Month: July 2026

Editor’s Note: Please support the local news revolution!

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Editor's Note: Please support the local news revolution!

The first news outlet in America predates the creation of the nation by several decades.

In 1690, the first multi-page newspaper printed in what would become the United States made its debut. Publick Occurrences, Both Forreign and Domestick, lasted only one issue, due to colonial censors.

Another newspaper would not be printed in America for another 14 years.

But the spirit of a free press, as well as a free nation-in-the-making, was undaunted.

Shortly after the United States of America won its independence, the First Amendment to the Constitution guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

And with them newspapers, pamphlets and magazines of all kinds continued to flourish.

As America celebrates its 25oth birthday, the media landscape is quite different.

Local news outlets that bolstered communities and kept citizens well-informed have been disappearing for other reasons.

But news revolutionaries devoted to reviving local news and who are passionate about their hometowns are on the march.

Hundreds of local, independent online news entrepreneurs have been popping up everywhere in recent years—including here, with East Cobb News. 

Please help us keep local news free.

Earlier this week, I took part in a “Born to Run Local News” celebration featuring local news publishers. It was based in New Jersey—hence, the title—but many of us dialed in via Zoom, and took pride in what we’ve done.

We had plenty to feel good about, and shared stories of how we’re overcoming long odds to do what we love the most, and to serve our communities.

Ben Franklin, Founding Father and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette

It was as inspiring as it was a sobering reminder of the obstacles we face, and a great way to lean into a milestone national holiday.

At East Cobb News, we’ll soon be celebrating our 9th anniversary—more about that next week—but for now, we’d like to ask readers to support us as we keep local news free and independent.

At East Cobb News, readers come first, and always will. Our vow when we launched on July 4, 2017, was to make the news free and accessible to everyone, and to keep it that way.

We’ve built a modest small business with local business advertising, but like other news outlets—including many that are much larger and older than we are—East Cobb News also relies on reader support to sustain our efforts.

We’ve been asking readers for some months now to provide voluntary financial support, and we appreciate those of you who have contributed. But we need more of you to help us as we continue our mission of giving you the local news that you love.

We consider ourselves local news revolutionaries here at East Cobb News, and we invite our readers to join us.

For the price of a cup of coffee.

For just a few dollars a month, your support will help sustain local journalism—right here in East Cobb.

You rely on us to stay informed and we depend on you to make our work possible.

Your donation is voluntary and the amount you pay is up to you, but here are some suggested amounts:

  • $6/month or $60/year
  • $12/month or $125/year
  • $30/month or $300/year
  • $50/month or $500/year
  • Custom amount
  • One-time donation

Your donation—continued or new—will help keep East Cobb News strong, free and independent for years to come. Thank you for your support! And long live local news!

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Parade route, parking info for Marietta July 4 celebrations

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Parade route parking info for Marietta July 4 celebrations
Map via Marietta Parks & Recreation

If you plan to attend the July 4 celebrations in the City of Marietta on Saturday, here’s some pertinent information about road closures and parking.

The day-long festivities begin with the Let Freedom Ring parade. It starts at 10 a.m. at Mission Church Roswell Street (formerly Roswell Street Baptist Church) and continues westbound on Roswell Street through the Marietta Square and up Cherokee Street to the Cobb 911 headquarters.

But road closures along the route will begin starting at 9:15 a.m., so you’ll need to find your vantage point well ahead of time.

The parade also will be live-streamed below on the City of Marietta’s YouTube channel.

The 4th in the Park event also starts at 10 a.m. and continues until dark at the Marietta Square, and some temporary closures will remain for the duration.

They include the four streets surrounding the Square, Mill Street, and Whitlock Avenue from the Square to the Marietta Parkway.

There are also will be no on-street parking on Church Street and Cherokee Street from the Square to Lemon Street.

Here are the scheduled highlights:

  • 10:00am thru 9:00pm Festival – Arts & Crafts, Kid’s Zone, Festival Food, Free Concerts
  • 12:00pm Concert
  • 2:00pm Bell Ringing Ceremony
  • 2:30pm Atlanta Concert Band
  • 7:00pm Concert
  •  8:00pm to 9:30pm Headline Concert : Departure

After the headline concert will come the fireworks.

There is a mix of paid and free parking around the Square; here’s a map with those locations (except those affected by the traffic closures).

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East Cobb Food Scores: Fresh to Order; Beyond Juicery; more

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Fresh to Order, East Cobb Food Scores

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

Beyond Juicery and Eatery
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 901
June 30, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Cue’s Billiards
3372 Canton Road, Suite 140
July 2, 2026, Score: 88, Grade: B

Delicias do Brasil Bakery and Grill
2610 Delk Road
June 29, 2026, Score: 63, Grade: U

Fresh to Order
1333 Johnson Ferry Road
July 2, 2026, Score: 89, Grade: B

Indian Hills Country Club
4001 Clubland Drive
June 26, 2026, Score: 86, Grade: B

Mr. Wonton
3595 Canton Road, Suite 328
July 1, 2026, Score: 79, Grade: C

RC’s Southern Cooking
1516 Roswell Road
July 1, 2026, Score: 83, Grade: B

Shish Kabob Mediterranean Grill
2060 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 280
June 30, 2026, Score: 86, Grade: B

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 102
June 29, 2026, Score: 96, Grade: A

Wing Stop
2550 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 141
June 26, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

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Update: Man shot at Delk Road apartments dies; 2 arrested

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Cobb Police said Thursday that a man shot at an apartment complex on Delk Road has died, and two men have been arrested.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Sgt. Eric Smith said that Giovanni Scruggs, 19, died after being taken to a hospital.

Mareece D. Adams, 18, and Markeise K. Adams 19, have been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, according to Smith, who added they have been booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and are being held without bond.

Police said they were called to the Stratford Ridge Apartments (2560 Delk Road) around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and found a man in a vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Smith said officers rendered aid before the victim was hospitalized. Police didn’t indicate a possible motive for the shooting.

According to their booking reports, the suspects are listed as residents at Stratford Ridge.

Smith the investigation remains active, and additional charges may be pending. Anyone with information is asked to call thethe Cobb Police  Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.

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Eastside Church senior-living proposal delayed to August

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Eastside Church senior-living proposal delayed to August
A rendering of The Haven, a 95-unit independent senior living building proposed by Eastside Church.

A proposed senior-living complex at Eastside Church will not be heard again until August at the earliest.

The Cobb Planning Commission delayed the application in June for another month, but the church’s attorney has asked the Cobb Zoning Division for additional time.

The matter has been taken off of Tuesday’s Planning Commission agenda, according to filings this week, and is continued until Aug. 4.

Kevin Moore, who represents Eastside, said in a June 25 letter that the delay is needed to conduct a traffic study and to “evaluate comments received from a recent community meeting.”

That community meeting took place last week, after the Planning Commission heard from some nearby residents concerned about density, traffic, stormwater and other issues.

Eastside wants to build a 95-unit assisted living/memory care building and eight independent living cottages for seniors as part of its expanded church mission.

The main three-story building would have full services and amenities, including medical care and food service, as well as exercise and recreational space.

A retention pond would be landscaped and surrounded by a walking trail to serve the senior community, which would have 133 parking spaces.

Eastside would build, operate and maintain the complex, which it would run through a non-profit entity.

“We want to be good neighbors,” Eastside executive pastor Darrell Whipple told East Cobb News in outlining the proposal.

Lyndsay Webb, a nearby resident on Little Road, told East Cobb News this week that she attended the June 23 community meeting at Eastside Church, and that more than 50 people showed up.

She said most of those who spoke were against the proposal for some of the same reasons, and said the church didn’t adequately inform nearby residents of the Red Oak Park community and other neighborhoods about the plans.

“People were upset and they were emotional,” Webb said of the gathering, which included Cobb Planning Commissioner Deborah Dance.

Webb said that they wanted to know more about not only about the scale and size of the project, but how it will be paid for and run.

“What are they going to do with this and who are they giving it to?” she said.

Red Oak Park is an older neighborhood in East Cobb, built in the late 1950s and will smaller homes and smaller lots than newer subdivisions.

While some longtime residents there remain, Webb said many of the residents are like her and her family, raising children.

“There are lots of families in our neighborhood,” she said.

They have continuing issues over traffic and walkability on streets without sidewalks.

Also opposing the Eastside project is the East Cobb Civic Association, which balked at density levels in a single-family residential area that would come to 13 units an acre.

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Marietta Planning Commission forwards data center proposal

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Marietta Planning Commission forwards data center proposal

By a 4-3 vote Wednesday, the Marietta Planning Commission recommended approval of a data center off Delk Road that drew community opposition.

The proposal by Prime Storage would convert up to 40 percent of its existing 90,000-square-foot facility on Powers Place, located adjacent to Interstate 75 at Delk, for what the applicant’s attorney called “mission critical” data infrastructure use for local purposes.

Attorney Parks Huff said the proposed data center is needed in the area because “latency is a problem.” He was referring to the time lag between when a data request is made and when it is processed, especially for medical and other time-sensitive purposes.

But nearby citizens urged at least a delay in the request (you can read it here) because they said more details need to be made public.

“This could be a good use,” said Marietta resident Don Barth, who lives in the Powers Ferry Hills community not far from the Prime Storage site.

“But there’s not enough information. It’s not a bad deal, but you’re building too close to homes.”

The Prime Storage site is surrounded by commercial properties, but is close to apartments, motels and two neighborhoods in unincorporated Cobb—Tuxedo Estates and Sun Valley Estates.

The proposed 12-megawatt data center, which could be expanded to 18 megawatts, is on a much smaller scale than a data center rezoning request approved by the Marietta City Council last year, and which has drawn strong opposition recently.

While there’s no proposal at the Bells Ferry Road property, several dozen people turned out Wednesday before the Planning Commission to echo similar concerns.

David Baker, who lives nearby and who said he is a corporate computer analyst, said that while “data centers have been around for a long time, we don’t know what technology is going to look like in 10 years. Is this really the only use planned?”

Other citizens expressed concerns about the possibility of rising electrical and water rates because of what data centers can consume, as well as noise issues.

Huff said that “we’ll comply with the noise ordinance,” which was referenced in the city’s zoning analysis.

The city zoning staff also extensively noted that the Marietta code doesn’t have anything specifically relating to data centers. The proposed data center sits close to an existing data center on Powers Place that has a larger size.

The Marietta City Council will consider the Prime Storage request next Wednesday, and could discuss the matter at a work session on Monday.

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Declaration of Independence reading set for Switzer Library

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Declaration of Independence reading set for Switzer Library

Submitted information:

The Charles D. Switzer Library will take part in Sharing the Spirit of America, a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence starting 6 p.m. Wednesday in the library’s Georgia Room.

The Sharing the Spirit of America readings throughout the country will reenact the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) on July 8, 1776.

The Georgia Room event will begin at 5:45 p.m. July 8 and the reading will begin at precisely 6 p.m.

“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we honor the monumental events of 1776 that defined our independence,” said Cole Hale, manager of The Georgia Room. “Over the historic week that followed the final debate on independence, America voted to break free on July 2, adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, and first shared its message with the public on July 8.”

Initiated by the Hawaii America250 Commission, the Sharing the Spirit of America events will bring Americans together at the same time in all 50 states and 16 territories – across about 9,500 miles and nine time zones – to dramatically share how the Declaration of Independence is a living document, organizers said.

“This nationwide event, this moment, is much more than a simple reenactment,” said Alexandra Beswick, Switzer Library and Central Region Manager. “By reading these historic words aloud together, our community bridges the past and the present, uniting us in a shared conversation right here at the library.”

Switzer Library is located at 266 Roswell St. NE, Marietta 30060, near the Marietta Square.

For information on Georgia Room events and resources, visit cobbcounty.gov/library or call 770-528-2333.

Declaration of Independence reading set for Switzer Library

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Four individuals graduate from Cobb Drug Treatment Court

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Four individuals graduate from Cobb Drug Treatment Court

Submitted information and photo:

Four individuals celebrated a life-changing milestone as they graduated from the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court Program. Judges, court staff, attorneys, elected officials, family members, and friends gathered in the Ceremonial Courtroom of Cobb Superior Court to recognize their accomplishments and the hard work that made recovery possible.

The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court provides a voluntary alternative to incarceration for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The 18-to-24-month program combines intensive treatment, accountability, and judicial supervision to help participants achieve long-term recovery and successfully reintegrate into the community.

Throughout the program, participants engage in substance use treatment, regular drug testing, court appearances, and recovery support services designed to address the underlying causes of addiction and reduce recidivism.

Reflecting on his journey, one graduate shared, “Whatever you put into your recovery is what you’re going to get out of it. If you want better, Drug Court will help you achieve it.”

Another graduate spoke about the transformation he experienced during the program, “Before entering the program, I had completely given up on myself. I blamed my circumstances on everyone and everything around me and took no accountability for my actions. I pushed away the people who loved me and became someone my family no longer recognized. Today, I am excited about my future for the first time in years. My relationships are stronger, my thinking is different, and I am proud of the work I have done to become a better person.”

The Honorable Judge Jason D. Marbutt, who presides over the Drug Treatment Court, praised the graduates for their perseverance and commitment to recovery. “Today, we celebrate four individuals who made the decision to change their lives. Their commitment to recovery demonstrates that lasting change is possible when people are given the opportunity, support, and accountability to succeed. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to all they will achieve moving forward.”

Program Coordinator Porsha Winfrey added, “Recovery is not easy, but these graduates chose every day to continue moving forward. Their success reflects the power of accountability, treatment, and community support working together. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.”

The graduation ceremony served as a reminder that recovery is possible and that, with support, accountability, and determination, individuals can overcome addiction and build healthier, more productive lives.

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

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Man critically injured in Delk Road apartment shooting

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Cobb Police said they’re investigating the shooting of a man who was found in his car at a Delk Road apartment complex Tuesday.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Sgt. Eric Smith said in a release Wednesday morning that officers were called to the Stratford Ridge Apartments (2560 Delk Road) around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and found a man in a vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Smith said officers rendered aid and the victim was taken to a hospital and remains in critical condition.

The man was not identified, nor did police provide any information on a possible motive or any suspects.

Smith said that “an extensive search of the area was conducted” and that anyone with information is asked to call the Cobb Police  Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.

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Cobb school board to hold property tax public hearings

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The Cobb Board of Education will hold three public hearings in July that are required before it establishes the millage rate for the 2026-27 budget year.

The Cobb school board in May adopted a fiscal year 2027 budget of nearly $1.9 billion that continues a property tax rate of 18.7 mills.

But because the millage rate isn’t being “rolled back” to reflect current FY 2026 spending levels of $1.71 billion, that’s considered a property tax increase under Georgia law.

The state also mandates three public hearings. Two of them will be next Thursday, July 9, at 11:30 a.m. and 6:05 p.m., both in the board room of the Cobb County School District central office (514 Glover St., Marietta).

The third hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the same venue, followed by the school board’s monthly meeting at 7 p.m., when the millage rate is set to be adopted.

The Cobb school district’s fiscal year 2027 budget starts on July 1. For more budget information, click here.

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