Hello, Statesboro!
Happy Spring Break to all the Georgia Southern Eagles out there. Campus may be a little quieter this week, but the rest of the Boro is anything but. We have a lot of ground to cover, starting with the loss of one of Bulloch County's most beloved public servants, Roy Gene Thompson, whose impact on this community is hard to overstate. We also have a historic basketball run for Portal High School, a new downtown coffee shop opening, severe weather hitting us today with a freeze following right behind, and one of the best events of the year arriving this weekend with the Statesboro Festival of the Arts. Grab your coffee (maybe from the new Blend n' Brew downtown) and let's get into it.
📰 TOP NEWS
Bulloch County Mourns Roy Gene Thompson, a True Public Servant
The Bulloch County community lost one of its finest this past weekend. Former Bulloch County Commission Chairman Roy Gene Thompson passed away in his sleep on Friday. He was known to many simply as "Mr. Roy," and the outpouring of love since his passing tells you everything about the kind of man he was.
Thompson served 20 years on the Bulloch County Commission, including 12 years as a district commissioner before being elected chairman. He stepped down from the role in 2024. Beyond government, he owned Statesboro Floor Covering and operated TMT Farms, which became beloved across the region for its free Christmas drive-through light display that collected donations for families in need each holiday season.
His volunteer work stretched across decades: serving on the Recreation Department board, coaching youth sports, and showing up for this community in countless ways most people never saw. He received the Deen Day Smith Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2011 and the Bruce Yawn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, among other recognitions.
His wife Deborah passed away in July 2025. Bulloch County ordered flags lowered to half-staff in his honor. Mayor Jonathan McCollar called him "the embodiment of a true public servant."
Statesboro is a better place because Roy Gene Thompson lived here. Our hearts go out to his family.
Portal Panthers Make History with First State Championship Appearance
What a season for Portal High School. The Panthers boys basketball team made the first state championship appearance in school history last Thursday, taking on Clinch County in the GHSA Class A Division II title game at the Macon Coliseum.
Portal fell 63-43 in the final, but the story of this season is much bigger than one game. Under head coach Jeff Brannen, who has led the program for 34 years, the Panthers finished 26-7, a 14-win improvement over last season. Before the game, the community gathered at Portal Elementary School to send the team off with cheers and support. The game was broadcast statewide on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Junior David Thomas led the scoring with 16 points, and junior KJ Hunter added 10. With nearly the entire roster returning next season, the future in Portal looks very bright. This community has a lot to be proud of, and the best may be yet to come.
Tragedy Spans Two Counties: Chain of Events Ends in Three Deaths
A chain of events that began in the Nevils community of Bulloch County on Sunday, March 8, ended with three people dead in Bryan County. According to law enforcement, Anthony Andrea Forney, 55, of Bulloch County, ran out of gas on the roadside. When a Good Samaritan stopped to help, Forney allegedly stole the man's truck and fled.
The truck's owner called 911 and tracked the vehicle through GPS into Bryan County. When deputies located Forney at a residence on Ash Branch Church Road, they found a gray Toyota Camry that had crashed and overturned during a pursuit. Forney was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Inside the nearby home, deputies discovered married couple Craig and Rhonda Lanier shot and killed.
Bryan County Sheriff Mark D. Crowe described the incident as an apparent double homicide and suicide. The investigation remains active. Our thoughts are with the Lanier family and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.
📋 LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
Flags Lowered for Beloved Community Member Amos Hill
Mayor Jonathan McCollar ordered flags at city buildings lowered to half-staff on March 9 in honor of Amos Hill, who passed away at age 92. Known as "Famous Amos" around town, Hill played catcher for the Ruff Rider Baseball Team, served as an honorary basketball coach for the Statesboro High School Blue Devils, and retired after 47 years as a school bus driver and custodian for Bulloch County Board of Education. A life well lived.
Two Fatal Crashes Claim Two Lives in Bulloch County
Two separate vehicle crashes in Bulloch County killed two people during the week. On Monday, Rebecca Clark, 29, of Register, lost control on Kennedy Bridge Road, struck a culvert, and was ejected from her vehicle. She was pronounced dead at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. On Tuesday, Devin Owens Cassidy died in a collision between a van and an 18-wheeler on U.S. 80 East near Arcola Road. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating both incidents. Please drive carefully out there.
OTC Students Win Gold at State SkillsUSA Competition
Ogeechee Technical College students brought home three gold medals and one silver from the SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, held March 9-11. Gold medals went to Justin Clenny and Dalton Flanders in Cybersecurity (a first for OTC in that category), plus additional golds in Early Childhood and Career Pathways in Industrial and Engineering Technology. Silver went to the Quiz Bowl team. Gold medalists advance to the national competition in June.
New Downtown Coffee and Smoothie Cafe Blend n' Brew Hosts Ribbon Cutting Friday
Downtown Statesboro has a new gathering spot. Blend n' Brew, located at 62 E. Main St., is co-owned by sisters Dr. Tilicia Mayo-Gamble (Associate Dean at Georgia Southern's Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health) and Takara Mayo (federal law enforcement agent). The cafe sources its beans from Cafe Campesino, a Georgia-based organic cooperative. Dr. Mayo-Gamble says the goal is to create "a space for coffee, community, and conversation." The official ribbon cutting is this Friday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m. Stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood.
Statesboro's Retail Growth Continues with HomeGoods, Dutch Bros, and More
The Boro keeps growing. HomeGoods has opened at Southern Square. Dutch Bros Coffee recently opened its first Statesboro location at 23974 U.S. Highway 80 East. Construction has started for Raising Cane's on the Highway 80 corridor, and QDOBA is coming soon to Eagles Corner Shopping Center near Publix. Justin Williams, Statesboro's director of planning and development, told The George-Anne that the city continues to draw strong interest from businesses looking to invest in the market.
Charles Wilson Receives Community Farewell After 30 Years with Bulloch County Schools
The Bulloch County school community held a farewell reception for outgoing Superintendent Charles Wilson, who served 30 years with the district, including 14 as superintendent. Previously reported interim superintendent Richard Smith takes over April 1, while the board continues its national search for a permanent hire. The board received nearly 40 applications, and finalist interviews are expected in April.
📅 THIS WEEK'S EVENTS (March 16-22, 2026)
Georgia Southern is on Spring Break (March 16-21). Campus events are limited, but the rest of Statesboro has plenty going on.
Monday, March 16
Severe Weather Day — A tornado watch is in effect until 2:00 p.m. Severe thunderstorms are pushing through the area this morning with potentially damaging winds. Stay weather-aware and have a plan.
Tech Help | 11:00 a.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | FREE | Ages 18+. Drop-in technology assistance.
Tuesday, March 17 — St. Patrick's Day 🍀
Statesboro City Council Meeting | 5:30 p.m. | Council Chambers, City Hall, 50 E. Main St. Open to the public.
Bulloch County Planning and Zoning Commission | 5:30 p.m. | North Main Annex.
Graphic Novel Book Club | 4:30 p.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 6-11 | FREE.
Freeze Warning — Overnight lows dropping to 29 degrees. Protect your plants, pets, and outdoor plumbing. Yes, it will be nearly 40 degrees colder than Monday morning.
Thursday, March 19
Bingo | 3:30 p.m. | Bethany Community Commons Building, Gesmon Neville Lane | FREE.
Life Skills Workshop: Getting Into Business | 5:00 p.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 16-21 | FREE. An entrepreneurship workshop for teens and young adults.
Friday, March 20
Blend n' Brew Ribbon Cutting | 11:00 a.m. | 62 E. Main St., Downtown Statesboro. Grand opening celebration for the new coffee and smoothie cafe. Come support a new local business.
Senior Bingo | 11:00 a.m. | Statesboro Regional Library | Ages 55+ | FREE.
Georgia Southern Baseball vs. Marshall | 6:30 p.m. | J.I. Clements Stadium | Sun Belt Conference series opener.
Saturday, March 21
2nd Annual Statesboro Festival of the Arts | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | The Market at Visit Statesboro, 222 S. Main St. | FREE admission. This is one of the best events of the year. More than 70 juried artists from across the country will showcase paintings, ceramics, metalwork, woodwork, and more. Live artist demonstrations, children's art activities, food trucks, and acoustic music including world music duo Strings of the Heart. Over $5,000 in cash prizes for artists. Organized by Averitt Center for the Arts with DSDA and Visit Statesboro. Forecast: 83 degrees and sunny. Perfect conditions.
Georgia Southern Baseball vs. Marshall | 2:00 p.m. | J.I. Clements Stadium.
Sunday, March 22
Statesboro Festival of the Arts (Day 2) | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Same location. Strings of the Heart performs. Forecast: 85 degrees and sunny.
Georgia Southern Baseball vs. Marshall | 1:00 p.m. | J.I. Clements Stadium.
Ongoing Library Programs (All FREE)
Baby Time (Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.), Toddler Time (Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.), "ME" First Tutoring (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:00-6:30 p.m.), Cribbage Club (Fridays, 1:30 p.m.), Statesboro Stitches crochet and knitting club (Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). Call (912) 764-1341 or visit strl.info for details.
🦅 GEORGIA SOUTHERN UPDATES
Spring Break: March 16-21
Georgia Southern students are on Spring Break this week. Classes resume Monday, March 23. Campus will be quieter than usual, so expect lighter traffic near the university.
2026 Football Schedule Released
Georgia Southern announced its 2026 football schedule on March 13, and it is loaded. Six home Saturday games at Paulson Stadium highlight the slate. The Eagles will travel to Clemson on September 12, then host Houston on September 26, marking the first time a Power 4 program has played in Statesboro. James Madison, the defending Sun Belt champion and College Football Playoff participant, comes to Paulson on October 10. A nationally televised Thursday night road game at Old Dominion (October 15) rounds out the marquee matchups. Season tickets start at just $100 for all six home games. Spring football practice is already underway, and the Blue-White Spring Game is set for April 4.
New FLYT Program Replacing FYE for Freshmen
Georgia Southern's mandatory freshman course FYE (First Year Experience) is transitioning to a new two-semester program called FLYT (FLYT 1001 in fall, FLYT 1002 in spring). The change is designed to spread the workload across two semesters and make the adjustment to college life smoother for incoming students. The shift takes effect with the Fall 2026 incoming class.
Campus Notes: Early registration for Fall 2026 begins March 23. Students in on-campus housing should note the deadline to apply for a room assignment exception is March 31.
🏈 SPORTS AND CAMPUS EVENTS
Men's Basketball: Historic Run Falls Short in Championship
A quick look back at the conclusion of the men's basketball season. The Eagles fell to Troy 77-61 in the Sun Belt Championship game on March 9, ending one of the most remarkable tournament runs in program history. As the 10-seed, Georgia Southern won five games in five consecutive days, becoming just the fourth team in NCAA history to accomplish that feat. Three Eagles were named to the All-Tournament Team: Alden Applewhite, Tyren Moore, and Spudd Webb. The Eagles finished 21-16. It was a season worth celebrating.
Baseball: Eagles Upset No. 11 Clemson, Then Swept at JMU
The highlight of the week came Tuesday when the Eagles pulled off a 6-1 upset of No. 11 Clemson at SRP Park in North Augusta, powered by a grand slam. It was a signature non-conference win for the program. The weekend was tougher, as the Eagles were swept at James Madison in their Sun Belt Conference opening series (losses of 14-6, 3-2, and 12-6). Georgia Southern sits at 5-14 overall, 0-3 in Sun Belt play.
This week: Tuesday at Kennesaw State (6:00 p.m.), then home for the Sun Belt series vs. Marshall at J.I. Clements Stadium: Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 2:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m.
Men's Golf: Eagles Finish 2nd at 46th Schenkel Invitational
Georgia Southern hosted the prestigious 46th Schenkel Invitational at Forest Heights Country Club (March 13-15) and finished second in the 15-team field. Utah took the title at -21, with the Eagles close behind at -17 (rounds of 278-276-293). The field included programs from Notre Dame, Mississippi State, Army, Wisconsin, and Yale. Eagle standouts included Parker Claxton and Thomas Horne, who both placed among the top individual finishers. Admission was free, and a kids' clinic was held during the week.
Softball
The Eagles opened Sun Belt Conference play at home against James Madison, taking the opener 4-2 behind a strong performance from pitcher Bailey Holland before dropping the series. Georgia Southern heads to South Carolina on Wednesday and then travels to Marshall for a Sun Belt road series this weekend.
Tennis
Men's tennis (5-6) fell to Gardner-Webb 4-3 at the Wallis Tennis Center on March 14. Women's tennis lost at Coastal Carolina 4-2 on the same day. Both teams continue conference play this week.
🍽️ RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
Holy Pie Pizzeria: Scratch-Made Pizza with a Whole Lot of Heart
If you have not tried Holy Pie Pizzeria yet, consider this your sign. Located at 355 Brampton Ave (next to Walmart Neighborhood Market), this locally owned spot has quickly become a Statesboro favorite since opening last year.
Owners Kendall Wilson and Olman Del Cid bring more than 20 years of restaurant industry experience between them. Wilson was once the youngest general manager of a high-volume restaurant concept and later oversaw operations for 11 locations. Del Cid shares a similar corporate background. After years in the chain world, they decided to do things their own way, building Holy Pie around three pillars: faith, family, and community.
Everything here is made from scratch. Dough is prepared fresh daily. Wings are seasoned and smoked in-house. Calzones are baked to order. The menu also includes sandwiches, salads, pastas, and desserts, including their beloved warm baked chocolate chip cookies. Lunch specials offer great value, and the portions are generous.
Wilson has said that without the community's support, none of it would be possible. "We're not a chain. We're raising our families right here, sending our kids to the same schools, cheering at the same games, and living the same day-to-day life." The restaurant has become a go-to for families, Georgia Southern students, and staff from nearby East Georgia Regional Medical Center alike.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Phone: (912) 259-9447. Website: holypiepizzeria.com.
🌤️ WEATHER ADVISORY
Severe Storms Today, Freeze Tomorrow, Beautiful Weekend Ahead
Buckle up for a wild weather week in Statesboro. Here is what to expect:
Monday, March 16 | High 71 (falling to 56 by afternoon) | Severe thunderstorms before 3:00 p.m. Tornado watch in effect until 2:00 p.m. Damaging winds possible with gusts to 70 mph. 100% chance of rain. West wind 14-18 mph.
Tuesday, March 17 | High 53 | Low 29 | Mostly sunny but COLD. Freeze warning from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Protect plants, pets, and pipes.
Wednesday, March 18 | High 57 | Low 34 | Mostly sunny. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday, March 19 | High 67 | Low 41 | Sunny and warming up.
Friday, March 20 | High 76 | Low 48 | Sunny and pleasant. First day of astronomical spring.
Saturday, March 21 | High 83 | Low 55 | Mostly sunny. Perfect Festival of the Arts weather.
Sunday, March 22 | High 85 | Sunny and warm. Another gorgeous day for the festival.
The big story is Monday's severe weather followed by a nearly 40-degree temperature drop overnight into Tuesday. After the freeze clears, we are looking at a stunning warming trend that should make for a spectacular weekend at the Statesboro Festival of the Arts. Tree pollen remains at very high levels, so allergy sufferers should plan accordingly.
👀 LOOKING AHEAD
March 20 | Blend n' Brew ribbon cutting, 11:00 a.m., 62 E. Main St.
March 21-22 | 2nd Annual Statesboro Festival of the Arts, 222 S. Main St. FREE.
March 23 | Georgia Southern classes resume from Spring Break.
March 25 | Chess and Pizza event, 6:00 p.m., Holiday Pizza downtown. All ages.
April 4 | Georgia Southern Blue-White Spring Game, Paulson Stadium (presented by Morris Bank). Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market expected to open for the season (Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 222 S. Main St.).
April 5 | Easter Sunday.
April 9 | Downtown Live Concert Series kickoff. Liquid Pleasure (Motown to modern hits), 7:00 p.m., East Main Street in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse. FREE. Food trucks open at 6:00 p.m. Full series: Elizabeth as Taylor (May 14), Y2K-Kids (May 28), and The Tams (June 11).
April 15 | Inaugural Choose Bulloch event, Ogeechee Technical College. Community showcase hosted by the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, presented by Georgia Power.
April 20 | Voter Registration Deadline for the May 19 primary election. Several contested local races are on the ballot, including County Commission District 1 and Board of Education District 5. Register at georgia.gov.
April 23-25 | 15th Annual Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo, Bulloch County Agricultural Complex, 44 Arena Blvd. Gates 5:00 p.m., rodeo 7:30 p.m. IPRA-sanctioned. Advance tickets only at statesborokiwanisrodeo.com or McKeithen's Hardware.
May 19 | Georgia Primary Election. Polls open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
✉️ THANKS FOR READING!
That is Edition 23 in the books. It has been a week of loss and celebration in equal measure for our community. We said goodbye to Roy Gene Thompson and Amos Hill, two men who gave so much of themselves to Bulloch County. And we cheered on the Portal Panthers as they played on the biggest stage in Georgia high school basketball. That is what a real community looks like.
This week, get through today's storms safely, brace for the freeze tomorrow, and then look forward to a beautiful weekend ahead. If you have not been to the Statesboro Festival of the Arts before, this is the year to go. Seventy-plus artists, live music, food trucks, kids' activities, and free admission on a sunny 83-degree day. It does not get much better than that.
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See you next Monday!