Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Spalding County Local News
Griffin Grapevine
October 23, 2026
In partnership with
Good morning, Spalding County!
October has delivered a scare that has nothing to do with haunted houses. A wave of cybersecurity disclosures has picked up the nickname “Black October.” It’s an informal label for several separate breaches and serious software flaws coming to light, including attacks that began months ago.
One urgent concern for website owners is PHP2Shell, flaws in PHP, the software behind WordPress and many other websites. Researchers used AI to help uncover weaknesses that could allow attackers to steal sensitive information or take control of an affected website’s server.
If you have a website for your business, church, organization or personal project, put these steps on today’s list:
Contact your website host or web designer. Ask: “Does my website use PHP, and have you applied the October 21 security fixes?” PHP runs underneath your website, so updating WordPress alone may leave the underlying problem unresolved.
Check the everyday protections, too. Keep your website software, plugins and themes current, confirm that you have working backups stored separately, and use unique passwords with two-factor authentication.
If your site is affected and cannot be patched promptly, get help. Ask your provider about temporary protections and whether the site should be taken offline until it can be secured. Have suspicious activity investigated, since an update alone won’t remove an attacker who already got in.
You don’t need to become a computer expert over breakfast. Start by making sure the person responsible for your website is taking care of it.
- Chad
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Each deal is only available for a limited time. Sign up for free to see them before they’re gone.
Griffin’s waterways have a long list of neighbors looking out for them. Over two decades, the city’s annual stream cleanup has drawn 3,000 participants who have removed 41 tons of trash and 662 tires. The next chapter arrives Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will also help clear vines, underbrush, and debris at Historic Union Cemetery as part of Griffin Gives Back. Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. at Historic City Hall, 201 East Solomon Street. The city will supply cleanup equipment, water, and snacks, with lunch planned afterward. Wear clothes that can handle dirt, cover your arms and legs, and bring insect repellent. Waterproof boots are recommended for stream work. Volunteers must arrange their own transportation to cleanup sites. Register through Eventbrite before attending.
Some of a community’s most lasting influences begin in a classroom. This month, Griffin-Spalding will recognize five educators by adding their names to its Educator Hall of Fame. The 2026 inductees are Hoby Davenport, Julia Elliott, Barbara Nash, Jimmy Passmore, and Betsy Walker. Together, they represent the program’s 14th class. Their induction is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, during the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the board room at 216 South Sixth Street in Griffin. The recognition brings local educators into the spotlight and gives former students, colleagues, and families five names to celebrate.
Two acclaimed novelists are heading to Griffin for an evening of books, conversation, and a closer look at the stories behind their work. Tayari Jones will discuss her latest novel, KIN, with fellow bestselling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez on Tuesday, November 3, at Stuckey Auditorium on the UGA Griffin campus. Presented by UGA Griffin in partnership with the Flint River Regional Library System, the event will open with a reception and refreshments before the authors take the stage. Jones’s An American Marriage won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and both that novel and KIN earned selections for Oprah’s Book Club. Perkins-Valdez’s books include Wench, Take My Hand, and Happy Land. The event offers local readers an opportunity to hear both authors discuss their writing together.
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 Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting
When: Thursday, October 22, 5:00 PM
What: The board oversees the Housing Authority’s housing programs, policies and long-term plans. Its published schedule calls for an open public meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month unless otherwise announced. An October agenda was not posted when checked; this listing follows that standing schedule.
Where: Griffin Housing Authority, 327 South 9th Street, Griffin, GA 30224
Scarecrows in the Garden
When: Friday, October 23, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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
Griffin Farmer’s Market
When: Friday, October 23, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Extension Spalding County hosts its weekly farmers market at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. Browse local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and other offerings from area vendors. A useful morning stop for stocking the kitchen while supporting local growers.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
2026 Georgia Gourd Art Festival
When: Friday, October 23, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM; Saturday, October 24, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, October 25, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
What: The Georgia Gourd Society’s festival brings gourd art classes, demonstrations, a competition, a derby race, vendors, and make-and-take crafts to Griffin. Shop handmade artwork, dried gourds, and art supplies, or register for a class. Admission and parking are free; classes have separate fees. Bring cash for food and drinks.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
Wildcats Fall Festival
When: Friday, October 23, 5:00 PM
What: Jackson Road Elementary School’s PTO hosts an evening of fall games and fun for its Wildcat school community. Families can gather at the school to celebrate the season and spend time with classmates and neighbors.
Where: Jackson Road Elementary School, 1233 Jackson Road, Griffin, GA 30223
Trunk or Treat at Fairmont Park
When: Friday, October 23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Faith UMC invites families to Fairmont Park for an evening of costumes, decorated trunks, and free candy. Bring the kids in their Halloween outfits and enjoy a community celebration of the fall season. The event welcomes all ages.
Where: Fairmont Park, 225 Blanton Avenue, Griffin, GA 30223
Paint and Sip Floating Ghost
When: Friday, October 23, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
What: Stache Studio guides beginners through an acrylic painting on a pre-sketched canvas. The $42 class welcomes ages 13 and older, with beer, seltzers, nonalcoholic drinks, and snacks available for purchase. Alcohol is for guests 21 and older, and outside alcohol is not permitted. Reserve through the event page.
Where: Stache Studio, 116 South 6th Street, Griffin, GA 30224
Griffin Ballet Theatre: Before the Haunting, Ghosts
When: Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM each night
What: Griffin Ballet Theatre presents a full-length ballet set to Michael Jackson’s music, following a town where trick-or-treaters, ghouls, skeletons, and mysterious figures cross paths. Expect theatrical storytelling, suspense, and choreography with a Halloween theme. Listed tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children.
Where: Griffin Auditorium, 234 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Annual Stream Cleanup and Union Cemetery Cleanup
When: Saturday, October 24, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; sign-in begins at 8:30 AM
What: The City of Griffin marks 20 years of its stream cleanup with volunteer work at local waterways and Historic Union Cemetery. Meet at Historic City Hall for assignments and a safety talk. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks are provided. Wear sturdy clothes and arrange transportation to your cleanup site. The October 20 lunch-registration deadline has passed, so late registrants should check with the organizer about lunch availability.
Where: Historic City Hall, 201 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223; volunteers then travel to assigned cleanup sites
Sweet Southern Salvage Witches Day Out
When: Saturday, October 24, 11:00 AM
What: Grab a witch hat and head to Sweet Southern Salvage Antiques & Boutique inside Broad Street Mill. The shop is planning seasonal specials, giveaways, and treats for its Witches Day Out celebration. A festive excuse to browse the boutique and antiques with friends.
Where: Sweet Southern Salvage Antiques & Boutique, Broad Street Mill, 324 East Broad Street, Suite 216, Griffin, GA 30223
Cemetery Ramble
When: Saturday, October 24, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding Chamber’s annual Cemetery Ramble returns on its rescheduled date after a weather postponement. Local volunteers portray figures from Griffin’s past among Oak Hill Cemetery’s monuments and historic graves. Recommended for ages 10 and older, the event involves walking over grass, dirt, and pavement. Tickets are available through the Chamber’s event page.
Where: Oak Hill Cemetery, 797 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute (Saturday Show)
When: Saturday, October 24, 8:00 PM
What: On the Border brings the Eagles’ songbook to the Griffin Opera House with multiple lead vocalists, detailed guitar work, and layered harmonies. The set draws from favorites such as “Desperado,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “Heartache Tonight.” Tickets are available through the event page.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Suite 200, Griffin, GA 30223
Feast on East Community Lunch
When: Sunday, October 25, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: The Griffin Downtown Council hosts lunch on East Solomon Street with Buckner’s Family Restaurant’s fried chicken, vegetables, and cobbler. Bobby Jo and Matt Floyd provide live music in front of Imperial Theatre Park. Proceeds support Downtown Griffin’s free community events. Tickets are listed at $25 per person or $150 for a table of six, before ticketing fees.
Where: East Solomon Street, in front of Imperial Theatre Park, Downtown Griffin, GA 30223
First United Methodist Church Fall Festival
When: Sunday, October 25, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: Griffin First United Methodist Church hosts its annual fall festival with a chili cook-off, homemade pie competition, pumpkin decorating, games, trunk-or-treating, and vendors. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of seasonal activities at the church.
Where: Griffin First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin, GA 30224
On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute (Friday Show)
When: Friday, October 23, 8:00 PM
What: On the Border brings its Eagles tribute show to the Griffin Opera House, performing favorites such as “Desperado,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “Heartache Tonight.” The band recreates the group’s sound with multiple lead vocalists, detailed guitar work, and six-part harmonies. Hosted by the Griffin Opera House and Classic Kingdom Entertainment LLC. Tickets are available through the event page.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Suite 200, Griffin, GA 30223
71° 🌡️ 46° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 5 mph NE
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That’s all for today, Spalding County!
If you own a website, give your web person a call and make sure those security updates are handled. It’s one less thing to leave on the “I’ll get around to it” list.
Thanks for spending part of your morning with the Griffin Grapevine. If something in today’s edition helped you, gave you a smile or reminded you of someone, pass it along.
Also if you don’t already, be sure to follow the Griffin Grapevine on Instagram and Facebook.
Enjoy your day and look out for your neighbors!
