Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026
Good morning! If you are planning your weekend, we’ve got shorebirds, history, free trees and garbage. If that sounds like a productive list for you, then you’ll love the rest.
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Carnegie Library Reopens: When Black Savannahians were shut out of public libraries, local African American leaders and the Carnegie Corporation joined forces to build the Carnegie Library. After renovations and restoration, this historic landmark reopens as the at 10:30 a.m. Carnegie Library Heritage Center, Friday, Feb. 20, 537 E. Henry St., Savannah. See museum-quality exhibits, hear oral history recordings, and touch interactive displays that bring the library’s legacy of community empowerment to life.
Black Hair, Black History: Black hairstyles express political power, survival, resistance, and celebration. Teens ages 13 through 18 are invited to “The History of Our Hair, celebrating the history and power of Black hairstyles, Friday, Feb. 20, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m, at the Islands Library Children’s Activity Room, 50 Johnny Mercer Blvd., Savannah. In this hands-on workshop led by artist Jae Daisy, you’ll use symbolism, color, text, self-expression, and definitions of identity to create portraits emphasizing various hairstyles. This free event is part of Live Oak Public Library’s Black History Month celebrations.
(Shore) Birds and Brews: Raise a glass and peck at snacks with fellow bird nerds from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Back River Brewery, upstairs at 402 1st St., Tybee Island. Swap shorebird sightings and explore resources, with local bird experts.
Shorebird Fest: Celebrate the glorious shorebirds of Tybee Island at the 2nd Annual Tybee Spring Shorebird Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Tybee Island Marine Science Center, 37 Meddin Dr. Experts from TIMSC and Manomet Conservation Sciences join students and community partners working to protect these amazing creatures, who stop at Tybee between trips to and from the Arctic and the tip of South America. Games, food, music, crafts, and activities for all ages. Free admission.
Port Wentworth celebrates: The city will host the 4th annual Black History Month event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Rice Creek School, 100 Mulberry Ave. Rev. Paul Smith, president of the Savannah chapterof the NAACP, will be the keynote speaker. More info: www.portwentworthga.gov
CAMDEN COUNTY
Arbor day tree giveaway: Get 2 free trees at between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20. Pick them up at Camden County Resiliency Operations Center at 135 Gross Road in Kingsland and at Cornelia Jackson Memorial Park, 201 15th St. in Woodbine. Trees will be in 3-to-5 gallon containers. Species include live oak, red maple, tulip poplar and Shumard oak. Details.
Oak Grove Cemetery tour: Historian Kay Westberry will lead a “Love Tour” of Oak Grove Cemetery at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in St. Marys. It will feature stories of cemetery “residents” loves and lives. Make reservations at 912-882-5301 and leave a message. Tour begins at main gate on Weed Street. Tour is free; donations accepted.
GLYNN COUNTY
Arbor Day celebration: The City of Brunswick’s Tree Board will host Arbor Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 21, at Mary Ross Park . The event will feature two tree plantings at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., as well as pruning demonstrations on trees at Mary Ross Park throughout the event. Available trees include holly, Franklin tree, maple, persimmon, birch, white fringe tree, and more. Trees are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis to city residents while supplies last. Bring ID to verify residency for one tree per household. Contact: Rick Charnock at (912) 267-5572 or rcharnock@cityofbrunswick-ga.gov.
New draft of zoning ordinance released: Glynn County has released updated draft versions of its Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. The new drafts were released on Wednesday. Joint Planning Commission meetings on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and Wednesday, March 18, will focus on the latest revisions. A public hearing is scheduled for April as the County moves toward final consideration. You can find the new draft here.
Brunswick gets public safety grant: The City of Brunswick has been awarded a $16,000 Statewide Traffic Incident Management Services grant to support roadway safety measures for first responders and the public. With this funding, Brunswick Police, Fire, and Public Works personnel will be equipped with upgraded traffic safety tools, including light wands for every police officer and fire apparatus, hands-free helmet-mounted headlamps for improved nighttime visibility, personal body lights for responders working in low-light conditions.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Bring your trash! McIntosh County Landfill Amnesty Days for 2026 start next week. From 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 21, you can bring items to the landfill without a charge. Bring a photo ID and proof of property ownership in McIntosh County. Landfill: 3889 Churchill Rd S.W., Townsend. Click here for acceptable, unacceptable items.
Learn local history: St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, 401 Fort King George Drive, Darien, will have a Black History exhibit on display Sundays. The display is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sundays through March 1.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Walthourville City Hall closed: The City of Walthourville says City Hall will be closed Friday, Feb. 20, for a staff in-service training. You can still pay your services bill or ticket online or at City Hall’s drive-through dropbox, 222 Busbee Rd., Walthourville.
Tire Amnesty Day: Old tires collect rainwater and breed mosquitoes. Turn yours in 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, on Tire Amnesty Day. Dropoff at Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway. Car, SUV, light truck tires only; no semi tires, commercial businesses, or racing slicks. No rims. Proof of Liberty County residency required.
Recycle and shred: Got recyclables? Keep Liberty Beautiful’s quarterly Recycle It! Fair will take them: cell phones, flat-screen TVs, ink and toner cartridges, expired medicines, books, household items, CFL and LED bulbs, and more. Bring them from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, to Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Rd.; and Liberty County Community Complex, 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway. Shred personal papers without staples or clips at Walthourville only; cars line up by 12:45 p.m.
Community Flea Market: Check out local artisans, crafts, bargains, and vintage items from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday, Feb. 21, at Bo’Maz Events Center, 4850 W. Oglethorpe Hwy., Walthourville.
Vice Night Preview: The Marne Community and Spouses Club is hosting a flapper-themed themed potluck from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 25, 54 Coe Ave., Fort Stewart. Get a sneak peek at items that will be up for auction at the March 7 Vice Night charity fundraiser. No charge to attend, but you’ll need a “roaring good dress” and a feathered headpiece. Bring a friend along and a covered dish to share.
BRYAN COUNTY
Business After Hours: Make happy hour work for you this evening by meeting up with Bryan County Chamber of Commerce members and guests for a relaxing time from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 19, at Waterways Marina, 2267 Harborview Dr., Richmond Hill. Reception at Cottenham Tavern and Market. Light hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and great conversation help build your business and community connections. Free for Chamber members; registration mandatory to ensure gate entry.
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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Reporter notebook: ICE protest at Forsyth Park
By Grant Blankenship/GPB News
A rally was held in Forsyth Park to decry the death of Savannah teacher Linda Davis, who was killed in a crash caused by a man fleeing Department of Homeland Security personnel, with the rally organizer calling for the abolition of ICE.
Pridemore won’t run again for PSC, eyes Georgia’s 11th District seat
By Mary Landers
Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore announced she will not seek re-election in 2026. Separately, she discussed her support for the Trump administration’s deregulation efforts and her views on climate change at a luncheon talk to the Golden Isles Republican Women’s group.
Chatham County teacher killed in crash by suspect fleeing ICE
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By Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
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