Hello, Statesboro!
April is officially here and the Boro is blooming. Spring has quietly become one of the best times of year in this town, and this week is proof. We have carnival rides rolling in at the fairgrounds, the Downtown Live concert series kicking off Thursday night, Eagles baseball and softball both in action at home, a big coaching hire at Georgia Southern, and some genuinely feel-good news out of the university. The weather is cooperating too, with a mild and mostly dry week ahead. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's get into everything happening in Statesboro and Bulloch County this week.
TOP NEWS
Two New Hotels Approved for Veterans Memorial Parkway
Statesboro's busiest commercial corridor is about to get busier. At its March 17 meeting, the Statesboro City Council approved variances for two new hotel developments along Veterans Memorial Parkway. The first, submitted by BPR Veterans Parkway LLC and Roy Patel, is planned at the corner of Woodford Lane and Veterans Memorial Parkway near the Jimmy Britt Chrysler dealership. The second, submitted by Town Center Statesboro LLC, is slated for a parcel between Waffle House and Bites along the bypass.
Both projects required setback variances from the city's mixed-use zoning standards, which planning staff determined would be consistent with the surrounding auto-oriented commercial development pattern. The Planning Commission had recommended conditional approval of both requests before the council took action. The approvals reflect continued momentum along a corridor that city leaders have long designated for higher-intensity commercial growth. Construction timelines for both projects have not yet been announced.
Deal Funeral Directors Rebrands as Bulloch Funeral Care and Cremation Center
One of Bulloch County's most established funeral homes is entering a new chapter. Deal Funeral Directors has rebranded as Bulloch Funeral Care and Cremation Center, with the ownership group citing expanded services and a renewed focus on affordability as the driving forces behind the change. The rebrand reflects a broader shift in how the business aims to serve families across the county, with cremation services playing a growing role alongside traditional funeral arrangements. More details on the new service offerings are expected to be shared publicly in the coming weeks.
Georgia Southern Student Publications Collect Nine Awards at Major Industry Competition
Georgia Southern's student-led publications had a standout showing at a recent major industry competition, collecting nine awards across multiple categories. The recognition highlights the strength of the university's journalism and media programs and reflects consistent investment in student storytelling and editorial quality. Georgia Southern student publications include The George-Anne Media Group, which produces print, digital, and broadcast content covering campus and community news. The awards add to a strong recent stretch for the program.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Project SEARCH Celebrates Inaugural Gala at Statesboro High
On March 14, Bulloch County Schools hosted the first annual Project SEARCH Gala at Statesboro High School, celebrating a program that places students with intellectual and developmental disabilities into real workplace internships across Georgia Southern's campus. Six interns completed three ten-week rotations this year, gaining hands-on job skills in a variety of university departments. Program instructor Jessica Elmore credited the community for making it possible, and the evening featured performances by the SHS Theater Troupe, food from the school's Culinary Arts Program, and personal testimonials from intern families. The district plans to expand the program to Portal and Southeast Bulloch High Schools in future years.
City of Statesboro Preparing to Launch Redesigned Website
The city's first major website overhaul in several years is on track to go live this month. The redesigned statesboroga.gov, built on the Revize platform, was developed over the past several months with a goal of surfacing commonly used information more quickly and reducing the number of clicks required to find basic city services. A multi-department committee selected Revize after reviewing proposals submitted in response to a June 2025 request. The new site features a restructured homepage and improved navigation tailored for first-time users and regular residents alike.
One Boro Meeting Tonight at City Hall
Statesboro residents have a chance to engage directly with city leadership tonight. The One Boro Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 50 East Main Street. These monthly community meetings are open to the public and provide an informal opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and hear updates from the mayor and council members. The City Council's regular monthly meeting follows on Tuesday, April 7, at 9:00 a.m. in the same location.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (April 6-12, 2026)
Monday, April 6
One Boro Meeting | 5:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers, 50 E. Main St. | Open to the public | FREE
Tuesday, April 7
Statesboro City Council Meeting | 9:00 a.m. | City Hall Council Chambers | Open to the public | FREE
Planning Commission Meeting | City Hall | Check statesboroga.gov for agenda and time
"ME" First Tutoring | 5:00-6:30 p.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE | Continues Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 30
Baby Time | 10:00 a.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 0-24 months | FREE
Wednesday, April 8
Spring Carnival Opens at Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds | 16942 GA-67 South | Runs Wednesday, April 8 through Saturday, April 11 | No admission fee | Rides require tickets or wristbands
Amusements of America, the same company that delivers the rides for the annual Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair, is back with a spring edition of the carnival. Expect midway-style rides, games, and fair food favorites including funnel cakes, cotton candy, and sausage and peppers. There is no gate admission charge, making it easy to walk in and decide how much you want to spend. Wristband presale pricing is available online through April 8 at 5 p.m. at $20 per wristband or $65 for a four-pack. After that, prices go up to $25 and $80 respectively. This event uses digital ticketing through the FunTix kiosk system on the midway.
Toddler Time | 10:30 a.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 2-5 | FREE
Thursday, April 9
Downtown Live: Liquid Pleasure | 7:00 p.m. | East Main Street in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse | FREE
The 4th Annual Downtown Live Concert Series kicks off Thursday night with Liquid Pleasure, a high-energy band making their fourth straight appearance in the series. Known for spanning decades of music from Motown classics to modern hits, Liquid Pleasure consistently delivers one of the most crowd-pleasing nights of the downtown calendar. Food trucks open at 6:00 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. All ages welcome.
Eagles Baseball vs. South Alabama | 7:00 p.m. | J.I. Clements Stadium | First game of a three-game home series
"ME" First Tutoring | 5:00-6:30 p.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE
Friday, April 10
Eagles Baseball vs. South Alabama | 6:30 p.m. | J.I. Clements Stadium
Senior Bingo | 11:00 a.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 55+ | FREE
Saturday, April 11
Eagles Baseball vs. South Alabama | Afternoon | J.I. Clements Stadium | Final game of the home series
Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | 222 S. Main Street | Every Saturday through November | FREE to attend
Spring Carnival Final Day | Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds | Last chance to catch the rides before Amusements of America packs up for the season
Statesboro Stitches (Crochet and Knitting Club) | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Eagles Hire Heather Macy as New Women's Basketball Head Coach
Georgia Southern made a significant investment in its women's basketball program last week. The university announced the hiring of Heather Macy on April 3 as the 10th head coach in Eagles women's basketball program history. Macy comes to Statesboro after a successful stint at Nova Southeastern University, a Division II school, where she led the Sharks to a 29-5 record, a conference tournament title, and a fourth straight NCAA Division II tournament appearance this past season. Across 20 seasons as a college basketball head coach at multiple levels, Macy has compiled an overall record of 383-212, with 11 seasons of 20 or more wins. She is also the all-time winningest head coach in East Carolina University history, accumulating 134 wins across eight seasons there from 2010 to 2018. Athletic Director Chris Davis called her a proven winner with the experience to elevate the program and compete for Sun Belt championships. A public meet-and-greet introducing Macy to the Georgia Southern community will be announced at a later date.
GS Speech Clinic Expanding Parkinson's Therapy Ahead of Awareness Month
April is Parkinson's Awareness Month, and Georgia Southern's RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders is marking it with renewed momentum. The center, housed on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, received a grant totaling more than $280,000 from the Parkinson Voice Project in 2023 and has since built one of the most accessible Parkinson's speech therapy programs in the region. Through the SPEAK OUT! Therapy program, patients receive free in-person and remote speech therapy focused on helping them regain vocal strength, clarity, and confidence. The center's Savannah Songbirds singing group extends this mission further, using music as a therapeutic and community-building tool. Dr. Tory Candea, director of clinical education in the Department of Clinical Sciences, noted that strengthening the voice often has a direct effect on a patient's confidence and quality of life beyond the clinic. Residents seeking services can call the RiteCare Center at 912-344-2735. A Parkinson's-related diagnosis is required to participate.
GS Athletics Completed Second Annual Day of Service
On April 1, 165 Georgia Southern athletes, coaches, and staff fanned out across Statesboro for the second annual GS Athletics Day of Service. Volunteers served at Julia P. Bryant Elementary, Langston Chapel Elementary, Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank, Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful, the Book Bus, and Willow Pond Senior Care. Softball players helped build a Habitat for Humanity home while other teams assisted at senior centers, schools, and the food bank. The day of service has grown into a meaningful annual tradition that strengthens the relationship between the athletic department and the broader Statesboro community.
SPORTS AND CAMPUS EVENTS
Eagles Softball Drops Series Opener to ULM After Hot Stretch
Softball came into this week riding serious momentum after a four-game winning streak that included a clean sweep of Coastal Carolina on the road. Senior Delanie Thames continues to be the engine of the offense, leading the team with 36 RBIs and nine home runs on the season while slugging .747, which ranks sixth in the Sun Belt Conference. Pitcher Alana Barnard has been the workhorse in the circle with 35 strikeouts across 73-plus innings. The Eagles dropped their Thursday series opener to ULM but the home series continues this week. Georgia Southern sits at 16-18 overall and 4-5 in Sun Belt play. The bigger home series to circle on the calendar is coming: South Alabama visits Eagle Field later in April, and a late-season run at the Sun Belt Tournament in Lafayette begins in early May.
Eagles Baseball Hosts South Alabama This Weekend
After wrapping up a road trip to Texas State, the Eagles return home to J.I. Clements Stadium for a three-game Sun Belt series against South Alabama starting Thursday, April 10. Baseball is sitting at 10-19 overall and 3-6 in conference play, but the team showed fight during its last home series, including a walk-off win and a complete-game shutout against Troy. This weekend's home series is a chance to build on that momentum in front of the home crowd. First pitch Thursday is at 7:00 p.m. with games continuing Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoon.
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Eagle Creek Brewing Company: The Boro's Backyard Gathering Spot
If there is one place in Statesboro that embodies the community-first spirit of this town, Eagle Creek Brewing Company makes a strong case. Located at 111 Savannah Avenue in downtown Statesboro, Eagle Creek opened in 2016 as the home region's first craft brewery and has become one of the most beloved gathering spots on the Blue Mile in the years since.
The taproom is relaxed and welcoming, with rotating taps that balance approachable crowd-pleasers alongside more adventurous seasonal and small-batch releases. Year-round staples include the True Blue American Lager, a crisp easy-drinking beer that has become something of a local institution, alongside the Limelight Lime Lager and the GA On My Mind IPA. Seasonal and specialty releases rotate regularly, so there is almost always something new on the board worth trying.
What sets Eagle Creek apart from a simple bar is how it functions as a genuine community hub. The brewery has hosted trivia nights, live music, local fundraisers, and community events consistently since opening. It has partnered with local organizations across causes ranging from animal rescue to arts funding. The outdoor patio is one of the most pleasant spots in downtown Statesboro on a warm spring evening, which makes this week an ideal time to stop in.
The taproom is dog-friendly in outdoor areas, family-welcoming, and regularly features food trucks parked outside on weekends. Hours are generally Tuesday through Thursday 3:00-10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon-11:00 p.m., and Sunday noon-8:00 p.m., though hours can vary around events. Check their social media before heading over for the latest tap list and food truck schedule.
WEATHER ADVISORY
A Mild and Pleasant Week Ahead in Statesboro
After a stormy stretch around Spring Game weekend, April is starting on a much friendlier note. This week brings some of the most comfortable weather of the spring, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s and very low rain chances across the board. It is a great week to be outside at the Farmers Market, the Spring Carnival, or the Downtown Live kickoff on Thursday.
Monday, April 6 | High 70 F | Cloudy but dry, 10% rain chance | Comfortable for evening events
Tuesday, April 7 | High 72 F | Partly cloudy, 10% rain chance | Pleasant
Wednesday, April 8 | High 66 F | Cooler and partly cloudy, 10% rain chance | Good evening for the carnival opening
Thursday, April 9 | High 70 F | Partly sunny, 10% rain chance | Ideal for the Downtown Live outdoor concert
Friday, April 10 | High 75 F | Mostly sunny, near-zero rain chance | Best day of the week for outdoor activities
The entire week looks like a welcome reward after the stormy days of early spring. No significant weather concerns are expected through the weekend, making this a good stretch to take advantage of everything happening outdoors around town.
LOOKING AHEAD
April 9 | Downtown Live: Liquid Pleasure kicks off the 4th Annual series | 7:00 p.m. | East Main Street | FREE | Food trucks at 6:00 p.m.
April 14 | Eagles Baseball at Georgia Tech | Midweek road game | Check gseagles.com for time
April 15 | Inaugural Choose Bulloch Event | Ogeechee Technical College | Hosted by the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, presented by Georgia Power | A community showcase highlighting opportunities to live, work, and invest in Bulloch County | Learn more at Grice Connect
April 16 | Wyatt Flores: Drive All Night Tour | 7:00 p.m. | The Blue Room, 1830 Chandler Rd. | With Kashus Culpepper
April 17 | Relay for Life of Bulloch County and Georgia Southern | 6:00-10:00 p.m. | Downtown Statesboro, East Main Street | Register at RelayForLife.org/bullochga
April 18 | BIG Boro Bash | 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Downtown Statesboro | Live music from Colby Anderson, local vendors, food trucks, and a vintage market | FREE and family-friendly | Read more at Grice Connect
April 20 | Voter Registration Deadline for the May 19 Georgia Primary Election | Register at georgia.gov
April 23-25 | 15th Annual Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo | Bulloch County Agricultural Complex, 44 Arena Blvd. | Gates open 5:00 p.m., rodeo starts 7:30 p.m. | Tickets at statesborokiwanisrodeo.com
April 25 | 12th Annual Freedom Run 5K and 10K | Georgia Southern Army ROTC, Old Register Road | Proceeds benefit the Eagle Battalion and cadet scholarships
April 30 | Downtown Live: 70's Kids | 7:00 p.m. | East Main Street | Disco, yacht rock, and 1970s hits | FREE
May 13-17 | Georgia Southern Spring Commencement | Three ceremonies at Paulson Stadium (Statesboro), two at Enmarket Arena (Savannah)
May 19 | Georgia Primary Election | Polls open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
THANKS FOR READING!
That is Edition 26 in the books. It is shaping up to be a great week in the Boro, from the Spring Carnival opening Wednesday to the Downtown Live kickoff Thursday night, and a full weekend of Eagles baseball at J.I. Clements. April is loaded from here on out with the BIG Boro Bash, the Kiwanis Rodeo, Relay for Life, and more still to come.
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See you next Monday!