Stockbridge Mayor Hearing Nears, Henry Invests $2.4M in Jail & Hampton Wants Young Leaders

Good morning, Henry County!

Lots to catch up on today, and a few things you’ll want on your radar as we head toward the weekend.

Stockbridge is just days away from a public hearing into the investigation involving Mayor Jayden Williams. Henry County is investing $2.4 million to update aging technology at the county jail, and Hampton is looking for young people who want an actual voice in how their city moves forward.

On the lighter side, there’s a new playground to check out in Stockbridge, a quiet little park you may have driven past a hundred times, and in today’s EyeQ, we’re clearing up the difference between Claude and Cowork.

Plus, Connecting Henry Wellfest is coming to McDonough this weekend.

Grab your coffee. Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️

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 →

STOCKBRIDGE — The City of Stockbridge will hold a public hearing on the investigation into Mayor Jayden Williams this Saturday, August 15 at 5 p.m. at Stockbridge City Hall. The independent investigator will present findings and evidence to the council and the public, including financial transactions and other allegations. The council will then deliberate on how to proceed. A court hearing on Williams' lawsuit against the city follows Monday, August 17. Attorney Gerald Griggs and PR firm Carter Media Group both quietly withdrew from Williams' legal team last week with no public explanation.

Why it matters: Saturday is when Stockbridge residents finally hear what the investigation actually found. The Eagle Eye Digest will be following both hearings and will report what we learn. Full story at Atlanta News First →

HENRY COUNTY — According to the Henry Herald, Henry County is making a $2.4 million investment to address aging technology at the county jail. The upgrade signals the county's commitment to modernizing its public safety infrastructure.

Why it matters: An aging jail system affects the safety of both corrections officers and inmates. Henry County residents deserve to know their tax dollars are being invested in keeping the facility up to date. Read the full story at Henry Herald →

STOCKBRIDGE— The brand new playground at JP Moseley Park in Stockbridge is officially open and ready for families. Henry County Parks and Recreation is inviting residents to stop by and check it out this week.

Why it matters: New public spaces strengthen communities and this one is for the kids. Go enjoy it.

📍 JP Moseley Park · Stockbridge
Follow Henry County Parks and Recreation →

HAMPTON - The city of Hampton wants teens in the room where decisions get made!

The Mayor's Youth Council gives students in grades 9-12 a real seat at the table, not just a school club. Members help shape city initiatives, take on volunteer projects, and speak directly with the mayor and council about issues affecting young people in Hampton. Adult mentors guide them, but the leadership is student-led.

To join, students need to attend school in Hampton, commit to monthly meetings September through May, attend City Council sessions, and log 40 hours of community service (one excused absence allowed).

The application asks what sets them apart, what they'd want to accomplish, and what issue matters most to their generation. They'll also need two recommendation letters and a school official's sign-off confirming they're on track to graduate.

Deadline: September 15, 2026.

Apply online: Youth Council Application
Print application: PDF version
📞 770-946-4306

STOCKBRIDGE — Tucked quietly in Stockbridge, Pates Creek Park is exactly the kind of place Henry County residents have probably passed a hundred times without stopping. A short paved nature trail winds through peaceful scenery surrounded by trees — easy, accessible, and completely free. No hills, plenty of shade, and wildlife around every turn. It's not dramatic. It's just exactly what you need on a Tuesday when the news feels heavy.

Why it matters: Sometimes the best hidden gem is the one that's been in your own backyard the whole time. Go take a walk!

📍 Pates Creek Park · Stockbridge
🆓 Free · Open daily during daylight hours
Learn more at Visit Henry County →

HENRY COUNTY - Quick apology for the missed EyeQ last week. I was traveling and didn’t have time to research a topic to cover. Back on schedule now, and today we're clearing something up!

You've heard us mention Cowork in the last issue where you learned how to set up your Gmail connector. But we never explained what it actually is. Let's fix that.

Claude.ai is the free one most people download at first. You open your browser, type a question, and get an answer, or you ask it do write an email, explain a confusing letter, brainstorm an idea, etc….. It's a conversation.

Cowork is different. It's a paid mode built for real work, not just chat. It's what allowed us to connect Gmail to Claude two weeks ago. Cowork can also see and organize files on your actual computer, something Claude.ai can't do. It's also where you can schedule tasks, so Claude can run something on its own without you asking every time. The scheduler is still rolling out gradually, so depending on your plan, you may not see it yet.

Simplest way to think about it: Claude.ai is a conversation. Cowork is an assistant that can actually do things for you.

ChatGPT is still great, especially for quick writing. But a lot of professionals lean toward Claude for handling long documents carefully, writing that reads more natural, and features like Cowork built specifically for getting real work done, not just answering questions.

Try This: Open your Claude account and look for Cowork in the menu. If it's there, click in and look around; don't set anything up yet. If it's not there, that tells you something too: either you're on the free plan or your tier hasn't gotten access.

EyeQ Glossary
Cowork: A mode inside Claude for real work, not just chat. It can access files on your computer, connect to apps like Gmail, and run tasks automatically.

Tuesday, August 11

Bad Art Night · 📍 Locust Grove Public Library · 🕐 4:30–5:30pm · FREE
No talent required, just show up and make something, good or bad. Materials included.

Wednesday, August 12

Adult Computer Class for Seniors · 📍 Cochran Public Library, Community Meeting Room · 🕐 3–4pm · FREE
A judgment-free hour to learn email, search, and online safety basics.

Tween LED Circuit Lab · 📍 Fairview Public Library · 🕐 4:30–5:30pm · FREE
Kids wire up their own light-up card and walk out with real circuit skills, not just a craft.

Stockbridge State of the City Address · 📍 Stockbridge (venue TBD) · 🕐 Time not listed · FREE
Mayor gives the annual rundown on where the city stands.

Henry County Game Night · 📍 1275 Eagles Landing Pkwy, Stockbridge (venue name cut off in flyer) · 📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026 · 🕐 Dinner at 5:30, games start ~6:30 · Board games, card games, and dice game, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, and more on the table.

Thursday, August 13

Henry County Farmers Market · 📍 Heritage Park, 97 Lake Dow Rd, McDonough · 🕐 10am–2pm · FREE to shop
Local produce, honey, and baked goods straight from the farmers who grew them.

Teen Writer's Club · 📍 McDonough Public Library, Gary Barham Community Studio · 🕐 5–6pm · FREE
A standing spot for teen writers to workshop pages and get real feedback from peers.

Toasting for Charity 2026 Georgian Gallery · 📍 Georgian Gallery, 10 Macon Street, McDonough · 🕐 6–8pm · $15 at the door
Wine, cheese, art, and community — 100% of profits go to Street Paws, a local nonprofit improving the lives of animals living on the streets of Georgia.

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.

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 Tuesday, Henry County.

There’s plenty to keep an eye on before we meet Friday again. Stockbridge is heading toward Saturday’s public hearing, Hampton teens have an opportunity to get involved in city government, and if you need something considerably less serious, there’s a new playground waiting at JP Moseley Park and a quiet trail at Pates Creek calling your name.

Then Friday morning, we switch gears. The Weekend Eye lands in your inbox with our curated guide to what’s worth doing around Henry County and nearby, including the two-day Connecting Henry Wellfest in McDonough.

Have a tip, event, or story we should know about? Send it to [email protected]

Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest