Welcome to The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties
This Podcast brings you the top stories from the Rockdale-Newton Citizen and the Morgan Citizen
Today is Thursday, May 4th and as Star Wars Nation says…may the 4th be with you
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I’m Brian Giffin and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty
Newton County says no to alcohol in the Square park
Rockdale County school board approves reduction in force plan
And a Released inmate found dead on Newton County Sheriff's Office property
Plus, Lia McGrath of Ingles Markets joins our Bruce Jenkins to talk about “the dirty dozen”
These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties!
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STORY 1:No to alcohol
The Newton County Board of Commissioners has voted 4-1 to deny the city of Covington’s request to allow open containers of alcoholic beverages in the Covington Square park. The city’s proposal for a 90-day trial period, allowing open containers only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on designated sidewalks in the Downtown Consumption District, was unanimously approved by the council members. However, the county owns the park and therefore requires approval from the county for patrons to carry drinks through the park. Sheriff Ezell Brown endorsed waiting for the 90-day trial period to be over before making a decision on alcohol in the park.
STORY 2:Rockdale RIF
The Rockdale County Board of Education in Georgia has approved a reduction in force plan proposed by Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts to make up for an anticipated $10.6 million budget shortfall. The plan aims to save a total of $5,308,738 and involves reducing central office positions through attrition, moving 30 paraprofessional positions from the general fund to an alternative funding source, relocating eight Central Office academic coaches and digital learning specialists back to schools, reducing school staffing points by 23, and freezing the work-based learning director position. No teachers or paraprofessionals will be eliminated.
STORY 3: Inmate found dead
The Newton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of William Roberts, a man who was found dead outside the Detention Center on April 26th. Roberts had been arrested on a charge of public intoxication on April 22nd and was released the next day after he had sobered up. According to the Sheriff's Office, Roberts did not leave the NCSO property when he was released and was found lying behind the NCSO entrance sign. It is unclear why he laid down there, and the cause of death is unknown at this time……we’ll have more on the Community Podcast after this!
STORY 4:Ga Ct of Appeals
The No2Rivian group's legal victory against Rivian's $15 billion bond validation and traditional property taxes was overturned by the Georgia Court of Appeals, dealing a major setback to the opposition. The State of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority are celebrating the ruling, while No2Rivian vows to appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court. The ruling confirmed that Rivian's project is sound, reasonable, and feasible and will create 7,500 new jobs, additional tax revenue, and supplier opportunities. Despite any further appeals, the State and JDA are confident that the Rivian project will proceed as planned.
STORY 5: Conservancy
The Madison-Morgan Conservancy's annual fundraiser, Derby Day, will debut the newly restored Foster-Thomason-Miller-Minnix House. Although the event is sold out, interested parties can join a waiting list in case of last-minute openings. The Foster-Thomason-Miller house was saved from destruction by the Conservancy's Endangered Properties Revolving Fund and restored by Elizabeth and David Minnix over five years with a preservationist ethic. Derby Day is the Conservancy's only annual fundraiser and supports the protection of farms, forests, and historic homes…..Stay with us, we’ll have more community news, and visit with Leah McGrath of Ingles right after this
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STORY 6: CVIOG
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG) at the University of Georgia has partnered with the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) to offer a new Destination Leadership program. This program will provide tourism education and training to city and county elected officials and staff. The first class, Fundamentals of Tourism, will be held in Madison on May 9. Participants will learn about the value of tourism as an economic driver and explore how to maximize tourism's impact on local economic development. The inaugural class will receive a tourism certificate upon completion of the course.
And now here’s Lia McGrath from Ingles Markets, with our Bruce Jenkins to answer our questions about the dirty dozen
***Audio Ingles Market Wellness-Dirty Dozen***
Thanks again for listening to today’s Community podcast, your home for the top news from Morgan, Rockdale, and Newton Counties. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and please share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. You can also 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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