The Local Lowdown Podcast

From the Bottom of Our Hearts — Thank You.

Today is one of those days where we just have to stop and say what we feel, and we feel grateful. Deeply, genuinely, from-the-gut grateful.

To every person who has followed The Local Lowdown Podcast, shared our content, dropped a comment, hit that like button, or simply just showed up — you have no idea what that means to us. You are the reason we keep going.

This is not easy work. Brunswick and the Golden Isles deserve real journalism — the kind that asks hard questions, follows the facts, and refuses to look away — and doing that work comes at a cost that most people never see. There are things we deal with behind the scenes that we don’t post about. Battles we fight quietly. Pressure that comes from people who would love nothing more than to see us go silent. If you know, you know.

But then we look at this community. We look at the shares. We read the messages. We see you standing with us. And it makes every single bit of it worth it.

We are the first outlet of our kind to do this work in Brunswick, Georgia. Some people love us. Some people hate us. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. Because the ones who hate us are usually the ones attacking and attempting to cause us harm. We aren’t going anywhere!

But you — our audience — you are everything to us.

Thank you for trusting us with your attention. Thank you for defending us when others attack. Thank you for believing that local accountability journalism matters. Because it does. It always has.

We love this community. We love this work. And we love every single one of you who rides with us.

With everything we have — please consider subscribing. It’s a way to help us keep the lights on.

The Entire Local Lowdown Team
The Local Lowdown Podcast | Brunswick, Georgia

We’ve never asked for much, but if you enjoy The Local Lowdown Podcast and the investigations we bring to the community, please consider joining our private subscriber group for just $1.99 per month.

The group is completely private and gives you a place to post, comment, interact with other members, and discuss local issues without the drama often found on public social media.

More importantly, your support helps us continue investigating stories, filing open records requests, and holding people accountable. Independent local journalism isn’t free, and every subscription helps keep us going.

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help support the work we’re doing right here in Glynn County.

Thank you for believing in us and supporting independent local news.

P.s. you can subscribe to out chan channel for free ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

GLYNN COUNTY’S MOST VISIBLE LOCAL MEDIA PLATFORM

We have the highest engagement and visibility of any social media page in Brunswick.

Every day, The Local Lowdown reaches people across Glynn County, the Golden Isles, and throughout the State of Georgia. Our audience isn’t limited to Brunswick—we reach local residents, business owners, visitors, former residents, and community leaders who stay connected to what’s happening in our area.

📊 OUR REACH SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

🔥 5.1 Million Views in the Last 90 Days

🔥 2+ Million Views in the Last 28 Days

🔥 Many Posts Reach 200,000–500,000 Views

🔥 Thousands of Highly Engaged Followers

🔥 One of the Fastest-Growing Local Media Platforms in Georgia

YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE ALREADY HERE.

Whether you’re a:

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We can put your business in front of the audience that is already paying attention.

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When you advertise with The Local Lowdown, you’re not only promoting your business—you’re supporting independent local reporting, community awareness, and a platform dedicated to keeping Glynn County informed.

📩 Message Us Today To Reserve Your Spot

YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE ALREADY HERE.

LET’S PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN FRONT OF THEM.

URGENT PSA: Brunswick Community Asked to Help Identify Porch Theft Suspect

BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Residents across the Arco and Southside areas of Brunswick are being urged to remain vigilant as reports continue to come in regarding a man captured on home surveillance cameras approaching residences and allegedly stealing property from porches and yards.

Over the past several weeks, The Local Lowdown has received more than 10 complaints from community members reporting similar incidents involving an unidentified male suspect. According to those reports, tools, equipment, packages, and other unsecured items have reportedly been taken from private property.

The images released today were captured by residential security cameras and show a man on a homeowner’s porch during nighttime hours. Community members are encouraged to carefully review the photographs and contact authorities or submit a tip if they recognize the individual. He is known around town as “Peanut” this is all the info we have at this time.

What We Know

* Multiple complaints have been received from residents in the Arco and Southside areas.
* The suspect has allegedly been observed entering private property and approaching homes.
* Victims report the theft of tools, personal belongings, and other items left outside.
* Surveillance footage has captured several images of the individual.

Community Alert

Residents are encouraged to:

* Lock up tools, bicycles, and outdoor equipment.
* Remove valuables from porches and vehicles.
* Ensure security cameras are functioning properly.
* Report suspicious activity immediately.

How to Submit a Tip

If you recognize the individual shown in these images or have information that may assist investigators, please send an anonymous tip to the email address listed in our bio or contact local law enforcement.

Even seemingly minor information could help identify the suspect and prevent additional thefts from occurring within our community.

No one likes a thief, especially one who repeatedly targets hardworking residents. Brunswick residents are encouraged to share this post and help spread awareness throughout the community.

PLEASE SHARE — Someone knows who this person is…..DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH - HE HAS TWO WARRANTS (ALLEGEDLY) AND IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.

Waycross Detective Placed on Leave Again Following New Assault Allegations; GBI Investigation Underway

WAYCROSS, Ga. — Months after The Local Lowdown first reported allegations involving Waycross Police Detective Marc Horne, the detective has once again found himself at the center of controversy following a NEW alleged assault that has now prompted an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

According to reports, Horne was placed on administrative leave after an alleged physical altercation involving Kisha Smith, the mother of Horne’s former girlfriend, Tristen Music. The incident reportedly occurred Thursday outside a medical facility where Smith had accompanied her grandchild to a doctor’s appointment.

Smith alleges that an argument escalated into a physical confrontation, resulting in injuries that she says include a concussion, facial contusions, bruising, and injuries to her lip and nose. Portions of the encounter were reportedly captured on video and have since circulated on social media.

The latest allegations come just weeks after Horne returned to duty following an internal investigation into previous assault allegations made by Music. Those allegations, first brought to public attention earlier this year, sparked widespread discussion throughout the community and raised concerns about how the case was handled by local authorities.

When The Local Lowdown first reported on the allegations in April, many residents questioned whether the Waycross Police Department was adequately investigating one of its own officers. Despite the public scrutiny, the department ultimately returned Horne to active duty after completing its internal review.

Now, with a second highly publicized incident under investigation, critics are once again questioning that decision.

Waycross Police Chief Tommy Cox confirmed that Horne has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both the department’s internal investigation and an independent investigation being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The move represents a significant shift in the department’s response and comes amid increasing public pressure for transparency and accountability.

The Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office confirmed that a previous case involving Horne remains under investigation. District Attorney Marilyn Bennett stated that her office has not yet received records relating to the most recent incident but confirmed that earlier matters remain pending.

Supporters of Horne have urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work before drawing conclusions, noting that allegations alone do not establish guilt. Others argue that the emergence of another alleged victim raises serious concerns that warrant thorough review by outside investigators.

As the GBI continues its investigation, many in the community are asking what has changed since Horne was previously returned to duty and whether additional evidence or circumstances prompted the department’s latest decision to place the detective on leave.

For now, those questions remain unanswered.

What is clear is that the investigation is no longer limited to allegations made during a contentious custody dispute. With a second alleged incident now under review and the GBI involved, the case has become one of the most closely watched law enforcement controversies in the Waycross area.

The Local Lowdown will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available. I bet the Waycross Police is regretting their decision at this point.

The latest allegations come against the backdrop of previous claims that have already generated significant public concern. When similar accusations emerge more than once, the public naturally begins asking whether warning signs were missed and whether earlier concerns were taken seriously enough.

DRUG BUST SHUTS DOWN GLYNN COUNTY MOTEL, SEVEN ARRESTED

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — A Glynn County motel is officially out of business after a major drug investigation ended with multiple arrests, the seizure of suspected narcotics, and a laundry list of safety violations that forced county officials to shut the property down.

Authorities descended on the Economy Inn on New Jesup Highway this week, where officers from the Glynn County Police Department, Brunswick Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed five search warrants as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

When the dust settled, seven people were in handcuffs. According to investigators, those arrested included:

• Logan Knight — charged with possession of fentanyl and possession of drug-related objects.

• Rhaheim Richardson — charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

• Terrence Jackson — charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug-related objects, possession of less than one ounce of ma*****na, and an active criminal trespass warrant.

• Michael Cohen — charged with possession of drug-related objects.

• Damion Mann — charged with possession of drug-related objects.

• Tammie Carter — charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects.

• Jhamah Harris — charged with possession of drug-related objects and possession of less than one ounce of ma*****na.

But the arrests were only part of the story.

Following the ex*****on of the warrants, county inspectors entered the motel and reportedly uncovered numerous code and safety violations. The conditions were serious enough that officials ordered the Economy Inn to close its doors immediately and issued multiple citations to the property’s owners.

The operation involved a wide range of agencies, including Glynn County Fire Rescue, the Georgia Department of Public Health, Glynn County Public Works, and Glynn County Code Enforcement.

Officials say the coordinated effort highlights what can happen when local, state, and federal agencies work together to target criminal activity and improve public safety.

For now, the motel sits shuttered, seven people face criminal charges, and investigators say the narcotics investigation remains ongoing.

BPD officer rescues six from sinking boats after they find body in water. {The Story How The Marine Unit Nearly Lost Before Proving Its Value}

By The Local Lowdown

BRUNSWICK, GA. - A dramatic water rescue this week has reignited questions about the future of the Brunswick Police Department’s Marine Unit and whether the specialized program was nearly eliminated before it had the opportunity to prove its worth.

According to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions within the Brunswick Police Department, Chief Angela Smith was initially unaware that the department even operated a Marine Unit when she took office. Those same sources allege that once the unit came to her attention, there was significant discussion about whether the program should continue.

Sources tell The Local Lowdown that despite funding being secured to train additional officers for the Marine Unit, internal disagreements emerged regarding its future. We are told that the officer primarily responsible for operating the unit eventually left for another agency, creating further uncertainty about whether the program would survive.

Several sources described what they characterized as an internal struggle to preserve the Marine Unit, alleging that department leadership had to be persuaded of its value and necessity. The Local Lowdown has been able to verify those internal discussions, but cannot release that to the public in order to protect our sources.

What is not disputed is what happened this week.

According to a Brunswick Police report and reporting by The Brunswick News, Marine Unit Officer J.D. Bradley was searching for a missing person near the Sidney Lanier Bridge on Monday afternoon when he received a report that boaters had spotted a body floating in the Turtle River.

Upon arrival, Bradley discovered not only the body in the water but also two small fishing boats in distress. Strong winds of approximately 20 mph had created dangerous 2- to 3-foot waves. The occupants reported that attempting to move their overloaded boats could cause them to capsize.

Bradley instructed everyone aboard to put on life jackets before safely transferring four children and two women onto his vessel. Once the passengers were removed, the operators of the fishing boats were able to safely return their vessels to the boat ramp.

The six individuals were transported safely to Blythe Island Regional Park without injury.

The body recovered from the water was turned over to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for identification and autopsy.

The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unique role marine law enforcement plays in a coastal community like Brunswick. While patrol cars can respond to emergencies on land, they cannot reach distressed boaters battling rough waters in the Turtle River.

Had the Marine Unit not been available Monday afternoon, the outcome could have been very different.

For many residents, the rescue raises a simple question: If a single Marine Unit officer can simultaneously assist in a death investigation and rescue six people from potentially life-threatening conditions, what would Brunswick lose if that capability disappeared?

Monday’s events may have answered that question better than any internal meeting ever could.

Memorial Day Weekend Sees Numerous Marine Incidents Begging the Question: Should BPD have a Marine unit or not?

New Georgia law allows property owners to sue over nuisance control.

A controversial new Georgia law, House Bill 295, officially gives property owners the ability to pursue compensation claims against local governments if they believe nuisance laws are not being properly enforced.

The law targets issues such as:• Public camping• Panhandling• Loitering• Vandalism• Public intoxication• Drug activity• Shoplifting

Supporters say the law is about accountability and protecting businesses, neighborhoods, tourism, and property values. Critics argue it could unfairly target homeless populations while failing to address the root causes of homelessness and addiction.

Under HB 295, property owners would have to prove:• A nuisance exists• Their property or business suffered financial harm• The local government knowingly failed to enforce existing laws

The legislation also reportedly waives certain sovereign immunity protections, potentially opening the door for lawsuits against cities and counties.

What does this mean for Brunswick and Glynn County? That remains to be seen.

As homelessness, panhandling, and public safety concerns continue to become a larger topic of discussion across Coastal Georgia, this law could eventually place additional pressure on local governments to increase enforcement efforts in highly visible commercial and tourist areas.

Others worry the law could create legal and financial burdens for taxpayers while doing little to solve mental health, addiction, or housing shortages.

The law takes effect July 1.

Do you support the new law?

Downtown Brunswick’s Newest Spot….If you don’t know now ya know! Go check it out {10 out of 10}

After months of investigating, reviewing records, and following this case closely…

We have now confirmed that NO CHARGES will be filed. Apparently, all you have to do is burn a body in your backyard and somehow walk free.

Let that sink in. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️