Thursday, March 12, 2026
Good morning!
I hope you’re adjusting better to losing an hour than I am. I don’t feel fully awake until I’ve had coffee. This week’s notes should give you a jolt if you’re in the same boat as I am.
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
One Woman, Two Museums: Starting at noon on March 28 at the Garden City Library at 104 Sunshine Road, Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon, Founder and CEO of the African American Diaspora Museology Institute (ADMI), will trace the journey of artist, activist, and museum founder Virginia Jackson Kiah — from a young girl in Baltimore who was turned away from museums, to a pioneering cultural leader. Jackson Kiah founded two institutions dedicated to African American history and artistic achievement.
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
Alive after five: Alive after back is back tomorrow in Downtown St. Marys. The community celebration will include live music, food trucks, and local shopping opportunities. St Marys Mainstreet will also soon launch the new Alive After Five Event App so you can quickly find all the happenings around Osborne Street.
St. Marys new city manager: The St. Marys City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mike Mahaney as City Manager under a one-year employment contract. Mahaney previously served as St. Marys City Manager from 1990 to 2002. Most recently, he served as the City Manager of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he managed a $208 million budget and oversaw more than 600 employees.
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 at 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.
GLYNN COUNTY
Podcasters wanted: The Brunswick Housing Authority is seeking all future podcasters in 8th to 12th grade who are passionate about storytelling, creativity, and sharing their voices. Students will learn the fundamentals of podcasting and receive guidance from local professional radio personality Yolanda Neely. The opportunity is only available to BHA Residents and Section 8 Participants. For more information, call (912) 571-4887.
One of the most beautiful: Brunswick has been named one of the 13 prettiest towns in the United States by World Atlas. “Step back in the time machine and traverse the Brunswick Old Town Historic District, where you can explore various historical monuments, including the town’s century-old city hall, and the 124 year-old Ritz Theatre, which still operates to this day,” the magazine said in its column on the city.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Escape to Freedom: The annual Susie King Taylor Escape to Freedom Program is now a stop on the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This year, newly renovated and renamed Susie King Taylor Freedom Park at Jones Creek will reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13. Taylor fled slavery in 1862 when she was 13 years old, rowing several family members down Jones Creek to St. Catherines Island and joining the Union Army as a teacher and nurse.
Learn to Register Voters: Sign up by April 1 for a one-hour workshop to learn how to register people to vote. The workshop will take place at from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 6th 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
Zoning on Sapelo: The McIntosh County commissioners will hold the second of three listening sessions on zoning for Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, at First African Baptist church, 1736 Perimeter Road on Sapelo Island. The final listening session is set at 6 p.m. Wednesday March 25, at the McIntosh County Recreation Department Gymnasium, 402 Pack St. in Darien.
Music for hunger: Bring your canned goods to feed your neighbors in need and stay for the Roy Gentry & Hired Guns concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Darien Waterfront Park. Admission is free and donated canned goods go to the Darien Lions Club Hunger Initiative.
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.
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.
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.
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Georgia House, Senate Republicans on parallel courses to reduce state income tax rate
By Ty Tagami/Capitol Beat News Service
The Georgia House and Senate have passed bills to reduce the state income tax rate to 3.99%, with the House also proposing an increase to the standard deduction, while Democrats argue that the tax cut will disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
Proposal would require citizenship checks for Georgia families to access food aid
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
State House lawmakers passed a bill that would implement new data-matching and verification procedures for SNAP participants, including a check of their citizenship status, before a family can access benefits, while advocates have pushed back on the legislation, arguing that the changes would not adequately address errors within the system and urging lawmakers to increase funding for the department […]
Georgia House passes budget with nearly $61 million for literacy coaches
By Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
The Georgia House of Representatives passed a $38.5 billion state budget for next year, with a focus on improving childhood literacy and funding for rural healthcare, mental health, and corrections.
Five Republicans, four Democrats qualify for PSC elections
By Emily Jones/WABE, Grist
Nine candidates qualified to run in the May primaries for two seats on Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates utility rates.
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