| ISSUE# 084 | THURSDAY, June 11, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County.
Nothing pairs better than a fresh cup of coffee and the Eagle Eye Digest on a Thursday morning. ☕️
A Woodland High School graduate just accomplished something no student has done before, earning admission to 264 colleges and setting a national record along the way.
We're also looking at two dates every Henry County voter should have on their radar. June 16 is Election Day, and June 17, lawmakers return for a special session that could affect property taxes, voting procedures, and the political districts that represent Henry County for years to come.
Plus, the Aquatic Center ribbon cutting is this morning, and a McDonough farmers’ market is open.
Let's get into it. 🦅👁️
A Woodland Eagle Just Set a National Record
STOCKBRIDGE - Patrick Pruitt applied to 270 colleges. He got into 264 of them and earned $17 million in scholarship offers. The Woodland High School grad finished in the top 10% of his class with a 3.8 GPA and set a goal to break the national record for college acceptances. He did. He chose Knox College in Illinois with a $260,000 scholarship package. Henry County, right here. Read the full story from WSB-TV
Georgia's June 16 Runoff: This One's for Everybody
HENRY COUNTY - The headline races are Republican: governor (Burt Jones vs. Rick Jackson) and U.S. Senate (Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley). But contrary to popular belief, both parties have candidates running in the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, insurance commissioner, labor commissioner, public service commissioner, and state school superintendent runoffs. Registered Georgia voter? There's probably something on your ballot regardless of party.
Early voting closes this Friday, June 12. Election Day is Monday, June 16; polls open from 7 AM to 7 PM. One heads-up: your polling location may have changed since the May primary. Confirm before you go. Henry County voters: find your polling location here. Full voting guide from CBS Atlanta
Two Dates to Mark on Your Calendar: June 16 and June 17
GEORGIA — Most people are focused on the June 16 runoff. The day after deserves some attention too.
On June 17, Georgia lawmakers head back to Atlanta for a special session. Three issues are on the agenda, and all three could eventually affect Henry County residents.
Redistricting. Earlier this spring, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that Gov. Brian Kemp says requires Georgia to redraw its political maps. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and the ACLU of Georgia, warn the changes could weaken the voting power of Black communities, especially in metro Atlanta and southwest Georgia.
The new maps haven't been released yet, so no one knows exactly what they'll look like. But if lawmakers approve new districts, some Henry County residents could have different elected officials representing them beginning in 2028. You could be living in the same house, voting at the same polling place, and still end up in a different political district.
How Georgia counts votes. Georgia currently uses QR codes as part of its ballot counting system. A state law passed in 2024 bans those codes starting July 1. Lawmakers finished their regular session this year without agreeing on a replacement, so they'll need to figure out what comes next before future elections.
Property taxes. Kemp also added Senate Bill 33 to the special session agenda. The proposal would allow counties to ask voters whether they want to replace county and city homestead property taxes with a new 1 cent sales tax. School property taxes would stay in place. Homeowners could see tax relief, while renters would likely pay more through sales taxes. The measure isn't law, but the special session is the next step in deciding whether it moves forward.
What happens during this special session could affect who represents you, how elections are run, and what you pay in taxes in the years ahead. Full special session breakdown from Atlanta News First
Still Waiting on Your Georgia Tax Rebate?
GEORGIA - Georgia began sending surplus tax refund checks in May, but not everyone has received theirs yet.
Eligible taxpayers can receive up to $250 for single filers, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for joint filers. If you filed later in the tax season, your check may still be processing. Before assuming yours got lost in the mail, the state has an online tool that lets you check its status in just a few minutes. See if your rebate is on the way
Brisket, Belief & Building Something Bigger
STOCKBRIDGE - David Maiolo didn't just dream about barbecue. He worked at a BBQ restaurant for three years for free.
"Not because I'm rich," he laughed. "I was paying for an education."
That education eventually led him to open Disruption BBQ on Highway 138 in Stockbridge, where the scent of oak smoke drifts across the parking lot and the brisket's dark bark tells you everything you need to know before you take a bite. Read the full story here.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Henry County Aquatic Center – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony · 📍 1177 Henry Parkway Connector, McDonough · 🕐 10AM–11AM · FREE · The official ribbon cutting for Henry County's new $55M aquatic facility.
Local Farmers Market · 📍 97 Lake Dow Rd, McDonough · 🕐 10AM–2PM · FREE · Every Thursday through August 27 — Henry County Master Gardeners with perennials, vegetables, and native plants.
Tuned Up Thursday – Karaoke Night · 📍 1942 On The Square, 30 B Keys Ferry St, McDonough Square · 🕐 8PM · Every Thursday · Hosted by Mr. Impeccable — happy hour, dinner, and karaoke on the Square.
Alphonso Thomas St. Road Dedication · 📍 Green Front Cafe, 112 2nd St, Stockbridge · 🕐 4PM · FREE · City of Stockbridge honors the legacy of the late Councilman Alphonso Thomas.
Midnight Whiskey – Live Music · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 🕐 7PM–9:30PM · FREE · All ages · Blues, soul, jazz, and folk.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Strait Country – A Tribute to George Strait · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 🕐 9PM–11PM · Doors 6PM · $20 GA · 21+ after 8PM · Honky-tonk classics to heartfelt ballads — every George Strait hit performed live on the Southern Roots stage.
Friday Nights with DJ Jada Byrd · 📍 1942 On The Square, 3B Keys Ferry St, McDonough Square · 🕐 7PM · Every Friday · DJ Jada Byrd brings the energy to the Square — food, drinks, and good vibes all night.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13
Henry County Fishing Tournament · 📍 Nash Farm Lake, 4361 Jonesboro Rd, Hampton · 🕐 6AM–11AM · FREE to attend · Divisions: 12 & Under, 13–17, 18 & Up · Co-hosted by Georgia DNR. Register at hcprd.org or call 770-288-7300.
Men's Health to Men's Wealth Conference · 📍 97 Lake Dow Rd, McDonough · 🗓 Saturday, June 13 · 🕐 8AM–4:30PM · Ticketed via Eventbrite · Organized by Maclin Williams, this full-day conference covers four areas — mentorship, business, relationships, and health — through panel discussions and fireside chats designed to help men lead better at work, at home, and in the community.
6th Annual Summer Sunset Groove Day Party · 📍 Jason T. Harper Event Center, 95 Lake Dow Rd, McDonough · 🕐 Doors 5PM | Show 6PM–9PM · FREE · Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter Henry County presents The Red Sample, hosted by Ebonee J, with DJ 100K.
Gospel Fest: Tye Tribbett, Jekalyn Carr & Zacardi Cortez · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🕐 8PM · From $87 via Ticketmaster · Three of gospel's biggest voices — rain or shine, no refunds, no umbrellas.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton · 🕐 June 13–14 · FREE · Ages 15–19 with learner's permit or license and 30+ hours of driving experience — a free defensive driving program. Register at putonthebrakes.org
SAVE THE DATE
Charlie Wilson · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🗓 Saturday, June 27 · 🕐 8PM · From $129 via Ticketmaster · Uncle Charlie returns to Stockbridge with contemporary jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips added to the lineup — box office open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 6PM.
Jazz Fest: Walter Beasley, Gerald Albright, JUBU & Julian Vaughn · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🗓 Saturday, July 18 · 🕐 8PM · From $74 via Ticketmaster · Two-time Grammy winner Gerald Albright headlines alongside smooth jazz legends Walter Beasley, JUBU, and Julian Vaughn — four of the genre's most recognized names on one stage right here in Henry County. Tickets are moving, so grab yours early.
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
Why shouldn't you tell secrets in a cornfield?
Because the corn has ears 🤣
That's your Bird's Eye View this Thursday.
Whether you're heading to the Aquatic Center ribbon cutting this morning, confirming your polling location before early voting closes, waiting on that Georgia tax rebate to land, or just keeping an eye on what lawmakers decide next Tuesday, there's plenty worth paying attention to this week.
Got a tip, a story, or an event to share? Email [email protected]
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️