EAST METRO Top Stories for April 25th
Publish Date: April 25th
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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 Thursday, April 25th and Happy 83rd birthday to actor Al Pacino.
***04.25.24 – BIRTHDAY – AL PACINO***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty
Plus, Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on bioengineered ingredients.
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: Three charged after weapons found on campus at Newton High School
Three Newton High School students, including one juvenile, were apprehended on April 15 following the discovery of weapons on campus. The school was placed on lockdown after a social media video surfaced depicting two students with what appeared to be a magazine and a handgun. Administrators found a loaded extended magazine on one student and later located a firearm matching one seen in the video in possession of another student. Confiscated items included a Glock magazine, a Glock handgun, a nicotine vape, brass knuckles, and a pocketknife. Devin Demarco Pettis, 18, faces multiple charges, including carrying a weapon in a school safety zone and theft by receiving stolen property, and is held without bond. Diamond D’Asia Gunn, 17, faces charges related to carrying weapons on school premises. The juvenile offender faces charges of disrupting public schools and theft by receiving stolen property.
STORY 2: STMA to host concert featuring works by David Kirkland Garner on May 2
The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center's Madison Chamber Music Festival Series presents "Art & Music in the Life of Steffen Thomas with David Kirkland Garner" at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art on May 2 at 7:30 PM. This performance will explore the connections between Robert Schumann's lieder and Kirkland Garner's original compositions inspired by Steffen Thomas. The event will feature mezzo-soprano Rachel Calloway and tenor Dominic Armstrong performing Schumann's songs, accompanied by pianist Lynn Kompass. Pianist Philip Bush and cellist Claire Bryant will perform Garner's compositions. The concert will be held without intermission, showcasing artwork by Thomas, including the "Eight Songs of Robert Schumann" sculpture. For more information, contact the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center or the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art.
STORY 3: Joint Development Authority to Disburse $3 million to Counties
The Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties is set to receive a $3 million disbursement in Payments In Lieu of Taxes from a Meta data center development in Stanton Springs South. This follows a recommendation by the authority's Finance Committee and is the second disbursement this fiscal year. The distribution will be based on each county's initial investment in Stanton Springs, with Newton and Walton receiving 37.5%, Morgan receiving 15%, and Jasper receiving 10%. The PILOT disbursements are in addition to property taxes generated by Takeda biopharmaceutical manufacturer in Stanton Springs South. The JDA's budgeted expenses include various operational costs, and the decision to disburse the funds was made after considering potential future expenses, including ongoing litigation costs related to the Rivian project in Stanton Springs North. Since 2016, Newton County has received over $9.8 million from Stanton Springs, including taxes, PILOT fees, and land sales proceeds.
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We’ll be right back.
Break: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME
STORY 4: State, JDA Continue Oversight of Rivian Development; Rivian Pledges Compliance
The state of Georgia and the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Newton, Morgan, and Walton Counties are overseeing the Rivian project site in Morgan and Walton counties during a pause in development. Concerns include site conditions, safety, stormwater management, and security. Rivian has assured its commitment to the project and plans to perform strategic site development activities while vertical construction is on hold. The state and JDA have outlined expectations for site stabilization, security measures, and compliance with environmental permits. Rivian's incentives to locate the project in Georgia include tax abatements and land. The company must meet investment and employment commitments by 2030 or face repayment obligations. Rivian is also obligated to make Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) outlined in the economic development agreement.
STORY 5: NACA Sees Second Year of Success in Rockdale County
The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) hosted its "Achieve the Dream" event in Conyers, drawing thousands seeking affordable home ownership. Toya Gray, among the attendees, secured approval for a home through NACA's program, reflecting its mission to provide sustainable home ownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income individuals. The event offered hands-on financial planning support, emphasizing NACA's commitment to closing the racial wealth disparity gap. NACA's Best in America Mortgage program provides low-to-no down payment options, no closing costs, and competitive interest rates, aiming to remove barriers to home ownership.
We’ll be back in a moment
Break: CURIOSITY LB BIKE RACE
STORY 6: Interview
And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath on bioengineered ingredients.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: INGLES 8
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 Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.
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