From the Square to the Sanctuary, Henry County's Full Friday

Good morning, Henry County. ☕

Two things before you scroll: today is the last day of early voting ahead of the May 19th primary. Polls are open until 7 pm at locations across the county. Go if you haven't.

And before you hit the pump this weekend, Georgia's gas tax suspension expires Tuesday, May 19th, too. That 33-cent break per gallon disappears unless there's an extension, and right now there's no word of one.

So fill up before Tuesday if you can.

Of course, check out the Weekend Eye for what’s happening in and around Henry County this weekend.

Let's get into it. 🦅👁️

GEORGIA - Gov. Kemp called a special legislative session for July 17 to redraw Georgia's congressional and state legislative maps, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that raised new questions about majority-Black voting districts. Henry County sits in Georgia's 13th Congressional District, the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. David Scott, meaning local voters could see significant changes to who represents them and how those lines are drawn. Read more at GPB →

GEORGIA - Georgia Power reached a tentative agreement this week that would reduce the average residential bill by about $4 a month starting in June — more than double the $1.32 reduction the company originally proposed. The deal still requires state regulatory approval. Read more at Georgia Trend →

STOCKBRIDGE - Residents of the Spivey Ridge community packed a recent Stockbridge City Council work session to oppose a nearby apartment and mixed-use development, which they say cleared more than 100 feet of mature trees behind their homes and looks nothing like what was originally approved. Homeowners are demanding transparency on tree removal, drainage issues, and whether the city's approvals actually match what's being built. Read more at Henry Herald →

LOCUST GROVE - Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust Grove just welcomed Yonah, a five-year-old black bear rescued from North Georgia after her mother was poisoned, and JuJu, a nocturnal kinkajou — a rare mammal most people have never seen in person. The sanctuary also announced all recent legal disputes have been resolved in their favor. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm, adults $15. Read more at The Citizen →

HENRY COUNTY - Not long ago, homes in Henry County were flying off the market. Buyers were making offers sight unseen, waiving inspections, and sometimes losing out anyway. That era appears to be fading.

According to Redfin, the median home in Henry County sat on the market for 81 days in March 2026. That's nearly double the pace buyers faced two years ago, when homes were moving in roughly 40 days. The median sale price also dipped to $331,698, down 1.4% from this time last year.

Local Realtor Taniece Cox says she's been watching the slowdown happen in real time.

"Buyers are taking more time to select a home they want," Cox said. "They do not feel the rush of past years of buying the first house they see."

Cox calls it a balanced market, something many buyers and sellers haven't experienced in years. She also sees two very different groups of buyers right now. Higher income buyers are still purchasing with confidence. Entry level buyers are moving carefully, held back by interest rates and rising everyday costs.

For sellers, that means one thing above all else. Price has to match reality.

"As a seller, they need to price their homes competitively," Cox said. "Listen to the data your agent is providing based on what the market is saying, not your emotions."

But for buyers who have felt shut out for years, Cox says this moment is worth paying attention to.

"This is the best environment we've seen in a decade to buy with your head, not your stress."

🏡 Local Agent | Taniece Cox | Realtor® Keller Williams Atlanta Midtown 📞 678.523.6602 📧 [email protected] 🌐 Taniececox.kw.com

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Dueling Pianos in McDonough! · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, McDonough · 🕐 8PM–11PM (Doors 6PM) · $9–$78 · 21+ after 7PM. The Andrews Brothers take all-request sing-alongs and turn them into a full comedy show. They know over 1,500 songs, so don't be shy about yelling out your favorites.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

McDonough Geranium Festival · 📍 McDonough Square · 🕐 9AM–5PM · FREE · Henry County's biggest street festival draws 25,000 people and 325+ vendors to the Square — if you go every year, you already know; if you've never been, this is the one to start with.

Joeann Compton Tennis & Pickleball Center Sign Unveiling · 📍 Richard Craig Park, 125 S. Zack Hinton Blvd., McDonough · 🕐 9AM · Henry County Parks & Rec names a brand-new facility — a quick, meaningful stop before the festival crowds arrive.

The CHAIN – Fleetwood Mac Tribute · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, McDonough · 🕐 9PM–11PM (Doors 6PM) · $31–$205 · 21+ after 8PM. Billed as America's most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

U-Pick Strawberries at Southern Belle Farm · 📍 1658 Turner Church Rd, McDonough · 🕐 1PM–6PM · ~$16–19/gallon. Southern Belle Farm's u-pick strawberry fields are open this Sunday with the farm market and bakery.

As usual, get your full weekend guide in the Weekend Eye

Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣

What do you call a bear with no teeth?

A gummy bear. 🤣

That's the view from the perch, Henry County!

The polls close tonight at 7, the festival opens tomorrow at 9, and Yonah the bear is settling into Locust Grove as we speak.

One heads-up before you make your weekend plans, I-285 is fully shut down in both directions from Cascade Road to MLK Jr. Drive starting tonight at 7 pm through Monday at 5 am.

If Atlanta is on your itinerary, plan around it. Stay cool, enjoy the weekend, and we'll see you Monday. Don’t forget to check out the Weekend Eye

Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️