Hello Statesboro!
The votes are in, the results are decisive, and our community has spoken. Last Tuesday's election brought clarity to Statesboro's leadership for the next four years, with Mayor McCollar securing a historic third term and voters overwhelmingly approving both school funding measures. We've got all the numbers, what they mean for your wallet, and what's next.
Georgia Southern upsets App State in thrilling Thursday night football, and we're counting down to Veterans Day with a special ceremony tomorrow at the Averitt Center. Let's dive in.
🗳️ ELECTION RESULTS: McCollar Wins Big, Both Tax Measures Pass
Mayor's Race: Historic Third Term
Mayor Jonathan McCollar won decisively with 69.6% of the vote (1,819 votes) over challenger Raymond L. Harris Sr.'s 30.4% (794 votes), a commanding 1,025-vote margin.
Speaking from Big Ma's Soul Food Restaurant on election night, McCollar told supporters: "This wasn't just about a re-election. This was a statement. We are tired of the negative politics, and it will not be tolerated in Statesboro." He promised to continue his "People Over Politics" platform focused on "building our parks, supporting our seniors, bringing in jobs, and reducing poverty."
What's next: Mayor McCollar will be inaugurated for his third term after the first of the year. He was first elected in 2017 as Statesboro's first African-American mayor.
Harris responded graciously: "People want him for another term, so that's what it is. We had a lot of good supporters come out, and I really appreciate the support and the prayers. We thought it would be a little closer... but you live and you learn."
City Council: Johnson Retains Seat, Riggs Wins Fifth Term
District 1: Tangie Johnson (incumbent) won handily with 71.2% (616 votes) over John Grotheer's 28.8% (249 votes). Johnson secures a full four-year term after winning a special election in November 2024.
District 4: John Riggs ran unopposed and was automatically re-elected to his fifth term. He's now the longest-serving current council member with 16 years of service.
E-SPLOST VI: New Southeast Bulloch High School Is Happening
PASSED: 6,158 YES (66.57%) vs. 3,092 NO (33.43%)
This overwhelming approval means Southeast Bulloch High School will get its new campus. Here's what's happening:
The Timeline:
Five-year, 1% education sales tax runs October 1, 2028 through September 30, 2033
Revenue limit: $175 million over 5 years
The district can borrow up to $120 million immediately through bonds
The Big Project:
New Southeast Bulloch High School for 2,000 students (expandable to 3,000)
Groundbreaking: July 2026
Construction: 3-4 years
Projected opening: 2029-2030 school year
Estimated cost: Approximately $165 million
School Reorganization Plan:
Current Southeast Bulloch High becomes SEB Middle School
Current SEB Middle School becomes Southeast Bulloch Upper Elementary (4th-5th grades)
New facility becomes Southeast Bulloch High School
Superintendent Charles Wilson said: "This community sees the common-sense logic behind the E-SPLOST. The community has always been overwhelmingly supportive of providing the facilities for our schools because people know we have to have a place to put our students."
Property tax benefit: By funding capital expenses through E-SPLOST instead of the general fund, the district avoids approximately two mills of property tax increases.
Other approved projects: School buses, technology, portable classrooms, minor renovations, and potentially a new gym for Portal Middle-High School and multipurpose room for Statesboro High School.
FLOST: Property Tax Relief Is Coming
PASSED: 6,599 YES (71.67%) vs. 2,608 NO (28.33%)
This is a brand-new 1% sales tax that Bulloch County has never had before. Here's what you need to know:
The Basics:
Collection begins: January 2026 (5-year duration)
Your sales tax goes from 8% to 9%
Property tax relief arrives: July 1, 2027 (FY 2028 tax cycle)
How it works: FLOST revenue goes into a special fund used exclusively for proportional rollback of property tax rates. Without FLOST, you'd likely see higher property tax rates to make up for lost revenue from the statewide floating homestead exemption.
Who benefits: Everyone who pays property taxes in Bulloch County. Statesboro receives 17.66% of total FLOST proceeds; the remainder goes to Bulloch County government and other municipalities (Brooklet, Portal, Register).
Who pays: Everyone who shops in Bulloch County, including visitors, Georgia Southern students, and regional shoppers. This spreads the cost beyond just property owners.
Voter Turnout: Room for Improvement
Overall turnout was just 17.4% (9,329 ballots cast out of 53,740 registered voters). Election Supervisor Shontay Jones noted disappointment: "It's always disappointing when you know that you have so many people."
Early voting statistics: 2,250 in-person early voters, 61 absentee voters, representing about 25% of total votes cast.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES: UPSET WIN AT APP STATE
Football: Eagles Pull Off Thursday Night Thriller
Georgia Southern defeated Appalachian State 25-23 on Thursday, November 6, in Boone, North Carolina, a massive road victory that keeps the Eagles' bowl hopes alive.
How It Happened:
The Eagles jumped to a 22-3 lead midway through the third quarter
App State rallied to cut it to 22-16 early in the fourth
The Mountaineers scored with 1:56 left to make it 25-23
Georgia Southern converted a crucial second-and-6 late to run out the clock
What's Next:
Saturday, November 15 vs. Coastal Carolina (HOME) - Sun Belt Conference game, time TBA
Friday, November 22 vs. Old Dominion (HOME) - SENIOR DAY - 6:00 PM, Blue Out, First Responders Appreciation Day
Tickets: GSEagles.com/PowerOfPaulson
📰 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Dutch Bros Coffee Coming Early 2026
The popular West Coast-based coffee chain will open its first Statesboro location at 23974 U.S. Highway 80 East (between AutoZone and Newk's Eatery) in early 2026. The drive-thru-only coffee shop is known for handcrafted beverages, specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, and Dutch Bros Rebel® energy drinks, with an emphasis on upbeat atmosphere and community engagement.
County Commission Delivers $1.8 Million
The Bulloch County Hospital Authority presented an $1.8 million check to the county on November 4, the largest taxpayer relief check since 2020. Over 29 years, $39,215,000 has been returned to the county for property tax relief. The authority returns 80% of hospital earnings to the county; 10% for healthcare grants.
Other Commission Actions:
Approved $65,233 cloud-based security camera system for Bulloch County Correctional Institute (funded by SPLOST)
Approved $150,000 brick paver replacement project for Mill Creek Park 5-field Complex
Tabled until December 2: Zoning amendment for go-kart/ATV tracks, microbreweries, accessory dwellings, and conservation subdivisions
Proclamations Issued:
Veterans Day Proclamation to VFW Post 10825 and American Legion Post 90
Farm-City Week Proclamation (Nov 26-Dec 3) recognizing agriculture as Bulloch County's #1 industry
School Meals Continue Despite Federal Uncertainty
Despite the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefit suspension, Bulloch County Schools announced school meals will continue uninterrupted:
Free breakfast for all students at all 15 schools
Free lunch for all students at 12 schools qualifying for USDA's Community Eligibility Program
District doubled Second Harvest orders (up to 10,000 pounds of meat per week)
Food bank serving approximately 120 people per day; 187 families scheduled for the week
Toys for Tots 2025 Kicks Off
The Statesboro Jaycees partnered with U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots for an official kickoff on November 6 at Visit Statesboro. In 2024, Toys for Tots provided toys for 707 children. Applications available online at statesborojaycees.com/toys-for-tots.
🎖️ VETERANS DAY - TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 11
American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony
Time: 11:00 a.m. (doors open 10:30 a.m.)
Location: Averitt Center for the Arts, Emma Kelly Theater, 33 E Main Street, Downtown Statesboro
Keynote Speaker: Retired U.S. Army Major General Randall V. Simmons, Jr. (former Georgia National Guard commander)
Program includes:
Posting of colors by Bulloch County Sheriff's Honor Guard
Pledge of Allegiance led by Statesboro Civil Air Patrol
POW/MIA Table presentation
"Be the One Campaign" presentation
FREE and open to the public. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts served at 10:30 a.m. by Daughters of the American Revolution, Archibald Bulloch Chapter.
Contact: American Legion Post 90 Commander Bobby Godwin, (912) 681-6262, [email protected]
Other Veterans Day Events
Veterans Day Program at Library
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Statesboro Regional Library, 124 South Main Street
Presented by: Genealogy Department
FREE
Veterans Day Social
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Bethany Community Commons Building, Gesmon Neville Lane
Contact: Haley McNure at (912) 225-7204
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (November 10-17)
Statesboro Regional Library (124 South Main Street, 912-764-1341)
Monday, November 10:
Tech Help: 10:30 a.m. (ages 18+)
Career Development Workshop: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11:
Veterans Day Program: 11:00 a.m.
Adult Craft Activity: 11:00 a.m.
Baby Time: 10:00 a.m. (ages 0-24 months)
Career Development Workshop: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12:
Toddler Time: 10:30 a.m. (ages 2-5)
Dinosaur STEM Activity: 4:00 p.m. (ages 6-11)
Career Development Workshop: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Thursday, November 13:
Teen Craft Activity: 4:30 p.m. (ages 12-18)
Medicare Workshop: 5:00 p.m.
"ME" FIRST Tutoring: 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Career Development Workshop: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Friday, November 14:
History Club: 4:00 p.m. (ages 6-11)
Cribbage Club: 1:30 p.m. (ages 18+)
Career Development Workshop: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Saturday, November 15:
Career Fair: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Restoring The Breach)
Tech Help: 2:00 p.m.
Statesboro Stitches (crochet/knitting): 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Pokémon GO Activity: 3:30 p.m. (all ages, bring devices)
Bethany Community Commons (Gesmon Neville Lane, 912-225-7204)
Monday, Nov 10: Alzheimer's Support Group, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov 11: Veterans Day Social, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov 13: Movie & Pizza Time, 4:00 p.m. (Movie: "Secondhand Lion")
Friday, Nov 14: Music Group, 2:00 p.m.
Monday, Nov 17: Table Games Activities, 3:30 p.m.
Community Events
Feed the Boro - Saturday, November 15
Time: 8:00 a.m. (ends at noon or when supplies run out)
Location: Statesboro High School, 10 Coach Lee Hill Blvd
Drive-thru, contactless food distribution for 1,000 families
FREE groceries (one week supply)
5-year anniversary milestone: 3.5+ million free meals distributed
Sponsored by Davis Marketing Company; presented by Food Lion Feeds and The Islands
Bulloch Retired Educators Association - Wednesday, November 12
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Pittman Park United Methodist Church
Bring donations for BREA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
RSVP: Call/text Wilhemina Walker at (912) 682-4382
Government Meetings
Bulloch County Board of Elections and Registration
Monday, November 10, 1:30 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Room, North Main Annex
Open to public
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 p.m. (next week)
Council Chambers, City Hall (second floor), 50 East Main Street
👀 LOOKING AHEAD (November 18-24)
The Nutcracker Ballet Returns
Dates/Times:
Friday, November 21, 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 22, 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 23, 3:00 PM (matinee)
Location: Averitt Center for the Arts, Emma Kelly Theater, 33 E Main Street
Presented by Cotton Rose School of Dance and Averitt Center. Stars Ansley Dolan as Clara and Aaliyah Lonon as the Nutcracker. A beloved holiday tradition featuring talented local cast, this classic tale follows Clara's magical journey battling the Mouse King, traveling across the Lemonade Sea, exploring the Land of Sweets, and meeting the Sugarplum Fairy.
Tickets: $18-$28 | AverittCenterForTheArts.org | (912) 212-2787
Farmers Market Final Day
Saturday, November 22, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market The Market at Visit Statesboro, 222 S. Main Street
67+ vendors, farm-fresh produce, locally cultivated meats, cheeses, baked goods, handmade art. Final market day of season until Spring 2026.
TMT Farms Christmas Lights Opens Thanksgiving Night
Opening Night: Thursday, November 27, 2025 (continues through December 28) 16710 Old River Road North, Statesboro
Two-mile drive-through Christmas light display, one of Georgia's longest and largest. Features real and stage-set buildings, antique farm equipment, wagons, sleighs, Santas, animals, historical Bulloch County landmarks. Christmas music synced to lights via FM 88.1 radio. Attracts over 40,000 cars each season. Celebrating 29 years!
Hours: Dark (approximately 5:45 PM) until 1:00 AM nightly Drive-thru ONLY - do not exit vehicles FREE admission (donations requested): Non-perishable food, new unwrapped toys, pet food/supplies, or cash. All donations support local food banks and families in need.
Facebook: "TMT Farm Christmas Lights Drive-Thru" (check for weather updates).
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That's Edition #5! Big week for Statesboro with decisive election results that chart our course for the next four years, and the Eagles keeping bowl hopes alive with a huge road win.
Tomorrow, take a moment to honor our veterans. The American Legion ceremony at 11:00 a.m. is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for those who served.
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See you next Monday!