Cobb delays Columns Drive median tree-cutting after protests

ECN photo

Plans by the Cobb Department of Transportation to cut down trees in medians along Columns Drive are being delayed, after residents in the East Cobb community publicly complained to county officials over the weekend.

Cobb officials said Monday they won’t be moving ahead with the tree-cutting for now, after more than 1,000 people signed a petition in protest, entitled “STOP Cobb County’s Plans to Cut Down Trees on Columns Drive Median.”

Cobb DOT had planned to remove and replace oak and magnolia trees along most of the medians on Columns Drive, which runs along the Chattahoochee River from Johnson Ferry Road to the Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Cobb DOT cited the “significant maintenance” costs of maintaining the trees, some of which had reached the end of their lives, and safety hazards stemming as a result, after consulting with the county arborist.

Instead, the county will be re-evaluating to see which trees “pose an imminent risk to the travelling public,” and only those will be cut down, Cobb officials said in a statement Monday.

The petition was sent to the four sitting commissioners and other county officials, including with Cobb DOT.

Cobb DOT said several trees along Columns Drive have fallen in recent weeks. (Cobb Government photo)

The petition reads in part:

“We are local residents, runners, and cyclists whose daily lives have been graced by the majesty and beauty of the Oak and Magnolia trees along Columns Drive. These trees serve as an emblem of natural heritage, significantly enhancing the local aesthetic while also providing myriad environmental benefits. Regrettably, the Cobb County last week approved plans to cut down these mature trees, purportedly to reduce maintenance costs.

“We adamantly believe this decision would lead to a tragic loss of a Cobb County treasure that is not easily quantifiable in monetary terms.”

Both Cobb officials and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said in statements to East Cobb News that initial plans were to cut trees in 11 of the 18 medians along Columns Drive, which is a popular pedestrian and biking path, and to replace most of them.

The cost of that work was to have been $215,000, with the funding coming from a contingency fund for former Commissioner Jerica Richardson.

“This project remained a priority, as three trees have fallen within the last month,” according to the county statement from Cobb DOT director Drew Raessler. “Work was originally scheduled to begin next week. However, we do understand the community concerns that have been raised.

“The plan is for [Cobb DOT] Road Maintenance to work with an arborist to scale the project down by identifying just the trees that pose an imminent risk to the travelling public. Just those trees will be removed and replaced with trees that match the character of the corridor.”

Columns Drive also is susceptible to flooding during heavy rains, and leaves and other tree debris can contribute to clogging up drains. Portions of the road were closed in September after flooding that was caused by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

One of the signatories to the petition is resident Jeff Cohen, who told East Cobb News Monday that “the commissioners were discussing flood prevention and came up with this looney idea, rather than just cleaning the drains more often. We were blindsided.”

Before the county announced a delay in tre-cutting, other East Cobb community entities brought the matter to light.

Big Peach Running Co. on Johnson Ferry Road posted a message on its Facebook page urging signatures for the petition, as “our beloved Columns Drive is facing a challenge that could change its scenic charm. . . . These trees not only beautify our running, walking and cycling route but also provide essential environmental benefits. Let’s unite to preserve the natural heritage of our community.”

Raessler said in the statement that “we’re still working on the details of the revised scope of the work on Columns Drive and we will share those details when completed.”

Cobb delays Columns Drive median tree-cutting after protests
ECN photo of a tree in Columns Drive median at the intersection of Atlanta Country Club Drive.

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Cobb under severe thunderstorm watch into Monday evening

Cobb and much of metro Atlanta are in a thunderstorm watch through early Monday evening.Cobb under severe thunderstorm watch into Monday evening

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued the advisory late Monday morning for major portions of central and northeast Georgia, as a severe thunderstorm system moved into the state.

Tornado warnings were in effect south of Atlanta for a time on Monday morning, and there are some radar reports of tornadoes being spotted in Coweta and Fayette counties.

The greatest weather threat in the Cobb area is expected to be until 4 p.m., with a 100 percent chance of showers, including the possibility of severe storms.

The chance of rain and storms will fall to 45 percent until 7 p.m., and then to 30 percent into the later evening.

Winds could reach between 10-15 mph with gusts of up to 20 mph during that period, according to the forecast.

Monday’s highs in the Cobb area are forecast to be in the mid 70s.

Tuesday will be sunny with highs also in the mid 70s before a slight chance of rain is in the forecast, on Wednesday and Thursday.

The rest of the week is expected to be sunny with highs in the high 80s on Saturday and Sunday, and some more rain possibly returning on Sunday.

For more local weather details click here.

 

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Sewell Mill Library to hold ‘Colors of Spring’ festival

Submitted information:Sewell Mill Library to hold 'Colors of Spring' festival

Join Cobb Library’s Multicultural Services Group in welcoming spring with family-friendly crafts, activities, and snacks from around the world, while supplies last! This event is a celebration of cultures and all ages are welcome.

Some crafts & activities include:

  • DIY kites
  • Bead jewelry
  • Mini piñatas
  • Origami
  • Bollywood dancing, and more!

About the Multicultural Services Group

The Multicultural Services Group fosters cross-cultural understanding through inclusive programming and resources. Its members offer programming and outreach that celebrate the diverse cultures and groups in the county, providing education and entertainment for all.

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
A record number of 40 volunteers picked up 44 bags of trash along Powers Ferry, Terrell Mill and Delk Roads during Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance’s Spring Adopt-A-Mile clean-up with Keep Cobb Beautiful on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Submitted information and photos:

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance welcomed a group of 40 volunteers, including District 3 Cobb County commissioner JoAnn Birrell, to its Spring 2025 Adopt-a-Mile event on Saturday, March 29th.

“This was the largest turnout ever, essentially doubling the number of participants from any prior event,” said Patti Rice, the event’s project leader. “It’s amazing and heartwarming to see these people join forces to improve the community’s environment. Forty-four bags of trash is a significant number.”

Area neighborhoods represented included Riverwalk at Wildwood, Riverstone at Wildwood, The Flats at Riverwalk, River’s Call, Woodruff Plantation, Millridge, Sedalia Park, Stratford Grove/Mead/Hyde Park, Valencia Hills and Terrell Mill Estates.

Volunteers enjoyed complimentary refreshments provided by Kroger and a surprise donation of lots of Krispy Kreme donuts!   

PFCA conducts the cleanup every spring and fall in partnership with Keep Cobb Beautiful.

ABOUT POWERS FERRY CORRIDOR ALLIANCE

As a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of individuals, HOAs and businesses, the PFCA works to understand community issues, promote quality development, support local schools and help drive the area’s economic vibrancy.  For more information, visit powersferryca.com

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
Event organizer Patti Rice and neighbor Linda Bell proudly show off 44 bags of trash collected along Powers Ferry, Terrell Mill and Delk Roads.
Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
Jordan Deeney, pictured with his sons, Maxen and Oliver, were among the nearly 40 community volunteers who picked up 44 bags of trash.
Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
District 3 Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, left, with event organizer Patti Rice.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, March 17-21, 2025

St. Regis Park, East Cobb real estate sales
St. Regis Park

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 and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

1867 Falcon Wood Drive, 30066 (Falcon Wood): $415,000

Lassiter

2699 Raven Trail, 30066 (Falcon Crest): $367,000

4610 Savage Drive, 30066 (Forest Chase): $381,000

3834 Upland Drive, 30066 (Highland Park): $760,000

2749 Hawk Trace, 30066 (Falcon Crest): $415,000

Pope

1760 Canton Hills Circle, 30062 (Canton Hills): $485,000

4590 Mountain Creek Drive, 30075 (Mountain Creek): $610,000

Sprayberry

40 Highoak Drive, 30066 (Ashford Oaks): $270,000

3111 Ebenezer Road, 30066: $950,000

808 Sylvan Drive, 30066 (Sylvan Hills): $725,000

2078 Dayron Circle, 30062 (Piedmont Chase): $580,000

151 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Old Bells Ferry): $439,900

2759 Wyndcliff Way, 30066 (Wyndcliff): $464,000

Walton

4508 Oakside Point, 30067 (Oaks on Woodlawn): $1.61 million

4129 Avid Park, 30062 (St. Clair): $755,000

2285 Moondance Lane, 30062 (Olde Anderson Estates): $1.5 million

4150 Lower Roswell Road, 30067 (Kings Cove): $755,000

Wheeler

630 Denards Mill, 30067 (Sibley Forest): $1.256 million

3042 Kalah Place, 30067 (St. Regis Park): $700,000

250 East Valley Drive, 30068 (East Valley Estates): $700,000

1948 Hamilton Place, 30067: $654,000

2483 Crockett Drive, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $295,000

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Wheeler Band Booster Club to hold fundraising shoe drive

Submitted information:Wheeler Band Booster Club to hold fundraising shoe drive

The community is invited to clean out their closet for a shoe drive to raise funds for the Wheeler Band Booster Club. Donations of gently worn, used and new shoes will be accepted. Any size, any shoe! While you spring clean please put your shoes aside to help us out! The fundraiser’s success is based on the total weight of the shoes collected so more shoes equals more funds raised! Find our more: https://www.wheelerbands.org/shoes

All donated shoes will be redistributed to micro-enterprise partners through Funds2Orgs, a for profit social enterprise, and used in developing nations for impoverished people to start their own businesses.

WHEN: April 5th, April 26th and May 10th from 9am – noon

WHERE: Wheeler High School, 375 Holt Road, Marietta, 30068

DETAILS: In the US alone, over 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away per year. The materials used to manufacture a pair of shoes are created from chemical compounds that will create health hazards if left to disintegrate openly or in landfills. By donating your gently worn, used and news shoes to The Wheeler Band, your shoes are given a second chance to make a difference. 

The Wheeler High School Band Booster Club is an organization that supports and uplifts our talented band students. As Boosters, our primary role is to provide operational support to the band directors, allowing them to focus on nurturing the talent of their students. We coordinate various activities for the band and provide additional resources, both financial and volunteer driven. This fundraiser will support our annual budget. 

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Cobb Veterans Memorial group to hold fundraising gala

Submitted information:Cobb Veterans Memorial groundbreaking

Celebrate veterans with a VIP reception, dinner, dancing, and silent auction, 6 p.m., Saturday, May 17, at the Marriott Atlanta Northwest at Galleria, 200 Interstate North Parkway SE, Atlanta. Tickets are now available on the website. Proceeds will help build the Cobb Veterans Memorial. Email cvmfmilitaryballgala@gmail.com for more information.

The Cobb Veterans Memorial is a project planned as a park to honor veterans, teach history, and inspire future generations to live meaningful and purposeful lives of service. 

Steps you can take right now to support the project are:

  • Click Facebook.com/CobbVetMemorial to “Like” the project on Facebook

  • Make a donation HERE to help raise the funds to start construction of the Memorial. Every dollar helps!

  • Want to do even more? If you would like to host a fundraising event, make a corporate/foundation donation, or help some other way, please email contact@cobbvmf.com.

 

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Keep Cobb Beautiful April events include Tim D. Lee Center

Submitted information:

Get your spring cleaning started and participate in one of the community recycling and educational events hosted by Keep Cobb Beautiful.
KCB Mobile Recycling Pop-up/Drop-off

April – July – Various dates – visit the website for more information.

Community Recycling event

Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta
Free on-site document shredding, electronics, metal, textiles, and Hefty Renew Program plastics will be accepted. Register here. 
Medication Disposal event
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location 1: 2380 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw
Location 2: 4025 S. Hurt Road NW, Smyrna
Location 3: Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
Safely dispose of unused and expired medications by bringing them to this free event. 
 
Sustainability Forum and Expo
Thursday, April 30, 4 – 8 p.m.
Jim R. Miller Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta  
 
Attend sessions, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits and hear guest speakers on green initiatives and how they affect you. Nominate your fellow neighbors for a sustainability award.
For more information on the above events, visit keepcobbbeautiful.org or call 770-528-1135.

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Former Cobb Sheriff’s Deputy indicted on fraud charges

The Cobb District Attorney’s Office said a former Cobb Sheriff’s Deputy has been indicted on charges of fraud and violating his oath of office.Cobb sheriff

Cobb DA Sonya Allen said in a release Friday afternoon that Mark Ryan Hampton, 38, has been indicted by a grand jury for multiple counts of allegedly defrauding individuals and organizations by receiving money through fundraising and gifts after falsely claiming to have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and having complications.

Hampton was a sheriff’s deputy for five years, and an investigation into his activities began in November 2021, after complaints were filed about a social media account associated with him, according to the release.

The DA’s office said the investigation yielded that Hampton faked an illness with multiple sclerosis to solicit financial support.

Allen’s office didn’t indicate how much money Hampton allegedly raised, but said he was arrested on June 13, 2022. His indictment charges him with violations of Oath by Public Officer and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

“This indictment reflects our commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that public trust is maintained. He betrayed that trust by deceiving others for personal gain. No one should ever feel they are above the law,” Allen said in the release.

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Walton football inviting alumni for 50th anniversary celebration

Walton High School football coach Daniel Brunner is inviting all former Raiders football players for a special ceremony at the spring football game on May 15.Walton football inviting alumni for 50th anniversary celebration

In a social media posting this week, Brunner said that alumni will be honored at the spring game as part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration.

There will be a special open house at the school (1590 Bill Murdock Road) on April 19 (details here), and the football portion of the celebration will take place at Raider Valley starting at 7 p.m.

Alumni will be recognized at halftime of the Walton game against Cambridge.

Former Walton football players are asked to sign up at this link if they’re interested in attending and/or staying in touch with the program.

According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, Walton is 356-198-1 in 49 seasons of varsity football.

The Raiders have won nine region championships in that time. They have reached the state finals twice, in 2011 and 2023, and the semifinals three times.

Walton’s 50th season kicks off on Aug. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the Corky Kell Classic against McEachern.

 

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East Cobb Food Scores: Camps; Biscuits and More; Ming’s; more

Camps Kitchen and Bar, East Cobb food scores,

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

Biscuits and More
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 140
March 26, 2025, Score: 93, Grade: A

Camps Kitchen and Bar
255 Village Parkway, Suite 310
March 25, 2025, Score: 82, Grade: B

Lassiter High School
2601 Shallowford Road
March 24, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Ming’s Asian Kitchen
4665 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 101
March 25, 22025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Waffle House
1811 Williams Drive
March 21, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Wildwood Cafe at 3200
3200 Windy Hill Road, Suite 150
March 24, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

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Editor’s Note: Please contribute to our March fundraiser!

Editor's Note: Please contribute to our March fundraiser!

Over the weekend I shared with readers that we need to finish strong in our March fundraiser to reach a monthly goal of $1,500 in contributions.

In the days since, we’ve gotten a nice boost, and thanks to all of you who have donated!

With March almost over, we’re around $750 in reader contributions. I’d like to see us get to $1,000 for the month, and I think that can be done—and we’d like to get your help to do it.

Please donate today!

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Proposed Cobb FY 2026 budget would increase by nearly $100M

Cobb Republican Party chooses new chairwoman and officers

Cobb government finance officials on Tuesday presented an overview of the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that would increase spending by nearly $100 million.

During a Cobb Board of Commissioners work session, Chief Financial Officer William Volckmann said the formal budget budge tproposal would come to a little more than $1.35 billion, based on requests from department heads.

That’s up $92.7 million from the adopted FY 2025 budget of $1.27 billion, with $74,3 million coming from the general fund.

(You can view current and recent budget details here; updated FY 2026 information also will be posted at that link.)

Much of the additional funding would pay for 290 new requested positions across the government, primarily in public safety, as well as increases in costs for pensions, health care and other employee benefits and insurance.

The biggest single increase in funding by department is the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, which is requesting 113 new full-time positions for a total budget of around $27 million.

Volckmann didn’t break down how many of those positions would be for patrol officers and support staff.

“This is quite a big budget request,” said Commissioner Keli Gambrill, who asked for a breakdown of positions within the Sheriff’s Office that may provide duplicative services.

The second-largest jump comes from Cobb Police, which is asking for an additional $8.8 million, with $5.8 million earmarked for 17 new full-time positions.

Information technology spending would go up by $6 million, and $5 million more is being requested by the library system, with most of that funding for capital improvements, Volckmann said.

The Cobb County Water Fund—which is separate from the general fund, the main source of government operations—would increase by nearly $12 million, primarily for additional maintenance and infrastructure costs for water, sewer and stormwater management.

Water revenues are derived from water and sewer bills paid by commercial and residential customers. Commissioners voted in December to approve water and sewer rate increases through 2029, at an additional 3.5 percent each year.

For the last two years, commissioners have adopted budgets of $1.2 billion and $1.27 billion, largely due to significant increases in the county tax digest.

The current FY 2025 budget was adopted with growth in the tax digest coming to more than 7 percent.

But last week, the Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office projected digest growth of only 2 percent for 2025.

Commissioners have come under fire from citizens both years for not “rolling back” the property tax rate to offset the additional revenues.

Tuesday’s presentation was the kickoff to a formal budget presentation at the end of June.

He said before then, commissioners will receive detailed binders with the budget proposals and will be able to discuss revenue projections before prioritizing requests.

Public hearings on the budget proposal and county millage rates will take place on July 8, 15 and 22, with adoption scheduled for the latter date.

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Outgoing Cobb Police Chief to speak to East Cobb civic group

Stuart VanHoozer, who will be leaving his post next month as Cobb Police Chief, is the featured speaker at the March meeting of the East Cobb Civic Association Thursday.Stuart VanHoozer, Cobb Police Chief

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road), and seating is limited.

VanHoozer, who was appointed police chief in 2022, said in an interview with WSB-TV earlier this month that he will be stepping down at the end of April, after a 25-year career with the department.

The county has not officially announced the news, and an interim chief has not been appointed.

VanHoozer cited lowering crime figures and a desire to spend more time with his family for his departure, and that he plans to find employment outside of law enforcement.

VanHoozer began with Cobb Police as a patrol officer in 1999, and moved up the ranks as a precinct commander and in other high-ranking roles, including narcotics investigations and internal affairs, before becoming a deputy chief.

He holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice and public and social services from Kennesaw State University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

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Server outage affecting some Cobb government online systems

Submitted information:Cobb County Government logo

Some Cobb County services remain impacted by a server outage prompted by an unscheduled maintenance operation over the weekend. Residents may find certain online services unavailable, and email communications may be slow or delayed.

Departments are open during regular hours, and the county’s phone system is operating normally. The county’s court system was operating today, although specific filing systems and non-cash payment services may not be available. Residents with questions about the status of cases should contact the appropriate court for information.

Anyone wishing to schedule a building inspection should call the Community Development Department at 770-528-2060 rather than attempting to schedule online.

Cobb County Information Technology Services detected unusual activity on a county server, prompting a maintenance operation over the weekend that required taking multiple servers offline. Restoring these servers has taken longer than anticipated, impacting various county systems. Services are being brought back online gradually, but we do not yet have a timeline for complete restoration. The website, bill pay services, and phone service are operating normally.

During normal business hours, please contact 770-528-1000 or email information@cobbcounty.org for further assistance.

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Cobb libraries enable wireless printing from mobile devices

Submitted information:

Print from any of our public computers or wirelessly from your device! Black and white prints are $0.15 per page. Color printing is $0.50 per page.

Print from a Laptop (from home or in the library)

  • Save the file you want to print to your computer.
  • Go to our SmartALEC online printing service webpage and log in with your library card number and PIN.
  • After you log in to the printing service webpage, upload the file you want to print: click [1] Select a file to upload, choose your file, then click [2] Upload.
  • Visit any of our libraries and use the print release station to complete printing.

Print from a Mobile Device

If you are printing with SmartALEC for the first time, you’ll need to enter your library card number and PIN on the SmartALEC online printing service webpage before using the app.

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East Cobb Barber Shop to hold 25th anniversary celebration

East Cobb Barber Shop
ECN file photo

Submitted information:

East Cobb Barber Shop, a trusted name in the East Cobb community since 2000, is proud to celebrate 25 years of service with a special Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at its Marietta location.

“We want to sincerely thank our loyal customers for making East Cobb Barber Shop your go-to spot for over two decades,” said Dee Reitz, Owner. “Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re a new face in the chair, this day is for you.”

The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a friend and enjoy food, giveaways, surprises and community fun.

Customer Appreciation Day Schedule
Location: East Cobb Barber Shop – 1401 Johnson Ferry Road #148A, Marietta, GA 30062

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Free muffins & coffee to start the morning
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Free burgers & hot dogs fresh off the grill

All Morning: Spin the Wheel for a chance to win discounts on haircuts, shaves, hair products, and more

This milestone celebration reflects the shop’s commitment to customer service, community, and quality grooming for men of all ages.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, March 10-14, 2025

Cobblestone Manor, East Cobb real estate sales
Cobblestone Manor

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 and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

4093 Tanbark Drive, 30066 (Stocktons Chase): $485,000

4833 Chapelle Court, 30066 (Emerald Garden): $449,000

Lassiter

3873 Sandy Plains Road, 30066 (Hamlet Greene): $350,000

4421 Oak Hill Terrace, 30066 (Mountain Ridge): $410,000

2768 Hawk Trace C0urt, 30066 (Falcon Crest): $320,000

3873 Wintergreen Court, 30062 (Village North Highlands):$640,000

Pope

 2872 Laureate Court, 30062 (Laureate on Lassiter): $625,000

4005 Chelsea Lane, 30062 (Lexington): $725,000

2986 Sedgewick Place, 30062 (Breckenridge): $901,500

2191 Spear Point Drive, 30062 (Cedar Forks): $535,750

4159 Gemstone Terrace, 30062 (Tiffany Lane): $1.25 million

2385 Chelsea Landing Way, 30062 (Chelsea Landing): $1.2 million

3740 Bays Ferry Way, 30062 (Baywater): $930,000

3258 Winter Wood Court, 30062 (Country Crossing): $470,000

Sprayberry

3001 Scott Road, 30066: $381,100

2873 Bob Bettis Road, 30066 (Caribou Hills): $500,000

1059 Swaying Pines Trace, 30066 (Thornbrook): $455,000

3025 Alberta Drive, 30062 (Holly Springs): $385,000

1078 Amarose Lane, 30066 (Amelia Walk): $693,000

Walton

1055 Downing Court, 30068 (Hanpton Woods): $850,000

916 St. Lyonn Court, 30068 (St. Lyonn): $1.850,000

5220 Forest Brook Parkway, 30068 (Forest Brook): $515,900

770 Bedford Oaks Drive, 30068 (New Bedford): $976,000

480 Lancashire Drive, 30068 (Cobblestone Manor): $1.4 million

5236 Weatherwood Trace, 30068 (Willow Point): $860,000

4391 Blackland Drive, 30067 (Sanders Field Estates): $3 million

4444 Cove Island Drive, 30067 (Kings Cove): $779,000

5019 South Ellipse Road, 30068 (Wimbledon Place): $340,000

4387 Cove Island Drive, 30067 (Kings Cove): $792,000

976 Forest Pond Circle, 30068 (New Bedford): $850,000

Wheeler

2480 Robinson Road, 30068 (Delk Estates): $525,000

281 Greencrest Court, 30068 (Heritage Woods): $572,500

3185 Birchfield Trace, 30068 (Indian Hills): $645,500

1111 Valley Ridge Court, 30067 (Millridge): $582,400

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Editor’s Note: Ending March fundraiser with a big flourish!

Editor's Note: Ending March fundraiser with a strong flourish!
Click here or on the links in this column to support East Cobb News today!

For the month of March we’ve been asking readers to contribute a total of $1,500 for our donation drive.

With a little more than a week to go, we’re less than halfway there, and we’d like to ask those of you who have not contributed to consider doing so.

As of this writing, we’ve received $625 in donations thus far in March, and thanks to all of you who have provided support! Your generosity helps us as we strive to give you local news that you love, and the kind of daily community connection that you can’t find anywhere else.

East Cobb News was created in 2017 to serve readers and advertisers directly, without the filter of a corporate media organization. We don’t do the news for anyone else but those people who live and work here and who are invested in this place that we call home.

We are truly local, independent, and totally focused on the news needs of our citizens, and the local businesses who provide the primary financial support for what we do.

As little “indies” or mom-and-pops, hyperlocal publishers around the country that I know are utterly devoted to their communities too.

We’re embedded with our friends, neighbors, fellow church members, Little League parents and PTA volunteers on a daily basis. It’s one of our biggest advantages, in fact, but there are tradeoffs.

Please donate today!

I know one such publisher in Wisconsin, whom I met at a publishers’ conference a few years ago. This week she revealed something truly startling to me.

For the first time since she launched her site nearly eight years ago, she finally took a day off.

Fortunately we haven’t been in that situation, but we can relate to what it takes to keep East Cobb News up and running, with fresh and relevant stories that really matter to you, and to continue to build a small business that’s sustainable for many years to come.

Unlike much of corporate media and like my friend’s publication, we don’t have a paywall, because we believe local news needs to be accessible to everyone.

But if you value what you get nearly every day from East Cobb News (we try to take Sundays off!), please consider supporting us today.

March is the start of spring, and East Cobb News is springing into a new season with vigor and commitment, with a passion for serving this community that is from the heart.

We want to continue to make it better and more useful for our readers, and we’d like to have your help in doing so.

We’re asking for a $6 donation on a recurring monthly basis, but you can contribute whatever amount you like, either monthly, annually or on a one-time basis.

Press Patron, our online platform is safe, secure and easy to use, and you can manage your account however you like.

Just click the link below and thank you so much! As my Wisconsin publishing friend told her readers this week, “thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in the power of local journalism.”

Become a regular supporter!

Venezuelan gang member arrested in Cobb for Chicago murders

A member of the Venezuelan street gang Tren De Aragua was arrested Thursday in Cobb County for the murders of two people in Chicago, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Cobb Sheriff's Office

The DOJ said in a release that Ricardo Gonzales, 32, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant in Cook County, Ill, as he is a suspect in multiple kidnapping and murder cases.

Authorities say he is a “high-ranking” member of Tren De Aragua, which has been classified as a transnational criminal organization and as a criminal terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

According to the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales was listed residing at an apartment on Hidden Glen Drive, located near Delk Road and Cobb Parkway, and was arrested there by the Sheriff’s Office early on Thursday morning.

He is being held without bond at the Cobb Adult Detention Center as a fugitive from justice, according to his booking report.

The DOJ said he is awaiting extradition to Chicago on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

The DOJ said that five other people were arrested as Gonzales was being detained and were transferred to detention facilities run by the department’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit.

According to the DOJ, Gonzales was accused of kidnapping three female victims on Jan. 28 and taking them to an alley in Chicago where they were all shot in the head.

Law enforcement in Chicago said two of the women died, and the surviving victim was able to escape and call 911.

“This defendant’s crimes against American women are horrific, and he is exactly the type of Alien Enemy the Trump administration is fighting to remove from this country in order to make America safe again,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in the release.

In recent weeks, several members of the Tren De Aragua gang have been arrested by U.S. authorities under the Alien Enemies Act, dating from 1798, in an attempt to deport violent illegal immigrants.

The DOJ didn’t indicate Gonzales’ immigration status, nor was there any mention of that on his Cobb jail booking report.

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