| TOGETHER WITH | | Good morning, Spalding County! Hope you're doing well and dodging that cough and dry throat that seems to be going around. Can you believe we're already at the halfway mark of January? If your year hasn't started exactly as planned, give yourself some grace. You don't have to wait until 2027 to hit reset. I like the 1% approach: small, steady progress. This newsletter comes together the same way, a little good info gathered throughout the week, built out piece by piece.
Griffin has plenty to look forward to this month. Whether you're cheering on local teams, catching a tribute band, or just grabbing a meal downtown, there's no shortage of ways to support this community that we call home.
- Chad | | |
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Ready to get your hands dirty or grow your farm team? PlayInDirtJobs is the bridge to your next agricultural adventure. Browse open positions or post a job directly on their website at PlayInDirtJobs.com | | THE DIGEST | Griffin Crowns 2026 Chili Crawl Champion After Record Turnout | Downtown Griffin was buzzing with activity this past weekend as residents celebrated the results of the annual 2nd Saturday Chili Crawl. Following a day of "chowing down and crawling around," local food enthusiasts and judges officially crowned the 2026 Chili Crawl Champion at a lively after-party hosted by Southern Social. The event, which featured 16 different chili stops from local chefs and home cooks, saw record attendance as visitors enjoyed live music and shop specials throughout the downtown district. The "Chili Crawl" has become a staple of the Griffin Main Street Program, designed to support local small businesses while fostering community spirit during the winter months. | Second State Court Judge Coming to Spalding County | Spalding County residents will have improved access to justice once a second state court judge is appointed, following approval by the Georgia General Assembly in spring 2025. The governor will appoint the new judge to help address growing caseloads in Spalding County State Court. The expansion reflects the county's continued growth and increasing demand on the court system. While the appointment timeline remains uncertain as the governor works through the nomination process, the additional judgeship will help reduce case backlogs and provide faster resolution for residents navigating the legal system. | Dr. Donald Warren Named Griffin-Spalding Schools Superintendent | Griffin-Spalding County families now have permanent leadership at the top of their school district following the Board of Education's formal appointment of Dr. Donald Warren as superintendent on Tuesday. Warren, who has served as interim superintendent for the past eight months, brings 33 years of educational experience and has been with Griffin-Spalding since 2017. A University of Georgia graduate who completed Harvard's National Institute for Urban School Leaders, Warren pledged to focus on "strong instruction, discipline, supportive learning environments and productive partnerships with families and the community." The appointment brings stability and continuity to the district. | Griffin Opens Bid for North Hill Street Playground Revitalization | Families in the North Hill Street area can look forward to park improvements as the City of Griffin officially opened a bid opportunity this past Monday for the North Hill Street Playground project. The initiative aims to modernize local recreational space with new equipment and safety features, continuing the city’s broader effort to enhance community infrastructure. Contractors have until early February to submit proposals for the renovation, which is part of a series of planned upgrades to neighborhood parks. This project follows recent downtown sidewalk expansions and is intended to provide a safer, more engaging environment for local children and residents. | Adoptable Dog of the Week |  | Eliza Jane - Female - 2 years old
Spalding County Animal Care & Control |
| | 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. | | WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ | FRIDAY | Ribbon Cutting - Reset Aesthetics Grand Opening | When: Friday, January 16, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM What: Join the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce in welcoming Reset Aesthetics to downtown Griffin with a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Reset Aesthetics is a medical spa specializing in "Resetting and Aging Later" through a combination of medical-grade skincare and wellness treatments. Their services include advanced facials (such as the Fire & Ice and Sculpt facials), chemical peels, neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport, dermal fillers, and IV hydration therapy. Guests are invited to meet Licensed Esthetician Rachel Vandegriff and the clinical team, tour the new facility, and learn about their personalized approach to natural, radiant results. Where: Reset Aesthetics, 137A North Hill Street, Griffin, GA
| SATURDAY | HOPE Championship Wrestling - "Wrestling For A Cause" | When: Saturday, January 17, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM What: Experience an evening of professional wrestling entertainment benefiting charity, presented by Sellers & Parker Law Firm. Fun for the whole family with approximately 2 hours of action-packed matches. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Where: Trinity Christian School Griffin, 2000 West McIntosh Road, Griffin, GA
| Hampton Cross Stitchers Gathering | When: Saturday, January 17, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM What: Spend the day crafting with fellow fiber arts enthusiasts at the Griffin-Spalding County Library. Bring your cross-stitch, needlework, embroidery, or other projects and enjoy the company of like-minded crafters. All skill levels welcome. Free admission - just bring your own supplies and projects. Where: Griffin-Spalding County Library, 800 Memorial Drive, Griffin, GA
| "84" - A Tribute to Van Halen | When: Saturday, January 17, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Doors open 6:30 PM) What: Rock out to high-energy Van Halen classics performed by tribute band "84" at Barnstormer's Grill. Arrive early for dinner from the full restaurant menu before the show. All ages welcome with free parking. Indoor venue - stay warm while enjoying live music! Where: Barnstormer's Grill & Event Center, 349 Jonathan's Roost Road, Williamson, GA
| MONDAY (MLK DAY) | MLK Jr. Day Parade 2026 | When: Monday, January 19, 10:00 AM What: Join the Pike County MLK Committee for the annual parade and commemorative program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The featured speaker at the program will be Syntel Brown, chairman of the Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education.The parade begins at 11 AM followed by a program celebrating Dr. King's legacy. Free and open to all. A nearby option for those wanting to participate in MLK Day celebrations. Where: Parade Lines starts at Fullers Chapel United Methodist Church at 134 Meansville Street, Zebulon GA. Celebration program will commence at Mt. Hope Baptist Church, 12 Griffin Street, Zebulon GA.
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| WEATHER | FRIDAY | 52 🌡️ 23 | ⛅ | 0% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots) | SATURDAY | 54 🌡️ 37 | ☁️ | 15% | 💨 NW 8 mph (7 knots) | SUNDAY | 39 🌡️ 29 | 🌨️ | 50% | 💨 NW 11 mph (10 knots) | MONDAY (MLK DAY) | 48 🌡️ 29 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots) | 💧🌡️ Water temperature = 46ºF
Temperature readings taken from Heads Creek Reservoir the night before publication | | THANKS! | Thank you for reading the Griffin Grapevine! I want to keep this newsletter as fun, accurate, and locally focused as possible. This newsletter is for you, and it's steered by you! Do you have any suggestions, know about an amazing upcoming event, or have a local tip we must cover? Hit reply to this email right now! I read every suggestion and use your feedback to shape the next edition. And if you're a local business looking to reach Griffin and Spalding County residents, I'd love to chat. Just hit reply or go to www.griffingrapevine.com/advertise |
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