Statesboro Brief Edition 16: Local Business Recognition, Community Gun Safety Initiative & Weekly Events

Hello Statesboro!

Welcome to 2026! After a brief holiday break, we're back with your weekly dose of everything happening in our community. While the rest of Georgia braced for winter weather this weekend, we got lucky with minimal impact. But plenty has been happening while the new year kicked off: Georgia Southern football ended 2025 with a bowl victory, local schools earned state recognition, and our community came together for an important conversation about gun safety. Let's catch up on what you missed and preview the week ahead.

Landyn's Legacy: Mother Turns Grief Into Community Action

On January 18, hundreds gathered at Luetta Moore Park for an emotional and powerful event focused on gun safety. Travyana Wilkerson, who lost her 4-year-old son Landyn in a tragic accident involving an unsecured firearm on May 29, 2025, hosted "Landyn's Legacy" to raise awareness about firearm responsibility.

"Gun safety isn't just a rule, it's an act of love," Wilkerson told attendees. "Locking your firearm, keeping it out of reach, and taking that one extra moment can save a child's life. It could have saved my baby's." The event brought together families, first responders, Mayor Jonathan McCollar, and local organizations for education on proper firearm storage, followed by a candlelight vigil.

Read the full story at Statesboro Herald

Vaden Automotive Featured in Wall Street Journal

Vaden Automotive made national headlines this week when President Jane Vaden Thacher was featured in The Wall Street Journal's video series "The Big Impact of Local Businesses." The January 23 feature showcases the company's people-first philosophy and commitment to literacy programs, education initiatives, and nonprofit partnerships across Coastal Georgia. Vaden's Statesboro Hyundai dealership on Brannen Street is currently undergoing a major expansion, adding 17 acres with expected completion by late February 2026.

Watch the video at Grice Connect

Four Bulloch County Schools Earn State Recognition

Brooklet Elementary and Nevils Elementary made the Distinguished Schools list, placing them in the top 5% of all Title I schools in Georgia. Julia P. Bryant Elementary and Mattie Lively Elementary earned Reward School status for making the biggest improvements among Title I schools statewide. Additionally, 10 Bulloch County Schools employees earned state and national awards during the 2024-2025 school year.

Read more at Grice Connect

Statesboro Ranked #24 Nationally for Starting a Business

WalletHub's 2025 ranking placed Statesboro at #24 among over 1,300 small cities evaluated nationwide for starting a business. Statesboro is one of only three Georgia cities in the top 25, alongside LaGrange and Carrollton. Mayor Jonathan McCollar said the ranking shows "our community's dedication to economic vitality and fostering a vibrant community that's welcoming to all."

📚 Library Programs

The Statesboro Regional Library offers free programs throughout the week at 124 South Main Street.

Monday, January 26:

Tuesday, January 27:

Wednesday, January 29:

Friday, January 31:

Saturday, February 1:

View the full library calendar at STRL.info

🏛️ Government Meetings

Tuesday, January 27:

View agendas at StatesboroGA.gov

👥 Community Activities

Bethany Community Commons Building (Gesmon Neville Lane) offers free daily programming:

Monday, January 26: Table Games | 3:30 PM Tuesday, January 27: January Birthday Celebration | 3:30 PM Wednesday, January 29: Virtual Dementia Tour | 4:00 PM (RSVP required) Thursday, January 30: Movie Showing & Pizza | 4:00 PM | "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors"

More community events at Statesboro Herald

New Continuing Education Programs Launch for 2026

Georgia Southern's Division of Continuing and Professional Education kicked off the new year with expanded program offerings. From professional development courses to skill-building workshops, the university is making it easier for community members to learn new skills and advance their careers in 2026.

Spring Semester Underway

Georgia Southern students returned to campus this month for the spring 2026 semester. With record enrollment numbers continuing from fall 2025, the campus is buzzing with activity as students settle into their classes and campus life resumes its full schedule.

Men's Basketball: Eagles Face Louisiana This Thursday

The men's basketball team (12-6, 3-0 Sun Belt) returns home Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 PM to face Louisiana at Hanner Fieldhouse. After an eight-game winning streak was snapped Wednesday with an 85-68 loss at Arkansas State, the Eagles look to bounce back in front of the home crowd.

Spudd Webb leads the Sun Belt Conference with 268 points (16.8 ppg) and has been named Sun Belt Player of the Week twice this season. The Eagles were picked 10th in the preseason but have far exceeded expectations, currently receiving votes in national mid-major polls.

Get tickets at GSEagles.com

Women's Basketball Continues Strong Conference Play

The women's team (14-5, 7-2 Sun Belt) is tied for third place in conference standings after an 80-69 road victory at Troy on Thursday night. The Eagles have established themselves as a force in Sun Belt play and continue their pursuit of a conference championship.

Sugar Magnolia: Three Locations Serving Statesboro

If you haven't explored all of Sugar Magnolia's locations yet, now's the time. The original Bistro & Bar downtown at 106 Savannah Avenue offers full lunch and dinner menus in a cozy atmosphere. The Coffeehouse at Market District (100 Brampton Place) features a convenient drive-thru and operates Monday through Saturday, perfect for your morning coffee run. The newest location, Coffeehouse at Charme near Georgia Southern's campus, serves students and faculty with the same carefully crafted coffee they roast themselves, plus fresh bakery items, healthy smoothies, and breakfast and lunch options. All locations showcase their commitment to quality coffee and locally-focused food.

Cold Snap Arrives: Bundle Up This Week

While Statesboro avoided the worst of this weekend's winter weather system that impacted much of Georgia, cold temperatures have settled in. Overnight lows Monday night into Tuesday morning were forecast to fall into the upper teens inland, with wind chill values in the mid to upper teens. These are the coldest conditions of the season, so bundle up, protect outdoor pets, and let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes. The probability of freezing rain for Statesboro was just 7 percent, placing our area on the southern edge of the storm's impact zone.

Read the weather alert at Grice Connect

Fire Station 3 Groundbreaking This Thursday

City leaders and Statesboro Fire Department members gather Thursday, January 30 at 10:00 AM on Brannen Street at Bernard Lane (behind Lowe's) to officially break ground on the new $4.8 million Fire Station 3. Expected completion is May or June 2026. The new station addresses growing response time needs driven by massive development, with over 2,500 housing units currently under construction within city limits.

Dutch Bros Coffee Opening Early 2026

The popular drive-thru coffee chain announced plans for Statesboro's first location at 23974 U.S. Highway 80 East (between AutoZone and Newk's Eatery). Known for upbeat atmosphere, enthusiastic "broistas," and signature Dutch Bros Rebel energy drinks, the 986-square-foot shop will be less than 10 minutes from Georgia Southern's campus.

February Events Preview

Georgia Southern basketball continues conference play throughout February, Fire Station 3 construction progresses, and Vaden Hyundai's expansion nears completion. We'll have full details on all upcoming events in next week's edition.

Welcome back to your Monday routine, Statesboro. Whether you're a Georgia Southern student returning to campus after winter break, a resident bundling up against the cold, or a business owner planning your 2026 strategy, we're glad you're here.

Next Monday, we'll have updates on Fire Station 3's groundbreaking, more Georgia Southern basketball action, and everything else happening in our community. Until then, stay warm and stay connected.

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See you next Monday!