Month: August 2024

East Cobb residential real estate sales, July 22-26, 2024

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Hickory Woods, East Cobb real estate sales
Hickory Woods

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records. They include the street address, subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:

July 22

4489 Chattahoochee Plantation Drive, 30067 (Chattahoochee Plantation, Walton): $1 million

276 Farm Road, 30067 (Walton): $2.2 million

2101 Arbor Oaks Drive, Building 8, 30062 (Arbor Oaks, Sprayberry): $530,000

2760 Vintage Reserve Lane, Unit 18, 30066 (Vintage Club Condos, Sprayberry): $450,000

4071 Devonshire Drive, 30066 (Canterbury North, Sprayberry): $585,000

727 Scottish Mill Run, 30068 (Princeton Mill, Wheeler): $665,000

1177 Stream View Way, 30066 (Blackjack Hills, Sprayberry): $572,500

1547 Bells Ferry Road, 30066 (Sprayberry):$376,000

2106 Hawthorne Point, 30062 (Chadds Ford, Pope): $750,000

2735 Spencers Trace, 30062 (Holly Springs East, Pope): $490,000

3605 Blackwell Run, 30066 (Blackwell Road, Sprayberry): $345,000

4514 Reva Way, 30066 (Stockton Place, Lassiter): $450,000

61 Sherwood Lane, 30067 (Riverside Park Estates, Walton): $740,000

2337 Smoke Rise Court, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): $800,000

July 23

3977 Devonshire Drive, 30066 (Canterbury North, Sprayberry): $430,000

634 Gunby Road, 30067 (Sibley Forest, Wheeler): $1.45 million

738 Foxcroft Trail, 30067 (Stratford, Wheeler): $475,000

3764 Cherokee Place, 30067 (Cherokee Crossing, Wheeler): $552,000

742 Indian Hills Parkway, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $2.4 million

1290 Cameron Creek, 30062 (Cameron Park, Marietta): $525,000

2499 Oakrill Road, 30062 (Cedar Forks, Pope): $380,000

494 Edward C0urt, 30066 (Hidden Hills, Sprayberry): $380.000

2662 Lee Ann Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills, Sprayberry): $425,000

574 Charing Cross Drive, 30066 (Canterbury North, Sprayberry): $422,000

July 24

703 Cheswich Overlook, 30067 (Belmont, Wheeler): $956,000

2333 Sandy Oaks Drive, 30066 (The Oaks at Sandy Plains, Sprayberry): $550,000

1978 New Kemp Road, 30066 (St. Charles Square, Sprayberry): $525,000

2804 Baccurate Drive, 30066 (Covington Ridge, Pope): $1.14 million

1327 Shadowood Court, 30066 (Blackwell Road, Sprayberry): $425,000

958 Old Farm Walk, 30066 (Hadley Farm, Sprayberry): $387,500

2702 Raven Trail, 30066 (Falcon Crest, Lassiter): $383,000

1275 Lake Colony Drive, 30068 (Lake Colony, Walton): $650,000

July 25

1744 Hickory Woods Pass, 30066 (Hickory Woods, Sprayberry): $865,000

625 Belmont Crest Drive, 30067 (Belmont, Wheeler): $940,000

971 Oriole Lane, 30067 (Meadow Brook, Wheeler): $525,000

3341 Lower Roswell Road, 30067 (Wheeler): $445,000

260 Blue Sky Drive, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $475,000

3940 Audubon Drive, 30068 (Pinecrest, Walton): $753,000

1999 Kinridge Road, 30062 (Piedmont Bend, Sprayberry): $450,000

2027 Ferry Drive, 30066 (Kings Wood Estates, Sprayberry): $372,500

1283 Townley Place, 30066 (Channon, Sprayberry): $400,000

3237 Creek Hollow Drive, 30062 (The Glenns, Lassiter): $395,900

4088 Longford Ridge Drive, 30066 (Longford, Kell): $430,000

558 Gramercy Drive, 30068 (River Park at Hampton Farms, Walton): $1.9 million

July 26

2750 Twisted Oak Lane, 30066 (Tanglewood Estates, Lassiter): $1.323 million

2798 Adante Court, 30068 (The Oaks of Old Canton, Pope): $1.28 million

349 Lamplighter Lane, 30067 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): $730,000

2614 Crockett Drive, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $499,900

2213 Clearwater Drive, 30067 (Freywood Estates, Wheeler): $335,000

31 Hunting Creek Drive, 30068 (Pioneer Woods, Wheeler): $380,000

3266 Timberloch Drive, 30068 (Sentinel Lake, Wheeler): $825,000

49 Peppertree C0urt, 30068 (Peppermill, Wheeler): $775,000

1897 Beaver Dam Lane, 30062 (Beaver Brook Farms, Pope): $390,000

2057 Kingswood Drive, 30066 (Kings Wood Estates, Sprayberry): $545,000

2350 Prince Howard Way, 30062 (Corinth, Pope): $615,000

2413 Kingsley Drive, 30062 (Newcastle, Pope): $420,000

596 Parliament Street, 30066 (Downing Street, Sprayberry): $467,000

3030 Karen Lane, 30062 (Mountain View, Sprayberry): $360,000

4162 Stonechat Court, 30075 (Hedgerow, Lassiter): $663,000

3308 Mountain Hollow Drive, 30062 (The Glenns, Lassiter): $415,o00

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Take the 2024 East Cobb News Reader Survey—tell us how we’re doing!

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2024 East Cobb News Reader Survey
Special events, from Avenue East Cobb’s new plaza garden party to church holiday concerts, are a staple of East Cobb News coverage.

Every couple years we like to survey our readership to find out how we can better serve all of you.

Two years ago, as the post-COVID era began, I thought it would be helpful to gauge our readers, and many of you provided very useful feedback.

East Cobb News continues to adapt coverage to make it relevant for you, as we expanded into some more featurized topics and issues, and as we undertake a new Power of Local campaign to drive home how local news, business and communtity-building go hand-in-hand.

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Last year, East Cobb News had its best traffic year ever at nearly 1.7 million pageviews, without a pandemic or elections.

We’ve got election coverage still to come in the fall, but it’s very gratifying to know that East Cobb News readers come to our site, visit our social media channels and subscribe to our newsletter for all kinds of news—that’s what a general-interest news outlet strives to achieve.

So thanks to all of you for your visits! Now we’re asking you to tell us what you think of what you get from East Cobb News.

2024 East Cobb News Reader Survey
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What’s happening in East Cobb is why you come here, and we want to better serve your interests and understand what you value about this community resource.

Unlike corporate-owned media, East Cobb News answers above all to our readers, with the objective of meeting the news and information needs in our community. Your answers will help us tailor our product to make it really appeal to what’s important to you.

Don’t be bashful—tell us what we’re doing well, what we could do better or different or even not at all. We appreciate your readership and look forward to delivering more community news and information that’s relevant to you as we continue in 2024 and into the new year.

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We’ll be collecting responses through September, so please feel free to complete the survey as you can. We’ll share the responses we head into the last quarter of the year.

Thanks so much for your readership of East Cobb News!

2024 East Cobb News Reader Survey
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Cobb Police kill suspect at Cobb Parkway Walgreen’s store

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Cobb Police said early Saturday that officers shot and killed “a wanted suspect” at a Walgreen’s pharmacy on Cobb Parkway, near Windy Ridge Parkway, late Friday night.Cobb Police kill suspect at Cobb Parkway Walgreen's store

Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release that the unnamed suspect at the Walgreen’s at 2670 Cobb Parkway was fired upon as police tried to make contact around 11:27 p.m. Friday.

“During the ensuing altercation, the suspect, who was armed with a gun, was shot,” Wilson said, adding that the suspect was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cobb Police didn’t provide more information and have turned the matter over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, as it does in officer-involved shootings.

The GBI identified the suspect at Nathan Jenkins, 32, of Valdosta, who had several outstanding warrants, but the agency didn’t specify what they were for.

The GBI said that agents at the scene recovered a handgun belonging to Jenkins and that the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy.

The GBI said that anyone with information about the incident can submit  anonymous tips by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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2 more East Cobb massage businesses face license hearings

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2 more East Cobb massage businesses face license hearings
Top Massage is located in a small strip retail center on Roswell Road at Robinson Road West.

A month after revoking a business license for a health spa on Canton Road, the Cobb Board of Commissioners will be asked Tuesday to decide whether “due cause exists” to approve similar action for two other such businesses in the East Cobb area.

According to Tuesday’s meeting agenda, a public hearings has been scheduled for the V Massage (2800 Canton Road, Suite 1200), which was delayed from last month.

There’s also a hearing scheduled to consider revoking the license for Top Massage (2200 Roswell Road, Suite 150).

The hearings will take place near the end of Tuesday’s regular commission business meeting.

Like the health spas, Top Massage is accused by the Cobb Community Development Agency’s Business License Division of not having properly licensed therapists on staff or premises.

An agenda item said business license officials and Cobb Police visited the business on April 10 and found two employees working there—one of them performing a message—who had health spa permits but not the required state massage therapist license.

There also wasn’t a state licensed therapist at the business at the time, which also violates the county code, according to the agenda item.

At V Massage, a compliance check in February noted that an employee had neither the health spa permit or state massage license, and there were no records of treatment at the business, nor were the owners or licensees there at the time.

The business was issued citations for those and other violations of the county code, and V Massage was granted a delay last month.

In July, commissioners voted to revoke the license of Asian Wellness Massage (3372 Canton Road, Suite 110), for similar reasons, with “serious” violations going back to 2022.

Cobb officials said they were alerted by the Georgia Attorney General’s office that the business was advertising on adult websites.

Agency officials said that during a police compliance check in late 2022, an investigator noticed that people were living on the premises, with a bed in a hallway, as well as hot plates, suitcases, non-work clothing and several pairs of shoes.

The business owner denied the charges, even after its license renewal was denied in April. Asian Wellness also had no records of massage treatments provided, and the business did not post its operating hours.

At the July hearing before commissioners, Sam Hensley, attorney for the Cobb Business License Division, said that there’s concern in the community for the potential for illicit activities, “including trafficking and sexual conduct occurring at businesses providing massages.”

Asian Wellness, which was forced to close, can reapply for its license in 12 months.

Another health spa in East Cobb, Peace Spa at 4994 Lower Roswell Road, decided not to appeal a Cobb License Review Board’s decision to issue a two-week suspension earlier this year for similar issues.

Commissioners voted in June to impose a six-month moratorium on granting new licenses to health spas at the request of county officials, who have expressed concern that “illicit health spa establishments are evading code and law enforcement.”

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta).

The full agenda for can be found by clicking here.

You also can watch on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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Kell, Walton kick off 2024 football season in Corky Kell Classic

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High school football is less than a week away. Kell football games cancelled

The 2024 season kicks off in mid-week for one East Cobb team as the Corky Kell +Dave Hunter Classic gets underway on Wednesday.

The Stockyard, Kell’s home stadium, will be playing host to a doubleheader on Wednesday, led by Douglass-Atlanta vs. LaGrange at 4:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. the Longhorns will be facing North Atlanta.

In 2023, Kell went 9-2 and reached the first round of the Class 5A Georgia High School Association playoffs.

Named after Corky Kell, the late Wheeler football coach, and former Brookwood coach Dave Hunter the event continues through the week at venues in Forsyth County, Dacula and Rome, culminating with four games on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Walton Raiders, who had one of their best seasons in school history last year, lead things off Saturday morning with a 10 a.m. game against Brookwood.

Last year, the Raiders reached the Class 7A state championship game before losing to Milton and finished with a 13-1 record.

An all-classification poll by MaxPrep Sports has Walton in at No. 12 in the state, the only school from Cobb in the Top 25, but the Raiders lost many of their top offensive players.

On Friday, the other East Cobb schools are in action in regular-season games as well, and they’re all playing at home.

Alexander is at Sprayberry (6-4), Cambridge is at Pope (2-8), Midtown is at Lassiter (1-9) and North Forsyth is at Wheeler (8-3), which also qualified for the Class 7A playoffs.

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Cobb Senior Citizen Council to hold health care seminar

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The Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County is holding a seminar on Aug. 16 seminar on “Taking Charge of Your Own Health Care.”

The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ron Anderson Recreation Center (3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs).

This seminar will be led by a Professional Patient Advocate who has developed an interactive presentation especially for our senior attendees which will include:

  • Being charged for services not received or requested
  • Dealing with doctors who do not really listen to you
  • Finding who to call when a hospital stay is not going well

There will be ample time for questions and probably some illustrative role-playing also.

This FREE event is for everyone who values their health care. Registration is required! Please click here to RSVP:
Cobb Senior Citizen Council to hold health care seminar

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Music Studio Atlanta students to perform at Carnegie Hall

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Music Studio Atlanta students to perform at Carnegie Hall
The Music Studio Atlanta’s musicians ending their Sept 11, 2022 performance at the famous Fox Theater in Atlanta.

Submitted information and photo:

The Music Studio Atlanta is thrilled to announce that a select group of its talented students will be performing at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City on July 5, 2025. This extraordinary opportunity marks a significant milestone in the students’ musical journeys and showcases the exceptional quality of education and talent nurtured at The Music Studio Atlanta.

Since its grand opening in 1891, Carnegie Hall has been the epitome of musical excellence, hosting legendary artists from Tchaikovsky to The Beatles. Its hallowed halls have echoed with the performances of the finest musicians across all genres, making it a dream stage for any artist. The Music Studio Atlanta’s students are now set to join this illustrious list, adding their names to the roll call of history.

The Music Studio Atlanta’s young musicians have already wowed audiences at prestigious venues like Fox Theatre and The Strand in Atlanta, Graceland in Memphis, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Now, they will take their talent to the heart of New York City. To be considered for the Carnegie Hall performance, students must be enrolled with The Music Studio Atlanta through the performance date, have performed in at least one recital, and receive approval from their teacher.

Cecilia Rowe, the owner of The Music Studio Atlanta, shared her excitement, stating, “We are beyond thrilled to take our students and families to such a prestigious venue. This is not just a performance; it’s a weekend of memories that these students will cherish forever. Performing at Carnegie Hall is a dream come true and a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Founded 12 years ago in Vinings, The Music Studio Atlanta has expanded to an East Cobb location, earning accolades along the way. Recently awarded Top 25 Cobb County 2024 Small Business of the Year for the second consecutive year, the studio has also been recognized in Best of Cobb and named National School of the Year by MASS, a nationwide organization of music studio owners.

The Music Studio opened in 2011 growing out of Courtnay & Rowe In-Home Music Academy and continuing a 30+ year tradition of offering quality music lessons to thousands of Atlanta students, of all ages and levels. With locations in Vinings and East Cobb, this multi-award winning studio offers lessons in piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, woodwinds and preschool music, 7 days a week and employs a large roster of top-notch teachers and support staff.

tudents enjoy many opportunities to perform including Holiday/Winter Concerts, bi-monthly Open Mic Nights, Summer Recitals, St. Angelo’s Summer Series, and their Destination Performance Series where students perform on some of the most famous stages across the country.

The Music Studio Atlanta is especially proud of its proprietary, patent-pending reward curriculum, which encourages student progress through a series of rewards and recognition, as well as their involvement in their local community with their Café Jam program that goes into elementary schools and performs and educates students about music in the school cafeteria at lunchtime.

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Georgia Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

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Georgia Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

Submitted information and photo:

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra has announced its 74th season schedule. Led by Music Director and Conductor Timothy Verville, the multifaceted arts organization continues to set itself apart by offering an array of innovative orchestral, choral, jazz, family and sensory-friendly programming.

Classics Series

The Symphony will begin its classics series on Oct. 12, 2024, with Rhapsody in Blue, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s famous composition. Robert Henry will be the featured pianist. The GSO Chorus will join the orchestra in honoring a ground-breaking era in musical history with a medley of popular songs from the 1920s.

The GSO’s mid-season Suite Treats performance on Feb. 1, 2025, will offer a thrilling musical experience with the instantly recognizable “Peer Gynt Suite” by Edvard Grieg, along with the Academy-award winning music of John Williams from the beloved classic “Star Wars.”

The May 17, 2025, season finale, We the People, will delve into various perspectives of American life. The repertoire includes Igor Stravinsky’s orchestration of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by John Stafford Smith and Francis Scott Key and Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite.” The GSO also will present the world premiere of Verville’s original composition, “Requiem Americano,” which uses American music to speak to our most pressing societal issues. To enhance this powerful performance, the Symphony will be joined by Atlanta’s favorite tenor, Timothy Miller, the Atlanta Boy Choir and the GSO Chorus.

Holiday Pops

The orchestra and GSO chorus will present the annual Holiday Pops! on Dec. 7 and 8, 2024. This beloved holiday tradition will include timeless favorites, new classics and a robust sing-along. A kindly gentleman in his famous red suit will make an appearance and stick around for cookies and pictures after the concert.

GSO JAZZ!

The music of one of the most innovative jazz composers and performers is featured in the season opening performance of the GSO Jazz! Led by saxophonist and Artistic Director Sam Skelton, the band will present Miles Ahead: the Magic of Miles Davis on Feb. 15, 2025, featuring inventive renditions of classics like “So What” and “All Blues.”

On March 28, 2025, Skelton will lead a GSO Jazz! Big-Band performance of West Coast Swing, an electrifying concert featuring the best of West Coast jazz and highlighting the legendary sounds of Stan Kenton, Bill Holman and Buddy Rich, to name a few.

GSO Chorus

On March 9, 2025, the 100-plus members of the GSO Chorus, led by JG Morgan GSO Chorus Director Bryan Black, will perform Lux Perpetua: Light of Hope. Musical selections will feature “Song for Athene” by John Tavener, “Gate, Gate” by Brian Tate, an arrangement of “My God is a Rock” by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, and the original version of Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem” with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

GSO’s Family and Sensory-Friendly Concert Series

The GSO’s family and sensory-friendly concert series opens on Nov. 9, 2024, with Symphonic Superheroes: Music to Save the Day! The program will feature music connected with beloved film characters like Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman and many more.

On March 22, 2025, the Symphony will bring to life the tale of a young boy on an adventurous exploration, in a narrated version of Sergei Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf.” Audience members also will enjoy Gustav Holst’s lively “St. Paul’s Suite,” a delightful piece originally composed for the students at the school where Holst taught.

Season subscription packages go on sale on Aug. 1, 2024. Single event tickets go on sale on Aug. 12, 2024. For more information, visit georgiasymphony.org.

 

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Pope HS graduate earns bronze medal in Olympic weightlifting

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When Hampton Morris stood upon the Olympic weightlifting podium in Paris Thursday to accept a bronze medal, he was making a piece of history.Pope HS graduate earns bronze medal in Olympic weightlifting

The Pope High School graduate, who tied an Olympic record in the 61-kilogram category (134 pounds) during the competition, became the first American male weightlifter to earn a medal since the Los Angeles Games of 1984.

The 20-year-0ld Morris, who trains in his garage with his father Tripp as his coach, had already qualified for a medal on Wednesday when he attempted what would have been a world record of 178 kilograms in the clean-and-jerk (392 pounds) but came up just short.

The winner was Li Fabin of China, who lifted 368 pounds in his final clean-and-jerk try to win the gold, followed by Theerapong Silachai of Thailand with the silver medal.

“Oh, it was amazing,” Morris said when asked to describe his experience on the medal podium, according to quotes provided by USA Wrestling.

“It was so much more than I imagined. I’m so happy.”

He said there was a wide range of emotions during the competition, especially since he was one of the younger competitors there.

“This whole time I’ve just been so excited to be here,” he said. “I was very happy when I made that first snatch and I felt very solid. I felt relieved that I made it. That second snatch, I was still confident and knew what I needed to correct. I did that on the third snatch. I was very solid and I’m very happy with what I put up.”

Morris, who graduated from Pope in 2022, began competing in weightlifting in 2016. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world in the 61-kilogram category, where he holds two senior American records.

His latest, a 176-kilogram lift in April, qualified him for the Olympics.

Here’s more about Morris’ weightlifting exploits, and below is a video documentary called “Hamp the Champ.”

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Judicial emergency declared in Cobb over court filing system

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Cobb Superior Court, Cobb judicial emergency

Weeks after a new online filing system was installed in Cobb Superior Court, a Cobb judge has declared a 30-day “judicial emergency,” saying that serious filing issues and delays are plaguing the new system and prompting many court proceedings to be ground to a halt.

In an order issued Wednesday, Gregory Poole, Chief Judge of the Cobb Judicial Circuit, said that much court business has been impacted by the changes, and issued a 30-day extension of deadlines for filing motions, setting court calendars and other proceedings.

The following items are covered under the order:

  • the time within which to file a writ of habeas corpus;
  • the time within which discovery or any aspect thereof to be completed;
  • the time within which to serve a party;
  • motions for new trial;
  • answers in civil cases;
  • the time within which to appeal or seek right to appeal any order, ruling, or other determination;
  • and such other legal proceedings as determined to be necessary by the authorized judicial official.

    Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge Gregory Poole

(You can read Poole’s order by clicking here.)

The order applies only to Cobb Superior Court, which handles felonies, major civil litigation, divorces, child support matters and more. State Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court and Juvenile Court systems in Cobb are not affected by the order, which is effective starting Wednesday.

In late June, Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor installed a new court filing system, ICON CMS 360, replacing the old system, called CRIS. But the move was done without judges being informed, and with a bevy of errors and malfunctions that have been plaguing operations ever since, he said.

Poole’s order said that Taylor notified him on July 11 that e-filing would be unavailable for four days, then was extended to July 16.

On July 30, according to Poole’s order, the Clerk’s office notified him that the processing of some files would be delayed due to the CMS conversion, and some might not be visible in the system “for between 25 and 35 business days.”

In a release Wednesday, Cobb government said that “the issues most impactful to the administration of justice . . . include the inability of court staff and litigants to retrieve information about cases, inaccurate scheduling and notices, and inaccurate or incomplete documents.”

Poole conferred with the other 10 Superior Court judges before issuing the judicial emergency, which is allowed under Georgia law for an initial period of 30 days when serious problems arise to prevent the court from operating normally.

“The nature of the emergency is such that the Clerk of Superior Court’s CMS conversion has so disrupted the functioning of the court as to have substantially endangered or infringed upon the normal functioning of the judicial system,” Poole wrote in the order.

“The Chief Judge also believes that the CMS conversion has raised serious due process and other constitutional concerns.”

Among the problems cited by Poole in his order is the inability of law enforcement to locate bench warrants and protective orders, documents being filed with erroneous filing dates, legal parties being unable to to verify deadlines and access filings for their cases and lost documents, including criminal indictments and accusations.

“The Clerk’s Office has turned away litigants, attorneys, court reporters, and others from its front counter, refusing to accept documents presented for filing,” Poole wrote, adding that defense attorneys and their clients have not been getting the same access to the system as prosecutors.

In some cases, Poole said, indigent defendants were being charged to copy filed documents, and some criminal cases have been marked at closed, preventing staff, attorneys and litigants from gaining access.

“On several occasions, defendants in criminal cases called the Clerk’s Office to verify a court date and were told that no court date had been scheduled even though a court date had been set,” Poole continued. “This led to several defendants nearly missing or missing a court appearance and barely avoiding the issuance of a bench warrant.”

Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor
Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor

Taylor, a Democrat who is seeking a second term in November, has not commented publicly on the order of judicial emergency.

She is a state constitutional officer, and her term in office has been marked by controversy. She acknowledged personally pocketing $425,000 in passport fees—court clerks are allowed to do this—a sum that far exceeded her predecessors.

Taylor allegedly ordered one of her staffers to destroy documents related to the matter, telling her to “Donald Trump this thing.”

By end of last year, Taylor’s office was falling behind filing documents to the court systems, sometimes by several months.

In his order Wednesday, Poole said Taylor told him that many of the backlogs can be attributed to staff shortages.

Taylor—her annual salary is $170,000—drew three Democratic primary opponents in May, who all cited performance issues in the clerk’s office.

But she easily defeated them without a runoff.

Taylor’s general election opponent in November is Republican Deborah Dance, a former Cobb County Attorney and a former member of the Cobb Planning Commission.

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East Cobb Food Scores: First Watch; Marlow’s; Moxie Burger; more

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First Watch, Sandy Plains Marketplace

The following food scores have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Arbor Terrace of East Cobb
886 Johnson Ferry Road
August 8, 2024 Score: 93, Grade: A

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant
2745 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 260
August 5, 2024 Score: 92, Grade: A

East Cobb Fit Nutrition Club
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 130
August 6, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

First Watch
3460 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 130
August 6, 2024 Score: 91, Grade: A

J. Christopher’s
1275 Powers Ferry Road
August 9, 2024 Score: 91, Grade: A

Jet’s Pizza
2900 Delk Road, Suite 300
August 5, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Jimmy Mac’s Food and Spirits
3205 Canton Road, Suite 105
August 8, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

Little Caesars Pizza
3372 Canton Road, Suite 100
August 6, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A

Mabry Middle School
2700 Jims Road
August 7, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: 

Marlow’s Tavern
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 109
August 7, 2024 Score: 87, Grade: B

McCleskey Middle School
4080 Maybreeze Road
August 8, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

McDonald’s
1291 Bells Ferry Road
August 6, 2024 Score: 89, Grade: B

Moxie Burger
255 Village Parkway, Suite 110
August 8, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

Scooter’s Cafe
2943 Canton Road, Suite 1600
August 8, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Shadowood Cafe
2110 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 120
August 6, 2024 Score: 75, Grade: C

Shish Kabob Mediterranean Grill
2060 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 280
August 7, 2024 Score: 92, Grade: A

The Solana East Cobb
1032 Johnson Ferry Road
August 9, 2024 Score: 84, Grade: B

Vatica Indian Cuisine
1475 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 105
August 5, 2024 Score: 84, Grade: B

Waffle House
4797 Canton Road
August 6, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Xengo
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 420
August 8, 2024 Score: 91, Grade: A

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Cobb to appeal court order for new commission elections

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Cobb County is appealing a recent court ruling ordering new commission elections, continuing a dispute over electoral maps at that’s nearly two years old.

The county issued a statement Tuesday saying it’s filed motions in Cobb Superior Court to become a party to a complaint filed in March against the Cobb Board of Elections and reverse an order by Judge Kellie Hill last month that invalidated primary elections for commission districts 2 and 4.

In the statement the county said its action is an attempt to reverse the order “to ensure proper legal procedures were followed and to protect the interests of Cobb County taxpayers.” The new action is asking that the May primary results stand.

The filings come several days after commissioners conducted an executive session that didn’t specify a reason.

Hill said that those elections were conducted using maps approved by the commission’s three Democrats and violated the Georgia Constitution.

The county maps were approved under a claim of home rule. But in her ruling, issued July 26, Hill backed up a January ruling by Cobb Superior Court Judge Ann Harris that only the Georgia legislature can conduct county reapportionment.

Kennesaw-area resident Alicia Adams had filed a complaint against the elections board—not the county—after being disqualified as a Republican candidate in District 2 under the home rule maps, which include some of East Cobb. She lives within the District 2 boundaries in the legislative maps.

“The Court, having ruled the Home Rule Map unconstitutional in the companion appeal finds the Plaintiff has a clear legal right to seek qualification for the Cobb County Commission, Post 2, using the Legislative Map, if qualified, to run for a special primary in that post,” Hill states in the ruling.

That decision invalidate the District 2 and 4 primaries until most likely after the November general elections. The terms of Democratic commissioners Jerica Richardson and Monique Sheffield, respectively, expire in December.

In its filings Monday, the county referenced the rights of voters in the two affected districts, saying new elections would be “disruptive and contrary to the public interest” to change the maps with the general election so close.

New elections could deprive voters in those areas of elected representation possibly in June of next year, and hit taxpayers with the cost of special elections, the county is now arguing.

“I am hopeful the judge in this matter can provide clarity in responding to our county attorney’s inquiries on behalf of our Board,” said Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, a Democrat, in the county’s statement on Tuesday.

She’s on the November ballot seeking a second term. Sheffield won her District 4 Democratic primary easily, and would have been unopposed in November.

In District 2, former Cobb school board member Jaha Howard won the Democratic primary, and East Cobb resident Pamela Reardon qualified under the home rule maps. Hill’s order would disqualify Reardon.

Richardson, who was drawn out of her East Cobb home in District 2 under the legislative maps—triggering the long-drawn-out-dispute—decided not to seek re-election and ran unsuccessfully for 6th District Congress.

East Cobb News has left a message with Richardson seeking comment.

The two Republican commissioners, Keli Gambrill of North Cobb and JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb, oppose the county’s new legal filings (their terms expire at the end of 2026).

Birrell was re-elected in 2022 under legislative maps that placed most of her district in East Cobb.

Both GOP representatives have filed statements at each board business meeting since January 2023 stating their objections to the home rule maps.

Cupid, Richardson and Sheffield voted in October 2022 to approve the home rule maps to conduct county business. The Cobb elections board decided earlier this year to follow those same maps for the primaries.

The county is no longer arguing for the validity of its maps, but the process for determining how two of its district commissioners will be chosen by voters.

“While the county agreed it would return to the state legislative map in a lawful and orderly manner, the motions were filed to ensure proper legal procedures were followed and to protect the interests of Cobb County taxpayers,” the county’s statement Tuesday states.

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Cats at Cobb Animal Shelter rescued after FPV outbreak

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Cats at Cobb Animal Shelter rescued after FPV outbreak
This cat affected by FPV survived the outbreak, according to FurKids, a volunteer rescue groups which is trying to place felines rescued from the Cobb Animal Shelter.

Earlier Monday we got a message from a reader in East Cobb saying there was a frantic effort underway to rescue cats at the Cobb Animal Shelter due to a major outbreak of panleukopenia (feline distemper/FPV) over the weekend.

Among the rescue groups involved is Fur Kids, which said it has pulled “dozens” of cats from the shelter to avert euthanasia.

Late Monday afternoon, Cobb Animal Services posted on its Facebook page that 50 cats had been rescued, and that the outbreak affected 100 cats.

“What does this mean?! It means we DO NOT need to euthanize!” the message stated. “We are INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL to our rescue groups! If you would like to adopt a cat or kitten, we will post here when the cat/kitten adoptions have reopened.”

FurKids said there were two cases of feline FPV, which is a highly contagious and potentially lethal parvovirus, at the Cobb Animal Shelter (info here about the disease).

FurKids is a major no-kill cat animal rescue non-profit based in Cumming. It said it’s raised around $5,000 for this emergency effort thus far, and is seeking more donations for the rescued animals from the Cobb shelter. (furkids.org/donation.)

“We will provide for all of their medical needs and will make sure they are fully vetted, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated before they are put up for adoption in a few weeks,” FurKids said. “On top of these intake and vetting costs, come the cost of daily care—food, shelter, medical needs, and everything in between.”

The Good Mews Animal Foundation in East Cobb also has rescued some of the kids along with its partner, the Kudzu Cat Alliance, and also is seeking donations for caring for those animals.

You can contribute to that effort by clicking here.

 

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Scene in East Cobb: Waterfront Drive closed for relocation

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Waterfront Drive closed for construction

Last week we drove along Waterfront Drive—which bisects the so-called “JOSH” mixed-use development at the southwest corner of Johnson Ferry and Shallowford Road—as work crews continued grading work.

This view looks out at what was called Maddox Lake, but will soon be the new route for Waterfront Drive.

The homes that were located along this stretch, east of Waterfront Circle, were torn down months ago.

Signs were out on Monday noting the closure of Waterfront Drive at Johnson Ferry Road; a December completion timetable at the earliest is estimated.

The first map below from Cobb DOT shows the current intersection with a blue star; the new intersection is shown with the purple star to align with the entrance to the Shallowford Falls Shopping Center.

The second map, an aerial rendering of property via the Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office, shows the new Waterfront Route in turquoise; it heads eastbound just above the dredged-up lake area, which is in a designated flood plain

The lake was named after former Gov. Lester Maddox, who lived nearby after his retirement from politics. Above the former lake will be the East Cobb Church, sitting on 20 acres. Below the flood plain area will be single-family homes on 12.9 acres that were the major bone of contention from nearby residents in Mar-Lanta during rezoning.

For the time being, the primary ways they can reach their neighborhood is from Mar-Lanta Drive at Shallowford Road and from Manor House Drive via Lassiter Road.

East Cobb Church had been meeting for Sunday afternoon services at Eastside Church but is now meeting temporarily in Roswell. The church, part of North Point Ministries, got rezoning from the Cobb Board of Commissioners for the full 33 acres in October 2021.

It then then sold to the residential portion of the property to Ashwood Atlanta, which is planning to build single-family detached homes.

East Cobb Church got a land disturbance permit from the county in March 2023. But construction has been delayed substantially due to dam reconstruction on the former lake site to accommodate the road relocation.

The church will have 125,000 square feet of worship and other indoor space, plus a parking lot.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, July 15-19, 2024

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Lassiter Ridge, East Cobb residential real estate sales
Lassiter Ridge

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records. They include the street address, subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:

July 15

1063 Amarose Lane, 30066 (Amelia Walk, Sprayberry): $$756,475

4355 Classic Links Court, 30067 (Parc at Chattahoochee Plantation, Walton): $2.925 million

3359 Keenland Road, 30062 (New Kent, Pope): $915,000

2517 Hampton Park Court, 30062 (Hampton Park, Sprayberry): $615,000

789 Oak Trail Drive, 30062 (Stoneoak Pointe, Wheeler): $620,000

4156 Chadds Crossing, 30062 (Chadds Ford, Pope): $532,500

2350 Holly Springs Road, 30062 (Pope): $495,000

2706 Windwatch Place, 30062 (Autumn Lake, Sprayberry): $495,000

3025 Wendlock Drive, 30062 (Wenwood, Pope): $471,000

3472 Winter Wood Way, 30062 (Country Crossing, Pope): $558,000

2565 Chestea Drive, 30066 (Cooks Valley, Lassiter): $740,000

1305 Lake Colony Drive, 30068 (Lake Colony, Walton): $500,000

July 16

3713 Willow Wind Drive, 30066 (Willow Wind, Sprayberry): $760,000

480 Timberlea Lake Drive, 30067 (Timberlea Lake, Wheeler): $660,000

2179 Rockwood Drive, 30067 (Freywood Estates, Wheeler): $386,000

3795 Creekview Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $2.1 million

2882 Blackberry Lane, 30068 (Cobb Estates, Wheeler): $453,000

3267 Mountain Hollow Drive, 30062 (The Glenns, Lassiter): $366,175

July 17

4731 Blisston Street, 30066 (Everleigh, Lassiter): $899,999

483 Fouse Court, 30066 (Canterbury, Sprayberry): $850,000

684 Maple Grove Way, 30066 (Hamilton Grove, Marietta): $500,000

520 Glen Eagles Circle, 30067 (The Columns, Walton): $950,000

2611 Beckwith Trail, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $499,000

3621 Wyntering Trail, 30068 (Wyntergreen, Walton): $725,101

250 Janis Drive, 30066 (Sprayberry): $310,000

3409 Bonaire Crossing, 30066 (Northampton, Lassiter): $880,000

4148 Brasher Drive, 30066 (Stocktons Chase, Kell): 4518,500

July 18

625 Crosshaven Drive, 30066 (Heritage Ridge, Marietta): $505,000

2112 Lassiter Field Drive, 30066 (Lassiter Ridge, Lassiter): $1.099 million

1082 Woodruff Plantation Parkway, 30067 (Terrell Mill, Wheeler): $1.22 million

630 Pine Point Trace, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $928,000

1823 Twin Branch Drive, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates, Sprayberry): $400,000

4470 Karls Gate Drive, 30068 (Princeton Lakes, Walton): $1.075 million

July 19

2413 Broward Drive, 30066 (Morgan Station, Sprayberry): $360,000

3754 Honey Pot Way, 30066 (Christopher Robbins, Kell): $700,000

2798 Hitchcock Mill Run, 30068 (Princeton Mill, Wheeler): $738,000

4325 Granby Way, 30062 (East Hampton, Walton): $995,000

3848 Creek Hollow Way, 30066 (The Glenns, Lassiter): $440,000

1554 East Bank Drive, 30068 (Jacksons Creek, Walton): $900,000

4730 Woodlawn Court, 30067 (Woodlawn Place, Walton): $830,000

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Mabry Park playground to be closed temporarily for upgrades

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Mabry Park Opening

Cobb PARKS announced this week that the playground at Mabry Park (4466 Mabry Park Road0 will be closed the week of Aug. 12-16 for new equipment to be installed.

“Weather permitting the work should be completed by 5 p.m. on Aug. 16,” according to a message sent out by Cobb PARKS in its August monthly newsletter.

As noted previously, the Mountain View Aquatic Center remains closed for renovations, and is expected to reopen Sept. 30.

Also, with school starting this week, there are new hours for the Sewell Park pool (2051 Lower Roswell Road).

The outdoor pool is open Saturdays and Sundays only from 1-6 p.m. through Sept. 2 (Labor Day). Admission fees are $3.50 for children ages 3-17, $4.50 for adults and $3 for seniors ages 55 and older.

 

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Cobb Public Safety to hold National Night Out event

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Submitted information:Cobb public safety appreciation

The partnership between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve has been vital in reducing crime levels. For law enforcement to be truly effective, they require the active support and engagement of citizens. This underscores the significance of events such as National Night Out (NNO), an annual tradition that unites community members and law enforcement to foster trust and promote a safer environment for all.

WHAT: National Night Out

WHO: Cobb County Public Safety

WHEN: Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

WHERE: Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road, Marietta, GA 30008)

National Night Out is more than just an evening of festivities; it’s an impactful initiative that began in 1984, spearheaded by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Celebrated across all states, NNO promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, making our communities safer and more caring.

The event offers activities for all ages, including live music, face painting, and a kid-friendly zone with games and inflatables. Public safety demonstrations from our K-9 unit, SWAT team, and fire department will be featured, and officers will be available to answer questions, share safety tips, and engage with the community.

Attendees can also meet local organization representatives, learn about crime prevention, and explore volunteer opportunities. Food vendors will offer local fare, making it a great night out for families.

We invite all Cobb County residents to join us in this effort to build stronger, safer communities.

Your participation is essential in creating a supportive environment where everyone feels secure.

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