EAST METRO Top Stories for August 8th          

Publish Date: August 8th 



Commercial:

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, August 8th and Happy 43rd birthday to tennis star Rodger Federer.

***08.08.24 – BIRTHDAY – RODGER FEDERER***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty
Turner Lake a Top Fishing Hole
Property Taxes Going Up Despite County Rollback Rate Approved
Conyers Man Arrested in Wife's Shooting Death

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets covers cooking for a picky toddler.

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:Turner Lake a Top Fishing Hole

Turner Lake, a 26-acre lake in Newton County's Turner Lake Complex, has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a top fishing spot in metro Atlanta. Stocked annually with catfish, hybrid bass, and bream, it offers year-round fishing with a valid license and hosts two fishing events each year. The park features a range of facilities including a softball complex, gymnasium, playground, and walking trails. The Gateway to Fishing Program supports local fishing by partnering with communities to promote fishing events, provide technical assistance, and offer free use of fishing equipment through the Mobile Catch Center. Other top fishing locations in the area include Lenora Park and Piedmont Park.

STORY 2:Property Taxes Going Up Despite County Rollback Rate Approved

On August 6, the Morgan County Board of Commissioners adopted the state-recommended rollback millage rate of 9.686, down from 9.990, in a 3-to-1 vote. The decision followed debates over whether to further reduce the rate due to rising property values. Commissioner Blake McCormack opposed the rollback rate, advocating for a more significant reduction, while Commissioner Ben Riden supported a modest cut. Despite concerns that the rollback rate still represents a tax increase due to rising property values and the expiration of Governor Kemp’s Homestead tax break, the board decided to stick with the state’s recommended rate, citing budgetary constraints and a need for careful planning.

STORY 3:Conyers Man Arrested in Wife’s Shooting Death

 In Conyers, 69-year-old Walter Hester has been arrested on charges of murder, aggravated assault, and illegal firearm possession after allegedly shooting his 63-year-old wife, Clordette Hester, multiple times in the face. On July 14, deputies found Clordette lying in her driveway with gunshot wounds, and neighbors reported seeing Walter driving away recklessly. Walter, a former detention and corrections officer, is in custody following the incident.

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: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME

STORY 4:STMA Founders Day Honors Former Morgan County Art Teachers 

In late July, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) held its annual Founders Day Celebration, honoring local art teachers and raising funds for the museum. About 70 attendees enjoyed a talk by Yu-Kai Lin, a prominent art gallery owner and juror for the upcoming Queer Perspectives exhibit. Lisa Conner presented the Charlie Bonner Awards to retired art teachers Marjean Meadow and Laura Rice for their contributions to art education. The event, celebrating the museum's founder Sara Douglass Thomas, aimed to support STMA’s operations and keep educational programs free for school groups. The museum was thrilled with the event's success and community support.

STORY 5:UPDATE: Fatal Shooting in Newton County Under Investigation

The Newton County Sheriff's Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are probing a fatal shooting that occurred around 12:45 p.m. Monday near Interstate 20. The victim, 28-year-old Taywyn Mason from Covington, was shot near a vape shop at the Almon Road/Crowell Road interchange. Elan Shabazz, 32, of Conyers, has been arrested on multiple charges including murder and aggravated assault. Shabazz fled the scene but was later captured by deputies. Mason was taken to a local hospital where he died. Sheriff Ezell Brown has expressed condolences to Mason's family.

We’ll be back in a moment  

Break: INGLES 8

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cooking for a picky toddler.

LEAH INTERVIEW

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: Dermatology Con.

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 .rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/  and 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.

Produced by the BG Podcast Network

Show Sponsors:
ingles-markets.com
drakerealty.com
wheelerfuneralhome.com
dermatologyconsultants.org
rendercovington.com



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EAST METRO Top Stories for August 8th          
Publish Date: August 8th 
   
Commercial:
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, August 8th and Happy 43rd birthday to tennis star Rodger Federer.
***08.08.24 – BIRTHDAY – RODGER FEDERER***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty
<ol>
<li>Turner Lake a Top Fishing Hole</li>
<li>Property Taxes Going Up Despite County Rollback Rate Approved</li>
<li>Conyers Man Arrested in Wife's Shooting Death</li>
</ol>
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets covers cooking for a picky toddler.
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:  <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/turner-lake-a-top-fishing-hole/article_c1bb6804-532c-11ef-8959-ebc06d0cd6d3.html">Turner Lake a Top Fishing Hole</a>
Turner Lake, a 26-acre lake in Newton County's Turner Lake Complex, has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a top fishing spot in metro Atlanta. Stocked annually with catfish, hybrid bass, and bream, it offers year-round fishing with a valid license and hosts two fishing events each year. The park features a range of facilities including a softball complex, gymnasium, playground, and walking trails. The Gateway to Fishing Program supports local fishing by partnering with communities to promote fishing events, provide technical assistance, and offer free use of fishing equipment through the Mobile Catch Center. Other top fishing locations in the area include Lenora Park and Piedmont Park.
STORY 2:     <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/property-taxes-going-up-despite-county-rollback-rate-approved/article_72ad8f4c-540f-11ef-a772-9f6ca78e25a2.html">Property Taxes Going Up Despite County Rollback Rate Approved</a>
On August 6, the Morgan County Board of Commissioners adopted the state-recommended rollback millage rate of 9.686, down from 9.990, in a 3-to-1 vote. The decision followed debates over whether to further reduce the rate due to rising property values. Commissioner Blake McCormack opposed the rollback rate, advocating for a more significant reduction, while Commissioner Ben Riden supported a modest cut. Despite concerns that the rollback rate still represents a tax increase due to rising property values and the expiration of Governor Kemp’s Homestead tax break, the board decided to stick with the state’s recommended rate, citing budgetary constraints and a need for careful planning.
STORY 3: <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/conyers-man-arrested-in-wifes-shooting-death/article_afcdf614-541e-11ef-acc5-2b2018886f15.html">Conyers Man Arrested in Wife’s Shooting Death</a> 
 In Conyers, 69-year-old Walter Hester has been arrested on charges of murder, aggravated assault, and illegal firearm possession after allegedly shooting his 63-year-old wife, Clordette Hester, multiple times in the face. On July 14, deputies found Clordette lying in her driveway with gunshot wounds, and neighbors reported seeing Walter driving away recklessly. Walter, a former detention and corrections officer, is in custody following the incident.
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: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME
STORY 4:  <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/stma-founders-day-honors-former-morgan-county-art-teachers/article_799e0640-53b2-11ef-8a4b-f3213e02cf9b.html">STMA Founders Day Honors Former Morgan County Art Teachers </a> 
In late July, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) held its annual Founders Day Celebration, honoring local art teachers and raising funds for the museum. About 70 attendees enjoyed a talk by Yu-Kai Lin, a prominent art gallery owner and juror for the upcoming Queer Perspectives exhibit. Lisa Conner presented the Charlie Bonner Awards to retired art teachers Marjean Meadow and Laura Rice for their contributions to art education. The event, celebrating the museum's founder Sara Douglass Thomas, aimed to support STMA’s operations and keep educational programs free for school groups. The museum was thrilled with the event's success and community support.
STORY 5: <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/update-fatal-shooting-in-newton-county-under-investigation/article_575c3188-535d-11ef-9b35-3f24e18b3c15.html">UPDATE: Fatal Shooting in Newton County Under Investigation</a>  
The Newton County Sheriff's Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are probing a fatal shooting that occurred around 12:45 p.m. Monday near Interstate 20. The victim, 28-year-old Taywyn Mason from Covington, was shot near a vape shop at the Almon Road/Crowell Road interchange. Elan Shabazz, 32, of Conyers, has been arrested on multiple charges including murder and aggravated assault. Shabazz fled the scene but was later captured by deputies. Mason was taken to a local hospital where he died. Sheriff Ezell Brown has expressed condolences to Mason's family.
We’ll be back in a moment  
Break: INGLES 8
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cooking for a picky toddler.
LEAH INTERVIEW
We’ll have closing comments after this. 
Break: Dermatology Con.
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 <a href=".rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/">.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/</a>  and <a href="http://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/">www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/</a>
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.
<a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">Produced by the BG Podcast Network</a>
Show Sponsors:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">ingles-markets.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.drakerealty.com">drakerealty.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.wheelerfuneralhome.com/">wheelerfuneralhome.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://dermatologyconsultants.org/">dermatologyconsultants.org</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.rendercovington.com/">rendercovington.com</a></li>
</ul>
 
#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

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

The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties

Turner Lake a Top Fishing Hole

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e14589b9-3ca7-47f2-b711-ac2a00ccc2a4/clips/1d95a813-dd06-415c-8bca-b1c6014cfe4a/transcript

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