Cobb government said Friday afternoon that all 150 dogs at the county animal shelter were given antibiotics on Thursday, and that the 200 cats housed there are getting them today.
After closing the shelter earlier this week due to a strep zoo outbreak that killed at least four dogs, the next step will be a full cleaning of the facility on Al Bishop Road. Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt said that will “likely happen at the end of the next week.”
While the cleaning is underway, the remaining animals will be housed temporarily, and Cavitt said the Atlanta Humane Society has donated 80 crates for that effort.
He also said the animal services staff has been trying to contact the owners of 80 animals who were recently adopted from the shelter in recent days, but there have been no reports of newly adopted animals getting sick.
Cavitt said a fifth dog who died in the shelter recently may also have contracted strep zoo, a highly contagious bacterial infection, but that happened before testing was ordered.
The shelter remains closed and no new animals will be taken in during that time. The animals currently there will be monitored for a week after receiving antibiotics, Cavitt said. The cleaning is expected to take several days.
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It’s going to start feeling like fall real soon, and the East Cobb events lined up for the first weekend in October do reflect a change in the seasons—at last.
Friday appears to be the last scorching day for a good while, and possibly the last of the summer.
Partly sunny skies are in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the high 70s and low 80s through Sunday and into next week.
On Friday, a good way to stay cool is to attend the Art in the Dark installation event at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road), which includes an array of performance art, wall projections, lighted sculptures, lighted pottery and glowing art. Another feature is a performances of Séance, an entirely improvised radio show performed in the dark. All ages are welcome, and drink tickets will be sold to those 21 and over for $5, $10 and $15.
Four East Cobb teams are in action on the high school football gridiron Friday. Kell’s playing host to Paulding County for homecoming, Lassiter entertains Kennesaw Mountain in its homecoming, Pope gets a visit from Dunwoody and Sprayberry travels to Allatoona. Kickoff at all venues is 7:30 p.m.
Walton’s football team is off this week, but on Saturday it’s holding a Mattress Sale Fundraiser in the auxiliary gym of the school (1590 Bill Murdock Road) from 10-5. The proceeds will go toward helping build a new fieldhouse.
The Lassiter Band Recycle Day also is a fundraising event that takes place at the school (2601 Shallowford Road) from 9-1. The donation is $10 per vehicle for most electronics and medals. Additional fees apply for other items. Contact recycling@lbba.org for information.
Early Saturday morning parents and others will be taking part in the Keheley Elementary School Fall Cleanup Day. It starts at 8 a.m. at the school (1985 Kemp Road), but come when you can and see what tasks need to be performed by clicking here. They’re going to make a day out of it, with rock painting for kids, water and snacks, gardening gifts for volunteers and giveaways and prizes.
October means Oktoberfest, and it’s the 9th annual celebration put on by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2922 Sandy Plains Road) from 10-4. Authentic German food, an oompah band (above), games, arts and crafts, and a petting zoo are featured. Admission is $5 adult and $2 children or 6 food cans per adult or 2 per child to benefit MUST Ministries.
From 10-2 Saturday, a Women’s Empowerment event at Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team (2249 Roswell Road), includes guest speakers who are business owners and entertainers in the Atlanta area. Activities include breakout sessions, a vision board workshop and chair massages. Food from Red Sky Tapas will be available for purchase Tickets are $15.
From 11-4 Sunday, it’s the Holy Family Catholic Church Fall Festival, with bingo, food, face painting, sand art, games, live music and hay rides. The church is located at 3401 Lower Roswell Road.
You’ll find more details about those events and can check out more of our calendar listings for this weekend and beyond.
Send your events to us and we’ll post ’em here: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.
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Earlier this summer Cobb County worked out an agreement with an outdoor sign company that calls for eight new double-sided LED billboards across the county.
Construction has begun at the only sign to be in East Cobb, at 2245 Roswell Road, between Barnes Mill Road and Sewell Mill Road.
The sign is next to Rocco’s European Garage, and is expected to be operational early next year. Vision Outdoor Media was asking to build 22 signs, but that request was turned down by county staff and the Cobb Board of Zoning Appeals.
Vision alleged Cobb’s billboard ordinance, which added a moratorium last year, was unconstitutional.
According to the county, the digital billboards must be at least 60 feet above road grade and not extend beyond right-of-way lines. Vision will pay a total of $800,000 in impact fees, which will go to the county’s sidewalk fund.
The other sign locations include two on Ernest Barrett Highway and two on Dallas Highway, one on Austell Road, on at South Cobb Drive and the East-West Connector, one on Cumberland Boulevard, one on Cobb Parkway in the Cumberland area, and the other on Highway 92 near Lindsey Way and Surrey Road.
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Executive director Elizabeth Berman, has followed up to say that the three dozen or so cats that the East Cobb shelter took in are available for adoption, and that on Oct. 17, two weeks from today, they’ll be having a “Happy Hour” adoption special (see flyer below for more details) from 5-8 p.m.
The adoption fees will be $5 during that time.
Good Mews is located at 3805 Robinson Road.
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The following East Cobb food scores from Sept. 30-Oct. 4 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:
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Cobb government said today the county animal services staff is “in full emergency mode” due to a strep zoo outbreak.
The original report Wednesday indicated that two dogs had died from contagious bacterial infection, but now the county is saying “at least four dogs” have died.
Cobb reiterated Wednesday’s announcement that the shelter will be closed for at least two weeks for a cleaning, and that no new animals will be accepted during that time.
The animals remaining at the shelter will be cared for by staff as they have been and be put on antibiotics for seven days and monitored by veterinarians.
The county says the animal services staff will respond to calls and is working with humane societies and rescue groups to find temporary housing for animals needing shelter.
“This is an expensive operation, but county officials have vowed to use contingency funds in the FY20 budget to do what is needed,” according to Thursday’s county update.
Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said the county is spending $15,000 on the antibiotics. Here’s more information in a video that went out with Thursday’s update:
ORIGINAL REPORT, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2, 5:13 P.M.:
The Cobb Animal Services shelter will close for at least two weeks after two dogs there died from strep zoo, a highly contagious bacterial infection.
Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said in a release issued late Wednesday afternoon that volunteers are not to come by the shelter, located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive in Marietta, and that no new animals will be accepted while the shelter is closed.
“After consulting with our on-site veterinarians, we determined that closing the facility was the only option available,” Shana Luke, Cobb Animal Services Division Director said in a statement. “We will embark on a thorough cleaning process of the entire facility, and put all the animals in the shelter on an antibiotic regimen.”
Strep zoo, a shortened name of the medical term Streptococcus Zooepidemicus, was discovered as the cause of death for the two dogs after an investigation by shelter staff. The bacteria affects an animal’s respiratory system and shelter animals are vulnerable.
Luke said the cleaning will begin immediately and that shelter staff will work “on a case-by-case basis to provide care” to other shelter animals “in certain situations.”
Veterinarians will monitor the health of the cats and dogs who remain at the shelter, Cavitt said.
“This is an unfortunate incident and we deeply regret having to close to the public,” Luke said. “But the health and welfare of the animals we care for is our top priority.”
More than 100 pets from the Cobb shelter have been adopted out over the last two years as part of a program started by Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell.
It’s called Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets, in which a dog or cat is adopted by a military veteran. Superior Plumbing of Cobb provides the funding to cover adoption fees.
Superior announced recently it was donating another $5,000 to cover 100 more adoptions.
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This just in from Cobb County government: Mabry Road is closed north of Shallowford Road due to a gas main break.
There aren’t many details yet but the alert said the closure could last for several hours.
We’ll update here when we get more information.
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Catching up to some recent retail and other openings in East Cobb, as well as new business just getting their licenses:
At the Market Plaza Shopping Center (1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 40), Pineapple Porch Boutique is open next to Los Bravos, owned by Kentucky native Jeanette Culling and featuring home furnishings, decor, accessories, fragrances, Bourbon barrel foods and more. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6.
As we noted recently, AJ’s Famous Seafood and Po Boys is adding an oyster bar, and that has opened adjacent to the main restaurant at the Pavilions at East Lake (2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2148) that’s open Tues-Sun 11:30a-9p.
What used to be known as Thompson’s Frame and Gallery at the Shops at Woodlawn (1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite C) has been renamed the LM Frame and Gallery with a remodeling for “a more contemporary look and feel and will have a special focus on local and emerging artists.” Hours are daily 10-6.
The fitness studio SPENGA East Cobb held its grand opening last weekend at Merchants Walk (1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 404). The emphasis is on cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training in scheduled classes.
Also at Market Plaza, and also in the fitness studio realm, is MOTION Stretch Studio (1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 26). A one-on-one stretching concept aims to increase flexibility and range of motion with the guidance of stretch coaches.
At The Avenue East Cobb, a pop-up shop called Solstice has opened (4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1030) selling metaphysical and eco-friendly items, including artisan gifts, jewelry, pottery, mixed-media artwork, lotions, candles and teas. A grand opening takes place Friday from 7-9 p.m.; hours are Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 12-6 and it will be open through Dec. 31.
New retail/restaurant/service businesses granted licenses in the last couple of weeks or that have just opened include the following:
Precision Krav Maga at North Johnson Ferry Place (3000 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 210), is open, and offers classes in Krav Maga, kickboxing, karate, weapons, women’s self-defense, and other martial arts programs;
Sunny Day Spa at Parkaire Landing (4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 430), located next to Tuesday morning;
Happy Tails Animal Hospital (4970 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 12).
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A visitation and memorial service will be held on Friday in Marietta for former Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee.
Lee died on Sunday at the age of 62 after a battle with esophageal cancer.
The visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Marietta (56 Whitlock Ave.) followed by a memorial service there at 1 p.m.
A visitation and memorial service also will take place Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Clarkesville First United Methodist Church in northeast Georgia.
Flags at Cobb County government buildings are flying at half-staff this week in Lee’s honor.
Lee represented a district in East Cobb from 2002-2010 on the Cobb Board of Commissioners, then he won a two-year term to fill the unexpired term of Sam Olens as chairman. Lee was re-elected in 2012 and the following year negotiated the deal that brought the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County and built SunTrust Park with nearly $400 million in public financing.
But he was defeated in 2016 by East Cobb resident Mike Boyce, who was critical of Lee’s handling of the deal.
In 2017 Lee took an economic development job in Habersham County. Last year he was diagnosed with cancer, and the cancer returned recently.
Lee’s family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
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A disbarred attorney who pleaded guilty earlier this year to defrauding elderly and other clients in Cobb County and who was a fugitive wanted for his mother’s murder was captured over the weekend in Tennessee.
Richard Merritt, who was sentenced in January to 30 years, with 15 to serve, on 34 counts of theft and elder abuse, also is facing murder charges in DeKalb County.
Merritt’s mother was found stabbed and beaten to death on Feb. 2, the day after Merritt was to have turned himself in to begin serving his Cobb prison sentences, according to the U.S. Marshal’s Office in Nashville.
That’s where Merritt was spotted and arrested, while shopping at a thrift store, according to published reports. Photographs and footage of his apprehension showed he had grown his hair and beard long.
On Monday he was booked into the Davidson County Jail in Nashville, charged with a felony count of being a fugitive from justice. His bond is $250,000.
The manhunt for Merritt began after police found his mother’s body at her Stone Mountain home. Shirley Merritt’s car was missing and his was parked at the home, according to DeKalb Police.
Police also said at the time that in addition to his failure to surrender himself, Merritt, 44, removed an ankle monitor as part of his sentencing.
Merritt, whose law practice was in Smyrna, was indicted in 2018 on 34 counts of theft by taking, forgery and elder exploitation. According to the indictment, starting in 2015, he settled clients’ cases for such things as accidents and civil disputes without telling them by forging their signatures, then pocketing the settlement checks.
Those ranged between $1,500 and $75,000, according to the indictment. Some of those clients were elderly, prompting the charges of elder exploitation.
He pleaded guilty to all 34 counts, according to Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s records, and was sentenced to serve most of them 10-15 years concurrently. At the sentencing Merritt was ordered to serve 15 years in prison, with the rest on probation if he turned himself in at the Cobb jail on Feb. 1.
Merritt also was ordered to pay than $454,000 in restitution.
On Tuesday, Cobb District Attorney Joyette Holmes said “that it is a relief to know he is back in custody and I am confident that justice will ultimately prevail.”
She also said that “at some point he will be returned to Cobb for a hearing to revoke his probation.”
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Join us on Monday, October 28th at Indian Hills Country Club for the fifth annual “Fore the Cure” golf tournament benefiting It’s The Journey, a local 501c3 charitable organization that raises money exclusively for breast health and breast cancer programs in Georgia. This event is chaired by longtime East Cobb residents George and Kathy Bartelme.
“We love that It’s The Journey is a small organization making a big impact in our community. Since 2002, they have funded 335 grants totaling $14 million to support everything from breast exams, screening, diagnostics, genetic counseling and testing, biopsies, support services and to research, all right here in Georgia. As a breast cancer survivor, it meant a lot to me find an organization that was helping the women and men in my community in meaningful, tangible ways,” said Kathy.
The Bartelme support has evolved into an annual golf tournament that is now in its fifth year. The annual “Fore the Cure” golf tournament has raised over $200,000 since 2015. This year the tournament will take place on Monday, October 28th at the Indian Hills Country Club. Registration begins at 9:30 am, with a shotgun start at 11:00 am. Participants will receive the use of a golf cart, lunch, 18 holes of golf, players package and prizes for golf challenges. Individual, foursome, and corporate sponsorships are available as well as donations for the silent auction and in-kind gifts. It is a very fun tournament and players consist of both members/non-members of Indian Hills as well as men and women.
There will also be a silent auction the day of the tournament. Items for auction include golf packages, sports memorabilia, original artwork, themed gift baskets, and more.
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Art in the Dark is a one night Art Show consisting entirely of light dependent art installations, performance art and activities. Projects placed inside and outside TAP will range from wall projections, lighted sculptures, lighted pottery, and glowing art.
Additionally, in the black box theatre 2 improv performances of Séance will occur – an entirely improvised radio show performed in the dark.
Outside we will also have glow bocce ball for guests to play with
Finally, one classroom will be transformed into an interactive glow wall where guests can take pictures and another classroom will 6 different types of glow slime you can take home.
Event is open to all ages, but if you are over 21 you can purchase a ticket that includes a glass of wine.
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