In Episode 49 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Molly Melvin, Executive Director of the Newton Community Partnership, for a powerful and insightful conversation about youth empowerment, prevention work, and the often-invisible efforts that shape community health in Newton County. Molly shares how the Partnership—originally formed to address teen pregnancy—has evolved into a vital connector of agencies, schools, and families. With just two staff members, they lead initiatives around suicide prevention, early literacy, and substance misuse education while equipping young people through the Youth Action Team to be peer leaders and community advocates.

The episode dives deep into how prevention is interwoven with every issue facing families—from mental health to academic success—and how the Partnership’s focus on capacity building and collaboration makes a measurable difference. Molly also highlights the challenges of sustaining funding for prevention work, and she calls on listeners to get involved, share resources, and help expand the impact. It’s a hopeful yet realistic look at the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed but is essential to building a stronger, more connected Newton County.

In this powerful and timely episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with two legal professionals who are typically courtroom adversaries — District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason — to discuss a shared concern: the rising tide of gun violence among teens in Newton and Walton counties. With the backdrop of new Georgia legislation allowing 13 to 16-year-olds to be tried as adults for certain crimes, McGinley and Mason dive deep into what’s driving these trends, how the law is evolving, and what can be done to prevent more youth from falling into the criminal justice system.

What follows is a raw, honest, and unexpectedly hopeful conversation that highlights the critical role of community, mentorship, and parental involvement. The two men find common ground in their belief that early intervention, meaningful relationships, and strong role models — particularly for young boys — are key to changing the current trajectory. It’s a true “messy middle” conversation that models the kind of dialogue our divided communities desperately need.

In Episode 47 of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Ted Cummings, Chairman of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and President of Onyx Media. From his journey growing up in Kingston, Jamaica to leading one of Newton County’s most influential business organizations, Ted shares how his company evolved from a reluctant startup into a global AV and media powerhouse. He offers behind-the-scenes stories from working with Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, and the Department of Defense, and reflects on his passion for serving local churches, building workforce pipelines, and mentoring young talent—some of whom start earning $25/hour as stagehands straight out of high school.

But the conversation goes deeper than business. Ted issues a bold challenge to the community: “Decide what the hell you want to be when you grow up.” He calls on Newton County to develop a clear identity rooted in Southern hospitality, reject the East vs. West divide, and embrace intentional, community-focused growth. As a leader shaping the Chamber’s new strategic plan, Ted champions public education, small business collaboration, and courageous leadership. His vision: a Newton County where neighbors do business with neighbors, industries invest in schools, and unity—not uniformity—drives the future forward.

In Episode 45 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down for a solo conversation with Dr. Chip West, Chairman of Newton Trails, to explore how a retired hurricane-chasing Air Force officer became one of Newton County’s most passionate advocates for trail development. From thrilling stories of flying into the eye of the storm to the quiet beauty of paved paths winding through Newton County, Dr. West shares how trails are not just for exercise—they’re for connection, conservation, and community.

Tune in as Trey and Chip tackle the “messy middle” of trail development, addressing safety concerns, public misconceptions, economic benefits, and the exciting vision for how Newton Trails could one day connect Oxford to Porterdale—and even link to trail systems that stretch from Atlanta to Savannah. This is a local story with statewide implications and a must-listen for anyone who cares about quality of life, thoughtful growth, and the power of purpose-driven leadership.

In Episode 44 of The Town Square Podcast, host Trey Bailey sits down with Allen Martin, Downtown Coordinator, and Laura Sullivan, Tourism Coordinator for the City of Covington, for an engaging, wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of downtown Covington. From nostalgic stories of childhood adventures and band days to groundbreaking tourism data and economic development plans, this episode captures the heart and hustle behind Covington’s growth. The trio discusses how strategic film tourism, community-focused events, and smart city planning are turning Covington into a nationally recognized destination with over 774,000 unique visitors and \$130 million in visitor spending.

Listeners will learn about major upcoming projects like a new microbrewery, studio space, food hall, and the city’s ambitious Downtown Master Plan, all while enjoying the rich personality and humor of two local leaders deeply invested in their community. With shoutouts to the Covington Downtown Development Authority, Discover Covington, and the power of partnerships, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves the square, believes in smart growth, or just wants a peek into how Covington continues to thrive.

In Episode 43 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Scott Tredeau, founder and publisher of The Newton Community Magazine, for a heartfelt conversation about transformation—both personal and communal. With Gabriel Stovall out due to transportation issues, Trey leads a one-on-one discussion that covers everything from Scott’s recent Small Business of the Year award to the power of telling over 400 stories from across Newton County. Scott opens up about his early years of isolation, anxiety, and addiction, and how his recovery journey through Celebrate Recovery changed not just his life, but his approach to community, purpose, and storytelling.

Listeners will hear how The Newton Community Magazine evolved from a creative side project into a deeply meaningful platform that celebrates the diverse voices of Newton County. Scott shares how art, advocacy, and empathy intersect in the magazine’s design, editorial choices, and outreach efforts. Whether he’s talking about cover art that becomes fundraisers or the stories of misunderstood neighbors like Tony Pless, Scott reminds us that community begins with compassion—and that the messy middle is often where the best stories are born.