In partnership with
Good morning, Henry County!
Henry County is getting national attention for its remarkable growth and changing demographics. Meanwhile, Flock license plate cameras are facing new scrutiny, a Piedmont Henry nurse is being honored for extraordinary courage, and there’s a new twist in the Stockbridge mayor investigation.
Plus, Wellfest is coming to McDonough, we’re touring waterfront homes, and there’s plenty to put on your weekend calendar in the Weekend Eye.
Coffee ready? Good. Here’s what’s happening around Henry County. 🦅👁️
Connecting Henry Wellfest 2026:This Weekend in McDonough
MCDONOUGH — Henry County's biggest health and wellness community fair of the year is this weekend at Shiloh Baptist Church's Family Life Center.
Connecting Henry Wellfest brings together health resources, family activities, and community organizations under one roof for two full days. Whether you're looking for health screenings, wellness information, or just a great community event to kick off the weekend, this is the place to be.
📅 Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16
📍 Shiloh Baptist Church Family Life Center · 252 Macon Street, McDonough
🆓 Free and open to the community. Full details at Henry County Chamber →
Henry County Is Now the Fastest Growing Black Majority Suburban County in the United States
HENRY COUNTY — In 1990, less than 10% of Henry County's population was Black. Today, local officials say that number has flipped and the rest of the country is taking notice. CBS News Atlanta reported this week that Henry County is now the fastest-growing Black-majority suburban county in the United States, driven by Black entrepreneurship, strategic location, and a booming small business community. Cities like McDonough and Locust Grove have seen double-digit population growth since 2020, with Locust Grove expanding by 30%.
But here's what makes this story bigger than demographics. The same growth that brought Black families to Henry County has made the entire county more desirable, more affluent, and more visible nationally. Luxury development, wellness amenities like Sprouts and Costco, affordable commercial space, and major corporate investments like Highline Warren's $170 million hub in McDonough have all followed.
Why it matters: Henry County's rise as a national model for Black suburban prosperity has made this a better place to live for everyone who calls it home. That's worth celebrating. Full story at CBS News Atlanta →
Georgia Is Pushing Back on License Plate Cameras. Henry County Is Part of the Story
HENRY COUNTY — Flock Safety cameras photograph and log the license plate of every vehicle that drives past, whether or not the driver has done anything wrong. Critics say that's a privacy problem. A National Week of Action against these cameras runs from Sunday, August 16, through August 22, with more than 75 cities participating, including Atlanta, Marietta, and East Point.
Henry County is directly connected. A county officer was fired and criminally charged last month for misusing the Flock system for personal purposes.
Why it matters: Flock cameras are installed throughout Henry County. Residents have a right to know where they are. The DeFlock map shows exactly where cameras are in your neighborhood. Go look it up. Find cameras near you at DeFlock →
A Piedmont Henry Nurse Just Won One of the Highest Honors in the Piedmont System
STOCKBRIDGE — Kaylee Lewis, RN, was named the overall Promise 360 Award winner at Piedmont Henry Hospital's annual awards celebration for her extraordinary courage during a fire emergency. Though assigned to another unit that shift, Lewis rushed to help when conditions worsened and smoke thickened, staying focused on patient safety throughout. She now advances as a nominee for the Piedmont system's President's Award to be presented later this year.
Why it matters: Henry County has exceptional healthcare workers. Kaylee Lewis is proof. Full story at Henry Herald →
The Stockbridge Mayor Hearing Has Been Postponed. Here's What Changed
STOCKBRIDGE — The investigative hearing that could lead to Mayor Jayden Williams' removal from office has been postponed one week, according to FOX 5 Atlanta and the AJC. The City Council voted to delay the hearing after Williams' attorney argued the city failed to give the mayor proper notice as required under Stockbridge's city charter. The hearing has been moved from Saturday, August 15 to Saturday, August 22.
Williams continues to deny all allegations of misusing more than $4,000 in city purchasing authority. A court hearing on his lawsuit against the city remains scheduled for Monday, August 17.
Why it matters: The postponement buys Williams one more week but the clock is still ticking. August 22 is now the date Stockbridge residents will finally hear what the investigation found. The Eagle Eye Digest will be following both hearings. Full story at FOX 5 Atlanta →
Good to Know
The Henry County Water Authority Is Accepting Applications for Fall Deer Hunts
HENRY COUNTY — The Henry County Water Authority is now accepting applications for its annual fall hunting season events. A Youth Deer Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, and a Veterans Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, November 7. Both events are hosted at HCWA's Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center.
Why it matters: These annual hunts are a Henry County tradition and spots fill up quickly. If you or a young hunter in your family wants to participate, apply now before spaces run out. Learn more and apply at HCWA →
Smart starts here.
You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
Friday, August 14
K-Pop Club · 📍 Cochran Public Library · 🕐 4–5pm · FREE
Games, activities, and fellow stans for tweens and teens who live for their favorite groups.
Informative Friday: Sun Safety · 📍 Fortson Public Library · 🕐 4:30–5:30pm · FREE
A quick rundown on sunscreen, hydration, and spotting heat illness before it gets serious.
Tiny Tent Concerts · 📍 130 M.L. King Sr. Trail, Downtown Stockbridge · 🕐 6–8pm · FREE
Grab a chair and catch a local band on a street that turns into a stage every Friday night.
Saturday, August 15
Guided Hike to Panola Mountain · 📍 Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge · 🕐 9am–12pm · $10/hiker (ages 10+), registration recommended
Guided look at restricted terrain most people never get to see. Call 770-389-7801 to register.
Smoke & Mirrors Truck and Car Show · 📍 Sweet Auburn BBQ, McDonough · 🕐 9am–1pm · Price not listed
Rows of show-stopping trucks and classics with barbecue smoke in the air.
Connecting Henry Wellfest — Health, Family & Community Fair · 📍 Shiloh Baptist Church, Family Life Center Auditorium, McDonough · 🕐 Sat–Sun, time not listed · FREE
Two-day health and family fair.
Impact Nutrition Schoolapalooza · 📍 Henry County (venue not listed) · 🕐 Time not listed · FREE
Back-to-school festival tied to their supply drive.
Purple Hues & Gold Shoes Day Party · 📍 Sixty on Sims, 60 Sims St, McDonough · 🕐 4–8pm · General admission $50 (early bird sold out), VIP $80
The Zeta Mu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi's annual fundraising day party, bringing together community leaders, philanthropists, and distinguished guests for entertainment and curated wine and whisky tastings. More than a celebration, it supports scholarships, family emergency assistance, and community initiatives for underserved families across Henry County.
Sunday, August 16
Gregory Porter & Kindred the Family Soul · 📍 Stockbridge · 🕐 5–11pm · Ticketed, price not listed
Big-name jazz/soul bill, worth flagging as a real draw to the area.
Lads N' Lassies Square Dance Club — Mainstream Lessons
📍 North Henry Baptist Church, 1093 Flat Rock Rd, Stockbridge · 🕐 3–5pm · $60 for 12–15 weeks of lessons. No partner or experience needed, ages 10 and up welcome. Caller Mitch Morris teaches Mainstream calls that work at square dances anywhere in the world. More info: 678-525-0041 or 770-616-6191
📅 Monday, August 17
Monday Night Cruise · 📍 Summit Racing Equipment, McDonough · 🕐 6–8pm · FREE
Weekly car meet with a different theme each week.
One honest note: several of these (State of the City, Wellfest, Schoolapalooza, Gregory Porter show) still don't have a listed time or price on the source pages. Worth a quick call or DM to the organizers before this goes out, especially if readers are going to plan their evening around it.
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 Friday, Henry County.
Now for the fun part. Today’s Weekend Eye brings Wellfest, a car show, Panola Mountain hikes, Purple Hues & Gold Shoes, Gregory Porter and Kindred the Family Soul, and even square dancing if you’re ready to try something completely different.
Enjoy the weekend, everyone. We’ll see you back here Tuesday.
Have a tip, event, or story we should know about? Send it to [email protected]
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest