This week, Statesboro emerges from a rare winter wonderland as the community brushes off the snow and looks ahead to a new year filled with growth, change, and exciting developments. From a historic snowfall to Georgia Southern's soaring success on the court, here's everything happening in your community.

A major winter storm transformed Statesboro into an unexpected winter wonderland over the weekend, delivering 1.6 to 2.8 inches of snow across Bulloch County on January 31-February 1. The rare event brought wind chill values plunging to just 4°F on February 1, prompting Governor Brian Kemp to issue a State of Emergency covering all Georgia counties through February 6. The cold snap triggered significant community response with warming centers and all Bulloch County schools closed Monday. Read more at the National Weather Service

Statesboro City Council opened the new year with a January 6 ceremony swearing in Mayor Jonathan McCollar for his third term. Councilmember Tangie Johnson (District 1) began her first full four-year term, while Councilmember John Riggs (District 4) started his fifth four-year term, marking 16 years of dedicated service to the city. Mayor McCollar outlined the council's 2026 priorities: poverty reduction, public safety, continued growth, and housing affordability, noting the city's poverty rate has dropped from 53% to 37.2% since 2018. Read more at Statesboro Herald

The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a major infrastructure investment at their January 20 meeting, green-lighting an application for the FY 2026 GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant worth $2,084,694. With the required 30% local match of $625,408 funded through TSPLOST, the total project will invest approximately $3.6 million to resurface 12.7 miles of county roads including Williams Road, Josh Deal Road, Golf Club Road, and others. Read more at Grice Connect

A proposed Kroger grocery store moved closer to reality after the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners approved two highway commercial rezonings at their January 6 meeting. The development, planned for Veterans Memorial Parkway, is part of a larger mixed-use project that could significantly expand shopping options for residents. Read more at Grice Connect

Statesboro City Council approved Resolution 2026-01 on January 6, authorizing an application for a $945,000 FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to fund a hydrologic and hydraulic study of the Little Lotts Creek Basin. The city will provide a 10% local match of $94,500 from Stormwater Fund operating revenues. The study represents preliminary planning for future flood mitigation projects in an area that has experienced multiple flooding events in recent years. Read more at The Georgia Virtue

MLK Celebration brings community together. The Bulloch County NAACP hosted the 2026 MLK Observance Program and Parade on January 19, with Mayor Jonathan McCollar serving as Grand Marshal. Hundreds gathered under the theme "Dream with hope. Believe in the community. Lead with purpose." Read more at Grice Connect

PJ's Coffee brings New Orleans flavor to Statesboro. The New Orleans-style coffee chain celebrated its grand opening at 23 Independence Way after soft-opening November 17. Owned by local entrepreneurs Thomas Scarborough and Jeramie Martin, the location features a double drive-thru, signature cold brew, and fresh beignets. Hours are Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more at Grice Connect

New city website launching April 2026. City of Statesboro officials previewed a completely redesigned website featuring improved accessibility, mobile usability, and a new AI-powered chatbot. The first major overhaul in several years will include a centralized document center and expanded search tools. Read more at Grice Connect

City earns dual GFOA finance awards. Statesboro received both the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for fiscal years 2024 and 2026 respectively. Read more at City of Statesboro

Dutch Bros Coffee coming soon. The popular drive-thru coffee chain announced plans for its first Statesboro location at 23974 U.S. Highway 80, between AutoZone and Newk's Eatery, opening early 2026. Read more at Grice Connect

Monday, February 2 — Senior Craft Activity, 10:30 AM | Seed Exchange & Plant Workshop, 5:30 PM | One Boro Meeting, 5:30 PM, City Hall | Table Games Activities, 3:30 PM, Bethany Community Commons

Tuesday, February 3 — City Mayor and Council Meeting, 9:00 AM, City Hall | Planning Commission Meeting, 5:00 PM | Bulloch County Board of Commissioners, 5:30 PM | Tuesday Social, 3:30 PM, Bethany Community Commons

Wednesday, February 4 — Storytime with Ms. Sherrie (English & Spanish), 4:00 PM, Library | Georgia Southern Men's Basketball vs Texas State, 7:00 PM, Hanner Fieldhouse

Thursday, February 5 — Teen Sewing Circle, 4:00 PM, Library | Kids' Craft Activity, 4:30 PM, Library | Bingo, 3:30 PM, Bethany Community Commons

Friday, February 6 — Black History Bingo, 4:00 PM, Library | Georgia Southern Softball vs UNC Greensboro, 3:00 PM, Eagle Field

Saturday, February 7 — Georgia Day Festival, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, Library | Tech Help, 2:00 PM, Library | Bash in the 'Boro Softball Tournament, all day, Eagle Field

Ongoing — Food For Fines through February 28 at the library (each non-perishable food item = $1 off library fines)

Georgia Southern's online programs earned strong rankings in the U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Online Programs report. The online master's in education programs rose 20+ spots to #64 nationally, while the Online Criminal Justice/Criminology graduate program held strong at #28. Read more at Georgia Southern

A groundbreaking collaboration between Georgia Southern's Waters College of Health Professions and Georgia Tech's Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is developing a real-time hydration-monitoring wearable patch for athletes. The soft, wearable device uses embedded sensors to transmit hydration data via Bluetooth. Georgia Southern's football team served as test subjects in Fall 2025. Read more at Georgia Southern

As of January 1, 2026, the Board of Regents-approved consolidation between Georgia Southern and East Georgia State College officially took effect. EGSC campuses now operate as "Georgia Southern University – East Georgia campuses" under President Kyle Marrero's leadership. Read more at WSAV

Stephen Milner ('96) received Georgia Southern's highest alumni honor on January 27, the 2025 Talon Award, recognizing 15 years of service on the University Foundation Board and exceptional dedication to his alma mater. Read more at Georgia Southern

The Georgia Southern women's basketball team is 16-5 overall and 9-2 in Sun Belt play, their best start in the NCAA era. The Eagles earned a historic ranking of #20 in the Mid Major Top 25 Poll, a first for the program, while also cracking the NCAA NET rankings at #71. Read more at GSEagles.com

Coach Brian Burg's squad stands at 13-9 overall (5-4 Sun Belt) with a perfect 7-0 record at home. Guard Spudd Webb leads the team with 16.1 PPG and 40 steals (second in the Sun Belt). The Eagles host Texas State on Wednesday, February 4 at 7 PM for a Black History Month celebration game. Read more at GSEagles.com

Georgia Southern softball kicks off its 2026 season with the Bash in the 'Boro Tournament February 6-8 at Eagle Field. The Eagles open Friday at 3 PM against UNC Greensboro, followed by matchups with Eastern Illinois and Eastern Kentucky throughout the weekend. Read more at GSEagles.com

For 10 consecutive years, The Saucy Shrimp was voted "Best Seafood Restaurant" in the Statesboro Herald's Best of the Boro competition. Then, on April 16, 2024, a devastating fire gutted the restaurant's Highway 301 location. But owner Adam Tsang wasn't ready to give up. In a symbolic act of defiance, he reopened The Saucy Shrimp exactly one year to the day after the fire at a new location in Statesboro Crossing shopping center at 727 Buckhead Drive. The signature Low Country Boil Bags let you build your own seafood feast with shrimp, snow crab, king crab, lobster, and crawfish. Don't miss the "Whole Nine Yards" sauce, their signature blend of Cajun, garlic, and lemon pepper. Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm. Read more at Statesboro Herald

Statesboro is warming up this week after the weekend's rare winter storm. Expect cold mornings early in the week with temperatures recovering by the weekend.

Watch for: Hard freeze possible Monday and Tuesday mornings. Main rain event arrives Wednesday with possible 0.5-0.75 inches. Beautiful weather returns for the weekend with highs climbing into the mid-60s.

February 10 — Adult Craft Activity, 11:00 AM, Statesboro Regional Library

February 11 — Valentine Craft Day for families, 4:00 PM, Statesboro Regional Library

February 12 — Bulloch County Board of Education Regular Session, 6:30 PM

February 13 — Teen Anti-Valentine's Day Party, 4:00 PM, Statesboro Regional Library

February 13, 16 & 17 — Bulloch County Schools Winter Break/Student Holiday

February 21 — Bryan White Concert, 7:00 PM, Emma Kelly Theater at Averitt Center (RESCHEDULED from January 10, original tickets honored). Visit Averitt Center

February 21 — Georgia Southern Women's Basketball Senior Day vs ULM, 1:00 PM

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