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Good morning, Henry County! 🎃
It's Friday, and the weekend starts today. Health insurance open enrollment begins Sunday with higher prices, Trick or Treat on the Square kicks off this afternoon and a lantern-led ghost walk starts tonight in McDonough, Stockbridge is getting its first recreation center, and your Georgia Power bill is on the ballot Tuesday.
Want the full weekend lineup? The Weekend Eye has it all.
Let's get into it. 🦅👁️
TODAY'S TOP PICK
McDonough After Dark Is a Little Different
MCDONOUGH: If you're looking for something fun and a little spooky this fall, add a Haunted Ghost Walk to your McDonough plans.
Southern Ghost Tours takes you on a lantern-led walk through historic downtown, where you'll hear stories of McDonough's past, reported ghostly encounters, and some of the Square's more mysterious history.
Tours are approximately 90 minutes and currently take place Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, beginning at the McDonough Welcome Center.
Think you know the Square? You might see it a little differently after dark.
📍 McDonough Welcome Center, 5 Griffin Street | 🕐 Fri and Sat, 7:30 PM | 🎟️ $30 adults, $20 ages 12 and under and 60 and older
Tickets and tour details → Haunted Ghost Walk in McDonough
YOUR MONEY
Buying Your Own Health Insurance? Enrollment Opens Sunday. Expect Some Sticker Shock.
HENRY COUNTY: If you buy your own health insurance, enrollment on the Georgia Access marketplace opens Sunday, November 1, and runs through January 15. This is not Medicare or coverage through a job.
Expect some sticker shock. Premiums for renewing plans are rising roughly 10 to 30 percent for 2027, GPB reports, and the average plan costs about $930 a month before any savings. UnitedHealthcare and Cigna are leaving, so if your plan was one of theirs, you'll need a new one. There's also no window shopping period this year, and free enrollment help is scarcer after federal navigator funding was cut by about 90 percent.
Why it matters: Self-employed people, small business owners, freelancers and early retirees often buy their own coverage, and many of them live in Henry County. Don't let your plan auto renew without a look. Compare your options before the January 15 deadline. Renew or update your coverage → georgiaaccess.gov
DEVELOPMENT
Stockbridge Is Getting Its First Recreation Center
A rendering of the proposed Stockbridge Recreational Center
STOCKBRIDGE: Stockbridge has picked a spot for its first recreation center. After a unanimous City Council vote at the September 29 Work Session, the facility will be built on a 6.123-acre site at 140 Burke Street in downtown Stockbridge, near the VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge.
City Manager Shawn Edmonson said residents asked for a place where they can “connect and focus on their health and wellness.” Design work hasn't started. Early community input points to aquatics, sports, art, mentoring, STEM spaces, and programs for both youth and seniors. A request for proposals for design will come next, along with more public meetings.
Why it matters: Stockbridge now has a confirmed location for a facility meant to serve every generation. Watch for design updates and community input sessions in the months ahead. Read the city’s announcement → prnewswire.com
BUSINESS
That Construction Near Costco in Stockbridge - It Is Bubba's 33.
Conceptual rendering of a Bubba’s 33
STOCKBRIDGE: If you have been driving past the active construction site on Jodeco Road in front of Costco and wondering what is going in, we have your answer: Bubba's 33, the family-friendly sports bar concept from the team behind Texas Roadhouse.
The restaurant is going up at Bridges at Jodeco near I-75 Exit 222 in Stockbridge. A Land Disturbance Permit has been approved and the building is underway. The targeted opening is Q1 2027, which puts it on track for a late February or March opening.
The menu will include scratch-made burgers, stone-baked pizzas, wings, ribeye steak, salmon, fresh salads, and American favorites. The signature: beer served at 33 degrees.
Why it matters: Henry County keeps adding dining options worth driving to. Bubba's 33 brings a recognizable national concept to a high-traffic corridor that serves both Stockbridge and Locust Grove residents. Mark your calendars for early 2027. See the menu and locations → bubbas33.com
Wondering about other construction sites across the county? Send us the address, and we’ll look into it. [email protected]
BUSINESS
A New Wedding Venue Just Opened in Downtown Locust Grove
LOCUST GROVE: Downtown Locust Grove has a new venue worth knowing about. The Gin Mill LG, a rustic wedding and event space, officially opened this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Mayor, city officials, and members of the Locust Grove community.
The venue is located at 250 Cleveland Street, Locust Grove, GA 30248. Locust Grove Main Street described it as a beautiful new space with rustic charm and careful attention to detail, designed for weddings, celebrations, and community gatherings.
Follow The Gin Mill LG on Facebook or Instagram at @theginmill_lg for booking information and updates.
Why it matters: Downtown Locust Grove is growing, and this is another sign of it. A dedicated event venue brings economic activity, out-of-town visitors, and new foot traffic to local businesses. Congratulations to the owners on a beautiful opening. Get the full story on The Gin Mill → businessdebut.com
Your K-Cup Has Been Sitting in a Warehouse for Months
That grocery store pod? It was roasted long before it hit the shelf. Coffee starts losing flavor within weeks of roasting — which is why your morning cup tastes flat, no matter how nice your machine is.
Angelino's does it differently. A third-generation roaster in Los Angeles, they roast, grind, and seal every pod in-house for peak freshness, then ship it to your door within days of roasting. The difference is the first thing you'll notice: real aroma, real flavor, no bitterness.
Mix and match from 50+ specialty coffees, teas, and flavored blends — all Keurig®-compatible — and save more with every box you add, up to 34% off at 12+. Order once whenever you're running low, or subscribe for an extra 5% if that's easier. Entirely up to you.
New customers get 15% off their first order — applied automatically, no code needed.
YOUR VOTE
Your Georgia Power Bill Is on the Ballot Tuesday
HENRY COUNTY: Election Day is Tuesday November 3, one week from today. Two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are on the ballot. The PSC is the five-member board that sets Georgia Power rates, approves rate increases, and oversees energy contracts. Henry County voters are eligible to vote in both races.
District 3: Peter Hubbard (D, incumbent) vs. Fitz Johnson (R)
District 5: Shelia Edwards (D) vs. Josh Tolbert (R) vs. Thomas Blooming (L)
The commission currently has a 3-2 Republican majority. Both races are competitive. Every Henry County household that pays a Georgia Power bill has a stake in this election. Early voting is open now. See who’s on the ballot and what’s at stake → ballotpedia.org
YOUR CONNECTION
AT&T Expands 5G and Fiber Across Henry County
AT&T just upgraded its networks in Henry County. New cell sites in Hampton along Highway 20 and South Hampton Road, and in Stockbridge at Gardner Road and Swan Lake Road, bring stronger 5G coverage to both corridors. The upgrades also include FirstNet Band 14 spectrum, which gives first responders priority access during emergencies.
On the fiber side, more than 9,000 additional homes and businesses in the county now have access to AT&T Fiber with speeds up to 5 Gigs. Check your address at att.com/notifyme.
Why it matters: If your internet or cell service has felt slow in these areas, relief may already be here. Check your address now to see if you’re covered.
Read the full story → Metro Atlanta CEO
The Weekend Eye Is Out Today
Your full game plan for the weekend is ready. Everything happening around Henry County from Friday through Sunday, all in one place.
Trick or Treat on the Square | TODAY, Friday Oct 30
📍 McDonough Square | 🕐 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | 💵 Free
Costumes encouraged. Participating merchants, treats, and Scarecrow Contest winner announcements. Here are the details
Christmas in the Grove Parade: Entries Now Open | Sat Nov 28
📍 Downtown Locust Grove | 🕐 Parade begins at 6PM
Theme: Welcome to Whoville! Businesses, churches, schools, clubs, and community members are invited to enter. Decorate your float and bring the holiday spirit. Note: No additional Santas permitted on floats as Santa has a special appearance planned.
🔗 Entry form: forms.gle/yXvGSL5wyF5jE5k96
Learn Basic Japanese, Plus a Free Small Business Class
Your Henry County library has big plans for November, and every program is free.
Learn Basic Japanese | McDonough Public Library | Tue, Nov 3 | 1 to 2PM | All ages
Pick up essential phrases and vocabulary, and get a taste of Japanese culture and cuisine.
Small Business Navigator | McDonough Public Library | Thu, Nov 12 | Adults
Running a business or thinking about starting one? This one is worth a look.
And that is just a taste. Locust Grove, Fortson, Fairview and Cochran have plenty more coming, from sourdough basics to mahjong night to a Mario Kart tournament.
See the full November calendar → henrylibraries.org
That's your Friday, Henry County
Trick or Treat on the Square starts at 2PM, The Weekend Eye has your full game plan, and Election Day is Tuesday.
If this issue made your morning a little sharper, forward it to a neighbor who needs it
Do you have a neighbor who selflessly helps others here in Henry County? Tell us about them. We might just do a feature on them. Contact us at [email protected]
Have a great weekend!
Stay sharp. Stay local. 🦅👁️