Spring semester starts TODAY at Georgia Southern, bringing 27,000+ students back to campus and breathing life back into our community after the winter break quiet. Between classes resuming, basketball heating up, and a week of powerful MLK Jr. celebrations ahead, January is off to a meaningful start.
This week also brings important transitions: the Career Center gets a new downtown location, the Chamber hosts its biggest event of the year, and we're just days away from honoring Dr. King's legacy with parades, keynotes, and service across our region. Let's dive in.
📰 Top News
City Pursues Major Flood Mitigation Funding
The City of Statesboro is applying for $945,000 in federal grant funding from FEMA to study flood mitigation solutions for the Little Lott's Creek basin. After years of flooding impacts from Hurricane Idalia, Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene, and severe thunderstorms, this planning grant would cover hydrologic and hydraulic studies to identify capital projects that could prevent future flooding. The city would provide a 10% match ($94,500) with the total estimated at nearly $1 million for the planning phase. City Council unanimously approved the application at their January 6 meeting.
Statesboro Career Center Relocates Downtown
Big news for job seekers: the Georgia Department of Labor's Statesboro Career Center officially moves to its new downtown location NEXT MONDAY, January 20. The new address is 127 North Main Street, Suite 103, putting the center right in the heart of downtown's revitalization zone. The move aims to provide better accessibility and more modern facilities for residents seeking employment services, career counseling, and unemployment assistance.
Chamber's Annual Meeting This Week
The Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce holds its 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Tuesday, January 13. This marquee event recognizes outstanding businesses and community leaders from the past year while unveiling the Chamber's strategic priorities for 2026. It's THE networking event that kicks off the business year in Bulloch County.
Bulloch Schools Board Leadership Continues
The Bulloch County Board of Education re-elected Elizabeth Williams as Chair and Maurice Hill as Vice Chair at their January 2026 organizational meeting. The board also dove deep into William James Middle School's academic improvements in math and science, alongside strategic discussions on county-wide literacy initiatives and school climate improvements.
🦅 Georgia Southern Updates
Spring Semester Begins Today
Welcome back, Eagles! Spring 2026 classes officially start today for Georgia Southern's 27,000+ students across Statesboro, Armstrong, and Liberty campuses. Campus parking lots are full again, dining halls are buzzing, and that first-day-of-class energy is palpable. If you're new to Georgia Southern or returning after break, the university is hosting welcome-back events all week including game nights, self-care clinics, and organization fairs.
Men's Basketball on Fire: 12-6 Record, Home Games This Week
The Eagles men's basketball team (12-6 overall, 4-1 Sun Belt) continues their impressive season with TWO home games at Hill Convocation Center this week. After falling to South Alabama 87-71 on Saturday, the team bounces back with:
Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 PM: Georgia Southern vs. Old Dominion (Recharge Night) Friday, January 17 at 3:00 PM: Georgia Southern vs. Coastal Carolina (Youth Day/First Responders Day)
Senior Spudd Webb continues to dominate as the Sun Belt's leading scorer (16.8 ppg) and has been named Sun Belt Player of the Week twice this season. The Eagles are 7-0 at home this year. Tickets available at GSEagles.com.
MLK Jr. Celebrations Throughout January
Georgia Southern is hosting extensive programming to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, themed "Remember the Dream: Honoring Legacy. Celebrating Achievement." The week's highlights include:
Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 AM: Statesboro MLK Parade downtown (starts at Blue Mile, proceeds through Main Street)
Sunday, January 19: MLK Parades in Savannah (10:00 AM) and Swainsboro (1:00 PM) with Georgia Southern participation
Wednesday, January 21 at 10:30 AM: "Empowered, Brilliant & Brave: Great Women of Black History" performance at the Performing Arts Center
Friday, January 23: Day of Service (11:00 AM - 5:00 PM) with student volunteers at Willow Hill School in Portal and East Side Savannah United
The keynote speaker is Karla Redding-Andrews, a 1985 Georgia Southern alumna and daughter of the late Otis Redding, delivering a powerful address on legacy and achievement.
📅 This Week's Events (Jan 12-18)
📚 Library Programs
All programs are FREE and held at Statesboro Regional Library unless noted.
Monday, January 12
Baby Time | 10:00 AM | Ages 0-24 months
Tuesday, January 13
Adult Craft Activity | 11:00 AM | Ages 18+
Graphic Novel Book Club | 4:30 PM | Ages 6-11
"ME" FIRST Tutoring | 5:00-6:30 PM (continues every Tuesday/Thursday)
Popcorn Social | 3:30 PM | Bethany Community Commons Building, Gesmon Neville Lane
Wednesday, January 14
Toddler Time | 10:30 AM | Ages 2-5
Thursday, January 15
"ME" FIRST Tutoring | 5:00-6:30 PM
Bingo | 3:30 PM | Bethany Community Commons Building
Teen Craft Activity | 4:30 PM | Ages 12-18
Friday, January 16
Music Group | 2:00 PM | Bethany Community Commons Building
Kids' History Club | 4:30 PM | Ages 6-11
Cribbage Club | 1:30 PM | Ages 18+ (meets every Friday)
Saturday, January 17
Tech Help | 2:00 PM | Ages 18+
Statesboro Stitches (Crochet & Knitting Club) | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
🏛️ Government Meetings
Monday, January 12
Business Commission Meeting | 6:15 PM | City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday, January 14
Bulloch Retired Educators Association (BREA) Meeting | 11:30 AM | Pittman Park UMC
Genealogy Club | 3:00 PM | Library | Ages 18+
Tuesday, January 20 (MLK Day - City offices closed)
Council Work Session | 3:30 PM | City Hall
Council Meeting | 5:30 PM | City Hall
🎨 Community Events
Tuesday, January 13
Chamber of Commerce 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration
Self-Care Clinic | 1:15-2:45 PM | Henderson Library, 2nd Floor (Georgia Southern)
Thursday, January 15
Georgia Southern Men's Basketball vs. Old Dominion | 7:00 PM | Hill Convocation Center
Friday, January 17
Georgia Southern Men's Basketball vs. Coastal Carolina | 3:00 PM | Hill Convocation Center
Saturday, January 18
Statesboro MLK Parade | 11:00 AM | Downtown Statesboro
👀 Looking Ahead
MLK Week Continues (Jan 19-23)
Sunday, January 19: MLK Parades in Savannah and Swainsboro with Georgia Southern community participation
Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Federal Holiday, city offices closed, no Georgia Southern classes)
Wednesday, January 21: "Empowered, Brilliant & Brave: Great Women of Black History" performance at 10:30 AM at Georgia Southern's PAC
Friday, January 23: MLK Day of Service with Georgia Southern students participating in community projects
More Basketball Action
Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 PM: Georgia Southern vs. Arkansas State (Retro Night)
Friday, January 24 at 3:00 PM: Georgia Southern vs. Troy (Mardi Gras Day)
Important Dates
January 20: Statesboro Career Center opens at new downtown location (127 N. Main Street)
January 31: Southern Women Brunch & Basketball 2026 at Bull & Barrel Steakhouse
💬 A Note on Dr. King's Legacy
This week offers us a powerful opportunity to do more than remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's a chance to actively engage with his vision of justice, service, and unity. Whether you attend the parade Saturday, participate in the Day of Service on January 23, or simply reflect on his teachings, consider how you can contribute to building the beloved community he envisioned.
Georgia Southern's programming brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members from all backgrounds. These aren't just university events; they're community celebrations open to everyone in Statesboro and Bulloch County.
As Dr. King said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" This week, let's find our answer.
See you next Monday, Statesboro. Welcome back to campus, Eagles. Honor the legacy, serve the community, and enjoy those home basketball games! 🦅