EAST METRO Top Stories for March 21st
Publish Date: March 21st
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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, March 21st and Happy birthday to Matthew Broderick
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal
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.
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STORY 1: Newton County School System announces finalists for 2025 HERO Award
Newton County School System announced three finalists for its inaugural HERO Award, honoring exceptional classified employees. The 2025 finalists are Cheryl Clark (Fairview Elementary), Kymberli Durden (Alcovy High), and Chandra Mitchell (Special Education Department). Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley praised their dedication, calling classified staff the backbone of schools. The winner, chosen after panel interviews, will be announced on April 1 at the HERO Awards Celebration and will represent the district in the Georgia RISE Awards. The program highlights the vital contributions of staff in roles like clerical, custodial, and transportation services.
STORY 2: Teen killed in shooting at Denny Dobbs Park
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting of an 18-year-old male at Denny Dobbs Park on Wednesday. The victim, found with a gunshot wound, later died at a hospital. Authorities consider the incident isolated, with no ongoing threat to the community. The victim's identity has not been released, and it’s unclear if local students were involved. As a precaution, additional law enforcement will patrol some schools. Denny Dobbs Park, a popular recreation area, is also the site of a new senior enrichment center under construction. The investigation remains active.
STORY 3: Investigation continues into murder of Blairsville woman
Newton County authorities continue investigating the murder of Collette Sease, 54, whose body was found in a lake on March 3. Her ex-boyfriend, Travis Abbott, 53, was arrested for her murder and accused of concealing her body. Meanwhile, the NCSO seeks help identifying two women who used counterfeit $100 bills at Walmart and two teens, Trevion Campbell, 15, and Nyshiem Smith, 16, wanted for questioning in a March 4 shooting. Additionally, a suspect is being sought for a March 7 arson at the Silos at Ellington clubhouse. Residents are urged to share information or security footage.
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We’ll be right back
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STORY 4: Buckhead Struggles With Water Meter Inaccuracies
Buckhead Town Council addressed ongoing water meter issues causing inaccurate, inflated bills by deciding to charge a flat $31 fee per meter this month. The new meters, installed in 2022 for $75,000, have rarely worked properly, and the town is working to resolve the issue locally. The council also approved a temporary "chip and seal" repair for Baldwin Dairy Road due to insufficient TSPLOST funds for full resurfacing. Other discussions included upgrades to a septic system, preparations for Old Buckhead Days on April 5, tree maintenance costs, and park improvements like new swings and a picnic table grant application.
STORY 5: Ozburn honored with Mercer Law School’s 2025 Outstanding Alumnus Award
Retired Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Ozburn received Mercer University Law School's 2025 Outstanding Alumnus Award on March 8. A 1976 graduate, Ozburn served as a judge for Georgia's Alcovy Judicial Circuit from 1995 to 2020, creating programs like the Newton County Resource Court and a literacy initiative for GED attainment. He also chaired the Council of Superior Court Judges’ Court Security Committee and contributed to various legal and community organizations. Recognized for his service, Ozburn has received numerous awards, including the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service and the R.O. Arnold Award.
We’ll be back in a moment
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And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food
***INGLES ASK LEAH (FAST FOOD)***
We’ll have closing comments after this.
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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/
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