Grice Connect looks back at what a year 2021 has been for so many. We have all experienced a range of emotions in 2021 from extraordinary joy to deep sadness. As we look back at our hyper-local coverage of Statesboro and Bulloch County, it is overwhelming at the body of work we have produced. Our goal of connecting the community, gets stronger with each story.
We Asked, You Responded
Last year we made an appeal for help from each of you who follow us daily and you responded with generous financial support. Some of you now support us personally or through your business monthly. Others of you choose to support Grice Connect annually.
Your financial support not only has allowed us to improve the look and speed of our website, but also allowed us to enhance and expand our coverage by adding additional staff. The more we grow, the more opportunities to expand coverage we discover.
More importantly, your support provides us encouragement, when we feel overwhelmed by the demands of keeping up with our community seven days a week. We thank you for your support and encouragement.
With the support of readers like you, we provide thoughtfully researched articles for a more informed and connected community. This is your chance to support credible, community-based, public-service journalism. Please join us!
Newspack | LION
Because of your financial support we were selected to partner with Newspack, which is a partnership between Wordpress and the Google Local News Initiative. This partnership entailed a complete rebuild and reboot of our website in July. It also plugs our team into a local online news collaborative. This has connected us to our peers and provided tremendous tools and opportunities to expand our services.
Thanks to your support we also accepted an invitation to join Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers which is a professional journalism association for independent news publishers. This has als elevated our reach and provided us with resources to position our news operation to continue to grow and prosper.
Your source for hyper-local Bulloch news
We have made a commitment to you to keep Grice Connect focused on hyper local news. We have also committed to make all of our content free to our community, without the need of passwords or subscriptions. Your loyal following has shown your support for this commitment to hyper-local news provided free for all to enjoy.
Over 1,000 of you subscribe to our free daily newsletter and tens of thousands of you follow us daily on our website or through your social media of choice.
Help us continue and grow
We need your help now to continue to grow Grice Connect. Please consider supporting us on a monthly or annual basis financially both personally and through your business or organization. Your membership and financial support ensures that we can keep our content free and continue to increase our local news coverage.
There is a lot of room for growth. In fact, many people do not know about the work we are doing. We need your help sharing Grice Connect with your family, coworkers and friends.
Encourage them to follow us on social media and sign up to our free daily emails.
Join the Grice Connect Team
Lastly, consider joining our team part time or on a stringer basis either for pay or a gift of your time and talent. We need writers who know and love our community and share our goal of showing it at its very best.
We are also looking for marketing and sponsorship assistance. If you have a talent in sales, marketing or membership relations and are looking for an opportunity part time or even full time reach out us. If any of this interests you please contact DeWayne Grice at dewayne@griceconnect.com.
We have some exciting plans for growth in 2022. All we need is your support.
2021 Most Viewed Stories
Below we have complied the most viewed stories by month. You can click on any of these headlines to view the story if you missed it or want to revisit it. Keep in mind, this is only a small percentage of the total stories we covered this past year.
January 2021
Three Seriously Burned in Brooklet House Fire Sunday Morning: VIDEO
New Vandy’s BBQ Owners Closing Mall Location, Renovating Downtown
Statesboro Radio – East Georgia’s Morning Show Celebrates 1st Anniversary
Goodbye BI-LO, Hello Food Lion – BI-LO Closing February 14th
Georgia Southern Officially Opens New Engineering & Research Building
Forest Heights Pharmacy Vaccinates 300 for COVID on Saturday
February 2021
Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch Co. Awarded National Recognition
Chamber of Commerce Moving to Bulloch Solutions on Buckhead Drive
Georgia Southern names the Fred & Dinah Gretsch School of Music
Man Rams Bulloch Victims Cars – Sets Cars and House on Fire: VIDEO
EGRMC Reports Having Zero COVID Patients on Ventilators
March 2021
GS Student Creates Vaccine Lapel Pins to Encourage Vaccinations – Order Yours Now
Holiday Inn Express in Downtown Statesboro Celebrates First Year: VIDEO
Major Movie Production “Devotion” Filming Scenes at Statesboro-Bulloch Airport
20 Statesboro Families Displaced Due to Little Lott’s Creek Apartment Fire
Community Memorial Service to honor Bulloch County COVID deaths
Kidnapper Killed after High Speed Chase In Bulloch: Eyewitness VIDEO
Dublin High Principal Dr. Jaroy Stuckey and Family Killed in I-16 Accident
City and County Break Ground on $4.5 Million Parks Improvements: VIDEO
SPD Captain Kaleb Moore Injured in a Motorcycle Accident Wednesday
Monifa Johnson is the new Housing Authority of the City of Statesboro executive director
$560,350 Raised for OTC During the 2021 IGot Campaign
Georgia Southern Hosts Vaccine PODs for Faculty, Staff & Students
April 2021
63 People Displaced From Fire Immediate Financial Help Needed
Two Additional Apartment Fires Monday Keep Firefighters Busy
Lisa Turner Named 2020 Statesboro Kiwanian of the Year
Bulloch Community Responds to Help Meet Immediate Fire Victims Needs
Fire Chief Addresses Causes of Recent Fires – Additional Media Coverage
More Bulloch Citizens Died of COVID than Wars Combined
Bulloch Fire Battles Wildfire that Burned Over 100 Acres Wednesday
Splash in the Boro Waterpark Set to Open May 22, 2021
STAR Students & Teachers Honored at 63rd STAR Recognition Luncheon
Cindy Steinmann Appointed to Serve as Assistant County Manager
Medical Center Pharmacy Closes After 61 Years of Business
May 2021
Georgia teen’s lapel pins make a point for vaccine
Community Supports Bulloch Solutions Grand Opening: VIDEO
Statesboro Seniors Surprised with Beautiful Flowers from Foodlion
Jack Hill Building Naming Ceremony Celebrates Late Senator’s Legacy
Morris Bank Welcomes New Commercial & Mortgage Lenders
Public Safety Honored by Ogeechee Masonic Lodge #213 F & AM
Museum Conference Signals Much Needed Return of Conventions
Van Buren Sanitarium Heavily Damaged by Fire Sunday Night
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport Terminal Named for Ellis Wood
Low Flying Military Aircraft In Brooklet Confirmed to be Training Exercises
SPD Foundation Awarded Scholarships to Children of SPD Employees
DSDA Announces Completion of Latest Project: Downtown Art Alley
June 2021
Sherrie Zeigler Retires from Statesboro Bulloch County Parks & Recreation
Georgia Police K9 Foundation raised over $150,000 Saturday evening
Statesboro Mayor releases first book “People Over Politics”
Bulloch Deputies Apprehend Suspect after Chase & Manhunt: VIDEO
Fostering Bulloch, Builders for Christ use 7 days to build summer camp: Video
OTC offers robotics training & apprenticeships in Amazon’s MRA program
Statesboro’s Dr. Ruthie Crider featured in GA DPH Vaccine Billboards
Deal Funeral Directors Host Public Safety Appreciation luncheon and fundraiser for Matt Rogers
City Council to let Voters decide on Package sales of Liquor in city
Brooklet passes up Greenway Trail after community pushback
Statesboro High student’s short film showing nationally on PBS
Portal’s Bobby Ivey pulls Lady from Burning Car Crash saving her life
Statesboro Farmers Market Returns to Record Crowds Saturday
July 2021
Bulloch Board of Commissioners appoints new Volunteer Fire Coordinator
Stringer Tire Service Closes after 47 Years of Service to the Community
Firecracker Fest a HUGE Success – Record Crowds – Amazing Fireworks
Lt. Gov Duncan Names Senator Billy Hickman to Study Committee
Board of Commissioners appoints Shontay Jones Elections Supervisor
Three Dead in Bulloch County Shooting on July 4th
Statesboro says Goodbye to Gil Riggs founder of Regency Photo & “Road-e-o King”
Georgia Southern College of Education welcomes new dean
Georgia DOT will open I-16 Westbound at 5 PM Friday
“Shine Like Kathryn” Random Acts of Kindness to honor GS Student on the Anniversary of her death
Averitt recognizes local artists with Best in Show and Roxie Remley Award
Cool Beanz Espresso Bar Relocates and Expands Downtown
Eagle Inn Motel demolished – No immediate plans to replace
Sharri Edenfield honored by State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division
Francys Johnson gets into ‘good trouble’, arrested at voter rights march in D.C.
Altrusa Club Celebrates a Milestone of 70,000 book donations
Two of Statesboro’s youngest barrel racers fly through world championship
Ashley Ellis becomes Independent Insurance of Georgia’s new president
Stacy Underwood’s Uncle Shug’s Bar-B-Q Place on Main is Stunning and Delicious
Public Invited to Luetta Moore Park Reopening Saturday at 1:00 PM
August 2021
Boro Welcome Back GS, EGSC and OTC students: Random Acts of Kindness Encouraged
Bulloch County School bus Overturns in Thursday morning accident
95% of COVID patients at EGRMC today UNVACCINATED | Best way to help our hospital is GET VACCINATED
Viracon closing Statesboro Plant | 200 employees losing jobs
OTC appoints Pennington and Summers to Local Board of Directors
Bulloch County EMS managing unimaginably heavy call load
Car drives into McCook’s Pharmacy in Statesboro | No injuries
Larry Jones recognized as American Red Cross “Rookie of the Year”
Tandoor & Tap Celebrates first year in business downtown
Nandi Marshall appointed Associate Dean of GS’s College of Public Health
Ray Davis donates grants to local fire stations in Bulloch County
Dr. Russell Keen named Augusta University EVP for administration
Mayor McCollar Elected President of GMA District 12
Bulloch community comes out to support EGRMC staff and patients
September 2021
Jennifer Davis to lead Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce
Grice GOOD – City of Statesboro provides Food Trucks for entire EGRMC and EMS staff
Averitt Center meet-n-greet introduces dance instructor Rebekah Harville Carlisle
Reta Jo Lewis nominated by President Biden for key import-export role
Three Tree Coffee opens location in GSU Campus Library
Bulloch Academy Students return to a stunning “New” campus on Friday
Bethany Gilliam promoted to two key local and state CTAE roles
City, County to host ribbon cutting for Reverend W.D. Kent Park
Southern Family Dental Group welcomes Statesboro’s Thomas Marshall
SFD Lt. Chris Applebee Funeral Sunday at Bulloch Memorial Gardens
Caroline Nelson named president of Bulloch First bank
Joey Jones named to College of Engineering Advisory Committee at GS
Georgia Southern names Kevin Whitley interim head coach after terminating Lunsford
A letter to GS University and Eagle Nation from Chad Lunsford
JNC recommends candidates for new Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Judge
October 2021
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Rotary Club Of Downtown Statesboro Celebrates 25 years of Service
Statesboro Kiwanis installs new officers, welcomes new members
ZTA Alumnae “Pinked Out” downtown fountain for Breast Cancer Awareness
Georgia Southern Museum reopens, celebrates Earth Sciences Week
Wal-mart selects student’s TikTok video nomination, teacher wins $5K
Kiwanis Fair returns for the 59th year with a focus on safety and fun
Georgia Southern University celebrates ‘40 Under 40’ Class of 2021
Bulloch Schools CTAE releases comprehensive Workforce Development plan
Statesboro Paramedic Jamie Ward receives National Award
CrossRoads Community Church raised $11k to ship 21 year old killed in car crash body back to Mexico
26th annual Brooklet Elementary Pumpkin Parade in Downtown Brooklet
Citizens interest in Downtown Statesboro Master Plan remains high
Statesboro man shoots self during I-95 standoff in Delaware
Reverend/Dr. Bill Perry, “Statesboro’s Pastor”, passed away Thursday morning
November 2021
Dr. David Schecter finalist for East Georgia State College Presidency
Clay Helton Named Head Football Coach of Georgia Southern Eagles
Statesboro’s Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant opens Tuesday, November 2
Mayor McCollar, Councilman Riggs and Liquor all WIN
Kids World awarded Literacy Endorsement from Gov. Kemp and DECAL
Chris Gohagan named Partner at Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, Marsh & Hodgin, LLC
James Pope appointed as Bulloch County Planning and Development Director
TravelCenters of America Breaks Ground on Statesboro Travel Center
EGRMC Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
D’Angelo Shaw | From Homeless Veteran to Manager of Statesboro Planet Fitness
Bulloch Citizens come together to honor our Veterans
Two Children have died in a Statesboro house fire Saturday night
Rolling Monkey partners with Boys and Girls Club to celebrate 3rd Anniversary November 14th
Statesboro couple see dreams come to life in the opening of the new Bites
Inman Hodges, Sr. a KFC Pioneer, business leader and philanthropist has died
Jay Clarke 2021 Bulloch County Farmer of the Year
Twin Oaks Vineyard Set to Open for Weddings and Events in Early 2022
EGSC-Statesboro faculty and staff get preview of new home on GS campus
Adabelle recognized by Bulloch Historical Society with Historical Marker
Lt. Gen. Smith named Carter Chair of Leadership at Georgia Southern
TMT Farms Christmas lights drive thru opens Thanksgiving
Feed the Boro presents 500,000th meal to Vera Mercer
The Jumping Place Skydive Center Pilot Killed in Plane Crash
December 2021
Tippins Family Commits to Largest Gift in Georgia Southern Athletics History
GA DPH has Confirmed Omicron Variant in Georgia
Austin, Evans, and Scott appointed to OTC Foundation Board
Bulloch County grown Satsumas thrills locals and tourists alike
Local Dentists and Oral Surgeons Team up for a Gift of Dentistry
Statesboro’s “Miss America” Dr. Kara Martin Shelar shares her journey
Guido Gardens Nights of Lights December 10th through 26th
Statesboro Citizens Responds to Mayfield Kentucky Disaster | Your Help Needed
GA DOT awards $435,000 grant for S&S Greenway Trail expansion
John Roach New Morris Bank Market President | Swicord Appointed to Advisory Board
One Year Anniversary COVID Vaccine
Publix construction finally begins as developer receives building permits
10 Statesboro Youth have “A Place to Dream” tonight thanks to the YMCA
Troy Pittman named district engineer for Southeast Georgia
TCSG Names Ryan Foley as Interim President of Southern Crescent Technical College
NTSB releases preliminary report in fatal Statesboro plane crash
Balloon Festival to be held at Kiwanis Fairgrounds May 14-15, 2022
180 Bulloch Children receive Christmas Toys from Jaycees and Marine’s Toys for Tots campaign
City of Statesboro toy drive grants Christmas wishes for 100 families
Claxton Fruitcake taste like home to me – an explosion of memories in every bite
Looking forward to 2022
We thank you for your support of Grice Connect. Together we will continue to connect and inform our community in extraordinary ways. All of us at Grice Connect hope 2022 is filled with good health and great prosperity for you, your family and your business.