Hello, Statesboro!
Happy Memorial Day! We hope you're enjoying a slower Monday morning, maybe with some extra coffee and a long weekend ahead. Today is a day to pause and honor the men and women who gave everything for this country, and Statesboro is doing exactly that with a community ceremony this morning at the Averitt Center.
Beyond the holiday, this has been one of the bigger news weeks of the year. The May 19 primary produced a local commission race that nobody is calling yet, a surprise schools superintendent finalist announcement, and a milestone research designation for Georgia Southern that has been years in the making. We've got all of it below.
Let's get into it.
📰 TOP NEWS
Commission Race Heads to June 16 Runoff
Commissioner Toby Conner came agonizingly close to avoiding a runoff in the District 2-B Republican primary last Tuesday, finishing with 2,949 votes (49.46%) — roughly 32 votes short of the 50%-plus-one threshold required to win outright. Challenger Dr. Ted Redman, a local physician, finished second with 1,935 votes (32.46%), and Frank Bedell trailed with 1,078 (18.08%). Conner and Redman will face each other again on June 16, with early voting opening June 8.
Elsewhere on the Bulloch ballot, Board of Education District 5 incumbent Glennera Martin held off challenger Jessica Jones, 308 to 243. Republican Paul Roesel ran unopposed for Commission District 2-D. Commission District 1-B will head to November, where Democrat Anthony Simmons faces Republican Spencer Johnson. In statewide races, Bulloch Republicans favored Burt Jones for governor (41.5%) and Earl "Buddy" Carter for U.S. Senate (47.3%). Bulloch Democrats backed Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor (60.9%) and incumbent Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate.
Torian White Named Sole Finalist for Bulloch County Superintendent
In a called special session on May 18, the Bulloch County Board of Education voted unanimously to name Torian White, Ph.D., as its sole finalist for superintendent of schools. White currently leads South Effingham High School and is actually an alumnus of the school he now runs. He previously served as principal of Southeast Bulloch Middle School from 2014 to 2019, and has been an adjunct faculty member in Georgia Southern's Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development. He brings 23 years in education, 14 of them as an administrator.
State law requires a 14-day waiting period before a contract vote. That vote is scheduled for June 11. If approved, White would start July 1, succeeding Charles Wilson, who retired March 31. Interim superintendent Richard Smith has been leading the district since April 1. Board Chair Elizabeth Williams said community survey feedback strongly favored a candidate with principal experience and visible, student-centered leadership.
Georgia Southern Joins the Georgia Research Alliance
This is a big deal for the university and for Statesboro. Georgia Southern was formally admitted to the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) on May 20, joining seven other institutions that include Emory, Georgia Tech, UGA, and Georgia State. Kennesaw State was admitted the same day.
The GRA membership is tied directly to Georgia Southern's push for Carnegie R1 status, the highest research classification, which the university is targeting in the 2027-2028 review cycle. GRA membership gives Georgia Southern researchers access to specialized equipment through the GRA Core Exchange and to top talent through the GRA Academy of Scholars. The state's FY27 budget, signed May 12 by Gov. Brian Kemp, includes $2 million to create two new GRA Eminent Scholar endowed chairs, one each at Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State.
President Kyle Marrero called it "an ideal moment" for the university, which is projected to generate approximately $60 million in research and development expenditures in FY26.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Touch-a-Truck Was a Hit
Hundreds of families turned out Monday, May 19 at the Bulloch County Agricultural Arena for the fourth annual Touch-a-Truck event. First responders, public works equipment, and an Air Evac Lifestream helicopter were all on display. If your kids missed it, start planning for next year.
Bulloch County Receives Clean Financial Audit
Richard Deal of Lanier, Deal & Deal delivered an unmodified audit to commissioners on May 19. The county's General Fund closed FY25 at approximately $20.4 million, reflecting a $3 million drawdown from FY24 as the county finished spending down $15.4 million in American Rescue Plan funding. A major chunk of that went to a regional water and sewer infrastructure project supporting new industry.
Sheriff's Office Warns of Scam Surge
Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown and Captain Todd Hutchens held a media briefing this week on a sharp uptick in fraud targeting local residents. One of the most common schemes right now: fake Georgia Department of Driver Services text messages claiming your license has been suspended. If you get one, do not click the link.
Statesboro High Graduates Class of 2026
Statesboro High held commencement on May 20 at Womack Field. Portal High, Southeast Bulloch, Trinity Christian, and Bulloch Academy also held ceremonies this week, capping a school year that officially ended May 22. Congratulations to every graduate.
Bulloch Solutions Members Meeting Wraps Up
The local broadband and utility cooperative held its 2026 annual member meeting on May 21 at Connection Church on Cawana Road. All attending members received a one-time $50 credit on their July bill, plus giveaways including a $500 cash prize.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (May 25-31, 2026)
Memorial Day Ceremony — TODAY Monday, May 25 | 10:30 AM (pre-program music) | 11:00 AM (ceremony) | Averitt Center for the Arts, 33 E. Main Street | FREE
American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90 hosts the annual community observance. This year's keynote is delivered by Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown, a U.S. Air Force veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The program includes the reading of Bulloch County's fallen from WWI through current conflicts, and closes with the audience singing "God Bless America." City and county offices are closed today.
📚 Library Reopens Tuesday Statesboro Regional Library (124 S. Main St.) resumes normal operations Tuesday after the holiday. The week typically includes Tuesday Adult Crafts (11:00 AM), Wednesday Genealogy Class (3:30 PM), and weekend children's programs. Call (912) 764-1341 or check strl.info for confirmed times.
🎸 Downtown Live: Y2K-Kids Thursday, May 28 | Food trucks at 6:00 PM | Show at 7:00 PM | East Main Street, Bulloch County Courthouse | FREE
Y2K-Kids make their Downtown Live debut this Thursday, bringing pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B from the early 2000s to downtown Statesboro. Lawn chairs welcome. This is the second-to-last show of the 2026 series, so don't miss it.
🌽 Main Street Farmers Market Saturday, May 31 | 9:00 AM-12:30 PM | 222 S. Main Street | FREE
Fresh local produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, and live music every Saturday through the season. Market2Go online ordering is also available year-round at statesboromarket2go.locallygrown.net.
🏊 Splash in the Boro — Full Summer Hours Now in Effect 1388 Highway 24 East | Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 10 AM-6 PM | Thu & Sat: 10 AM-8 PM | Sun: Noon-6 PM
The waterpark is now on its seven-day summer schedule, and Luetta Moore Pool is as well. Tickets: $20 for Bulloch County residents, $30 general admission. The park is also hiring lifeguards for the summer.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
GRA Membership Marks a Research Milestone
As reported in Top News, Georgia Southern's formal admission to the Georgia Research Alliance on May 20 is one of the most significant research-related developments in the university's recent history. GRA membership was the explicit prerequisite for the $1 million Eminent Scholar endowed chair included in the state's FY27 budget. President Marrero has made R1 status a stated institutional goal, and GRA membership is a key part of building that case.
FY27 State Funding Highlights
Beyond the new Eminent Scholar chair, Georgia Southern's FY27 state allocations include $4.2 million for East Georgia Campus HVAC renovations, $5.5 million for a new literacy center under House Bill 1193, 37 new faculty positions, 24 new staff positions, and nearly $1.5 million in salary equity and tenure-promotion increases.
Students Honored at National Sales Competition
Eight Georgia Southern students were recognized as finalists at the 2026 Pi Sigma Epsilon National Convention in Norfolk, Virginia, competing in professional sales, marketing, and management categories. Not a bad way to close out the semester.
🏈 SPORTS & CAMPUS EVENTS
Baseball Season in the Books
The Eagles wrapped up the 2026 season last weekend with a three-game sweep at Southern Miss. Georgia Southern finished 16-39 overall and 7-22 in Sun Belt play, missing the conference tournament for the year. The Sun Belt Tournament ran May 19-24 in Montgomery, Alabama, with regular-season champion Southern Miss entering as the No. 1 seed. The offseason work starts now.
East Georgia Campus Celebrates NAIA Move
Georgia Southern's East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro formally marks its transition to NAIA athletics this week. It's a significant step for the campus's athletic identity.
Summer Recreation Ramping Up
Splash in the Boro is on full summer hours (see Events above). The Statesboro Family YMCA opens its complete summer schedule June 1, when Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia also kicks off its Happy Helpings summer meal program at the YMCA, 409 Clairborne Ave.
🍗 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: Wing Maxx
If you've lived in Statesboro for more than five minutes, you already know about Wing Maxx. But if you're new to town or somehow haven't been yet, this is your sign.
Wing Maxx opened in 2011 under owners Tina and Jeff Hook and has been a Statesboro staple ever since, growing to additional locations at Lake Oconee and Kingsland while the Northside Drive original remains the hometown anchor. The concept is simple and it works: fresh, never-frozen chicken, always all-natural, antibiotic-free and hormone-free, hand-breaded and made to order.
The menu revolves around hand-breaded tenders (marinated overnight) and traditional wings, served with a lineup of homemade dippin' sauces. The honey BBQ is a local favorite, and the hand-cut fries and mac and cheese are worth ordering alongside. Save room for the banana pudding. Wednesday is Wing Day, and Wing Maxx is currently running a 3-Tender Meal Deal monthly special featured in Grice Connect's Spotlight series. Oh, and sweet tea by the gallon, because this is Georgia.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10:30 AM-10:00 PM | Sunday 10:30 AM-8:00 PM
Address: 732 Northside Dr. E, Statesboro | (912) 764-6556
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
Summer is fully here. Expect hot, humid conditions through the week with a chance of late-week storms rolling in as we head into June.
Day | High | Low | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon, May 25 | 88°F | 65°F | Sunny, light winds. Great day for outdoor ceremonies. |
Tue, May 26 | 85°F | 62°F | Mostly sunny |
Wed, May 27 | 86°F | 62°F | Partly sunny |
Thu, May 28 | 85°F | 67°F | Comfortable for Downtown Live |
Fri, May 29 | 89°F | 68°F | Heating back up |
Sat, May 30 | 90°F | 68°F | Hot, humidity climbing |
Sun, May 31 | 90°F | 68°F | Chance of afternoon storms |
Stay hydrated at outdoor events, especially graduation ceremonies earlier this week. Sunscreen is your friend.
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
June 2 | Statesboro City Council Meeting and FY27 Budget Public Hearing City Hall Council Chambers, 50 E. Main St. | 9:00 AM regular session, public hearing to follow. This is your chance to weigh in on the proposed 3.835 mill property tax increase before council votes on June 16.
June 8 | Early Voting Opens for June 16 Runoffs Bulloch County Annex Elections Office, 113 N. Main St., Suite 201. Locally, Republican voters in Commission District 2-B choose between Toby Conner and Ted Redman. Statewide GOP runoffs include U.S. Senate (Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley) and governor (Burt Jones vs. Rick Jackson), among others.
June 11 | Downtown Live: The Tams East Main Street, 7:00 PM | Food trucks at 6:00 PM | FREE The legendary beach-music and classic-soul group The Tams close out the 2026 Downtown Live season. This one traditionally draws the biggest crowd of the series. Get there early.
June 11 | Bulloch County Board of Education Regular Session Central Office boardroom, 150 Williams Road | 6:30 PM The board is expected to take the final vote on Torian White's superintendent contract and adopt the final FY27 school budget at this meeting.
June 16 | Primary Runoff Election Day Polls open 7:00 AM-7:00 PM at all Bulloch County precincts. Photo ID required.
June 16 | Statesboro FY27 Budget Adoption (Tentative) City Council Chambers, 50 E. Main St. The final vote on the proposed millage rate increase.
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That's Edition 33! Take a moment today to remember those who made it possible for us to have lazy Monday mornings, good community news, and summer concerts downtown. We don't take that lightly.
Next week we'll have the June 2 budget hearing recap, Downtown Live coverage, and everything else happening as Statesboro heads into the full swing of summer.
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See you next Monday!
