Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
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Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Local Edition
Spalding County, Georgia
Spalding County Local News
Griffin Grapevine
November 02, 2026
In partnership with
Good morning, Spalding County!
I hope you had a great Halloween weekend! We couldn’t have asked for better weather. And if your house is anything like mine, you’re now sitting on enough candy to last well into 2027. At least dessert is covered for a while.
Enjoy those jack-o’-lanterns on the front porch while they’re still looking festive. There’s a fine line between a Halloween decoration and a science experiment, and the first week in November is usually when we cross it.
If the clock in your car suddenly disagrees with your phone, here’s your reminder: the clocks fell back an hour. Somehow, gaining an hour still manages to throw me off. I’ll probably get the car clock fixed just in time to change it again.
- Chad
From 2002 to 2010, central banks sold a net 134 million ounces of gold. Since then they have bought all of it back, and another 111 million ounces on top.
In the second quarter of 2026, they added 289 tonnes while gold fell 14%. Falling prices used to scare official buyers off. Now they buy the dip.
Our research team's free report, Central Banks Bought the Gold Dip. Did You?, shows who is buying, what they are selling to pay for it, and why the team expects the buying to continue.
Griffin turned its downtown into a Halloween gathering place October 29, with thousands of children and adults making the rounds for candy and free family activities.
United Bank sponsored the annual celebration, which connected local businesses with families along Hill and Solomon streets. The candy route was only part of the evening: City Church offered a Halloween Fun Zone, St. Matthews Ministries hosted a fall festival at the Broad Street playground, and Spalding County brought its Spooky Party to the Park at Sixth.
Families could extend the celebration with Public Safety Trick-or-Treat at Old Oak Hill Cemetery, which continued until 8 p.m.
With storefronts, churches and public safety agencies all participating, the evening gave neighbors several ways to celebrate together before Halloween itself arrived.
Five people who helped shape generations of Griffin-Spalding students have joined the district’s Educator Hall of Fame.
Hoby Davenport, Julia Elliott, Barbara Nash, Jimmy Passmore and Betsy Walker were inducted October 27 as the hall’s 14th class. Their contributions reached from elementary classrooms and school leadership to the maintenance work that kept campuses running.
Passmore spent 43 years serving the district’s maintenance department. Walker taught first grade at Crescent Elementary for 29 years, Davenport led several local schools, and Nash continues helping educators through mentoring.
Elliott’s influence also reaches into professional football: she won the 1965 contest that gave the Atlanta Falcons their name.
Established in 2013, the Hall of Fame recognizes retired employees whose work made a lasting difference in the school community.
Kennedy Road’s Cougars have a championship to celebrate after defeating Carver Road 41–38 and ending the Eagles’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive middle school football title.
Running back Caelan Jordan helped drive the Cougars’ offense, while head coach Zay Lowe credited a team effort against the defending champions. The two local programs combined for 79 points, with Kennedy Road finishing three points ahead.
The championship comes as Griffin-Spalding schools expand opportunities for younger athletes. A three-year, $425,000 grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, announced in 2025, supports boys’ and girls’ soccer and girls’ flag football. Those additions broaden a middle school athletics program that already includes tackle football, cheerleading, softball, basketball and track and field.
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.
Spalding County Board of Commissioners Work Session
When: Monday, November 2, 3:00 PM
What: Commissioners will discuss GDOT’s response on road frontage and local roads, a design proposal for 117 East Solomon Street, roofing at Oxford Square Shopping Center, House Bill 1434, department progress reports and budget amendments.
Where: Spalding County Courthouse Annex, Room 108, 119 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Spalding County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
When: Monday, November 2, 6:00 PM
What: Commissioners will consider building projects and budget amendments, plus second readings on a four-way stop at North Walkers Mill and High Falls roads, county and school millage rates, the fire district tax and the 2026 tax levy. Public comment speakers must sign up before the meeting.
Where: Spalding County Courthouse Annex, Room 108, 119 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Spalding County Election Night Canvassing
When: Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 PM
What: Election officials will begin computing, canvassing and consolidating vote returns from the November 3 general and special election. This is a publicly noticed election proceeding.
Where: Spalding County Elections and Voter Registration Office, 825 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration Special Called Meeting
When: Friday, November 6, 10:00 AM
What: Board members will review election records from the November 3 general and special election. The agenda also includes board member comments.
Where: Spalding County Elections and Voter Registration Office, 825 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
Chess Club for Kids and Adults
When: Monday, November 2, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Children and adults are invited to the library’s Monday evening chess club. Make 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
Knit/Crochet Club
When: Tuesday, November 3, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What: Adults and teens can drop by to learn, share skills, or meet other knitters and crocheters. Bring your own project, materials, and tools for an afternoon of crafting with fellow makers. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
Author Entertainment Series: Tayari Jones
When: Tuesday, November 3, 6:00 PM reception
What: UGA Griffin and the Flint River Regional Library System welcome bestselling author Tayari Jones in conversation with author Dolen Perkins-Valdez about Jones’s novel, Kin. The evening begins with a reception, and books will be available for purchase. Free and open to the public; reserve a seat through the event page.
Where: UGA Griffin Campus, Stuckey Auditorium, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Griffin Photography Chapter: “Proper” and “Correct” Exposure and Exposure Compensation
When: Tuesday, November 3, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
What: Photographer Doug Flor leads the Georgia Nature Photographers Association’s Griffin chapter through understanding the exposure triangle and using exposure compensation. Bring a camera to try exercises in the meeting room and practice adjusting settings to get the photograph you want.
Where: University of Georgia Extension Office, 403 East Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223
SBDC Small Business Consultations
When: Wednesday, November 4, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: The UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University offers confidential, no-cost business consultations in Griffin. Get guidance on planning, marketing, management, operations, and other business questions. The program serves qualifying established businesses and startups with growth potential. Book an appointment through the event page.
Where: Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, 143 North Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223
South Atlanta Business Association November Lunch
When: Wednesday, November 4, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
What: Join the South Atlanta Business Association for its monthly gathering of local business and community professionals. Meetings feature a sponsored lunch, a guest speaker, and time to network and exchange ideas. Registration is available through the event page.
Where: Conner Westbury Family Life Building, 1891 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, GA 30223
Family Storytime at the Library
When: Wednesday, November 4, 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 alongside their children. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
Agent Tech Toolbox
When: Thursday, November 5, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
What: Keller Williams Southern Premier hosts an in-person session exploring tools and technology for building AI agents. The organizer describes the class as a hands-on introduction. Admission is free, with registration through the event page.
Where: Keller Williams Southern Premier, 416 East Taylor Street, Griffin, GA 30223
Family Storytime at the Library
When: Thursday, November 5, 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 during this interactive gathering. No registration is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223
Partners in Resilience
When: Thursday, November 5, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
What: Flint River Baptist Association introduces its new Cumberland Counseling Center with a preview of the five-office facility and small bites beginning at 5:45 PM. Dinner and a program follow next door at Southside Baptist Church. RSVP by texting “PARTNERS” to 404-606-9469 or emailing admin@frbaga.org.
Where: FRBA counseling center preview, followed by Southside Baptist Church, 1332 Zebulon Road, Griffin, GA 30224
73° 🌡️ 57° | 🌤️ | 15% | 💨 8 mph E
73° 🌡️ 62° | ⛅ | 20% | 💨 7 mph E
71° 🌡️ 64° | ⛈️ | 90% | 💨 7 mph SE
72° 🌡️ 53° | 🌦️ | 55% | 💨 6 mph WNW
Thanks for spending part of your morning with the Griffin Grapevine. I hope you’re settling into the time change and finding a good use for all that Halloween candy.
Know a neighbor doing something great, a local business worth celebrating, or an event coming up? Hit reply and tell me about it. Some of the best stories start with a note from you.
Have a great week, keep an eye on those porch pumpkins, and take care of each other!
