Zoning Appeals, Open Investigation

Sunday Solutions — June 7, 2026

Good morning! I’m Sarah, social media editor at The Current, popping in for another Sunday Solutions with you all. We’ve got stories building on months and even years of reporting along the coast. Don’t worry if you need to catch up, we’ve got links to articles to provide context. So grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite pick-me-up), a snack, and get ready to dig in.

Before you head into this week’s read, I’d love to see you over on socials! Wherever you like to get your news, we’ll meet you there.

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NEWS: BUSINESS

Richmond Hill rejects nickel refinery

In a packed meeting Tuesday evening, officials in Richmond Hill voted unanimously to maintain zoning that would not allow nickel refining on the Caesarstone property. Oklahoma-based Westwin Elements proposed the nickel refinery, drawing a backlash of public comment at a meeting in February. Reporting from The Current’s Mary Landers notes that the city’s decision doesn’t 100% rule out a nickel refinery, but it does mean that in order for one to be built, a rezoning involving public input would have to take place.

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See your community’s typical income, age

About half the residents of Liberty County are below the age of 30 — it’s a young place compared to the rest of Georgia. Per-capita earnings there of about $28,000 are about two-thirds of the statewide figure.

Basic community facts like this come from results of the U.S. Census every 10 years plus the agency’s calculations and surveys between the big counts. They’re an important reference for reporters like Robin Kemp, who used the population of a Liberty census tract to understand that a proposed new development would double the immediate area’s population. Read her coverage, or head to Census Reporter, a website created by reporters that publishes huge amounts of census data in an easy-to-navigate format.

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NEWS: COURTS

State oversight agency probes Brunswick DA

Following allegations of “willful” financial misconduct by multiple counties in his district dating back to January 2021, the state oversight agency has launched a full investigation into Brunswick District Attorney Keith Higgins.

The formal notification of an investigation into Higgins’ management of the district attorney’s office is the latest in a nearly two-year struggle between the office and the counties over budget disbursements. The Current’s Jabari Gibbs has more on the accusations and what is to come with the investigation.

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NEWS: COMMUNITY

New zoning proposal approved on Sapelo

A 3-2 vote from the McIntosh County Commission on Thursday created a new limit on housing sizes in the Hogg Hummock community. The draft measure now heads to the county zoning board for its approval, at its July meeting.

The zoning battle over Hogg Hummock, one of the last intact Gullah Geechee communities in the U.S., began in September 2023, when the commission’s decision to approve larger construction on the island concerned longtime residents. The Current’s Mary Landers lays out the new limits and lingering concerns about the process.

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NEWS: ENVIRONMENT

☕ Your second cup: Public parks pay off

Coastal Georgia is no stranger to the benefits of local parks, from community events to free, accessible access to health and wellness. Grist quotes a study saying belief that parks are critical infrastructure is a bi-partisan one, gaining 80% or more support from both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump voters. On top of this incentive for local government to push more parks, Grist reports that every dollar spent on a parks and recreation brings another $3 to local economies.

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