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News
SMART Grant To Help Expedite Emergency Response Times
From staff reports
MCDONOUGH — An $825,000 federal grant will help Henry County install traffic technology that will help reduce emergency response times.
At its Tuesday, June 25 meeting, the Henry Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to formally accept an $825,000 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Planning and Prototyping Grant.
Henry County received the award for its Connected Vehicle Pilot and Prototype Development.
“We plan to use this SMART Grant to deploy and test connective vehicle technology,” Henry County Transportation Planning Director Sam Baker said. “This allows a car to send a signal to a traffic light and change it from red to green so that it can pass through a busy intersection faster.”
In this case, the county is focused on using the technology to expedite response times to emergencies in the community.
According to Baker, 32 intersections and 45 Henry County Fire-Rescue vehicles already have the requisite roadside and onboard units installed.
Grant funds will be used to update some of this existing technology, then activate and test the system.
If successful, the plan is to send the resulting data to the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of a request for additional funding with the goal of expanding the program’s reach.
Eventually, transit vehicles could be included so that they operate more efficiently. And the number of stop lights affected could increase greatly as well.
“Eventually, I foresee having this technology deployed at every major intersection in the county. Over 321 communities nationwide applied for this grant and only 34 were awarded,” said Baker. “Henry is the only county in Georgia on that list.”
The SMART Grant requires no local matching funds.
News
Hot Summer Fest
STAFF PHOTOS: ANTHONY RHOADS
Updated
The Henry County Hot Summer Fest was held Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway in advance of the Fourth of July. The free event was presented by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department and featured several activities — including fireworks, kids fun zone, food, pit road pickle ball, football and basketball. Here are some scenes from the event.
News
ATD Opens Regional Distribution Center In McDonough
From staff reports
A ribbon-cutting was held to celebrate the grand opening of an
American Tire Distributors regional distribution center in
McDonough.
SPECIAL PHOTO
American Tire Distributors Inc. recently celebrated the grand opening of its first regional distribution center in McDonough.
Officials held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, June 26 at the center at 250 Declaration Drive.
Wednesday’s event also featured remarks from ATD executives, building tours and a champagne toast.
Attendees included representatives from the Henry County Board of Commissioners, Southern Crescent Technical College, the Henry County Board of Education and the Henry County Development Authority.
“Opening our inaugural regional distribution center in McDonough marks a pivotal moment for American Tire Distributors and our supply chain capabilities,” said Stuart Schuette, president and CEO. “This facility not only exemplifies our commitment to improving the customer experience with faster delivery but also highlights our dedication to bolstering the local economy.”
The state-of-the-art regional distribution center serve as a central hub, supporting 22 distribution centers throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
ATD invested $10.5 million into the nearly 760,000-square-foot facility, which is set to employ 180 associates and hold 15,000 different SKUs.
“We are proud to be part of the McDonough community and look forward to the enhanced service capabilities this new center will allow us to bring to our customers,” said Schuette.
ATD has had a presence in Georgia for nearly 25 years with facilities in Augusta, Kennesaw and Tucker.
News
Henry School Board Names New Bethlehem Elementary Principal
From staff reports
Updated
SeTia Freeman
HENRY COUNTY —An educator with 25 years of experience, new Bethlehem Elementary Principal SeTia Freeman has spent 22 of those years in Henry County Schools.
The Henry County Board of Education approved Freeman’s appointment during its June 10 business meeting.
“I am honored to join the Bobcat family as principal,” Freeman said. “I look forward to working with a community of exceptional students as well as caring parents and determined staff who strive daily to make our learners life, college, and career ready. As principal, I will support the school program and strive to increase student achievement by cultivating an atmosphere where curiosity, creativity and critical-thinking can flourish.”
Freeman most recently served as Oakland Elementary School assistant principal for the last two years.
Freeman has served in roles such as instructional lead teacher and gifted support teacher resulted in numerous accolades — including being named Teacher of the Year twice, a Technology Innovation Champion and an Exemplary Teacher over the course of her career.
Also, under her guidance, the number of students identified for gifted services doubled during her eight-year tenure as a gifted support teacher at Stockbridge Elementary School.
“I am pleased to welcome SeTia Freeman as the new principal of Bethlehem Elementary School,” said Assistant Superintendent Joycelyn Jackson. “Her proven leadership and dedication to student success will be instrumental to providing a high-quality, world-class education for each of Bethlehem Elementary’s young learners.”
Freeman holds a bachelor of arts in early childhood education from Clark Atlanta University. She also holds a master of education in early childhood education and an education specialist in instructional technology, both from Kennesaw State University.
“SeTia Freeman embodies the passion, principles, and student-focused commitment we strive to foster in all Henry County Schools,” said Interim Superintendent Carl Knowlton. “Her devotion to education and providing a holistic experience for students makes her well suited to further Bethlehem Elementary’s mission, vision and values.”
Freeman will begin her tenure at Bethlehem Elementary School this summer as she prepares for the start of the 2024-25 school year, which begins Aug. 1.
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