GA News Podcast – East Metro (Sundays) for Sunday July 2nd – Published Friday June 30
From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc.
Today is Sunday July 2nd and happy 74th birthday to keyboardist Roy Bittan
***Bittan***
I’m Brian Giffin and here are your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty
We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 18 Georgia counties as natural disaster areas due to damage caused by freezes in March, impacting the state's peach crop and other commodities. This declaration enables the USDA's Farm Service Agency to provide emergency credit to farmers in Georgia. The state's Commissioner of Agriculture, Tyler Harper, expressed gratitude for the relief measures, emphasizing the significance of Georgia's agricultural industry. In addition to the 18 counties directly listed in the declaration, farmers in 38 contiguous counties are also eligible for assistance. The USDA loans can be utilized for various recovery needs, such as replacing equipment or livestock, reorganizing operations, or refinancing loans. The deadline to apply for assistance is February 26 of the following year.
Don't miss the upcoming "Meet the Author" event at the Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton on July 18. Best-selling spy novelist Katherine Reay will be the featured guest, presenting her latest book, "A Shadow in Moscow," which will be released this month. The event includes a progressive brunch catered by Yelena Bonduryanskaya of Le Bon Cake. Brunch and shopping will take place at three downtown locations: Maggie Lane, The Artisans Village, and the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. Following brunch, Reay will present her book. Tickets are priced at $45 per person ($40 each for two or more) or $200 for a table of six. Visit the Georgia Writers Museum website to register and pre-order your copy of "A Shadow in Moscow."
The Rockdale County Board of Education will hold three public hearings to gather feedback on the proposed millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The board aims to adopt a millage rate of 20 mills, resulting in a 12.96% increase in tax collections due to rising property values. The hearings will take place on July 13 and July 20, with live online viewing options available. The board recently approved the fiscal year 2024 budget, which includes pay increases for staff and funding for instructional materials. However, the budget faces a shortfall due to increased health insurance costs for classified employees. The school system plans to use $5 million from reserve funds to balance the budget..……we’ll be right back
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Clarence Cuthpert Jr. has announced his candidacy for the position of Superior Court judge in Rockdale County. Currently serving as the chief State Court judge, Cuthpert was appointed to the State Court bench by Gov. Brian P. Kemp in 2021. Prior to this, he was elected as Probate Court judge in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Ruth A. Wilson, former clerk of Rockdale County Superior and State Courts, has endorsed Cuthpert, emphasizing his qualifications and contributions to the community. The election will be held in May 2024, and it is a nonpartisan race.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners has approved a general fund budget of $91.5 million for fiscal year 2024, representing a 10.3% increase over the previous year. The millage rate is anticipated to be set at 8.439, a decrease from the previous year's rate. However, property owners with increased assessed property values will still experience an increase in county taxes. The budget focuses on employee retention strategies, a reduction in the millage rate, and alignment with the county's strategic plan. Key expense increases include cost-of-living raises, contributions to a pension plan, and various departmental expenses. The budget received unanimous approval and emphasizes investing in employees and improving taxpayer funds.
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The Madison Artists Guild Gallery (MAGallery) is hosting an exhibition called "This & That Observations" by Cuban-native artist Tomas Gonzalez. The exhibition opens on July 14 with a catered reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring food and live music. Gonzalez's artwork showcases various mediums and styles, including oil, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel, ranging from realism to impressionism to fantasy. The exhibition will be available for viewing and purchasing until August 12. Gonzalez has a diverse artistic background, working in corporate communications, package design, advertising, and illustrating picture books. MAGallery is a nonprofit organization supporting local artists and is located in Madison, GA.
Final thoughts after this
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