🍇 Feeling Lucky

Good morning, Spalding County!

By now, many of you have probably settled into the usual warm-weather uniform of a t-shirt, shorts, and Crocs. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may need to stash those away for a few days this week. A colder stretch is moving in, and just when it felt like spring was finally starting to settle in, winter decided it wanted one more shot. The frustrating part of this time of year is seeing all that fresh growth and greenery finally begin to show up, only for another frost to come along and threaten it. In Georgia, spring always seems to arrive with at least one little warning label attached.

The good news is, it is officially March Madness season, so if college basketball is your thing, at least there is a pretty good excuse to stay inside a little more this week. And if your internet starts crawling at the office, there is a decent chance it is not the router’s fault. It is probably just a few of your coworkers quietly streaming a game in another tab and pretending to work.

Anyway, let’s get into what’s happening around Griffin.

- Chad Robert

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Southern Crescent Technical College recently achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 7,000 students during the spring semester. This marks the first time in the institution's history that enrollment has reached such heights. Currently, 7,291 students are enrolled in credit courses for Spring 2026. This impressive figure represents an 11.5 percent increase compared to Spring 2025 and continues a strong pattern of consecutive growth for the college.

This upward trajectory aligns with broader statewide trends across the Technical College System of Georgia, which has seen overall enrollment and credit hours increase significantly compared to last year. SCTC attributes its success to strategic investments in student access, academic innovation, and programs specifically tailored to employer needs.

The enrollment growth spans various academic pathways that directly support the modern workforce. Allied health programs lead the way, making up 30.8 percent of the total student body. This is followed by general education at 28.1 percent, industrial and technical programs at 11.9 percent, professional programs at 8.4 percent, business technologies at 7.7 percent, and public safety at 5.9 percent. This balanced distribution highlights the critical role the college plays in preparing skilled talent for the regional economy.

Former Spalding High School standout Dee Alford is heading to a new NFL home after reaching a significant agreement with the Buffalo Bills. The defensive back recently signed a three-year contract valued at $15.75 million, which includes $7.8 million in guaranteed money. This move comes after Alford spent the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he established himself as a reliable contributor in both the secondary and on special teams.

Alford’s journey to this multi-million dollar deal is a testament to his perseverance. After playing college football at Tusculum University, he went undrafted and initially had to prove his skills in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His dominant performance in Canada eventually earned him a spot back in the NFL with Atlanta. Last season was the best of his career, as he recorded 67 total tackles and three interceptions across 16 games.

Now a sought-after free agent, Alford chose Buffalo due to the organization's winning culture and family-oriented environment. As the Bills prepare for another playoff run, the former local star looks to build on his recent success and solidify his place as a premier defender in the league.

It's a moderately busy Monday on the government calendar, with three meetings all scheduled for the same day. The week opens with the Spalding County Board of Commissioners convening for a work session Monday at 3:00 PM before reconvening for their extraordinary session at 6:00 PM. Running concurrently at 6:00 PM, the Griffin Planning and Zoning Board holds its regular session, worth watching if you're tracking development or land-use decisions in the city.

Monday & Thursday: Carver (610 Carver Rd) and Woodroof (4245 Old Atlanta Rd) 11am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday: Blalock (5756 Newnan Rd) and Cabin (3865 Jackson Rd)
11am-7pm

Saturday: All centers open 7am-1pm (plus Akin for bulky items only)

Sunday & Wednesday: Closed

Got big stuff? The Akin Collection Center (841 S McDonough Rd) is for bulky items only—no regular household garbage. Open Saturdays 7am-1pm.

All centers closed on county holidays.

UGA Griffin Campus Open House

When: Monday, March 16, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

What: Explore academic programs, meet faculty, and tour the University of Georgia's Griffin Campus at this open house event. Great opportunity for prospective students and community members. Sign-up at https://griffin.uga.edu/events/griffin-campus-open-house/

Where: UGA Griffin Campus, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Prayer Luncheon hosted by Spalding County Sheriff's Office

When: Tuesday, March 17, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

What: Join neighbors for a community prayer luncheon featuring a country fried steak plate or chef salad, plus tea and dessert. $5 per person. RSVP required by Monday at 2:00 PM - contact Julie Shorb at [email protected] or (770) 467-5463.

Where: Kiwanis FairGrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224

The Next Generation Leahy

When: Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

What: Experience this high-energy, nine-sibling Canadian-Celtic music and dance family featuring fiddle, cello, accordion, vocals, guitar, and iconic French-Canadian step-dancing. Semi-finalists on Nickelodeon's America's Most Musical Families. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Where: Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Family Storytime @ the Library (Ages 2-5)

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

What: This interactive family storytime includes theme-based songs, fingerplays, activities, stories, movement, crafts, and more. Recommended for families with children ages 2-5 and their parents or caregivers. No registration required.

Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Ribbon Cutting: Wellstar Spalding Cancer Center

When: Thursday, March 19, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

What: Join the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the new Wellstar Spalding Cancer Center building. This new facility expands access to advanced cancer care in the community with enhanced patient comfort, technology, and treatment options. A major investment in the health of Griffin-Spalding.

Where: Wellstar Spalding Medical Center, 801 South 8th Street, Griffin, GA 30224

The Spitfire Grill - Griffin High School Theatre

When: Thursday, March 19, 7:00 PM (also March 20 at 7 PM and March 21 at 2 PM & 7 PM)

What: Watch Griffin High School's talented drama students perform this award-winning musical about a young woman who finds community and hope in a small-town restaurant. $11 tickets available through GoFan. Support local student artists!

Where: Griffin High School Theatre Room, 1617 W Poplar Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Camelot Theatre: The Prince of Egypt

When: April 17-19, 2026

What: Camelot Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt, the sweeping DreamWorks musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, including his Oscar-winning "When You Believe." Journey through Ancient Egypt as Moses and Ramses are torn apart by a secret past, one destined to rule as Pharaoh, the other to free his people. Tickets are $15 and available at camelottheatre.com.

Where: Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

63° 🌡️ 31° | ⛈️ | 75% | 💨 19 mph (17 knots)

46° 🌡️ 30° | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 11 mph (10 knots)

53° 🌡️ 30° | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 4 mph (3 knots)

66° 🌡️ 37° | ☁️ | 10% | 💨 5 mph (4 knots)

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Thanks for reading the Griffin Grapevine. Have a great week, Griffin!