Thursday, July 17, 2025
Good morning! I’m Domonique King, one of The Current’s summer fellows. I’m thrilled to be taking over Cast Net today and letting you know about some of the things happening in the community, including local meetings, back-to-school resources, and opportunities to find a new furry friend this weekend.
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Spanish-American War statue returns to Forsyth Park: “The Georgia Volunteer,” a statue honoring Georgians who served during the Spanish-American War, has finally returned to the intersection of Bull Street and Park Avenue, The Current’s Justin Taylor reports. The monument was repaired after it was toppled by a drunken driver six months ago.
Final vote on increased property taxes: The Board of Commissioners will hold their final vote on the 2025 millage rate and increase in property taxes at its monthly meeting a 9:30 a.m. Friday, July 18. The meeting will be held in the commission meeting room at 124 Bull Street. If you can’t make it in person, all meetings are livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel. You can view the rest of the meeting agenda here.
Ossoff holds weekend rally in Savannah: U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff held a campaign rally in Savannah last Saturday where he condemned President Trump and the GOP for supporting cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and making ‘broken promises’ to the working class, The Current’s Lily Belle Poling reports. The incumbent Democrat seems to be amping up his reelection campaign ahead of a tense midterm election where control of the Senate is on the line.
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 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visit foodfinder.us for more summer meals programs and locations.
No-cost pet adoption: Find your furry friend at Camden County Animal Control’s no-cost adoption event. This time, the event will take place on July 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus in St. Marys, 6500 GA Hwy 40.
BRYAN COUNTY
Adopt a pet at Richmond Hill farmers’ market: On Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Bryan County Animal Services and the Bryan Animal League will be at the farmers’ market with animals ready for adoption. Head to JF Gregory Park to meet the pets and pick up some produce.
GLYNN COUNTY
Brunswick to be one of the featured cities in traveling exhibition: Brunswick will be one of the six featured host sites for the Smithsonian’s Votes and Voices: Democracy in America exhibition. The six sites were carefully selected, all of which are rural and small. The exhibition will develop unique displays for each of the sites that connect national themes of Votes and Voices — looking into how Americans have engaged with the democratic process — to local culture. It will be in Brunswick from Nov 1 to Dec. 13, 2026.
Homeowners club: The Brunswick Housing Authority is starting a homeowners club to provide Brunswick residents with the tools they need to take the next step in home ownership. The club will meet on July 23 at 6 p.m. at the Old City Hall at 1229 Newcastle Street. The meeting will provide info on the home buying process, how to get qualified for financing options, and budgeting, among many other vital topics to know when purchasing a home.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Boat captains needed for island beach sweep: Keep Liberty Beautiful is looking for boat captains to ferry volunteers to and from its Annual Beach Sweep at St. Catherines Island on August 16, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. out of Half Moon Marina in Midway or Sunbury Boat Ramp. KLB will pay all launch fees. Boats must be in the water by 7:15 a.m. for departure at 7:30 a.m. Let KLB know how many volunteers you can carry here and be prepared to provide each a life jacket. Call (912) 880-4888 for more details.
The back-to-school cycle begins again: 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.
More school prep: 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 Cashapp and Venmo.
Darien Waterfront Concert Series Returns: Couldn’t make it to July’s events? The Darien Waterfront Concert series will continue on Aug. 9 with a performance by South of Athens.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Education board to finalize SMART curriculum: The Board of Education will vote to finalize the SMART curriculum, which aims to create safe, mature, abstinent and responsible teens. If approved, the curriculum will apply to elementary, middle and high school students. The meeting will be held tonight, July 17, at 7 p.m. at 405 North Ash Street. Watch the livestream here and view the rest of the agenda here.
LONG COUNTY
Health Department offering primary care services: Long County residents looking for healthcare in their area now have an option closer to home: The Long County Health Department is now offering primary care services every Wednesday and Thursday by appointment in Ludowici. Services include treatments for minor illnesses, ongoing care for chronic conditions like diabetes, and routine wellness exams.
ALONG THE COAST
Get vaxxed: Back-to-school vaccination clinics are available in all coastal counties. County-by-county information is available here: https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/back-to-school/
Kids eat free: Kids and teens 18 or younger can get free summer meals through Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. Meals are Monday through Friday at various locations. No signups are required. Find a spot at this link: http://helpendhunger.org/find
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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Hubbard to challenge incumbent Fitz Johnson in PSC District 3 after runoff win
By Dave Williams
Peter Hubbard, a clean-energy advocate and former utility executive, won the Democratic nomination for Georgia’s energy-regulating Public Service Commission (PSC) District 3, and will face incumbent Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson in November.
Georgia health care providers, advocates brace for Medicaid cuts
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
The federal budget reconciliation bill is expected to reduce federal health care funding in Georgia by $2.29 billion, result in 310,000 people losing health insurance by 2034, and cause 45 health care facilities across 35 Georgia counties to reduce services or close, while the expiration of ACA enhanced premium tax credits could leave Georgia families paying up to $900 […]
Spanish-American War statue returns to Forsyth Park after repair
By Justin Taylor
A bronze statue of a volunteer from the Spanish-American War has been returned to its historical place in Savannah after being toppled by a drunken driver in January and repaired by a local foundry.
Georgia Power to extend coal plant operations under new energy plan
By Emily Jones/WABE, Grist
Georgia Power has been approved to expand its renewable energy generation and keep some of its coal plants open longer than planned, despite objections from consumer advocates who claimed the agreement violates a previous commission order.
Retirements leave gaps in Georgia’s weather forecasting ahead of hurricane season
By Mary Landers
As the height of hurricane season approaches, key leadership positions remain unfilled at the Jacksonville National Weather Service office.
Tuesday is the last chance to vote in PSC runoff
By Amber Roldan, Georgia Recorder
Voters in Georgia are deciding which candidate will advance to November’s general election for a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission, with Keisha Waites and Peter Hubbard facing off in Tuesday’s runoff.
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