Yurezz Owner Arrested, Bulloch Back-to-School Set for Aug. 3

Hello, Statesboro!

We are deep in the dog days now, the stretch of summer where the biggest daily question is whether the afternoon storm holds off long enough to get the cooler packed up at the farmers market. Behind the scenes, though, it was not a quiet week for the Boro. The Yurezz Home Center story took a serious turn, City Council quietly funded a fix for a flooding problem that has dogged one part of town for years, and the new school year suddenly has a real date attached to it. We will also get you set for a family musical downtown, a candid community conversation on recovery, and what a nationwide parasite outbreak in the headlines actually means here at home.

Let's get into it.

Yurezz Home Center Owner Arrested on Out-of-State Hold
The collapse of a longtime local business just became a criminal matter. Richard Altman, owner of Yurezz Home Center, the Baxley-based manufactured and modular home dealer with a Statesboro location at 9627 Hwy 301 South, was arrested the morning of Wednesday, July 8, and is being held on an out-of-state hold tied to charges of illegal transmission of monetary funds originating in Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The arrest came two days after 21st Mortgage Corporation filed a lawsuit accusing Altman and his wife Heather of moving a manufactured home out of business inventory and onto their own Appling County property without paying off the lender who financed it.

The Appling County Sheriff's Office says it now has multiple open investigations involving the Altmans and their businesses, worked jointly with Georgia agencies and investigators in several other states. There is still no bankruptcy filing on record, and customers across Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Florida, and East Tennessee remain in limbo on unfinished homes and unanswered warranty claims. Anyone with information is asked to call the Appling County Sheriff's Office at 912-367-8120. Read more at WTOC

City Council Funds a Flood Study, Advances Sewer Help for Homeowners
Statesboro City Council had a full agenda at its Tuesday, July 7 meeting, and two items stand to affect homeowners directly. Council accepted a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program agreement to fund a hydrologic and hydraulic study of the Little Lotts Creek basin, an area that has flooded repeatedly over the past three years. The total project runs $945,000: a $141,750 local match from stormwater funds and a $94,500 state match make up the rest alongside federal dollars.

Separately, council gave first reading to Ordinance 2026-02, which would amend the city's sewer lateral repair assistance program after City Manager Charles Penny said rising repair costs and the way some older properties are configured have made the existing grant program harder for residents to use. Council also formally recognized outgoing District 2 Councilmember Paulette Chavers for six years of service, her resignation leaves the seat vacant ahead of the special election already set for November 3, approved roughly $902,000 in engineering contracts for capital projects and transportation design, advanced early design work on a future Brannen Street to Highway 80 road connection, dedicated Pasture Lane and Branded Way at the Westside Townhomes subdivision as public roads, approved a $15,700 change order for the Fire Station 3 driveway, and approved a liquor license for El Maguey II at 1100 Brampton Avenue. Read more at Grice Connect

Back-to-School Just Got Real: August 3 Start Date, Four New Principals
The new school year now has a firm date, and a handful of familiar buildings will have new faces leading them. Bulloch County Schools confirmed the first day of classes for students is Monday, August 3, with staff pre-planning and in-service running July 23 through 31.

The district also finalized leadership changes for 2026-27: Dr. Nate Pennington moves from Portal Elementary to lead Southeast Bulloch High, Kelly Spence steps up from her role as the district's executive director of academic support to become Portal Elementary's new principal, and Reginald Cordy takes over at Langston Chapel Middle, among four campuses getting new principals this year. Families of rising 7th and 11th graders still need to turn in updated immunization records before classes start, and the Bulloch County Health Department has walk-in options this month (see Local News Briefs below). Read more at The Georgia Virtue

Still No Arrest in Lanier Drive Shooting Case
As of this edition, Statesboro Police have not announced an arrest of 17-year-old Levi River Williams, wanted on warrants for aggravated assault and criminal damage to property after the July 2 shots-fired incident at St. Charles Place Apartments. If you know anything about the case or his location, call Senior Detective Cross at 912-764-9911, or submit an anonymous tip through the "Submit a Tip" link at statesboropd.com. Read more at Statesboro Herald

Operation Southern Slow Down Hits the Roads This Week
A five-state speed enforcement campaign, now in its ninth year, runs July 13-19 across Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Last year's week-long push led to more than 13,290 speeding contacts by Georgia law enforcement alone, and officials note speeding was a factor in 19 percent of fatal Southeast crashes from 2020 to 2024. Watch your speed on the bypass this week. Read more at Grice Connect

Walk-In Immunization Clinics Open Ahead of the School Year
With the August 3 start date now set, the Bulloch County Health Department at 1 West Altman Street is offering vaccines plus hearing, vision, and dental screenings on a walk-in basis, no appointment needed, to satisfy Georgia's school-entry forms 3231 and 3300. Hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 1-855-473-4374 with questions. Read more at Grice Connect

What to Know About the Cyclospora Parasite Making National Headlines
As U.S. cases of the foodborne parasite Cyclosporiasis climbed past 843 nationally as of July 9, the Georgia Department of Public Health and Statesboro Urgent Care put out guidance for local residents. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and fatigue, showing up 7 to 10 days after exposure; DPH says it is not aware of any Georgia-specific outbreak. Wash produce under running water, wash your hands before cooking, and head straight to the ER rather than urgent care for severe dehydration, confusion, or an inability to keep fluids down. Read more at Grice Connect

Remembering Bird Hodges Jr.
J. Bird Hodges Jr., a lifelong Bulloch County resident who served as county coroner from 1979 to 1991 and as a Bulloch County commissioner from 1992 to 2001, died July 1 at age 74. Hodges also owned and ran several local funeral homes, including Barnes-Hodges and Hodges-Turner, from 1974 to 1994. Our condolences to his family and everyone who knew him through decades of public service. Read more at Grice Connect

Statesboro Regional Library: Summer Reading Winds Down
124 S. Main Street | FREE. The dinosaur-themed summer reading season is in its final stretch before school starts. This week: Baby Music Time (Mon., July 14, 10 a.m., ages 0-24 months); Adult Pop-Up Silhouettes Activity (Mon., July 14, 11 a.m., 18+); Toddler Art Time (Tue., July 15, 10:30 a.m., ages 2-5); Kids' Edible Paleontology Activity (Tue., July 15, 3 p.m., ages 6-11); Teen Summer Finale Ice Cream Party (Wed., July 16, 4 p.m., ages 12-18); and a Genealogy Program, "Explore Your Family Tree & Story" (Thu., July 17, 4 p.m., all ages, Kids' Activity Room). Call 912-764-1341 to confirm times. See the full library calendar at strl.info

Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market
Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | The Market at Visit Statesboro, 222 S. Main Street | FREE admission. Fresh local produce, meats, baked goods, artisan goods, and food trucks, every Saturday through the season. Get there early before the midday heat sets in. Read more at Visit Statesboro

Splash in the Boro
Open daily | Mill Creek Regional Park, 1388 GA-24 East | Admission varies. With heat indices pushing past 100 most afternoons, the water park remains the easiest way to cool off, with slides, a lazy river, and discounted admission for Bulloch County residents. Hours vary by day, so check ahead. Plan your visit at Splash in the Boro

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, the Musical
Friday-Sunday, July 17-19 | Emma Kelly Theater, Averitt Center for the Arts | $15-20. A family-friendly musical based on the Mark Twain classic, with songs by Don Schlitz ("The Gambler") and a book by Ken Ludwig, produced in partnership with Statesboro High School. Youth and general admission pricing available; call the box office at 912-212-2787 or visit averittcenterforthearts.org for showtimes and tickets.

Healthy Boro: "Hope, Healing, and Harm Reduction"
Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 a.m. to noon | 62 East Main Street | FREE. The next installment of the city's 2026 "A Healthier Boro Discussion Series," led by Catherine Tootle, executive director of Freedom Through Recovery, and co-hosted with three Georgia Southern academic departments. A candid, community-facing conversation on addiction recovery and harm reduction. Register at statesboroga.gov/oneboro. Read more at Grice Connect

Note: City Council and the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners both run on a first-and-third-Tuesday schedule, so neither meets this week. Their next meetings are Tuesday, July 21.

Q1 Economic Monitor: Savannah Metro Growth Nearly Flat
Georgia Southern's Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research released its Q1 2026 Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, and the numbers show a regional economy losing steam. The business index grew just 0.03 percent in the first quarter. Employment rose modestly, up 300 jobs to 216,000, a 1.7 percent gain over last year, and hotel and motel tax collections climbed 9 percent for the quarter. But retail sales fell 2.5 percent from the prior quarter and are down 2.7 percent year over year. Researchers expect continued modest job growth but weaker-than-average conditions through the rest of 2026. Read more at Georgia Southern

Note: With campus in its summer lull, that is the main GSU news to report this week; expect more as fall move-in approaches.

Eagles Head to Sun Belt Media Days This Week
Georgia Southern heads to New Orleans for the 2026 Sun Belt Football Media Days, with the East Division (Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, James Madison, Marshall, and Old Dominion) taking the stage Wednesday, July 15, ahead of the West Division on Thursday. Head coach Clay Helton will be joined by players Josh Dallas and Chance Gamble as the Eagles start building toward their September 5 home opener against Charleston Southern. Read more at GSEagles.com

Note: It is the quiet stretch for local high school sports too, with most programs still in summer conditioning before fall practice begins.

Deep summer holds its pattern: hot, humid mornings, building afternoon heat, and a daily shot at a pop-up thunderstorm. Based on typical mid-July conditions for Statesboro, here is the week at a glance:

Heat indices will push past 100°F on the most humid afternoons, so plan outdoor stops like the farmers market for the morning when you can, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on the radar for late-day storms. (These figures reflect typical Statesboro July climatology, not a live forecast. Check the latest official outlook before heading out.) Check the latest forecast at weather.gov

Wednesday-Thursday, July 15-16: Sun Belt Football Media Days.
New Orleans. Georgia Southern's official kickoff to preseason talk, with Coach Helton and two players representing the Eagles.

Wednesday, July 23: Erk Russell's 100th Birthday.
The late Eagles coaching legend would have turned 100. Georgia Southern Athletics has launched its "Erk 100" campaign in his honor, building toward the marquee White Out game against Appalachian State on October 31; no standalone public event has been announced for July 23 itself yet.

July 23-31: Bulloch County Schools Pre-Planning.
Staff return ahead of students, wrapping up the week before classes begin.

Monday, August 3: First Day of School.
Classes resume across Bulloch County Schools.

Friday, July 31: Rockin' Out Alzheimer's.
The Blue Room hosts a Bon Jovi tribute band as a benefit show; details to follow as the date gets closer.

Friday, September 5: Eagles Football Home Opener.
Georgia Southern hosts Charleston Southern at Paulson Stadium, 7:00 p.m., the first of six home games this fall.

That's Edition 40! Between an arrest, a flood study, and a real date for back-to-school, this was one of the more consequential "quiet summer" weeks we've covered. Catch the Tom Sawyer musical if you need an air-conditioned night out, swing by Healthy Boro's discussion Saturday morning if that topic touches your family, and watch your speed out there this week. We'll see you next Monday with whatever comes next.

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