Thursday, May 22, 2025

A new adventure! We’re always working to make sure our newsletters are as useful as they can be, and we’ll be experimenting over the next few months in this Thursday space in place of our public safety news. We’ll still be covering those stories, but in a different form.  

Cast Net will feature 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 how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org

CHATHAM COUNTY

American flags line the sidewalk on Savannah's Jones Street.
American flags line the sidewalk on Savannah’s Jones Street. Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current GA Credit: Justin Taylor/The Current

FLAGS FOR THE FALLEN: From May 23-26, the Memory Garden at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 176 Bourne Ave., Pooler will be planted with 26,000 48-star American flags to honor the 26,000 airmen of the Eighth Air Force in World War II who never returned home.

SAVANNAH SLOWS DOWN: If you are driving around Savannah this weekend, watch your speed. In the last few weeks, speed limits on many busy streets have been lowered — nearly 400 signs have been changed. The move was part of the city’s VisionZero effort to end traffic fatalities, serious injuries and to make it easier for everyone get to their destinations safely. Want to know which streets are affected? Here’s a list.

TYBEE GETS A GRANT: Tybee Island will receive a $2.5 million Georgia Fund loan to finance construction of sewer lines within the right-of-way to help improve maintenance access, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority announced May 13. The city will pay 2.49% interest on the 20-year loan. This loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate due to the city being a WaterFirst Community.

Slide showing anticipated increases for Camden County insurance costs.

CAMDEN COUNTY

INSURANCE COSTS RISE: This week the Camden County Commission was told the county should anticipating nearly a $300,000 increase in its budget for Fiscal Year 2026 due to a potential 20% premium increase for property, equipment, and auto/liability insurance. The county’s insurance has increased by 200% over the past 10 years, with liability coverage driving most of the increase. The general fund will be used to cover claims, and the current deductible costs of $350,000 for vehicle claims and $250,000 for liability claims remain the same as last fiscal year. The Current reported on the repeated instances of Camden County Sheriff deputies’ jailhouse violence and car accidents, which led to the law enforcement insurance provider dropping coverage.

WOODBINE COMMUNITY GATHERING: A town hall-style meeting is set for May 27 at the Woodbine Public Library, featuring Vice Chair and District 1 County Commissioner Robbie Cheek. The event is organized by LEAD Woodbine Partners, Inc., a community non-profit that supports Woodbine and North Camden County.  Residents are welcome to express concerns and ask questions. Library info.

BRYAN COUNTY

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: Richmond Hill’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. May 26 at J.F. Gregory Park, 521 Cedar St., Richmond Hill. This event is held in honor and remembrance of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This year’s ceremony will feature guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Brian J. Webber, 603d Aviation Support Battalion. Details here.

FALL SPORTS SIGNUPS: Bryan County Parks and Recreation/ Henderson and Timber Trail parks will open fall leagues registration on May 27 for youth baseball, football, softball, cheer, cross country, and volleyball. More info here.

GLYNN COUNTY

Register for Kids’ Fishing Day at https://coastalgadnr.org/KidsFishingEvents Credit: Coastal Georgia Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

KIDS FISHING DAY: The Coastal Resources Division will host the John Pafford Memorial Kids Fishing Event on June 7 at the Sidney Lanier Fishing Pier in Brunswick. The free event is open to children ages 5-12 and will feature marine biologists teaching kids how to bait a hook and cast a line. Each participant will receive a free fishing rod, tackle, and a small tackle box. The event coincides with Georgia’s free fishing day, meaning no fishing license is required. Registration required. Here’s the link.

TRAINING FOR ICE STOPS, RAIDS: A Better Glynn, in collaboration with Migrant Equity Southeast, held an ally training on May 18 to educate citizens on how to support members of the immigrant community. The training provided information on how to respond if ICE raided a residence and included guides on how to report ICE raids. Glynn County Sheriff applied for the 287(g) program, which allows deputies to serve administrative warrants on and arrest immigrants accused of entering the country illegally. Need more info? Go here.

LIBERTY COUNTY

WALTHOURVILLE FACES CUTS: Walthourville’s City Council is considering cutting $99,509.17 from police and $225,000 from fire, totaling $592,509, resulting in 2 lost public safety positions and one from the fire department. Cuts also would hit garbage services, toward the $1.2 million city deficit for fiscal 2025. Taxes approved in May would raise an estimated $807,000 in property taxes, but not collected until fiscal year 2027. The council will review other city departments at its next meeting. Agenda and info.

MIDWAY AUDIT COMES OUT: Midway City’s 2023 audit has been completed, and they are “off the naughty list” of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which shows municipalities and counties that have failed to file mandatory financial reports and are ineligible for grants. The city’s 2024 audit is underway. (Walthourville also has been on the list.) Read the DCA notes here. 

MCINTOSH COUNTY

NEW FIREFIGHTERS: At their monthly meeting May 13, McIntosh County Commissioners honored 7 volunteer firefighters who just received their Firefighter 1 certifications. The certifications enable them to join the ranks of the county’s fire units and provide a good training foundation for the county. The certification required work 3 nights a week for a total of 120 hours of training.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY

10,000 LIBRARY CARDS: The Springfield Library first opened in May 1995, and since then, more than 10,000 patrons hold library cards and have checked out more than 42,000 materials. You can join the birthday celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the branch at 810 Hwy 119 S. in Springfield. Click here for info

ALONG THE COAST

Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia will sponsor free lunches for kids at locations across the region. Find one near you here.

KIDS EAT FREE: Starting June 2, 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

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Susan Catron is managing editor for The Current GA. She is based in Coastal Georgia and has more than two decades of experience in Georgia newspapers. Contact her at susan.catron@thecurrentga.org Susan...