Thursday, June 5, 2025
Good morning! This week, we’ve got the scoop on a new airport coming to Bryan County, how the Savannah mayor and Chatham County sheriff operated incognito to stop a scam and where Liberty County officials stand on the county’s library budget request. -Jabari Gibbs
Let us know how we’re doing or send a suggestion to staff@thecurrentga.org
CHATHAM COUNTY
City leadership’s undercover operation: It’s not every day that you read a story where a city’s mayor and sheriff join the front lines to foil criminal activity. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman detailed their collaboration in stopping scams targeting area residents, The Current’s Tyler Davis reports.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Ceremony held for Vietnam Patrol Boat: Many onlookers came together on Saturday at the St. Marys waterfront for the unveiling of a patrol boat from the Vietnam War. 38 Vietnam veterans were also honored with certificates and pins. The tribute was led by VFW Post 8385 James Jarret Brown; U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter attended. After the ceremony, the veterans were given a ride on the new boat. Look at the photos here.
Budget work underway: The Camden County Board of Commissioners is working through its budget for fiscal year 25. The proposed budget of $86,154.748 is a 3.2% decrease from last year’s nearly $89 million budget. One reason for the decrease : The county will have to use $2 million for the uncertainty of federal funds. These include FEMA projects, such as the stormwater management plan the county paid $210,000 for with no reimbursement on the horizon. The DA has requested $1.8 million from $773,145 — there is no increase as presented. A public hearing will be June 12, and the budget is to be adopted on June 24.
BRYAN COUNTY
New airport coming to Bryan County: Last month, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that established the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority, which will oversee the creation of a new airport for Bryan County. Local state Rep. Ron Stephens (R-164), the bill’s sponsor, promised that the development of the airport would come at zero cost to Richmond Hill and Bryan County residents. Development of the airport is expected to take four to five years, The Current’s Lily Belle Poling reports.
GLYNN COUNTY
The Brunswick Job Corps faces total elimination: The Brunswick Job Corps, which helps teens and young adults by providing them with stable housing and vocational training in 11 trades, will cease operations due to federal spending cuts. The Brunswick Job Corps currently serves and houses 217 students – at least 25 of whom will be without housing after next week. The Brunswick corps is one of two in Georgia; one other center located near Albany. The center asks the public to write letters in support of the program to U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter and Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
Local fund gives out $3 million to fight homelessness: Under One Roof, a local community fund in Glynn County, has invested nearly $3 million in local nonprofits to support those facing housing insecurity. The fund aims to raise $10 million, with $3.1 million left to reach its goal. Beneficiaries include Saved By Grace, Golden Isles Veterans Village, and Foundations for Families, which have been able to purchase homes and provide housing to unhoused individuals. The fund’s CEO, Keeva Kase, has expressed pride in the impact it has already had, but also acknowledged that there is more work to be done to achieve its goal.
Bookkeeper charged with theft: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced on Wednesday that Christie Edwards, 47, from Jacksonville was indicted in Glynn County on charges of racketeering and theft by taking. The accounting clerk is alleged to have stolen more than $380,000 from an elderly client in Glynn County through multiple fraudulent maneuvers. Carr said that he recommends that seniors have multiple trusted individuals oversee financials.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Walthourville mourns market owner: Ronald DeLeon, owner of the iconic Walthourville Meat Market and co-owner of Latin Dream Restaurant in Hinesville, died May 24 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Several hundred people turned out for a free dinner Sunday in his memory at the market. DeLeon was revered for helping locals in need, whether through fundraiser dinners or one-on-one acts of kindness. DeLeon also ran Dockside Seafood/Sapelo Blue Crab in Townsend and Southeast Meats and Seafood in Screven. He was 38.
Liberty libraries may cut hours: Liberty County’s Board of Commissioners and the Live Oaks Public Libraries county branches differ over the libraries’ $1.62 million 2026 budget request. LOPL says the county’s proposed allocation is $190,000 short. County Finance Director Samantha Richardson said it’s not a “cut” because the library seeks 12.35% more than in 2025. LOPL spokesperson Betsy McCullar said Midway-Riceboro and Hinesville branches would cut weekday hours and close Saturdays as of July 1. The BOC votes June 17. Read Domonique King’s story from The Current GA here.
MCINTOSH COUNTY
Free nutrition classes at the library: The University of Georgia is providing a free eight-week course at the Ida Hilton Library located at 1105 North Way, at 2 p.m. Tuesdays through July 22. These will provide tools for attendees to make healthier dishes on a budget. Each week will include a recipe demonstration, tasting, and take-home extenders related to each topic. Those who attend each session will receive a graduation certificate.
Resource directory now live: Do you have trouble locating contacts for support during this sweltering South Georgia heat? McIntosh County Family Connection has assembled a directory to help connect you with the services you may need. The current list includes health care options, utility assistance, food, and afterschool and summer programs. The list is updated daily. Visit the link to see what you can use.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Jobs expo next week: The Effingham County Industrial Development Authority is hosting an employment expo for local industries from 4 to 7 p.m. June 10. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and ask prospective employers questions. Participating companies include AeroDynamic Aviation, Edwards Interiors, Georgia-Pacific, Lineage Logistics, and Shaw Industries, among many others. The event will be held at Rincon Elementary at 1703 Fort Howard Road, Rincon; those interested can RSVP here.
ALONG THE COAST
Get your voting sticker: Consider this your reminder if you want a say in how much you pay for electricity: Early voting is open for the June 17 Special Primary Public Service Commissioner Election — it’s the election where you vote on members of the panel that sets your electricity rates. Every county has at least one early voting location. Find yours here. This primary will include candidates for two Georgia districts — the vote is statewide, but the commissioners are running to represent just a portion of the state. Winners move to the November election to fill the 5-person panel. We know it’s confusing, and here’s a story to explain it all.
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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International immigrants drive rural population growth
By Sarah Melotte/The Daily Yonder
Nearly 300,000 people have immigrated from abroad to nonmetropolitan, or rural, counties since 2020, driving most of the growth in rural America during that time, according to a Daily Yonder analysis of new Census data. This story also appeared in The Daily Yonder Rural America has been growing in the years following the pandemic. But that came after a […]
Live Oak Public Libraries face reduced hours amid budget approval
By Domonique King
Live Oak Public Libraries are facing a funding shortfall of $190,000 in the 2026 budget, which could lead to reduced hours and closed weekends, while the Liberty County Board of Commissioners are expected to vote on the proposed budget in two weeks.
Open houses set for Interstate 16 widening project
By Dave Williams/Capitol Beat
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public input ahead of two planned open houses this month on a plan to widen Interstate 16 west of Savannah. This story also appeared in Capitol Beat News Service The project would widen the heavily traveled highway from two lanes to three in both directions from the I-16/I-95 interchange […]
Christopher Sweat joins The Current GA as Development Manager
By Jeffrey Woolverton
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