The Atlanta-based Gate City Brass performs Sunday at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church.
The last weekend before Christmas brings to a close a number of related events in the East Cobb area.
On Friday and Saturday, Wesley Chapel UMC is having its long-standing Drive-Thru Nativity Scene from 7-9.
The birth of Christ will be played out with live actors and animals at the church (4495 Sandy Plains Road). It’s free and open to the public.
On Saturday, the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) will hold its annual Winter Festival from 10-5. There will be an artisanal market for last-dash holiday shopping, photos with Santa, an ugly sweater contest, music and more. Admission is free.
Christmas-themed music will be featured Sunday at a concert by the Atlanta-based Gate City Brass. They’ll be performing at 3 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road) as part of its Friends of Music concert series. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.
On Monday night, two days before Christmas, a Holiday Cabaret takes place starting at 7 p.m at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road). It’s organized by the Mountain View Arts Alliance, will all types of performers taking the stage. A silent auction takes place at the intermission, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the Best Friends Animal Society.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Commissioner Richardson’s fall capstone internship program has come to a close. These young, bright minds worked alongside our office to gain insight and and contribute to some strategic initiatives. The fall capstone projects were:
Bridge to success
Master planning/affordable housing
Taxpayer’s receipt
Library of the future
Renter’s bill of rights
Water quality technologies
Little Brazil community center
ARTS triangle
Esports conference
The interns showcased their projects to the community on Dec. 16. A huge thank you to our fall interns for their hard work on Cobb community projects.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
The annual Cobb Tank competition returned in 2024 with all the excitement and energy of a high-stakes reality show. This educator-focused game show provided an inspiring look at how Cobb teachers are innovating instruction. This year’s showcase brought educators from across the District together in a celebration of ingenuity and dedication as educators pitched their most imaginative and impactful ideas for transforming student learning experiences.
Nine teams of finalists stepped into “The Cobb Tank” and presented their dreams to the “Sharks.” These ideas ranged from hands-on STEM initiatives to health-focused classroom transformations, embodying the bold spirit of innovation that defines the Cobb County School District. In a testament to their quality and potential, all nine proposals received the funding they requested, with grants totaling $68,000.
The funded projects offer a glimpse into the extraordinary creativity of Cobb educators. Imagine a classroom where physical activity and academic focus intertwine, with students pedaling on stationary bikes or using Desk Cycles while solving math problems or reading literature. This innovative approach keeps minds sharp and promotes health and engagement throughout the school day.
Elsewhere, the cutting edge of science comes alive as middle school students dive into the world of robotics, programming robot dogs to solve real-world challenges. High school students, meanwhile, explore synthetic biology through a project that empowers them to address pressing global issues with creativity and scientific rigor. These initiatives teach technical skills, spark curiosity, and inspire future careers in STEM fields.
For the youngest learners, innovation takes the form of a sensory gym designed to support children with developmental delays and sensory challenges. In this specially crafted environment, children explore, play, and build essential skills in engaging and therapeutic ways. Another project offers the wonder of the outdoors through a portable learning lab, where elementary students pair hands-on scientific discovery with literacy and writing, weaving together multiple disciplines in a seamless and exciting way.
The commitment to literacy and communication shines brightly in projects aimed at empowering students to find their voices. One initiative provides resources for English language learners, equipping teachers with tools to create inclusive and collaborative classrooms. Another blends literacy with STEM lessons, encouraging students to think critically and connect their learning across subjects.
Cobb Tank 2024 Winning Proposals:
Barber Middle School
Who Let the Dogs Out
Brumby Elementary School
Voices in Action: Cultivating Confident Communicators
Griffin Middle School
Peddling our Way to Better Health and Academics at Griffin Middle School!
Kemp Elementary School
Reading into STEM: Engaging Minds through Literacy-Integrated STEM Lessons
Nicholson Elementary School
Portable Learning Lab
Osborne High School
The Future of PE
South Cobb Early Learning Center
Sensory Gym for Early Learners
South Cobb High School
We Are THE Eagle SynBio Squad
Wheeler High School
Confidence Course Wheeler / Walton Air Force JROTC
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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy wants to relocate a swimming pool and prepare to build permanent classroom buildings.
Cobb commissioners on Tuesday approved a master plan at the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy upper campus on Post Oak Tritt Road after making a variety of site plan revisions.
The 5-0 vote came after a lengthy presentation, discussions and a motion to approve by Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb (you can read the application filings here).
The changes include a second access point on Post Oak Tritt and agreements by the private school to construct an indoor swimming pool and limits on evening activities.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy proposed those and other stipulations in a Dec. 11 letter to the Cobb Zoning Office.
Commissioners voted last month to delay the application after complaints from neighbors about noise and the East Cobb Civic Association in regard to modular classrooms that have been at the site for more than a decade.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy has operated a high school there since 2014 and will be adding middle school grades.
The master plan, which was urged by Birrell, would include expanded parking on the east side of the 33-acre site, which is located just west of Holly Springs Road.
The school was started by Mt. Bethel Church in 1998 but became a separate entity in 2021, right before before the church’s departure from the United Methodist Church. Since then, the academy has leased space from the church for Grades K-8 on its grounds on Lower Roswell Road.
But last year, Mt. Bethel Church decided to terminate the school’s lease by 2028, prompting the academy to find new facilities.
MBCA attorney Kevin Moore said his client had agreed to the changes, which come with some considerable expenses.
Chief among them is the enclosure of the swimming pool over a covered outdoor facility and a 25-foot wall due to noise complaints from a nearby subdivision.
The pool will be relocated to near the back of the property, adjoining a football/soccer field. In addition, tennis courts would be moved to the same area, and will include protective padding to help reduce noise issues.
At last month’s zoning hearing, a resident on the adjacent Alberta Drive said increased sports activities at the school have resulted in continuing noise concerns.
Birrell said being able to walk the property and meet with nearby residents in the past month “has been very helpful” in proposing changes.
The ECCA was upset that the master plan didn’t include more specific details about permanent classrooms.
Moore said in response to a question from Birrell that the master plan includes an outline of future buildings for academic activities, including the possibility of an auditorium.
“This is as specific as we can get it at this point,” Moore said.
Commissioners would need to approve those buildings when they are proposed; among the stipulations approved Tuesday include a height limit of 35 feet, per an ECCA request, and that the modular structures would be removed.
Other stipulations prohibit lighting at the football field and all athletic activities must be related to the school.
“I do understand the neighbors’ concerns, but there have been a lot of concessions that have been put on Mt. Bethel to alleviate a lot of those concerns regarding noise and buffers,” Birrell said.
“The way this is outlined now with revisions that both parties have agreed to, we can approve this as it is,” she added, saying final site plans and elevations and landscape plans, among other modifications, have to come back for final approval with citizen and county reviews.
Birrell’s motion also limited evening lighting on the campus to 10 p.m. and maintains an 85-foot buffer along the back line of the property.
Also on Tuesday, commissioners approved by a 5-0 vote a site plan change at the former Sunrise of East Cobb site on Johnson Ferry Road to permit a senior independent living facility.
Hammocks at East Cobb is proposing a townhome-type concept with 72 separate living units, including six detached cottages along Johnson Ferry Road, as well as a number of amenities.
In another East Cobb case, commissioners approved a site plan change, also by a 5-0 vote, to allow a Kiddie Academy day care on Gordy Parkway
The 1.42-acre tract, which is right behind the Highland Plaza Shopping Center and near the intersection of Sandy Plains Road, is the last parcel of undeveloped land at that mixed-use complex.
The ECCA asked for the case to be held until Cobb DOT could review traffic study examining access concerns at the site.
But Birrell made a motion to approve with a number of stipulations, including a 20-foot landscape buffer next to the Highland Terrace subdivision.
Access to the day care via Gordy Parkway also will be limited to right-in, right-out.
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Cobb Police said Tuesday morning that a school bus was hit by another vehicle on Roswell Road in East Cobb but that there were no injuries.
Police said the crash occurred as the bus was attempting a left turn in the eastbound lane of Roswell Road onto Providence Road West.
That’s close to Walton High School and Dodgen Middle School.
Police said all lanes of traffic affect by the crash have been reopened.
A Cobb County School District spokesperson said that “a Walton bus was involved in an accident when a car made contact with the rear of the bus. We are grateful for the quick response of first responders who arrived to provide support and ensure everyone was okay. Fortunately, students were then able to be transported to school on another bus.”
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The holiday season is upon us, and we want to invite all of you to MVAA’s 2024 Holiday Cabaret!
Performers of all ages and types will be performing holiday pieces throughout the evening, and at intermission, attendees are encouraged to check out the silent auction out front, where 50% of the proceeds will go to the Best Friends Animal Society!
If you or someone you know would like a chance to PERFORM in this cabaret, they can sign up at the link in our bio! Registration to perform is $10 per artist.
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
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Court officials and members of the Cobb County community gathered today [Dec. 15] in a packed Superior Court courtroom to celebrate eight graduates of Judge Kellie S. Hill’s Pinnacle-Cobb Diversionary Court for non-violent youthful offenders. Judge Hill, along with Attorney Jeanette van der Linden, proudly presented the graduates with their certificates of completion, and invited them to share insights about their transformative journeys through the program. The event was filled with a palpable sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the graduates’ next chapters.
“These eight young men have worked tremendously hard over the course of a year and have shown a true commitment to improving themselves with the resources they’ve received through this program,” said Judge Hill. “I could not be any prouder than I am today as a witness to the real changes each of them has made in their lives. They’ve gone from a mugshot to these handsome headshots on display in the courtroom today.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Tiffany Harris, who shared her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and embracing freedom as a non-negotiable value. One graduate summed up the collective sentiment as he received his certificate, stating simply, “We made it.” Many expressed their gratitude to Judge Hill and Ms. van der Linden, with one participant saying, “This experience will stay with me forever.” Judge Hill emphasized her hope that the graduates seize this opportunity and ensure it does not go to waste.
Founded in 2022 by Judge Hill, Pinnacle-Cobb is a year-long program tailored for non-violent offenders aged 17 to 25. The program aims to reduce recidivism by fostering accountability and equipping participants with tools for personal growth and transformation. Participants are required to attend mandatory court appearances, complete reading and writing assignments, and engage in a supplemental online curriculum. Other program components include drug testing, community service, and public speaking opportunities. Graduates leave with enhanced life skills, a deeper sense of accountability, and the chance to move forward without a felony conviction—key elements for becoming productive and contributing members of society.
Judge Hill also announced an exciting update: Pinnacle-Cobb is rebranding as EXCEL Restorative Court. For more information about the program or to learn how to support it, please contact Attorney Jeanette van der Linden at (770) 359-8367. Judge Hill expressed her confidence that EXCEL Restorative Court will continue to provide young people with the resources and support they need to build successful futures, free from the stigma of a felony conviction.
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A pedestrian was killed Friday night after being struck by a vehicle on Canton Road near the intersection of Jamerson Road, according to Cobb Police.
Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release that the unidentified victim, a Hispanic male, was trying to cross Canton Road outside a crosswalk just north of Jamerson Road around 7:27 p.m. Friday when he was hit by a black 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE heading north on Canton Road.
Wilson said the car was driven by a 42-year-old man from Woodstock and included two juvenile occupants.
Police said the pedestrian was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital by ambulance, and was pronounced dead there. The occupants of the car were not injured, according to police.
Wilson said anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.
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The last weekend before Christmas is expected to be chilly, but you won’t have to leave your car to take in a Nativity scene at Wesley Chapel UMC.
The birth of Christ will be played out with live actors and animals Friday and Saturday between 7-9 p.m. at the church (4495 Sandy Plains Road).
It’s free for the public to attend.
Send Us Your Holiday News!
Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.
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Cobb has set up e-commerce zones to provide residents with a safe place to make purchases or sell items. The e-commerce zones are located at the five police precincts and headquarters and are marked with blue signs in well-lit areas that are monitored by video surveillance.
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The former Sunrise at East Cobb nursing home is being proposed for an independent senior living facility. ECN file photo.
A former nursing home on Johnson Ferry Road that was sold earlier this year is being proposed for a different kind of senior living facility.
The new owner of Hammocks at East Cobb is proposing to convert the former Sunrise at East Cobb into a townhome-type concept with 72 separate living units.
The applicant is requesting a setback variance and other changes that will be heard Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.
According to an agenda item (you can read it here), Hammocks at East Cobb would include the existing building for most of those units, plus a new amenities area with an activity room, gym, conference room, mailroom, salon and bistro.
Hammocks at East Cobb also wants to build six independent cottages along Johnson Ferry Road, and add 16 parking spaces to the facility.
The setback variance being sought would be reduced from 50 feet to 40 feet from the road to make room for the cottages, according to the agenda item.
Renovations crews already are upgrading the courtyard amenities at the site, which is just north of Roswell Road.
The Cobb Zoning Office hasn’t made a recommendation on the application, which will be heard with Other Business items.
Those are cases that aren’t seeking rezoning but changes to existing site plans.
Sunrise at East Cobb opened in 1997 on land zoned for office and industrial use. A senior living facility being proposed by Hammocks is allowed there under the residential senior living use, subject to certain criteria, including commissioners approving a site plan.
Sunrise was sold in May to Hammocks at East Cobb Propco LLC in May for $1.795 million, according to Cobb property tax records.
The Hammocks at East Cobb case is on the consent agenda, meaning there is no known opposition.
Commissioners also are scheduled to rehear a master plan proposal by Mt. Bethel Christian Academy that was delayed last month following community opposition.
The zoning hearing begins at 9 a.m. in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.
You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.
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Cobb Police said Friday that a motorist was killed in a two-car collision on Hawkins Store Road Thursday night.
Sgt. Eric Smith said in a release that the unidentified victim was pronounced dead on the scene of the crash at the intersection of Hawkins Store Road and Farmbrook Lane.
Smith said the incident took place at approximately 6:57 p.m., when a white 2006 Toyota Tundra heading west on Hawkins Store Road veered off the road and onto a curb and sidewalk.
At the same time, according to police, a white 1997 Ford F-250 was traveling east on Hawkins Store, and was struck by the Toyota as the driver tried to get back into the westbound lane.
Smith said first responders attended to the driver of the Toyota, but he died on the scene. His next of kin has been notified, said Smith, who added that the driver of the Ford truck was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Police are continuing to investigate, and anyone with information asked to call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.
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Find a new hobby or dive into a favorite activity with Cobb PARKS winter season activity guide. The issue features an article showcasing participants in Therapeutic Recreation taking part in the Special Olympics, a holiday lineup that promises fun for the whole family, exciting events like the Holiday Artisan Market, a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt, a Galentines party, and more. Cobb recreation centers are introducing new programs, with additional offerings added throughout the season, so bookmark the page and check back often.
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As we noted previously, this Guthrie’s will be drive-through only due to the small size of the 3.17-acre property.
Cobb commissioners approved site plan changes in December 2023 that include right-in, right-out access only on Lower Roswell Road.
Guthrie’s knocked down the small building that formerly housed several small businesses for a new 1,500-foot structure with a drive-through canopy and 10 parking spaces.
An inflatable chicken greets motorists along Lower Roswell Road, but is partially hidden due to a low wall constructed near the intersection.
Guthrie’s is an Alabama-based chain that has one other Cobb location, in Mableton, and recently opened a restaurant in the Woodstock area.
It’s coming into a competitive East Cobb area for fast casual food, and chicken in particular. Guthrie’s menu features chicken fingers, and includes chicken sandwiches and buckets.
A Super Chix opened at Avenue East Cobb in September. In April, Howlin’ Willy’s, a hot-chicken concept from Willy’s Mexicana Grill, opened at Pine Straw Place near Trader’ Joes.
There’s also a long-standing Zaxby’s caddy-corner at the northeast intersection of Johnson Ferry and Lower Roswell.
Guthrie’s hours in East Cobb are 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
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More than 40 performing groups will be on stage, including many from local schools, along with inflatables, handmade gifts, free photos with Santa and the Piedmont Winter WonderLand display.
Hours are 5-9 Friday and 10-5 Saturday; admission and parking are free.
Another Friday-Saturday holiday extravaganza is the Pope Winter Showcase of the Arts, with showtimes at 7 p.m. each day at the Pope High School Performing Arts Center (Hembree Road), and featuring school’s orchestra, band, chorus, drama and visual arts students.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and may be purchased at this link.
CenterStage North’s venerable presentation of “A Christmas Carol” is Thursday-Saturday at The Art Place Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road). Showtimes are 8 p.m. each night; tickets are $15 and can be reserved at this link.
The Cobb Civic Center (548 S. Marietta Parkway) is the venue for the Cobb PARKS Holiday Artisan Market Friday-Sunday.
Retailers and artists will be showcasing their handmade goods, fine arts, musical performances, visits from Santa, kids crafts, and more.
Admission is free; hours are 4-8 Friday and 10-5 Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, Santa Claus is the star attraction at “Sweets With Santa” in a kid-oriented event at the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team (2249 Sewell Mill Road) from 11-4. In addition to having photos with St. Nick, guests can sample tasty holiday treats and ride on a trackless train.
All the festivities are free, but you’re asked to register online at this link.
Merchants in and around the Marietta Square are organizing another Ugly Sweater Block Party from 3-10 at the Brickyard (129 Church Street).
You and your most garish holiday threads are welcome for food, drink and holiday cheer. A ticket gets free admission to more than 10 bars and restaurants, complimentary shots, live music and holiday entertainment and more.
Tickets are $15-$25 and can be purchased at this link.
The Atlanta professional choral ensemble Coro Vocatireturns to East Cobb Sunday for a Christmas concert.
The concert starts at 3 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road) and features Silent Night, Coventry Carol, Angels We Have Heart on High and more.
Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased at this link.
The Lassiter Bands Christmas Tree sale continues through Saturday at the Highland Plaza Shopping Center (3605 Sandy Plains Road, at Gordy Parkway). Frasier firs will be cut on site, and wreaths, tree stands and disposal bag also will be available.
The Fox Family holiday lights display continues nightly through Jan. 7 at 2994 Clary Lakes Drive. Set your car radio tuner to 88.3 FM for a specially curated playlist and enjoy a walk-through with craft stations and more.
Send us your holiday event news!
If your organization or entity is holding such an event that’s open to the public, please send East Cobb News your information and we’ll be glad to post it!
This can include festivals, pumpkin patches, Thanksgiving activities, holiday concerts, Christmas tree and Menorah lightings, New Year’s celebrations and fundraisers.
Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.
Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.
We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
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Mt. Bethel ES was one of five elementary schools in East Cobb with a perfect score in content mastery in the 2024 CCRPI results.
Schools at all grade levels in East Cobb turned in some of the best results in the county in the 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores collected by the Georgia Department of Education.
Students at several elementary, middle and high school levels in East Cobb excelled in particular in the content mastery area, according to data released last week by the state.
The CCRPI is a comprehensive indicator that includes content mastery, progress, closing performance gaps and readiness. It takes in an array of standardized test scores and other metrics.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, all of those areas were collected and analyzed. At the high school level, graduation rates also were included in the formula.
The Cobb County School District said in a release that the district exceeded state results in 12 of 13 measurements, with a double-digit lead or more the state average in content mastery at the middle school and high school level.
Cobb elementary students outpaced metro Atlanta peers in content mastery, progress and readiness, and matched them in closing the gaps.
Middle school students in Cobb also surpassed others in the area in all four categories, and high school students in Cobb did likewise, including an overall graduation rate of 88.8 percent.
Readiness scores also rose in Cobb in 2024, reflecting Georgia Milestones in literary metrics and other tests indicating students are prepared for the next academic level.
The CCRPI is Georgia’s way of complying with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires states to have a statewide accountability system that includes information on how well schools are performing.
Here’s how they break down, per the Georgia Department of Education:
Content Mastery includes student scores on statewide assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Progress measures how much growth students demonstrate in English language arts and mathematics and how well English learners are progressing toward English language proficiency.
Closing Gaps measures how well schools meet annual improvement targets for student subgroups.
Readiness includes literacy scores; student attendance; the percentage of students succeeding in “beyond the core” instruction; accelerated enrollment; pathway completion; and measures of college and career readiness.
Graduation Rate includes both the 4- and 5-year graduation rate and is a component for high schools.
CCRPI no longer includes an overall score for school districts, schools or the state. Last year, a new state law was passed in Georgia requiring the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) to calculate a single score for schools and districts.
The following tables were compiled from Georgia Department of Education data. You can search for more results by clicking here; more details on academic perf0rmances resources from the state can be found here.
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Sonya Allen was sworn into office Wednesday as the new District Attorney in Cobb County, a little more than a month after her election.
The Democrat and former assistant district attorney in Fulton County was accompanied by her parents and daughter as she took the oath of office from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Verda M. Colvin.
Allen, who rose to the ranks of chief deputy of the Cobb Sheriff’s Office during a 30-year career, unseated former Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady Jr. in the May primary.
Unopposed in the general election, Allen is the first elected African-American woman to hold the post. Joyette Holmes was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill a vacancy before she was defeated by Broady in 2020.
According to a release from Cobb County government, “Allen pledged to lead the District Attorney’s Office based on the three principles she emphasized throughout her campaign: fairness, transparency, and a deep respect for the law.
“Every decision we make will be grounded in these principles; I can assure you of that. The criminal justice system has the power to protect, heal, and sometimes restore what has been broken. There will be difficult days ahead. We will face complex cases, hard choices, and sometimes public scrutiny. But I promise to meet these challenges with integrity and a firm belief that the justice system must serve people equally.”
Allen is a graduate of West Georgia University and the John Marshall Law School in Atlanta.
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