Al Hackle

District Attorney Robert Busbee of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit died Friday morning after becoming unresponsive while at a Statesboro gym and being rushed to the local hospital. Elected as the four-county circuit’s chief prosecutor in 2024, he was sworn into office less than 18 months ago.

With Statesboro Police Chief Charles “Mike” Broadhead set to retire July 1, the city government is preparing to mount a national search for a new police chief with help from the same firm that helped bring Broadhead here more than nine years ago.

The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office usually plays a key role in the local Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. But for Memorial Day 2026, Sheriff Noel Brown even gave the keynote remarks in the program hosted by American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90 at the Emma Kelly Theat

Because of a recent change in Georgia law regarding the new sales tax known as FLOST, the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners may be able to roll back their property tax millage rate by more than full mill this year, instead of waiting another year.

Four days after District Attorney Robert Busbee’s sudden death last Friday, staff at the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office issued an updated statement, noting steps to name a successor but first expressing gratitude for an outpouring of compassion and support.

A contractor is now making visible progress on the storm drainage reconstruction under Country Club Road, toward an expected road reopening around Labor Day.

In a change from the usual practice, Statesboro City Council will hold another public hearing for the second reading and possible final approval of a Data Centers Ordinance during council’s 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, regular meeting.

In-person early voting in Georgia’s June 16 general primary runoff is already set to begin Monday, June 8, and in fact this Friday, June 5, is the deadline for any registered voters who want an absentee paper ballot mailed to them to apply for one.

After hearing from several citizens expressing a range of concerns — including some outright opposition to allowing “data centers” of any size anywhere, Statesboro City Council by a 3-1 vote Tuesday approved an ordinance that could allow data centers occupying up to 50 acres each in certain zones.

Near the end of Tuesday morning's council meeting, Statesboro City Manager Charles W. Penny, who has been in charge of the city government's day-to-day operations for nearly seven years, announced that he plans to retire, effective Jan. 1, 2027.