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Good morning, Spalding County!

I was looking through my bank statement the other day and realized I am apparently subscribed to half the internet. Streaming services, cloud storage, apps, a car wash membership, and probably three other things quietly charging me $7.99 a month while hoping I never notice.

At some point, everything became a subscription. And the genius of it is that none of the charges look painful by themselves. Eight bucks here. Twelve bucks there. Then one day you add them all up and realize you are financing a small utility bill just to watch TV, store photos, and occasionally get your truck washed.

So this feels like a good time to remind you that the Griffin Grapevine is still free. No free trial. No “premium tier.” No mysterious charge showing up six months from now. Just local news, events, and everything else worth knowing around Spalding County.

- Chad

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THE DIGEST

Public Works Career Day Opens New Paths for Local Students

Girls across Griffin and Spalding County will have a chance to explore careers in public service during Girls in Public Works Day, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, at Historic City Hall in Griffin. The program is open to female high-school students ages 14–18. Participants will learn about the wide range of jobs involved in maintaining and improving a community, including infrastructure, engineering, utilities, planning and other essential services. The event is designed to give students a closer look at career paths they may not have previously considered. Students may also have an opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. Additional registration information is expected to be available through the Griffin-Spalding County School System and participating public works organizations.

Business Partners Make Major Investment in Griffin-Spalding Schools

Several local businesses and organizations are being recognized for substantial investments in Griffin-Spalding County students and teachers. Eight district-level Partners in Education—Brightmoor, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, First National Bank, Georgia Banking Company, Marco’s Pizza, Piedmont Fayette Hospital and United Bank—each contributes more than $10,000 in financial support, services or other value to the school system. Their assistance helps fund classroom resources, scholarships, athletics, fine arts and special learning opportunities. Other community partners provide school supplies, mentor students, serve as reading tutors and assist individual campuses. Churches and civic groups also contribute volunteers and host events for students and staff. The Griffin-Spalding Partners in Education fundraiser golf tournament is scheduled for Sept. 25, offering another opportunity for businesses and residents to support public education across the community.

White Markers Trace Route of Griffin-to-Hampton Water Pipeline

Residents who have noticed white PVC pipes and capped markers along Old Atlanta Road are seeing early signs of a major water infrastructure project. The markers identify the planned route of a new transmission line connecting Griffin’s water system with the City of Hampton. Under an agreement approved earlier this year, Griffin may sell Hampton as much as five million gallons of water per day, although Hampton will pay only for the amount it uses. Griffin already supplies water to several neighboring counties and municipalities through its regional system. The 30-inch ductile-iron pipeline will begin near the Harry Simmons Water Treatment Plant, travel north on Melrose Avenue, west along Ellis Road and north on Old Atlanta Road before connecting near the Spalding-Henry county line at State Route 19. Construction is expected to start soon and finish in November. Hampton will cover the project’s construction costs.

DUMP SCHEDULE

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.

The Official Griffin Grapevine Hometown T-Shirt

Griffin Grapevine is where local stories, familiar faces, and hometown pride come together and now you can wear that spirit. This soft Comfort Colors tee features a richly illustrated tribute to Griffin, Georgia on the back, with irises, railroad tracks, peach, sweet tea, and classic Doc Holliday hat. Wear it around town, to community events, or anywhere you want to represent the people and stories that keep Griffin connected.

Shop the Griffin Grapevine tee and wear your hometown pride.

CIVIL NEWS

Spalding County Board of Commissioners Work Session
When: Monday, August 31, 3:00 PM
What: Commissioners will discuss school-resource-officer agreements, revisions to the boarding-up and blight ordinance, possible abandonment of Camden Road right of way, an Archway memorandum of understanding, juvenile-justice therapy services, a $10,497 grant for 300 weather radios, Opioid Grant Committee nominations and the planned Highway 16 four-lane roundabout.
Where: Spalding County Annex Building, Room 108, 119 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

Spalding County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
When: Monday, August 31, 6:00 PM
What: Commissioners will hear citizen comments and consider action on school-resource-officer agreements, the boarding-up and blight ordinance, the Archway partnership, juvenile-justice therapy services, the weather-radio grant, opioid and behavioral-health appointments and next steps for the Highway 16 roundabout project.
Where: Spalding County Annex Building, Room 108, 119 E. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

City of Griffin Community Block Development Grant Meeting
When: Tuesday, September 1, 8:30 AM
What: The agenda covers two requests for qualifications and proposals: one for a preliminary engineering report, design services and construction administration, and another for grant-writing, administrative and related grant services. Both solicitations close September 4.
Where: One Griffin Center, 100 S. Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

TUESDAY

Living with Joy: Breaking Free from Anxiety and Depression
When: Tuesday, September 1, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Touch of Healing Counseling is hosting a 90-minute session focused on breaking free from anxiety and depression. Advance signup is requested; call 678-688-3133 or use the event page.
Where: Touch of Healing Counseling Services, 230 W. College Street, Suite D, Griffin, GA 30224

WEDNESDAY

SBDC Small Business Consultations
When: Wednesday, September 2, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center will offer individual consultations for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. An appointment is required.
Where: Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, 143 N. Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

SABA September Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 2, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
What: The South Atlanta Business Association will hold its monthly networking meeting with a sponsored lunch and guest speaker. Registration is requested.
Where: Conner-Westbury Family Life Building, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, GA 30223

THURSDAY

Spalding County Goodr and Wellstar Mobile Grocery Market
When: Thursday, September 3, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
What: Goodr and Wellstar will host a pop-up grocery market offering fresh, nutritious food. Advance registration is required and spaces fill quickly. Households may attend one mobile market per month.
Where: The Gathering International, 545 N. Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223

Line Dancing & Literacy Town Hall Meeting
When: Thursday, September 3, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Board member R. Syntel Brown is combining a community conversation with line dancing. Attendees can meet literacy specialists, review policy, and speak with the superintendent and cabinet. Bring fans, dress comfortably, and RSVP in advance.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Schools Board Room, 216 S. Sixth Street, Griffin, GA 30224

Small Business Navigator
When: Thursday, September 3, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What: Active and aspiring entrepreneurs can learn which assistance programs fit each stage of business development. The session is presented by the UGA SBDC at Clayton State and the library. Register by calling 770-412-4770.
Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA 30223

Advo-Kids CASA Fall Training
When: Thursday, September 3, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
What: This session in the ongoing eight-week training for prospective Court Appointed Special Advocates will cover trauma, resilience, and communication. Confirm enrollment before attending.
Where: Advo-Kids CASA, 141 W. Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223

City of Griffin Citizens’ Government Academy
When: Thursday, September 3, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
What: The City’s free eight-week academy for adults begins with a behind-the-scenes look at local government. Participants meet the city manager, tour facilities, learn how departments operate, and receive dinner. The August 28 registration deadline has passed.
Where: Various City of Griffin facilities; session locations are provided to registrants.

UPCOMING

12th Annual Doc Holliday Festival
When: Saturday, September 12, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
What: The Doc Holliday Festival returns to Griffin City Park for a free day of barbecue, history and family entertainment. The festival will feature more than 30 professional teams competing in a Georgia Barbecue Association competition, along with a People’s Choice tasting where visitors can sample barbecue and vote for their favorite. Spurred West will perform three reenactments of the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral while sharing the story of Griffin native John Henry “Doc” Holliday. A portion of the event’s proceeds will support the Spalding Collaborative for Families and Children.
Where: Griffin City Park, 601 Camp Northern Road, Griffin, GA 30224

Moonlight and Magnolias
When: Wednesday, September 16 – Sunday, September 27. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.
What: Main Street Players opens its 2026-27 season with Moonlight and Magnolias, a fast-paced comedy set behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most famous films. Producer David O. Selznick has halted production of Gone With the Wind because he needs a new screenplay, so he pulls screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming away from their own work and locks them in his office. For five frantic days, the trio survives on bananas and peanuts while racing to rewrite the script. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors 55 and older, and $15 for students. The production runs for two weekends at Main Street Players’ intimate downtown Black Box Theatre.
Where: Main Street Players Black Box Theatre, 115 N. Hill Street, Griffin, GA 30223

WEATHER

MONDAY

91° 🌡️ 71° | 🌤️ | 10% | 💨 0–5 mph E

TUESDAY

93° 🌡️ 72° | ☀️ | 5% | 💨 0–5 mph E

WEDNESDAY

93° 🌡️ 72° | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 0–5 mph E

THURSDAY

93° 🌡️ 72° | 🌦️ | 20% | 💨 Light/calm

THANKS!

Thanks for spending part of your day with the Griffin Grapevine.

Hopefully today’s issue gave you something useful, whether that was a local story you had not heard yet, an event worth adding to the calendar, or just one less reason to go digging through five different places to figure out what is happening around Spalding County.

And unlike most things these days, this one will keep showing up without sneaking another charge onto your bank statement.

If you know someone who would enjoy getting the Grapevine too, send it their way.

Have a good week!

P.S. Local businesses interested in reaching Spalding County readers can reply as well or email griffin@welldiem.com.