🦅👁️ Music, Mayors & Matrimony

Good morning, Henry County!

There’s a lot happening around the county this week.

Dru Hill and Lil Scrappy are coming to Stockbridge for a free concert Saturday, hundreds of athletes are arriving for the Georgia Golden Olympics, and Stockbridge Municipal Court is giving couples a chance to say “I do” for free.

We’re also introducing you to Locust Grove Mayor Carlos Greer, looking at the questions parents should be asking about AI in Henry County classrooms, and yes, catching you up on the Shaq social media feud that took off over the weekend.

And if you’re looking for something to do, stick around. Saturday is packed.

Let's get into it. 🦅👁️

STOCKBRIDGE — Dru Hill. Lil Scrappy. Mark Ware. Live on stage at the VyStar Amphitheater in Stockbridge this Saturday — and it's completely free. BridgeFest 2026 brings a full day of music, food trucks, vendors, face painting, and family fun to Stockbridge on September 26. Free tickets are available starting at 3 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. Showtime is at 8 p.m. Bring the family.

📅 Saturday September 26 · 3 to 10 p.m.
📍 VyStar Amphitheater at the Bridge · 4650 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge
🎫 Free · Tickets available at gate starting at 3 p.m.
📞 (770) 389-7900

Full details at Visit Henry County →

HENRY COUNTY — Henry County Schools is inviting local leaders to spend a morning shadowing a school principal this November. The inaugural Principal for a Day program takes place November 19 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a roundtable debrief. To qualify you must live in Henry County and hold a leadership position in a local business, civic, or government entity. Applications are due October 5.

Why it matters: If you've ever wondered what it's really like to run a school — here's your chance to find out.

⏰ Application deadline: October 5
Apply at Henry County Schools →

HENRY COUNTY - Henry County resident and Sheriff’s Office Chief of Community Relations Shaquille O’Neal was named an honorary FBI Special Agent last week. Days later, the honor has become the center of a heated social media exchange.

Commentator Matthew Chappelle, known online as OG Big Matt, criticized O’Neal for accepting the recognition from FBI Director Kash Patel and posted a video tossing his Shaq jersey. O’Neal then reportedly responded privately, “I hear you broke boy,” while referencing Chappelle living in an apartment with his family. Chappelle fired back publicly, and the dispute has since spread across social media, with people lining up both in support of and against O’Neal.

WHY IT MATTERS: The FBI honor itself has little direct impact on Henry County. The local interest is that one of Henry County’s most famous residents, who also holds a leadership role with the Sheriff’s Office, is now at the center of a rapidly escalating national social media conversation

HENRY COUNTY — The 2026 Georgia Golden Olympics — a statewide competition for adults 50 and older — runs Tuesday September 22 through Saturday September 26 across Henry and Clayton counties. Events happening right here include volleyball in Hampton, disc golf at J.P. Moseley Park, bowling at Pin Strikes, and softball at Gerald Matthews Sports Complex. The Torch Lighting Ceremony is Thursday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Spivey Recreation Center in Jonesboro. Spectators are welcome at all events.

Why it matters: Hundreds of athletes from across Georgia are competing in Henry County this week. Go cheer somebody on.

📅 September 22 to 26
🔥 Torch Lighting: Thursday September 24 · 6:30 p.m. · Lake Spivey Recreation Center, Jonesboro Full schedule →

STOCKBRIDGE - Stockbridge Municipal Court is offering free wedding ceremonies this fall, giving couples a simple way to get married without the expense of a traditional ceremony.

The city’s Wedding Wednesdays are scheduled for September 30 and October 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Stockbridge Municipal Courthouse. Judge Wanda L. Dallas will officiate, and registration is required.

Why it matters: Municipal courts are usually associated with citations and court appearances. This program shows another side of local government, using an existing public institution to offer residents a meaningful service at no cost.

LEADERS IN FOCUS

LOCUST GROVE: Carlos Greer remembers when Locust Grove had about 2,000 people. There was a Hardee’s, a few hotels and gas stations, and the kind of small town where everybody seemed to know everybody.

Becoming its mayor was never part of the plan.

Back at Henry County High School, Greer and Kam Varner were classmates. They debated each other, and both imagined becoming attorneys someday, arguing cases in courtrooms.

Years later, Varner called with a different idea. Henry County needed younger people to step into leadership. Would he consider running for office?

Greer said no.

She asked again a couple of years later. This time, he ran.

Greer won a seat on the Locust Grove City Council in 2015 and went on to serve for nine years. In November 2024, following the death of longtime Mayor Robert Price, voters chose Greer to become the city’s next mayor.

The significance wasn’t lost on him. Greer became Locust Grove’s first African American mayor.

Not everyone welcomed the change.

“There are people that walk right by me and won’t speak,” he said.

There was a time, Greer said, when he might have responded differently. Now, he smiles. His faith and the responsibility of representing an entire city changed his perspective.

The mayor’s job is only part-time. Greer still works full time for the State of Georgia. His days can start around 7 am, getting his daughters ready and stretch until 8 or 9 at night between work, City Hall, and community responsibilities.

And being off the clock doesn’t necessarily mean being off duty.

Once, while Greer was eating at LongHorn with his family, a resident walked over, pulled up a chair and sat down at the table to talk.

That’s part of the job, too.

It’s also part of what Greer doesn’t want Locust Grove to lose as it grows. The city’s motto says that “everyone is your neighbor.” For Greer, keeping that feeling means paying attention to things as ordinary as sidewalks. He remembers seeing children walking in streets and through yards along Grove Road. Now there’s a sidewalk.

He notices people using it.

And when his time as mayor is over, Greer doesn’t describe the legacy he wants in grand terms.

“He served for all people,” he said. “He did a good job.”

HENRY COUNTY - If you have a child in Henry County Schools, artificial intelligence is already part of their school day whether you know it or not. And with the new STEM High School opening in 2027, where every student will study AI, computer engineering, and robotics, that will only become more true.

Most parents are asking the wrong question. "Did you use AI to cheat?" misses the point. AI use in schools isn't automatically cheating. The real question is how it's being used and what teachers are actually permitting.

Here are the five questions worth asking:

1. Is AI being taught as a subject or used as a classroom tool?
There's a difference. Which one is happening in your child's classroom?

2. What is and isn't allowed with generative AI?
Tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are on every student's phone. Does your child know the rules? Do you?

3. Are teachers using AI too?
Many educators use AI for lesson planning, feedback, and administrative tasks. Ask your child's teacher how they're using it.

4. What happens to your child's data?
Not all AI tools are equal on student privacy. Do you know which platforms Henry County Schools has approved?

5. What's coming next?
Starting in 2027 every STEM High School student will take mandatory AI, computer engineering and robotics courses. AI literacy is becoming as fundamental as reading and math.

Try This Instead
Instead of "Did you use AI to cheat?" try: "Did you use AI on this, and what did your teacher say was allowed?" That opens a conversation instead of an accusation.

The Eagle Eye Digest has reached out to Henry County Schools with specific questions about current AI use, approved platforms, and student privacy. We'll share their answers when they respond.

EyeQ Glossary
Generative AI: Tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude that write, answer questions, and create content from prompts, the tools students most commonly encounter outside of school.

FERPA: The federal law protecting student education records and limiting how schools can share student data, including with AI companies.

THINGS TO DO

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Monday Night Cruise · 📍 Summit Racing Equipment, McDonough · 🕐 6-8pm · 💵 Free
Sourdough Basics & What Could Go Wrong · 📍 Locust Grove Public Library · 🕐 6:30-7:30pm · 💵 Free

Downtown Open House · 📍 Merle Manders Conference Center, Stockbridge · 🕐 6pm · 💵 Free · Stockbridge DDA + Economic Development team on funding and downtown plans.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Computer Class Outreach at Bear Creek Senior Center — Basic Computer Skills · 📍 Bear Creek Senior Center · 56 McDonough Street, Hampton · 🕐 1 to 2 p.m. · FREE · Learn computer basics in a relaxed setting. Topics rotate each class.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Women's Wellness Brunch and Learn · 📍 Mercer University · 160 Henry Pkwy Connector, McDonough · 🕐 9 to 10:30 a.m. · FREE · Brunch provided · Topic: "Carrying It All: The Mental Health Cost of Being Everything to Everyone." Featuring Dr. Omi Dobbins and Dr. Keisha Pou-Buchanan. RSVP deadline is today Monday, September 21. Don't wait.

LOL Wednesdays at Jamilla's Events · 📍 Jamilla's Events, McDonough · 🕐 Doors 7pm, show 8pm · 💵 $15 adv/$20 door · 18+

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
75 South Devs: The New-Collar Economy · 📍 Henry County Chamber, McDonough · 🕐 6:30-8:30pm · 💵 Free

Creative Writing Support Group – Poetry Edition · 📍 Locust Grove Public Library · 🕐 5-6pm · 💵 Free

Watercolor Class · 📍 Locust Grove Public Library · Meeting Room · 🕐 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. · FREE · Welcome fall with color and creativity. Follow along to create a beautiful fall-inspired painting to keep. All skill levels welcome.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Bandolero Championship Nationals (Day 1 of 2) · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, Hampton · 🕐 Times not posted · 🎟️ Ticketed

Toddler Sensory Play – Queen Bee Coffee · 📍 Locust Grove · 🕐 10:30-11:30am · 💵 Free

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Bandolero Championship Nationals (Day 2) · 📍 EchoPark Speedway, Hampton

Ride4Unity · 📍 Starts at EchoPark Speedway · Hampton · Ends at J.P. Moseley Park · Stockbridge · 🕐 Registration 8 a.m. · Kickstands up 10 a.m. · FREE · Featuring Shaquille O'Neal and Henry County Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett. A community motorcycle ride uniting Henry County from Hampton to Stockbridge. Free to participate — registration required.
Register here →

PINK LACES Community Walk/Run · 📍 Alexander Park West · McDonough · 🕐 8 to 9 a.m. · FREE · Presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Psi Alpha Omega Chapter. A community walk and run in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lace up your pink and show up for the cause.

Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale · 📍 Henry County Extension Office · Classroom B · 97 Lake Dow Road, McDonough · 🕐 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. · FREE · Plants grown by Master Gardeners and local vendors, fall vegetables, perennials, succulents, shrubs, and indoor plants. Kids corner featuring a "Watch Me Grow" activity for children.
More details on Facebook →

Rail and Roots Farmers Market · 📍 Historic Train Depot · Hampton · 🕐 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. · FREE · Shop local at Hampton's charming farmers market featuring locally grown produce, fresh flowers, handmade goods, baked treats, and artisan products from regional farmers and makers.

Main Street Market on the Square · 📍 McDonough Square · 🕐 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. · FREE · A beloved Saturday tradition on the McDonough Square featuring local vendors, makers, and community vibes. The perfect morning outing in downtown McDonough.

BridgeFest 2026 · 📍 VyStar Amphitheater at the Bridge · 4650 North Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · 🕐 Festival 3 p.m. · Gates 6 p.m. · Showtime 8 p.m. · FREE · Dru Hill, Lil Scrappy, and Mark Ware live in concert. Plus food trucks, vendors, and face painting. Free tickets available at the gate starting at 3 p.m.

Eagle Sunrise: Eagles Tribute · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern · McDonough · 🕐 Doors 6 p.m. · Show 9 to 11 p.m. · 💵 $23 · 21 and up after 8 p.m. · A live tribute to the Eagles featuring classic hits performed live. A great date night option in downtown McDonough.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Introduction to Archery · 📍 Panola Mountain State Park · 🕐 1-2pm · 💵 $20/person

That’s your Monday, Henry County.

From the Golden Olympics to BridgeFest, there’s plenty happening around the county this week. And we’ll be back Friday with the Weekend Eye to help you figure out where to go and what not to miss.

Follow @eagleeyedigest on Instagram and Facebook for more local finds throughout the week. And if you know someone who should be reading the Eagle Eye Digest, send this issue their way.

Until Friday, stay sharp. Stay local 🦅👁️