Top Stories for September 19th
Publish Date: September 19th
Commercial: PREMEIER HEATING AND AIR
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, September 19th and Happy birthday to Duke Snider
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on sweet tooth
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.
BREAK: ARTISAN MARKET
STORY 1: Piedmont Rockdale Hospital receives recertification as a primary stroke center
Piedmont Rockdale Hospital has once again earned DNV recertification as a Primary Stroke Center, proving it’s ready to handle the full spectrum of stroke care—diagnosis, treatment, rehab, and beyond.
The hospital was also recognized by the American Heart and Stroke Associations for following cutting-edge guidelines, saving lives and reducing recovery times.
Remember: BE FAST. Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time—call 911 at the first sign of a stroke.
STORY 2: Rivian Holds Private Groundbreaking Ceremony At Stanton Springs North
Nearly four years after Georgia announced its massive $5 billion deal with Rivian, the electric vehicle maker finally broke ground on its 2,000-acre megafactory between Rutledge and Social Circle. The private ceremony on Sept. 16 drew hundreds—state officials, local leaders, and Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, all gathered on what’s still just a giant, empty field.
Scaringe, standing at the podium, admitted he got “goosebumps” imagining the future: a sleek, bustling factory where thousands of Georgians will build Rivian’s electric trucks. He promised 7,500 jobs by 2030, calling the project a “vibrant partnership” with the community.
Governor Brian Kemp, who championed the $1.5 billion incentive package, didn’t hold back either. He praised Rivian’s persistence through legal battles and financial delays, taking a jab at critics who saw “just a hayfield” instead of opportunity.
Rivian, headquartered in California, plans to start production in 2028, with the factory eventually churning out 400,000 vehicles annually. Earlier this year, the company also opened its East Coast HQ in Atlanta, signaling its long-term investment in the state.
For now, it’s just dirt and dreams—but big things are coming.
STORY 3: Races set for Conyers City Council seats
The lineup is set for Conyers’ municipal and special elections on Nov. 4, and it’s shaping up to be an interesting race.
Connie Alsobrook, who resigned her District 2, Post 2 council seat to run for mayor, is going head-to-head with Brad Smith, a former Rockdale County school board member. Her vacant seat? That’s now a three-way race between Shivern Jeter, Jason Cosby, and Sherri Washington.
Jeter originally filed for District 1, Post 1 but switched to Alsobrook’s old spot before the Sept. 5 deadline.
Early voting kicks off Oct. 14. Don’t forget—voter registration closes Oct. 6!
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We’ll be right back
Break: COPY CENTRAL- INGLES MARKETS
STORY 4: Social Circle enacts moratorium on data centers
Feeling overwhelmed by a flood of data center proposals, the Social Circle City Council hit pause Tuesday, approving a 90-day moratorium on rezoning and special use applications for the centers.
City Manager Eric Taylor didn’t mince words. In just the past month, three new requests landed on their desks—on top of seven already in the pipeline.
Why Social Circle? Taylor speculates it’s the city’s open land and strong fiber network.
Meanwhile, the council approved some annexations for a proposed 235-acre data center but rejected a key piece of land, with Mayor David Keener breaking a tie vote. Newton County, already in a legal battle with the city over past annexations, objected to the project but may avoid arbitration due to the council’s denial.
The fight over data centers—and the land they want—continues.
STORY 5: OHCO District to expand parking area
The OHCO District is getting more parking. On Sept. 15, the Covington City Council approved rezoning and Future Land Use Map changes for five nearby lots, despite some pushback from residents asking for a delay.
The lots—four empty and one with an old house—will become greenspace and grass parking for the event venue, which can host up to 2,000 people. J. Hart Development’s president, Josh Hart, said the changes will help transform the area into a community hub with retail, entertainment, and dining.
We’ll be right back.
Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on sweet tooth
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: GWINETT FAIR
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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