Thursday, March 19, 2026
Good morning!
We’ve cast our net far and wide and brought back stained glass, ways to save money, and plenty of festival fun along Coastal Georgia this week!
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Bird survey: Up and at ‘em, early birds! From 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. today, Thursday, March 19, on Tybee Island’s North Beach, you can join the Ogeechee Audubon Society’s International Bird Survey. Mark Woodruff leads this moderate 2-mile walk. be prepared to pay for parking with the Park TYB app. Meet at the end of Polk Street (if you park on the north end, walk north on the beach past the jetty and around the point to Polk St.)
Home repair assistance: The City of Savannah is offering up to $2,000 in repair grants and up to $15,000 in low‑interest loans for qualifying homeowners. For details or help applying, contact 912‑651‑6926 or HomeRepair@SavannahGA.gov.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Free cat spay/neuter, vaccinations: You can get your cat spayed or neutered and vaccinated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Norwood Spay and Neuter Center and Community Clinic, 6817 Norwood Ave. in Jacksonville, FL. Make appointments at 904-425-0005. Camden County residency required.
Breakfast with the bunny: Kids can share breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 28, at VFW Post 8385, 150 Camden Pkwy. in Kingsland. Children 14 and younger eat free. All others, $5. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, and your choice of bacon and sausage are on the menu.
Makers market: Southeast Georgia Quilter’s Guild Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Camden County PSA Recreation Center, 1030 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland.
BRYAN COUNTY
Citizens tackle growth: A new citizens’ group, the Coastal Development Advisory Coalition, has formed in Bryan County but invites members from other coastal counties to join. Members investigate proposed development projects and discuss ways to protect local quality of life. Next meeting is 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, at Snazzy’s, 4300 U.S. 17, Richmond Hill. Contact Interim President Bob Hovansian through the group’s Facebook page for more information.
Pembroke clinic renovations: The Bryan County Health Department’s Pembroke Clinic and Environmental Health Office are temporarily closed for renovations. Spokeswoman Ginger Heidel says a broken water pipe caused extensive damage and that renovations should be done about the first week of April. For services in the interim, call the Bryan County Health Department’s Richmond Hill Clinic, 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Dr., at 912-756-2611 or the Environmental Health Office at 912-756-2636.
GLYNN COUNTY
Glynn County citizens academy: Glynn County is launching its first-ever Citizens Academy, a free, 10-week interactive program designed to give residents an inside look at how their local government operates. The academy will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., every Wednesday from April 8 through June 17, in Room 224 at the Harold Pate Building, 1725 Reynolds St., Brunswick. Select off-site tours include the Public Safety Complex, Public Works, and St. Simons Casino. Dinner provided at each session. Space is limited to 30 participants.
CoastFest: Dive into Georgia’s coastal heritage at CoastFest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 21, at Mary Ross Waterfront Park, 100 F Street, Brunswick. Check out the ArtFest winners, get your hands into exhibits about coastal ecosystems and marine life, learn about conservation, watch live birds of prey demonstrations, and check out dozens of exhibitors, food trucks, and live music! Free admission, all ages. T-shirts $15. Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Hasbro celebration: Hasbro’s new warehouse is holding a Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 18, at 122 Dorchester Village Rd., Midway. Come out for food, drinks, family-friendly fun,, games, and photos with Hasbro characters.
Sensory St. Pat’s: Looking for fidget-friendly crafts? From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, drop by the Live Oak Public Library’s Midway-Riceboro Branch Flex Room, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway. Take part in St. Patrick’s shenanigans by making and decorating clover-shaped pop-it fidget toys.
Help every kid play: Raise money for inclusive playgrounds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 20, at the Historic Liberty County Jail, 302 S. Main St., Hinesville. The Kiwanis Club of Liberty County’s celebrity Jail ‘n’ Bail promises food, fun, and photo ops. Inmates include Charm Reed, Mitch Boston, Cameron Riles, Staci Chapman, Derek Rozier, Corey Bates, Jay Patel, Kevin Bechert, and Terranova “Smitty” Smith. Help them make their $1,000 bail via CashApp or Venmo. All proceeds benefit special needs kids in the community.
Miss Midway: Want to be a princess? You have until 5 p.m. Friday, March 20, to apply for the Miss Midway Pageant at Midway City Hall, 41 Charlie Butler Rd. Girls ages 11 to 17 are invited to “step into the spotlight, celebrate your confidence, and show the world your true beauty” in this annual event. Call 912-884-3344 for more information.
Help register voters: Sign up by 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, at Liberty County Elections and Registration, 100 Main Street, Suite 1600, Hinesville for a one-hour workshop on Monday, April 6 to learn how to register people to vote. The workshop will take place 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, at the Historic Liberty County Courthouse, 100 Main St., Hinesville, in the Multipurpose Room. To register or for more information, contact Elections and Registration Voter Outreach Coordinator Tirae Stevens, 912-876-3310 or elections@libertycountyga.gov.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Free screenings: The 912 Diabetes Initiative, a project of the Talki Foundation, will provide free diabetes education and blood glucose screenings at its monthly support group meetings. Meetings are open to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., first Thursdays, McIntosh County Health Department, 1335 Ga. 57 in Eulonia.
St. Patrick’s continues at Shellman Bluff: Friends of Shellman Bluff hosts its 25th year celebration benefiting the local fire department from 1 p.m to 9 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Gary Edgar Smith (formerly FOSB) Park, 7355 Shellman Bluff Rd. NE, Townsend. Parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21. Route begins at Masonic Home Camp down Sutherland Bluff Drive and continues to Fisherman’s Lodge Road, River Road, Norman Street, Shellman Bluff Drive to Shellman Bluff Road, ending at Boat Yard Way.
Stained glass exhibit: Artist Susan Murphy will show her work in Floating Stained Glass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, at The Marsh Studio, 1258 Blue Heron Lane SE, Darien. Free and open to the public; stained glass works for sale.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Survey open: The Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, in partnership with Effingham County, is conducting the SR 26/US 80 Scoping Study Phase II through April 30. The study will analyze land use, community impact, capacity, and safety along the corridor from its western end at the Effingham County/Bryan County line (Ogeechee River) to its eastern end at the Effingham/Chatham County line. Community members are encouraged to complete the survey to help identify current travel patterns along the corridor, highlight known issues and opportunities, and prioritize intersections for improvements to shape final recommendations. Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/US80_Effingham.
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.
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 of 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.
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Georgia House to vote on bill protecting student political expression
By Mark Niesse/Capitol Beat
Georgia representatives are moving forward with a bill, inspired by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, that would protect political activities by students in public schools, and if passed, would make Georgia the first state to pass a law safeguarding students’ free speech rights regardless of their political or social viewpoints.
Bill on foreign influence in Georgia politics returns to Senate
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
The Georgia House passed a bill requiring disclosure of political spending from countries designated as hostile foreign adversaries, with a 98-65 vote largely along party lines.
Georgia Senate approves measure for tax rebates amid surplus
By Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
The Georgia Senate passed a measure providing up to $500 in income tax rebates to Georgians who filed state income tax returns in both 2025 and 2024, with the amount determined by filing status.
Bipartisan bill puts funds toward homelessness prevention in Georgia
By Juliana Milevsky/Georgia Recorder
House Bill 689, sponsored by Rep. Kasey Carpenter, would create a homelessness prevention program to provide flexible local grants to help Georgians stay in their homes and keep their jobs.
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