City of Conyers seeks entries for Christmas parade | Golf Tournament This November To Benefit Humane Society Morgan County | CTAE continues to impact workforce, graduation, literacy

EAST METRO Top Stories for October 24th Publish Date: October 24th     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 Friday, October 24th and Happy birthday to Kevin Kline I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Times Journal City of Conyers seeks entries for Christmas paradeGolf Tournament This November To Benefit Humane Society Morgan CountyCTAE continues to impact workforce, graduation, literacy Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on sweet tooths   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: INGLES MARKETS 2 STORY 1: City of Conyers seeks entries for Christmas parade    Calling all school groups, businesses, churches, bands, dancers—basically anyone with holiday spirit! The annual Conyers Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m., and registration is open now. It’s $25 per entry, and the deadline is Nov. 10. Don’t wait! The theme this year? Storybook Christmas. Think classic holiday tales brought to life. Trophies will go to categories like Best Float, Most Creative, and Mayor’s Choice. The parade kicks off at Rockdale County High and wraps up at Milstead Avenue and Pine Street. Roads will close, so plan ahead—and get there early for a good spot! Oh, and mark your calendar for Nov. 22, when Olde Town Conyers will host its first-ever Festive Night of Lights. Picture thousands of twinkling lights, Santa visits, games, music, and even a drone show lighting up the night sky. It’s free, magical, and the perfect way to kick off the season. For more info, visit https://visitconyersga.com STORY 2: Golf Tournament This November To Benefit Humane Society Morgan County Grab your clubs and get ready to tee off for a great cause—the 5th Annual HSMC Golf Tournament is happening Friday, Nov. 7, at noon at the Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge. Whether you’re a pro or just there for the vibes, it’s 18 holes, a driving range, and lunch from the Ritz Carlton. Not bad, right? Every dollar raised goes to the Humane Society of Morgan County, a no-kill shelter that’s been saving dogs and cats for over 30 years. They’ve found homes for thousands of animals and rely entirely on donations and volunteers to keep going. Want in? Sign up at humanemorgan.org/golf. STORY 3: CTAE continues to impact workforce, graduation, literacy New data from Georgia’s CTAE Advantage Dashboard highlights just how much Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) is shaping students’ futures—and the numbers don’t lie. Across the state, every key indicator improved from 2023 to 2024. CTAE students? They’re thriving. Graduation rates for CTAE concentrators hit 97.9%, and postsecondary placement—college, jobs, or the military—rose to 96.7%. Even reading readiness saw a bump. And those work-based learning programs? Over 32,000 students earned a combined $144 million working with Georgia employers. Want to see your district’s data? Check out the dashboard at Georgia Insights. 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: INGLES MARKETS 3 STORY 4: Empty Stocking Fund Applications Available This November Christmas is creeping up, and for many families in Morgan County, the holidays bring more stress than joy—rising prices, tight budgets, and tough choices. But that’s where the Empty Stocking Fund steps in, making sure kids wake up to something magical under the tree. Last year, over 150 kids got gifts—bikes, dolls, games, you name it—thanks to donations collected by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. This program’s been around for 25+ years, fueled by the kindness of local businesses and neighbors. Applications for this year’s program will be accepted Nov. 12-13 at the Public Safety Complex. Questions? Call [phone]. STORY 5: Newton Tax Commissioner's Office to get second self-service kiosk  Starting Oct. 30, Newton County residents can renew their vehicle registrations or handle driver’s license tasks while grabbing groceries. The county’s second self-service MV Express Kiosk is opening at the Kroger on U.S. Highway 278, offering extended hours—including evenings and weekends. “This is a game-changer,” said Tax Commissioner Brent Bennett. “No more rearranging your day to visit our office. Just stop by Kroger, and you’re done in minutes.” The kiosk, part of a statewide push for convenience, also handles insurance penalties, license renewals, and more. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. Break: And now here is Leah ...