Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Good morning!
If you’re brave enough to leave your cozy blankets on this frigid weekend ahead, there’s something here to make it worth your while. Before January ends, you can get free paddleboarding lessons, invest in the future of education and support cancer survivors at a celebration with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
For those staying under the covers, join the Ogeechee Riverkeeper virtual walk across the watershed or tune in to the Savannah Irish Podcast’s new special episode.
Got an event coming up? Give us a heads up!
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
Learn to Paddleboard at the Chatham County Aquatic Center: The Aquatic Center has added a new paddleboarding class! Registration is now open for both adult and youth classes. Paddleboards, kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets will be provided by the Chatham County Aquatic Center. Youth classes are 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays for ages 6-13 and adult classes are Thursdays at the same time. Register here.
SCCPSS Seeks Public Input for Mathematics Textbooks : Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is seeking input from the community for the review of K-12 mathematics textbooks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 31 and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Port Wentworth Administrative Complex, 507 Coastal Hwy, Port Wentworth. As the district moves toward an approach to foundational skills instruction, it is imperative that classroom materials address all components of mathematics relevant to all grade levels. The exercise will take about 30-45 minutes.
Savannah Irish Podcast Special Episode featuring Arthur Edward Rory Guinness: Savannah Irish Podcast, a Savannah-based series exploring Irish history, culture, and influence in the American South, will release a special episode on Feb. 5, featuring Arthur Edward Rory Guinness, 4th Earl of Iveagh, author of Guinness: A Family Succession and a descendant of the legendary Guinness brewing family. The episode arrives amid renewed global interest in the Guinness family following the recent Netflix release House of Guinness, offering audiences a timely and thoughtful counterpoint grounded in history and personal reflection.
CAMDEN COUNTY
City of Kingsland Winners of 4th Annual Holiday Lights Contest: The City of Kingsland is shining a spotlight on the creativity and holiday spirit of local residents and businesses with the announcement of the winners of its 4th Annual Home for the Holidays Holiday Lights Contest presented by TDS Telecom. 2025 Holiday Lights Contest Winners
- Mayor’s Choice: The Ward Family of Wolf Bay Circle
- Best Business: Camden County Public Library
- Facebook Favorite: The O’Neal Family of Pinehurst Road
- People’s Choice: The Walker Family of Lake Forest South Drive
Joint Town Hall Meeting: Camden County Commissioners Cody Smith, District 3, and Jim Goodman, District 4, are hosting a joint town hall meeting 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the St. Marys Public Library, 100 Herb Bauer Drive.
BRYAN COUNTY
Nickel Refinery town hall: Westwin Elements will hold a town hall on its proposed nickel refinery rom 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Richmond Hill City Center, 520 Cedar St. The company is eyeing a site off Belfast Keller Road. Opponents warn of environmental impacts on Georgia’s coast; backers say the refinery would bring jobs. Last summer, KSWO-TV reported Westwin has promised to supply a Turkish company with 5.7 million pounds of nickel products over the next 7 years.
GLYNN COUNTY
Free will clinic: Brunswick City Commissioner Gwen Atkinson-Williams will host a clinic to help draft a will or other documents to make your important wishes known. The event requires advance registration. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 13, at Old City Hall, 1229 Newcastle St. Call 912-963-1793 or 912-400-2004 to complete intake and secure your spot.
Ultimate baby shower event: Do you have a little one? Would you like some help with that bundle of joy? If so, you are in luck. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday, Jan. 31, Family Connection of Glynn County, in partnership with Amerigroup RealSolutions and Coastal Coalition for Children, is hosting a community event at the Little Promise Keepers Learning Center, 900 2nd St. Families can enjoy free diapers and wipes while supplies last, along with free children’s books and community resources for expecting parents and families with young children.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Here’s my card: From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, bring your business cards and get to know other local professionals during Happy Hour at the Parrot and Frog, 110 S. Commerce St., Hinesville. This networking event is sponsored by McGriff Insurance Services and hosted by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce.
Write this down: Want to get your calendar together for the next 6 months? The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce holds its Biannual Community Calendar Planning Meeting from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Ameris Bank, 101 W. Hendry Street, Hinesville. Lunch included. You must RSVP with operations@libertycounty.org by close of business Monday, Feb. 2.
Support cancer survivors: The American Cancer Society Relay for Life’s “Another Birthday Party” celebration takes place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Country Inn and Suites, 742 E. General Stewart Way, Hinesville. If 50 people sign up, Dr. Karen Bell promises to wear purple hair for the entire month. RSVP to relayforlifelibertycountyga@gmail.com not required but highly appreciated. Join, donate, or form a team here.
Flemington garbage: If you live in the City of Flemington, you have until Friday, Jan. 30, to sign up for residential garbage pickup with Atlantic Waste and get a polycart in time for the first February pickup. The city has a contract with Atlantic Waste; Liberty County will start picking up its polycarts today. Flemington residents can call (912) 964-2000 or sign up online to set up an account, billed quarterly at $65.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Vendor signup: Now through March 27, vendors can sign up for the McIntosh County Spring into Wellness Community Health Event, sponsored by the McIntosh County Health Department. The fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, Saturday, April 11, at the McIntosh County Recreation Department, 402 Pack St., Darien. Contact Brooke Deverger, (912) 832-5473 or brooke.deverger@dph.ga.gov with questions.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Diabetes Support Group: The Coastal Health District and Effingham YMCA are launching a Diabetes Support Group for adults 18 and up living with diabetes, starting from 5 p.m to 6 p.m Monday, Feb. 9, at the Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Dr., Rincon. Sessions feature diabetes education and guest speakers, and are open to the public. Diabetes is a deadly condition where the body can’t make (Type 1) or properly use (Type 2) insulin. Diet and exercise may prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. Find a diabetes program near you.
ALONG THE COAST
Ogeechee Riverkeeper Virtual Walk Across The Watershed: Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has organized a virtual walk across the watershed for Feb. 1-28. Participants can join from anywhere in the world, hitting milestones as they progress along the map. From the headwaters to Ossabaw Island, the illustrated milestones feature information about geology, history, ecology, and special places in the basin. The cost is $25 per person and is a fundraiser to support the work of ORK.
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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