Thursday, Jan. 15, 2025
Good morning!
We have a lot of events coming up for MLK Day, an update on priorities from the Glynn County Commissioners, and the details for a special night in Savannah featuring a presentation on Ossabaw Island.
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Go skate! Public ice skating has returned for January. All levels of skaters can rent skates for 90-minute sessions on Jan. 15, 28 and 29, sponsored by The Savannah Ghost Pirates and the City of Savannah. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children (12 and under), with skate rental included. For more info, you can click here.
A shark’s world: Skidaway Audubon offers a look into the world of sharks with Bethany Brodbeck, a marine biologist with experience tagging sharks and assistant curator at the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway. The program begins at 4 p.m. today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 3 W. Ridge Road, Savannah. Admission is free for Friends of Skidaway Audubon members and $5 for guests, payable at the door. Attendees are asked to pre-register online at this link.
Ossabaw Night in Savannah: Elizabeth DuBose, executive director of the Ossabaw Island Foundation, will present the lecture “Torrey home turns 100: Rehabilitating a ‘Southern Palace’ on Ossabaw Island.” Reception begins Jan 22, at 5 p.m., program at 6 p.m. at the Armstrong Center, 13040 Abercorn Drive, Savannah.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Alive after Five coming: Alive after Five will be in full effect tomorrow in Downtown St. Marys. The event will feature live music, food trucks and shopping opportunities from local vendors.
New and Used Vendor Market: The New and Used Vendor Market will be open Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at The Espresso Base in Kingsland. A variety of vendors will be offering gently used and thrifted items, boutique clothing and accessories and handmade goods and crafts. If you have new and/or gently used items to sell. Organizers are accepting vendors; you can call Deb at 651-226-7574. It is free to attend.
BRYAN COUNTY
Bryan County’s Free Disposal Day: Bryan County will be hosting a free disposal day on Saturday, Jan. 24. The landfills will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. or once the maximum capacity is reached. The locations include the Mill Creek Landfill at 7392 US Hwy 280 and the Fort McAllister Landfill at 184 Fort McAllister rd, Richmond Hill. The event is open to Bryan County residents only, and no commercial dumping is permitted. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early if possible.
Website survey open: Bryan County is working on a website redesign and is seeking community input. You can give feedback at this link. The survey will be open until Jan. 21, 2026.
GLYNN COUNTY
BOC sets top priorities for 2026 at annual retreat: The Glynn County Board of Commissioners held its annual Board Retreat on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at Sea Palms Resort to review ongoing initiatives and identify priorities for 2026. Some of the priorities identified include: Creating a workforce housing program focused on the Arco neighborhoods, partnering with the city on redevelopment planning for the Pinova/industrial corridor and developing a redevelopment strategy for the Glynn Place Mall area, among many others.
A Better Glynn to host annual MLK Day of Service: On Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Better Glynn will host its annual morning of service in honor of Martin Luther King at Brunswick High School. Registration has closed, but volunteers who signed up can check in from 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Grab-and-go breakfast and beverages will be available, and volunteers will be briefed on expectations. Volunteers are encouraged to wear an ABG shirt or the shirt of the organization they represent, and closed-toe shoes are required.
H.E.A.T. 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, GCPD’s award totals $377,221, including $232,425 for the purchase of 3 new vehicles.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Dorchester Documentary: Dorchester Academy educated many local African American leaders and was the forge where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Andrew Young, and others organized change across the South. The documentary “Dorchester Academy: A Legacy of Liberty” premieres Sunday, Jan. 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Liberty County Performing Arts Center, 2140 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Flemington. Reception and tour of Dorchester Academy at 3 p.m, 8787 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway. Limited seating.
Pancakes for the Kids: This MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 19, warm up for the parade with a stack from the annual Liberty County Boys and Girls Club Celebrity Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Local officials and business leaders will flip flapjacks at Bradwell Institute, 100 Pafford St., Hinesville, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your choice of blueberry, strawberry, or chocolate chip. Includes bacon, sausage, plus orange juice, apple juice, or coffee. Call 912-977-1945 for tickets ($10 each).
Find a Job: Today, Thursday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 611 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville is the Goodwill Hiring and Resource Expo. Recruiters from SNF, Liberty County Schools, City of Hinesville, the Veterans Administration, FedEx Ground and more are hiring. Bring your resume and be ready to interview. Part- and full-time jobs up to $15/hour available.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Parade ready! The Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Day Parade steps off at Saturday, Jan. 17, in Darien at 10 a.m. Deacon Freddie Palmer is the grand marshal. The route runs south on U.S. 17 from the Bluestein parking lot, then left on GA 99 and ends at Martin Luther King Boulevard at Inverness Square. Events include serving at First African Baptist church at 3 p.m., and a free community breakfast at 9 a.m. Monday, at Todd-Grant Elementary School. More info you can call 912-602-5568.
2026 Altie Award semifinalists announced: The Altie Awards are an annual event honoring business leaders, volunteers, and community members for milestones and contributions to the Darien-McIntosh community. The semifinalists for award categories such as business of the year, nonprofit of the year and small business superhero have been announced. You can vote here. The award ceremony will be held at Oaks on the River this year.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Rahn Station roundabout public hearing: Effingham County will host a public meeting tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the proposed single-lane roundabout planned for the intersection of Rahn Station Road and Little McCall Road. The meeting will be held at Effingham Administration Complex at 804 S. Laurel Street, Springfield, 31329. Attendees will be able to view maps and visual aids showing the proposed realignment, roundabout location and roadway connections.
MLK Day Events: A reenactment of the “I Have a Dream” speech will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 4 p.m. on the steps of the Effingham County Judicial Center. Jay Jones will recreate and deliver the speech. Other MLK Observance Day activities in the county include the Homer L. Wallace Unity Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., the Effingham College and Career Academy, which costs $15 per person, and the Parade, which will begin at 10 a.m at Laurel St. and Ga 119. The Youth Awards Program will also begin at 12 p.m. at the Ga. 808 Hwy 119 S Recreation Complex.
ALONG THE COAST
Wild Cumberland town hall: Wild Cumberland will hold a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 to discuss the National Park Service’s newest proposed Visitor Use Management Plan, which outlines the agency intention to accommodate 700 visitors per day (up from the current 300), establish new campsites, and provide retail sales on the island, among other things. Volunteers from the nonprofit Wild Cumberland will outline the proposed changes in detail, explain what you can do, and answer your questions. Public comments on the plan are due Feb. 7, 2026, at 1:59 a.m. Register for the town hall here.
City of Tybee Homestead Exemption: Applications are now being accepted for the City Homestead Exemption for qualifying senior residents. Eligible residents may receive senior rates on utility bills, and exemption from the Tybee Island ad valorem taxes on real and personal property. Click here for the 2026 Homestead Exemption Letter and click here for the application. The deadline is April 1, 2026, and you must be 62 years of age or older on Jan. 1, 2025.
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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