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Grice Connect looks back at 2021 | Thanks for your generous support

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.
2021-A-look-back
Credit: Grice Connect

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

State offices and Bulloch Schools will close Friday, September 3 to allow employees to get vaccinated

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

Portal Officer Bobby Ivey and Bulloch Deputy Stephen Herndon named Public Servant officers of the Year | VIDEO

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

Grice Connect receives Best Coronavirus Coverage award from LION during international Local Journalism Awards Ceremony

Jay Clarke 2021 Bulloch County Farmer of the Year

Tiffany Kreun/Bryan Realiza and Nash Davis/Allison Lightsey are the Wing Maxx 2021 Dancing with the Statesboro Stars Mirror Ball Winners

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

Kendria Lee elected to Leadership Southeast Georgia Executive Committee | Madison Roesel to Board of Directors

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.