In partnership with
Good morning, Henry County!
We’ve got a Georgia first happening right here at home. The state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box officially opens in Henry County today after a three-year effort led by resident Aime Anderson.
We’re also looking at a massive OpenAI power deal that caught our attention after the data center debate in our county. And with mortgage rates still refusing to budge, we found three Best Value Dream Homes in Henry County that prove there are still some good deals out there.
If you missed our library story earlier this week, we’re bringing it back because, trust us, your local library is doing way more than you think.
Plus, The Weekend Eye has your plans for the weekend.
Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️
Friday Food Truck Frenzy
MCDONOUGH — It's Friday, it's food trucks, and it's under a covered arena so the weather can't ruin it. The Friday Food Truck Frenzy hits Heritage Park's Jason T. Harper Arena this Friday, August 28, from 4 to 9 p.m. The event doubles as a fundraiser for Tanger Station Softball, and if you're curious what the money actually goes toward, that's a great question to ask when you get there. Either way, the food will be good and the vibe will be better.
📅 Friday August 28 · 4 to 9 p.m.
📍 Jason T. Harper Arena · Heritage Park · McDonough
🏟️ Covered arena — rain or shine
🧡 Fundraiser for Tanger Station Softball
Georgia's First Safe Haven Baby Box Opens Friday in Henry County
ELLENWOOD — Henry County is making history Friday. Georgia's first Safe Haven Baby Box will officially open at Henry County Fire Station 6, 30 Fairview Road in Ellenwood. The climate-controlled box gives a parent in crisis a safe and anonymous way to surrender a newborn. Once a baby is placed inside, the door locks and alerts first responders. The effort to bring baby boxes to Georgia began right here in Henry County, with resident Aime Anderson helping push for the change in state law that made them possible.
Why it matters: This is one of those times Henry County gets to be first for a pretty meaningful reason. Beginning Friday, a parent who feels they have nowhere to turn will have another safe option, and supporters hope Henry County is just the beginning for Georgia. Read more from Atlanta News First
Mortgage Rates Are Back Up. Here's Where They Stand
HENRY COUNTY — If buying a house is somewhere on your to do list, mortgage rates aren't doing you any favors. The average 30 year fixed mortgage ticked up to 6.66% this week, according to new numbers released Thursday by Freddie Mac. That's up slightly from 6.65% last week and 6.56% this time last year. The average 15 year fixed mortgage also climbed to 5.98%.
Why it matters: In a growing county like Henry, higher borrowing costs can change the math quickly. They affect what first time buyers can afford, whether current homeowners are willing to give up their existing lower rate to move, and ultimately how much house your money can buy. See the latest rates from Freddie Mac
Georgia Approves Massive OpenAI Data Center Power Deal
GEORGIA — Data centers have been a hot topic around Henry County, so this caught our eye. Georgia regulators have approved a deal between Georgia Power and OpenAI to power a massive new data center project in Effingham County that could require 3,200 megawatts of electricity. Here's the interesting part: OpenAI will pay the full cost of the infrastructure needed to serve the project, and Georgia Power says revenue from large power users like this could actually help lower residential bills beginning in 2029. The deal comes as communities across Georgia, including Hampton, have pushed back on large data center proposals over concerns about power, water, noise and development.
Why it matters: Henry County has already had a front-row seat to Georgia's data center debate. The OpenAI agreement offers one possible answer to a big question residents have been asking: who pays for all the infrastructure these facilities require? In this case, the data center does. Whether similar protections follow future projects closer to home is worth watching. Read more from WTOC
Last Call for Henry County's Free Cooling Centers
HENRY COUNTY — Still need a break from the heat? Friday is the final day for Henry County's four free cooling centers. Residents can stop in, cool off, and grab complimentary bottled water while supplies last. No registration is required. Locations are Heritage Park in McDonough, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus Locust Grove Recreation Center, J.P. Moseley Recreation Center in Stockbridge and Fairview Recreation Center in Stockbridge, all open Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why it matters: With the heat sticking around, a few hours in air conditioning can make a real difference, especially for older adults, families and anyone without reliable cooling at home. Friday is the last scheduled day, so keep these locations in mind for yourself or someone who may need them. Follow Henry County Government for updates →
Your Backyard's New Favorite Room
Host Sunday lunches outside in spring. Grill through summer nights. Watch football outside in fall without freezing. Wrap up with a blanket and a book, snow falling outside.
The secret is in the roof. Louvers - the horizontal aluminum blades that make up Hansø pergola's roof - open to the full sky or close into a solid, rainproof roof in seconds. Full sun, full shade, or full shelter: you decide, instantly.
And these pergolas are engineered to hold up in real conditions: up to 167 mph wind rating, up to 65 PSF roof load capacity, high-quality aluminum built to last 30 to 40+ years.
Hansø Summer Sale is here: save now 35% on Pro+ and Horizon Smart pergolas plus a free Bluetooth speaker & free heater included.
Your extra room is waiting.
Your Henry County Library Is Doing Way More Than You Think
Books, music and movement bring Henry County’s youngest readers together.
Photo courtesy of Henry County Library System
HENRY COUNTY — If you haven’t checked your local library calendar lately, you might be surprised by what’s on it. Mahjong. Crochet. Murder mysteries. Computer classes for seniors. STEAM programs for homeschoolers. Teen groups. Baby storytime. Even a Hannah Montana nostalgia night.
And that’s just a random Wednesday.
Across Henry County’s five library branches, McDonough, Cochran, Fortson, Fairview and Locust Grove, a whole lot is happening beyond checking out books.
Anna Cogdill, Assistant Director of Programming and Outreach, and Erica Ware, Assistant Director of Public Services, told us there’s a lot of thought behind what ends up on that calendar.
“Each community is different,” explained Erica. Take Mahjong. It’s become popular in Stockbridge because people there are interested in it. Staff pay attention to what patrons are talking about, what’s trending, and what people tell them they’d like to see.
And Mahjong is just the beginning. One Henry County library has people spending three hours solving murder mysteries, while others are building programs around coding, science, and more. Keep reading: See what else your Henry County library has been up to →
Clean Cookware for People Who Actually Cook
You've probably seen Made In Cookware® by now. Used in 4,000+ professional kitchens and trusted by millions of home cooks, they also offer one of the largest PFAS-free cookware collections available.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
Friday, August 28
Georgia's First Safe Haven Baby Box Opens · 📍 Henry County Fire Station 6, 30 Fairview Road, Ellenwood · Georgia's first Safe Haven Baby Box gives parents in crisis a safe, anonymous way to surrender a newborn, the effort started with Henry County resident Aime Anderson, who helped push for the state law change that made it possible.
Dr. Iconic Band · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 🕐 9pm
Tiny Tent Concert Series — Encore ft. Quasey · 📍 130 MLK Sr. Heritage Trail, Downtown Stockbridge · 🕐 6–8pm · FREE, ticket required
Quasey, "The Southern Soul Heartthrob," headlines the first of two encore performances.
Sunset U-Pick · 📍 Sweet Magnolia Farmstead · 🕐 6–8:30pm · $25 adults / $15 kids (3–12) Golden hour in the flower field.
Food Truck Frenzy · 📍 Tanger Station, 2950 Tanger Blvd, Locust Grove · 🕐 4–9pm · FREE. Food trucks plus a Luella Athletics away football watch party.
Saturday, August 29
Rail and Roots Farmer's Market · 📍 Historic Train Depot, Downtown Hampton · 🕐 9am–1pm · FREE
AKA Family Empowerment Day · 📍 Nash Farm Park, 4361 Jonesboro Road, Hampton · 🕐 11am–3pm · FREE. Family photos, blood pressure screenings, food trucks, family bingo, book giveaways.
Sunday, August 30
Bobby Brown & Silk · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N. Henry Blvd., Stockbridge · 🕐 7pm · Ticketed
R&B legend Bobby Brown and Silk take the stage for a Sunday night show in Stockbridge.
Beginner Birding with Melanie · 📍 Davidson Arabia Mountain Nature Center, Stonecrest · 🕐 10am–12pm · FREE
A beginner friendly bird walk with Melanie Furr to see who’s flying, calling and hiding around the preserve.
There’s a lot more where these came from in the Weekend Eye
Good Newsletters Are Everywhere Now. Here Are Our Favorites
We put together a bundle of free newsletters worth your time. The kind that make you think, plan, or just breathe easier on a Sunday. No fluff. Check them out here
That’s a wrap for this Friday, Henry County!
We hope you found something useful, something interesting, and maybe even something new about the place we call home.
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Be sure to check out the Weekend Eye for more events and happenings around Henry County and beyond.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you back here next week.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️