EAST METRO Top Stories for November 7th
Publish Date: November 7th
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From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to The Community Podcast. This Podcast brings you the top stories from the Rockdale-Newton Citizen and the Morgan Citizen.
Today is Friday, November 7th and Happy birthday to Jim Kaat
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on milk
These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties! Please like, follow, and subscribe.
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STORY 1: Alsobrook elected Conyers mayor in decisive victory
Connie Alsobrook just made history—twice.
Not only did she become Conyers’ first Black mayor-elect, but she also pulled in more votes than any mayoral candidate in the city’s history. Alsobrook won Tuesday’s election with 1,403 votes (68.44%) to opponent Smith’s 647 (31.56%).
This isn’t her first milestone. Back in 2019, she was one of the first two Black women elected to the Conyers City Council.
“I’ve spent years fighting for transparency, safety, and growth that benefits everyone,” Alsobrook shared on social media. “As mayor, I’ll keep listening and advocating for everyday citizens.”
Alsobrook will replace outgoing Mayor Vince Evans, who chose not to run again.
STORY 2: Santa Claus Is Coming To The Cultural Center This November
Santa’s coming to town—early! And this year, he’s skipping the chaos of the mall for a cozy, magical setup at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center (MMCC).
Why deal with long lines and crowded parking lots when you can book a personal photo session with the big guy himself? Starting Thursday, Nov. 13, Santa will be at the MMCC for four special appearances, including one evening just for families with pets (yes, pets!).
Sessions include digital photos, kids’ activities, and a sweet holiday treat. Prices start at $50.
Spots fill fast, so don’t wait—sign up at www.mmcc-arts.org. Let the holiday magic begin!
STORY 3: Trial date set for former Newton County officials Marcello Banes, Stephanie Lindsey
Former Newton County officials Marcello Banes and Stephanie Lindsey are heading to trial on Jan. 27, facing federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and more.
U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May set the date after rejecting their attempts to dismiss parts of the case. Lindsey, accused of filing false tax returns, said she’s ready to fight: “I’m eager to clear our names and expose the truth.”
The charges stem from a 2019 land deal involving 40 acres in Stanton Springs. Prosecutors allege Banes and Lindsey profited improperly—$150,000 in commissions, with $100,000 funneled to Banes’ trucking company.
Both were suspended from office.
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We’ll be right back
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Rutledge has a new mayor. Tim Odum, a relative newcomer to the “Small But Special” city, won Tuesday’s election with 66% of the vote, defeating longtime resident Allen Smith. Just 28% of eligible voters turned out, with Odum receiving 123 votes to Smith’s 57.
Odum, who’s lived in Rutledge for only four years, has already made a name for himself through community involvement—volunteering with the Tree Board, Recreation Department, and local events.
He plans to protect Rutledge’s charm while supporting downtown businesses and leveraging its proximity to Hard Labor Creek State Park.
Odum will lead a City Council that’s also seeing changes, with Russell Brownlee and Sherry Kelly stepping into new roles.
STORY 5: Newton commissioners table action on warming shelter
Plans for a warming shelter in Covington hit another snag Tuesday night—this time over funding.
The city is asking Newton County’s Board of Commissioners to chip in an extra $15,000, on top of the $20,000 already committed by both the city and county. But commissioners tabled the request, saying they needed more details.
Concerns? Plenty. Some commissioners questioned the condition of the Washington Street building, despite $120,000 spent on a sprinkler system. Others brought up issues from last year’s shelter—porta-potties, limited facilities, and residents being shuttled elsewhere for meals and showers.
Mayor Fleeta Baggett defended the effort: “It’s not luxury—it’s survival.”
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And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on milk
We’ll have closing comments after this.
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Signoff-
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Community Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/ and https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/
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