Hello, Statesboro!
Happy almost Fourth! This is not just any Independence Day. Saturday marks America's 250th birthday, and Bulloch County is throwing a party worthy of the occasion. Campus is still quiet, the heat is cranking, and the whole week builds toward one big night of fireworks over Mill Creek. Before we get to the cookouts and the bottle rockets, there is real news to catch you up on: two of the most important jobs in town officially change hands on Wednesday, a beloved museum director hangs up his hat after a quarter century, and a long-awaited road project is finally underway. We will get you set for a safe and happy holiday week, with everything you need to know about the Firecracker Fest finale, the library's patriotic programs, and where to grab the best fried chicken in town when you do not feel like grilling.
Let's get into it.
How are you spending the Fourth of July in the Boro this year?
📰 TOP NEWS
New Police Chief and New Superintendent Officially Start July 1
It is now official. On Wednesday, July 1, Captain Jared Akins steps in as Interim Statesboro Police Chief, succeeding Chief Mike Broadhead, who retires after nine years leading the department and more than four decades in law enforcement. Akins is a Statesboro High and Georgia Southern graduate with 25 years serving this community, including 16 years at the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office where he rose to Chief Deputy. He has said he will not seek the permanent job, and the city's nationwide search with Developmental Associates is expected to wrap up this fall. The same morning, Dr. Torian White officially becomes superintendent of Bulloch County Schools on a three-year contract with a starting salary of $235,000. 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 at the helm.
Dr. Brent Tharp Retires After 26 Years Leading the GSU Museum
A quiet end to a remarkable run. Dr. Brent Tharp has retired as director of the Georgia Southern University Museum, stepping down as the longest-serving director in the museum's history. Tharp arrived in 2000 and spent the next quarter century transforming the institution, overseeing a renovation of more than $1 million and the 2021 reopening in the historic 1937 Rosenwald Building, and securing the prized Gretsch musical instrument collection. His final week on the job happily overlapped with the museum's popular Shark Week. No successor has been named, and the museum continues under the leadership of its assistant director and curatorial staff.
$1.36 Million Max Lockwood Drive Reconstruction Gets Underway
A project residents have wanted for years is finally happening. What started as a roughly $300,000 resurfacing has grown into a $1.36 million full reconstruction of Max Lockwood Drive, complete with new drainage to tackle the chronic flooding that has plagued the one-way street. Ellis Wood Contracting holds the contract, funded by 2018 and 2023 TSPLOST dollars, and city engineer Brad Deal expects the rebuilt road to open before the end of the year. Work begins with a new driveway off Fair Road to the rear lot of the Honey Bowen Building, and adds curbs, gutters, drain inlets, and thicker pavement throughout. Once construction starts, the Fair Road entrance to the street will close, with access to the Honey Bowen Building and the Sue Oertley tennis and pickleball courts shifting to the rear parking lot.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Its 64th Home
Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County dedicated its 64th home on Sunday, June 28, at 18A Henry Street, celebrating new homeowner Geneva Witherspoon. Each dedication marks months of volunteer labor and a major milestone for a local family achieving the dream of homeownership.
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Tuesday
The annual Battle of the Badges blood drive returns Tuesday, June 30, pitting local first responder agencies against one another for donor bragging rights and a much-needed summer boost to the regional blood supply. Donating is one of the easiest ways to give back, so roll up a sleeve if you can.
Feed the Boro Provides for 1,000 Families
Feed the Boro's June Food Drop ran Saturday, June 27, at Statesboro High School, distributing enough food to feed roughly 1,000 local families. The monthly event partners with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia to fight food insecurity across Bulloch County.
Georgia Power Rates Drop for Statesboro Customers
Some welcome news for household budgets: beginning this month, Statesboro customers of Georgia Power are seeing lower rates. With the summer AC running nonstop, every bit of relief on the power bill helps.
Region's First Concierge Medical Practice Launches
Dr. Glen J. Dasher has launched the region's first MDVIP-affiliated concierge practice, offering Statesboro patients a membership-based model focused on personalized, preventive primary care. It is a new option for residents looking for a different kind of relationship with their doctor.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (June 29 - July 5, 2026)
Firecracker Fest: Celebrating America's 250th Saturday, July 4 | 5:00 to 10:00 PM | Mill Creek Regional Park, 1388 GA-24 | FREE
Bulloch County's biggest Independence Day party returns, and this year it marks America's 250th birthday. The celebration kicks off at 5:00 PM, with the Greased Pole opening at 5:30 PM and the free inflatable games and Kids' Activity Field running from 5:00 to 8:30 PM (come ready to get wet). The beloved Frog Jump Contest takes registrations from 5:00 to 5:45 PM with the competition at 6:00 PM, so bring your own frog. Live music fills the evening with Under the Sun and the Chris Mitchell Band, and the fireworks finale lights up the sky around 9:15 PM after the National Anthem. Coolers are welcome, but please leave the glass, alcohol, pets, and personal fireworks at home. One traffic note: starting at 8:45 PM, Highway 24 closes from the 301 Bypass to the park's main entrance, so plan your arrival early.
Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market Saturday, July 4 | 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM | The Market at Visit Statesboro, 222 S. Main Street | FREE admission
Start your Fourth of July with fresh local produce, meats, baked goods, artisan crafts, and food trucks downtown. It is the perfect spot to grab everything you need for the holiday cookout, so get there early before the midday heat sets in.
Statesboro Regional Library Summer Programs All week | 124 S. Main Street | FREE
The summer reading season keeps rolling with a patriotic twist for the holiday week. Early highlights include a Senior Patriotic Centerpiece craft (Monday, 11:00 AM), Baby Art Time (Tuesday, 10:00 AM), an Adult Patriotic Wreath workshop (Tuesday, 11:00 AM), and the Summer Kids' Club at the Statesboro Mall (Tuesday, 10:30 AM). Register on Beanstack and call 912-764-1341 to confirm holiday-week hours.
Splash in the Boro Daily | 1388 GA-24 | Admission varies
When the heat index climbs into the triple digits, the county's water park is the place to be. Splash in the Boro is open seven days a week this summer with slides, a lazy river, and a kids' zone, with discounted admission for Bulloch County residents. It is an easy way to cool off during the long holiday weekend.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Georgia Southern Signs International Partnership with the University of Belize
Georgia Southern has expanded its global reach with a new memorandum of understanding with the University of Belize, signed in a June 12 ceremony in Belmopan. The agreement opens Belizean marine biology, tropical ecology, and natural resource research sites to GSU faculty and students, while extending Georgia Southern's master's and doctoral programs to University of Belize scholars. Two recent UB graduates are already enrolled in GSU doctoral programs, a sign of how quickly the partnership is taking root.
Model UN Earns 15th Straight National Honor
Georgia Southern's Model United Nations program continues one of the most impressive streaks on campus, again earning an Outstanding Delegation distinction at the National Model UN Conference in New York. It marks the 15th consecutive year the program has brought home top honors, a testament to the students and faculty who keep the tradition going.
Summer Term Keeps Campus Humming
Campus may feel light, but Georgia Southern's full summer term and second minimester are keeping a steady stream of students working through credits. Faculty are deep into summer research cycles too, building on the university's push toward elite R1 research status. If you have a future Eagle at home, now is a smart time to lock in fall orientation plans.
🏈 SPORTS & CAMPUS EVENTS
Eagles Football Hosts Nearly 500 Prospects at Annual Camp
The summer cycle is in full swing for Clay Helton's program. Entering his fifth season, the head coach welcomed nearly 500 high school athletes to Paulson Stadium for Georgia Southern's annual prospect camp, a major jump from the just-over-100 players who attended in its early years. The team has also begun its eight-week June and July summer cycle of strength, conditioning, and walk-throughs as it builds toward preseason camp and the September 5 home opener.
"Erk 100" Headlines the 2026 Home Slate
Mark your calendars now. The Eagles open September 5 at home against Charleston Southern, with six home games at Paulson Stadium this fall. The marquee date is October 31 against Appalachian State, a stadium-wide White Out doubling as "Erk 100," celebrating what would have been legendary coach Erk Russell's 100th birthday on July 23. Season ticket packages start as low as $100 for all six home games.
🍗 RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT: Uncle Shug's Chicken Barn
When you do not feel like firing up the grill this holiday week, there may be no more Statesboro answer than Uncle Shug's Chicken Barn.
Tucked into a rustic barn-style building at 12399 US-301 just north of town, Uncle Shug's has built a regional reputation on one simple thing done exceptionally well: fried chicken. Locals and road-trippers alike swear by it. One Tripadvisor reviewer who moved to Florida confessed she still finds reasons to drive back to Georgia every few months just for Shug's famous fried livers, calling them tender, crisply fried, and worth the trip. The chicken finger plates are the go-to for many regulars, piled with huge hand-breaded tenders cooked to a crisp, and the spread of from-scratch sides runs deep: mashed potatoes and gravy, potato salad, coleslaw, green beans, mac-n-cheese, and yeast rolls. Do not skip the banana pudding.
It is a no-frills, family-friendly spot built for big appetites, with buffet options, family-size to-go boxes that feed a crowd, and full catering for everything from reunions to tailgates. Whether you are feeding a houseful of Fourth of July guests or just want a comforting plate after a long day at the pool, Shug's delivers.
Address: 12399 US-301, Statesboro | Phone: (912) 259-9699
Hours run Monday through Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed Sunday. Hours can shift around holidays, so call ahead during the Fourth of July week.
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
It is shaping up to be a classic South Georgia holiday week: hot, humid, and ripe for a pop-up storm. Here is the week at a glance:
Day | High | Rain Chance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon, June 29 | 92°F | 40% | Hot and humid, stray afternoon shower |
Tue, June 30 | 93°F | 45% | Scattered afternoon storms possible |
Wed, July 1 | 94°F | 50% | Best storm chance midweek, a few heavy downpours |
Thu, July 2 | 93°F | 40% | Warm and muggy, isolated late-day storm |
Fri, July 3 | 94°F | 35% | Very warm, scattered evening storms |
Sat, July 4 | 93°F | 40% | Hot day, watch the radar near fireworks time |
Heat indices will push well past 100 on the most humid afternoons, so plan outdoor stops like the farmers market and any pool time for the morning when you can. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and keep an eye on the radar Saturday evening, as a stray storm could drift toward Mill Creek around fireworks time. Summer conditions can flip in a hurry, so check the latest before you head out.
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
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 way to cap off the holiday weekend with homegrown music.
Monday, July 13 | BoroFest Returns Downtown 3:00 to 9:00 PM | Downtown Statesboro
One of the Boro's signature street celebrations comes back to downtown Statesboro with food, music, and family fun. Start making your mid-July plans now.
Friday through Sunday, July 17-19 | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the Musical Emma Kelly Theater, Averitt Center for the Arts
The Averitt Center continues its summer season with a family-friendly musical produced in partnership with Statesboro High School. A perfect outing for theater lovers of all ages.
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That is Edition 38! We hope your Fourth of July is full of good food, great company, and a sky full of fireworks. Whether you are heading to Mill Creek for the big show, splashing around the water park, or just keeping it easy at home, take a moment to celebrate this milestone 250th birthday with the neighbors who make the Boro feel like home. Be safe out there, watch out for the heat, and we will be back next Monday rolling into a brand new month.
Got a news tip, event to share, or just want to say hi? Hit reply. We read every message.
Know someone who would love the Statesboro Brief? Forward this email to a neighbor, a coworker, or anyone who just moved to town. And follow us on social media for updates throughout the week!
See you next Monday!
