EAST METRO Top Stories for April 18th    

Publish Date: April 18th        

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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 Thursday, April 18th and Happy 47th birthday to actor Melissa Joan Hart.

***04.18.24 – BIRTHDAY – MELISSA JOAN HART***

I’m KEITH IPPOLITO and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty

1. Morgan County mourns loss of beloved Coach Steve Cisson
2. Same Summer Begins with Annual Bike Rodeo
3. Covington sets new rates for EV charging stations

Plus, Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath on celiacs disease.

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: DRAKE 

STORY 1: Morgan County mourns loss of beloved Coach Steve Cisson

Steve Cisson, a beloved coach and teacher at Morgan County High School, passed away at 71 after an extended illness. Serving for over three decades, he led the girls' basketball team to a state championship in 1983 and secured three state titles in girls' fast pitch softball. Remembered for his dedication to students, a service will be held on April 21 at the Morgan County High School Competition Gym. Colleagues and former students praise his impact, citing his mentorship, compassion, and ability to instill confidence in players. His daughter, Erin, highlights his emphasis on both athletic excellence and personal growth. The service at the school gym honors his love for coaching and his players.

STORY 2: Same Summer Begins with Annual Bike Rodeo

Eight local organizations, including Michelin Tread Technologies and the city of Covington, are hosting the fourth annual Bike Rodeo, Kickoff to a Safe Summer on June 1 at Legion Field in Covington. This family-friendly event, organized by the Covington Family YMCA, offers bicycle safety instruction, group rides, giveaways, raffles for new bicycles, yard games, pickleball, music, and more. Participants should bring their own bicycles and helmets, and instructional stations will cover various biking skills suitable for children and adults. The event aims to promote safe and enjoyable summer activities for the community.

STORY 3: Covington sets new rates for EV charging stations

Covington's City Council approved changes to electric vehicle (EV) charging fees, transitioning from free to paid charging at Level 2 stations and increasing rates at Level 3 fast charging stations. Under the new ordinance, EV drivers will pay 25 cents per kilowatt hour at Level 2 stations, with an additional idling charge after a 30-minute grace period. At Level 3 stations, the fee rises to 46 cents per kilowatt hour, with an idling fee after a 15-minute grace period. These changes aim to encourage drivers to move their vehicles promptly after charging to ensure accessibility for others. The city reserves the right to adjust rates monthly based on wholesale power costs, with annual rate setting.

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We’ll be right back  

Break: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME

STORY 4: Jim Halloran breaks down beauty, passion of national pastime in new baseball book

Jim Halloran, inspired by his father's love for baseball, spent two years writing "Baseball. It’s More Than Statistics," a 700-page tribute to the sport. From the inaugural 1903 World Series to the present, the book captures baseball's essence through anecdotes and insights, not just statistics. Divided into 10 sections, it covers key moments, star players, and teams' seasons. A book signing event is scheduled for April 18 at Valley Farm neighborhood Farmhouse in Madison. Halloran's passion for the game stems from shared experiences with his father and now his sons, highlighting the timeless appeal of baseball as a source of connection and nostalgia.

STORY 5: Covington Contracts for Grant Application to Rehabilitate Conyers Street Gym

The city of Covington has approved a contract with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission to develop and submit a grant application for renovating the historic Conyers Street Gym. The contract includes payment to NEGRC for administrative services. The gym, closed since 2015, was designated as "spot blight" in February to qualify for the grant. Built in 1935, the gym is in disrepair, and previous renovation attempts were unsuccessful. The grant application, due by November 1, aims to restore the gym to its original form, potentially transforming it into a community center. Efforts to raise awareness and preserve the gym include petitioning for inclusion on the Places in Peril list by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

We’ll be back in a moment  

Break: CURIOSITY LB BIKE RACE

STORY 6: Interview 

And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath on celiacs disease.

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: INGLES 6

Signoff-   

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.   

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Produced by the BG Podcast Network

Show Sponsors:

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• wheelerfuneralhome.com
• peachtreecornersga.gov/385/Curiosity-Lab-Criterium-2024

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