Hello, Statesboro!
Spring has officially arrived in the Boro, and it brought some absolutely electric energy with it. Tonight, the Georgia Southern men's basketball team plays for the Sun Belt Championship on national television after one of the most stunning tournament runs in recent memory. Meanwhile, downtown is getting a brand-new brewery and distillery, the mayor just laid out a bold vision for the city's future, and a brand-new health clinic opened right inside a local school. There is a lot to be proud of this week. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let's get into it.
📰 TOP NEWS
Mayor McCollar: "Statesboro's Growth Is a Reality"
Mayor Jonathan McCollar delivered his 2026 State of the City address on February 24 at the Emma Kelly Theater, and the numbers he brought to the podium were hard to argue with. Since he took office, Statesboro's poverty rate has dropped from 53% to 36%. In 2025 alone, the city issued 1,100+ active business licenses, including 195 new ones. More than $130 million in development investment is currently active across the city.
The mayor highlighted a string of national recognitions: Statesboro was named a top-25 small city in the country for starting a business, became Georgia Power's first Retail Ready community, and was selected as a 2025 All-America City finalist out of thousands of eligible municipalities. He also pointed to the completion of the Food Bank Phase II expansion (12,000 square feet), the recent groundbreaking on Fire Station 3, and a nearly $1.4 million CHIP affordable housing grant from the state, the city's first such award in more than two decades. Keys to the City were presented to the Statesboro Food Bank, the Bulloch County NAACP Chapter, and Restoring the Breach, Inc.
City Council Greenlights $272,821 for Hop Atomica Downtown Brewery
Statesboro is getting a brewery, distillery, and restaurant all under one roof. At its March 3 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a development agreement releasing $272,821 in South Main Tax Allocation District (TAD) funds to Walnut & Vine, LLC for exterior and infrastructure improvements at 6 Walnut Street, the former United Appliance building downtown.
The total project investment is $2.3 million. Hop Atomica, already operating a successful location in Savannah, is the brainchild of Smith and Pratt Mathews, Statesboro natives whose family led the Statesboro Telephone Company. Their vision is a wood-fired pizza restaurant with craft beer and spirits made on-site from scratch. Ground has already been broken. The target opening is August or September 2026. Welcome home, Mathews family.
Also at the March 3 meeting: the city approved an alcohol license for Blue Mile Catering at 434 S. Main St. and advanced a federal grant increase for Little Lott's Creek stream restoration, bringing the total to $400,000.
Bulloch County Moves Toward Impact Fees as Growth Pressure Mounts
Bulloch County held a public hearing March 3 on a proposed impact fee program, the county's most significant policy response yet to the pressures of rapid residential growth. Impact fees are one-time charges on new development collected at the time of permit issuance, with proceeds directed toward roads, public safety, parks, and other infrastructure.
This follows the commission's February 17 approval of two 90-day moratoriums: one pausing all residential and PUD rezonings, another halting new data center permitting. Both actions were taken to give the county time to adopt impact fee regulations before development outpaces infrastructure planning. Public hearings on both moratoriums are scheduled for May 5, when commissioners could extend them further.
Also at the March 3 commission meeting: a rezoning of 10.55 acres from R-80 to R-25 was approved, a $15,000 traffic engineering study was authorized for the Adabell Road/Kennedy Bridge Road intersection south of Register, and a six-figure PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) check was received benefiting the County Fire District.
Bulloch BOE Names Richard Smith Interim Superintendent; National Search Narrows
Richard Smith has been named Interim Superintendent of Bulloch County Schools, effective April 1. Board Chair Elizabeth Williams announced the hire on February 26. Smith is a retired educator and superintendent who currently serves as executive director of the First District Regional Educational Service Agency.
He succeeds Charles Wilson, who announced his retirement in October after 30 years in the district, 14 of them as superintendent. The Georgia School Boards Association received nearly 40 applications during the nationwide search, and those materials are being delivered to the board during the week of March 9-12. First and second-round interviews will follow, with finalist interviews expected in April and a final hire anticipated by late May.
At the same February 26 meeting, Julia P. Bryant Elementary was spotlighted as a 2025 Title I Reward School in the top 5% statewide, and Southeast Bulloch Middle earned dual Literacy and Math Leader designations.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
First School-Based Health Center Opens at Langston Chapel
Bulloch County Schools held a ribbon cutting on February 26 for a new 1,680-square-foot permanent health clinic between Langston Chapel Elementary and Langston Chapel Middle School. It is the first school-based health center in the district, funded by a $1 million state grant and operated by East Georgia Healthcare Center. Services include primary care, vaccinations, sports physicals, and mental health counseling. More than 20% of students at both schools have already enrolled.
2026 Election Qualifying Closes; Several Contested Races Set
Candidate qualifying for the May 19 primary ran March 2-6. In County Commission District 1, Spencer Johnson will challenge incumbent Anthony Simmons. Paul Roesel takes District 2 unopposed after Timmy Rushing chose not to seek re-election. On the Board of Education, Jessica L. Jones challenges incumbent Glennera Martin in District 5. Sharon Draeger takes District 6 unopposed after Jay Cook did not re-qualify. The voter registration deadline is April 20.
Mungo Homes Opens "The Outpost," Its First Statesboro Community
National homebuilder Mungo Homes has launched The Outpost, a boutique community of 30 homesites off Veterans Memorial Parkway near Georgia Southern. Homes start in the $300s. Planned amenities include a pool, pavilion, and walking trails. GSU employees and active-duty military are eligible for a $2,000 incentive through Mungo's Community Partnership Program. A second Statesboro community, Grange Mill, is planned for later this year.
Major Road Improvements Approved for Southeastern Statesboro
The city and county have approved a shared intergovernmental agreement to engineer improvements along Burkhalter Road, Harville Road, and Cawana Road, the fast-growing southeastern corridor with more than 1,300 housing units planned or under construction. Initial engineering costs are estimated at $1 million, split evenly. Plans include a new turn lane on Burkhalter, multiple roundabouts at Cawana Road intersections, and road widening. The Hwy 67/Burkhalter intersection is already rated "F" for Level of Service.
Four Bulloch County Schools to Get New Principals for 2026-27
Four schools will welcome new leadership next fall. Dr. Nate Pennington moves from Portal Elementary to Southeast Bulloch High School. Kelly Spence, a third-generation Portal graduate, takes over Portal Elementary. Brad Boykin is named principal of Mill Creek Elementary, and Chakira Draine is confirmed as permanent principal of Mattie Lively Elementary, where she had been serving as interim.
Rachel Eggleston Named Georgia's Long-Term Care Administrator of the Year
Rachel Eggleston, administrator at Brown's Health and Rehabilitation in Statesboro, has been named the 2026 Georgia Health Care Association Administrator of the Year. She was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for her leadership in long-term care. Statesboro is proud to have her.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (March 9-15, 2026)
📚 Library Programs
All programs at the Statesboro Regional Library (124 S. Main St.) are FREE unless noted. Call (912) 764-1341 or visit strl.info for more information.
Monday, March 9 Shamrock Family Craft Activity | 4:00 PM | All ages | St. Patrick's Day-themed crafts
Tuesday, March 10 Adult Craft Activity | 11:00 AM | Ages 18+
Thursday, March 12 Teen Craft Activity | 4:30 PM | Ages 12-18
Friday, March 13 Crazy Cat Parent Day | 3:00 PM | Family-friendly Kids' History Club | 4:00 PM | Ages 6-11
Saturday, March 14 Medicare Workshop | 11:00 AM | Open to all
🏛️ Government Meetings
All meetings are open to the public.
Monday, March 9 City of Statesboro Business Commission Meeting | 6:15 PM | City Hall (50 E. Main St.)
Thursday, March 12 Bulloch County Board of Education Regular Session | 6:30 PM | Board Room, Central Office/Transition Learning Center, Williams Road. Note: Superintendent search applications are being delivered to the board this week.
🤝 Community Events
Tuesday, March 10 | 4th Annual Literacy Luau 5:30-7:00 PM | Anthony P. Tippins Training Center, 207 Lanier Drive (next to Paulson Stadium) | FREE
The Bulloch County Literacy Council hosts its biggest community literacy event of the year. Expect interactive learning stations, door prizes, free food, and free children's books. Winners of the 6th Annual Reading Nook Photo Contest will also be announced. The Bulloch County Schools Book Bus will be on-site. All ages welcome.
Saturday, March 14 | Hearts of Gold: Soaring Together Gala 5:00 PM | Statesboro High School Cafeteria (10 Coach Lee Hill Blvd.) | $60/person
A semi-formal fundraiser benefiting Bulloch County's Project SEARCH program, which empowers young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The evening includes catered fine dining and live entertainment. Tickets available at bit.ly/4ayykNg.
🎨 Arts and Recreation
The Averitt Center for the Arts (33 E. Main Street) is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Rosengart Gallery is currently showing the Melinda and Joe Ostraff exhibition. Visit averittcenterforthearts.org or call (912) 212-2787 for current exhibitions and upcoming performances.
Mill Creek Regional Park offers 150 acres of fields, playgrounds, pavilions, and a lighted walking trail, all free to use. Visit bullochrec.com for current spring recreation programming.
The Statesboro Market2Go online farmers market accepts orders Friday through Tuesday midnight, with Thursday pickup at 222 S. Main St. Shop at statesboromarket2go.locallygrown.net.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Georgia Southern Earns Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
Georgia Southern has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective national designation awarded by the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university joined more than 230 colleges and universities selected in this cycle. President Kyle Marrero called it an affirmation of the work being done "alongside our community partners and neighbors to address real-world challenges." Provost Avinandan Mukherjee noted that community engagement is embedded in the university's curriculum, scholarship, and institutional practices.
Third Annual "Only For Southern" Day of Giving Held March 5
Georgia Southern's third annual Only For Southern Day of Giving, a 24-hour university-wide fundraising event, took place on March 5. President Marrero highlighted that every gift fuels academic excellence and expands access for students. The university now serves nearly 31,600 students across four campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville, and Swainsboro following its January 2026 consolidation with East Georgia State College.
GSU Student Selected for National Radiation Therapy Leadership Program
Ariyana Braxton, a radiation therapy student in Georgia Southern's Waters College of Health Professions, has been selected for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Student to Leadership Development Program, a competitive three-year initiative. Braxton, a Savannah native, is one of only three students representing the entire state of Georgia at the national level.
GSU Signs Mental Health Agreement with Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health
Georgia Southern's Counseling Center has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health to expand student access to inpatient treatment, crisis stabilization, and psychiatric evaluation services. The partnership gives students a direct path to higher levels of care when campus counseling services are not sufficient.
Campus Notes: Spring Break runs March 16-21. SGA elections opened today, March 9. Early registration for Fall 2026 begins March 23. Students in on-campus housing: the deadline to apply for a room assignment exception is March 31.
🏈 SPORTS AND CAMPUS EVENTS
TONIGHT: Eagles Play for the Sun Belt Championship
This is not a drill. The Georgia Southern men's basketball team is playing in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game TONIGHT at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2, live from the Pensacola Bay Center in Florida.
This has been one of the most astonishing tournament runs in program history. Entering as the No. 10 seed at 20-15, the Eagles have won five consecutive games in five days, eliminating Old Dominion, Arkansas State, South Alabama, Coastal Carolina, and Marshall along the way. They are just the third team in NCAA history to accomplish that feat in a conference tournament, joining NC State (2024) and UConn (2011). Their opponent tonight is No. 1 seed Troy.
The performances have been jaw-dropping. In the quarterfinal against South Alabama, Alden Applewhite dropped 34 points on 11-of-12 shooting, including 8 of 9 from three-point range. Tyren Moore added 23 points and 9 assists. The team broke the school record for three-pointers in a game with 23, tying the Sun Belt tournament record in the process. In the semifinal, Spudd Webb poured in 31 points to knock out Marshall.
A win tonight sends the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. Tune in to ESPN2 and cheer loud.
Women's Basketball: A Historic Season Ends
The women's team wrapped up its 2025-26 season with a 23-7 record after falling to No. 4 James Madison 81-53 in the Sun Belt semifinals on March 8. Before the season ended, the Eagles had captured the Sun Belt regular-season championship, the first in 25 years, after being picked 10th in the preseason poll. Kishyah Anderson was named Sun Belt Player of the Year (14.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), and head coach Hana Haden, in just her second year at the helm, was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year. Watch for potential postseason invitational news this week.
Baseball: Series Win Over Tennessee Tech; Clemson Visits Tuesday
The Eagles (4-11) won the weekend series against Tennessee Tech, capped by a 14-4 run-rule victory Saturday with a season-best 17 hits. Sunday's 11-6 win featured two home runs from McCoy.
THIS WEEK AT J.I. CLEMENTS STADIUM: Tuesday, March 10 | vs. #11 Clemson | 6:30 PM (marquee midweek home game against a nationally-ranked ACC opponent) Friday-Sunday, March 13-15 | at James Madison (Sun Belt Conference opener, road trip)
Softball: Sun Belt Home Opener This Weekend
The Eagles (approx. 11-12) went 2-3 at the Jacksonville Classic last weekend, including an 8-0 run-rule win over Presbyterian. Kayla Christensen was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week.
THIS WEEK AT EAGLE FIELD: Friday, March 13 | vs. James Madison | 6:00 PM | SUN BELT CONFERENCE OPENER | "Hats, Bats and Boots" night; free Beverage Boot Mug for fans in attendance Saturday, March 14 | vs. James Madison | 3:00 PM Sunday, March 15 | vs. James Madison | 12:00 PM
Other Eagles Action This Week
Men's Tennis: Won at North Florida 4-2 on March 7. Home schedule TBD; check gseagles.com.
Women's Tennis (4-5): Next home match Thursday, March 12 vs. Florida A&M at 10:00 AM at the Wallis Tennis Center. Free admission.
Men's Golf: Competing in the Johnnie-O Collegiate beginning March 10.
🍽️ RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Huey's on Main Street: Bourbon Street Comes to the Boro
If you have not been downtown lately, here is your excuse. Huey's on Main Street opened in January 2026 at 232 South Main Street, and it is filling a gap that Statesboro did not even know it had: an authentic New Orleans Cajun-Creole restaurant right on the Blue Mile.
The story behind it is a good one. Owner Tom Scarborough spent years as general manager at the original Huey's on River Street in Savannah under founder Bob Isaacson, who launched the brand in 1993. When Scarborough moved to Statesboro to raise his daughters, Casey Pope and River Green, he eventually decided to bring what he loved most about that job to his new hometown. The result is a gutted and rebuilt space inside a building on South Main that now transports you somewhere decidedly south of Savannah.
The menu hits all the classics: world-famous beignets with your choice of drizzle, catfish and shrimp po'boys, shrimp and grits, boudin balls, gumbo and jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, fried green tomatoes, and an oyster bar. Chicory coffee and cafe au lait are on the menu too. Handcrafted cocktails are part of the experience, and a live pianist plays during service.
Due to strong demand since opening, Huey's has already expanded from dinner-only to adding full lunch service on weekdays. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM and 4:00 to 9:00 PM, with similar hours on weekends plus a Jazz Brunch. The health inspection score is a perfect 100. This one is worth your time.
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
Abnormally Warm Start to the Week; Strong Storms Expected Thursday
If Monday morning feels more like late April than early March, that is because it is. High temperatures this week are running 10 to 18 degrees above normal for this time of year in Statesboro:
Monday, March 9 | 83°F | Mostly sunny; patchy morning fog clearing Tuesday, March 10 | 86°F | Mostly sunny; afternoon shower possible (30%) Wednesday, March 11 | 88°F | Partly sunny; overnight showers possible Thursday, March 12 | 75°F | Showers likely; thunderstorms possible after 2 PM (70% chance) Friday, March 13 | 69°F | Sunny and much cooler after the front passes Weekend | Upper 70s | Sunny and pleasant
The main weather story this week is Thursday's cold front. The Storm Prediction Center has noted a low-end severe thunderstorm risk for the Southeast. If you have outdoor plans Thursday afternoon, have a backup ready. Temperatures drop sharply by Friday, so enjoy the warmth early in the week.
Tree pollen is currently at Very High levels. Allergy sufferers, take note.
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
St. Patrick's Day | Tuesday, March 17 Statesboro City Council meets at 5:30 PM at City Hall. Bulloch County Board of Commissioners also meets at 5:30 PM at the North Main Annex. Savannah's massive St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration, about an hour away, draws a huge crowd from Bulloch County every year.
Life Skills Workshop: Getting Into Business | Thursday, March 19 5:00 PM | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE | Ages 16-21 An entrepreneurship workshop for teens and young adults. Check the library calendar at strl.info
Georgia Southern Spring Break | March 16-21 Campus will be quieter than usual. Expect lighter traffic near GSU.
4th Annual Downtown Live Concert Series Kickoff | Thursday, April 9 7:00 PM | East Main Street in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse | FREE Food trucks open at 6 PM. Opening act: Liquid Pleasure. The full series includes Elizabeth as Taylor (May 14), Y2K-Kids (May 28), and The Tams (June 11). Mark your calendar.
Inaugural Choose Bulloch Event | Wednesday, April 15 Ogeechee Technical College. A community showcase hosted by the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, presented by Georgia Power. More details coming soon.
Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market Opens | April (Saturdays) 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM | 2 E. Main Street. Fresh local produce, vendors, and community. Dates to be confirmed.
May 19 Primary Election Several contested local races are on the ballot, including County Commission District 1 and Board of Education District 5. Voter registration deadline: April 20. Learn more at The Georgia Virtue
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That's Edition 22 in the books. Tonight is a big one for Eagle Nation, so find a screen, find some friends, and cheer on the men's basketball team as they go for the Sun Belt Championship at 7:00 PM on ESPN2. This community deserves to celebrate.
Got a news tip, event to share, or just want to say hi? Hit reply. We read every message.
Know someone who'd love the Statesboro Brief? Forward this to a neighbor, a parent, or anyone who cares about what is happening in our community. And follow us on social media for updates throughout the week.
See you next Monday!