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| ISSUE# 102 | THURSDAY, July 2, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County.
Tomorrow is July 3rd and for most of us that means a day off.
New Georgia laws hit this week, and data centers are reshaping Georgia, with Henry County already at the center of that fight.
A sweet new business is coming to McDonough.
And The Weekend Eye also dropped in your inbox this morning with your complete Fourth of July guide. Free fireworks across four cities, Boosie and Pastor Troy headlining the biggest free concert in the county, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute, a sunset flower picking at a boutique farm, a mountaintop hike with fireworks views across the Atlanta skyline, and enough BBQ to feed a small army. Check it out after you finish this one.
Let's get into it. 🦅👁️
New Georgia Laws Hit This Week. Here Are the Ones That Matter
GEORGIA — More than 120 new laws took effect July 1. The DREAMS Scholarship launches this fall with $325 million in state funding, giving Georgia its first-ever need-based college scholarship. The penny is gone at the register — cash transactions now round to the nearest nickel. K-8 students are now phone-free during the school day. And Henry County HOA homeowners get new rights limiting attorney fees effective immediately.
Why it matters: These changes affect your wallet, your kids' classroom, and your college financial aid this fall. Full breakdown at Capitol Beat →
Data Centers Are Moving Into Rural Georgia. Henry County Is Already Ground Zero
GEORGIA — A new GPB analysis finds 129 community groups in rural counties across the country are actively fighting data center development, with concerns about water, electricity costs, and rural character. Georgia is one of the nation's top hotspots. Henry County Board Chair Carlotta Harrell said the county was caught off guard by the Equinix data center approved in Hampton, and the Water Authority has since passed new ordinances requiring feasibility studies before supplying water to major new users. Seven in 10 Americans now oppose data centers in their area according to a May Gallup poll.
Why it matters: Henry County isn't alone in this fight. Communities across Georgia are asking the same question: who decides how much growth is too much? Read the full GPB analysis →
A McDonough Realtor Is Opening a Dessert Bar. And It Sounds Incredible
MCDONOUGH — Local realtor Simmi Patel is making a sweet pivot. Patel is bringing Decadent Coffee & Dessert Bar to 99 Hwy 81, Suite 104 in McDonough, a franchise concept she discovered in Warner Robins and immediately fell in love with. The menu features cakes, cheesecakes, pies, brownies, cookies, cannolis, pastries, cold brew, lattes, and matchas. Her main goal is simple: bring a quality coffee shop to McDonough, a city she says doesn't have enough of them.
Why it matters: McDonough keeps attracting new food and beverage concepts and this one is locally owned. A Henry County resident is bringing it here because she believes in this community. Read more at What Now Atlanta →
Good To Know 🦅👁️
Got a Street Light Out in Stockbridge? Here's How to Get It Fixed
STOCKBRIDGE — A dark street light isn't just an inconvenience; it's a safety issue, especially heading into summer evenings and holiday weekends. Stockbridge residents have two easy ways to report a street light outage. You can report it directly through SeeClickFix at seeclickfix.com/stockbridge, the same free app the city uses for non-emergency requests like potholes and graffiti. Or you can report it directly to Georgia Power online at georgiapower.com or by calling 1-888-660-5890, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Why it matters: Most residents don't know how simple it is to get a street light fixed. One report is all it takes and your neighbors will thank you for it. Learn more about Stockbridge Public Works services →
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📅 THURSDAY, JULY 2
Henry County Hot Summer Fest — America's 250th 🎆 · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton · 🕐 6PM–10PM · FREE · Free fireworks, a Full Throttle flyover, pickleball, splash bash, and a kids fun zone — the kickoff to Henry County's Fourth of July weekend. Clear bags required. No coolers or drones.
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Sweet Magnolia Farmstead — Sunset U-Pick · 📍 141 Austin Dr, McDonough (Ola area) · 🕐 6:30–8:30PM · Tickets via website · U-pick flowers at golden hour with a free ice cream sundae included — one of Henry County's most peaceful summer evening experiences. 📞 (678) 618-7289
Stars, Guitars & Fireworks: Celebrating 250 Years · 📍 Locust Grove City Hall Lawn, 3644 GA Hwy 42 · 🕐 Live Music 7:15–9:15PM | Fireworks 9:15PM · FREE · Freebird-ATL brings the ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd experience to the City Hall lawn — road closes 3PM–11PM, overflow parking at Claude Gray Park with shuttle service. Last shuttle 8:50PM.
2 Broke Kings · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 🕐 8PM–11PM · Doors 6PM · $5 GA · 21+ after 7PM · Featuring Stephen Wines and Ross Childress of Collective Soul — a high-energy pre-Fourth night on McDonough Square.
SATURDAY, JULY 4 — INDEPENDENCE DAY 🇺🇸
Red, White and You — City of Hampton Celebration · 📍 10 Central Ave, Downtown Hampton · 🕐 6PM–10PM · FREE · Live band, daredevil stunts, family activities, and fireworks — bring your own chairs and blankets.
City of Stockbridge 4th of July Extravaganza 🎆 · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🕐 Gates 5PM | Show 7PM–11PM | Fireworks to follow · FREE · Boosie and Pastor Troy headline Henry County's biggest free Fourth of July celebration — arrive early for good spots.
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Free Guided Nature Hike · 📍 Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest · 🕐 8–10:30AM · FREE · ~25 min from McDonough · A peaceful way to start the morning after the holiday weekend.
This is just a taste of what the weekend has in store. Check out the full weekend guide to Henry County’s 4th of July Events: The Weekend Eye
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
What do you call a sleeping dinosaur?
A dino-snore 🤣
That's your Thursday, Henry County
New laws, new restaurants, and a big data center debate continues close to home. Don't forget The Weekend Eye is already in your inbox with everything worth doing this Fourth of July weekend. Go enjoy it. You've earned it.
Got a tip or a story we should know about? Send us a note at [email protected]. We read every one.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️