EAST METRO Top Stories for October 31st
Publish Date: October 31st
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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, October 31st and Happy birthday to John Candy
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on carrots
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: Georgia panel raises state park fees with more price hikes in the works
Georgia’s state parks are about to get pricier. The Board of Natural Resources just approved a plan to double parking fees—$5 to $10 daily, $50 to $70 annually. It’s the first hike since 2009, but it’s not sitting well with everyone.
Veterans, for instance, will see their discounted passes jump too, and critics like Sherman Neal II of the Sierra Club aren’t happy. “Access to nature saves lives,” he said, arguing Georgia should follow Alabama’s lead and waive fees for service members.
And it’s not just parking. Campsites, cabins, and even golf courses could see surge pricing soon—higher rates during peak times, lower in off-seasons. The Department of Natural Resources says it’s necessary to tackle a growing maintenance backlog, but some worry it’ll make parks less accessible.
Changes could roll out as early as next year, though no firm timeline has been set.
STORY 2: 'Emergence - In Black and White' has bold opening at Cultural Center
Christie Hudson, widow of renowned artist Gary Hudson, unveiled “Emergence — In Black and White” on Sunday at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center.
The exhibit spans decades of Gary’s work, from the 1960s to his passing in 2009. It’s raw, intimate—early sketches, unfinished ideas, and even completed pieces.
“This is his story,” Christie told the crowd of 50 in Gallery One. “He was an artist, always.”
She spent months digging through Gary’s personal collections, unearthing sketches tucked away in file cabinets—some never seen before. Gallery Two even recreates his studio, complete with his wheelchair and supplies.
The exhibit, a deeply personal glimpse into Gary’s evolution, runs through January.
STORY 3: Covington Police Department investigates fatal shooting
A man was shot and killed early Wednesday morning at the Magnolia Heights apartments on Ga. Highway 36, and police are still piecing together what happened.
Officers got the call around 7:30 a.m.—a reported burglary in progress. When they arrived, they found a man dead. According to investigators, he’d been trying to force his way into an apartment when a guest staying there shot him.
No arrests have been made yet, and police haven’t released the man’s name.
The investigation’s ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Covington Police Department.
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STORY 4: Inaugural Basketball Team Turkey Trot 5K/10K Slated For Nov. 15
Lace up those sneakers—it’s time to trot! The Morgan County High School basketball program is hosting its first-ever “Run With the Bulldogs Turkey Trot” on Nov. 15 in downtown Madison, and it’s shaping up to be a fun-filled morning.
The races kick off in the historic district at 285 Academy St., starting with a 1-mile fun run for kids (12 and under) at 8 a.m.—medals for all! The 5K follows at 8:30 a.m., and the 10K at 9:30 a.m. Prizes? Oh, they’ve got ‘em—for age groups, costumes, and even the biggest team.
Proceeds go straight to the basketball team, funding gear, travel, and meals for these hardworking student-athletes.
And here’s the cherry on top: the race coincides with Madison’s “Shop, Sip, and Stroll” event. So, after your morning run, stick around for some holiday shopping, wine sipping, and strolling through downtown. Perfect for a girls’ day, date, or just treating yourself.
Want to sponsor? Email lindsay.peaster@morgan.k12.ga.us. Let’s run, shop, and support local!
STORY 5: Developer seeks Social Circle annexation of megasite
The Social Circle Planning Commission has given the green light to annex nearly 1,000 acres of Newton County land for a proposed data center, but it’s not without drama.
This land, known as the Historic Heartland Megasite, has been marketed for industrial use for almost a decade. It even caught Jaguar Land Rover’s eye back in 2015 before they chose Slovakia instead. Now, a data center is on the table, but Newton County isn’t thrilled. They’ve filed an objection, citing concerns about infrastructure costs and increased burdens, which means the annexation is on pause until arbitration.
The Planning Commission, however, sees opportunity. Chairman Scott Gaither said bringing the property into the city gives Social Circle more control over what’s built “at our doorstep.”
The proposed project? Twelve massive one-story buildings, totaling 2.5 million square feet, with access from Ga. Highway 11. The developer, Georgia Stroud’s Creek LLC, promises financial perks for the city, like franchise fees from Georgia Power. But there’s a catch—no firm commitment yet from an end-user or even from the water authority to meet the center’s hefty needs.
The commission attached conditions to their approval: emergency-only access from Stroud’s Creek Road, a 500-foot buffer, and a closed-loop water system for cooling, among others.
Next stop? The Social Circle City Council will take it up on Nov. 18. Stay tuned.
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And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on carrots
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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