Top Stories for September 12th 

Publish Date: September 12th
  

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 12th and Happy birthday to Jesse Owens  



I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal 
Some renovations to historic home deemed inappropriate
Madison Declares September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
NCSO Faith & Blue Weekend set for Oct. 4 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food  
 

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: Some renovations to historic home deemed inappropriate 

Renovations on a historic home at Conyers and Anderson streets have hit a snag, with the city’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) rejecting several unapproved changes made by homeowners Michael and Adriana Zimmerman. 

The 1910-era house, currently undergoing a major overhaul—including a second story—was flagged this summer for exterior modifications that didn’t match the HPC’s approved plans. The issues? Porch columns, decorative brackets, gable trim, and even a new gable itself weren’t part of the original design. 

After appeals, the Covington City Council allowed the gable and handrail to stay but denied other changes, siding with the HPC’s call for historical accuracy. 


STORY 2:  Madison Declares September As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 

For the third year, Madison has declared September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a tradition born from heartbreak and hope. 

On Sept. 8, Mayor Fred Perriman and the City Council signed the proclamation, urging residents to learn about childhood cancer and support affected families.  

This effort began with Alan and Karen Murray, who lost their granddaughter Millie to cancer in 2021 at just three-and-a-half years old. Inspired by her light, they’ve turned grief into action, founding The Mighty Millie Foundation and hosting events like the Popsicle Project on Sept. 14. 


STORY 3: NCSO Faith & Blue Weekend set for Oct. 4 

Mark your calendars: Newton County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its National Faith & Blue Weekend on Oct. 4, and everyone’s invited. 

This year’s event, aimed at building stronger connections between law enforcement and the community, will feature a Car, Bike & Sling Show from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Church Covington, 11975 Ga. Highway 142, Oxford. 

Got a ride to show off? Registration’s $20 per vehicle. Expect food from Big Al BBQ, ISSA Funnel, and appearances from local police, fire, and EMS teams. 

Sign up at www.newtonsheriffga.org or call Sgt. Jack Redlinger at 678-300-7877. 


We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. 


We’ll be right back 


Break: COPY CENTRAL- INGLES MARKETS 6 

 

STORY 4:Bostwick Couple Dies When Truck Goes Off Bridge At Jacks Creek 

A tragic accident claimed the lives of a Bostwick couple, Mitchell Gregory Lee, 60, and Jan Walker Lee, 59, on Sunday, Sept. 7, when their truck veered off a bridge on High Shoals Road and flipped into Jacks Creek. 

The Georgia State Patrol arrived around 11:43 p.m., but Trooper Willie Stephens believes the crash happened hours earlier. The couple’s daughter, worried after not hearing from them, used Life360 to locate their truck. She and her husband found the scene before authorities arrived. 

Firefighters pulled Mitchell from the submerged vehicle, but Jan had to be removed after the truck was lifted. Their dog also perished. 



STORY 5: Life Jacket Loaner Program in place at Factory Shoals Park 

 Factory Shoals Park now has life jacket loaner stations, a small but potentially life-saving addition. You’ll find them near the parking lot by Factory Shoals Bridge and down by the Alcovy River beach. They’re stocked with vests for all sizes—infants, kids, adults. 

Swimming here? It’s at your own risk—no lifeguards, no designated swim zones. And the river’s rapids? They’ve claimed at least eight lives since 2009. 

The program, funded by a $5,500 Walmart grant, didn’t cost the county a dime. Fire Chief Royce Turner hopes to expand it to Lake Varner and the Yellow River soon. 


We’ll be right back. 

 

Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK 

 

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food  

 

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/ 

Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

POST ROLL:  

Produced by the BG Podcast Network 

  

Show Sponsors: 
www.ingles-markets.com 
copycentralga.com 
newtonfederal.com/ 
copycentral.com 

 

#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations 

Top Stories for September 12th&nbsp;
Publish Date: September 12th  &nbsp;
Commercial: PREMEIER HEATING AND AIR&nbsp;
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.  &nbsp;
Today is Friday, September 12th and Happy birthday to Jesse Owens&nbsp;&nbsp; 
I&rsquo;m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal&nbsp;
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Some renovations to historic home deemed inappropriate</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Madison Declares September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Calibri" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">NCSO Faith &amp; Blue Weekend set for Oct. 4&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food&nbsp; &nbsp;
These stories and more are coming up in today&rsquo;s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties! Please like, follow, and subscribe.  &nbsp;
BREAK: ARTISAN MARKET&nbsp; 
STORY 1: <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/some-renovations-to-historic-home-deemed-inappropriate/article_2aa777e6-12cb-43ff-840e-2b387c3a69a6.html">Some renovations to historic home deemed inappropriate</a>&nbsp;
Renovations on a historic home at Conyers and Anderson streets have hit a snag, with the city&rsquo;s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) rejecting several unapproved changes made by homeowners Michael and Adriana Zimmerman.&nbsp;
The 1910-era house, currently undergoing a major overhaul&mdash;including a second story&mdash;was flagged this summer for exterior modifications that didn&rsquo;t match the HPC&rsquo;s approved plans. The issues? Porch columns, decorative brackets, gable trim, and even a new gable itself weren&rsquo;t part of the original design.&nbsp;
After appeals, the Covington City Council allowed the gable and handrail to stay but denied other changes, siding with the HPC&rsquo;s call for historical accuracy.&nbsp;
 STORY 2:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/madison-declares-september-as-childhood-cancer-awareness-month/article_61ab0aa9-dc75-4f93-bfba-ae0a2c39a8f2.html">Madison Declares September As Childhood Cancer Awareness Month</a>&nbsp;
For the third year, Madison has declared September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a tradition born from heartbreak and hope.&nbsp;
On Sept. 8, Mayor Fred Perriman and the City Council signed the proclamation, urging residents to learn about childhood cancer and support affected families.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This effort began with Alan and Karen Murray, who lost their granddaughter Millie to cancer in 2021 at just three-and-a-half years old. Inspired by her light, they&rsquo;ve turned grief into action, founding The Mighty Millie Foundation and hosting events like the Popsicle Project on Sept. 14.&nbsp;
 STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/ncso-faity-blue-weekend-set-for-oct-4/article_010711cb-6d43-4c27-ab67-6e6b1ca8dfb9.html">NCSO Faith &amp; Blue Weekend set for Oct. 4</a>&nbsp;
Mark your calendars: Newton County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office is hosting its National Faith &amp; Blue Weekend on Oct. 4, and everyone&rsquo;s invited.&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s event, aimed at building stronger connections between law enforcement and the community, will feature a Car, Bike &amp; Sling Show from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Church Covington, 11975 Ga. Highway 142, Oxford.&nbsp;
Got a ride to show off? Registration&rsquo;s $20 per vehicle. Expect food from Big Al BBQ, ISSA Funnel, and appearances from local police, fire, and EMS teams.&nbsp;
Sign up at <a href="http://www.newtonsheriffga.org/">www.newtonsheriffga.org</a> or call Sgt. Jack Redlinger at 678-300-7877.&nbsp;
 We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll be right back&nbsp;
 Break: COPY CENTRAL- INGLES MARKETS 6&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 4: <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/bostwick-couple-dies-when-truck-goes-off-bridge-at-jacks-creek/article_fff032a3-7bc4-46e7-b037-9af9f1045632.html">Bostwick Couple Dies When Truck Goes Off Bridge At Jacks Creek</a>&nbsp;
A tragic accident claimed the lives of a Bostwick couple, Mitchell Gregory Lee, 60, and Jan Walker Lee, 59, on Sunday, Sept. 7, when their truck veered off a bridge on High Shoals Road and flipped into Jacks Creek.&nbsp;
The Georgia State Patrol arrived around 11:43 p.m., but Trooper Willie Stephens believes the crash happened hours earlier. The couple&rsquo;s daughter, worried after not hearing from them, used Life360 to locate their truck. She and her husband found the scene before authorities arrived.&nbsp;
Firefighters pulled Mitchell from the submerged vehicle, but Jan had to be removed after the truck was lifted. Their dog also perished.&nbsp; 
STORY 5: <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/life-jacket-loaner-program-in-place-at-factory-shoals-park/article_2e093389-bbf4-4b8b-bdfa-a219513a6a7f.html">Life Jacket Loaner Program in place at Factory Shoals Park</a>&nbsp;
 Factory Shoals Park now has life jacket loaner stations, a small but potentially life-saving addition. You&rsquo;ll find them near the parking lot by Factory Shoals Bridge and down by the Alcovy River beach. They&rsquo;re stocked with vests for all sizes&mdash;infants, kids, adults.&nbsp;
Swimming here? It&rsquo;s at your own risk&mdash;no lifeguards, no designated swim zones. And the river&rsquo;s rapids? They&rsquo;ve claimed at least eight lives since 2009.&nbsp;
The program, funded by a $5,500 Walmart grant, didn&rsquo;t cost the county a dime. Fire Chief Royce Turner hopes to expand it to Lake Varner and the Yellow River soon.&nbsp;
 We&rsquo;ll be right back.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this. &nbsp;
Break: GWINETT FAIR&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Signoff-   &nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/">https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/">https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/</a>&nbsp;
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
POST ROLL:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">Produced by the BG Podcast Network</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Show Sponsors:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">www.ingles-markets.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://copycentralga.com/">copycentralga.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://newtonfederal.com/">newtonfederal.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://copycentral.com/">copycentral.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations&nbsp;

Bringing you the top stories from the Morgan County Citizen and the Rockdale Newton Citizen