Thursday, July 24, 2025
Good morning!
This is summer fellow Lily Belle Poling. In today’s Cast Net, find information on a World War II veteran, a community opioid survey and all things back-to-school!
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Back to School Giveaway: Savannah’s Flau’jae Johnson is sponsoring a two-day Back2School festival at EnMarket Arena in Savannah from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Johnson is an NCAA national basketball champion at LSU, gold medalist and rapper. GiveBack Festival will include free mammograms, entertainment, book bags, uniforms, shows and school supplies. Click for more info.
Recess Party at District Live: Ahead of their new EP “This Must Be,” Recess Party will be performing this Saturday, July 26, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 400 W. River St. The indie rock band, which hails from Atlanta, blends rock, alternative and grunge influences and is known for putting on electrifying shows that keep audiences coming back for more. Tickets are $15 and the event is standing room only.
CAMDEN COUNTY
No-cost summer meals: County residents 18 and under can pick up meals at no cost throughout the summer every Monday and Wednesday starting July 14. Pick-ups take place at Camden Middle School, St. Mary’s Middle School, Camden County High School and Woodbine Elementary School. All locations are first come, first served from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visit foodfinder.us for more summer meals programs and locations.
Board of Elections search begins: Camden County’s Board of Commissioners is searching for applicants to serve on the Board of Elections and Registration, District 2. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, be registered to vote in Camden County, and live in the district they represent. Further qualifications can be found here. Submit your intent to serve using the Citizen Board Application Form. If you have any questions, call (912) 576-5651.
BRYAN COUNTY
Get vaccinated before starting school: The Bryan County Health Department is having a vaccination and screening clinic on Monday, July 28, at its Richmond Hill clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required, and the clinic is offering low-cost vaccination options for individuals without health insurance. More information is available here.
Back to school bash: On Saturday, July 26, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom is hosting its annual Back 2 School Bash at Belhaven. The bash will offer free school supplies and will host a concert, food trucks, various vendors and giveaways.
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GLYNN COUNTY
Rep. Townsend appointed to the water council and attendance study committee: Brunswick State Representative Rick Townsend was appointed to Georgia’s Water Council by House Speaker Jon Burns. The state’s water council is tasked with facilitating communication among state agencies in the development of a statewide water management plan. Burns also appointed Rep. Townsend to the House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK–12 Education. The committee will conduct a review of student attendance and try to identify the root causes of absenteeism.
Opioid Community Survey: Glynn County is conducting a community opioid survey aimed at finding solutions to opioid related challenges. Community feedback is needed to guide the framework. The confidential survey takes 10-15 minutes. Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council provides the grant. For more information, residents can contact ihla@georgiasouthern.edu, and the survey can be completed here.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Lewis Fraser Road detour: The decaying bridge over Peacock Creek on Lewis Fraser Road just north of Riceboro will be closed for 150 days, until at least Christmas Day, starting Monday, July 28. A contractor is replacing the 54-year-old bridge. People who live near the bridge will be able to drive up to the work zone. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 17 (Coastal Highway) and U.S. 84 (E. Oglethorpe Hwy.)
Liberty County’s new website: Liberty County debuts its new website, which County Manager Joseph Mosley said would offer a more user-friendly and disability-friendly experience, as well as a way for citizens to submit and track Open Records Requests online. Find agendas and minutes, meeting and event livestreams, and county GIS maps, as well as various county departments, ordinances, online payment and other services, and community resources. The site includes the county’s new LC logo.
Back to school cycle arrives: The Liberty County School System welcomes Interim School Superintendent Debra B. Frazier, who started July 1, and has launched its redesigned website. The first day of school is Aug. 6. Newcomers to Liberty County can learn how to register their students online here. You’ll need PDF copies of this list of required documents to complete registration. And for everyone, here’s a back to school guide.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Sheriff’s Office Back to School Bash: The McIntosh Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Back to School Bash on July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Recreation Sports Complex. The event will include school supplies, prizes and giveaways, food and drinks, and more. If you would like to make a school supply donation, drop off locations are at the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office and Chamber of Commerce. Donations can also be monetary and will be used to purchase school supplies.
Another back to school bash: The 2025-2026 school year is fast approaching, and you want your children to look their best for their first day. Power of Connections Ministries will be providing haircuts, quick female styles, and food to community members at 1222 Johnson Road NE on August 2. All haircuts are free, though donations are accepted through both Cash App and Venmo.
Darien Waterfront Concert Series Returns: Couldn’t make it to July’s events? The Darien Waterfront Concert series will continue on August 9 with a performance by South of Athens.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
River poker run: The Effingham County Shrine Club is hosting its annual river poker run this Saturday, July 26 at the Tuckasee Landing. The first boat goes out at 9 a.m. and all proceeds go toward the Shrine Club.
Operation Fresh 4 School: In preparation for back to school season, Los Barbers Barbershop will be offering free haircuts for kids 12 years old and under at each of their five locations — Rincon, Port Wentworth, Pooler and Savannah. Haircuts will be available at the Rincon location, 591 S Columbia Ave., on July 25. Attendees will also receive free school supplies while supplies last.
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. Let us know what you think: staff@thecurrentga.org
Okefenokee’s bid to become UNESCO World Heritage site still viable
By Mary Landers
The Trump administration has announced that it will withdraw from UNESCO. However, this does not mean that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will lose its opportunity to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as membership in UNESCO is not necessary for a country’s site to be elevated to the World Heritage list.
How to stay safe during heat waves
By Brian Bossak/College of Charleston
Heat-related illnesses can quickly progress to life-threatening heat stroke, so it is important to recognize the warning signs and take steps to stay cool, such as drinking fluids, finding shade, and using cool, damp cloths to lower body temperature.
Georgia health commission hasn’t met this year despite looming federal spending cuts
By Margaret Coker
The Comprehensive Commission on Health Care in Georgia has not met this year. The commission chair is set to release a report next week that reflects the lack of urgency over the drastic changes ahead for public health.
Political fundraising for U.S. House, Senate seats accelerates ahead of midterm elections
By Craig Nelson
Coastal Georgia Republicans Earl “Buddy” Carter and Jim Kingston are leading in fundraising for the 2024 election, but direct voter engagement is what ultimately wins elections, not just money.
Carr: Georgia will not join multistate lawsuit to release federal education grants
By Sarah Kallis/GPB News
Georgia will not join the 24 states and Washington, D.C. in suing the Trump administration to release $6 billion in promised federal education grants, while Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath called for the release of the funds on the House floor.
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