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Private utility wants to bypass Georgia county to connect water to new homes near Hyundai plant
A factory building is under construction at Hyundai's first U.S. plant for manufacturing electric vehicles on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Ellabell, Ga. A private utility is asking Georgia lawmakers to change a state law so it can provide water service to new homes near Hyundai's upcoming EV plant without getting permission from local governments. A state Senate committee in Atlanta voted Tuesday, March 12, 2024, to advance the proposal a week after it passed the House. (RUSS BYNUM/AP file)
RUSS BYNUM
Associated Press
Published: Mar 12, 2024, 11:16 PM
SAVANNAH — A private utility is asking Georgia legislators to change a state law so the company can provide water service to new homes near Hyundai's upcoming electric vehicle factory without first getting permission from local governments.
Herald holds first-ever Player of the Week Awards Banquet
Bulloch Academy's Joshua Mager named Boys Player of the Year; Southeast Bulloch's Paige Nelson and Statesboro's Katlyn Sullivan named Girls Co-Players of the Year
Paige Nelson, front, reacts with her Southeast Bulloch High Flag Football teammates as she is named Co-Player of the Year during the Statesboro Herald Player of the Week High School Sports Banquet at Statesboro First Baptist Church on Thursday, May 8.
- photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff
From staff reports
Published: May 9, 2025, 3:02 AM
Bulloch County’s top high school athletes were honored Thursday night at the Statesboro Herald’s first Player of the Week Awards banquet held in the Perry Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church Statesboro.
Each week, the Herald selects a boy and a girl from Portal High School, Southeast Bulloch High School, Statesboro High School or Bulloch Academy as the Vision Source Professional Eye Care Prep Sports Spotlight Player of the Week. Athletes who earned the honor from Aug. 1, 2024 through April 24, 2025 were invited to the event along with any family, coaches or others who wanted to attend.
“Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and dedication in earning their selections as Player of the Week,” said Jim Healy, operations manager and editor for the Statesboro Herald. “And thanks to all of the parents, family members, teammates, coaches and probably a few others who have helped and supported these young athletes along the way.”
The Herald’s Josh Aubrey announced Bulloch Academy’s Joshua Mager, who won a state GIAA championship in in the 190-pound division and was a member of the Gators’ state championship football team, as the Boys Athlete of the Year. Along with a plaque, Mager received a $500 scholarship from Dr. Horace Deal – Vision Source Professional Eye Care.
An intense Joshua Mager of Bulloch Academy is named the boys Player of the Year during the Statesboro Herald Player of the Week High School Sports Banquet.
- photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff
Paige Nelson of Southeast Bulloch and Katlyn Sullivan of Statesboro were both named the Girls Player of the Year. Healy presented each with a $500 scholarship from the Statesboro Herald.
Nelson, a junior, helped the Yellow Jackets to the Elite Eight in softball as an infielder who was named second team all-state and as a linebacker/running back for the four-time state champion flag football team.
Sullivan, a senior, is not only the back-to-back riflery individual state champion, she won gold medals in the Georgia State Junior Olympics in Smallbore and Air Rifle and has qualified for the National Junior Olympics for the past three years. She will attend the University of Nebraska on a riflery scholarship in the fall.
The Statesboro Herald's Josh Aubrey congratulates Statesboro High's Katlyn Sullivan on being named Co-Player of the Year.
- photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff
Super Bowl champion Jeremy Mincey, who helped Statesboro High to an undefeated season and a state championship in 2001, offered the keynote address at the dinner.
While he went on to play at the University of Florida and nine seasons in the NFL, Mincey’s message to the young athletes was simple: Don’t quit on your dreams. He overcame a difficult home situation and was cut numerous times, but that never stopped him from following what his heart wanted him to do.
Former Statesboro High star and NFL player Jeremy Mincey tells his story to a rapt audience as the keynote speaker during the Statesboro Herald Player of the Week High School Sports Banquet at Statesboro First Baptist Church on Thursday, May 8.
- photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff
“It’s about perseverance, adapting and overcoming,” Mincey said. “Regardless of situation and circumstance, you don’t make excuses.”
After Mincey’s address, Aubrey called the names of every player of the week and those in attendance walked to the stage and received a certificate.
“We’re grateful to Dr. Horace Deal – Vision Source Professional Eye Care along with Statesboro Urgent Care, AgSouth Farm Credit, the Drip Bar Statesboro and GeoVista Federal Credit Union for helping us make the awards banquet happen,” Healy said. “This is the first year for the event and it was great to honor the accomplishments of so many young people.”
Jeremy Mincey, at podium, delivers the keynote address during the Statesboro Herald Player of the Week High School Sports Banquet at Statesboro First Baptist Church on Thursday, May 8.
- photo by JIM HEALY/staff