| ISSUE# 050 | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County! ☀️
What a week. Yesterday we crossed 2,000 subscribers, and today is Issue #50. Two milestones in two days. Fifty mornings of skimming the news with you, two thousand of you opening it.
Thank you. Genuinely. Every share, every "have you seen the Eagle Eye?" recommendation! This is yours!
And it's a good news day on top of it. Henry County Schools just got tapped for a bold new state initiative.
The Georgia gas tax holiday is still working in your favor, but only for a few more weeks.
Cooling-assistance applications are open right now exclusively for seniors 65+ and the medically homebound.
And filmmakers, your deadline is closing in. Plus, we're heading to Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge for today's Hidden Gem. Acres of granite, moss, and rare flowers that most metro Atlanta folks don't know exist.
Let's get into it. 🦅
Henry Schools Joins a New Georgia Initiative to Reimagine the Classroom
HENRY COUNTY — Henry County Schools is one of 10 districts statewide picked for the first cohort of a new Georgia initiative to rethink how schools work, exploring learner-centered models, hybrid environments, microschools, and redesigned classrooms.
This isn't an immediate change to your child's school day — it's the planning stage for what learning could look like over the next few years. Worth knowing about. Read more at Henry Herald
Gas Tax Break Ends May 19. Prices Could Jump Overnight
HENRY COUNTY — If you’ve been enjoying slightly lower prices at the pump, the window is closing. Georgia’s gas tax suspension is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on May 19.
The state paused its 33.3-cent per gallon gas tax and 37.3-cent diesel tax back on March 20, which saved drivers around $5 on a typical 15-gallon fill-up, depending on the station. Once the suspension ends, that tax returns immediately. That means prices could rise overnight across Georgia. Georgia Dept. of Revenue FAQ
Henry County Seniors: Cooling Help Is Open Now, Priority Window Closing
HENRY COUNTY — Right now, Georgia’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program cooling assistance is open first to residents 65 and older and those who are medically homebound. That priority window is closing, with the program expected to open to the general public on May 1.
The program can help cover summer power bills, with benefits that can reach into the hundreds of dollars depending on eligibility. Payments go directly to your energy provider and show up as a credit on your bill.
If you have a senior parent or grandparent who could use help with rising cooling costs, now is the time to act before demand opens up to everyone. Income limits apply. Read more at the Georgia Department of Human Services.
Local Filmmakers, Your Deadline Is May 4
MCDONOUGH — The inaugural McDonough Storytellers Film Festival (June 5–6 in historic downtown McDonough) closes submissions Sunday, May 4. Categories are wide-open: feature, short, screenplay, advertising, audio drama, music video, novel, even movie poster and book cover. Fees: $75 standard, $65 students/Gold members. If you've been sitting on something, this is the four-day push. Submit at FilmFreeway
🤫 Henry County Is Home to a Rare Granite Landscape Most People Have Never Seen
On the outcrop at Panola Mountain
Today we're staying inside the county lines. Some of the best places in Henry County are the ones we drive past every day without realizing what's there.
HENRY COUNTY — Tucked away in Stockbridge is one of the region’s rare granite outcrop landscapes, a natural environment so unique and fragile that much of it is carefully protected.
Panola Mountain State Park is known for this uncommon terrain. In parts of the park, exposed granite replaces soil, creating a harsh environment where specialized plant life grows directly on rock. It’s a type of ecosystem found in only a limited number of places in the Southeast.
Because of how delicate it is, the summit is only accessible through ranger-led hikes. Other trails and the paved PATH trail are open daily for walking, biking, and exploring.
The park is part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and is often far less crowded than other outdoor spots nearby.
Panola Mountain State Park
📍 2600 GA-155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281
🕐 Open daily, 7 a.m. to dark
💵 Free admission · $5 parking
🥾 Ranger led summit hikes by reservation
🌐 Park info at Georgia State Parks · Visit Henry County listing
Got a Henry County hidden gem you love? Email us at [email protected].
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
75 South Devs Meetup 📍 Henry County Chamber of Commerce · 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM · Free Tech meetup for developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts south of Atlanta. All experience levels welcome.
Looking Ahead: First Thursday of May = Bike Night at Sweet Auburn BBQ in McDonough — Mark your calendar for next week (May 7).
Spring Georgia State Fair continues — EchoPark Speedway, Hampton
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Congressman David Scott Lies in State at the Georgia Capitol 📍 Georgia State Capitol Rotunda · Atlanta · 🕐 Public hours TBA — watch the Governor's Office for updates A formal honor for the late representative who served Georgia for more than 50 years and represented parts of Henry County.
Henry County Networking Group 📍 DaVinci's NY Style Pizza · 1035 GA-155 S, McDonough · 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Free Open to all business professionals and nonprofit organizations. Bring business cards!
Mayor's Table Talk — Inaugural Session 📍 McDonough City Hall · 136 Keys Ferry St, McDonough · 2nd Floor · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · McDonough Mayor Kamali Varner launches a new monthly community discussion series designed for open dialogue & transparency in an informal setting. Open to all residents
Henry County Senior Services Spring Fling 📍 Heritage Park · McDonough · 6:00 PM · Free Heritage Senior Center's 4th Annual Spring Fling — an evening of fun, fellowship, and celebration.
Jayco de Mayo at Southern RV 📍 Southern RV · 324 Industrial Blvd, McDonough 🕐 All day · Free to attend · Runs Friday and Saturday only The biggest Jayco sale of the year. $0 down deals, all inventory marked down, factory reps on-site. Free food, drinks, and games for the whole family.
Spring Georgia State Fair 📍 EchoPark Speedway · 1500 Tara Place, Hampton · 🕐 Friday evening · Tickets at georgiastatefair.com Two days left after today before the fair packs up Sunday. If you've been putting it off, now's the time.
Plus: This Friday's WEEKEND EYE drops with the full May 1–3 weekend lineup, including the State Fair's closing weekend, Saturday markets, and what's worth the trip.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Blessing of the Animals 📍 McDonough First United Methodist Church · 59 Mason Street, McDonough 🕐 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Free Pet blessings, vendor booths, food, and live music. All animals welcome — bring them on a leash or in a carrier.
Fifth Annual Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day 📍 HCWA Long Branch Reservoir · Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center · 100 Collins Rd, Locust Grove 🕐 Check-in begins 6:30 AM · Fishing 7:00 AM · Weigh-in through 11:00 AM · Lunch & Awards 11:30 AM · Free · Ages 3–17 Pre-registration is now closed but walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Bring your own chairs, bait, and tackle.
Cinco de Mayo at Frida's Eagles Landing 📍 1027 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Stockbridge · 11:00 AM · Free Bouncy house, face painting, giveaways, and drink specials. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the whole family!
SUNDAY, MAY 3
🔴 Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 📍 Homes and fire stations across Henry County · Final day · Free Last day to light your home red in tribute to America's fallen fire heroes. Share your light using #LightTheNight2026.
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
Why did the granite outcrop refuse to gossip?
…Because it didn't want to take anything for granite. 🤣🤣
That's your Thursday briefing, and your Issue #50 with 2,000 of you reading along.
Henry Schools is heading into something new, your wallet is heading into a few more weeks of relief at the pump, and a quiet granite mountain in Stockbridge is heading into the weekend without enough visitors. Pick one of those threads and go act on it today!
If you're new here this week, welcome. If you've been here since the start, thank you. The next 50 issues are going to be even better, and they'll only happen because you keep showing up.
We'll be back tomorrow with the Weekend Eye. Got a tip or a story we should know about? Send us a note at [email protected]. We read every email.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️