Without promoting drinking on the streets in general Visit Statesboro has launched a “Sip & Soar” campaign to highlight the fact that alcoholic beverages in paper or plastic cups can legally be taken outside of eating and drinking establishments in a limited ordinance-defined area of downtown Statesboro Nearly five years have passed since City Council approved the ordinance that makes this possible the destination marketing organization long known as the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau announcing the Sip & Soar initiative and including a map of the designated “open container area.” A bird in flight is part of Visit Statesboro’s logo and the organization already used references to “soaring” in its marketing efforts “We just wanted to make it clear to everyone and that’s one reason why we included the map,” Visit Statesboro President and CEO Becky Sanders told the Statesboro Herald “We just want everyone to enjoy the benefits but also follow the rules.” In addition to issuing the map and media release and giving the initiative its own webpage Visit Statesboro is partnering with eating and drinking establishments in the open container area to provide them with “exclusive custom-designed to-go cups.” The cups feature original artwork by Murphy McRae whom Sanders called “an amazing graphic artist,” with tiny sketches of the participating establishments’ exteriors These cups are optional and “purely for fun,” but are also meant to “help ensure that everyone knows exactly how to enjoy the open container area safely and responsibly,” the release stated  ● No Glass or Aluminum Beverage Containers: Only paper or plastic cups are allowed ● Container Size: The cup must be 20 ounces or less people must be 21 years or older to drink or be served alcoholic beverages ● No-Go Area: The Bulloch County Courthouse and its grounds are not part of the city’s open-container area and drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the courthouse grounds That last point may be important for people to bear in mind during special events such as the city-sponsored Downtown Live concerts when eating and drinking establishments in the area may be serving adult beverages but there’s more of a family atmosphere near the courthouse as was pointed out five years ago when the city “open container exemption zone” ordinance amendment was adopted the Georgia law prohibiting possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle remains in effect in the city’s zone the law against driving under the influence Being a pedestrian under the influence is also a state law violation if a person’s behavior threatens the safety of others or occurs in a roadway also restricts establishments in the zone from selling more than one alcoholic beverage in a to-go cup per person age 21 and up Visit Statesboro  has included the text of the ordinance section on the sipandsoar.com site That site also gives these landmarks for the open container zone’s boundaries: the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority led in advocating for the ordinance amendment’s passage “Their leadership has helped ensure the open-container area enriches downtown’s welcoming atmosphere while preserving a safe Visit Statesboro’s vice president of marketing  “We are thrilled to highlight this unique city ordinance and invite everyone to experience downtown Statesboro in a unique and exciting new way,” he said “The Sip & Soar campaign not only educates our community about the open container area but also supports our local businesses The Southeast Bulloch boys golf team recently captured the 2-AAA area golf championship at the Georgia Southern University golf course Leading the way for the Jackets was senior Bowen Kicklighter who was low medalist with an impressive even par 72  “Bowen is an outstanding young man that has worked very hard to get his game to where it is today,” said coach Nick Cochran “I have either coached him or watched him play since sixth grade and he has been a top golfer every one of those years “The high school went through a coaching change this year and Bowen has showed great leadership and helped everyone get better and work toward the goal of winning state.” was an incredible accomplishment,” Kicklighter said and I’m excited for the opportunity to compete at state “If we stay focused and play our best both days I truly believe we have a strong shot at bringing home our first state championship.” (JMU Athletics) – A three-run fifth inning rally for Georgia Southern knocked off James Madison baseball on Saturday night after a lengthy weather delay at J.I Clements Stadium in Sun Belt Conference action.adButlerLazyLoad("1483179911549387828",100,["688446","688446","688446"],"177034"); The Dukes fell to 14-33 (7-16 SBC) and the Eagles improved to 25-22 (11-12 SBC) senior Coleman Calabrese led the way for the Dukes with a 2-for-4 showing and an RBI Classmate Casey Smith got the start on the mound going 2.1 innings with two strikeouts while giving up two runs A bases loaded walk brought home the first run for Georgia Southern — JMU Athletics —adButlerLazyLoad("898065788493415466",100,["688446","688446","688446"],"177034"); The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple calls Monday morning about a Staunton individual which led to him being unresponsive in-custody Corey Brock Hamman has been charged with 5 counts of bestiality and 3 counts of possession of child pornography The Wayne Gala is the theatre’s largest and most important fundraising event of the year the RHSPCA Pets of the Week sponsored by Bob Wade Subaru Showers and thunderstorm will be possible again today Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again “What if our surroundings could heal us instead of stressing us out?”  and Sustainability at Georgia Southern University is trying to answer through his research on the possibilities and potential inherent in urban spaces His research examines how urban green spaces (parks and natural reserves) and blue spaces (lakes and other water bodies) contribute to mental well-being Using geographic information systems and remote sensing techniques he analyzes the correlation between these natural spaces and mental health trends across major U.S He found a complex relationship between the physical environment and mental health often intersecting with socio-economic factors like median income and education level he says there is enough evidence for urban planners to take note “This research highlights the vital role of urban green and blue spaces in fostering mental health,” said Ipede “Findings from this study reveal that in several cities there’s a drop in the number of mental health issues reinforcing the need for urban planning strategies that integrate natural environments.” “Urban Oases: the Critical Role of Green and Blue Spaces in Mental Wellbeing,” during the 2025 American Association of Geographers annual meeting in Detroit bringing together luminaries from the field from around the world who is earning his master’s in applied geography was thrilled to showcase his work at what he referred to as the “Super Bowl” of spatial science “It’s a global stage where the sharpest minds in geography and environmental research collide,” he said Presenting my research here was a chance to shape the conversation on how geospatial science can revolutionize public health.” He emphasized that this experience was far more than academic It was about having an open dialogue on physical spaces and all the expected and unexpected ways they can be used for the greater good “Seeing professionals from geographers to health experts nod “It wasn’t just about maps and data; it was about how location shapes well-being.” This year’s AAG meeting was just the beginning for Ipede who aspires to use his academic background to promote health and wellness in construction and urban planning While his training in geospatial science is his primary tool the well-being of people is his driving force.  good city planning isn’t just about infrastructure and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Statesboro City Council will hold its first meeting of the month on Tuesday The agenda released Friday fills less than a page and a half The packet with supporting documents extends 63 pages Among the items up for council votes are the third amendment thus far to the city’s fiscal year 2025 budget which ends June 30; a resolution to re-establish the Downtown Statesboro Incentives Program; and a sole-source purchase agreement with a price of $284,836.00 for Lake Sal infrastructure stormwater flood control hardware from OptiRTC Inc. based on the project engineer's recommendation this regularly scheduled meeting will be held in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall on East Main Street The Statesboro Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol marked a year of “excellence and growth” during its Annual Awards Night service and spirit of teamwork” in the unit’s motto: "Rising by Lifting Others." the squadron received three prestigious national-level awards: the Quality Cadet Unit Award the Aerospace Education Achievement Award and the Aerospace Excellence Award The honors recognize the unit's dedication to leadership development academic excellence and commitment to Civil Air Patrol's core missions Both cadet and adult members of the Statesboro Civil Air were recognized for their achievements and promotions Cadet Boswell was promoted to Staff Sergeant after earning the Wright Brothers Award marking a significant milestone in his cadet career adult member Jeremy Schmucker was promoted to Master Sergeant honoring his continued service and leadership within the squadron One of the most distinguished honors of the night was awarded to Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Jackson Wright who was recognized with the American Legion Citizenship Award by Dexter Allen Post 90 The award celebrates cadets who exemplify patriotism and leadership – values deeply rooted in the mission of Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol leadership from across the state attended the Statesboro event including Group Commander Lt Col Mark Knight GAWG Deputy Commander for Georgia South Lt Col Fred Broome and GAWG Deputy Commander for Georgia North Lt Col Shannon Brumfield Their presence underscored the importance of the squadron's achievements and the strength of support from Georgia Wing leadership stating: “Tonight is a celebration of our collective hard work and the exceptional individuals who make this squadron a model of excellence in Civil Air Patrol.” Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development in an auxiliary role as a Total Force partner of the Air Force CAP operates the world’s largest fleet of single-engine aircraft for search and rescue Visit CAP.news or GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information The Southeast Bulloch girl’s golf team recently captured the 2-AAA area golf championship at the Georgia Southern University golf course Leading the way for the Lady Jackets was junior Maylin Swint who was low medalist with an impressive round of 82  “Maylin has consistently been in the top three in her three years at Southeast Bulloch,” said coach Nick Cochran “Maylin has always been able to shine in big moments going back to her days on the SEB middle school golf teams She is the 10th ranked golfer in AAA with an 88 scoring avg on 18 holes and is a really hard worker.” “While winning area was an exciting accomplishment for myself my objective for the day was to contribute to my teams score in order to secure a team area victory,” Swint said I believe our girls team plays every match with that same mentality which makes us a strong contender for a state title.” "Vaudeville: Drafted," one of the show's fabulous emcees receives a draft notice....but not from the military The creative story line is intermingled with fabulous singing dances and comedy sketches chosen and performed by students and can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/GA11899 Bulloch County Schools' Teacher of the Year is hosting a free “Night at the Art Museum” to showcase Southeast Bulloch Middle School's fine arts students and faculty The gala is set for Saturday from 6-8 p.m. which is adjacent to the high school on Brooklet-Denmark Road the public is invited to event along with student families and faculty Gonzales said she has planned a “red-carpet experience.” The Brooklet Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the event which will feature live performances by SEB Middle’s symphonic band and chorus there is a "compliment an artist” station where event guests are asked to share positive comments about works of the student artists The Statesboro City Council will vote Tuesday on the appropriation of funding for cameras at an area apartment complex under the city’s ‘Security Enhancement Incentive Program.’ Envolve LLC submitted an application to the City of Statesboro on April 21 seeking funds for security cameras at the company’s local apartment complex – Morris Heights Apartments The complex is located at 24 Morris Street Captain Jared Akins of the Statesboro Police Department said in a memo to the assistant to the City Manager that Morris Heights Apartments “has seen multiple acts of violence over decades and is a high-level consumer of police services for quality-of-life crimes.” The memo reports that the complex has already installed cameras and tag readers but this plan will cover “a significant extension to that existing system.” The program was established in hopes of helping “owners of multi-family and rental housing units identified in densely populated areas that are rented and not owned and are experiencing relatively high incidences of crime.” The city’s program seeks to provide ‘assistance’ for fences and other barriers to access as well as for security systems and access control systems The city will reimburse the property owner for 50% of the total project cost with a $20,000 cap the system must be kept in operation for at least three years though monitoring expenses are paid entirely by the property owner Additional conditions include 7-day storage minimums for video footage participation in the city’s Fusus Registry for video sharing and HD video quality with night vision capabilities.  It is also required that applicants for the program be in good standing for city property taxes and city utilities.  the City voted to award $17,875 to Stadium Walk for cameras The City set aside $80,000 in ARPA funds for this program when it was created in 2023 Morris Heights has been a hotbed for criminal activity in recent years The recommendation by the Statesboro Police Department is to approve the reimbursement for completion of work by Lockdown Protection LLC.  A quote provided from Lockdown Protection details $13,983.05 for equipment and installation of additional cameras to address building rear areas The city’s program outline and the application documents signed by Envolve LLC stipulate that the reimbursement amount cannot exceed more than 50% of the cost of the project though the city is slated to approve $7,000 for Envolve – which is more than 50% of the project cost The Statesboro City Council will meet Tuesday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. for the regular council meeting. Read the documents She focuses primarily on state and local politics as well as issues in law enforcement and corrections She has a background in Political Science with a focus in local government and has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia Jessica is a "Like It Or Not" contributor for Fox5 in Atlanta and co-creator of the Peabody Award-nominated podcast 'Prison Town.' Sign up for her weekly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gzYAZT Aspen Aerogels will pay $741,000 to the City of Statesboro… This is an informal rundown of the Statesboro City Council… A 17-year-old Statesboro youth faces charges of murder in connection with the Friday night fatal shooting of a 46-year-old man at Park Place Apartments the Statesboro Police Department announced in a press release Saturday morning of University Pointe Apartments on Harvey Drive was arrested Saturday morning at the Avenue at Southern on Georgia Avenue aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime He is being held at the Bulloch County Jail without bond awaiting further court action Statesboro police officers responded to Park Place on Lanier Drive at approximately 8:30 p.m Friday "in reference to an altercation involving firearms," the press release says Responding officers at the scene made multiple arrests several people ran across Veterans Memorial Parkway into a nearby field Bulloch County Coroner Jake Futch said Friday night that he was called to East Georgia Regional Medical Center in response to a victim with a gunshot wound in the chest Georgia Southern University Police and Georgia State Patrol responded to the scene Friday night Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact the police department's Investigations Bureau at the Statesboro Police Department at (912) 764-9911 Anonymous tips may be submitted to www.tipsoft.com or by sending a text message beginning with "TIPSSPD" to 274637 (CRIMES)                Bulloch County Coronor Jake Futch confirmed two people died Friday night as a result of gunshot wounds but police have not yet confirmed if the deaths are being investigated as homicides       Officers from the Statesboro Police Department and the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance at an apartment complex on the 200 block of South Mulberry Street in Statesboro shortly after 8 p.m More than 10 law enforcement vehicles arrived on the scene as dozens of visibly upset neighbors gathered at their doors and in the streets         Futch said a male and female were both shot and died as a result of their wounds He said one victim died at the scene and the other at East Georgia Regional Medical Center       Police at the scene would only say they are conducting a death investigation       Come back to statesboroherald.com as more details become available As Bulloch County Sheriff’s investigators continue to search for a suspect who fled after a 10-mile chase Tuesday night Sheriff Noel Brown asks residents to be aware and report any suspicious activity or persons they may see After an hours-long chase following a call about a suspected burglary was captured after being forced to stop on a dead-end road but the identity of the passenger who fled is not yet known deputies were called to Cliponreka Road near Old River Road where a man called to report a possible burglary of a vacant home Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputy William Sims and Deputy Clint Campbell saw a white SUV pulling a trailer and gave pursuit in an effort to stop the driver whose driver was later determined to be Little fled at high rate of speed for over 10 miles “The driver was very reckless while fleeing and put many lives at risk of injury during pursuit,” he said Little was taken into custody but the passenger ran resulting in a search that involved the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit (helicopter) Reidsville State Prison K9 units and a certified tracking bloodhound owned by Statesboro resident Michael Duncan The search centered around the Old River Road area between Lakeview and Rocky Ford roads Little is charged with second degree felony burglary; fleeing and attempt to elude; possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; drugs not in original container; reckless driving; aggressive driving; stop sign violation; failure to maintain lane; speeding criminal trespass and a host of other traffic violations The search was called off early Wednesday morning but resumed late Wednesday with deputies patrolling the area Brown asked residents to “remain vigilant and if anyone sees suspicious activity Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office Investigative unit (912) 764-1744 or Hutchens at 764-1787 Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912)489-9414 Seven juvenile Bulloch Country Schools students were arrested and a school bus driver faces child cruelty charges after a physical attack occurred on his bus route according to a release from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office The release states that Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Deputy Julian Carter Brown who is assigned to the William James Middle School received a report on April 23 of an attack on a child during the morning bus route of April 18 the Sheriff’s Office SRO division opened a criminal investigation into the incident “During this investigation it was determined that seven students initiated a physical attack on 7-year-old student during (the April 18) morning bus route to Mattie Lively Elementary,” the release stated It was determined the attack occurred while the bus was traveling on Highway 301 North After reviewing the video footage from the bus camera the seven students were identified and charged with battery and have been suspended from their respective schools The information about the arrests of the juveniles will be forwarded to the Department of Juvenile Justice for further court proceedings the investigation determined that the bus driver has been charged with cruelty to children 2nd degree and failure to report child abuse Jackson did not report the incident to school officials director of Public Relations for the school district said Jackson was dismissed by the Board of Education on April 25 “School buses and bus stops are extensions of the classroom,” Greene wrote in the statement students are expected to behave and follow all school and bus rules and the district’s Student Code of Conduct while they use bus transportation services “While federal privacy laws prevent the school district from disclosing specific information about how students are disciplined in the school setting please know that district leaders are working closely with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps in accordance with district policies.” The incident remains under active investigation The Sheriff’s Office requests that anyone with information about the incident to contact Sgt Visit Statesboro has announced the launch of its new “Sip & Soar” campaign a creative initiative designed to shine a light on a lesser-known city ordinance that designates an open container area in downtown Statesboro Visit Statesboro is excited to announce the launch of its new “Sip & Soar” campaign its unique benefits have largely remained under the radar until now which directs users to a dedicated webpage with all the details of the program Campaign Details & Key Rules of the Area While the use of these cups is entirely optional and purely for fun knows exactly how to enjoy the open container area safely and responsibly No Glass Beverage Containers: Only paper or plastic cups are allowed Container Size: The cup must be 20 ounces or less Age Requirement: Participants must be 21 years or older No-Go Area: Please note that the Bulloch County Courthouse property is not part of the open container area the webpage provides an up-to-date map of the area a list of establishments within the footprint and detailed information about the city ordinance there are some quick landmark tips to the North the landing page includes the full text of the ordinance (City Ordinance Section 6-17 K) Licensed establishments may sell alcoholic beverages in paper or plastic cups for off-premise consumption with a maximum of one beverage per person (21+ years) The alcoholic beverage dispensed cannot exceed 20 fluid ounces The exemption applies during the designated operating hours and up to the time allowed for establishments to clear their patrons A Celebration of Community & Partnership “We’d like to extend our gratitude to the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority for their instrumental role in advocating for this ordinance,” said Becky Sanders “We are thrilled to highlight this unique city ordinance and invite everyone to experience downtown Statesboro in a unique and exciting new way,” said Justin Samples Vice President of Marketing at Visit Statesboro Visit Statesboro is the official destination marketing organization for Statesboro and Bulloch County Dedicated to promoting local tourism and supporting community businesses Visit Statesboro brings engaging campaigns and strategic initiatives to life showcasing the best that the city and county have to offer Feed the Boro’s next Food Drop event will be held Saturday Statesboro’s Downtown Live Concert Series will feature Liquid Pleasure this Thursday let’s get excited about a new freshwater fish state record Statesboro’s Downtown Live Concert Series will feature Fantasy Band this Thursday STATESBORO, GA. — She was Savannah’s “Lady of 6,000 Songs,” a nickname given to her by legendary lyricist Johnny Mercer. Emma Thompson Kelly performed weekly at Hard-Hearted Hannah’s above Savannah’s Pirate’s House I worked for The Savannah Morning News at the time Twenty-four years later, I finally made a return trip to Statesboro — once again from Savannah, where I was doing a seminar on global trends in discipleship for the Parkway Church of Christ. As I pulled off Interstate 16 and headed into town, I cranked up a piece by another Georgia songwriter, Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues,” recorded live by my hometown boys, Macon, Ga.’s own Allman Brothers The fellowship hall of the Statesboro Church of Christ in southeast Georgia The pews of the Statesboro Church of Christ I found the meeting place of the Statesboro Church of Christ — a gorgeous white-columned and steepled building with a recently constructed annex and fellowship hall (I expected the traditional A-frame of the Southside Church of Christ in Macon.) The church got its pews from an old synagogue Along the pew backs were something I’d never seen in Churches of Christ — seat numbers Between 30 and 40 folks worship with the church most Sundays. That’s about half of the pre-pandemic attendance, said minister Larry Sheehy. He and his wife, Carol, treated me to lunch. I had met their son, Dale, a few weeks earlier at the Challenge Youth Conference in Texas. Dale is the youth and family minister for the Lake Shore Drive Church of Christ in Waco I had a great time with Larry and Carol talking about mutual friends who knew the Sheehys when they all lived in Jackson John resides in Oklahoma now and preaches for my congregation Carol and Larry Sheehy with Erik Tryggestad in Statesboro The Statesboro church meets not too far from the campus of Georgia Southern University Chad Lunsford served as head football coach for the Georgia Southern Eagles from 2018 to 2021 Tippy (who also grew up in the pews of the Southside church in Macon) got to know the Sheehys during their time in Statesboro Chad Lunsford recently became special teams coordinator for Auburn the aging Church of Christ finds it difficult to attract students and families with young children I know that’s a problem across the nation right now but there’s just so much potential in Statesboro The tourism bureau even dubbed it “A Place of Southern Possibility.” I’d love to see a young family commit to campus ministry here “Statesboro Blues” need not be the one we sing A weather-worn sign invites the people of Statesboro to worship with the Church of Christ ERIK TRYGGESTAD is President and CEO of The Christian Chronicle. Contact [email protected], and follow him on X @eriktryggestad Subscribe today to receive more inspiring articles like this one delivered straight to your inbox twice a month Your donation helps us not only keep our quality of journalism high but helps us continue to reach more people in the Churches of Christ community {amount} donation plus {fee_amount} to help cover fees A Twin City man faces charges of terroristic threats and acts after an investigation found he made a bomb threat at the Briggs & Stratton manufacturing facility on Wednesday Todd Hutchens said Briggs & Stratton in the Gateway Industrial Park off Highway 301 South has had three bomb threats since January – January 29 “We have been able to identify the person responsible for the second bomb threat Jordan has been arrested today at the Briggs and Stratton plant In addition to the three bomb threats in 2025 a threat was called into the Briggs plant on Dec Hutchens said investigators are looking to see if Jordan is responsible for any of the other threats “We will continue to try to find out who is doing this because it's very disruptive,” Hutchens said “Nobody goes back in that whole building until it is totally cleared by dogs (trained to find explosives) So upon initial response to the time we clear the place is probably a half a day “We were out there at least four to five hours yesterday the HR folks at the plants evacuate the place and then everybody just has to hang out until we can clear the place to make sure The Statesboro Briggs plant is a big manufacturer of small engines the factory has built more than 25 million engines I had it planted by someone who knew what he was doing It was his suggestion that the tree be planted outside one of the windows where it would eventually provide some relief from the western sun that turns the living room into a reasonable facsimile of a sauna My professional picked a spot between the chimney and the bay window in the kitchen –  a little nook He dug the hole according to the guidelines known by every subscriber to Southern Living (“three times wider than the root ball He then patted the soil gently and gave the tree its first bath I have failed at a number of horticultural efforts over the years – the camellia and multiple hydrangeas – but something about the crepe myrtle made me optimistic And the chances that I would forget to water something that I saw every time I passed the window were pretty low The crepe myrtle survived the summer heat and almost total neglect as I directed all my attention to the sudden illness that would take my father 37 days after diagnosis Withstanding a near-drowning from Tropical Storm Debbie and Hurricane Helene dropping with a languid sigh the one leaf it had managed to produce It trembled in the cold stiff winds of winter and bore up under four inches of unexpected snow When green finally begin its creep across the landscape I kept waiting for the little crepe myrtle to at least gasp its way into producing some evidence of life Day after day I stared through the window at a bare tree  Had I really expected this latest attempt at gardening to result in spectacular success I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath something about wasted money and “never again” and I let it go I noticed the way the late afternoon light was falling in soft puddles on the wood floor and stopped to watch it shimmer like the surface of a pond beneath a gentle wind I took a deep breath and turned to look at what I knew would be a subtle And that is when I saw it – the crepe myrtle covered in fat buds and bright green leaves bouncing in the breeze I stood there with my hands on my hips frustrated with Not the first time I had feigned disinterest or claimed detachment when I stood on the edge of letdown I had lived enough moments just like that one to know that if I chose to stand there long enough stare into shimmering light at the horizon for a few more seconds I would experience the magic that is believing Amusements of America is bringing the 2025 Spring Carnival to the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds this week Amusements of America is the same vendor that provides the rides for the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair each year The annual National Day of Prayer was held Thursday at the Bulloch County Courthouse It was the 25th year that area Christians participated in the National Day of Prayer in Statesboro The theme for 2025 was “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled!" from the scripture found in Romans 15:13 that reads: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Rotary Club of Statesboro awarded 20 high school seniors from Bulloch County the club’s “2025 Service Above Self Scholarship.”  The recipients each spoke briefly about their college choices and possible career plans Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship their high schools and their chosen colleges are:  All campuses will move to remote operations on Tuesday (1/21) and Wednesday (1/22) due to potential winter weather Alert Center we’re proud to support not only great food and service on campus—but also the amazing growth and professional development of our team members One of our own Graduate Assistants recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Women in Football: Be Inspired Conference in London Thanks to the Women in Football organization and a $625 grant from Georgia Southern’s Graduate Student Organization (GSO) she was able to attend one of the world’s most dynamic gatherings for women in the football (soccer) industry The conference was filled with inspiring conversations and powerful networking moments that left a lasting impression “This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from experts and professionals in the European football-dominated industry I’m incredibly thankful for the support I received to make this happen.” The Be Inspired Conference featured a range of breakout sessions where attendees—especially aspiring female professionals—connected with one another and explored the unique challenges and opportunities within the global football landscape Among the standout speakers was Emma Hayes Women’s National Team and former Chelsea Women’s head coach who brought a powerful coaching perspective to the conversation on gender equality in football who shared the phenomenal economic growth and vision of the National Women’s Soccer League in the U.S “Women’s soccer is growing around the world and is an area that should be invested in and insights I heard at the conference will shape how I approach any future role in sports.” Through conversations with British professionals she gained new insight into how women’s football differs between the U.S and the UK and explored topics like increased commercialization the environment for females in the football industry and was able to make professional connections and friendships that I’ll carry with me.” We’re beyond proud of our Graduate Assistant’s ambition and growth—and thrilled to see the broader impact of the support we offer here at Georgia Southern Stay tuned for more highlights of our incredible team and their experiences on and off campus Posted in Staff Spotlight Eagle Dining Services • 97 Georgia Avenue, Building 465 • Phone: 912-478-1431 Fax: 912-478-1434 • eagledining@georgiasouthern.edu Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInSTATESBORO (WTOC) - Complaints from concerned parents over possible child abuse has led to active investigations by multiple agencies into a Statesboro daycare called Eagles Nest Learning Center Both the Statesboro Police Department and Department of Active Care and Learning have confirmed that they are currently investigating the parents' claims of abuse this same daycare was under investigation after multiple children claimed they were violently disciplined “on a regular basis with a yardstick and or a ruler.” On March 3rd another complaint was filed by concerned parents and then again Statesboro officers would not confirm what acts of abuse were allegedly committed as part of the investigation officers say they are waiting on pending forensic evidence from the crime lab to help determine what will come next in this case WTOC did reach out to the Eagle Nest Staff for comment and are still awaiting response This is still an ongoing investigation as no arrests have been made Explore a college town with a personality all its own Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images Hillary Kladke/Getty Images (WTOC) - Statesboro Police are trying to find a killer who’s on the run as Statesboro High School ramps up security Police say a deadly shooting Tuesday night involved students at the school Police say a shooting at Pinewood Manor apartment complex left one teenager dead and two others injured with gunshot wounds The suspect took off before officers arrived Investigators say the gunshots stemmed from a personal dispute between the teens who had previously agreed to fight The Bulloch County School Board and police department assigned extra law enforcement officers to Statesboro High School out of caution we’re there not only to make them feel better about that they are there comes through the student body that we need to know about,” said Statesboro Police Department Captain Jared Akins Bulloch County School administrators tell WTOC they will keep extra security on Statesboro High School’s campus the rest of the week for extra security for the students at this time some decided to rally together in downtown Statesboro They told WTOC that they are trying to raise awareness about violence involving teens in the community This is something they say is becoming too common “I know the kid that it happened to and us standing up here just solidified that our hearts go out to them this has to not only happen when stuff like this happens but we need to make it happen all the time We need to make our presence known all the time We are just not going to tolerate this in our city,” said community activist Stick with WTOC as we learn the latest on this investigation (WTOC) - The Averitt Center for the Arts in Statesboro is beginning what could be a new Statesboro tradition this weekend with the city’s first big arts festival The festival’s organizers say it is a testament to the growing art community they have been trying to establish in Statesboro for years “I’m really excited it’s here because we’ve been planning it for a year and a half,” said Kimberly Riner they selected over 40 professional artists to participate and show their work through a selective art Jury The artists selected are both local and from around the country “I drove eight hours in last night from Texas,” said Heidi Atkinson Riner says with it being the festival’s first year they cannot estimate the turnout from the community there’s no guarantee of sales,” said Riner We have over 5,000 dollars in awards for the artists in different categories like best in show.” The artists say art festivals like these is what keeps their profession alive “I’m a disabled veteran and so this is how I make my living and I travel from art show to art show,” said Childers “It’s really the only way to get your work seen unless you’re in a gallery,” said Atkinson “Even when you are in a gallery you are in one or two galleries you get your work in front of a lot of people this way.” The Statesboro Arts Festival will take place 10 a.m Sunday at the Visit Statesboro Center downtown (WTOC) - Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar has issued a local state of emergency in anticipation of winter weather impacts on the City of Statesboro The city announced the declaration Monday just before 5:30 p.m The decision comes after the city of Statesboro decided to take action for the protection of the health and welfare of the citizens of the City of Statesboro and to prevent or minimize injury to people and damage to property resulting from this storm The state of emergency lasts until January 24 Officials are asking all residents and visitors to stay off roads for nonessential travel in the case of snow and ice Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of freezing temperatures and winter weather expected to impact Georgia The State of Emergency is a precaution which authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts The State of Emergency is set to run through next Tuesday For more information on warming shelters and school closures click below: