Ga. lawmakers rectify a lingering Tift County error

Georgia lawmakers have at long last given Henry Harding Tift his due. House representatives passed Wednesday a resolution recognizing him as the proper namesake of Tift County.

Rep. Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla, said Tift County was originally named in honor of Tift’s uncle Nelson as Henry Tift was still living when the county was created in 1905.

But there was just one problem, Roberts said: “(Nelson Tift) was a good man, but he was from Dougherty County, not from Tift County.”

House Resolution 281 is intended to properly recognize Henry Tift, a former mayor of Tifton who helped shape the area, for his contributions.

The resolution passed unanimously, a move that Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, light-heartedly said “has rectified one of the great errors in Georgia history.”

About the Author

Katie Leslie

Derek Dooley taps Brian Kemp’s inner circle for possible Georgia Senate bid

Aides to Gov. Brian Kemp have signed on with Derek Dooley, signaling the former football coach may jump into the U.S. Senate race in Georgia.

LIVE ELECTIONS HUB

The latest from the Georgia 2026 campaign trail

Get the latest updates and analysis on the Georgia races for U.S. Senate and governor — the battleground state's most hotly contested races.

First Liberty founder’s son launches new lending firm after collapse

Brant Frost V, son of First Liberty founder Brant Frost IV, filed documents to create a new lending firm before his father was accused of running a $140 million Ponzi scheme.

The Latest

Credit: Donald Page/Getty Images/TNS

Derek Dooley taps Brian Kemp’s inner circle for possible Georgia Senate bid

U.S. Senate candidate King criticized for not enforcing mental health law

LISTEN

Rounding the bases on the All-Star Game, and campaign cash

Featured

Credit: Courtesy of Rivian

Rivian to employ 500 at new East Coast HQ along Atlanta Beltline

Electric vehicle startup Rivian announced Thursday it will establish an East Coast headquarters in Atlanta with hundreds of employees.

Derek Dooley taps Brian Kemp’s inner circle for possible Georgia Senate bid

Aides to Gov. Brian Kemp have signed on with Derek Dooley, signaling the former football coach may jump into the U.S. Senate race in Georgia.

Who doesn’t like the beach at St. Simons? Nesting sea turtles

St. Simons Island is home to only 1 of the 1,700-plus loggerhead nests laid along Georgia’s coast so far this year. A pending lighting ordinance update may boost activity.