Hello, Statesboro!
Jacket weather finally showed up. Tonight's low is forecast at 43, and every day this week is sunny with highs in the low 70s and no rain in the forecast. If you were waiting on the right week for the fair, this is it.
The Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair parade goes through downtown at 5 p.m. today, and the gates open right after. The Haunted Lazy River opens tonight too. Halloween is 12 days out. This week's two trick-or-treats, Greek Street on Wednesday and the YMCA on Saturday, have their own section below, and every date through Halloween night is in our free Halloween in the Boro guide.
In the news: the city's $1.3 million in proposed cuts comes back to the council on Tuesday, and the official minutes show the list was longer than first reported. Georgia Southern is running three neighbor-to-neighbor forums on data centers. And three motorcyclists died in Bulloch County on Friday in three separate crashes.
Also in this edition: the Eagles won at Old Dominion with the coach's son at quarterback, Statesboro and Southeast Bulloch volleyball both won playoff openers, Portal and Bulloch Academy each won by four touchdowns or more, and a breakfast-and-lunch diner on Northside Drive.
Let's get into it.
📰 TOP NEWS
The Budget Cuts Are Back on Tuesday, and the Minutes Show Police and Fire Were on the List
Last week we told you City Manager Charles Penny had laid out about $1.3 million in possible cuts after the council kept the tax rate at 8.625 mills instead of 9.60. That conversation picks back up Tuesday. "Budget Reduction" is on the agenda for the council's 4 p.m. work session at City Hall, ahead of the regular 5:30 p.m. meeting.
The draft minutes of the October 6 meeting, posted in Tuesday's agenda packet, fill in what the first reports did not. Penny's full list had 13 line items. The two biggest we had not seen before: $200,800 from the Police Department and $77,500 from the Fire Department. Buildings and Grounds was down for about $179,456, Public Works and Engineering for $340,138, and Human Resources for $58,552. The total, by the mayor's count, was $1.344 million. (A correction: last week, working from early reports, we listed the $179,456 under the governing body. The minutes put it under Buildings and Grounds.)
The minutes also pin down the employee holiday bonus. It is $500 a person, about $180,000 in all, and Penny recommended suspending it for November. The Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful coordinator job stays empty for the rest of the fiscal year after the chosen candidate turned it down, which saves $50,000.
Mayor Jonathan McCollar asked to keep Youth Connect, Village Builders and the Christmas event fully funded and to run the Downtown Live concerts on $50,000. Penny said the series costs nearly $90,000 with marketing, and that two concerts instead of six would come in under $25,000. The mayor's four items added up to about $121,000. A motion to make those changes died without a second, and the council took no vote.
Two more lines in the minutes are worth knowing. Penny said he made the recommendations as the outgoing city manager so his successor would not start with budget cuts. And he warned that next year's rollback of 2.5 mills will leave the city short again, so the council would likely have to raise the rate, which would amount to a tax increase.
Also on Tuesday's work session agenda: a School Board presentation and the hotel occupancy tax.
What it means for you: your 2026 tax rate is set. Tuesday is the first chance to see which of these cuts survive. The work session is open to the public.
Fair Week Starts With a Parade at 5 p.m. Today
The 64th Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair opens tonight. The parade, the traditional kickoff, rolls through downtown Statesboro at 5 p.m. This year's theme is "Stars, Stripes & Carnival Lights." If you cannot make it downtown, Grice Connect is livestreaming it on its Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The gates open at 6:30 p.m. tonight, at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and at noon Saturday. The fair closes Saturday, October 24. Admission is $12 online in advance or $15 at the gate, and kids 5 and under get in free. Tuesday is free admission for seniors "65 or better." The advance wristband price ended Sunday night; wristbands are now $30 on the midway during the week and $35 on Saturday. Ticket windows close at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. on Friday.
One change at the gate: a new clear bag policy. Everyone comes in through the main gate, and metal detectors are in use. Leave the backpack in the car.
This year's fair is dedicated to Mike Bowen, the longtime Kiwanian and former radio voice who has booked entertainment, organized the exhibit hall and welcomed visitors at the Old Store, which holds generations of his family's history. Fair chair Landon Lanier announced the honor at the club's meeting Thursday. Bowen said he joined Kiwanis about 35 years ago on a promise to his father, Carlton Bowen. "It's been an honor to walk in my dad's footsteps," he said.
The money stays close. The fair funds nonprofits in Bulloch, Jenkins, Tattnall, Screven, Candler, Bryan and Evans counties: hospice programs, Scouts, the United Way, school programs like FFA, senior centers and more.
Georgia Southern Wants You at a Small Table, Not a Microphone, to Talk About Data Centers
Most of what you have heard about data centers this year came from a podium: three minutes at a public hearing, then the next speaker. Georgia Southern's Institute for Vibrant and Engaged Communities is trying something else. It is hosting three free public forums where residents sit in small, moderated groups and work through the choices together.
Each group takes up three approaches: keep data centers out of the community; allow them under existing rules and let the market decide; or allow them only in suitable locations that meet strict standards. For each, the group weighs what it would accomplish, what it would cost and what the community would have to accept.
"Our community has heard a lot of arguments about data centers. What we haven't had is many chances to sit down with neighbors who see things differently and really work through the choices together," said Dr. Candice Bodkin, the institute's director. The university says it takes no position on data centers. A summary of what comes out of the forums will go to local officials and the public.
The timing matters. The county's moratorium on data center permits expires December 31, and in September the commissioners rejected a ban 4-3. The city adopted its own data center rules in June and later rezoned land on Burkhalter Road where one could be built.
The first forum was Saturday. Two are left, and each covers the same material, so you only need to go to one:
Thursday, Oct. 22, 9 to 11 a.m., Home Builders Association of Statesboro, 1223 Merchants Way
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m., Jones-Love Cultural Center at Luetta Moore Park, 585 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Registration is encouraged but not required, and everyone gets a copy of the discussion guide.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Three Motorcyclists Died in Bulloch County on Friday, in Three Separate Crashes
Within about 12 hours on Friday, October 16, three people riding motorcycles were killed in separate crashes, according to the Georgia State Patrol's preliminary reports as published by Grice Connect. In the morning, Angela Snider, 53, of Statesboro died on Highway 80 East at Mud Road after a truck pulled out from a stop sign, and Jeffrey Kearse, 64, of Statesboro died on Highway 80 at Amanda Road after a rear-end collision pushed a car into his path. At about 7:15 p.m., Matthew Joseph, 26, of Springfield died at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Brampton Avenue after an SUV turning left failed to yield. Our thoughts are with all three families. With the fair drawing extra traffic onto local roads this week, please look twice for riders.
An Express Oil Could Go on the St. Paul's Lutheran Corner of Fair Road
Also on Tuesday's council agenda: a request to rezone 3.5 acres at 1608 Fair Road, at Veterans Memorial Parkway, from single-family residential to mixed use. The parcel has been home to St. Paul's Lutheran Church since the mid-1970s, and the plan is to split it and build an Express Oil, with the entrance off Briarwood Road. The Planning Commission recommends conditional approval. It is a public hearing, so residents can speak.
A $15 Million Extended-Stay Hotel Is Planned Near Publix
Legacy Development plans a 122-room WoodSpring Suites on Tormenta Way near Publix. CEO William Collins said site work should start in December, construction in January 2027, and the hotel should be finished 12 to 14 months later. WoodSpring is an extended-stay brand aimed at guests staying 15 days or more, with kitchenettes and laundry, and Collins said its rates can run about half to two-thirds of a traditional hotel's. He named construction workers and people on temporary job assignments as the target guests, and pointed to Ogeechee Tech's new training center as part of the demand.
Brooklet Has a New Police Chief and a $944,000 Sewer Grant
At Thursday's council meeting, Brooklet swore in Police Chief Nickki Garman, promoted from within the department. The city also announced $944,000 through the Georgia Municipal Association and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to extend sewer service from Cone Street into downtown. It is structured as a loan with 100 percent principal forgiveness, so the city puts up no match. One change Brooklet residents will notice: the monthly sanitation fee goes from $20 to $24. And early voting comes to Brooklet City Hall from Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clear Bags Only at High School Games Starting October 26
Bulloch County Schools will require clear bags at ticketed athletic events in its high school gyms and stadiums beginning October 26. Allowed: clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, clear freezer bags, and small clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Not allowed: backpacks, diaper bags, coolers, fanny packs and large purses. Bags carrying medical supplies are an exception, and the person who needs them has to stay with the bag. Everything is subject to search. Details are at bullochschools.org/clearbag.
Tasting Statesboro Raised $69,000
Thursday's 16th Tasting Statesboro brought samples from more than 40 food businesses to the Tippins training facility behind Paulson Stadium and raised $69,000 for the United Way of Southeast Georgia. Since 2011 the event has raised more than $300,000. The money supports agencies including the Statesboro Food Bank, Safe Haven, Hearts & Hands Clinic, Homebound Services and The Salvation Army.
🎃 TRICK-OR-TREAT THIS WEEK
Two chances this week to test the costume before the big night. Both are free.
Trick-or-Treat on Greek Street
Wednesday, Oct. 21 | From 5:30 p.m. | Olympic Boulevard, Georgia Southern | Free
Georgia Southern's fraternities and sororities open their doors and hand out candy, and many of the chapters run games and activities for kids. Olympic Boulevard closes to cars for the evening so kids can walk the street safely. Questions go to the university's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Statesboro Family YMCA Trunk or Treat
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 4 to 6 p.m. | 409 Clairborne Ave. | Free | Costumes encouraged
Local businesses and groups decorate their trunks and hand out candy, prizes and goodies. "Last year we welcomed over 1,200 participants," said Hannah Beggs, the Y's executive director. Two ways to help: drop off individually wrapped candy at the YMCA Welcome Center (Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to noon), or sign up to host a trunk. Hosting is free, setup starts at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 3, and the best-decorated trunk wins a free one-month membership. Contact Hannah Beggs at (912) 225-1962.
Coming next week
Most of the season's trunk-or-treats land in the last week of October: Pittman Park Treat Trail and East Main Street Church of God on Wednesday, Oct. 28, Bulloch Rec at the Ag Arena on Thursday, Oct. 29, and the Portal Heritage Society at the Turpentine Still on Friday, Oct. 30. Neighborhood trick-or-treating in Statesboro is Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Times, addresses and costs for all of them are in our free Halloween in the Boro guide. Hosting one we missed? Hit reply with a link and we will add it.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (October 19 to 25, 2026)
Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Parade
Monday, Oct. 19 | 5 p.m. | Downtown Statesboro | Free
64th Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair
Monday, Oct. 19 to Saturday, Oct. 24 | Gates 6:30 p.m. Monday, 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, noon Saturday | 16942 Ga. Highway 67 | $12 online, $15 at the gate, 5 and under free, seniors 65 and up free Tuesday
Haunted Lazy River
Nightly, Monday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 25 | 9 to 11 p.m. | Splash in the Boro, 1388 Ga. Highway 24 East | $10 at the door | Scary
Habitat for Humanity Pumpkin Patch
Daily through Oct. 31 | Monday to Friday 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. | 101 S. Main St. | No entry fee
Bulloch County Board of Commissioners
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 8:30 a.m. | Board of Commissioners Room, North Main Annex, North Main Street
Georgia Chamber Regional Roundtable
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | Programming starts 10:30 a.m. | Nessmith-Lane Ballroom, Georgia Southern | Speakers include Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero
City Council Work Session, Then Council Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 4 p.m. work session, 5:30 p.m. meeting | City Hall, 50 E. Main St.
Data Center Community Forum
Thursday, Oct. 22 | 9 to 11 a.m. | Home Builders Association of Statesboro, 1223 Merchants Way | Free
Georgia Southern Planetarium: "Space Aliens"
Friday, Oct. 23 | 6, 7 and 8 p.m. | Math/Physics Building | $5, buy online ahead
Wicked South Haunted Forest
Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 | Gates open between 7 and 8 p.m. | 3001 Lawrence Church Road, Pembroke | $15 to $30 online, $5 more at the gate | Scary
Love Thy Neighbor: United in Pink 5K
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 8 a.m. 5K, free health resource fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Georgia Southern Recreation Activity Center Pavilion
Main Street Farmers Market
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 222 S. Main St., behind Visit Statesboro | Free to browse
Saturday Early Voting
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Bulloch County Annex | Weekday early voting runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 30
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
A Street Near City Hall Is Now Named for a Revolutionary War Soldier Who Settled Here
Nicolas Anciaux was a French immigrant who joined the Continental Army, served as his regiment's paymaster, fought at Yorktown and later settled in Bulloch County. Olga Amarie, a professor of French at Georgia Southern, led the effort to put his name on a previously unnamed street near City Hall, and the council unanimously approved Nicolas Anciaux Lane on September 1. Some of his descendants were at the meeting. "We don't have many heroes like him," Amarie said.
🏈 SPORTS & CAMPUS EVENTS
The Coach's Son Came Off the Bench and the Eagles Won at Old Dominion, 23-15
Max Johnson hurt his throwing shoulder in the first half Thursday night in Norfolk and did not return, according to WTOC. In came Turner Helton, Clay Helton's son, who had 19 career completions before the night started. He finished 23 of 30 for 205 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles fell behind 7-0, then scored 23 straight points. Terrance Gibbs ran for one touchdown and caught Helton's 11-yard pass for another. Tripp Bryant made all three field goals, from 33, 43 and 31 yards. Tyrese Woodgett ran for 77 yards in his first college start. The defense held Old Dominion to 266 yards, had four sacks and recovered two fumbles, the last after an Anthony Bynum sack with 1:20 left. Georgia Southern held the ball for 36 minutes and 26 seconds.
Two things to watch: Johnson's shoulder, and Gibbs, who hurt his knee and was set for an MRI, per WTOC. The Eagles are 3-4 and 2-1 in the Sun Belt. They have a bye this week. Next up is App State at Paulson Stadium on Halloween, October 31.
Both County Volleyball Teams Won Their Playoff Openers
Statesboro survived Dalton in five sets on Saturday, 20-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-19, 15-9. Tied 8-8 in the fifth, the Lady Blue Devils ran off five straight points, and Zoey Hudgens and Nelly Wantanabe finished it with a block. "They are very quiet but with loud hearts and a huge will to win," coach Bob Massee said. Statesboro plays at Blessed Trinity in Roswell on Wednesday in the Class 5A second round.
Southeast Bulloch went on the road and swept No. 9 Upson-Lee 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 in Class 4A. The Yellow Jackets host Cherokee Bluff on Tuesday.
Friday Night: Portal Made It Seven Straight, and Bulloch Academy Put Up 53
Portal shut out Montgomery County 28-0 behind three touchdown passes from Omod Thomas. The Panthers are 7-1, have won seven in a row, and have a bye this week. Bulloch Academy led St. Andrew's 39-0 at halftime and won 53-0 in Savannah. The Gators are 8-1 and close the regular season against Frederica Academy on Friday at 7 p.m. Southeast Bulloch led Liberty County 14-7 at the half but gave up 21 straight points and lost 28-14 in Brooklet. The Yellow Jackets are 3-5 and off this week.
🍽️ RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
D's Friendly Diner, 503 Northside Drive East
D's Friendly Diner was one of the more than 40 food businesses that served at Tasting Statesboro on Thursday, the night that raised $69,000 for the United Way. The rest of the week, you will find it on Northside Drive East, doing one thing: breakfast and lunch, diner style.
That is how D's describes itself, a basic diner. Its own line is "D's is your place, a place where friends are made." It is the kind of place you go on a Saturday morning before the farmers market, or the morning after a late night at the fair, when only eggs and coffee will do. It opens early and closes early, so plan for it.
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with a 6:30 a.m. start on Sundays, per its Google listing. Hours vary by listing, so call ahead.
Phone: (912) 764-3036
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
Sunshine every day this week, and no day has a rain chance above 1 percent.
Monday: High near 70, sunny, low near 43
Tuesday: High near 74, sunny, low near 46
Wednesday: High near 74, sunny, low near 44
Thursday: High near 74, sunny, low near 46
Friday: High near 73, sunny, low near 49
Saturday: High near 72, sunny, low near 49
Sunday: High near 74, sunny
Pulled live from the National Weather Service forecast updated at 8:32 a.m. Monday. No active alerts for Bulloch County at that time. Check weather.gov before you commit to an outdoor plan.
This is the week the mornings turn. Lows stay in the 40s every night, so expect a cold walk to the car. For the fair, dress for two seasons: the afternoon is short-sleeve weather, but the temperature drops fast once the sun goes down, so bring a jacket for the ride home.
On the drought: Isaias helped. The U.S. Drought Monitor map dated October 13, the first drawn after the storm, shows about 62 percent of Bulloch County out of drought categories altogether. A week earlier, all of it was rated abnormally dry. About 16 percent of the county is still in moderate drought, and with a dry week ahead, burn carefully.
Fair week: what are you going for first?
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, Oct. 23: the last day to request an absentee ballot.
Monday, Oct. 26: clear bags required at high school games, and the Haunted Forest of Statesboro opens at the fairgrounds. Early voting also opens at Brooklet City Hall through Oct. 30.
Thursday, Oct. 29: the Bulloch Rec trick-or-treat at the Ag Arena, 5 to 7:30 p.m., free.
Friday, Oct. 30: the last day of early voting at the Bulloch County Annex.
Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween, trick-or-treat hours 6 to 8 p.m., and Georgia Southern hosts App State at Paulson Stadium.
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day, including the District 2 special election for City Council.
Saturday, Nov. 7: the True Blue 5K on Georgia Southern's Homecoming weekend.
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
Cool mornings, a parade downtown and a fair that keeps its money in seven counties. It is a good week to be in the Boro. Before you head out to the midway, mark Tuesday: the budget cuts are back in front of the council, and the work session is open to anyone who wants to listen.
Got a tip, a correction, or a fair photo you want to share? Hit reply. We read every message.
Know someone who'd love the Statesboro Brief? Forward this to a neighbor, a coworker, or the friend you are meeting at the Pancake House. It's the single best way to help us grow. See you next Monday!
