🦅👁️ The Aquatic Center Is Coming and Gas Prices Are Going Up

Good morning, Henry County.

Two things are becoming very real this morning. Georgia’s gas tax suspension officially ends tonight at midnight, and Henry County’s long awaited aquatic center finally has an official ribbon cutting ceremony date.

There’s a planned storytelling festival in downtown McDonough, and a new school safety drone program raising difficult questions across Georgia.

Also, the Nest Watch is back this week with real numbers on what’s happening in Henry County’s housing market right now. Whether you own, rent, or hope to buy someday, it’s worth a look.

Let’s get into it. 🦅👁️

GEORGIA - Georgia's gas tax suspension ends tonight at 11:59 PM. The 33-cent-per-gallon break is gone by Wednesday morning. Governor Kemp confirmed he won't extend it again. The statewide average right now is $4.02 per gallon. By Wednesday morning, every station in Georgia will go back to charging the full rate. Fill your tank before you go to sleep. Why is the suspension ending tonight?

MCDONOUGH - Henry County Parks and Recreation just made it official. The ribbon cutting for the long-awaited Henry County Aquatic Center is Thursday, June 11 at 10 AM at 1177 Henry Parkway Connector in McDonough. The ceremony runs from 10 AM to noon with facility tours, meet the staff, and light refreshments. All are welcome. See the official announcement.

MCDONOUGH - Story on the Square brings its Storytellers Film Festival to McDonough this Friday and Saturday June 5 and 6. The festival celebrates storytelling across film, audio drama, short films, screenplays, and more. Author Bobby Nash is appearing on a panel called "The Secret Sauce to Great Storytelling" on Friday June 6. If you love stories in any form, this one's worth the walk to the Square. See the full festival schedule.

HENRY COUNTY - Henry County Board of Commissioners Chair Carlotta Harrell has been reappointed to lead the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia’s Federal Policy Committee for the 2026- 2027 term.

The committee helps shape how Georgia counties respond to federal policy issues involving funding, infrastructure, transportation, and local resources. In the role, Harrell will work alongside ACCG policy staff to help guide legislative priorities affecting counties across the state.

The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia represents all 159 counties statewide. Read more about Harrell’s reappointment.

GEORGIA - Starting this fall, five Georgia high schools will deploy anti-mass-shooting drones as part of a $550,000 state-funded pilot program. The drones are made by a company called Campus Guardian Angel, which operates remotely from Austin, Texas. When a shooting is reported, they launch immediately, flying 30 to 50 mph indoors and 100 mph outside. They use pepper spray, sirens, strobe lights, and kinetic impact to slow a shooter before law enforcement arrives.

None of the five pilot schools are in Henry County, but every Georgia parent needs to know this conversation is happening. Georgia had three school shootings in 2026 and nine in 2025. The fact that schools are now discussing anti-shooting drones at all shows how much the conversation around school safety has changed. Read the full story.

GEORGIA - Two weeks from today is the June 16 runoff election. Early voting opens this coming Monday, June 8, and runs through June 12. Henry County voters, the District 4 Board of Commissioners race between Michael Price and Thomas is on your ballot. Check your polling location at mvp.sos.ga.gov.

HENRY COUNTY - Whether you own a home, hope to buy one, or are thinking about selling, there are three things worth knowing about Henry County’s housing market heading into summer.

Fresh Redfin data shows single-family homes are selling faster than every other property type in the Atlanta metro, going under contract in about 43 days. Condos are struggling at 75 days on average, up 21 days from last year, weighed down by rising HOA fees and insurance costs. Henry County is overwhelmingly a single-family market. If you're selling a well-priced single-family home here, you're in the strongest position in the region right now. See the full breakdown

A new report flags something buyers don't always know about. Referral fees paid between real estate agents can quietly affect what you end up paying for a home. If you're in the market right now, ask your agent directly how they're being compensated and whether any referral arrangements are in place. You have the right to know. Read the report

Hurricane season opened yesterday. Most homeowners have never actually read their policy. Do you know what your deductible is for wind damage? Are you covered for flooding? What conditions could affect your payout if you choose not to rebuild on the same property? This is a five-minute exercise that could save you thousands. Pull it out this week, read it, and call your agent if anything is unclear. The time to understand your coverage is before the storm, not after.

Correction: An earlier Eagle Eye Digest listing noted Thursday Thunder at EchoPark Speedway was open to fans on Thursday evenings starting June 4. We've since learned that regular rounds are limited to drivers and crew only. The one night open to the public is Championship Night on July 23. We regret the error.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

Panola Mountain Nature Camp · 📍 2620 Hwy 155 SW, Stockbridge · 🗓 Started June 1st runs through June 5th 🕐 9AM–4PM · Ages 6–10 · $200/child · Hands-on outdoor education; hiking, animal encounters, nature crafts, and up-close exploration of the plants and wildlife that make Panola Mountain unique. See if there’s still time to register.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

Bike Night at Sweet Auburn BBQ · 📍 Sweet Auburn BBQ, 1828 Jonesboro Rd, McDonough · 🕐 5PM–9PM · FREE · Chrome shining, engines humming, BBQ smoking — Henry County's community bike night rolls in every first Thursday with live music, local vendors, and a parking lot full of impressive rides.

Arabia Reads ONLINE – Images of America: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area · 🖥 Virtual via Zoom · 🕐 6PM–7:30PM · FREE · Co-authors Jeff Dingler and Brigette Jones present the first-ever book on Arabia Mountain and Lithonia .

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

The Mostly 80s Band · 📍 Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 🕐 8PM–11PM · Doors 6PM · $13–$97 · 21+ after 8PM · A full night of 80s hits live on stage at Southern Roots — the decade that refused to be subtle.

Family Movie Night – Zootopia 2 · 📍 Stockbridge Main Street · 🗓 Friday, June 5 · FREE · Stockbridge Main Street brings back outdoor movie night under the stars — grab your lawn chairs and blankets for Zootopia 2.

McDonough Storytellers Film Festival · 📍 McDonough Square · Friday June 5 & Saturday June 6 · Two days of film screenings, panels, workshops, and live performances across Story on the Square, Queen Bee Coffee, Macon Street Tacos, and Southern Roots.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Neighborhood Garage Sale — Parkside of Eagles Landing · 📍 Corner of Eagles Landing Blvd & Hwy 42, Stockbridge · 🕐 9AM–5PM · Multiple homes, multiple finds — furniture, tools, home décor, clothing, and more. Come early for the best picks.

Fur Marshal Low-Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic · 📍 Claude Gray Park, 99 Frances Ward Dr, Locust Grove · 🕐 10AM–Noon · $20 for first 100 Henry County pets · Full package includes exam, rabies, microchip, and more — food trucks, free pet food, and spay/neuter vouchers while supplies last. Register at helpspayneuter.org.

Arabia Reads – Walk & Talk at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve · 📍 Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Lithonia, GA · 🕐 10AM–11:30AM · FREE · Co-authors Jeff Dingler and Brigette Jones lead a guided walk through the preserve while discussing their new book Images of America: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area — register at arabiaalliance.org

Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣

Why did the coffee file a police report?
Because it got mugged. ☕🤣

That’s your Bird’s Eye View this Tuesday.

Fill up tonight before the gas tax returns, mark your calendar for the aquatic center ribbon cutting, and keep an eye on early voting dates heading into the June 16 runoff election.

Got a tip, a story, or an event to share? Email [email protected].

Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️