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JULY 21, 2017
Tifton, Georgia
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BIKE/PEDESTRIAN CRASHES
REGION REPORT SHOWS 65 CRASHES IN TIFT OVER 5 YEARS
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
For the five-year period from 2012-2016, Tift County recorded 65 crashes involving pedestrians or bicycles with a total of six pedestrian fatalities; there were no bicycle fatalities in Tift during that period, according to a regional study released Thursday.
The Southern Georgia Regional Commission's (SGRC) Bicycle/Pedestrian Crash Report for Fiscal Year 2017 covers the years 2012 to 2016 in the 18 counties that the regional commission serves -- Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner and Ware.
During that five-year study period, there were 461 crashes in the region involving bicyclists or
pedestrians. Bicycle fatalities in the region totaled eight, while pedestrian fatalities totaled 31.
The year 2015 was especially dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians both in the region and in Tift County. Of the six pedestrian deaths in Tift during the period, four occurred in 2015. And in the region, more bicycle and pedestrian fatalities were recorded in 2015 that in any other year of the study.
While Tift County had a total of 65 bicycle or pedestrian crashes during the period, Ben Hill County recorded 12; Berrien, 11; Turner, eight; and Irwin County, five.
The SGRC study found that region-wide, 55 percent of bicycle/pedestrian crashes were because of failure to yield, driving on the wrong side of the road, inattentiveness or disregarding a stop sign or signal.
The report is intended to help officials and the public determine how to
improve safety for all users on roadways, especially regarding
bicyclists and pedestrians.
The crash report is modeled after goals listed in the 2016 Georgia Highway Safety Plan, analyzing trends for crash characteristics such as injuries, fatalities, manners of collision, and contributing factors such as speeding and alcohol.
The SGRC, a regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency, welcomes citizens' comments about the report. Contact Corey Hull, transportation and environment director, at 229-333-5277 or
chull@sgrc.us
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TIFTON TEACHER CHOSEN
FOR SELECT TRAINING
LEN LASTINGER SCHOOL EDUCATOR
ATTENDS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Congressman Austin Scott, R-Tifton, this week welcomed Tracy Ingram, a Georgia Science Ambassador and a second-grade teacher at Tifton's Len Lastinger Primary School, to Washington, D.C., as she was chosen from more than 300 applicants to attend the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute during the week of July
17-21.
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Austin Scott with Tracy Ingram of Tifton
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Ingram was chosen for the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teaching conference through the Library of Congress. She is a past recipient of an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence and is a former staff writer for The Tifton Gazette.
"Investing in our teachers means more opportunities for our schools and brighter futures for our students,"
said Rep. Scott. "I congratulate Tracy Ingram on her selection to this program, and I look forward to hearing what innovative ideas Mrs. Ingram brings back to our classrooms and shares with her colleagues."
Each year, the Library of Congress provides an opportunity for a group of K-12 educators to attend one of its five teacher institutes in Washington. During the five-day program, participants work with library education specialists and subject-matter experts to learn effective practices for using primary sources in the classroom, while exploring some of the millions of digitized historical artifacts and documents available on the Library of Congress' website.
During the week, activities draw on subject-related treasures of the Library, with an emphasis on such topics as the nature of science, scientific and engineering practices, interdependence of science, technology and engineering, the historical context of discovery and invention, and more.
Educators attending the teacher institutes participate in and develop primary source-based teaching strategies that they can take back to their school districts, apply in the classroom and share with colleagues. All educators may freely access classroom materials, teaching tools and strategies for teaching with primary sources from the Library of Congress' web site for teachers.
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TIFTAREA ACADEMY NAMES NEW
UPPER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Michael Heitzman has joined the faculty and staff of Tiftarea Academy for the 2017-2018 school year as the Upper School principal.
Heitzman spent eight years in the classroom teaching at Sandalwood High and Atlantic Coast High schools in
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MICHAEL HEITZMAN
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Jacksonville,
Fla.,
and most recently, at
Fitzgerald High School
. He was the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year at
Fitzgerald High.
Throughout his career, Heitzman has taught a variety of mathematics and social studies
courses including Algebra 1, Geometry, AP U.S. History, AP Human Geography, U.S. History, Geography and Civics. He has coached softball, tennis and soccer.
Heitzman earned his bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in social science education. He earned his master's degree, from the University of New England, in educational leadership. He has an extensive background in differentiation, technology-based instruction, lesson design, curriculum mapping and gifted instruction.
Heitzman has been married to his best friend Hillary for almost a decade. The Heitzmans reside in Irwin County and have four children. In their spare time, the family enjoys traveling, geocaching, hiking, swimming and soccer.
"We are excited to welcome Michael Heitzman to our staff at Tiftarea Academy. Mr. Heitzman comes to Tiftarea with a strong curriculum background and an excellent reputation of incorporating technology into classroom instruction. I am also confident his experience with vertical alignment between high school and middle school in all academic areas will serve us well," said Headmaster Stacey Bell.
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IT'S NOW 'CAPT.' STEVE HYMAN
OF
THE TIFTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Steve E. Hyman, who has been with the
Tifton Police Department for more than
34 years, has been
promoted from
lieutenant to
captain. Capt.
Hyman is now supervising the department's
uniform patrol division.
Police Chief
Buddy Dowdy made the formal announcement
Monday to
Tifton City Council.
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| Capt. Steve Hyman, front and center, surrounded by members of the Tifton Police Department at City Hall. |
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"I think everyone in town knows
Steve," Dowdy said. "I
love him like a
brother;
respect him like
no other."
Hyman, an Alapaha native, has served in various capacities with Tifton Police, including patrol officer, field detective, field training officer supervisor, police community relations and Crime Suppression Unit supervisor. The governor has appointed Hyman to the Georgia Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Hyman has also been named local Police Officer of the Year numerous times and has received the
Tifton Sertoma Club's
Service to Mankind Award.
Chief Dowdy said Hyman wanted to be a police officer since he was a child, doing "ride-alongs" with the Berrien County Sheriff's Office when he was 14 years old.
Hyman has served as president of the Georgia Crime Prevention Association and has served
on numerous boards of local community organizations, including the Tift County Commission on Children and Youth, the Tiftarea YMCA, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Tift County Recreation Advisory Board and PLIGHT -- "Proud Loving Individuals Giving a Helping Hand to Teens."
He is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, of the FBI National Academy and of Georgia Command College.
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TIFTON FARMER A NATIONAL FINALIST
IN 'ROOTED IN AG' CONTEST
Lauren Grimes of
Docia Farms in
Tifton is one of
five national finalists in the
Syngenta company's
#RootedinAg contest.
Syngenta, a global
agriculture company,
invited growers and other ag professionals to describe how someone in their
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Lauren Grimes of Tifton with husband Andrew and their three children
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lives has helped them establish their agricultural roots and thrive. The
finalists each receive a
mini touch-screen tablet and now compete for the
grand prize -- a
$500 gift card and a
$1,000 donation to the winner's favorite
local charity or
civic organization.
The five finalists are Grimes, Thomas Luke Andrews of Boyle, Miss.; Steve Groves of Bakersfield, Calif.; Tori Streitmatter of Sparland, Ill.; and Nicole Swinson of Kenansville, N.C.
Anyone may now vote online for their favorite candidate. Voting goes through September, and the grand-prize winner will be announced in October. To vote,
Click Here!
Grimes, along with her husband Andrew, was a finalist last fall in the Georgia Young Farmer Association's competition for the Farm Family of the Year Award. In her essay for the #RootedinAg contest, Grimes wrote:
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Georgia Farm Monitor video about the Grimes Family
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"Growing up, I was not involved in
agriculture
. When in
10th
grade
, I started dating
Andrew Grimes
, who is now my
husband. His
family
had a
farming operation
where
they grew
row crops
and
produce
. During the summer months, I worked on the farm in the
packing facility
for their
cantaloupe
operation. Andrew's mother,
Jane
, was in charge of all the
food safety
and conducted the
audits
that were
performed on the farm. She
included
me in these as her
assistant
. It was then that I
grew a passion
for what my husband does full-time, and that is
growing the food and fibers
for our world.
"As we graduated and began our lives, I became very
active in our local
farm bureau and in the
classrooms of our
local schools, where I currently
teach ag to young farmers. I love to share the
story of agriculture, and it is all because of
Jane getting me involved.
"In
2015, Jane passed away after her long battle with breast cancer. I am now the
food safety director at our family farm,
Docia Farms. I wouldn't be able to do this today if it wasn't for her teaching me the things I needed to know and showing me how to
love agriculture just as she did. I love
sharing the story of
agriculture and being a part of this
family farm because I
know this is what she would have been doing if she was still with us today,"
Lauren Grimes
wrote.
"If I were to win, I would want nothing more than to donate the
$1,000 donation to an organization in my
community that promotes and supports the
education of agriculture to our young
children."
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JAY PRINCE NAMED CHAIR OF GA AUTO DEALERS
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PRINCE
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Tifton native
Jay Prince of Valdosta,
vice president of Prince Automotive Group, has been named chairman of the
Georgia Automobile Dealers Association (GADA).
Prince Automotive owns dealerships in Tifton, Valdosta, Albany and Douglas.
Prince's father,
John Prince
of
Tifton
, previously served as GADA
chairman
in
1980-81
.
Jay Prince, a University of Georgia graduate, has a degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant.
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SRTC HOLDING 'SOUTHERN SOIREE' FUNDRAISER
On
Saturday, July 29, the
Foundation at Southern Regional Technical College will present
"Dueling Pianos: A Southern Soiree" in the ballroom of the
Colquitt County Arts Center.
The event features the
Andrews Brothers, who know more than
1,500 songs. Each one they perform will be requested by
guests, making the audience a part of the show. All
song requests will be in the form of
donations to SRTC's Foundation,which annually provides more than
$100,000 in
scholarships to students in the
seven counties that
SRTC serves, including
Tift County.
Guests may bring cash, check, credit or debit cards to ensure their favorite tunes are performed and to buy raffle tickets for chances to win a variety of prizes.
The first priority of SRTC's foundation is to support and enhance student learning through scholarships, college activities and community involvement.
"Dueling Pianos will be the first foundation event held in Moultrie since our merger in 2015. We're eager to give the people of Colquitt County and beyond this opportunity to celebrate the successes of SRTC alumni,and to show their support for our current students. We are anticipating a fantastic night of fun, friends and fundraising," said
Brittany McInvale, resource development director.
The soiree begins at 6 p.m., and the entertainment will go on until 11 p.m. Tickets include a Southern-inspired supper; tickets are $50 per person and $75 per couple. Unlimited beverage armbands will be available for $10.
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FAMILY VIOLENCE OUTREACH GROUP TO MEET
Ruth's Cottage and the Patticake House -- a d
omestic violence prevention program and emergency shelter -- are establishing
"H.E.R.E.," a community support
outreach group for
survivors of
family violence.
H.E.R.E., or "Hope. Encourage. Restore. Empower," will have its first meeting from
4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 25, at Ruth's Cottage administrative offices,
108 E. Fourth St. in Tifton.
Alexia Tanner, of Wholistic Therapeutic Services will be facilitating the open forum. Anyone wishing to
attend is asked to call Charlene Carr at 229-387-9697 to RSVP.
The outreach group plans to meet on the last Tuesday of each month.
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PRAYING FOR UNITY, FOR OUR SCHOOLS
A
"C
ommunity Prayer Meeting" has been scheduled for 7-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 27, at
Tifton's First Church of the Nazarene,
3024 N. Tift Ave.
According to organizers, everyone who believes in the power of prayer is invited
to gather and pray for unity, revival and for the schools in our community.
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YOUR WEEKEND
.
..at a Glance
- Back to School Resource Fair, 4-6:30 p.m., Tift County Recreation Dept., Tifton
- Irwin County Farmers Market, 8 a.m., 5th Street, Ocilla
- Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
- Sylvester Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, downtown train depot, Sylvester
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JULY 13
Leonard Duerel York, 84, Rebecca
Georgia Mae Huckaby, 93, Fitzgerald
Russell McMorrow, 79, Fitzgerald
JULY 14
Annie Fay Willis, 75, Tifton
Gordon Fred Pollock, 81, Sylvester
Ann Camp Wilkerson, 85, Sylvester
JULY 15
James Bixler "Jim" Clayton, 79, Tifton
Cathy Ann Strickland, 60, Tifton
Mary L. Morris, 88, Tifton
Annie Lois Brown Andrews, 87, Sylvester
David W. Tipton, 61, Ocilla
Franklin A. Paul, 88, Macon
Richard Charles Williamson, 78, Ocilla
Grady "Bo" Beard, 93, Sycamore
JULY 16
Judith Lane Hammond, 75, Camden, S.C.
Aline Cook, 74, Nashville
Louise Raby Minshew Bennett, 89, Fitzgerald
Geneva Jones, 86, Sylvester
Annie Lou Curry, 65, Sylvester
Edward "Bubba" Parker III, 63, Leesburg
JULY 17
Bennie Morris Giddens, 78, Tifton
Alvin "Nelson" Bailey, 76, Omega
Lucille L. Osborne, 84, Tifton
Ruth Rabus Fouche, 72, Tifton
Estelle Nobles Cowan, 92, Fitzgerald
Irene Smith, 85, Fitzgerald
Glynette Story Reid, 87, Ashburn
Cloyd Bloser Jr., 65, Sparks
JULY 18
Isabel Malacate Lara, 64, Tifton
Richard Allen Kaegel, 76, Sylvester
Chad Giddens, 47, Tifton
Johnnie K. Nelson, 79, Sycamore
Elizabeth Rizer, 80, Quitman
Jimmie C. Kirk, Sylvester
JULY 19
Cindy Moorman Isdell, 57, Tifton
John Frederick Gibbs, 88, Tifton
Lynn Futch Lindsey, 71, Nashville
Jimmie M. Bridges, 81, Sylvester
Larry Dawson, Ashburn
JULY 20
Betty Pearl Miller Gurley, 81, Chula
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BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
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MLS #
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NEW CONSTRUCTION:
New and growing subdivision; 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and split floor plan; 1,650 square feet. Wood and ceramic tile flooring, modern kitchen, 2-car garage and pond access.
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Visit Us Online:
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FRANK SAYLES JR.
Editor & Publisher
A Service of
Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC
478-227-7126
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