencies. Work involves considerable and constant public contact, often under trying circumstances.

This position requires graduation from high school supplemented by 2 years work experience, certifications, courses, and training. Degree in Human Services field preferred. Drug screen and criminal history check required. GA Driver’s license required. Full benefits. Salary negotiable.

The Tifton Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer

M/F/V/D

TIFT SCHOOLS ALERTED TO POSSIBLE WEAPONS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Two instances of possible weapons brought to Tift County schools occurred during the past week, officials said.

On Monday, a student had left a rifle in his vehicle at Tift County High School. School officials said the school received a phone call about a possible weapon in a student’s vehicle on campus.

"The administration was immediately notified. System security personnel and local law enforcement investigated and found a rifle in the vehicle," the school system said in a statement. "The issue was handled without incident and has been turned over to local law enforcement."

Last week on Tuesday, a Northside Elementary School student informed a teacher that another student had a weapon in their bookbag.

"The teacher immediately notified school administrators, who contacted system security personnel and local law enforcement," the school system said in a statement. "It was determined that the student was in possession of a BB gun, and the issue was handled without incident.

"We would like to commend the student for alerting the teacher to this situation to ensure the safety and security of other students and staff," the school system said.

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH BEGINS MAY 1

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Older Americans Month is May, and Tift County kicks it off with a seniors luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

This year's theme is "Powered by Connection."

Events are scheduled throughout the month in Tift County, including:

Elder Care Financial Summit, 2 p.m. May 7, Tifton-Tift County Public Library
Classical Carnival, 1 p.m. May 10, Leroy Rogers Senior Center
Musical Bingo, 2 p.m. May 14, Leroy Rogers Senior Center
Cornhole Tournament, 10 a.m. May 17, First Baptist Church
Senior Bowling, 1 p.m. May 20, Tift County Lanes
Southern Fish Fry, 11:30 a.m. May 23, Leroy Rogers Senior Center
Butter Bean Auction, 1 p.m. May 24, Leroy Rogers Senior Center
Older Americans Month Finale, 11:30 a.m., May 29, First Baptist Church

The activities are available for all Tift County seniors aged 55 and above.

CLARIFICATION

Randary Crockett Jr., 29, of Tifton was arrested and charged with drug trafficking on April 18 by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Irwin County Sheriff's Office, and State Police.

When contacted by the Tifton Grapevine, the Irwin County Sheriff's Office did not identify Crockett as "Jr."

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Pinecone" is hanging onto a cat tree while she awaits a new home. Come visit Pinecone and 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 CITY COUNCIL GUIDING

'THE GATE CITY'

~ MAY 1, 1891

A news dispatch on May 1, 1891, noted that in Tifton, the "men who are the heart of our municipal government have liberal views and will guide the future of 'The Gate City' to South Georgia and Florida." Listed were the members of Tifton's first City Council: Mayor W.H. Love, Councilmen H.H. Tift, Dr. J.C. Goodman, John Pope, M.A. Sexton, and J.I. Clements, who was said to represent the "golden mean between sober age and impulsive youth."