🍇 The Election

Good morning, Spalding County!

If you’ve managed to miss the election commercials, campaign mailers, and daily texts from strangers asking for your vote, I’d love to know your secret.

Here at the Griffin Grapevine, we keep things nonpartisan. You already have plenty of people telling you how to vote, and I’m fairly certain you didn’t open this email looking for another. What I can do is help you get ready before heading to the polls.

This is the final week of early voting, which ends Friday, October 30. Before you go, view your personalized sample ballot through Georgia’s My Voter Page to see the candidates and questions you’ll be voting on. You can also check your registration and find your assigned Election Day polling place there.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you vote that day, make sure you go to your assigned polling location.

- Chad

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Downtown Griffin will trade its usual Thursday routine for costumes and candy Oct. 29, when the annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat returns from 4 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by United Bank, the event brings businesses and community organizations together for a free evening of Halloween fun.

Start at One Griffin Center, 100 South Hill Street, where the first 500 trick-or-treaters will receive a bag and event map. Other stops include City Church’s Halloween Fun Zone on Solomon Street, St. Matthews Ministries’ Fall Festival at the Broad Street playground, and Spalding County’s Spooky Party at Park at Sixth.

Families can also head to Old Oak Hill Cemetery, behind Griffin Memorial Stadium, for Public Safety Trick-or-Treat beginning at 6 p.m. With several celebrations nearby, there is plenty of reason to give those costumes an early outing.

Southern Crescent Technical College brought home two statewide honors from this month’s Technical College System of Georgia Leadership Conference in Savannah, extending recognition streaks that now stretch beyond a decade.

The college’s foundation earned Role Model Foundation status for the 12th consecutive year. Its board of directors reached a 13th straight year in the 100 Percent Club, which recognizes boards whose members have completed required certification.

The foundation designation evaluates financial stewardship, fundraising, governance, and trustee involvement. Those responsibilities connect directly to student support: earlier this month, Southern Crescent announced a $25,000 donation establishing an endowed scholarship for tuition, textbooks, and required tools.

Southern Crescent serves Spalding and seven other counties. Its foundation raises scholarship dollars, while the local board helps guide college priorities and training programs that respond to employers’ needs.

A proposed road connection east of High Falls Road has cleared a local approval step, with Spalding County commissioners voting 5–0 on Oct. 5 to support changes along State Route 16.

The plan would extend a frontage road on the highway’s north side to improve access to industrial property at 480 Tomochichi Road. In exchange, an existing highway access point about 1,500 feet east of High Falls Road would close.

A creek and wetlands complicate the original route. County officials favor the revised connection because it would avoid significant work through those areas and steer commercial traffic through an established roadway connection.

Georgia Department of Transportation approval is still required to change the highway’s access restrictions. Commissioners also approved a letter addressing other transportation priorities, including intersection safety and the proposed rerouting of SR 155 away from downtown Griffin.

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.

Griffin Grapevine is where local stories, familiar faces, and hometown pride come together. Now you can wear that spirit into the cooler months. This organic sweatshirt features a simple Griffin Grapevine logo, a relaxed fit, and comfortable midweight fabric. Pull it on for crisp mornings, Friday night football, or a weekend around town. It’s an easy way to stay comfortable while representing the community you call home.

Shop the Griffin Grapevine sweatshirt and wear your hometown pride.

Griffin-Spalding County Land Bank Authority Meeting
When: Monday, October 26, 4:00 PM
What: The board will consider a marketing agreement of up to $40,000, changes to property maintenance contracting, sale proposals for 522 Meriwether Street, and requests for proposals for properties on East Quilly and East Tinsley streets. The agenda also includes property and financial updates.
Where: One Griffin Center, Municipal Courtroom, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

City of Griffin Board of Commissioners Morning Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 27, 9:00 AM
What: Commissioners will discuss installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at city fire stations. The agenda also includes consideration of a closed executive session for legal and personnel matters.
Where: One Griffin Center, W. Elmer George Municipal Hall, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

McIntosh Trail Community Service Board Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 27, 5:30 PM
What: The board oversees public mental health, developmental disability and addiction services across seven counties, including Spalding. The county’s published 2026 schedule lists this meeting; a detailed agenda was not available when checked.
Where: McIntosh Trail Community Service Board Office, 1435 North Expressway, Suite 301, Griffin, GA 30223

City of Griffin Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 PM
What: Public hearings and votes concern a proposed place of assembly at 315 North 3rd Street and related variances. Other items include sewer design services, firefighter medical exams, equipment purchases and changes to the city’s fee schedule.
Where: One Griffin Center, W. Elmer George Municipal Hall, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education Meeting
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 PM
What: The board will hear a school consolidation presentation, consider HPM as a consolidation consultant, receive transportation complex and financial updates, and recognize Educator Hall of Fame inductees. Public comment speakers must sign up before the meeting.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County School System Board Room, 216 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Spalding County Planning and Appeals Commission Public Hearings
When: Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 PM
What: The published hearing notice lists variance requests at 62 Henley Road and 161 Mockingbird Lane, updates to zoning and overlay maps, a master site plan and zoning text amendments. A detailed meeting agenda was not posted when checked.
Where: Spalding County Courthouse Annex, Room 108, 119 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Griffin Main Street Program Board Meeting
When: Wednesday, October 28, 8:15 AM
What: The board will review September finances, downtown events and holiday plans, Main Street projects and committees, and the transition of the Downtown Council. Other discussion includes student art, business videos and ways to involve board members in downtown businesses.
Where: One Griffin Center, W. Elmer George Municipal Hall, 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Scarecrows in the Garden
When: Monday, October 26 through Thursday, October 29, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
What: Take a fall stroll through the UGA Research and Education Garden to see handmade scarecrows created by local businesses, schools, families, and community groups. The seasonal display continues through October 30 during weekday garden hours. Free and open to the public.
Where: UGA Research and Education Garden, 129 West Ellis Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Georgia Arborist Association Griffin Social
When: Monday, October 26, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
What: Meet local arborists and other guests for an evening of conversation at Piedmont Brewing. Everyone is welcome, and registration is optional. Georgia Arborist Association members receive one free drink ticket. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Where: Piedmont Brewing Griffin, 129 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA

Night Owl Knitters
When: Monday, October 26, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Adults and teens can spend an evening knitting or crocheting with other makers at the library. Drop by to learn, share skills, or work on your own project. Bring your project, materials, and tools. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Chess Club for Kids and Adults
When: Monday, October 26, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Children and adults are invited to the library’s Monday evening chess club. Set aside some time for a game and meet other local players during this gathering for kids and grown-ups.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic
When: Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
What: The Spalding County Health Department offers a drive-through flu vaccination clinic for ages 13 and older. No appointment is needed, and participants can remain in their cars. Enter from Harlow Avenue. Younger children can be vaccinated inside at a later date.
Where: Spalding County Health Department, 1007 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30224

Coffee & Connections
When: Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
What: Start the morning with coffee and casual networking at the Griffin-Spalding Chamber. This small-group gathering brings Chamber members together to make new contacts and catch up with familiar faces. Bring business cards and RSVP through the event page; reservations are required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, 143 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

2027 Business Planning
When: Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
What: Keller Williams Southern Premier hosts an in-person business planning session focused on goals, ideas, and strategies for 2027. The organizer welcomes both experienced professionals and people getting started. Reserve a place through the event’s ticket page.
Where: Keller Williams Southern Premier, 416 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Toddler Art at Stache Studio
When: Wednesday, October 28, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
What: Children ages 18 months to 4 years can explore art through sensory play and a loosely guided lesson. Parents and caregivers can join in while the studio handles the cleanup. Tickets are $10 per child and are available through the event page.
Where: Stache Studio, 116 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Family Storytime at the Library
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
What: Families with children ages 2 to 5 can enjoy an interactive afternoon of stories, songs, fingerplays, movement, activities, and crafts. Parents or caregivers participate with their children. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Trunk-or-Treat at Griffin First
When: Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Griffin First welcomes the community for a free evening featuring decorated trunks, candy, inflatables, and concessions. The church also offers a sensory room for children and families who benefit from a quieter environment. Bring the family for a Halloween outing at the Griffin campus.
Where: Griffin First Assembly, 2000 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, GA 30223

Family Storytime at the Library
When: Thursday, October 29, 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
What: The library’s morning family storytime welcomes children ages 2 to 5 with their parents or caregivers. Expect stories, songs, fingerplays, movement, activities, and crafts. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Downtown Trick or Treat
When: Thursday, October 29, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Local businesses and partnering organizations welcome families to Downtown Griffin for an afternoon of trick-or-treating. Bring the children in costume and visit participating stops around downtown. United Bank sponsors this free community event.
Where: Downtown Griffin, participating downtown businesses, Griffin, GA 30223

Safety Trick-or-Treat
When: Thursday, October 29, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Families are invited to an evening of trick-or-treating at Oak Hill Cemetery near Memorial Stadium. Enjoy a Halloween stroll through the cemetery during this community gathering, with activities running from 6 to 8 PM.
Where: Oak Hill Cemetery, outside Memorial Stadium, 310 East Poplar Street, Griffin, GA 30224

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