Hello Statesboro!
Welcome to the final edition of 2025. What a year it's been. If you're reading this between unwrapping leftovers and figuring out what day of the week it actually is, you're not alone. This quiet week between Christmas and New Year's has a way of making time feel both endless and fleeting all at once.
But while the calendar might feel suspended, our community isn't slowing down. Georgia Southern officially merges with East Georgia State College on January 1. Both Eagles basketball teams are on fire heading into 2026. The new FLOST tax takes effect, changing how we fund infrastructure. And somehow, the city managed to pave every single road within its limits this year. Yes, every single one.
This edition is part reflection, part preview. We're looking back at the milestones that defined 2025 while mapping out what January and beyond have in store. Whether you're a student gearing up for spring semester, a resident preparing for new tax policies, or just someone trying to figure out what's open this week, we've got you covered.
Let's close out the year right.
Georgia Southern consolidation becomes official January 1
The biggest structural change in Georgia Southern's recent history takes effect on New Year's Day. On December 8, the Board of Regents gave final approval for the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College, reducing the University System of Georgia from 26 to 25 institutions. EGSC's Swainsboro and Statesboro campuses will operate as "Georgia Southern University - East Georgia campuses" while maintaining EGSC's open-access mission under President Kyle Marrero's leadership.
The university closed out 2025 on a high note with approximately 2,200 graduates crossing the stage during three fall commencement ceremonies December 13-17. Notable speakers included Tim Wilkerson, Senior VP at The Home Depot, and Carla Metts, an Emmy Award-winning NASCAR broadcaster for The CW. Student-athletes also set a department record with a 3.26 GPA this fall, with 76 athletes earning a perfect 4.0.
Spring semester begins January 12, with residence hall check-in on January 9 at noon.
Eagles basketball teams close 2025 with historic streaks
Georgia Southern's hardwood programs are making noise. The women's basketball team closed 2025 on an eight-game winning streak, improving to 9-3 overall and 2-0 in Sun Belt play. Kishyah Anderson became the third Eagle this season to surpass 1,500 career points, joining teammates Destiny Garrett and McKenna Eddings. The Eagles held Georgia State to just 47 points in their conference opener, the fewest allowed against GSU in series history.
The men's program is equally hot, carrying a seven-game winning streak into the new year at 10-5 overall. The Eagles are a perfect 7-0 at The Hill this season, extending their home winning streak to 10 games. Those 10 wins mark the earliest point in a season the program has reached double digits in victories. Tyren Moore became the 47th player in program history to score 1,000 career points during a 100-58 rout of Coastal Georgia.
Both teams return to action January 1, with the women at Old Dominion and men at Coastal Carolina.
Elsewhere in Eagles athletics, junior volleyball player Reagan Barth became the first player in program history to earn First-Team AVCA All-Region honors after posting 450 kills and 270 digs. Men's soccer coach Lee Squires earned a three-year contract extension following a historic season that included the program's highest national ranking ever at No. 5 and the first win over a top-10 opponent.
City Council greenlights 22-unit subdivision and modernizes purchasing rules
Statesboro City Council wrapped up 2025 with a productive December 16 meeting that included preliminary approval for a 22-unit residential development on Cindy Lane and Beasley Road. Developer Cody Rogers will construct 11 duplex buildings on nearly four acres zoned for medium-density multi-family housing, adding needed inventory to an established residential area.
Council also adopted updated purchasing policies for the first time since 2011, approved a $60,440 change order for the East Main Street Drainage and Sidewalk Project, and authorized a natural gas infrastructure extension for a new Candler County subdivision. The meeting opened with a meaningful moment of inclusion as Rabbi Mendle Moully and Rabbi Levi Sudak delivered a Jewish blessing coordinated by Mayor Pro Tem Shari Barr.
In a separate community meeting held December 26 at the Averitt Center, city officials and engineering firm Cranston shared updated designs for the downtown streetscape improvement project along West Main and East Main streets. The project will add a new parking lot at 45 West Main Street and replace aging storm drains while improving pedestrian safety and the overall downtown experience.
Five scholars join REACH Class of 2030 with pathway to $10,000 scholarships
Five Bulloch County eighth-graders were honored as the newest cohort of REACH Scholars during the December 11 Board of Education meeting. Jeremiah Walker, Mia Garnett, Tristan Morris, Makenzie Simon, and Hachietou Maiga will each receive a $10,000 scholarship upon completing program requirements and graduating high school.
The Board also spotlighted impressive academic gains at Portal Elementary, where the school's CCRPI Progress score jumped from 74.2 to 93.1 in one year. ELA progress improved by nearly 24 points while unexcused absences dropped from 71 to 29. Additionally, the Board validated November's ESPLOST election results, which passed with 67% approval, and advanced LED lighting projects expected to reduce energy consumption by 33% at three schools.
New Year's celebrations: ring in 2026 locally
While Statesboro's New Year's Eve scene is more intimate than big-city celebrations, several options await residents looking to celebrate the new year.
Gatsby New Year's Gala at Gators and Gypsies brings 1920s elegance to downtown Statesboro at 19 E. Vine Street. The themed gala at the city's newest entertainment lounge, owned by City Council member Ginny Hendley, offers arcade games, pool tables, and multiple lounge areas for those 21 and older.
For an earlier celebration, the December Birthday and New Year Celebration takes place Tuesday, December 30 at 3:30 p.m. at the Bethany Community Commons Building on Gesmon Neville Lane. Contact Haley McNure at (912) 225-7204 for details.
Those seeking larger celebrations can head 50 miles east to Savannah's Rousakis Riverfront Plaza for free midnight fireworks over the Savannah River.
TMT Farms Note: If you missed the beloved Christmas lights drive-thru, the 25-year tradition ended permanently on December 27, dedicated to the memory of Deborah Thompson who passed away in July.
This week's events and holiday closures
The week between Christmas and New Year's is traditionally quiet, with many venues operating on reduced schedules. Here's what's happening:
Monday, December 29 Table Games Activities at Bethany Community Commons, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30 December Birthday and New Year Celebration at Bethany Community Commons, 3:30 p.m. "ME" FIRST Tutoring at Statesboro Regional Library, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day) All Statesboro Regional Public Libraries CLOSED Government offices CLOSED
Friday, January 2 Libraries reopen; Cribbage Club at Statesboro Regional Library, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 3 Statesboro Stitches (crochet and knitting), 10:00 a.m.-noon, Statesboro Library Dungeons and Dragons Youth Club (ages 12-18), noon-4:00 p.m., Statesboro Library
Christmas Tree Recycling: Drop off live trees 24/7 at City of Statesboro Public Works, 5 Braswell Street, through January 9. The "Bring One for the Chipper" community event follows January 10 at Food World parking lot (2949 Northside Drive West) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with free tree seedlings and mulch available.
Looking ahead: January 2026 brings big changes
Several significant developments take effect as the calendar turns.
January 1: The new FLOST (Floating Local Option Sales Tax) begins, adding a 1% sales tax dedicated to property tax relief. The Stilson EMS Station is also scheduled to begin operations, and newly re-elected Mayor Jonathan McCollar begins his third term.
January 6: First Statesboro City Council meeting of 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
January 10: "Bring One for the Chipper" tree recycling event, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with free Bald Cypress, Catalpa, and White Oak seedlings
January 12: Georgia Southern spring semester classes begin
January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (no classes, offices closed)
Infrastructure projects on the horizon: Construction is expected to begin on Cawana Road intersection improvements, with roundabouts planned at Brannen Street and S&S Railroad Bed Road. A traffic signal at U.S. 80 and Akins Pond Road is targeted for winter 2026. The Cypress Lake Road bridge project aims for April procurement with an August 2027 completion. Hurricane recovery ditching projects are expected complete by May 1.
2025: A year of milestones for Statesboro and Bulloch County
As we close out 2025, here are the defining stories that shaped our community:
Anderson Street paved, ending the era of dirt roads. For the first time in history, every road within Statesboro city limits is now paved. The 385-foot connector between East Main and Hill Street was transformed using TSPLOST funds, while the FY2024 resurfacing project covered 5.66 miles across 17 streets.
$1.37 million CHIP grant awarded for affordable housing, the city's first successful application since 2001. Nine single-family homes will be built along Pine Street in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
$1.5 million industrial development grant awarded to Bulloch County for the Interstate Gateway park, supporting three major economic development projects tied to Hyundai suppliers representing $897 million in capital investment and 1,100+ jobs.
Statesboro named "Retail Ready" by Georgia Power, one of only six communities selected statewide, recognizing downtown's potential for retail recruitment.
Two GFOA national awards earned for financial reporting and budget presentation excellence.
Mayor McCollar re-elected with nearly 70% of the vote, alongside passage of FLOST (71.67%) and E-SPLOST 6 (66.57%).
Community notes
House Fire Response: A December 22 fire on Hart Street displaced a family of four. Multiple organizations including Bulloch VOAD, the American Red Cross, Fostering Bulloch Hope Chest, and Statesboro Food Bank are providing assistance.
Arts Community Transition: Tony Phillips retired after 17 years at the Averitt Center for the Arts, celebrated at a December 1 reception for his work expanding opportunities for performers of all abilities.
Brooklet Honors Outgoing Leader: Councilmember James "Jimmy" Harrison received a commemorative plaque at his final meeting after four years of service, including leadership during the city's sewer system groundbreaking.
New Business Opening: Elevate with Ogeechee Health has opened at 1501 Brampton Avenue in the Market District, offering women's wellness and medical aesthetics services led by the physicians at Ogeechee OB/GYN.
Happy New Year, Statesboro! See you in 2026.
The Statesboro Brief publishes weekly, covering news, events, and community stories from Statesboro and Bulloch County, Georgia.