EAST METRO Top Stories for February 7th Publish Date: February 7th Commercial: MORGAN MEDICAL JAN_FINAL 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, February 7th and Happy birthday to Garth Brooks ***02.07.25 - BIRTHDAY – GARTH BROOKS*** I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty Body of released inmate found in ditch near Newton County jail Bostwick Council votes to end Cotton Gin Festival Conyers will allow homestead exemption to take effect 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: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Geoff) STORY 1: Body of released inmate found in ditch near Newton County jail The body of Anthony James Crast, 67, was found in a ditch near the Newton County Detention Center on Jan. 27, 11 days after his release. Crast, previously arrested for aggravated assault and terroristic threats, was discovered by a Georgia Power crew. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation initially handled the case but turned it over to the NCSO, with the cause of death still unknown. This follows a similar 2023 incident where another released inmate, William Roberts, 44, was found dead near the jail. Both cases remain under investigation. STORY 2: Bostwick Council votes to end Cotton Gin Festival After over 30 years, Bostwick’s beloved Cotton Gin Festival, known for its tractor parade and celebration of agrarian life, has come to an end. The city council unanimously voted to discontinue the event, citing challenges in managing its growing scale. Started in 1990 by June Whittaker to fund the renovation of the historic Susie Agnes Hotel, the festival raised enough to restore the building and support other community projects. Mayor John Bostwick and Chair Angie Howard expressed gratitude for its success but acknowledged it had outgrown the small town. The decision, though bittersweet, marks the end of a cherished tradition. STORY 3: Conyers will allow homestead exemption to take effect Conyers will allow the floating property tax exemption under House Bill 581 to take effect, following its approval by the General Assembly and Georgia voters in 2024. The exemption limits annual increases in taxable home values to the inflation rate, based on 2025 assessments. Mayor Vince Evans emphasized the city’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating this decision benefits the community. Governments have until March 1 to opt out, but Conyers will not pursue this. The exemption is irrevocable once enacted, and cities may implement a Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) to offset revenue losses, requiring unanimous local government agreement. 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: 08.08.24 WHEELER OBITS_FINAL STORY 4: Former Morgan County Sheriff Markley Appointed To Parole Board Former Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markley has been appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, becoming only the second Georgia sheriff in the board’s history. Markley, replacing Terry Barnard, will serve a seven-year term pending Senate confirmation. With 35 years in law enforcement, Markley brings extensive experience and a balanced approach to reviewing parole cases. The board, which can grant paroles, pardons, and commute death sentences, includes Chairman David Herring and former Sheriff Wayne Bennett. Markley expressed pride in the appointment, emphasizing his dedication to public safety and fair decision-making. STORY 5: Sheriff’s Office Demands $500K Annual Raise, Commissioner Boycotts Vote Morgan County Sheriff Tyler Hooks clashed with the Board of Commissioners over his urgent request for nearly $500,000 in annual pay raises for Sheriff’s Office employees, citing severe understaffing and low wages compared to neighboring agencies. The tense meeting ended abruptly when Commissioner Ben Riden left, halting the vote due to a lack of quorum. Riden supported pay raises but argued for waiting until the board is fully staffed after a March special election. Hooks warned of mass resignations if action isn’t taken immediately, while other commissioners expressed support for the raises. The issue will be revisited in upcoming meetings. We’ll be back in a moment Break: MORGAN MEDICAL JAN_FINAL And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting *** INGLES ASK LEAH 2 HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES*** We’ll have closing comments after this. Break: Ingles Markets 5 Signoff- Thanks again for ...
