| ISSUE# 037 | MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Good morning Henry County!
We're back, and we missed you!
The Eagle Eye took a few days off for some behind-the-scenes housekeeping, and we're grateful for your patience. The newsletter has grown to 1,500 subscribers and counting, and we wanted to make sure the foundation is strong enough to keep building. Thank you for being here.
If you're reading this while the kids are getting back into their school routine after spring break, we see you. And if you're also hustling to pull together tax documents before Wednesday, we see you too. Oh, and about this week's heat, temperatures are expected to push into the 90s, which would be near record territory for April. Stay hydrated out there neighbors!
So we'll keep this tight so you can get back to it.
Today's issue is packed. Stockbridge's youngest mayor ever just crossed his 100-day mark, and he has things to say. Henry County wants your input on future road projects tonight. May 19th, Georgia's General Primary Election, is coming faster than you think. And our latest Tales from the Perch takes us inside a Locust Grove bakery where Food Network fame met hometown heart. Plus EYE Q is back with a tip that might actually save dinner tonight.
Now let's get into it.
100 Days In, Stockbridge's Young Mayor Is Just Getting Started
100 days in, Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams is already making moves, from eliminating school lunch debt to advancing major development projects.
STOCKBRIDGE - When Jayden Williams was sworn in as Stockbridge's youngest mayor ever this past January, he made a lot of promises. Now 100 days in, he's reporting real progress. His office contributed $4,200 to eliminate school lunch debt for Stockbridge students, launched the Mayor 4 Day civic engagement program, and established the Jay Williams Scholarship in partnership with Grooming the Future LLC to support students pursuing higher education. He also joined the Mayor's Alliance to End Childhood Hunger.
On the economic side, Williams highlighted the Bridges at Jodeco, a $500 million mixed-use development bringing retail, restaurants, and hotels to the city, and noted the city's retail sector sits at approximately 97% occupancy.
On transparency, he said his commitment is why he pushed for a forensic audit, and he confirmed the council approved moving forward with the city's annual audit process. "100 days of leadership, 100 days of listening, 100 days of building together," Williams said. "But we're just getting started."
Henry County Wants Your Input on Future Road Projects Tonight
HENRY COUNTY - If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic here in Henry County, or wondered when your road will finally get fixed, this is your moment. Henry County is hosting a public open house tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Administration Building to gather input on the next round of T SPLOST transportation projects.
The current T SPLOST, approved in 2021, is already funding major road improvements across the county, many of which are underway or in development. The next round is expected to go before voters in November 2026, and residents can also share input online if they can’t attend.
Visit the Open House
📍 Henry County Administration Building
140 Henry Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253
🕔 Monday, April 13 | 5 to 8 p.m.
May 19 Is Election Day. Are You Ready to Vote Henry County?
HENRY COUNTY - Henry County voters head to the polls May 19 for Georgia’s General Primary and Nonpartisan Election, with key statewide and local races on the ballot.
The voter registration deadline is April 20, and polls on Election Day will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting will be available ahead of Election Day, giving residents a chance to cast their ballot on their own schedule.
This primary will determine which candidates move on to the November general election. Check your registration status, voting locations, and key dates at Vote411
Food Network Winner Brings Sweet Success to Locust Grove
Nicole Silva at her bakery in Locust Grove, where every cupcake starts with the same passion that first began in her home kitchen.
LOCUST GROVE - Nicole Silva didn’t start out trying to build a bakery.
She was a teacher. A mom. Someone who baked for her kids, for her classroom, for the small moments that needed something sweet. “I just loved making things for people,” she said. “It was never about a business at first.”
But somewhere along the way, something shifted.
What started as baking at home slowly grew into something more. Orders turned into requests. Requests turned into a following. And before she fully realized it, Nicole had built something people were showing up for. Still, she didn’t see herself as a “professional baker.”
Not yet.
That changed when she stepped into a tent thousands of miles from home, competing on a national stage. After appearing on The Food Network’s The Great American Baking Show, Nicole kept going, eventually winning the network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge.
But even with the recognition, the heart of it never changed. “I’ve always wanted this to feel personal,” she said. “Not just like you’re buying something, but like you’re a part of something.”
Today, inside Crumbles by Nicole in Locust Grove, that feeling is still at the center of everything. It’s in the detail of every cookie, every cupcake, every carefully decorated treat that feels almost too beautiful to eat.
And it extends beyond the bakery itself.
Just a few doors down, Nicole has created a studio space where she teaches baking classes, sharing what she’s learned and inviting others into the process. “I want people to leave feeling happy,” she said. “That’s really it.”
Because for Nicole, this was never just about building a business. It was about creating something meaningful. And one cookie at a time, that’s exactly what she’s done.
Visit Crumbles by Nicole
📍 3988 GA 42, Locust Grove, GA 30248
📞 (678) 764 2340
🌐 https://www.crumblesbynicole.com/
It’s your weekly practical AI Tip. AI is already changing how people work, plan, and solve everyday problems. The people learning it now are getting ahead, and that's exactly what EyeQ is here to help you do.
If you haven't downloaded a free AI assistant yet, start there. ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini all work in similar ways. Not sure which one? Just pick one. That's the whole trick.
This Week: Let AI Save Dinner
It's 5pm, the fridge is half empty, and you don't know what to make. Before you order out, try this. Open your AI assistant and type something like: "I have chicken thighs, canned tomatoes, garlic, and rice. What can I make for dinner tonight?" AI will come up with a real recipe, something delicious you never would have thought of on your own. It works when you're running low on groceries, trying to use up what's about to expire, or just tired of making the same five meals. Try it this week. You might discover a new favorite.
EyeQ Glossary:
AI Assistant: A free tool like ChatGPT, Claude, or Google Gemini that answers questions, writes, and helps you solve problems.
Prompt: The message you type to tell the AI what you want. Think of it as giving someone clear instructions.
Personalize: Giving the AI specific details about your situation so the answer fits your life, not just a generic response. The more specific you are, the more useful it becomes.
MONDAY, APRIL 13
T-SPLOST 2 Open House 📍 Henry County Admin Building Community Room · 140 Henry Parkway, McDonough 🕐 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Drop in anytime · Free Learn about upcoming transportation projects and give input before the November 2026 ballot.
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead 📍 Fortson Public Library · McDonough 🕐 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM · Free · Grades Pre-K to 5th Science of heat and states of matter through Melted Crayon Art. Recurring 2nd and 4th Mondays.
Adult Poetry Reading 📍 McDonough Public Library 🕐 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Free · Adults National Poetry Month celebration. Classics to modern verse.
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
Banned Book Club 📍 Story on the Square · 19 Griffin St, McDonough 🕐 6:00 PM · Free Book clubs are free — purchase the book from Story on the Square to support the store.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
Line Dancing Class — City of Stockbridge (recurring Wednesdays) 📍 Merle Manders Conference Center · 111 Davis Rd, Stockbridge 🕐 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Free · All ages Hosted by Councilwoman LaKeisha Gantt. Instruction by JP with YK Line Dancers. No sandals. BYOF.
Impact Recovery Partners Networking Event 📍 140 John Frank Ward Blvd, Building 140 · McDonough 🕐 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Free Nonprofits, community leaders, government partners supporting recovery community. All welcome.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
Story Time on the Patio — Chick-fil-A Jodeco 📍 Chick-fil-A · Jodeco Rd, McDonough 🕐 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Free · All ages Partnered with Henry County Library System. Stories, crafts, and fun activities.
Networking for Introverts — Panel Discussion 📍 Henry County · Location TBD 🕐 Time TBD · Free · Chamber event
Book to Screen Book Club 📍 Story on the Square · 19 Griffin St, McDonough 🕐 6:00 PM · Free Book clubs are free — purchase the book from Story on the Square to support the store.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
Rumble in the Grove — TCW Live Wrestling 📍 City Hall Front Lawn · Locust Grove 🕐 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Free · All ages Family wrestling, food trucks, outdoor fun. Warm-up event the night before Locust Grove Day.
OW Elite Health Services Ribbon Cutting 📍 85 Pine Grove Rd · Henry County 🕐 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Henry County Chamber
Spring Wine Tasting with The Sorting Table 📍 Story on the Square · 19 Griffin St, McDonough 🕐 6:30 PM · $50 · 21+ only · Limited to 50 seats Five curated varietals from The Sorting Table importer. Intimate guided tasting experience.
Job Fair — Henry County 📍 Henry County · Location TBD 🕐 Time TBD
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field.🤣
That’s your Monday briefing, Henry County!
Whether you're heading to the T-SPLOST open house tonight, getting your voter registration in order, or making a detour to Crumbles by Nicole this week, there's plenty to do and plenty to look forward to in this community.
We'll be back tomorrow with more. Got a tip or a story we should know about? Send us a note at [email protected]. We read everyone.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️
