Hello Statesboro!
Twenty editions in, and this community keeps delivering. This week we're recapping a unanimous county commission vote that puts the brakes on data centers and new residential rezonings, a major grocery shake-up as a South Georgia family business takes over both FoodWorld stores, and the most exciting stretch of Georgia Southern women's basketball in program history. We've also got a packed week of events including tonight's State of the City Address, the Ag-Grow Expo, and a world-class guitarist hitting the Averitt Center stage on Sunday. Bundle up Monday because there's a hard freeze coming, then get ready for 70-degree weather by Thursday.
Let's dive in.
TOP NEWS
Both Development Moratoriums Pass Unanimously
The Bulloch County Commission voted unanimously on February 17 to approve two 90-day moratoriums: one pausing all data center permitting in unincorporated areas, and one pausing residential and PUD rezoning applications. Before the data center vote, Georgia Power representatives briefed commissioners on the enormous electricity demands modern data centers place on the grid. The residential moratorium gives the county time to develop an impact development fee ordinance, ensuring future growth pays its proportionate share of infrastructure costs. Public hearings for both items are scheduled for May 5, 2026.
City Council Approves Road Improvements, Honors Officer, and Adds Downtown Harm Reduction Box
At the February 17 City Council meeting, the city and Bulloch County signed an intergovernmental agreement to split costs on roadway improvements along Burkhalter Road, Harville Road, and Cawana Road, a direct response to traffic congestion from rapid residential expansion in those corridors. Council also approved a memorandum of understanding with RISEUP Addiction Recovery Support Center to install a downtown opioid harm reduction box near the BIG campus, stocked with Narcan and fentanyl test strips. SPD Officer Leah Carrera received a Life Saving Award for performing CPR on an elderly man during a January transport. Additional actions included multiple alcohol license approvals (including B&T Food Fresh at both new locations), a zoning variance for a Granade Street hair salon, and a $5,000 contract amendment for Lake Sal watershed geotechnical services.
B&T's Food Fresh Market Taking Over Both Statesboro FoodWorld Stores
B&T's Food Fresh Market, a Sylvania-based grocery operator, is acquiring both Statesboro FoodWorld locations from HAC Incorporated as part of a seven-store South Georgia deal. The Highway 80 West location transitions on February 24, followed by the Fair Road store on March 1. B&T's is owned by John Triplett, a Georgia Southern alum honored in the university's 2025 "40 Under 40" class, and Clark Brunson, childhood friends from Sylvania who have built a faith-based, community-first operation known for fresh-cut meat and produce. Major renovations are not expected immediately; a combined grand opening and 10-year anniversary celebration is planned.
Development Authority CEO Benji Thompson presented a $551,019 PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) check to the county's Fire District at the February 17 meeting, a meaningful contribution given the ongoing $4.3 million fire funding gap debate. Separately, commissioners approved a GDOT Supplemental Agreement adding $659,296 for the S&S Greenway Trail Extension to cover increased environmental mitigation costs, bringing total GDOT funding for the trail to $2,652,296, with the local share of $131,859 covered by TSPLOST.
Brooklet Adopts Its First Independent Comprehensive Plan
The Brooklet City Council voted 5-0 on February 19 to adopt its first comprehensive plan developed independently from Bulloch County. The plan establishes nine character area types (including Downtown, Town, Suburban, and Light Industrial) and recommends four new zoning districts. The town of 2,295 residents will now launch an overhaul of its Zoning Ordinance with assistance from the Coastal Regional Commission. Planning began in November 2024 through multiple stakeholder meetings and public hearings.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Braddock and Huang Named 2026 Bulloch County STAR Students
Statesboro High School seniors Hannah Braddock and Corina Huang tied with an SAT score of 1,530 and were jointly named 2026 Bulloch County STAR Students at the annual recognition luncheon at Forest Heights Country Club on February 18. Braddock selected third-grade teacher Michael Holsenback as her STAR Teacher; Huang chose AP Environmental Science teacher Richard McCombs. Both pairs will represent Bulloch County at the Region 8 competition at Georgia Southern.
Historical Marker Unveiled for Dr. Van Buren's Sanitarium
The Bulloch County Historical Society unveiled a historical marker near Luetta Moore Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on February 22, honoring the Van Buren Sanitarium. Dr. Harvey Van Buren was the first African American physician in Statesboro, opening his sanitarium in December 1918 and serving both Black and white patients during the World War I flu epidemic. He practiced until his death in 1964. The building was designed by Wallace A. Rayfield, the second formally educated Black architect in the United States, and was heavily damaged by fire in 2021.
Multi-Agency Active Shooter Drill Held at First Baptist Church
A multi-agency active shooter emergency drill took place Saturday morning, February 22, at First Baptist Church Statesboro. Participating agencies included Statesboro Fire, Statesboro Police, Bulloch County EMS, the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, and Georgia Southern University Police. Volunteers simulated real-world scenarios for hands-on first responder training. GEMA field training officer Calvin Hitchcock said: "We train for our worst day because we want to be ready for our worst day."
Dollar General in Denmark Gets Fresh Food Upgrade
The Dollar General at 8733 Highway 67 in the Denmark community has been remodeled to the Dollar General Market format, adding expanded produce, refrigerated and frozen foods, dairy, and fresh meat alongside standard merchandise. The upgrade adds a meaningful fresh food option in a community with limited access to full-scale grocery stores.
Statesboro Police Seek Help Identifying Three Persons of Interest
The Statesboro Police Department posted a public appeal on February 19 seeking help identifying three individuals who are persons of interest in an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the detective division.
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
February 23 – March 1, 2026
Monday, February 23
🎨 Family Craft: Constellation Projector | 4:00 PM | Statesboro Regional Library, 124 S. Main St. | FREE Create your own constellation projector craft. All ages welcome.
Tuesday, February 24
🏛️ State of the City Address | 7:00 PM | Emma Kelly Theater, 35 E. Main St. | FREE Mayor Jonathan McCollar delivers his annual address covering economic growth, infrastructure, public safety, housing, and childhood literacy. Includes a performance by Statesboro High JROTC Color Guard and Statesboro Youth Chorale, followed by a Q&A moderated by WTOC anchor Dawn Baker. Live-streamed on the City of Statesboro Government Facebook page.
🎓 Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship: Former U.S. Ambassadors Panel | 2:30 PM | Georgia Southern Performing Arts Center | FREE Four retired U.S. ambassadors discuss global challenges in a public panel co-hosted by GS's Honors College and Office of Research.
⚾ GS Baseball vs. Kennesaw State | 6:00 PM | J.I. Clements Stadium | HOME
Wednesday, February 25
🏥 Virtual Dementia Tour | 4:00 PM | Bethany Community Commons Building | RSVP Required Immersive experience simulating life with dementia. RSVP: call Regina Bell at (912) 531-4437.
🏀 GS Women's Basketball at Appalachian State | 6:30 PM | ESPN+
🏀 GS Men's Basketball at James Madison | 8:00 PM
Thursday, February 26
📚 Adult Book Club | 6:00 PM | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE | Ages 18+
🏫 Bulloch County Board of Education Work Session | 6:30 PM | Central Office Board Room, Williams Road | Open to Public
Friday, February 27
🎨 Georgia Craft Day | 4:00 PM | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE | All ages
🌾 Fifth Annual Ag-Grow Expo (Day 1 - School Day) | Bulloch County Agricultural Complex Friday is reserved for Bulloch County sixth-graders. Not open to the general public.
🏀 GS Women's Basketball at Marshall | 6:00 PM | ESPN+
🏀 GS Men's Basketball at Marshall | 9:00 PM
⚾ GS Baseball vs. USC Upstate | 6:30 PM | J.I. Clements Stadium | HOME
🥎 GS Softball at Clemson Invitational | vs. Wofford, 3:00 PM | Clemson, SC
Saturday, February 28
🌾 Fifth Annual Ag-Grow Expo (Day 2 - Open to Public) | FREE | Bulloch County Agricultural Complex Education booths, equipment vendors, livestock exhibitions, and kid-friendly activities. A great day for families and anyone connected to agriculture in our region.
🥞 Portal FFA Chapter Fundraiser Breakfast | 8:30–11:00 AM | LongHorn Steakhouse, Hwy 80 East | $10/ticket Contact [email protected] for tickets.
⚾ GS Baseball vs. USC Upstate | 2:00 PM | J.I. Clements Stadium | HOME
🥎 GS Softball at Clemson Invitational | vs. Mississippi State, 10:00 AM | Clemson, SC
Sunday, March 1
🎸 Hiroya Tsukamoto LIVE | 3:00 PM | Emma Kelly Theater, Averitt Center, 35 E. Main St. Internationally acclaimed Japanese guitarist and composer performs "Cinematic Guitar Poetry." Tsukamoto is a Berklee College of Music scholarship recipient and two-time runner-up at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. A rare world-class performance right here in Statesboro.
⚾ GS Baseball vs. USC Upstate | 1:00 PM | J.I. Clements Stadium | HOME
🥎 GS Softball at Clemson Invitational | Clemson, SC | Time TBD
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Georgia Southern Earns 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
Georgia Southern was awarded the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification on February 19, an elective designation from the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation recognizing exceptional commitment to community engagement. GS is among more than 230 U.S. institutions selected in this cycle, with the classification valid through 2032. President Kyle Marrero called it an affirmation of "the work of our faculty, staff and students, alongside our community partners."
Six Online Graduate Programs Rank in U.S. News Top 100
Six Georgia Southern online graduate programs ranked in the U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs list. The online Master's in Education jumped more than 20 spots to No. 64. Other rankings include Online Criminal Justice & Criminology (No. 28), Best Online MBA for Veterans (No. 56), Master's in IT (No. 80), Non-MBA Graduate Business (No. 89), and Online MBA (No. 93).
Former U.S. Ambassadors Visit Campus This Tuesday
Four retired U.S. ambassadors will participate in a free public panel discussion on global challenges at 2:30 PM on February 24 at the Georgia Southern Performing Arts Center. The event is part of the Norman Fries Distinguished Lectureship series, co-hosted by the Honors College and Office of Research and Economic Development. Panelists include Philip T. Reeker, Deborah McCarthy, and Kathleen Stephens.
SPORTS & CAMPUS EVENTS
🏀 Women's Basketball: A Historic Season Keeps Rolling (21-6, 14-2, First Place)
The Eagles made program history last week. In their February 19 home game against Marshall, Georgia Southern shot 76% in the opening quarter and dominated from wire to wire, winning 76-55. Senior Kishyah "Shy" Anderson posted 23 points and 10 rebounds (a double-double) while Destiny Garrett added 13 and freshman Kayla Cleaveland chipped in 12. It was the program's 20th win of the season and set a new record for most Sun Belt Conference victories in a single season.
They followed it up with a 67-54 Senior Day win over ULM on February 21, honoring Kishyah Anderson, McKenna Eddings, Destiny Garrett, and Shanti Simmons before moving to 21-6 overall. Anderson also earned her third Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week award this season.
This week: at Appalachian State (Wed, Feb 25, 6:30 PM) | at Marshall (Fri, Feb 27, 6:00 PM). The Sun Belt Tournament begins March 3 in Pensacola, and the women are on track for a top seed and first-round bye.
🏀 Men's Basketball: Two Tough Road Losses (15-14, 7-9 Sun Belt)
The men's team dropped a pair of close road games last week. Against Georgia State on February 19, the Eagles erased a 10-point halftime deficit and took a 52-49 lead before falling 66-64. Tyren Moore led with 14 points, Alden Applewhite added 11.
At Appalachian State on February 22, GS fell 74-89 after App State closed on a 25-14 run in the final seven minutes. The Eagles sit at 15-14 overall and 7-9 in the Sun Belt heading into this week.
This week: at James Madison (Tue, Feb 25, 8:00 PM) | at Marshall (Fri, Feb 27, 9:00 PM). Sun Belt Tournament begins March 3 in Pensacola.
⚾ Baseball: Young Squad Still Searching for Win No. 1 (0-7)
In Tuesday's marquee home matchup, fifth-ranked Georgia Tech delivered a 25-1 blowout at J.I. Clements Stadium. Freshman Will Holder struck out four in his first collegiate start and Jack Myers had a two-hit night, but the gap between the programs was clear on the scoreboard.
The weekend road trip to South Florida was equally rough , GS was swept in three games including a 4-29 loss in the series middle game. Sean White hit his first home run of the season in the finale, a small bright spot in a 3-4 walk-off loss. The roster carries 25 newcomers, so the growing pains are real, but a packed home schedule this week with Kennesaw State on Tuesday and USC Upstate Friday through Sunday gives the Eagles their best shot yet at that first win.
🥎 Softball: GATA Challenge Highlights; Clemson Invitational Next
Georgia Southern opened the GATA Challenge at Eagle Field in strong fashion, crushing Tennessee Tech 11-0 on February 20. The Eagles are now preparing for the Clemson Invitational this weekend, where they face Wofford on Friday, Mississippi State on Saturday morning, and additional opponents Sunday.
🏃 Track & Field: Sun Belt Indoor Championships This Weekend
The Georgia Southern women's track and field team is competing at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on February 23-24.
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Holy Pie Pizzeria: From-Scratch, Veteran-Owned, and Worth Every Bite
Holy Pie Pizzeria | 355 Brampton Ave (next to Walmart Neighborhood Market) | (912) 259-9447 | Mon–Sat 11 AM–9 PM (Thu–Sat until 10 PM) | Sun 1 PM–8 PM
Holy Pie Pizzeria is one of Statesboro's newest locally owned restaurants, and it's already earned a loyal following. Co-owners Kendall Wilson and Olman Del Cid spent 15-plus years helping other restaurant brands grow before launching their own concept built on three pillars: family, fresh, and community. All dough is made from scratch daily, and the restaurant operates completely freezer-free, meaning every ingredient is freshly prepared.
Wilson conceived the concept in 2020 with the motto "Impacting lives one slice at a time." Del Cid, who came to the U.S. from Honduras as a child, found his calling in the kitchen. Together they opened the first Holy Pie in Savannah in 2021 before expanding across Georgia, with Statesboro as one of their newest locations. Signature items include creative scratch-made pizzas (try the Mac & Cheese Pizza or the Honey BBQ Chicken Pizza), along with slow-smoked wings, calzones, strombolis, and warm baked chocolate chip cookies. Their $10.99 Large 1-Topping pickup special is one of the best deals in town.
WEATHER ADVISORY
Hard Freeze Tonight, Then a Wild Swing to 70s by Midweek
Brace for a dramatic week on the thermometer. Monday is cold and breezy with highs only in the mid-to-upper 40s and northwest winds gusting to 30 mph. Temperatures drop into the upper 20s overnight and a hard freeze is likely. Protect pipes, plants, and outdoor pets tonight.
From there, the week warms fast. By Wednesday we're back near 65°F, and Thursday pushes into the low-to-mid 70s, roughly 20 degrees above normal for late February. The tradeoff: rain becomes likely Thursday evening through Friday, which is the primary precipitation event of the week. The weekend dries out and stays pleasant in the upper 60s.
Day | High | Low | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
Mon 2/23 | 48°F | 27°F | Sunny, breezy, hard freeze overnight |
Tue 2/24 | 55°F | 33°F | Mostly sunny, moderating |
Wed 2/25 | 64°F | 48°F | Mostly cloudy, breezy |
Thu 2/26 | 72°F | 56°F | Partly sunny, rain likely by evening |
Fri 2/27 | 68°F | 50°F | Showers likely, primary rain day |
Sat 2/28 | 67°F | 46°F | Partly sunny, drying out |
Sun 3/1 | 70°F | 51°F | Mostly pleasant, slight shower chance |
LOOKING AHEAD
State of the City Address: Tonight, February 24
Mayor McCollar delivers his 2026 State of the City Address at 7:00 PM at the Emma Kelly Theater, 35 E. Main St. Topics include the city's declining poverty rate (now at 36%), economic development, public safety, housing, and childhood literacy. Free and open to the public. Live-streamed on the City of Statesboro Government Facebook page.
Sun Belt Basketball Tournament: March 3-9, Pensacola, FL
Both Eagles basketball programs head to Pensacola Bay Center for the Sun Belt Tournament. The women, currently first in the conference at 14-2, are poised for a top seed and a first-round bye, putting them one step closer to an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. The women's championship game tips off Monday, March 9 at 1:00 PM on ESPN.
Hiroya Tsukamoto Concert: Sunday, March 1
International guitar virtuoso at the Averitt Center's Emma Kelly Theater at 3:00 PM. Tickets available now.
Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones: Friday, March 6
Irish music concert at the Averitt Center for the Arts. Just in time for St. Patrick's season.
Statesboro Festival of the Arts: March 21-22
The 2nd annual festival returns to The Market at Visit Statesboro on the Blue Mile, 222 S. Main St. Free admission, 40+ artist booths, live music, food trucks, and children's activities. Awarded a $5,000 Georgia Council for the Arts grant this year.
THANKS FOR READING!
That's Edition 20 in the books! Big week ahead: the State of the City Address is tonight at the Emma Kelly Theater, both FoodWorld locations begin their transition to B&T's Food Fresh, the Ag-Grow Expo opens to the public Saturday, and the women's basketball team wraps up the regular season with their eyes on a Sun Belt Tournament title. We'll have full recaps and everything you need to know for March in next Monday's edition.
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See you next Monday, Statesboro! 🦅