The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties cover art

The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties

The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties

By: BG Podcast Network
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 Bringing you the top stories from the Morgan County Citizen and the Rockdale Newton Citizen2025 BG Podcast Network Art Economics Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • A.R. Barksdale Boys and Girls Club focusing on success inside and out of the classroom

    A.R. Barksdale Boys and Girls Club focusing on success inside and out of the classroom
    Sep 5 2025
    Top Stories for September 5th Publish Date: September 5th Commercial: PREMEIER HEATING AND AIR 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, September 5th and Happy birthday to Freddie Mercury I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal A.R. Barksdale Boys and Girls Club focusing on success inside and out of the classroom County Approves $137,500 For New Farmland Protection Acreage NCSO graduates 11 inmates from Welding Training Program Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on apples 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: ARTISAN MARKET-GWINETT FAIR STORY 1: A.R. Barksdale Boys and Girls Club focusing on success inside and out of the classroom   With summer wrapping up, the A.R. Barksdale Boys & Girls Club is shifting gears, focusing on academics and sparking career dreams. For Chance Young, it’s photography and graphic design—something he discovered through the club’s workforce program. Alexander Rouse? Planes. After hearing a Delta mechanic speak, he’s hooked on aviation. From gardening to performing arts to financial literacy classes, the club offers more than just activities—it’s a place to belong. STORY 2: County Approves $137,500 For New Farmland Protection Acreage Tuesday’s Morgan County BOC meeting was, well, a bit of a tug-of-war. The topic? Funding for a farmland protection application to conserve 74 acres of the Hayes Family Farm in Madison. The ask was $275,000—25% of the cost—but after some back-and-forth, the board settled on half that: $137,500. A 3-2 vote sealed the deal. Commissioners Riden and von Hanstein pushed for the full amount, citing funds from Meta’s PILOT payments. But others, like Commissioner Park, wanted more caution, citing other priorities like internet expansion. It’s progress, but not without debate. STORY 3: NCSO graduates 11 inmates from Welding Training Program Eleven inmates at the Newton County Detention Center just earned a second chance—this time, with welding torches in hand. On Aug. 29, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Action Inc., celebrated the graduation of 11 men from its Welding Training Program. These graduates—Michael Schiermeister, Jahleel Frost, Christopher Stockhill, and eight others—now have skills that could land them jobs paying $18–$22 an hour, with no ceiling on earning potential. Every graduate passed rigorous welding tests and earned certifications in safety, ethics, and more. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back Break: COPY CENTRAL STORY 4: Bonner's Triple B Restaurant Moves Forward With Rebuild There’s still a flicker of hope for Buckhead’s beloved Bonner’s Triple B, the family-run country restaurant that’s been serving up catfish and BBQ since 1971. After a devastating fire in April reduced it to ashes, owners Lisa and Dallas Bonner are determined to rebuild. The charred remains are nearly cleared, and they’ve raised $10,000 so far—though they need $20,000 more to bring the dream to life. A fish fry fundraiser is set for Sept. 20 at the Buckhead Fire Station. Plates are $20, and they’ll serve until the food’s gone. STORY 5: Covington considers taphouse as permitted use  The city is mulling over a proposal to add “taphouse” as a permitted property use, thanks to a pitch from local business owner Casey Duren. Unlike microbreweries or brewpubs, which brew their own beer, Duren’s vision for a taphouse is simple: craft beer from other breweries, served fresh from the tap—no liquor, no full kitchen, just good beer and a laid-back vibe. Think pizza, finger foods, darts, and maybe a game of cornhole. Oh, and dogs? They’re welcome too. Council member Susie Keck backed the idea, but not everyone’s on board. The debate continues. We’ll be right back. Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on apples ----Ask Leah--- We’ll have closing comments after this.  Break: Ingles Markets 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/ Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great ...
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    12 mins
  • Parents call for regulation of tech companies that target kids

    Parents call for regulation of tech companies that target kids
    Aug 29 2025
    Top Stories for August 29th Publish Date: August 29th   Commercial: PREMEIER HEATING AND AIR 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, August 29th and Happy birthday to Richard Attenborough I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal Parents call for regulation of tech companies that target kidsYacht Rock Schooner Coming to The Hall Tests, unfunded mandates, vouchers among school complaints to legislative panel Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on picky toddlers 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: ARTISAN MARKET STORY 1: Parents call for regulation of tech companies that target kids   Kids today are living in a world where smartphones and social media collide—and the fallout? It’s messy. On Wednesday, state senators held the first of several hearings to figure out what to do about it. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who’s running for governor, pushed for a law last year to limit social media’s grip on kids. It passed easily but got tangled up in court. Meanwhile, the damage continues. At the hearing, parents shared gut-wrenching stories. Sharon Winkler’s son left a note after his suicide, blaming online bullying. STORY 2: Yacht Rock Schooner Coming To The Hall Get ready, Madison—The Hall on Foster Street is turning into a full-blown retro street party on Friday, Sept. 19, with Yacht Rock Schooner bringing the smooth vibes of the late ’70s and early ’80s. This eight-piece band? Pure magic. Think Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins—those timeless grooves that just make you want to dance. With dual keyboards, killer vocals, and a sax that’ll hit you right in the feels, they’re the real deal. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30. Tickets are $40, or snag a VIP table for $300. Don’t miss it—this’ll be a night to remember. STORY 3: Tests, unfunded mandates, vouchers among school complaints to legislative panel When Georgia lawmakers asked educators how to make their jobs easier, the answer was blunt: stop piling on mandates—especially if you’re not footing the bill. At Tuesday’s House study committee hearing, frustrations poured out. Twiggs County Superintendent Mack Bullard didn’t hold back: unfunded mandates like the Early Literacy Act are bleeding schools dry. And that’s not all. Georgia’s outdated funding formula? It’s laughable. Substitute teachers get $18.75 a day. Secretaries? Their health insurance costs more than their salary. Next hearing: Sept. 29. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back Break: COPY CENTRAL STORY 4: Madison Kiwanis Club gives $500 to foster parent group The Madison Kiwanis Club has been a steady supporter of the Morgan County Foster Parents Association (MCFPA), and this week was no different. Lori Ignoffo, MCFPA’s board president, accepted a $500 check from the club after sharing how the group helps foster kids with essentials like clothing and food—things that state funding often falls short on. But it wasn’t just money. Club members also brought in packages of new socks and underwear for the Foster Association’s closet. “Every little bit helps,” Ignoffo said. Erin Lee and Kayla Andrews, the club’s president and president-elect, handed over the check with big smiles. STORY 5: Rockdale County Code Enforcement earns National Achievement Award Rockdale County’s Code Enforcement Division just snagged a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo), and honestly? It’s well-deserved. The team built a digital automation tool—completely in-house, no fancy vendors or IT help—that’s slashed processing time for violation notices by a jaw-dropping 98.78%. Chair and CEO JaNice Van Ness couldn’t stop singing their praises. Efficiency, accuracy, and creativity? Nailed it. We’ll be right back. Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on picky toddlers -Ask Leah Segment- We’ll have closing comments after this.  Break: Ingles Markets 4 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/ Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our ...
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    12 mins
  • Trans Am Takeover: October event to celebrate ‘Smokey and the Bandit’

    Trans Am Takeover: October event to celebrate ‘Smokey and the Bandit’
    Aug 22 2025
    Top Stories for August 22nd Publish Date: August 22nd Commercial: PREMEIER HEATING AND AIR 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, August 22nd and Happy birthday to Norman Scharzkoff I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal Trans Am Takeover: October event to celebrate ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Madison and Morgan Forge Alliance On Northside Bypass Proposal EchoPark Speedway to host two NASCAR weekends in ’26 Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting 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: ARTISAN MARKET STORY 1: Trans Am Takeover: October event to celebrate ‘Smokey and the Bandit’   Remember Smokey and the Bandit? Turns out, Jonesboro played a big role in the 1977 classic, and this fall, the town’s rolling out the red carpet—well, metaphorically—for a weekend-long celebration. The Trans Am Takeover runs Oct. 17-19, with Saturday, Oct. 18, dedicated to downtown Jonesboro. Expect 100+ Trans Ams (yes, including the Snowman semi-truck), local food trucks, filming location tours, and even a live band playing Jerry Reed’s hits. Fun fact: Burt Reynolds himself visited Jonesboro in 2017 for the movie’s 40th anniversary. He got a key to the city—and a day named after him. STORY 2: Madison and Morgan Forge Alliance On Northside Bypass Proposal Madison’s push for a Northside Bypass—a $30 million project to connect Highway 83 to Highway 441—sparked a lively debate Tuesday between city and Morgan County leaders. The goal? A safer, less congested Madison. But not everyone’s sold. City Engineer Aaron Wadley pitched a route along Head Road, designed to minimize land grabs. County Commissioner Ben Riden wasn’t convinced. Collaboration remains key, but tensions linger. STORY 3: EchoPark Speedway to host two NASCAR weekends in ’26 NASCAR fans, mark your calendars: EchoPark Speedway is bringing the heat in 2026 with two action-packed race weekends. First up, the spring race weekend, Feb. 20-22, kicks off just after the Daytona 500. The headliner? The brand-new Autotrader 400, promising high-speed drama and, if history repeats, record-breaking lead changes. Then, July 11-12, it’s back under the lights for the Quaker State 400. This year, it’s part of NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament—think 190 mph duels for a $1 million prize. Doubleheaders, night races, and non-stop adrenaline. Atlanta’s high banks are ready. Are you? We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back Break: COPY CENTRAL STORY 4: MoCo Marlins Make Big Splash At 2025 Championship The MoCo Marlins made waves—literally—at the 2025 GRPA Class C State Championship, leaving the competition in their wake. Jordan Ferguson couldn’t stop raving about the team’s performance: top-eight finishes in nearly every race, a haul of first-place wins, and personal bests all around. Shoutout to Coaches Beth Austin-Bowen, Thomas Bradshaw, and Emelia Austin-Bowen for guiding these young athletes to greatness. From individual victories to relay domination, the Marlins owned the pool. Special congrats to every swimmer—you’ve earned every cheer and then some. STORY 5: Georgia lawmakers plan for federal cuts to already ‘underfunded’ public health services With federal funding cuts looming, Georgia lawmakers are scrambling to rethink the state’s public health system. At a hearing Wednesday, they dug into the numbers: nearly half of the $922.5 million public health budget comes from federal dollars—money that could dry up fast. Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state’s public health commissioner, called it a chance to “reimagine” public health, but there’s a catch. More flexibility might mean fewer services, especially in rural areas already struggling. With a potential government shutdown weeks away, the clock’s ticking. We’ll be right back. Break: NEWTON FEDERAL BANK And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting We’ll have closing comments after this.  Break: Ingles Markets 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/ Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly...
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
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