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| ISSUE# 082 | TUESDAY, June 9, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning, Henry County.
A $340 million transportation plan could be headed to voters this fall, free eye exams and glasses are available for local students, and one of Henry County's largest slave cemeteries is fighting to preserve a piece of history before it's lost.
Plus, we're taking you behind the smoker at Disruption BBQ, where owner David Maiolo shares the lesson that changed how he thinks about business.
Let's get into it. 🦅👁️
Henry County Has a $340M Road Plan in the Works
HENRY COUNTY - Henry County and its four cities have begun discussions on a transportation plan that could generate an estimated $340 million for future road and infrastructure projects. The proposal would continue the existing T-SPLOST sales tax and could appear on the November ballot. Local leaders have several key decisions to make before voters get their say. Read the full breakdown from Henry Herald
Free Eye Exams and Glasses for Henry County Kids
HENRY COUNTY - The Henry County Public Library System is partnering with Vision to Learn to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses for local students. Several appointment dates are already filling up, so families interested in participating may want to act quickly. Book an appointment or join the waitlist, and see the full announcement from Henry Herald
A Slave Cemetery in Henry County Needs Help
MCDONOUGH - In Luella, just off Hwy 81 near the Whispering Willows subdivision and the Luella school complex, there's a burial ground that most people drive past without knowing it's there. The Weems Plantation slave cemetery is believed to hold the remains of an estimated 184 formerly enslaved individuals, making it one of the largest known slave burial grounds in Georgia. Most graves are unmarked. Litter, overgrowth, and erosion continue to threaten the site. A nonprofit called Honor Thy Roots Cemetery Preservation Inc. just launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund professional cleanup, signage, and long-term preservation. If you live in or near Luella, or if this piece of Henry County history matters to you, this is a chance to do something about it. Support the Weems Cemetery preservation campaign, and read the full story from the Henry Herald
Georgia Ranks 11th for Grocery Spending. Here's What That Means for You
GEORGIA - Georgia households are spending significantly more on groceries than the national average, according to a new LendingTree analysis. The findings help explain why many families feel like their grocery budgets are under pressure heading into summer. See where Georgia ranks for grocery costs
Brisket, Belief & Building Something Bigger
Disruption BBQ owner David Maiolo with one of the restaurant's signature briskets. Time, fire, and patience.
STOCKBRIDGE - The smoker was breaking down.
It was a hot Thursday afternoon, just a few hours before Disruption BBQ's weekly Live Fire event, when a bearing inside the restaurant's massive smoker started locking up.
"If that thing stops, all the meat will angle one way," David Maiolo said.
Within minutes, David was pulling briskets from the smoker before everything could tumble. For David, it wasn't a crisis. It was just another day.
Before barbecue, David spent 15 years working for Charter Communications and owned a landscaping business. But for more than 20 years, he'd been obsessed with barbecue, spending weekends tending smokers in his backyard and feeding friends.
When he decided to pursue his dream seriously, he spent three years working for free at a barbecue restaurant.
"Not because I'm rich," he laughed. "I was paying for an education."
He wanted to learn everything. Payroll. Scheduling. Vendors. Food costs. Operations. The thousands of details customers never see.
"People think it's all about the food," he said. "It's not."
That education eventually led him to become a partner at Sweet Auburn BBQ before opening Disruption BBQ in Stockbridge last year.
Today, the giant smoker sits just behind a patio lined with picnic tables and glowing bistro lights. The scent of oak smoke drifts across the neighboring gas station and onto Highway 138. It's the kind of comfortable outdoor space where families linger, and neighbors catch up. It's exactly what David hoped to create.
"I want that nostalgia feeling here," he said. "I want to create that family environment where we can watch the young ones grow up."
The brisket is the star of the menu. When he pulled one from the smoker for a photo, its dark bark told you almost everything you needed to know. This wasn't fast food. It was the product of time, fire, and patience.
Earlier that afternoon, a first-time customer stopped on her way out.
"I'm picky about barbecue," she told him. "Everything was amazing."
Like many restaurant owners, David is navigating rising costs. Beef prices alone are nearly 30 percent higher than when he opened, yet he still hasn't raised prices.
"I don't want to alienate our guests," he said. "I know it's not just us that the economy is affecting. It's everybody."
Then he shared the biggest lesson he's learned as a business owner.
"My biggest lesson learned is my dream isn't everybody else's."
Over time, he's learned that's not always the case.
There was no disappointment in his voice when he said it. Just understanding.
As we wrapped up our conversation, David went back to preparing for the evening. The corn was ready, and customers would start arriving soon.
After all, there was barbecue to cook and a community to serve.
Costco Shoppers Say This Gem Is "All You Need" To Remove Wrinkles
Women over 50 are calling Auvoria's Korean-formulated serum their secret to looking years younger without needles or expensive treatments. Experts say it targets the #1 cause of wrinkles many skincare brands ignore: collagen-signal breakdown deep beneath the skin's surface. Users report smoother lines, firmer-looking skin, and a tighter, more lifted appearance in as little as 4 weeks. It's become one of Costco's most talked-about beauty finds — and now you can try the same formula online without a membership.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
Tasty Tuesdays – Divine 9 Greek Night · 📍 Clark Park, 111 Davis Rd, Stockbridge · 🕐 5:30PM–8PM · FREE · Step show, stroll contest, live band, food trucks, and prizes — City of Stockbridge's summer series.
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 ⚠️ The facility does NOT open for general admission until June 20
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.
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 did the county road crew win an award?
Because they really paved the way. 🤣
That's your Bird's Eye View this Tuesday.
Whether you're keeping an eye on the $340M road plan, booking a free eye exam for your kids, stopping by Disruption BBQ on Highway 138, or helping preserve a piece of Henry County's history in Luella, there's a lot 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 🦅👁️