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The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties

The Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton and Morgan Counties

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 Bringing you the top stories from the Morgan County Citizen and the Rockdale Newton Citizen2025 BG Podcast Network Art Politique Sciences politiques Économie
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  • Sheriff Levett vows full investigation into inmate's escape | Rec. Department Asks County To 'Front' $1.8 Million For New Turf To Make Madison A Travel Baseball 'Hub' | Mansfield Elementary celebrates with Book Parade

    Sheriff Levett vows full investigation into inmate's escape | Rec. Department Asks County To 'Front' $1.8 Million For New Turf To Make Madison A Travel Baseball 'Hub' | Mansfield Elementary celebrates with Book Parade
    Dec 5 2025
    EAST METRO Top Stories for December 5th Publish Date: December 5th     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 Friday, December 5th and Happy birthday to Walt Disney I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal Sheriff Levett vows full investigation into inmate's escapeRec. Department Asks County To 'Front' $1.8 Million For New Turf To Make Madison A Travel Baseball 'Hub'Mansfield Elementary celebrates with Book Parade Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on carrots   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: INGLES MARKETS 8 STORY 1: Sheriff Levett vows full investigation into inmate's escape   It’s a story straight out of a movie: an inmate, a hospital gown, and a 31-hour escape that had law enforcement scrambling. Timothy Shane, 52, managed to slip away from Grady Memorial Hospital early Monday morning during medical testing. Shackles off for the procedure, he bolted—on foot, no less. What followed was a chaotic spree: stealing an SUV (and a Glock inside), crashing it, then swiping a Pontiac near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. By the time he ditched that car at a Publix, he’d somehow called an Uber—without a phone—and vanished again. Shane’s escape, which authorities now believe was planned, started with a fake suicide attempt at the Rockdale County Jail. He was recaptured Wednesday morning, hiding in an abandoned house in Covington after a K-9 team tracked him down. Sheriff Eric Levett says the investigation is ongoing, with questions swirling about security lapses and how Shane coordinated his getaway. Shane, no stranger to trouble, faces a long list of charges, including drug and weapon offenses. For now, he’s back in custody, but his brief taste of freedom has left plenty of questions. STORY 2: Rec. Department Asks County To 'Front' $1.8 Million For New Turf To Make Madison A Travel Baseball 'Hub'  Morgan County’s shiny new $25 million rec complex, which opened this spring, is already dreaming bigger—$1.8 million bigger. The goal? Install artificial turf on the baseball fields and turn Madison into the travel baseball hub of east Georgia, potentially raking in millions over the next decade. The Rec Department asked the county to front the cash, promising to pay it back through sponsorships, rentals, and tournament profits. But the Board of Commissioners (BOC) hit pause, tabling the request for now. Local developer Walter Rabern made an emotional plea, calling the project a no-brainer. “This isn’t just about money,” he said, tearing up as he remembered his late son, Bennett, a talented young ballplayer. “These fields teach kids about life—teamwork, character, winning, losing. It’s an investment in our youth.” Rabern also pointed to the financial upside: more tournaments mean more visitors, which means more business for local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Still, not everyone’s on board. Commissioner Ben Riden noted some residents are fuming on social media, accusing the Rec Department of asking for $1.8 million to fix mistakes. “That’s just not true,” Riden said. “This is about making the fields more durable long-term.” Rec Director Lance Alexander argued the turf would save money over time—no more daily maintenance or costly regrading—and attract more tournaments by reducing rainouts. For now, the project’s future is uncertain, but Rabern urged the BOC to act. STORY 3: Mansfield Elementary celebrates with Book Parade    Mansfield Elementary just pulled off one of its most beloved traditions—the annual Book Parade—and, honestly, it was pure magic. Kids and teachers went all out, transforming into their favorite storybook characters with costumes that were funny, clever, and downright adorable. Leading the parade? None other than The Pride of Eastside drumline and the state champ Eastside Lady Eagles softball team. The whole thing was a whirlwind of dragons, fairytale heroes, and classic characters that felt like they’d leapt right off the page. 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: INGLES MARKETS 9 STORY 4: Madison’s Planning Board Recommends Approval for Controversial Apartment Proposal on Historic Town Square    After a summer fire gutted four businesses on Madison’s historic square, a bold new vision is taking shape—a three-story, mixed-use development that could bring life back to Hancock Street. On Monday, Madison’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) voted to recommend approval for a variance and ...
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    13 min
  • The 75th Annual Christmas Tour Of Homes Slated For First Weekend In December | Piedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia | ‘Elf The Musical’ coming to Fox Theatre for the Christmas season

    The 75th Annual Christmas Tour Of Homes Slated For First Weekend In December | Piedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia | ‘Elf The Musical’ coming to Fox Theatre for the Christmas season
    Nov 28 2025
    EAST METRO Top Stories for November 28th Publish Date: November 28th     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 Friday, November 28th and Happy birthday to Dave Righetti I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal The 75th Annual Christmas Tour Of Homes Slated For First Weekend In DecemberPiedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia‘Elf The Musical’ coming to Fox Theatre for the Christmas season Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on soy and oat milk   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: INGLES MARKETS 7 STORY 1: The 75th Annual Christmas Tour Of Homes Slated For First Weekend In December  For 75 years, Madison’s Christmas Tour of Homes has been pure holiday magic. Picture this: historic homes, decked out in garlands, twinkling lights, and bows so red they’d make Santa jealous, opening their doors to the public. It’s not just a tour—it’s a step back in time, with a little Christmas sparkle. This year, on Dec. 5 and 6, you can wander through 16 private homes, churches, and museums, all dressed to impress. Day tours? Candlelight tours? Both? Your call. Oh, and there’s a trolley now—finally! Free rides, but donations help preserve Heritage Hall. Tickets start at $35. Don’t miss it. STORY 2: Piedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia  Piedmont Oncology just opened Georgia’s first Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic (EDC) at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. Pancreatic cancer is brutal—only 13% of patients survive five years—but this clinic is here to change that. Why’s it so hard to catch early? No screening test exists, symptoms are vague, and many high-risk patients don’t even know they’re at risk. That’s where the EDC steps in: genetic counseling, cutting-edge research with NIH and Mayo Clinic, and a team laser-focused on early detection. “This is about saving lives,” said Dr. Andrew Page, the clinic’s medical director. STORY 3: ‘Elf The Musical’ coming to Fox Theatre for the Christmas season   Buddy the Elf is in town, and he’s bringing the holiday cheer! “Elf The Musical” is hitting the Fox Theatre stage Dec. 16-21, but Buddy’s not waiting till then to spread some Christmas magic. Catch him around Atlanta this weekend: Friday night at The Blind Elf Parlour Bar (5:30-7:30 p.m.), or Saturday at the Children’s Museum (10 a.m.-noon), the Georgia Festival of Trees (2-4 p.m.), and Atlantic Station’s Light the Station event (4-7:30 p.m.). So, grab your syrup and get ready—it’s gonna be festive! 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: INGLES MARKETS 8 STORY 4: Real Christmas trees may be the real bargain this year because of tariffs    With artificial tree prices climbing (thanks, inflation and tariffs), real Christmas trees might just be the better deal this year—and they come with the bonus of supporting local farmers. At Savage Farms, the holiday prep is in full swing. “We always encourage folks to buy live trees,” said Mason Savage. “It supports local farmers and, honestly, the U.S. economy.” They’ve got Georgia-grown Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire, plus Frasier firs from North Carolina—an area bouncing back after Hurricane Helene. Prices? Still $10 per foot. “It’s a blessing,” Savage said, “bringing that Christmas joy to our community.” STORY 5: Thanksgiving travel rush kicks off, more expected to drive than fly   Thanksgiving travel chaos? AAA predicts 2.3 million Georgians will hit the road this holiday, joining 73 million Americans nationwide who’d rather drive than fly. GDOT’s trying to help, pausing roadwork through Sunday, but drivers? Slow down. Early sunsets are causing more accidents. Break: And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on soy and oat milk We’ll have closing comments after this.  Break: INGLES MARKETS 9 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 ...
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    10 min
  • Parents demand action on bullying after student’s death | Madison-Morgan Community Food Pantry To Deliver Hot Holiday Meals On Thanksgiving Day | Rotary clubs help fill empty stockings this Christmas

    Parents demand action on bullying after student’s death | Madison-Morgan Community Food Pantry To Deliver Hot Holiday Meals On Thanksgiving Day | Rotary clubs help fill empty stockings this Christmas
    Nov 21 2025
    EAST METRO Top Stories for November 21st Publish Date: November 21st     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 Friday, November 21st and Happy birthday to Stan The Man Musial I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal Parents demand action on bullying after student’s deathMadison-Morgan Community Food Pantry To Deliver Hot Holiday Meals On Thanksgiving DayRotary clubs help fill empty stockings this Christmas Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on rice   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: INGLES MARKETS 6 STORY 1: Parents demand action on bullying after student’s death  Emotions ran high at the Nov. 13 Rockdale County Board of Education meeting, the first since the tragic death of sixth-grader Brandon Vargas. Parents and advocates demanded action—on bullying, safety, and better communication. “This tragedy shook us all,” said Barbie Hines, a parent leader. “Families are grieving, scared, and fed up.” She described issues ranging from bullying (even by staff) to weapons on buses and ignored cries for help. Educational psychologist candidate Lisha Wallace proposed a “Walk in Our Shoes” initiative, urging leaders to spend a week in classrooms to see the challenges firsthand. “Parents just want their kids safe,” said newly-elected councilman Anthony Garcia Pacheco. “This is a wake-up call.” The board acknowledged concerns but offered no immediate solutions. STORY 2: Madison-Morgan Community Food Pantry To Deliver Hot Holiday Meals On Thanksgiving Day As grocery prices soar and food insecurity grows, many families in Morgan County are bracing for a tough Thanksgiving. But the Madison-Morgan Community Food Pantry (MMCFP) is stepping up—again. For the fifth year, MMCFP is teaming up with local restaurants, churches, and businesses to cook, package, and deliver 250+ hot Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 27. Volunteers will gather at Hallie Jane’s Catering, where Hallie Jane herself will oversee the feast prep. The menu? Turkey or ham, with all the fixings. “Thanksgiving is about feeling seen and cared for,” said MMCFP director Sherry Terrell. “No one should go without.” STORY 3: Rotary clubs help fill empty stockings this Christmas   This Christmas, the Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers are teaming up with Rockdale Emergency Relief (RER) to make sure no child wakes up to an empty stocking. Their goal? Raise $16,000—$8,000 per club—to bring holiday cheer to 106 kids from families hit hard by job loss, illness, or other struggles. RER carefully vets each family, ensuring the need is real, and even offers budgeting classes to help parents get back on their feet. Rotarians and high school Interact Club members will shop for every child, covering essentials like coats and shoes—and, of course, the toys that make Christmas magical. Want to help? Check out their website or mail a check to RER Empty Stocking, 350 Tall Oaks Drive, SE, Conyers, GA 30013. Every dollar goes straight to the kids. 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: INGLES MARKETS 7 STORY 4: Madison Water Rates Jump 33 Percent  Madison residents are reeling after opening their latest utility bills—water, sewer, gas, and trash all bundled together—and seeing jaw-dropping increases. The main culprit? A 33% hike in water rates, approved this summer by the mayor and city council to fund long-overdue infrastructure projects. For homeowners, water rates jumped from $6.62 to $8.81 per 1,000 gallons. Trash service? Now $23 a month, up from $18. And let’s not forget the natural gas and sewer rate increases, all effective August 1. Public Works Director Shawn Wood defended the hikes, saying they’re necessary to fund $20 million in infrastructure upgrades over the next five years. Still, for many, the timing couldn’t be worse—especially after six Georgia Power rate hikes since 2022. STORY 5: WW2 veteran Otto Shipman celebrates 102nd birthday   With family, friends, and fellow veterans by his side, World War II veteran Private First Class Otto Shipman marked an incredible milestone last week—his 102nd birthday. The celebration, held at his home, was filled with laughter, stories, and heartfelt tributes. Rockdale County Chair JaNice Van Ness joined the gathering, presenting Shipman with a proclamation honoring his service in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WWII. Shipman’s family shared memories of his independence—driving to Home Depot and tending his garden well ...
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    13 min
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