Hello, Statesboro!
The polls are closed, the budgets are passed, and summer has officially settled over the Boro. After one of the busiest stretches of local government we have seen all year, this week brings a quieter, more familiar rhythm. Campus is light, the heat is heavy, and the calendar leans toward the things that make summer here feel like home: a free concert downtown, sharks at the museum, Saturday morning at the farmers market, and a library packed with kids. We will catch you up on how last week's big votes landed, introduce the new faces taking charge July 1, and get you set for the week ahead.
Let's get into it.
📰 TOP NEWS
County Commissioners Approve FY2027 Budget in a 4-3 Vote
It came down to the wire. After five separate motions failed and a tie that had to be broken by the chairman, Bulloch County commissioners adopted their Fiscal Year 2027 budget at their Thursday, June 18 evening meeting. The roughly $76.25 million spending plan keeps all of the county's solid-waste convenience centers staffed and funds six new Sheriff's Office positions, two of the issues that had drawn the most public comment over the past month. Major increases include additional overtime funding for the Sheriff's Office and EMS along with non-personnel costs tied to the Sheriff's Office. Commissioner Nick Newkirk cast one of the dissenting votes, arguing the county should be cutting taxes and shrinking government rather than growing the budget. The millage rate is still expected to roll back from the current 11.35 mills toward roughly 10.4 mills once the tax digest is finalized later this year.
City Council Approves Tillman Road Mixed-Use Project and Adopts FY2027 Budget
The Statesboro City Council had a consequential night of its own on June 16. Council members approved a rezoning that clears the way for a major mixed-use development on roughly 13.5 acres along the south side of Tillman Road between Fair Road and South Main Street. The plans envision a hotel, conference center, brewery, retail, housing, offices, and parking decks on land currently used as Georgia Southern athletic practice fields and owned by the GSU Foundation. The same evening, council adopted the city's FY2027 budget, which carries a 2.129-mill property tax increase driven largely by the city absorbing fire department costs after the county dissolved a decades-old service agreement. City Manager Charles Penny has described it as a maintenance budget with no new personnel. Council also approved design funding for Memorial Park and an alcohol license for the Tokyo restaurant.
A New Police Chief and a New Superintendent Both Start July 1
Two of the most important jobs in our community change hands next week. Captain Jared Akins has been named Interim Police Chief, stepping in July 1 as Chief Mike Broadhead retires after nine years leading the Statesboro Police Department and more than four decades in law enforcement. Akins is a Statesboro High and Georgia Southern graduate who spent 16 years with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, including a stint as Chief Deputy, and the city is running a nationwide search for the permanent post expected to wrap up this fall. The same day, Dr. Torian White officially becomes superintendent of Bulloch County Schools. White brings 23 years in education, most recently as principal of South Effingham High School and previously as principal of Southeast Bulloch Middle School, and he succeeds Charles Wilson, who retired in March after 14 years.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
City Manager Search Begins as Penny Plans January Exit
City Manager Charles Penny, who has led Statesboro since July 2019, announced earlier this month that he will retire effective January 1, 2027. The roughly six-month runway gives the city time to launch a search for its next top administrator, the latest in a remarkable wave of leadership turnover across local government this year.
District 2 City Council Special Election Set for November
Voters in City Council District 2 will head back to the polls November 3 to fill a vacant seat. Mark your calendar now, and we will bring you a full candidate rundown as the field takes shape this fall.
Plant Hatch Cleared to Run Another 20 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a subsequent license renewal for the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, extending operation of its two reactors through 2054 and 2058. The plant, co-owned in part by regional utilities and operated by Southern Nuclear, produces about 1.8 gigawatts of power that helps keep the lights on across southeast Georgia.
Rising 7th and 11th Graders Need Updated Immunizations
With the new school year approaching August 1, Bulloch County Schools is reminding families of rising seventh and eleventh graders to turn in updated immunization records. Getting paperwork in early helps avoid the back-to-school rush, and families are encouraged to provide new records by July 20.
Fire Damages Van Buren Street Home
Statesboro firefighters responded to a house fire on Van Buren Street the afternoon of June 17 that caused heavy damage to the residence. No injuries were reported. It is a good reminder to check your own smoke alarms, and the Fire Department offers free alarm installations for residents who need them.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (June 22-28, 2026)
Downtown Live Season Finale: Papa Sol Thursday, June 25 | 7:00 PM | East Main Street, in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse | FREE
The 2026 Downtown Live concert season wraps up with Papa Sol, a band that blends pop, soul, funk, reggae, beach music, and rock into one feel-good summer show. Food trucks open at 6:00 PM, so come early, bring a lawn chair, and settle in for the last free downtown concert of the season.
Shark Week at the Georgia Southern Museum Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27 (closed Monday) | 2142 Southern Drive, Sweetheart Circle | $4 per person, free for ages 3 and under, GSU students, and members
Dive into a week of jaws and fun at the Georgia Southern Museum. The lineup includes interactive STEM activities, Storytime with a Shark, and a Saturday Megalodon talk. It is an easy, air-conditioned outing for families looking to beat the afternoon heat.
Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market Saturday, June 27 | 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM | The Market at Visit Statesboro, 222 S. Main Street | FREE admission
Fresh local produce, meats, baked goods, artisan goods, and food trucks return to downtown every Saturday morning. Get there early for the best selection before the midday heat sets in.
Statesboro Regional Library Summer Programs All week | 124 S. Main Street | FREE
The summer reading season rolls on with something for every age. Highlights this week include Senior Pour, Set, Create (Monday, 11:00 AM), Baby Play Time (Tuesday, 10:00 AM), Toddler Dino Art Craft (Wednesday, 10:30 AM), a performance by Doc Magic (Thursday, 10:30 AM), Family Bingo (Friday, 11:00 AM), and an America's 250th "Tell Your Story" event with Youth Connect (Saturday, 11:00 AM). Register on Beanstack and call 912-764-1341 to confirm times.
Government Meetings This Week North Main Annex and Williams Road | FREE and open to the public
A few meetings dot an otherwise light week. The Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration holds a special meeting Tuesday, June 23 at 1:30 PM at the North Main Annex, and the Bulloch County Board of Education meets for a work session Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 PM in the boardroom of the Central Office on Williams Road.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Georgia Southern Joins the Georgia Research Alliance
Georgia Southern has been admitted to the Georgia Research Alliance, a milestone that strengthens its push toward elite R1 research status. With projected annual research expenditures topping $56 million, the university gains new resources and the ability to recruit top researchers from the alliance's Academy of Scholars. It is another sign of the institution's growing economic and academic footprint in the region.
Minimester II Courses Now Underway
Georgia Southern's second summer minimester began Monday, June 22, keeping a steady stream of students on campus through the back half of summer. If you have a student knocking out summer credits or a future Eagle weighing fall orientation, now is the time to lock in those plans.
College of Education Earns National Recognition
Georgia Southern's College of Education has been recognized nationally for how it prepares future elementary teachers in the science of reading, a research-backed approach to literacy instruction. It is a meaningful nod for a program that supplies many of the teachers in our own local classrooms.
🏈 SPORTS & CAMPUS EVENTS
Football Season Tickets on Sale Ahead of a Big 2026 Slate
Season ticket packages start as low as $100 for all six home games, and this fall's schedule has real juice. The Eagles open September 5 at Paulson Stadium against Charleston Southern, travel to Clemson on September 12, and host Houston on September 26. The October 31 home game against Appalachian State doubles as a stadium-wide White Out and "Erk 100," celebrating what would have been legendary coach Erk Russell's 100th birthday. Order at GSEagles.com or call 1-800-GSU-WINS.
Eagle Baseball Closes the Books on 2026
Georgia Southern wrapped its 2026 baseball season with a 16-40 overall record and a 7-23 mark in Sun Belt play, finishing with a road series at regular-season conference champion Southern Miss. It was a tough year at J.I. Clements Stadium, but the program now turns its attention to recruiting and retooling for a fresh start in the spring.
🌮 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: Gnat's Landing
If there is a single restaurant that captures the easygoing spirit of Statesboro, it might just be Gnat's Landing.
Located at 470 S. Main Street on the Blue Mile, Gnat's Landing has been a downtown anchor since it first opened in February 2006. Al Chapman III took over the following year with a simple dream: build a place where Statesboro locals and Georgia Southern students could come together over good food and a good time. Twenty years later, that vision has made it one of the most popular gathering spots in town. In February 2026, the restaurant marked its 20th anniversary with an all-day community celebration and live music from the Chris Mitchell Band.
The vibe is laid-back American bar and grill with a Southern coastal accent, year-round Christmas lights, and a covered patio that locals love. The menu leans into fresh seafood, build-your-own burgers, salads, and sandwiches, but the headliner is the famous Eagle Nachos, the "Original Eagles Nest." Regulars also rave about the shrimp and grits, the blackened shrimp, the fried pickles, and the banana pudding. Beyond the food, Gnat's keeps the calendar full with trivia nights, karaoke, music bingo, and live music every weekend, plus a Sunday Funday brunch.
Address: 470 S. Main Street, Statesboro | Phone: (912) 489-8291
Hours run Monday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Tuesday 4:00 to 10:00 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Hours can shift seasonally, so call ahead.
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
Summer is in full swing, which around here means hot, humid, and a daily chance of a pop-up storm. Here is the week at a glance:
Day | High | Rain Chance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon, June 22 | 90°F | 40% | Hot and humid, stray afternoon shower |
Tue, June 23 | 91°F | 45% | Scattered afternoon storms possible |
Wed, June 24 | 92°F | 50% | Best storm chance midweek, some heavy downpours |
Thu, June 25 | 91°F | 40% | Warm evening, isolated storm near concert time |
Fri, June 26 | 93°F | 35% | Very warm, scattered late-day storms |
Heat indices will climb well into the 90s on the most humid days, so plan outdoor stops like the farmers market and any time at the pool for the morning when you can. Stay hydrated, keep an eye on the radar for late-day thunderstorms, and have a backup plan in case Thursday's storms drift toward downtown around concert time. Conditions can flip quickly on a summer afternoon, so check the latest before heading out.
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
Saturday, July 4 | Firecracker Fest 5:00 to 10:00 PM | Mill Creek Regional Park | FREE
Bulloch County's biggest Independence Day bash returns, this year marking America's 250th. Expect inflatables, the Greased Pole climb, the beloved Frog Jumping Contest (bring your own frog, registration at 5:00 PM), live music from the Under the Sun band starting at 5:30 PM, and a fireworks finale around 9:15 PM. Coolers are welcome, but leave the glass, alcohol, and pets at home. The event historically draws around 16,000 people, so come early.
Sunday, July 5 | Bulloch County Community Band Debuts 3:00 PM | Pittman Park United Methodist Church
A brand new community band makes its public debut, with more than 20 members ranging from high school students to grandparents. It is a feel-good start to a summer of homegrown music.
Friday through Sunday, July 17-19 | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the Musical Emma Kelly Theater, Averitt Center for the Arts
The Averitt Center kicks off the back half of its summer season with a family-friendly musical produced in partnership with Statesboro High School. A perfect mid-July outing for theater lovers of all ages.
What is your favorite way to beat the summer heat in the Boro?
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That is Edition 37! After a whirlwind few weeks of elections and budget votes, we are easing into the slower side of summer, and there is still plenty to enjoy around town. Catch the last Downtown Live concert Thursday, swing by the museum for Shark Week, and start making your Fourth of July plans now. We will be back next Monday with everything happening as we roll into July.
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See you next Monday!
