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Friday has arrived in Henry County, and this issue is packed.
Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams is taking his fight with the city to court.
Thousands of Henry County voters have a special election Monday that may not be on their radar.
A Georgia appeals court just threw out part of a Henry County Schools ruling because of fabricated AI citations.
Then we’re slowing things down with the story of an Ola family who turned an empty field into one of Henry County’s most peaceful places.
Plus, we’ve found three beautiful Henry County homes under $400,000,
an opportunity for local teens to get involved in city government,
and enough weekend plans in the Weekend Eye to fill your calendar.
Oh, and we just landed on Instagram. Come hang with us. 📸 Follow @eagleeyedigest
Pour the second cup. Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️
Stockbridge Mayor Williams Files Legal Challenge. Here's Where Things Stand
STOCKBRIDGE — Mayor Jayden Williams has filed legal action against the City of Stockbridge after the council unanimously voted to strip him of purchasing cards, city vehicles, and access to city facilities pending an independent investigation into alleged improper spending. Williams says he welcomes a full investigation but wants a fair process — "fairness requires that no conclusions be reached and no punishment be imposed before the facts are established," his statement reads. The investigation began after an administrative tip flagged the city manager, finance department, and city attorney.
Why it matters: The city has hired an independent investigator and emphasized the restrictions are not a finding of misconduct. The Eagle Eye Digest will continue to follow this story as it develops. Latest at CBS News Atlanta → Inside the investigation at FOX 5 →.
There's a Special Election Monday. Here's What Henry County Voters Need to Know
HENRY COUNTY — The special election to fill Georgia's 13th Congressional District seat — triggered by the death of Congressman David Scott in April — is this Monday July 28. If you're in the 13th District, this is your election. Advance in-person voting is open now with little to no wait at all Henry County locations. Election Day is Monday July 28, polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID.
Why it matters: This is not a November election and it won't be on your usual radar. Many Henry County residents in District 13 don't know it's happening. Check your district at mvp.sos.ga.gov before Monday. See the advance voting schedule and wait times → Check if you're in District 13 →
A Georgia Court Just Threw Out Part of a Henry County Schools Ruling. AI Is Why
HENRY COUNTY — A Georgia Court of Appeals panel vacated part of a Henry County Schools race discrimination ruling after finding the trial court relied on fabricated legal citations generated by AI. The court called it "troubling" that fake case law made it into a submitted order and reminded attorneys of their professional responsibility to verify everything AI produces before using it in court.
Why it matters: This is the second major Georgia case this year where AI hallucinations derailed legal proceedings — and it happened right here in Henry County. If you're using AI for anything important, verify before you trust it. Full story at CBS News Atlanta →
Back to School Is Two Weeks Away. Here's How Henry County Is Getting Ready
HENRY COUNTY — August 3 is closer than it feels and Henry County families are already making moves. Sleep experts recommend starting the bedtime transition now. Move your child's bedtime 15 to 20 minutes earlier every two to three days so the first day of school doesn't come as a shock.
Open House is Thursday, July 30 and the first day of school is Monday, August 3.
Need supplies? CD4RP hosts its 7th Annual Book Bag and Food Giveaway this Monday July 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1781 Hwy 42N in McDonough — free book bags, school supplies, and food distribution open to all families.
Planting Joy in Henry County
What began as an empty field and a new season of life has blossomed into one of Henry County's most peaceful places.
Ola — In 2023, Sherry Addis looked across the 24 acres she and her husband Tim had purchased a few years earlier and had a simple thought.
"This place is too beautiful not to do something with it."
At the time, the couple had already raised five daughters in the Ola community. Four were married, their youngest was nearly grown, and life was beginning to look different than it had for two decades.
"We were entering a new season," Sherry said. "I wanted to create a place where people could slow down, enjoy nature, and find a little peace."
Neither of them had ever grown flowers. They weren't farmers. They had never owned a business.
"We knew absolutely nothing," she laughed.
So they did what many first time dreamers do. They watched YouTube videos, read books, asked questions, made mistakes, and kept planting.
There were disappointments. Flowers didn't always bloom the way they expected. Storms knocked plants over. Every season brought a new lesson.
"But people still came," Sherry said. "They still saw the beauty."
They knew absolutely nothing about growing flowers. Then this happened. Sweet Magnolia Farmstead, Ola area, McDonough
Today, Sweet Magnolia Farmstead is much more than a U-Pick flower farm. Visitors come to wander through rows of colorful blooms, photographers fill the fields with families celebrating milestones, and weekends bring yoga classes, floral workshops, painting events, and neighbors simply looking for a quiet place to breathe.
One story has stayed with her. Sherry remembers a woman walking through the flowers who quietly shared she was on a journey to rediscover joy after a difficult season in life. Moments like that reminded her the farm had become something much bigger than flowers.
The farm is still a labor of love. Sherry and Tim both work full time outside the farm, spending mornings, evenings, and weekends planting, watering, harvesting, and preparing for visitors. Their daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and extended family still gather to help each season, turning planting days into family traditions.
Looking back, Sherry believes the dream was never really theirs alone.
"We truly believe God planted this dream in our hearts," she said.
Today, that dream has become a place where flowers bloom, memories are made, and for a little while, people can simply slow down.
Visit Sweet Magnolia Farmstead:
📍 141 Austin Drive, McDonough, GA 30252 (Ola area)
🌐 sweetmagnoliafarmstead.com →
📘 Follow on Facebook →
Upcoming Events:
🌸 Princesses and Petals — Friday July 25 · 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. · $15 per child
🧘 Pilates and Petals — Saturday July 26 · Ticket price TBD
🌅 Sunset U-Pick — Friday evenings and Saturdays · 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. · Weather permitting Book tickets and check availability →
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Stockbridge Has a Youth Council. Here's How Your Teen Can Join
STOCKBRIDGE — The Stockbridge Youth Council isn't just a resume builder — it's teens doing real work alongside city officials. The group recently ran a school supply drive with the city at Clark Community Park to help local families ahead of the August 3 school year start. Applications are open now and require a parent or guardian signature along with the applicant's own.
Why it matters: This is a genuine seat at the table in local government for a young person who wants to make a difference in their own community. Not in Stockbridge? McDonough has one too. Mayor Kam Varner actually founded the McDonough Youth Council before she became mayor — call McDonough City Hall to ask how your teen can get involved.
Apply to the Stockbridge Youth Council →
📞 Stockbridge City Hall: (770) 389-7900
📞 McDonough City Hall: (770) 957-3915
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Cartooning with Al Waller · 📍 McDonough Public Library · 🕐 1PM · FREE, for tweens and teens.
Petals & Princesses: Sunset Story Time · 📍 Sweet Magnolia Farmstead, McDonough · 🕐 Friday, July 24, 6:30PM · Ticketed, one ticket per child · A sunset storytime with a visiting princess character, followed by a meet-and-greet, photos in the flower field, a kids' U-pick, and light refreshments.
Food Truck Frenzy · 📍 Avalon Park, McDonough · 🕐 4–9PM · FREE · Food trucks, splash pad, music.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Rail and Roots Farmers Market · 📍 Train Depot Parking Lot, Hampton · 🕐 9AM–1PM · FREE.
Burgers & Backpacks Giveaway · 📍 Shiloh Baptist Church Family Life Center, McDonough · 🕐 12–4PM · FREE backpacks, burgers, bounce houses, and face painting. Backpack giveaway limited to Henry County/McDonough residents while supplies last.
Promenade Through History: A Visit With the Past · 📍 Locust Grove City Hall · 🕐 2–5PM · Hosted by the Genealogical Society of Henry and Clayton Counties.
SUNDAY, JULY 26
Loc Fest ATL — Loc'd & Natural Hair Culture Festival · 📍 VENUE HERE, McDonough · PRICE HERE · First year in McDonough after years in Brooklyn, celebrating loc'd and natural hair culture.
Don’t think this is all that’s happening this weekend. Oh no, there’s a lot more 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 your Eagle Eye for today, but your weekend planning is just getting started.
This issue gave you the news. The Weekend Eye gives you somewhere to go. We’ve rounded up family fun, live entertainment, local history, food, festivals, and a few events you probably haven’t heard about yet.
So before you make plans, check out the Weekend Eye and see what’s happening across Henry County and beyond.
And now that Eagle Eye Digest is on Instagram, follow @eagleeyedigest to keep up with the stories, people, and places shaping Henry County between issues.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for making the Eagle Eye Digest part of your morning. 🦅👁️
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️