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 16, 2026
In partnership with
Good morning, Spalding County!
Sunshine lovers, I hope you soaked up every minute of this week. It looks like this may be our last taste of the 80s until next year (unless you’ve got a trip to Hawaii on the calendar). And the shorter days are coming too: daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, so we’ll set our clocks back an hour in just over two weeks.
Tomorrow wraps up Fall Break for Spalding County students. Come Monday, it’s back to the books, with a straight stretch to Thanksgiving break. So grab your coffee, enjoy one more warm afternoon, and let’s dig into what’s happening around Griffin.
- Chad
Your 401(k) may be about to change in a way most Americans haven’t heard about.
President Trump's Executive Order#14330 is pushing a major shift in how retirement plans can invest.
Get the full story and see how your retirement could be impacted.
Before sunrise on Tuesday, Oct. 13, early risers across Griffin stepped outside to find a glowing, tentacled cloud drifting across the dark sky. The eerie shape, nicknamed a space jellyfish, came from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 6:33 a.m. on NASA's CRS-35 cargo mission. The effect happens when a launch falls in the narrow window before dawn or after dusk. The ground is still dark, but sunlight reaches the rocket's exhaust high in the thin upper atmosphere. There, water vapor freezes into ice crystals and spreads into a luminous plume. Sightings poured in from across Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. The uncrewed Dragon capsule is carrying about 6,300 pounds of supplies and science to the International Space Station. The cargo includes the station's final pair of roll-out solar arrays. Dragon was scheduled to dock Thursday.
Spalding County Animal Care and Control has a new director. Alexander AJ Caldwell was introduced to the Board of Commissioners at its Oct. 5 meeting. He fills a post left open since the previous director resigned in August. Caldwell brings about 11 years of experience in animal welfare. Most recently, he was an investigator with the Fulton County Police Animal Services Division, handling cruelty, bite and dangerous-dog cases. Before that, he traveled the country with Best Friends Animal Society, helping shelters improve their operations and save more animals. Rescue advocates say the shelter has turned a corner. Rescues and veterinarians have reconnected, and volunteers and fosters have signed on. Donors supplied new stainless steel water pails and chew toys. In September, 44 animals were adopted and 17 went to rescue groups, all before a director was in place. The shelter is at 105 Justice Blvd. in Griffin.
Spalding County commissioners rejected a cell tower company's request to relocate a planned tower on the Fire Station 6 property on Jordan Hill Road. In June 2025, the board approved a lease with Towercom to place the tower behind the Gary Reid Fire Station. The company then asked to move it to the front south corner, near a TransMontaigne diesel storage site. County Manager Steve Ledbetter urged the board to deny the request. The front of the station is used as a helicopter landing zone. The new spot also falls within the approach area for the Griffin-Spalding County Area Regional Airport being built nearby. A tower there would need FAA review through Form 7460-1, the federal notice for structures near airports. The county said the company had not supplied FAA approval despite repeated requests. The motion to deny passed 4-0 at the Sept. 24 zoning hearing, with one commissioner absent.
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 Farmer’s Market
When: Friday, October 16, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What: UGA Extension Spalding County hosts its weekly Friday farmers market at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. Stop by for fresh local produce, honey, boiled peanuts, and more from area growers and vendors. An easy way to kick off the weekend while supporting local farms.
Where: Kiwanis Fairgrounds, 1025 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30224
Scarecrows in the Garden
When: Friday, October 16, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
What: Take a fall stroll through the UGA Research and Education Garden, where local businesses, schools, families, and community groups have set up hand-crafted scarecrows. The garden is open weekdays only, so Friday is your last chance this week; the display runs through October 30. Free and open to the public.
Where: UGA Research and Education Garden, 129 West Ellis Road, Griffin, GA 30223
Departure: The Journey Tribute Band
When: Friday, October 16, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
What: The Griffin Opera House welcomes back Departure, a Journey tribute band that plays more than 100 shows a year across the country. Expect the hits fans know and love, performed entirely live with no pre-recorded tracks. Tickets are available through the event page.
Where: Griffin Opera House, 102 North Hill Street, Suite 200, Griffin, GA 30223
Together, We Wear Pink at The Pink Buffalo
When: Saturday, October 17, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
What: Downtown boutique The Pink Buffalo is donating 10% of all sales to the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer during this one-day Breast Cancer Awareness Month event. Shop small, give back, and wear your pink.
Where: The Pink Buffalo, 103 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223
History of Griffin: GSHS Fall Luncheon and Book Signing
When: Sunday, October 18, 1:00 PM
What: The Griffin-Spalding Historical Society hosts its fall program celebrating the newly reprinted History of Griffin by Quimby Melton Jr., updated by his son Quimby Melton III, who will share stories and insights from the work. Copies will be available for purchase, and lunch will be provided. A worthwhile stop for anyone interested in local history and preservation.
Where: Bailey-Tebault House, 633 Meriwether Street, 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
84° 🌡️ 50° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 7 mph W
66° 🌡️ 45° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 13 mph N
63° 🌡️ 44° | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 11 mph ENE
Thanks for reading today’s Griffin Grapevine!
If you’re squeezing in one last warm afternoon outside or digging the sweaters out of the closet, I hope you have a great weekend. Good luck to all the students and teachers heading back to class on Monday.
Know something happening around town that should be in the next issue? Just hit reply and let me know. And if you enjoyed today’s Grapevine, forward it to a friend or neighbor who’d like to stay in the loop.
See you next week!
