Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Good morning!
Rabid raccoons, hands-on historic crafts, and property tax breaks are among the haul in this week’s Cast Net. Got an upcoming event? Give us a heads-up!
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Ossabaw mansion talk: What does it take to restore a historic mansion? Find out this evening, Jan. 22, as Ossabaw Island Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth DuBose presents a lecture on “Torrey Home Turns 100: Rehabilitating a ‘Southern Palace’ on Ossabaw Island.” Reception 5 p.m., lecture 6 p.m. at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Center, 13040 Abercorn Drive, Savannah.
Free family fun: All ages are invited to try printmaking, embroidery, and other crafts, plus watch wood turning and other craft demonstrations as Davenport House Museum celebrates Savannah’s historic trades. Join the fun this 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 324 E. State St. on Columbia Square, Savannah. Free admission.
Support for moms: From 3 p.m to 6 p.m., today, Jan, 22, Chatham County Health Department invites mothers and families to Midtown Clinic, 1602 Drayton St., for Nurturing the Nest: A Day to Celebrate Maternal Health. Snacks, raffle prizes, incentives and information, access to a diaper and wipes locker from Over the Moon Diaper Bank, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, women’s health resources, children’s services, STD prevention, incentives, and more. Free.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Thiokol Benefit Dinner: The Thiokol Memorial Project hosts its Commemoration Benefit Dinner, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Camden County Public Service Authority, 1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland. Relax to the music of Michael Hulett while dining on steak, salad, baked potato, dessert, and tea. $40 benefits the Call (912) 576-1760 or email thiokolmemorial020371@gmail.com for tickets.
BRYAN COUNTY
Bryan County’s free disposal day: Bryan County hosts a free disposal day this from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, or when locations hit capacity. Bryan County residents can drop off disposables at Mill Creek Landfill, 7392 U.S. Hwy. 280, Ellabell, or Fort McAllister Landfill, 184 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill. Absolutely no commercial dumping. Get there early if possible.
GLYNN COUNTY
CERT training available: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes are now available to the public through Glynn County EMA. The classes are free and focus on disaster preparedness. The 8-week course runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting February 2 at the Harold Pate Building, Room 224, 1725 Reynolds St.
Buy a book: Friends of the Brunswick-Glynn County Library are holding their annual book sale. Today, Thursday, Jan. 22 and Friday, Jan. 23, you can browse and buy books, CDs, and DVDs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., pay $5 for a bag and load up on literature at the All Day Bag Sale. Credit card minimum charge is $10. Proceeds support the library and its programs.
Coastal Outreach Soccer Registration open: Spring registration for girls ages 4 to 17 is now open. The training sites include Glynnvilla, Perry Park, and McIntyre Court. For more information or to register, you can call (912) 266-1491, email cos-admin@hotmail.com, or visit the website at this link.
HEAT grant: The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety announced that the Glynn County Police Department is one of 26 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) grant for Federal Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on Oct. 1, 2025, and ends on Sept. 30, 2026. GCPD’s award totals $377,221, including $232,425 for the purchase of 3 new vehicles.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Stop Bullying: This Friday, Jan. 23, Liberty County Schools invites students, teachers, and community members to wear orange for Stop Bullying Unity Day. Show your support for people who have the courage to stand up against bullying and to encourage people who bully to seek help. Kindness helps everyone.
Car seat check: Is your child’s car seat safe? Find out from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 23, at Hinesville Fire Department Station 1, 308 S. Commerce St., Hinesville. Get your car seat inspected, checked for recalls and your child’s fit, and learn safe installation from certified Child Safety Seat Technicians. Event in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Questions? Call Carol Irvin, (912) 294-4353.
Summer Junior Ranger Camp: Pre-register now for Junior Ranger Camp at Fort Morris Historic Site, happening June 1-4. Kids ages 7 through 12 will join site staff to explore natural and historical resources around the site and the State of Georgia. Pay games, learn crafts, and pursue outdoor activities to earn an official Junior Ranger badge. Space is limited; reservations required. Cost: $125. Call (912) 884-5999. See all Junior Ranger events at Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Vendor signup: Now through March 27, vendors can sign up for the McIntosh County Spring into Wellness Community Health Event, sponsored by the McIntosh County Health Department. The fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, April 11, at the McIntosh County Recreation Department, 402 Pack St., Darien. Contact Brooke Deverger, (912) 832-5473 or brooke.deverger@dph.ga.gov with questions.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Diabetes support group: The Coastal Health District and Effingham YMCA are launching a Diabetes Support Goup for adults 18 and up living with diabetes, starting 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive, Rincon. Sessions feature diabetes education and guest speakers, and are open to the public. Diabetes is a deadly condition where the body can’t make (Type 1) or properly use (Type 2) insulin. Diet and exercise may prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. Find a diabetes program near you.
ALONG THE COAST
Apply for property tax break: Want to save on next year’s property tax bill? ‘Tis the season to check whether you’re eligible for new exemptions with your county tax assessor’s office. You must apply by April 1 this year to get that tax break next year. If you’re turning 62 or 65, became disabled, or plan to retire, you may get more exemptions. Call or visit your tax assessor’s office in Chatham, Camden, Bryan, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, or Effingham to determine your best scenario.
Rabies alert: An Ellabell dog with a current rabies vaccination killed one rabid raccoon, while a family visiting Jekyll Island saw another and reported it to conservation authorities. Some adults in the Jekyll capture were exposed to saliva. Rabies kills humans in days. Vaccinate pets and watch for animals staggering, paralyzed, biting, showing aggression, or foaming at the mouth. Do not pet, feed, or rescue wild animals. If bitten, call 911, then your county animal services and health departments.
Cumberland Island impacts: Public comments on proposed changes to the National Park Services Visitor Use Management Plan for Cumberland Island National Seashore are due by Feb. 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time). The 264-page proposal would more than double the number of visitors to Cumberland Island (700, up from 300), establish new camp sites, and add retail sales on the island, among other things.
Cast Net features nuggets from Coastal Georgia that we hope you’ll find interesting, fun or useful. All that said, we’ll need to hear from you to make sure we’re on the right track.
We’re always working to make sure our newsletters are as useful as they can be, and we’ll be experimenting over the next few months in this Thursday space.
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Photos from Savannah 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Parade
By Justin Taylor
Hundreds of groups marched through downtown Savannah on January 19, 2026, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, despite the freezing temperatures.
Results: McIntosh County zoning vote
By Mary Landers
Voters repeal Sapelo rezoning by 5 to 1 margin in special election the county tried to thwart in court.
McIntosh legal fees top half a million dollars on Sapelo rezoning issues
By Mary Landers
McIntosh County has spent over $500,000 defending its 2023 rezoning of Hogg Hummock, a Gullah Geechee community on Sapelo Island, which is the subject of a referendum to repeal the ordinance that allowed larger houses to be built in the area.
Georgia candidates pitch zero state income tax. How would it work?
By Maggie Lee
Getting rid of state income tax in Georgia is an attractive enough idea that someone pushes a Florida- or Tennessee-style tax policy every few years. But the idea might not be feasible, much less fair, in the eyes of Georgia policymakers.
Kemp recommends state funds for SNAP after federal cutbacks
By Maggie Lee
Georgia’s Republican governor moves to backfill millions in SNAP funds, after President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill shifted costs from Washington to states.
Brunswick community unites for neighborhood cleanup on MLK Day of Service
By Jabari Gibbs and Sarah Harwell
On January 17, A Better Glynn hosted its third annual MLK Day of Service in Brunswick, where volunteers assisted with tasks such as sorting donations and mulching playgrounds to make the area safer for children.
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