EAST METRO Top Stories for June 13th Publish Date: June 13th Commercial: From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to The Community Podcast. This Podcast brings you the top stories from the Rockdale-Newton Citizen and the Morgan Citizen. Today is Thursday, June 13th and Happy 70th birthday to actor Tim Allen. ***06.13.24 – BIRTHDAY – TIM ALLEN*** I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty Proposed Newton County Budget Includes 4.5% Pay IncreaseSupreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction of James Gary Hill IIISheriff Candidates make last pitch before runoff election Plus, Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on whether honey is added sugar. These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties! Please like, follow, and subscribe. BREAK: DRAKE STORY 1: Proposed Newton County Budget Includes 4.5% Pay Increase Newton County's proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes a 4.5% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and funding for a newly established pension plan. The county manager described the budget as needs-based, emphasizing that needs and wants align closely. With a total general fund budget of $99.4 million, the county anticipates increased revenue from property taxes, Local Option Sales Tax, interest income, and insurance premium taxes. Expenditure increases include allocations for employee benefits, road paving, and debt payments. Commissioners aim to maintain the current millage rate despite property value increases, but discussions around tax relief are ongoing. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for June 18, with adoption planned for June 26. STORY 2: Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction of James Gary Hill III The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction and life prison sentence of James Gary Hill III, who killed his girlfriend Kelly Marshall in July 2017. Hill beat and strangled Marshall, leaving her body near the Yellow River. Despite his claims of innocence and errors in trial proceedings, the court found sufficient evidence for his conviction, including his vehicle's movements contradicting his alibi and past violent behavior towards another girlfriend. Hill's appeal was based on claims of insufficient evidence and trial errors, but the court rejected them. Marshall's murder, occurring after a day of drinking and swimming, shocked the community and led to Hill's conviction in 2019. STORY 3: Sheriff Candidates make last pitch before runoff election In a forum hosted by the Morgan County Republican Party just before the election, Sheriff candidates Tyler Hooks and Joseph Pritchett presented their qualifications and plans. Both stressed their law enforcement experience and community engagement strategies. Hooks emphasized enhancing public safety and mental health support, while Pritchett focused on forming specialized units and increasing deputy pay. Both candidates discussed improving response times and continuing faith-based inmate programs. They also addressed housing affordability for deputies and the importance of protecting constitutional rights. With neither candidate securing a majority in the primary, a runoff election is scheduled for June 18, followed by a November election against Democratic candidate Derrick Reid. Early voting is open from June 10-14, with Election Day on June 18. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back Break: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME STORY 4: Man Indicted For Homicide By Vehicle After Morgan County Chase Monterrio Shyaeem D’Andre Harris, 26, from Hartsville, S.C., was indicted by a Morgan County Grand Jury on multiple charges including homicide by vehicle. The indictment followed an incident where Harris allegedly led Georgia State Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase exceeding 120 mph on Interstate 20. The pursuit ended in a crash that resulted in the death of his passenger, 19-year-old Kaniyah Ja’Niece Milhouse from Sandersville. Harris attempted to flee but was apprehended with six pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Charges against him include homicide by vehicle, fleeing from officers, drug trafficking, DUI, reckless driving, and traffic violations. STORY 5: Georgia Writer’s Museum Announces Crime and Wine Guest Author McCracken Poston The Georgia Writers Museum is hosting a Crime & Wine event featuring McCracken Poston Jr., the defense attorney for Alvin Ridley in the notorious "Zenith Man" murder trial. Ridley was accused of holding his wife hostage for 30 years before allegedly killing her. Poston's new book, "Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom," delves into the case. Despite public opinion condemning Ridley, Poston took on the case and uncovered surprising truths, including Ridley's recent diagnosis of ...
