Tornado Sweeps Through Henry County

An EF2 tornado with peak winds of 135 miles per hour struck Henry County on Thursday, causing significant damage to 13 structures and critically injuring an 18-year-old.

The radar-confirmed tornado touched down in the late afternoon near Locust Grove and headed northeast. No watches had been issued for the area before the tornado’s arrival.

The 18-year-old, who was reported to have been thrown hundreds of feet by the tornado, has been identified as the son of HBO’s The Wire actor, Tray Chaney. He remains in the intensive care unit with multiple broken ribs and a fractured bone in his face.

In response to the disaster, a temporary shelter has been established at Bethlehem Elementary School.

  Georgia Cities and Counties on Sanctuary Jurisdiction List

The cities of Atlanta and Athens, as well as DeKalb, Fulton, Douglas, and Athens-Clarke counties, have been named to the federal government’s “sanctuary jurisdictions” list.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these areas have demonstrated a lack of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and will receive a formal notice of noncompliance.

The cities and counties could face federal consequences due to House Bill 301, which proposes cutting state and federal aid to jurisdictions deemed non-compliant with undocumented immigrant reporting laws.

Squatters Take Over DeKalb County Home

A family in DeKalb County reported that their late father’s home was taken over by alleged squatters just days after his passing.

Right before closing on the home to a new buyer, the family discovered the intrusion, noticing that the squatters dismantled the home’s surveillance system and removed the lockbox.

The squatters told police that they had a lease under a rental contract, but have yet to provide proper documentation. They have since advertised a large pool party on social media, featuring food trucks and VIP parking.

The family has filed a squatters’ affidavit under Georgia’s recently enacted Squatter Reform Act, which permits law enforcement to criminally cite unauthorized occupants for trespassing. The alleged squatters have until Monday to respond to the affidavit.

The incident is part of a broader squatting problem in the area. According to the National Rental Home Council, over 1,200 Atlanta properties were occupied by squatters in 2024.

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➤ Fulton County: A major solar energy initiative with Cherry Street Energy to install solar panels on 46 county facilities has been launched by the county, aiming to reduce emissions and save taxpayers nearly $2.5 million over the next 20 years. (More)

➤ Douglas County: A semi-truck carrying hazardous and explosive materials overturned on Wilson Road, prompting a temporary evacuation of residents and businesses within a half-mile radius. (More)

➤ Cartersville: A six-hour SWAT standoff concluded with the arrest of Jonathan Sentell, who allegedly pointed a firearm at police officers during a welfare check. (More)

➤ Acworth: Wellstar Health System has proposed building a new 230-bed hospital to address growing healthcare needs in the city. (More)

➤ Forest Park: More than a dozen drivers at the city’s Kroger fulfillment center have voted to authorize a strike amid stalled contract negotiations if no agreement is reached with the organization by the next scheduled meeting on June 9. (More)

➤ Buford: A local couple drowned while vacationing in Destin, Florida. Their 26-year-old son was rescued by a bystander who paddled out with a boogie board. (More)

Thank you to everyone who supported The Georgia Flyover yesterday—your generosity keeps us going. We rely on readers like you to power independent journalism, so if you haven’t yet, please consider chipping in today to help us keep bringing you the news without the noise.

➤ The SEC, the collegiate athletic conference which includes the University of Georgia, has instituted a uniform $500,000 fine for any instance of fans storming the field or court. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale became the fastest in MLB history to reach 2,500 career strikeouts, achieving the milestone in just 2,026 innings during a 9-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons have recently received multiple trade inquiries for tight end Kyle Pitts, according to a Fox Sports report. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | PGA | LPGA | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ A teen from Dacula went to his Burger King shift immediately after his high school graduation ceremony, still wearing his graduation medals. This inspired a customer to start a GoFundMe for him that has raised over $35,000 for his college expenses. (See Video)

➤ Jon Taffer, host of Bar Rescue, plans to open a new Taffer’s Tavern in Atlanta, making it the restaurant’s second Georgia location. (More)

➤ Eleven-year-old Sarv Dharavane, a fifth-grader from Austin Elementary in Dunwoody, achieved third place in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. (More)

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