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Madison man killed in hit-and-run in Athens

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EAST METRO Top Stories for May 9th     

Publish Date: May 9th          

   

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, May 9th, and Happy 74th birthday to entertainer Billy Joel.

***08.09.24 – BIRTHDAY – BILLY JOEL***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty

  1. Madison man killed in hit-and-run in Athens
  2. Newton County Jail Escapee Eludes Capture
  3. Madison Council elects first woman to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem

Plus, Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath on hard boiled eggs.

 

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: Madison man killed in hit-and-run in Athens

Michael Kitchen, 34, of Madison, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident while walking in Athens. The driver, Benhur Tesfai, 21, of Lilburn, initially thought he had hit an animal. Tesfai was arrested and charged with DUI, vehicular homicide first degree, and hit-and-run. The incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. on West Broad Street near Beech Haven Church. Kitchen was found unresponsive and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The vehicle involved had significant damage, including a busted windshield. Police obtained video footage from the scene to aid in their investigation.

STORY 2: Newton County Jail Escapee Eludes Capture

Kendrick Darnell Hurst, 34, remains at large after escaping custody Saturday while being transported back to jail from Piedmont Newton Hospital in Covington. Despite a sighting Tuesday morning near Oxford, he has evaded capture. Hurst was last seen wearing a lime green jumpsuit but was later spotted shirtless, wearing blue jeans and a red durag. The Newton County Sheriff's Office is conducting an internal investigation to determine how he escaped. Sheriff Ezell Brown assured cooperation with Hurst's family and urged anyone with information to come forward. Hurst, described as 5'10" and 190 pounds, faces multiple charges including terroristic threats and acts. A $500 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest, with an additional $3,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.

STORY 3: Madison Council elects first woman to serve as Mayor Pro Tem

Carrie Peters Reid has made history in Madison by becoming the first woman to be voted Mayor Pro Tem. This role, which she will hold for the next two years, allows her to step in as acting mayor when Mayor Fred Perriman is absent. The City Council unanimously voted her in, marking a significant milestone. Reid, a council member for over a decade, emphasizes serving with integrity and transparency. She also owns a salon, co-pastors a church, and runs a community outreach group. The council's decision to rotate the Mayor Pro Tem position every two years aims to provide diverse experiences for all members. Reid's vision is centered on serving the citizens and leading for a better future.

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We’ll be right back.

 

Break: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME

STORY 4: Kemp inks bills targeting illegal immigrants, no-cash bail

Gov. Brian Kemp signed several public safety bills, including House Bill 1105, requiring local authorities to notify ICE about suspected illegal immigrants. The bill gained traction after the murder of a nursing student by a suspect allegedly in the country illegally. Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns about racial profiling. Another bill, Senate Bill 63, restricts bail for certain offenses, drawing criticism for potentially incarcerating people charged with minor crimes. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones supported these measures, emphasizing public safety. Kemp also signed bills targeting swatting, prison contraband smuggling, and drag racing facilitation, aiming to enhance penalties and deterrence.

STORY 5: Winners announced for African American Museum's Andrews Prize

The fifth annual Raymond Andrews Prize creative writing contest finalists presented their entries at The Sinclair in Madison, showcasing a range of genres and themes. About 36 high school students submitted manuscripts, which were anonymously reviewed by judges. Avril Brown from Morgan County High School won first place with her haunting story "The Quiet of the House." Reese McPherson, a junior, secured second place. The event aimed to encourage creative writing among students and provided a platform for them to share their work publicly. The contest honors Raymond Andrews, a local author known for his novels set in fictional Muskhogean County. 

STORY 6:  LEAH INTERVIEW

And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath on hard boiled eggs.

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: INGLES 2

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 rockdale newton citizen dot com and morgan county citizen dot com.

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.

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