Thursday, April 9, 2026
Good morning!
We have details on homeownership opportunities in Bryan and key facts to know about the Brunswick police’s new mental health professional.
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Let’s celebrate!
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CHATHAM COUNTY
China- US Relations: The Savannah Council on World Affairs will host a presentation “Xi Jinping, the New Era of Geopolitics and US-China Relations” with presenter Dan Blumenthal. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Coastal Georgia Center, Savannah. Blumenthal is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on East Asian security. He has advised the US government on China issues for more than a decade. $20 for non-members; students, active military, free.
The Librarians Screening: Kick off National Library Week with a screening of “The Librarians” at 3 p.m on Saturday, April 18, at Southwest Chatham Library. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.) Following the film, Live Oak Public Librari Executive Director Lola DeWitt will converse with Nate Coulter of the Central Arkansas Library System. This event is free and open to the public.
Savannah CLC Fish Fry: The Savannah Regional Central Labor Council is hosting its annual fish fry from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, April 11, at 1520 Old Dean Forest Road. A live DJ will be on-site with music, and BBQ chicken and fried fish will be served. For $8, you can get an all-you-can-eat ticket; for ages 5-12, it’s $6, and kids 4 and under eat for free. You can purchase tickets here.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Wood Stork Birding Fest: Join the flock for the Wood Stork Birding Fest, happening 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at St. Marys Middle School, 205 Martha Drive, St. Marys. Sponsored by the school Bird Club and Camden County Audubon Society. Featuring Georgia Southern University’s popular Birds of Prey Show; experts on birds, wildlife, beekeeping, and gardening; free games and crafts; vendor and information booths; and food trucks. Guided bird walks 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free for all ages!
Fire department open house: Join the St. Marys Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday at 201 N. Dandy St for an open house at the fire department. It will feature demonstrations on fire safety, an opportunity to explore equipment, and fire truck tours.
BRYAN COUNTY
Homeownership Opportunity: The City of Pembroke is offering a chance through the Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) to help families buy new homes at below-market prices with up to $40,000 in buyer subsidies. Highlights of the program include new homes currently under construction with minimum down payments as low as $1,000. Additional benefits include a subsidy with no payments due, which is forgivable over time. The program targets households earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income. Public information meetings will be held at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20, at 353 N. Main St, Pembroke.
Suicide Prevention Talk for Youth: A suicide prevention event will be held by the Bryan County Family Connection and The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, at 185 Ballpark Road. This free event for youth will provide tools to help recognize warning signs and support friends. You can register here.
GLYNN COUNTY
Brunswick Police hires a clinician: The City of Brunswick Police Department has established a part-time clinician position that will be filled by Janel Holland, LCSW, ACS, CCTP II, a longtime Brunswick resident with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. The role will collaborate with field officers to provide professional mental health expertise on select calls. The clinician will conduct on-scene assessments, assist with de-escalation, provide crisis intervention, connect individuals and families with appropriate community mental health resources and follow-up services, and follow up. The role also includes training and educational support for police personnel on mental health.
Love where you live: In partnership with UGA Marine Extension, Georgia Sea Grant, and Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, the City of Brunswick is launching a new community campaign. The campaign called “Love Where You Live” will showcase green infrastructure projects installed in public spaces to reduce stormwater pollution and flooding. It also features newly installed self-service litter cleanup stations that empower residents to help prevent debris from reaching Brunswick’s coastal waterways.
Headmasters open house tours: The Selden Park Advisory Committee will offer free open house tours of the Selden Park Headmasters House each month, starting this month on the third Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is encouraged to come and learn about the historic school that served as a place of higher education for Black students during Reconstruction. The tours are scheduled to continue through October, and tours by appointment are available by calling the Selden Park office at (912)-279-2800.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Sheriff’s Scholarship Essay: High school seniors: Start drafting your scholarship essay now for Sheriff William Bowman’s 2026 Senior Scholarship Essay Contest! $1,000 winner, $500 runner-up. Topic: What positive relationships between youth and law enforcement benefit the community by fostering mutual understanding? Submit 1000-1500 words, double-spaced, due April 10 by 11:59 p.m. by e-mail to phillip.bohannon@libertycountyga.gov or natalie.lopez@libertycountyga.gov.
Taylor Freedom Park Reopens: Join local leaders and invited guests as they cut the ribbon at 10 a.m., Monday, April 13, on the newly-renovated Susie King Taylor Freedom Park at Jones Creek, 2059 Isle of Wight Road in Midway. In 1862, Taylor escaped slavery at age 13, rowing herself and relatives to freedom down Jones Creek to the Atlantic. The annual Susie King Taylor Escape to Freedom Program is now a stop on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Spring into Wellness: The McIntosh County Family Connection, in partnership with the McIntosh County Health Department, will host a free family health-and-resilience event. There will be free giveaways, including diapers, pull-ups, wipes, and books. Kids will enjoy the inflatable water slide and bike rodeo, featuring obstacle courses and safety tips for riding. Free bike helmets and bike lights will also be available. Residents can also get free blood pressure checks, blood glucose screenings, and GoMo Health registration (with a chance to win a $100 gift card). Keep McIntosh Beautiful will provide biodegradable pots, flower seeds, and soil. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at the McIntosh County Recreation Department Gym.
Native Plant Sale: From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Ashantilly, 15591 Highway 99, Darien, Coastal Wildscapes will host a native plant sale. Vendors include Florabundance Gardens, All the Buzz, Naturescapes, and the Georgia Native Plant Society, Coastal Plain and Maritime Chapters.
Second Saturday: Second Saturday will be happening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 11, in downtown Darien. Numerous local vendors will be featured, from Freda’s Treasures to Little Greenhouse.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
25-year plan in the works: Join the City of Rincon from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. next Thursday, April 16, at Macomber Park for the kickoff meeting for the 25-year master plan. This plan will guide growth, development, parks, recreation, housing, transportation and infrastructure.
Coastal Empire Sports Festival: The Rincon Recreation Department will hold the Coastal Empire Sports Festival. This regional event will bring together local athletes, coaches, teams, and fans for a full day of competition. From Olympic lifts to martial arts, the festival showcases the incredible talent and dedication found throughout the Coastal Empire. The event will be held this Saturday, April 11, at the Effingham County High School. Spectator pricing is $20 at the gate, or get an Early Bird VIP ticket for $30. 100% of the proceeds fund the Rincon Recreation Department. You can sign up here.
ALONG THE COAST
Get help filing taxes: Several local groups are offering free confidential tax help from IRS-certified volunteers between now and April 15, particularly for people with low to moderate income. These include Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority (Bryan, Camden, Glynn, Liberty), United Way of the Coastal Empire (dial 2-1-1 for your closest VITA location), and Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) in metro Savannah. Servicios en español disponsible.
Flu shots available: Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties now offer updated 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Supplies are limited in some locations as vaccine shipments continue to arrive. Call your local health department to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. A yearly flu vaccine is the best way to prevent serious flu-related illness for everyone age 6 months and older. Costs are typically covered by insurance, and health departments accept many health insurance plans, and low-cost options for those without health insurance coverage. Information at coastalhealthdistrict.org/flu.
COVID shots available: The health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties are offering the Pfizer brand of COVID vaccine without a prescription, the Coastal Health District announced.
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Stevens, wife charged with felony child abuse
By Robin Kemp
Stevens told The Current GA he could not comment on the charges, citing the ongoing investigation, and that no date had been set as of Saturday for his next court appearance.
Sapelo civil rights case against McIntosh dismissed
By Mary Landers
A Superior Court judge dismissed a civil rights lawsuit related to the rezoning of Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island, but the result of the January referendum in which residents voted overwhelmingly to revoke zoning that allowed larger homes on Sapelo remains unchanged.
Savannah Tribune publisher gets lifetime award from Spelman
By Margaret Coker
Shirley James, the publisher of one of America’s oldest African-American owned newspapers, will receive an honorary degree this week from Spelman College, her alma mater, in recognition for her lifetime of achievement both as an educator and community leader in Savannah.
Volunteers round up box turtles on Tybee
By Mary Landers
A group of volunteers, led by Dr. Lesley Mailler and Jordan Gray, rescued five box turtles from a wooded patch of land on Tybee Island before heavy equipment was scheduled to remove the top layer of soil for the construction of Solomon Park.
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