Thursday, June 11, 2026


Good morning!

Hey, Coastal Georgia! I’m Robin Kemp, The Current GA‘s accountability reporter in Liberty County. Summer’s in full swing and Coastal Georgia has plenty of fun things to do this week. Protect your local environment, take a kid fishing, grab your pickleball partner, and scope out local reptiles at the UGA Aquarium.

Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org

Thunderbolt Sustainable Summer: Help the environment and get rid of troublesome junk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13 at Cesaroni Park, 2817 3rd St., Thunderbolt. Atlantic Waste will take your old tires, batteries, and electronics so they don’t end up in landfills. Enjoy family fun  and food trucks, plus learn easy, practical ways to take care of the environment through interactive exhibits and educational booths. Free.

A male Eastern box turtle collected from the future site of Solomon Park on Tybee Island on April 3, 2026. Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA/CatchLight/Report for America

Coastal reptiles: Learn about Coastal Georgia’s turtles, snakes and lizards at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at the UGA Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah. Meet ambassador animals (snakes or turtles) and learn why they’re important to our coastal habitats. $15 nonrefundable registration includes event and UGA Aquarium admission. All ages welcome; kids under 18 must be accompanied by registered adult. Questions? Cindy Lingebach at calingeb@uga.edu or call 912-598-2344.

Help seniors keep cool: Donate a fan to help keep homebound older adults stay safe and comfortable through the hot summer. You can donate new 20-inch box fans (still in the box) or contribute funds to purchase them on your behalf. Donate online at this link or 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays at Senior Citizens Inc., 3026 Bull St., in Savannah. 

Tax office on wheels: Tax office on wheels: The Chatham County Tax Commissioner’s Office has launched a new Mobile Tax Office to bring tax services to neighborhoods by appointment 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, community events on Saturdays, and after church services on Sundays. At Skidaway Island on Tuesdays, Pooler on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Tybee Island on Thursdays. Neighborhood associations, churches, community groups can schedule Friday through Sunday pop-ups at 912-652-7118. Services include tags, titles and general assistance.

Kids can eat lunch free this summer at Live Oak Public Libraries. Gustavo Fring/Pexels.com Credit: Gustavo Fring/Pexels.com

Summer lunch programs: Live Oak Public Libraries in Chatham and Liberty Counties will sponsor free lunches starting June 1 through July 31. Free meal programs will be available from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays at Bull Street, Forest City, Garden City, Hinesville, Midway-Riceboro, Port City and Southwest Chatham locations.

Skate night at the park: The 912 Skaters Coalition holds an all-ages skate 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Thursday at Lake Mayer Park, 850 E Montgomery Cross Road., Savannah. Featuring tunes by DJ Live Child. Free skating; Cash App tips to $djlivechild. The group is working to create a safe, inclusive skating facility in Savannah.

Veterans art studio: The Telfair Museums’ veterans-only studio program offers a calm, open approach to drawing and painting with guidance from an experienced instructor, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday at the Jepson Center, 207 W. York St. Savannah. You don’t need experience in making art. Studio space allows artists to work independently, but you can request guidance from an instructor as you wish. Includes occasional tours of major exhibits at the museum. Contact Kip Bradley at 912-790-8823 or bradleyk@telfair.org.

Register for summer camp: City of Savannah summer camps, including general and specialty camps, are open for registration. General camps will run weekly through July 17. Ten community centers across Savannah will host their own themes for each two-week session, Locations and dates vary for all camps. Online registration will be open until a week before each session begins. Financial aid is available. Savannah residents get priority. Non-residents will be waitlisted until the week before camp.

2nd annual kids’ fishing derby: Grab your poles and get your bait ready for a fun-filled morning of fishing, prizes, and memories from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, at the State Route-110 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill. Open to all kids 16 and under. Register here: https://bit.ly/4tHAPDk.

A girl catches a fish. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Bring your flag: The Woodbine Public Library plans to display 250 flags for July 4. Visit the library and pick up a kit at 103 E. Eighth St., Woodbine. Call 912-489-5490.

Hurricane registry: Residents who have medical needs, physical disabilities and other transportation limitations and who need assistance have two options to register for help for hurricane evacuation. Residents of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and Mcintosh counties may call 833-243-7344 or visit the Coastal Health District website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/registry to download an application. 

Glynn launches pre-hospital whole blood program: Glynn County Fire Rescue (GCFR) announced the implementation of its pre-hospital whole-blood transfusion program. On Friday, May 22, GCFR officially launched its pre-hospital whole blood program. This makes GCFR the first Fire/Rescue department south of the Atlanta metro area to carry whole blood in the field. This capability provides critically injured patients with the blood volume, oxygen-carrying capacity, clotting factors, and platelets they have lost before they reach a trauma center.

BATS to end Citizens Advisory Committee under new amendment: On June 8, the Brunswick Area Transportation Study announced a 45-day public comment period for a proposed update to the public participation plan. This period will stay open until July 23. It introduces new sections that define the role of a newly created Non‑voting Public Representative seat on the Policy Committee and the Technical Coordinating Committee. It also requires BATS to hold two community engagement events each year. View the draft here

Army birthday at Farmers Market: Wish the U.S. Army a happy early birthday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Thursday, June 11, at the Hinesville Farmers and Makers Market in Bradwell Park, 107 S. Commerce St., Hinesville. Join your neighbors from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field for an afternoon of food, music, crafts, and homegrown goodies.

Hinesville community hangout: Enjoy good vibes and a relaxed atmosphere with friends and neighbors starting 6 p.m., Friday, June 12, at Bradwell Park, 107 S. Commerce St., Hinesville. No drama, just family fun and food trucks to kick off your weekend.

Second Saturday block party: The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority presents Battle of the Bands winner Dayfall, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at Bradwell Park, 107 S. Commerce St., Hinesville. Games and local food complement the evening. Sponsored by Milan Aire Group and Silverton Mortgage.

Pickleball fans: sign up to play! Hson/Pexels.com Credit: Hson/Pexels.com

Summer pickleball tourney: The Liberty County Armed Services YMCA hosts a Summer Pickleball Tournament, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 13 at 201 Mary Lou Drive, Hinesville. Mixed couples teams play in a lottery-style bracket for fresh, exciting matchups without rankings. Double elimination means lots of court time. Members $35 per person; non-member, $40 per person. Call 912-368-9622 with questions.

Liberty County Proud and Healthy 5K: Every first Saturday of the month, meet up at 7:30 a.m. at the pavilion in James A. Brown Park, 800 Tupelo Trail in Hinesville, for the Liberty County Proud and Healthy 5K Run/Walk, rain or shine! Registration and numbers 7:30 a.m., race 8 a.m. Enjoy a brisk run or a leisurely walk with new friends along the wooded, paved trail and take home information and giveaways. Free, family-friendly, and fun!

Greatest American Cleanup: Join Keep Liberty Beautiful on Wednesday, June 17 for two community cleanups. Meet at 10 a.m. at Gumbranch City Hall, 5334 Georgia Hwy. 196, and/or at Allenhurst Town Hall, 4063 W. Oglethorpe Hwy. at 11:30 a.m. Help meet our goal of 25 billion pieces of litter removed by July 4. Call 912-880-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.gov for more information.

Shrimp and Steel: Shrimp & Steel: Tactical Challenge, 8 a.m. sign-in, First Shots at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 12317 GA 251, Darien. Match Fees: $50, one division; $80, two divisions. Lunch included; gun and prize giveaways. Benefits the 15th annual Sheriff Thornell “TK” King Christmas Toy Giveaway. For info: 912-437-6623.

Revolutionary War reenactors, Fort Morris Historic Site, Midway, Nov. 22, 2025. Robin Kemp/The Current GA Credit: Robin Kemp/The Current GA

Revolutionary memorial: St. Andrew’s Parish Chapter of the National Society Daughters of American Revolution will unveil a marker honoring those who fought in the Revolutionary War. 10 a.m. Saturday, Courthouse Square, Darien.

McIntosh S.E.E.D. meeting: McIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) invites women landowners and community members to connect virtually to discuss agroforestry, forest preservation, and sustainable agricultural practices that help protect and strengthen local communities. The meeting will start at 6 p.m on Thursday, June 11, 2026, via Zoom. You can register to join here: http://forms.gle/RvYwuPnn2QHackgk6

New YMCA location: The McIntosh YMCA is entering an exciting new chapter as the YMCA of Coastal Georgia announces the branch’s relocation to a new facility designed to better serve the community. Beginning June 1, 2026, the McIntosh YMCA will officially open at its new location, 5873 US-17, Darien, 31305.

Protect yourself: All branches of the Coastal Health District are offering free testing for sexually transmitted infections. One in five people in the U.S. are infected yet often don’t realize it until long-term serious damage develops. Protect yourself and the ones you love—get checked. Mark your calendar for National HIV Testing Day, June 27, with free testing at various Walgreens locations in Savannah, Brunswick, and Garden City. Learn more about testing and treatment here.

Eye exams are an important part of back-to-school checkups. Tahir Xəlfə/Pexels.com Credit: Tahir Xəlfə/Pexels.com

Back to school checkups: Children entering pre-K, kindergarten, 7th grade, or 11th grade may need screenings and immunizations to enroll in school this fall. County health departments are holding back to school checkups in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. Check the times and locations nearest you. 

Flu shots available: Health departments in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties now offer updated 2025-2026 flu vaccine. Supplies limited in some locations. 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. Insurance usually covers costs. Low-cost options available if you’re uninsured.

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, according to Coastal Health District. Learn more here.


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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Robin is a reporter covering Liberty County for The Current GA. She has decades of experience at CNN, Gambit and was the founder of another nonprofit, The Clayton Crescent. Contact her at robin.kemp@thecurrentga.org Her...