What once was a pediatric clinic on Sandy Plains Road is being proposed for a drive-through coffee shop.
But a request to amend a site plan to accommodate the new business is being continued to November.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners was to have heard the proposal this week by BRKI, LLC, for a 7 Brew Drive Through Coffee.
But at the start of Tuesday’s zoning hearing, they voted to continue the matter for a month, to their Nov. 18 meeting.
The location is 3618 Sandy Plains Road at Gordy Parkway, where an Egleston Children’s Hospital Clinic once stood, and it’s part of the former Gordy property.
When those parcels are subject rezoning or site plan changes, they must be approved by a special architectural control review committee, and that process has not been completed.
So Cobb Zoning Division manager John Pederson asked for the continuance. The building was completed in 1995, and the clinic closed in 2020 it has remained vacant ever since.
The five-acre tract is zoned for general commercial, and the 7 Brew proposal wouldn’t change that.
The applicant is seeking to put the drive-through on the northern side of the building, keeping an existing 50-foot buffer intact.
“The proposal meets setbacks, parking and impervious zoning criteria,” according to the staff analysis. “If the amendment is approved, all previous stipulations would remain in effect, which includes the [Gordy] Architectural Control Committee review and approval for the property.”
7 Brew is a national chain of drive-through coffee locations that opened in 2017, and includes a location in Mableton. In addition to coffee, menu items include teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes.
In the staff analysis, Cobb DOT recommended the applicant conduct a traffic study.
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!
Get into the holiday spirit at our Holiday Gift Open House on Friday andSaturday, November 28 & 29 from 10 – 5, & Sunday November 30, 2025 from 12-5 at Frameworks Gallery, located in East Cobb County, Georgia, in the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center.
Join us for a festive and fun-filled event where holiday cheer meets creativity. Explore a curated collection of handmade gifts, local artwork, and seasonal treasures—perfect for everyone on your list.
Enter to Win a FREE Gift! + discounts available on grab-n-go gift items throughout the store! As a special thank-you, guests can enter our exclusive drawing for a free gift. The winner will be announced at the end of the event—no purchase necessary to enter.
Complimentary Gift Wrapping Take one more task off your holiday to-do list. All purchases made during the open house come with free, beautiful gift wrapping—because giving should be joyful and easy.
Enjoy light refreshments, festive music, and the chance to support local artists this holiday season. Whether you’re shopping for loved ones or treating yourself, our Holiday Gift Open House is the perfect way to kick off your celebrations.
Event Details: Date: Friday and Saturday, November 28th, 29th Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm, and Sunday, November 30th Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm Location: Frameworks Gallery 1205 Johnson Ferry Rd Suite 110, Marietta, GA 30068 Admission: Free
Don’t miss this cozy community event filled with creativity, connection, and a little holiday magic.
et Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
A full week of events leading up to Halloween is already starting to get underway as the weekend approaches, and there are a few major related celebrations in East Cobb this weekend.
Saturday marks the return of the Boo Bash at Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road), a free family-themed outdoor party that includes music, a costume party and trick-or-treating for kids.
Everything takes place between 11 a.m and 2 p.m. at The Plaza, including complimentary face painting, a bounce house, a craft station and plenty more.
For the first time, there will be a Halloween Hike at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) and Fullers Park (3499 Robinson Road organized by the Friends for the East Cobb Park volunteers.
It’s billed as a “trunk or treat with a twist,” and is set for Sunday from 6-7:30 p.m. The hikes features a variety of stops along the trails stationed by community organizations and individuals in costumes, handing out treats to participants.
People young and old are invited to wear their Halloween get-up and join in the free family-oriented fun.
On Monday, there will be a Halloween Spooktacular at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) from 5-7 p.m. Games, crafts, candy and more will be available at the kid-themed event, and of course costumes are encouraged.
We know that schools, churches and other community organizations have their own Halloween events, but if any of those are open to the general public, please send that info to us and we’ll be glad to get the word out!
Send Us Your News!
Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community, as well as calendar event listings.
We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.
It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!
Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.
Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb Ne
Families, friends, and community supporters gathered at Laurel Park on Saturday for the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court’s Second Annual Summer BBQ. Program participants, graduates, staff, sponsors, and community partners came together to celebrate recovery, progress, and second chances. The event drew more than 80 attendees who enjoyed games, face painting, basketball, sack races, and time at the playground, while some relaxed by the lake and watched the ducks.
The Marietta Metro Rotary Club played a central role in making the event possible. Their generous sponsorship provided a full catered BBQ, and members volunteered their time to serve food and assist with activities. The Rotary Club has been a long-standing supporter of the Cobb County Accountability Courts and continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to helping program participants succeed. A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds and Monitoring also volunteered at the event and remain strong supporters of the program.
“The Drug Treatment Court is more than an accountability program; it is a lifeline,” said Judge Jason D. Marbutt, who presides over the program. “Events like this remind our program participants that they are not alone and that recovery is a journey best walked with family, friends, and a supportive community.”
The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court gives individuals struggling with substance use the opportunity to rebuild their lives through counseling, recovery support, and a structured program designed to promote lasting sobriety and stability.
“This event gives our program participants and graduates the chance to celebrate their progress with the people who matter most, their families,” said Program Coordinator Porsha Winfrey. “It also allows the community to see firsthand the incredible changes that are happening in the lives of those in our program.”
The afternoon captured the spirit of the program: healing, resilience, and the belief that recovery is possible. Cobb County Drug Treatment Court remains committed to partnerships that help program participants thrive and families grow stronger together.
For more information about Cobb County Drug Treatment Court, including ways to get involved or support the program, contact Porsha Winfrey, Program Coordinator, at 770-528-1933 or Porsha.Winfrey@cobbcounty.gov.
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
Get ready to revisit the iconic world of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and all the Gang! Wheeler High School Theatre is delighted to present its upcoming production of the heartwarming, family-friendly musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown with music and lyrics written by Clark Gesner. Come join the Peanuts Gang on November 14 and 15 at 7:00 PM and November 15 and 16 at 2:00 PM in the Wheeler Performance Arts Center.
Based on the beloved Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, this musical revue brings all your favorites to life on stage, exploring life’s great pleasures and small joys. From baseball mishaps and philosophical musings to a quest for a valentine and a battle with the Red Baron, this charming show is a celebration of the enduring friendships and everyday adventures of the Peanuts gang. The fantastic talent of the cast and crew of Wheeler Theatre truly captures the spirit of these classic characters and Schulz’s life’s work through a series of vignettes and musical numbers which highlights the distinctive personalities we all know so well. Young and old will leave a little more certain that the Peanuts message holds true—when things don’t go our way, there is always a reason to be happy and to celebrate the simple things in life.
Accompanied by a full orchestra of Wheeler Student Instrumentalists, we invite you to enjoy the music that became an instant off-Broadway smash.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
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!
John Cristadoro said he’s “a target by those who are trying to tear down Cobb schools” and accused them of “fake outrage.”
Cobb Board of Education vice chairman John Cristadoro has settled a civil lawsuit filed against him, his business and another party by a client on charges of fraud and misusing business funds.
In the consent judgment filed Wednesday, Cristadoro and his advertising, marketing and events company, Alliance Activation LLC, were ordered to repay the client $225,000 plus future interest, most of it in three business days.
The consent judgment noted that the business’ policies included “using client funds to pay Alliance’s own operating expenses at times when Alliance was experiencing a cash flow shortage.” Those policies were crafted by Cristadoro, as the president and CEO, and a bookkeeper, according to Wednesday’s filing.
That filing further states that “Cristadoro, without Plaintiff’s consent, authorized use of Plaintiff’s funds for payment of Alliance’s operating expenses and credit card statements to cover a cash flow shortage.”
Some of those statements, according to the consent judgment, “included non-business transactions for Cristadoro’s personal benefit.”
Cristadoro, an East Cobb resident in his first year on the school board, told East Cobb News in response to a story published Tuesday that the lawsuit, which was filed in Fulton State Court, has no bearing on his duties in public office.
“It’s a personal case from a personal business, both of which have nothing to do with serving students, other than being a target by those who are trying to tear down Cobb schools,” said Cristadoro.
The case came to light Monday at a Fulton court hearing in which Cristadoro and the client, an insurance company, attempted to seal court documents about the settlement.
Four constituents of Cristadoro’s in Cobb school board Post 5 in East Cobb filed a motion before the hearing on Monday to keep the records public, saying it’s a matter of transparency given his status as an elected official.
Sagicor Life Insurance Company said in a March 2024 lawsuit that it paid Cristadoro and Alliance Activation, the company he founded in 2012, a $250,000 sponsorship fee for advertising at sporting venues in Tampa, Fla. (original lawsuit here).
Sagicor said in the suit that Cristadoro, Alliance Activation and the other defendant, named John Doe in the filings, was to have turned the money over to a third-party vendor to provide the sponsorship services.
But that never happened, and the consent judgment states that Sagicor hasn’t been repaid.
(Alliance Activation is located in Sandy Springs, hence the legal action in Fulton County.)
Watching the Funds-Cobb leader Heather Tolley-Bauer.
The charges included fraud, theft, breach of contract and fiduciary duty, civil racketeering and gross negligence, claims that Cristadoro initially denied in court filings.
According to Wednesday’s filing, Alliance Activation will be allowed to keep $25,000 in commission charges.
In his response to East Cobb News, Cristadoro said that “I am proud of the business we built and happy we’ve been able to negotiate a successful next chapter for the partners and employees. I learned a lot about people and serving customers which are lessons I’ll use for the rest of my life—especially in public service.”
Late Wednesday afternoon, he issued a similar response to “members of the press” from a business e-mail address, and asked that they contact him there about the lawsuit, instead of his official school board e-mail address.
Cristadoro also was asked by East Cobb News what he thought about the motion that was filed by the four individuals—including a Cobb schools financial watchdog, Heather Tolley-Bauer of Watching the Funds-Cobb (you can read that here)—and a statement by the Cobb County Democratic Committee on Tuesday that he resign.
“What other individuals do in their search for significance is their decision as they try to survive by creating fake outrage,” Cristadoro said. “Regarding the other nonsense [the CCDC demand], that doesn’t warrant a response.”
Cristadoro, whose two children attend Walton High School, is a Republican and part of a 4-3 GOP majority on the school board, which in recent years has clashed along partisan lines on a number of issues.
Tolley-Bauer and others co-founded Watching the Funds-Cobb in 2021 to scrutinize Cobb County School District finances, budgeting and spending, saying it was a non-partisan organization.
But some of those prominently involved in the group are deeply involved in local Democratic politics.
Co-founder Stacy Efrat is now a Cobb County Democratic Party appointee to the Cobb Board of Elections. Laura Judge, who served in former Democratic Cobb commissioner Jerica Richardson’s “citizen cabinet,” lost to Cristadoro last year in the general election for the Post 5 seat.
Tolley-Bauer has supported Democratic school board candidates in Post 5 in 2020 and Judge last year.
Watching the Funds-Cobb has been critical of spending decisions made by the Cobb school district administration, including a $50 million special events center that was eventually scuttled, but has not previously scrutinized the activities of elected board members.
Tolley-Bauer told East Cobb News Tuesday that neither Efrat nor Judge is currently involved the group. She said she was told last week about the lawsuit against Cristadoro by “a concerned citizen” and as she was looking through the case files, noticed that “they asked to seal something.”
An attorney with an Atlanta law firm drafted a motion in time for Monday’s hearing, at which Fulton State Court Judge Wesley Tailor refused a request to seal court documents, saying the public interest outweighs privacy matters.
“This is an issue of transparency,” Tolley-Bauer said, adding that one of Cristadoro’s primary talking points in his campaign was his background as a businessman.
“He has a fiduciary responsibility to his constituents. We have a right to know whether or not he can be trusted with those responsibilities.”
Tolley-Bauer admitted that she’s aware of how the partisan “optics” might look. She said she’s voted for Republican Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell and also “accidentally” voted for David Banks, a former GOP school board member whom Cristadoro succeeded, “when I first moved here.”
But “this literally was an argument for transparency,” Tolley-Bauer. “If people don’t care to know [about the lawsuit], then I respect that. But the facts are the facts. And the taxpayer deserves to know.”
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!
UPDATED: The lawsuit has been settled, and Cristadoro has commented on the matter to East Cobb News.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
The vice chairman of the Cobb Board of Education is a defendant in a civil lawsuit in Fulton County, along with his business, for claims of theft, fraud, conspiracy and other charges.
On Monday a Fulton State Court judge declined to seal consent filings in the lawsuit, filed by Sagicor Insurance Co. against Alliance Activation LLC, Cristadoro, and another unnamed defendant.
That decision came after a late motion by four individuals, including a Cobb schools financial watchdog, to keep the court records public. Both parties had asked that the settlement details be kept private.
Cristadoro, of Post 5 in East Cobb, runs Alliance Activation, an advertising, events and marketing firm, which according to the lawsuit was paid a $250,000 sponsorship fee by Sagicor in 2023 for advertising at sporting venues in Tampa, Fla.
The lawsuit claims that the money paid to Cristadoro’s company, in five installments, was not passed on to another vendor, as agreed to in the contract, to perform the advertising services. Sagicor claims in the suit that Cristadoro, Alliance Activation and the other defendant, named John Doe in the filings, kept the money and have not returned it.
Sagicor is alleging that Alliance Activation and Cristadoro also committed breach of contract and fiduciary duty, civil RICO violations and negligence. The suit seeks the full reimbursement of the $250,000, plus legal costs and an unspecified amount in damages.
Cristadoro has denied the claims in court filings. Alliance Activation has offices in Sandy Springs, and still lists Sagicor as a client on its website.
In their motion, filed early Monday morning, the four individuals claimed that they were responding to the parties taking the “extraordinary step of sealing the judgment in a case from public view.”
As Post 5 constituents, they continued, they “have a vested public interest in the terms of this consent judgment, including any admissions made by Cristadoro as to his liability in this case.”
Judge Wesley B. Tailor ruled he would not grant a motion to seal the records, and set another court date for for Dec. 1 unless the parties come to an agreement.
A parent with two children in the Walton High School attendance zone, Cristadoro, a Republican, is in his first year on the school board, after being elected in 2024 to succeed the retiring David Banks.
One of the four individuals making the motion to keep the court records public is Heather Tolley-Bauer, an East Cobb resident and founder of Watching the Funds-Cobb, which has been critical of Cobb County School District financial issues. They’ve hired an attorney with an Atlanta law firm, saying they’re pushing for transparency in a matter involving an elected school official.
Heather Tolley-Bauer
The motion filed Monday by Tolley-Bauer, Stacey Owens, Jennifer Simon and Maggie Dougherty said that “Cristadoro regularly highlights his business acumen and his entrepreneurial experience in campaign materials, Facebook posts, and interviews with the local press.”
As an elected official with a fiduciary responsibility, and “as a practical matter, Cristadoro often serves as the deciding vote on multi-million dollar contracts procured on behalf of the Cobb County taxpayers,” states the motion, which also alleges that “Cristadoro used his client’s money to pay off Alliance’s creditors and, it would appear, Cristadoro’s personal expenses.
“This was not a one-time event. Alliance’s bank statements show that he paid the same credit card company multiple times in the same month. In short, it would appear to be undisputed that Cristadoro, a fiduciary over his client’s funds, misappropriated a significant amount of money from his client.”
Cristadoro’s attorney objected to the late filing of the motion, saying it was politically motivated. Laura Judge, a Democrat who ran against Cristadoro last year, also has been involved with Watching the Funds-Cobb, but is not named in the third-party motion.
Another Watching the Funds-Cobb founder is Stacy Efrat, also an East Cobb resident and member of the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration who was appointed by the Cobb Democratic Committee.
Tolley-Bauer has said that she’s not a political activist and that her group is non-partisan. But in a 2021 East Cobb Newsprofile of Watching the Funds-Cobb, she acknowledged she was involved in a fundraiser for a Democratic Cobb school board candidate challenging Banks in 2020. She also contributed financially to Judge’s campaign.
East Cobb News has left messages with Cristadoro and Tolley-Bauer seeking comment.
Republicans hold a 4-3 majority on the school board, and all three GOP candidates on the 2024 ballot, including Cristadoro, won their races.
On Tuesday the Cobb Democratic Committee called for Cristadoro to resign, saying that the court documents make “him no longer fit to continue serving on the school board. His judgment cannot be trusted when it comes to handling taxpayer funds or transparency with the public.”
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!
Cobb Police said they’ve charged a motorist in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Terrell Mill Road that killed a pedestrian Monday night.
Officer Aaron Wilson said Kuntae Green, 28, of Marietta, was taken into custody at his home on charges of felony hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license, and a center turn lane violation.
According to his booking report, Green resides at a nearby address and he is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
Police said Green was driving a gray 2014 Ford Escape around 7:12 p.m. Monday on Terrell Mill Road near Bentley Road when the incident occurred.
Police said Green’s car was heading south, but in the center lane, when it struck Roubins Francoise, 36, of Marietta, a pedestrian who was attempting to cross Terrell Mill outside of a marked crosswalk.
Wilson said the driver of the Ford Escape fled the scene, and Francois was taken by ambulance to WellStar Kennestone Hospital and later died there.
Wilson said the crash remains under investigation and that nyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Cobb Police STEP Unit at 770-499-3987.
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 Dickerson Middle School Percussion Ensemble, based in East Cobb (Marietta, GA), has been selected to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) State Conference in Athens, GA (January 2026) and the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, IN (March 2026). These invitations mark an extraordinary achievement — the musical equivalent of winning both a State and National Championship in the same year.
“This is more than just a performance opportunity—it’s a chance for our students to grow, collaborate, and represent the excellence of East Cobb on a national stage,” said Director Scott Brown.
Under the direction of Scott Brown, over 80 student musicians will perform alongside world-renowned percussionist and composer Professor She-e Wu of Northwestern University, premiering an original composition written for the ensemble. To help every student participate fully, the group seeks community partners and sponsors to support travel, meals, and equipment. Sponsors will be recognized on signage, programs, and social media throughout the season.
We got that information from Jacqueline Baron-Lee and Kelly Wilkins, who are the leaders of the ensemble’s parent fundraising them. They’re asking for sponsors to help pay for both of the trips.
They’ve included all the pertinent information on the flyer below, including contact details.
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!
Cobb Police said a 58-year-old woman was found dead Sunday at an extended-stay hotel on Powers Ferry Road, but they’re not providing many details.
Officer Aaron Wilson said that the woman, who was not identified, was discovered deceased in her room at the Extended Stay America hotel (2239 Powers Ferry Road) around 11:25 a.m. Sunday.
Wilson said officers from the Cobb Police Major Crimes Department were called to the scene, and “at this time, the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Wilson did not provide a cause of death nor did he say who contacted police.
Even though the woman’s next of kin has been notified, her identity is not being released “out of respect for the family,” Wilson said.
Cobb Police are asking anyone with information to call the Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.
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!
On Friday the Cobb Zoning Division updated its agenda for Tuesday’s zoning hearing by the Cobb Board of Commissioners, with a major change to that schedule regarding a case in Northeast Cobb.
The revised agenda states that a rezoning request by RaceTrac Inc. for a 24/7 gas station and convenience store on the former site of the historic McAfee House has been continued by the staff to November.
But the delay comes a week after a Cobb Planning Commission vote that recommened denial of any gas station use, along with uses that involve alcohol, vaping and tobacco sales, other automotive uses or any type of drive-through business.
Opponents spoke out in force at the Planning Commission hearing for traffic, environmental and other reasons, even though zoning staff recommended approval (analysis here).
The two-acre tract at Bells Ferry Road and Ernest Barrett Parkway is owned by the Medford Family LP, and was proposed for a car wash in 2023 before applicant pulled out due to other business issues.
Although it’s surrounded by commercially-zoned land, it sits next to a child-care center, and is across the road from Bells Ferry Elementary School.
Planning Commission member Fred Beloin made the motion to restrict the kinds of commercial uses that could go on the site under the Neighborhood Retail Commercial (NRC) category.
“This would be the opposite of an old Beatles song where you take a sad song and make it better. This would be take a bad road and make it far, far worse,” Beloin said.
The land is where the McAfee House, used by a Union General during the Civil War, stood until it was relocated to Cherokee County earlier this year.
The RaceTrac request is scheduled to go before Cobb commissioners on Nov. 18.
Another case in the East Cobb area that has been delayed is set to be heard again on Tuesday. It’s a request by Annie Lou Crispell for a land-use permit to operate a dog- training and boarding business at her home off Terrell Mill Road that’s drawn opposition from neigbhors.
The Cobb commissioners zoning hearing begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday 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.
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!
Three years after its founding, Grace Resurrection Methodist Church of East Cobb is marking the anniversary this week celebrating its third anniversary with podcast between its current senior pastor and its founding pastor.
Grace Resurrection started with 30 members who left Mt. Bethel Church after that congregation’s dispute with the United Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference, and that ultimately resulted in a $13.1 million settlement (see previous ECN coverage here).
Among those moving to the new church was Rev. Randy Mickler, the Mt. Bethel senior pastor for nearly three decades.
In the podcast (you can listen to it here), Mickler (at right) speaks with senior pastor Rev. James Williams, who succeeded him in 2024.
“The anniversary episode of the Grace & Truth Podcast revisits those early days, as Rev. Williams and Rev. Mickler share stories of faith, courage, and perseverance that shaped the congregation’s beginnings. Listeners will laugh, get a little nostalgic, and gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and spiritual conviction that led to Grace Resurrection’s founding and continued growth,” the church said in a release.
“How do you start a church from the ground up? What sacrifices and surprises shaped our beginning?” Rev. Williams asks in the episode. “This conversation reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the people who made Grace Resurrection what it is today.”
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!
If you were caught up in a massive shutdown of Interstate 75 during rush hour Friday afternoon between Delk and Windy Hill roads, or had to use a detour as a result, Cobb Police have provided further details about why.
In a statement issued by Sgt. Eric Smith, public information officer, police said they responded to a motorist’s 911 call about seeing a suspicious item in a southbound lane on the interstate.
But after hours of closure due to “an abundance of caution,” police said the device was an empty pipe that contained no hazardous materials.
Cobb police and fire were dispatched to the scene, and the police bomb squad set to work.
“The item was identified as a section of pipe with threaded end caps and what appeared to be wires attached to each end,” police said in the statement. “At this time, it is not known how the pipe came to be on the roadway, who placed it there, or whether it was done intentionally.”
The response was coordinated with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Public Safety (HERO, Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division) and other law enforcement agencies.
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!
Carole Kell, 85, a longtime educator in the Cobb County School District and the widow of former Wheeler High School football coach and Kell High School namesake Corky Kell, died on Thursday.
There will be a visitation Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home (180 Church St., Marietta). A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road.) in East Cobb.
Survivors include her daughter, Kimberly Kell Stinson, and her son, Carlton LaTain Kell, a son- and daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Carole Kell was a teacher and principal in the Cobb County School District for 33 years, assigned to East Cobb, Dodgen, Dickerson and Hightower Trail middle schools.
“A lifelong lover of English and reading, Carole influenced thousands of young people—many of whom went on to become educators themselves,” her obituary states.
“She was a mentor to students, teachers, and principals alike, and her impact will be felt for generations to come.”
Corky Kell coached Wheeler to the Georgia Class AAA state football championship game in 1973, and later became the Cobb school district’s athletic director.
He died of cancer in 1995 at the age of 57, and she”poured her heart into supporting athletics and academics at Carlton J. Kell High School,” according to her obituary.
Kell High School was named in his honor and opened in 2002, and she was involved in the process for choosing the Longhorns nickname.
She founded the Carlton J. Kell Teacher Scholarship program and the Corky Kell Excellence in Coaching Award; as well as served on the advisory committee for Kell High School and the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic.
Carole Kell was chairwoman of the “Give Our Schools a Hand” committee of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and she was a chair of the Wellstar Cancer Council, a vice chair of the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Board, chair of the Wellstar Foundation Board of Trustees, and chair of the YMCA Cobb Executive Board.
Her other community work included service with the Cobb/Douglas Board of Health, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre ArtsBridge Program Committee, Cobb Chamber Business Education Steering Committee, Cobb Boys and Girls Club Board, and the Cobb Republican Women’s Club.
In 2006, she was named the East Cobb Citizen of the Year by the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
She also was a longtime member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
Other survivors include a brother, three nieces and two great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wellstar Foundation.
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
There’s still time to join us for our G.A.L.A. – Games and Laughter Aloha Style, but don’t wait too long—important deadlines are approaching!
Event Details
Event Date: November 7th
Location: Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Lower Roswell Rd. Marietta, GA 30062
Ticket Deadline: October 30 – Just 2 weeks away!
Reserve your seats for a night of laughter, auctions, dinner, and Aloha Spirit—all supporting caregivers and older adults through Aloha to Aging’s life-changing programs.
Silent Auction Item Deadline: October 22 (2881 Canton Rd. Marietta)
Would you like to donate a basket or item for our silent auction? Your generous contribution helps us raise even more to fund respite care, caregiver education, memory programs, and community wellness initiatives.
Every ticket, sponsorship, and auction item helps lift those who give so much of themselves and ask for so little.
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!
Schoolhouse Brewing is once again inviting beer lovers and dog owners to grab a leash and a pint glass for its third annual Dogs Gone Wild event on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 12 to 6 p.m. at the brewery’s Marietta taproom. The event raises funds for the Homeless Pets Foundation, helping local rescue dogs find their forever homes.
Guests can bring their dogs to the brewery for a photo session, where each pup will be featured on a limited-edition Dogs Gone Wild beer label. Participants receive a commemorative glass and one free beer at the event. The finished beer, featuring the printed labels, will be available for pickup about two to three weeks after the event, once brewing and printing are complete.
“Dogs Gone Wild started as a fun way to bring together our love for beer and dogs, and it’s become one of our favorite community traditions,” said Ashley Good, Director of the Homeless Pets Foundation. “It’s a day that celebrates local rescue work, families, and the great people who open their homes to pets in need.”
How to Participate
•$30 Donation: Includes your dog’s photo on the Dogs Gone Wild label, a commemorative glass, and one free beer.
•Add-On Packages:
$17 4-Pack: Four 16-ounce cans featuring your dog’s label.
$60 12-Pack: Includes a commemorative 2025 poster.
$99 Case (24 Beers): Includes a poster and a 10×6 portrait of your dog on the Dogs Gone Wild background.
All proceeds benefit the Homeless Pets Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming homeless and abandoned animals across the Atlanta area.
The event will feature live music, local vendors, and plenty of fresh Schoolhouse beer, all in a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. It’s a community day meant for good beer, good people, and even better dogs.
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!
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church officials said Thursday that a fire in the chapel building caught fire Wednesday evening but was contained by firefighters and nobody was injured.
In a release, the church said that Cobb Fire crews were called around 9 p.m. Wednesday to the chapel—at left in photo, next to the current sanctuary—after the fire alarm system was triggered, and discovered smoke coming from the chapel area.
“The fire department acted quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the campus,” the release said. “Thanks to their rapid and professional response, the fire was brought under control in a short period of time.”
The release said that “outside of a lingering smoke smell, no other buildings on the church property were affected.” The cause of the fire is under investigation but “we have ruled out that any foul play was involved.”
The chapel holds special events, including weddings, and other activities at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, which is located on a 37-acre campus.
The release said that “all worship services and ministry activities will continue as scheduled in other parts of the campus.”
Rev. Clay Smith, the senior pastor at Johnson Ferry, thanked fire crews for their response: “Their professionalism and swift action kept everyone safe and contained the damage to the Chapel. We’re thankful for their service to our community, and for God’s protection over our church family.”
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!
