| ISSUE# 045 | THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County! ☀️
It's a heavy Thursday.
Georgia is mourning the loss of Congressman David Scott, a man whose decades of service touched this community directly. South Georgia is burning, and while Henry County isn't in the emergency zone, parts of the county may already be smelling it in the air.
And late Wednesday, the Henry County Board of Commissioners announced that County Manager Cheri Matthews is out effective immediately — with at least one commissioner publicly saying he wasn't even informed the decision was coming.
Today's Tales from the Perch closes out with Darling Ngoh, the Arabia Mountain park ranger, who will change the way you think about your next walk outside.
Let's get into it.
Georgia Loses a Giant: Congressman David Scott Dies at 80
GEORGIA — U.S. Representative David Scott, who represented Georgia's 13th Congressional District — which includes parts of Henry County — died unexpectedly Wednesday at the age of 80. Scott made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and had spent more than 50 years in elected office. His office called his passing "unexpected" and described him as a devoted leader who served his community, the state of Georgia, and the American people. Read more at CBS News Atlanta
A Surprise Shakeup at Henry County's Top Leadership
MCDONOUGH — The Henry County Board of Commissioners announced Wednesday that County Manager Cheri Matthews is out effective immediately after more than 20 years with the county. Chair Carlotta Harrell cited the county's growth and evolving needs as reasons for the change, but Commissioner Johnny Wilson said on Facebook he wasn't aware of any "new direction" and called it a "sad day for Henry County." Interim leadership will be announced in the coming days and county services will continue without interruption. Read more at Henry Herald
South Georgia Is on Fire. Henry County Isn't in the Emergency Zone, But You May Be Smelling the Smoke
GEORGIA — Governor Kemp declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday for 91 South Georgia counties as wildfires destroy dozens of homes and force hundreds of evacuations in historic drought conditions. Henry County is not among the affected counties, but metro Atlanta residents are reporting heavy smoke drifting north from the active fires. Avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve, and visit gatrees.org for updates. Read more at Georgia Governor's Office
99% of Americans Say Brain Health Matters, But Only 9% Know How to Protect It
GEORGIA — A new Alzheimer's Association report reveals that nearly all adults 40 and older consider brain health as important as physical health — yet only 9% say they know how to maintain it. An estimated 7.4 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's, and the research points to sleep, diet, exercise, and mental stimulation as the most practical tools for reducing risk. For Henry County residents in the 45 to 65 age range, the message is clear: what you do now matters more than most people realize. Read more at PR Newswire
Darling Ngoh is in his element, sharing the forest’s hidden harvest and the stories growing just beneath the surface.
“I need to tell people about this.”
That’s the moment Darling Ngoh remembers clearly.
It happened on a quiet hike, not long after he moved to Georgia. He had been studying data science, thinking in patterns and systems, when something in the forest finally clicked. He spotted a mushroom, traced it down to the roots, and saw what he calls “that root mycelium connection.” In that instant, the forest stopped being scenery and started being a network.
“Literally, the mycelium itself is the nervous system… this is how trees are communicating,” he says.
Ngoh, a park ranger at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, now spends his time helping others see what’s been there all along. The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area spans 40,000 acres, with some parts stretching into Henry County, making it a backyard escape many locals don’t even realize they have access to.
But he’s not pointing people to the big sky or towering trees. He’s showing them the quiet world underneath. The one you only notice when you slow down.
“You’re looking at the roots, the stump, the ground. You’re walking a lot more cautiously.”
Darling Ngoh leading a workshop, breaking down the hidden world of fungi and helping others see the forest in a whole new way.
That shift, he says, changes people.
“By the end… they feel really inspired. They say it’s refreshing. They had no idea.”
He’s seen it happen again and again. Kids who start off restless become focused, carefully scanning bark and soil. A group of older hikers once came looking for medicinal answers and left, he says, as “holistic enthusiasts,” sending him follow up emails about natural healing.
Even the skeptics soften.
“Mushrooms just aren’t all bad. They are really cool. They really help us.”
For Ngoh, it’s never just about mushrooms. It’s about connection. To science. To nature. To something bigger that feels, as he puts it, “almost too beautifully designed.”
His own tours are currently paused while he finishes school, but the mountain is still open. Ranger-led hikes continue throughout the week, offering anyone a way in.
“The biggest thing,” he says, “is just get outside… and commune with nature.”
Because once you see it, really see it, you don’t walk through the forest the same way again.
Plan Your Visit
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
📍 Address: 3350 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038
📞 Phone: (404) 998-8384
🕒 Hours: Closes soon · 9 PM · Opens 7 AM Wed
🌐 Website: Visit the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area online for events and guided hikes
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arabiamountain_nha/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArabiaMountainNationalHeritageArea/
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Meet Our City Manager — Georgia Cities Week 📍 Stockbridge City Hall (1st Floor) · 4640 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge 🕐 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM · Free
An opportunity to meet City Manager Shawn Edmondson, ask questions, and connect with local leadership in an informal setting.
Cozy Cat Café — Cochran Public Library📍 Cochran Public Library · 174 Burke St, Stockbridge 🕐 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Free · Kids & Teens. A pop-up cat café experience where kids and teens can meet adoptable cats in a relaxed, café-style setting.
Business After Hours — Strong Rock Christian School 📍 Strong Rock Christian School · Locust Grove 🕐 5:30 PM | Henry County Chamber event Network with fellow business professionals at this after-hours gathering hosted at Strong Rock Christian School.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
🎡 Spring Georgia State Fair 📍 EchoPark Speedway · 1500 Tara Place, Hampton 🗓️ April 24 – May 3, 2026 Tickets at georgiastatefair.com The Georgia State Fair is back in Henry County for 10 days of family fun!
Community Ice Cream Social — Georgia Cities Week📍 Clark Community Park · 111 Davis Rd, Stockbridge 🕐 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Free. A laid-back community gathering with ice cream, conversation, and an easy way to connect with neighbors.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Test of a Man — Shaquille O'Neal & Henry County Sheriff's Office 📍 Grace Baptist Church · Stockbridge 🕐 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Free · Registration required An impactful conversation featuring Dr. Luedie O'Neal, focused on guiding, mentoring, and uplifting young men in the community. Bring your sons and family. Registration is free at TestOfAMan.com.
Yellow Pollen Street Festival 📍 Downtown Hampton · 11 E. Main Street N., Hampton, Saturday, April 25 · 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Free. Downtown Hampton comes alive with local artisans, homemade goods, food trucks, live music, and family fun. Stroll through historic downtown, explore the eclectic shops and eateries, and soak up the community spirit that makes Hampton special.
🌎 Earth Day Celebration 📍Locust Grove Henry County Water Authority. 🕐 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Free Celebrate Earth Day with the Henry County Water Authority at this family-friendly event focused on conservation and protecting local water resources. Expect hands-on activities, educational exhibits, and simple tips on how to make a difference right here in your community.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Creature Feature — Panola Mountain State Park 📍 Panola Mountain State Park · 2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge 🕐 2:00 PM · Free program | $5 parking. Join a park ranger for a free educational program spotlighting the native animals that call Panola Mountain home.
Full List of weekend events coming up, check out this Friday’s WEEKEND EYE
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
Which days are the strongest?
Saturday and Sunday. The rest are weekdays 🤣
That's your Thursday briefing, Henry County.
A congressman is gone. Wildfires are burning south of us. And a leadership shake-up at the county level that nobody saw coming, including at least one person sitting on the board.
Check the Weekend Eye tomorrow morning for everything happening around Henry County this weekend.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️