Sunday Solutions — Aug. 24, 2025
Good morning! It was a busy week of economic blows, governance at odds over influence and funding, and an optimistic look at what science is doing to help preserve beaches for the next generations. Here we go.
NEWS: BUSINESS
When paper cuts go deep
After 80 years on the coast, International Paper is closing paper mills that employed 1,110 workers and supported countless others. With two facilities in Savannah and another in Riceboro, generations of Coastal Georgians have been a part of the workforce. The announcement hit hard early Thursday, but it shouldn’t have come as a surprise as development authorities and county officials had been working for some time on various incentives to encourage the company to stay put while it shed facilities and workers in other places and consolidated work in others. Also Thursday, Georgia’s Department of Labor announced a 3.1% unemployment rate for Savannah and a 4.1% for Hinesville, indicating jobs might be easier to find on the coast than in other spots. All that said, it’s never easy for communities when plants close, and we haven’t yet seen the domino effects for jobs in the adjacent timber industry that served the plants like truck drivers, loggers, and timber farmers. Read The Current‘s reporting on the news of the closing and reactions. And know there will be more stories to come.
NEWS: GOVERNING
The wheels on the (CAT) bus
If you’re watching the drama over the governance of Chatham Area Transit, you’re going to need more popcorn. As we opened the week, Chatham County had already sued and lost in an attempt to stop a state law reconstituting the CAT board by adding seats. The new spots would represent groups served by the system yet unrepresented on the old board. This move, which became law July 1, diluted the county’s ability to control the board. On Friday, the Chatham County Commission again expressed its discontent with the new state law by passing a resolution to rescind it, calling it unconstitutional. The Current‘s Craig Nelson describes the move, the status of the lawsuit’s appeal, and why the commission chair says he’s challenging the area’s entire legislative delegation.
In the meantime, CAT has opportunities for you to tell the staff in person and in writing what you’d like to see in public transportation. The next “CAT Chats” gathering is set for 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at the Southwest Chatham Library, located at 14097 Abercorn St. in Savannah.
🎉 Congratulations to Laurie for knowing that last week’s Spyglass was an inside view looking up at the Savannah City Hall rotunda dome. We had 9 correct answers last week — let’s see how you do this week.
Test how well you spy details in Coastal Georgia. Give us the location of the item in the photo above. Some spots may be easier to identify than others; some will be tougher. We’ll collect correct answers each week and draw for a weekly winner.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR ANSWER
NEWS: GOVERNING
Crisis averted, for now
We’ve been following the plight of Walthourville for a while now. The small Liberty County town has been facing funding woes for some time. It’s implemented fire fees and plans a property tax next year, but it’s still figuring out how to handle the moving parts of being a city — like paying garbage bills. And for a day, it looked like residents would lose garbage pickup as of Monday. Catch up on what happened next with Robin Kemp’s Thursday story that aired out the problems and updates from Friday’s quickly called city meeting. Apparently garbage talk draws a crowd.
EXPLAINER: ENVIRONMENT
☕ Your second cup: Tybee erosion & technology
It’s no secret that last year’s storms and other forces are eroding Tybee Island’s coastline. This past week’s wave action from Hurricane Erin didn’t help either, and there’s no beach renourishment scheduled until late next year. Scientists from UGA’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are working to find better ways to work with nature to keep the island’s dune lines intact. Reporter Emily Jones at WABE and Grist brings us a look at how technology for consistent mapping of the dune changes yields clues to maintaining a resilient shoreline.
We want to meet your friends! If you like this newsletter be sure to share it. And, if someone shared this with you, click here to sign up for regular delivery!
Ellis, Chatham County Commission step up CAT board campaign
By Craig Nelson
The Chatham County Commission voted 6-3 to pass a resolution to nullify a state law that replaced the board of the region’s transit authority, claiming it was unconstitutional.
International Paper to close Savannah, Riceboro plants
By Robin Kemp and Craig Nelson
According to a press release on its website, International Paper is cutting 1,100 jobs at the Savannah containerboard mill and packaging facility, and at the Riceboro containerboard mill and Riceboro Timber and Lumber.
Drones, lasers, 3D maps: Inside Tybee Island’s high-tech fight against erosion
By Emily Jones/WABE, Grist
Researchers from the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are using LiDAR technology to create detailed maps of Tybee Island’s beach and dunes, providing data to help local leaders protect the coastline from rising seas and extreme storms.
Walthourville pays garbage bill, will continue service
By Robin Kemp
Walthourville residents faced possibility of no garbage picked up due to the city’s failure to pay Atlantic Waste for services rendered since May, totaling $116,086.80.
FAQ: After boil water advisory, how much do you know about your water?
By Mary Landers
Learn about where the Savannah area gets its water and how the supply is regulated and protected.
Glynn commissioners question club’s management of St. Simons marina
By Jabari Gibbs
The St. Simons Boating and Fishing Club has seen a 63% increase in revenue since January, despite safety concerns and criticism of the club’s prioritization of members over the public, and the county has approved $5 million in public funds to address the renovations outlined in an engineering survey.
Groups vow to continue fight over St. Simons wetland
By Mary Landers
Environmentalists who filed a Clean Water Act Citizen Suit against Sea Island Acquisition Company for allegedly filling in a wetland on St. Simons Island without proper permits intend to seek reconsideration of a recent court dismissal of their complaint.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
You must be logged in to post a comment.