Paulding County News Podcast

Welcome to your Paulding County Cast! I’m Melissa Carter, along with Doug Harding. In this episode, we bring you the latest updates affecting Paulding County. Top Stories: House Fire Tragedy: Following up on last week's report, we now have more details on the house fire that claimed the life of a 62-year-old woman on Memorial Day. The fire broke out at a home on Legend Drive in Dallas. Despite arriving within seven minutes, firefighters were unable to save her. The cause of the fire is under investigation by local authorities and the State Fire Marshall's Office. The woman's identity has not yet been released. Guilty Verdict in Manslaughter Case: A Paulding County Jury has convicted Justin Smart of Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. These charges are related to the 2022 fatal shooting of 35-year-old Shana Dover at 258 Old Locklear Road in Dallas. Smart was arrested at the scene following a dispute and has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by Judge David Lyles. Local Promotions in Law Enforcement: Congratulations are in order for several members of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. Donny Pace has been promoted to the rank of Major, Clint Barker to the rank of Captain, and Thomas Ogden to Corporal within the Jail Division, Inmate Work Force. Well done to all! Weather Update: Expect scattered thunderstorms with highs of 78 in Hiram and 77 in Dallas, and lows in the mid-60s. Tomorrow will bring more scattered storms with highs of 83 in both Hiram and Dallas, and lows in the mid-60s. The weather pattern continues into Tuesday with highs in the mid-80s. Stay tuned for all these stories and more. Thanks for joining us on the Paulding County Cast! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to your Paulding County News Podcast! I’m Melissa Carter, along with Doug Harding. In this episode, we bring you the latest updates from Paulding County, including some impactful news stories and an exclusive interview. Top Stories: Tragedy Strikes During Storms: A devastating event unfolded Monday morning when a woman tragically lost her life in a house fire during strong storms. The incident occurred in Dallas, where firefighters responded to a 911 call about a home ablaze with the man's disabled wife trapped inside. Despite their efforts, the 62-year-old woman was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene. The State Fire Marshall's Office and the Sheriff’s Office are investigating whether the fire was storm-related. Proposed Property Tax Increase: The Paulding County Board of Education has proposed a 3.2% property tax increase for 2024. This will raise the millage rate to 17.675 mills, meaning an increase of about $80.67 for homes valued at $371,000 and approximately $81.77 for non-homestead properties. Public hearings on this proposal will be held at the Board of Education office on Atlanta Highway in Dallas on June 4th at 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM, and again on June 11th at 8:00 AM. The final adoption of the millage rate is set for June 11th at 8:30 AM. Walmart Launches Pet Services: Walmart has recently opened its first pet services center in Dallas, offering routine veterinary care, grooming, and self-serve dog washes. As the pet healthcare services market grows, Walmart is expanding its offerings to meet the needs of pet owners nationwide. Additionally, Walmart+ members now benefit from Pawp’s telehealth service for pets. Weather: Today’s forecast includes mostly sunny skies with highs reaching 82 degrees in Hiram and Dallas, and lows near 60. Tomorrow will be partly cloudy with highs of 81 in Hiram and 82 in Dallas, and a low of 59. Friday promises mostly sunny weather with a high of 83. Sports: In sports news from the Paulding Sports Chronicle, congratulations to the North Paulding Wolfpack boys golf team for finishing 7th in the State tournament. Special kudos to John Vail, who also placed 7th individually, shooting impressive rounds of 72 and 70. Exclusive Interview: In this episode, we sit down with Paulding County Sheriff elect Ashley Henson. Sheriff Henson shares insights into recent events, community safety initiatives, and what residents can expect moving forward. Stay tuned for all this and more on your Paulding County News Podcast! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to your Paulding County News Podcast! I’m Melissa Carter, along with Doug Harding. But first, let’s take a look at our top stories. --- **Top Stories:** 1. **Sheriff Election Results** - In a hotly contested race, Ashley Henson has emerged victorious over Chad Hunton by just over 1,800 votes in the recent primaries. Henson will replace the retiring Sheriff Gary Gulledge. This update comes courtesy of WSB. 2. **Culinary Scene Update** - Exciting news for food lovers in Paulding County! Mark Sullins, the owner behind the beloved local eateries Doug's Place and Big-un's Biscuits, has acquired the old Briar Patch location. With his history of delivering exceptional dining experiences, the community is buzzing with anticipation for his next venture. Report from Paulding County Uncensored. 3. **School Hiring Announcements** - As the school year wraps up, local high schools are gearing up for new additions to their coaching and teaching staff for the upcoming year: - *Paulding County High School* is seeking a Wide Receivers coach experienced in the Air Raid offense, as well as Social Studies and possibly PE teachers. Interested candidates can contact Coach Justin Pressley at jpressley@paulding.k12.ga.us. - *Hiram High School* has openings in Social Studies, Special Education, and English, along with coaching opportunities at various levels. Resumes should be sent to pfominaya@paulding.k12.ga.us. **Weather Update:** - Today brings thunderstorms with highs reaching 88°F in Hiram and Dallas and lows in the upper 60s. - Tomorrow, expect scattered storms with highs around 83°F in Hiram and 82°F in Dallas, and lows in the lower 60s. - Tuesday looks mostly sunny with highs in the lower 80s. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage of these stories on the Paulding County News Podcast. Thank you for joining us! **Subscribe:** Make sure to subscribe to the Paulding County News Podcast to stay informed about all the latest news and events in our community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Welcome to the Paulding County News Podcast! I’m Melissa Carter, along with Doug Harding. Here are today's top stories: **Arrests in Zander Whatley Case:** Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of 11-year-old Zander Whatley. Authorities are still searching for a third suspect, Al-Hamid Kuyateh, who is considered armed and dangerous. **Drug Bust:** The Georgia Bureau of Investigation seized over 1000 grams of various drugs and 47 firearms from a Temple residence. Gerry Edwards and Reana Phelps face multiple charges. **Scholarships Awarded:** Congratulations to graduating seniors from all five Paulding County high schools for receiving scholarships from the Paulding Education Foundation! **Weather:** - Today: Partly cloudy, high of 85°F. - Tomorrow: Partly sunny, high of 85°F. - Upcoming: Thunderstorms on Friday. **Events:** - Tonight: Graduations at 8 PM. - Tomorrow: Bingo at Vintage Wine Bar at 7 PM. Stay tuned for more updates! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Paulding County News Podcast, your hosts Melissa Carter and Doug Harding bring you the latest happenings from around the county, alongside a special feature interview that could influence the future of our local education system. Episode Highlights: A Tragic Loss in Our Community: We begin with a grim update as the GBI has arrested 18-year-old Osman Sesay Jr. in connection to the heart-wrenching fatal shooting of 11-year-old Zander Whatley in Hiram. This ongoing investigation seeks justice for a young life cut tragically short. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. A Beam of Hope: In lighter news, we share the touching story of 3-year-old Nathaniel Van Dam, a brave little warrior fighting cancer. With the support of Make-A-Wish Foundation and Good 2 Grow, Nathaniel and his family are set to make unforgettable memories at Disney World. A beautiful reminder of the power of community and hope. Mother's Day Miracle: In an inspiring Mother's Day story, Melissia Boynton, a resilient mother from Dallas, Georgia, received a heart transplant, offering her a new lease on life. This momentous occasion highlights the importance of organ donation and the miracles it can bring to families. Special Feature Interview with Cynthia Starke-Jones: Amidst these stories of tragedy, hope, and miracles, we turn our focus to a pivotal upcoming event in Paulding County – the school board elections. Cynthia Starke-Jones, a Democratic candidate running for an at-large seat on the Paulding County School District board, joins us to discuss her campaign, her unique perspective, and her vision for the future of education in our county. With the Democratic primary just around the corner on May 21, 2024, Cynthia shares why she believes she's the fresh voice our schools need. Whether it's her stance on educational policies, her innovative ideas for student success, or her commitment to the community, this is one conversation voters won't want to miss. Join Melissa Carter and Doug Harding as they explore these compelling stories and sit down with a candidate who could play a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of Paulding County. Tune in to the Paulding County News Podcast – where local news meets depth, heart, and the voices of our community. Your thoughts and engagement make our discussions richer. We invite you to share your perspectives and join us in making a difference in Paulding County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Paulding County News Update sponsored by New Seasons Church. I'm Melissa Carter. The Paulding RCO community meeting takes place tomorrow at 6 p.m.. It's a chance for you to meet the 2024 Board of Directors, see what they've done in the last year and what's in store for our community in the next year. It's a catered event and is going to take place at Paulding RCO at 276 Main Street in Hiram. If you have any questions, 770330705 8 or 4 703087058. Again. Saturday, May 18th at 6 p.m. the Paulding RCO Community Meeting and you can always check them out on Facebook at Paulding RCO. Remember, you can listen to the Paulding County News podcast every Sunday and Wednesday, and check out all of our candidate interviews leading up to Tuesday's primary. And if you have a news story or want to advertise on the Paulding County News podcast, please contact Kayla Brown at K Brown at BG group.com. That's K Dot Brown at BG Group dot com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter chats with Kayla Amos who is running for Tax Commissioner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter talks with Tim Estes who is running for Commission Chair of Paulding County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter sits down to talk with Scott Turner, who is running for Post Commissioner District 1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter sits down to talk with Angela Woodall and her quest to become Probate Judge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter talks with Angela O'Connor who is running for Judge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this interview, you'll meet Shannon Price who is running for School Board at Large. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With elections coming up on May 21st, we want to introduce the candidates running for political office to the people of Paulding County and what their platforms are all about. On this episode, Melissa Carter sits down to talk with Ashley Henson and Chad Hunton, as they face off against each other in the Paulding County Sheriff's race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Paulding County News Podcast, join host Melissa Carter and co-host Doug Harding for a heartfelt lineup. We pay tribute to Zander Whatley at Rockmart High School, reflect on the ceremony honoring Georgia's fallen officers, and explore how the Paulding County School District is keeping students engaged over the summer. Plus, don’t miss Melissa's exclusive interview with Paulding County Tax Commissioner Kayla Amos, where they dive into the latest county developments. Tune in for these compelling stories and more, honoring our community and the spirit of resilience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Melissa Carter and Doug Harding on this week's episode of the Paulding County News Podcast for an insightful discussion with Angela Woodall, a local leader and candidate for Probate Judge. Amidst her campaign, we'll also take a closer look at recent events impacting our community. Learn about the ongoing investigation into the Grand’s gas station break-in on Bobo Road, and hear how local authorities are calling for help to catch the suspect behind the early morning heist. Plus, we celebrate Officer Adonis Dessin's recognition as the Dallas Rotary Club Officer of the Year, highlighting the remarkable dedication of Paulding County's public safety professionals. Additionally, we'll explore the corporate drama unfolding at Norfolk Southern, where CEO Alan Shaw battles shareholder pressures amidst calls for operational overhauls within the county's rail services. Tune in for a comprehensive update on Paulding County’s latest news and the individuals driving change in our community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of the Paulding County News Podcast, hosts Melissa Carter and Doug Harding bring you a lineup of stories that hit close to home for our community. From the courtroom to unexpected adventures, we’re covering the news that matters to Paulding County. First, we address a serious issue involving a Dallas man sentenced to a decade behind bars for stalking his former partner and her young son, highlighting the consequences of aggravated stalking and the bravery of those who stand up against their abusers. Our source, BrightGram, provides a detailed account of the ordeal that sheds light on the importance of legal protection and community support for victims of domestic violence. Next, we turn to a heartbreaking story from WTSP about an 11-year-old Paulding County boy whose life was tragically cut short. The details surrounding the shooting are as devastating as they are urgent, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and safety in our neighborhoods. In business news, rue21’s bankruptcy filing marks the end of an era for a teen retailer that once aimed to make fashion accessible to all. With all 540 stores, including our local outlet in Hiram, set to close, we discuss the implications for our community and what this means for the future of retail in Paulding County, with insights from The Patch. But it's not all solemn news; join us for a tale that's as bizarre as it is heartwarming. A cat named Galena finds her way back home after an unintentional 650-mile trip in an Amazon return box. This story, also from The Patch, reminds us of the unexpected journeys that bring communities together, even in the digital age. Lastly, we're thrilled to welcome Angela Reedy O’Conor to the show. She discusses her bid for re-election as Paulding County State Court Judge in the upcoming Republican primary. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss as we explore the impact of local politics on our justice system. Events Ahead: Don't forget to check out our community events section, featuring an Indoor Yard Sale at Mt Nebo Methodist Church, Mom’s Night Out in downtown Dallas, Dueling Pianos at the Pizza Shack, and the Paulding County Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Park. Join us for a deep dive into the stories shaping Paulding County. Sit back, tune in, and stay informed. Tune in to the Paulding County News Podcast for your weekly dose of local news, stories, and community spirit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to your essential local update, the Paulding County News Podcast. In this week's episode, hosts Melissa Carter and Doug Harding bring you the latest stories that are shaping our community. Top Stories Recap: A tragic incident in Paulding County has left the community in mourning after 11-year-old Zander Whatley was fatally shot in his home on Ruth Way. Despite immediate aid from deputies, Zander's life was taken too soon, sparking an intensive investigation by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and GBI. In business news, Walmart announces the closure of all 51 of its Walmart Health centers and telehealth services, citing sustainability challenges. This decision marks a significant shift from the company's initial health care venture launched in 2019. The dining scene in West Georgia is set to welcome a new addition as Jack’s Family Restaurants prepares to open another location on Charles Hardy Parkway. The new establishment promises to bring its cherished family dining experience closer to the residents of Paulding County. Events You Don’t Want to Miss: Exclusive Interview Segment: The spotlight of this episode shines on the upcoming Paulding Sheriff elections. Join Melissa as she sits down with candidates Ashley Henson and Chad Hunton, discussing their visions, policies, and how they plan to lead the sheriff's office forward. This candid conversation promises insights into the future of law enforcement in our county. Sports Roundup: In sports news, we cover the latest highs and lows from the baseball tournament action. East Paulding's season concludes with a loss to Pope, while North Paulding secures a victory against Parkview, setting the stage for their next game against North Gwinnett. Tune in to the Paulding County News Podcast for all this and more, as we bring you the stories that matter most to our community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Paulding County News Podcast, your hosts, Melissa Carter and Doug Harding, take you through the heartbeat of our community with stories that matter to you. Early voting season is upon us! With the clock ticking towards the May 17th deadline, we guide you through where and when you can cast your vote in Paulding County. Whether it’s at the Watson Government Complex, Dianne Wright Center, or Burnt Hickory Park, we’ve got all the details to ensure your voice is heard. Next, we shine a spotlight on a pressing issue that hits closer to home than many might think - human trafficking. The City of Dallas Police Department brings to light the critical situation, emphasizing Atlanta’s unwelcome ranking among the top U.S. cities for human trafficking. We share how you can help make a difference, whether by staying informed or knowing how to reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Celebration is in the air as we congratulate Chattahoochee Technical College on the grand opening of their cutting-edge Aviation Training Academy. Discover how this initiative is propelling Paulding County youth towards soaring heights in aviation careers, backed by collaborations with key educational and economic sectors. Rounding off our episode, we sit down with Scott Turner, a candidate for the Paulding County Commissioner Board 1. Don’t miss his insights and plans if elected to this crucial position. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Welcome to your Paulding County News Podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to another episode of the Paulding County News Podcast, where we bring you the latest and most impactful stories from around our community. I'm your host Melissa Carter, alongside my co-host Doug Harding, ready to guide you through the news that matters to Paulding County residents. In this episode, we have a special feature interview with Shannon Pleasants Price, a passionate candidate vying for the At-large seat on the Paulding County School District School Board in the upcoming 2024 elections. Shannon joins us to discuss her vision for the future of education in Paulding County, her priorities for the district, and how she plans to address the challenges facing our schools. It's an insightful conversation you won't want to miss. But first, we're covering the top stories making headlines across Paulding County: Dallas Police Department's Swift Response: Last week, the Dallas Police Department was quick on its feet responding to gunfire heard during the execution of a search warrant off Merchants Drive. The incident led to a vehicle collision, a foot chase, and ultimately, the apprehension of two suspects. We have all the details on the operation and how one victim is now receiving treatment for injuries sustained. Honoring Paulding's Best: In a recent school board meeting, Paulding County took a moment to celebrate the exceptional achievements of its students and staff members. From Governor's Honors to All-State recognitions and beyond, we highlight the individuals who are making our community proud. Sheriff’s Office Celebrates Service Milestones: The Paulding County Sheriff’s office recently acknowledged several of its own for their dedication and service to our community. We'll share the stories of these distinguished individuals and their significant longevity recognitions. Also, don't miss our roundup of exciting events happening around Paulding County this week, from family fun days to community fundraisers and social gatherings. There's something for everyone to enjoy. Stay tuned as we bring you all this and more on the Paulding County News Podcast. Your source for all things Paulding. Tune in to not only stay informed but also to get involved in the vibrant life of our community. See you on the airwaves! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.