City Fights to Live, Hate Crimes Convictions Upheld

Sunday Solutions — Nov. 16, 2025

Good morning! We know you’ve been out enjoying this fine weather between dang-hot and uncomfortably chilly seasons, so we’ve got some reading to quickly pass along news and provide insight into what’s going on. Here we go.

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NEWS: GOVERNING

City votes to pay the bills

While many counties voted this month to mitigate the impact of longtime property and school taxes, the Liberty County city of Walthourville voted — for the first time — to levy a property tax. After months of considerations and facing funding obstacles that could imperil the city’s charter, the city council opted to add the tax to cover essential services and make payroll for employees. The Current’s Robin Kemp has covered the city’s struggles for a while and her story from the vote brings a look at the gaps and the effect it will have on citizens. The city’s challenge also affects the rest of Liberty County as it contracts more services from private companies, the county and neighboring cities.

Finding balance in funding and services is a familiar challenge for cities up and down the coast. In Walthourville, the council’s other considerations for cuts still include job cuts and changes to health care coverage for city workers. Health coverage is a growing challenge for most budgets and, in Camden County’s Kingsland last week, city employees were notified that some prescriptions for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss would no longer be covered as insurance costs to the city have risen 14%.

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When invoices inform a story

McIntosh County has spent nearly a half-million dollars to defend an attempt to rezone Hogg Hummock, The Current GA’s Mary Landers reports.

She knows that because she used Georgia’s public record law to get copies of the invoices that attorneys sent to the county. Check out her coverage and the invoices.

Another document-based story this week comes from The Current‘s Maggie Lee, who’s been following the court filings over ownership of the old Gilman Paper site in St. Marys. On Friday, a judge approved the sale of the site to a South Carolina group with the promise of paying the other investors and the Camden County Joint Development Authority what they are owed from the original Jacoby Development deal. Click here for that story.

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NEWS: COMMUNITY

Use your voice

The law requires your elected bodies to hold public hearings on most changes or votes your representatives make, but often these open sessions are — at best — sparsely attended. And, there are other ways to weigh in on issues, but you have to make the effort. This week, Savannah residents have several chances to weigh in on work being done on their behalf. Feedback forms, open web files to view planning, and informational meetings provide details and get feedback before public hearings and permanent action. These are good opportunities to learn more about projects your tax money pays for and your hired representatives will execute. As we are fond of saying: Democracy is not a spectator sport. Everyone needs to play.

• Project Derenne: If you visit Savannah or live in the city, you know Derenne Avenue bridges I-516, Hunter Army Airfield, midtown and the southside. The “project” which has been floating around for decades is moving into a new phase and a town hall update session is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Jenkins High School. The five-phase process started in 2008 and 3 parts are funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and one by the City of Savannah. Find the breakdown and info at savannahga.gov/projectderenne.
• Civic center site redevelopment: If you missed the city’s information session last week, there’s still a way to let the city know how you think the area should be redeveloped. Go here to see the proposals and access the feedback form.
• Gathering place plan for Forsyth Park: This project will reimagine the courtyard with new hardscaping, shade trees, seating areas, and landscaping. The notice for the information session last Thursday was short but residents who wish to provide feedback can see the plan find a feedback form at savannahga.gov/herbtraub.

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NEWS: UPDATES

Hate crimes appeal denied

A federal appeals court upheld the hate crime convictions of Greg McMichael, Travis McMichael and William “Roddie” Bryan for killing Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 in Glynn County. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals took a year to rule, but the 3-judge panel noted there was no evidence Ahmaud Arbery had committed any crimes in the men’s neighborhood, and he was unarmed and had no stolen property when he was killed. Here’s a story from Russ Bynum at The Associated Press detailing Friday’s ruling.

Also from the week:

• Some Korean workers detained in raid have returned to their jobs at Hyundai site: It’s been 2 months since Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained 475 people at the Ellabell plant, 300 of which were South Korean nationals helping to install equipment and other specialized work to get the adjacent battery plant up and running. Story from The Associated Press.
• New budget bans THC from hemp, with implications for Georgia business, consumers: The bill to end the federal shutdown may have shut down the state’s growing agriculture sector for hemp that was set up by the 2018 Farm Bill. The new law bans over 95% of hemp extract products including most non-intoxicating ones made with CBD. One Georgia retailer and producer said “Our industry just got wiped out.” From Capitol Beat.
• Georgia election case against Trump proceeds with new prosecutor after Willis’ removal: The case moves on, but slowly, as a new prosecutor takes the cases left. Read what’s next from Georgia Recorder.
• Agency seeks more power to enforce campaign finance law: The State Ethics Commission is asking for the ability to question witnesses under oath in order to do deeper dives into connections between candidates and independent fundraisers. From Capitol Beat.

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FEATURE: HISTORY

☕ Your second cup: Rebellion and revolution

We’re all about the deeper story, historical context and figuring out how things happen. That’s why your Sunday editor was intrigued by this interview with the 6-part series starting at 8 p.m. today on PBS, “The American Revolution.” Directors Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt sat down with GPB’s Peter Biello to talk about it and why Burns calls it the most important film he’s ever worked on. The 3 talk about Georgia’s importance in the revolution, and how areas as different as Georgia and New Hampshire bonded over the idea of independence and, eventually, democracy. The interview — audio or text — is a good read, and the questions it offers are timely in today’s environment, making them worth your time and consideration. Enjoy.

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