Wendy Parker

Editor/publisher, East Cobb News, hyperlocal site serving the East Cobb community of metro Atlanta with 24/7 news, events and information.

Fundraiser set for Republican Cobb school board candidates

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Fundraiser set for Republican Cobb school board candidates
John Cristadoro

U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk and local legislators are the hosts of a fundraiser next week for three Republicans running for the Cobb Board of Education.

According to a “Cobb County School Board Town Hall Newsletter” sent out Monday by GOP school board member David Chastain, the event, dubbed “Keeping Cobb Schools Strong,” will take place Monday, June 10, at the 1885 Grill (4975 North Main Street, Acworth) from 6:30-8 p.m.

The host committee includes State Sens. Kay Kirkpatrick and John Albers (who have East Cobb constituencies) and Ed Setzler, as well as State Reps. Ginny Ehrhart and Devan Seabaugh.

Chastain is not up for re-election, but the other three school board seats held by Republicans are. The GOP has held a 4-3 majority since 2019 as partisan antagonisms have grown on a number of issues.

That includes Post 5 in East Cobb, where four-term incumbent David Banks is retiring from office. The lone Republican to qualify for the Nov. 8 election is Walton cluster parent John Cristadoro.

Cristadoro will face Democrat Laura Judge, also a Walton parent. Both are first-time candidates and declared their intent to run last spring.

In the May 21 primary, in which they were both unopposed, Cristadoro received 6,369 votes to 5,262 for Judge.

Until the 2018 elections, Republicans held a firm grip on local control in Cobb County government and the school board (6-1 majority) as well as the Cobb legislative delegation.

But the school board is all the GOP controls today.

Monday’s e-mail message from Chastain (from a Google e-mail address outside of the Cobb school district and referencing his Post 4 in Northeast Cobb) alluded to what’s at stake.

Cristadoro appeared in a short video thanking supporters for campaign contributions and noting the legislators who will be in attendance, especially Loudermilk, whose 11th District includes East Cobb.

“We’re bringing out the big guns,” Cristadoro said. “Why? They truly believe, as do I, of the importance of our schools, and what the future holds for our youngsters. That needs to be protected.

“There are lots of outside influences, national groups, that are going to come in and push their political agenda. It’s already being seen.”

He didn’t specify the groups or what those issues might be (East Cobb News has left a message seeking comment), but similar charges were made in 2022 when Chastain defeated Democrat Catherine Pozniak in a bitter campaign.

Two GOP incumbents are seeking re-election. Chairman Randy Scamihorn of Post 1 in North Cobb is being opposed by Vickie Benson in a rematch from the 2020 election, and he received only 96 more votes in their unopposed primary.

Brad Wheeler of Post 7 in West Cobb had a close re-election in 2020. His foe is Democrat Andrew Cole, and in their unopposed primary, Cole 6,637 votes to 5,602 for Wheeler.

Cole is a member of the Cobb Community Care Coalition that is highly critical of the Republican majority and Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

Scamihorn, a former Cobb educator who is completing his third term, is pledging his commitment to “keeping our students safe” as well as “keeping inappropriate books out of schools.”

That’s a reference to several books that were removed from Cobb school libraries during the 2023-24 school year due to sexually explicit content.

Wheeler, also a former Cobb teacher, is touting the same priorities.

The only Democrat on the November ballot is Post 3 incumbent Tre’ Hutchins, who is unopposed and had no primary opposition.

In his e-mail Monday, Chastain said that “I urge you to support leaders who embody common sense and a steadfast commitment to our community’s well-being.”

For information and to RSVP contact KeepStrongSchools4Cobb@gmail.com.

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Cobb adopts new traffic-calming policy for neighborhoods

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Cobb adopts new traffic-calming policy for neighborhoods

Submitted information:

Cobb residents upset about speeding traffic through their neighborhoods will have more options to get help, thanks to a recent revision of the county’s traffic calming plan.

The Board of Commissioners approved the revisions at its May 28, 2024 meeting. The plan consolidates the Department of Transportation’s prior policies on speed humps and traffic dynamic speed display devices. It lowers the speed thresholds on residential streets and allows residents to ask the county for help if 65% of residents sign a petition.

The policy dramatically increases the options available to the county to slow speed on roadways where most traffic significantly exceeds the posted speed limit.

Cobb DOT Director Drew Raessler told the board that his staff would receive the request, study the data, formulate a proposed solution, and then return it to the residents. “We would coordinate with the community and say this is what the department recommends,” Raessler said. “We would ask if this would match what they think would work in their community, understanding they know their neighborhood better than we do.”

Once the department and the community formulate a solution, the proposal would be brought back to the Board of Commissioners for ultimate approval.

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Cobb Library System releases Pride Month booklist, resources

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Submitted information:Cobb Library System releases 2024 Pride Month booklist

June is Pride Month! These books celebrate diversity, community, inclusivity, and understanding!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each June. President Bill Clinton declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 2000.  In 2011, President Barack Obama expanded the observance to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. According to the Library of Congress, “The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.” The month-long celebration has its origins in the Stonewall Uprising in NYC’s Greenwich Village in Manhattan, which turned into a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement. Stonewall involved several days of conflict between police and patrons of a gay bar and onlookers in violent clashes beginning June 28, 1969. Visit loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about to learn more.

Click on a title to find it in our catalog; and find many more titles at cobbcat.org.

Children’s Picture Books

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman

Home at Last by Vera B. Williams

It’s Pride, Baby! By Allen R. Wells

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCour

Miss Rita, Mystery Reader by Sam Donovan

Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson

Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart

The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson

This Day in June by Gayle Pitman

‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick

Children’s Nonfiction Books

 The Gender Wheel by Maya Gonzalez

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel

It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn

My Two Dads by Julie Murray

Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community by Robin Stevenson

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sarah Prager

Stonewall: A Building, an Uprising, a Revolution by Rob Sanders

Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding by Rob Sanders

Children’s and Preteen Chapter Books

 Alan Cole is Not a Coward by Eric Bell

The Best Liars in Riverview by Lin Thompson

Emma and the Love Spell by Meredith Ireland

Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden

The Greatest Superpower by Alex Sanchez

The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

Paige Not Found by Jen Wilde

Sir Callie and the Dragon’s Roost by Esme Symes-Smith

Thanks A Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

The Visitors by Greg Howard

Winnie Nash is Not Your Sunshine by Nicole Melleby

You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro

Teen and Young Adult Fiction

Afterglow by Phil Stamper

As You Walk On By by Julian Winters

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Being Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection edited by Madeline Dyer

Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans

I’ll Take Everything You Have by James Klise

The Long Run by James Acker

Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror and Delight edited by Shelly Page

No Boy Summer by Amy Spalding

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

Out of Character by Jenna Miller

Ready When You Are by Gary Lonesborough

The Severed Thread by Leslie Vedder

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

Teen and Young Adult Nonfiction

Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying Again edited by Shakirah Bourne

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out edited by Susan Kuklin

Hear Us Out!: Lesbian and Gay Stories of Struggle, Progress, and Hope,1950 to the Present by Nancy Garden

The Pride Guide: The Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth by Jo Langford

A Queer History of the United States for Young People by Michael Bronski

A Quick and Easy Guide to Asexuality by Molly Muldoon

A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by Mady G.

Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets by Gayle E. Pitman

Adult Fiction

After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz

And Then He Sang a Lullaby by Ani Kayode Somtochkwu

Best Men by Sidney Karger

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Blackouts by Justin Torres

The Celebrants by Steven Rowley

City of Laughter by Temim Fruchter

Confidence by Rafael Frumkin

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

Just As You Are by Camille Kellogg

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz

The World and All That It Holds by Aleksander Hermon

Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns

Adult Nonfiction

The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk

The Deviant’s War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America by Eric Cervini

The Gay Agenda: A Modern Queer History and Handbook by Ashley Molesso

Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to His Son by Richie Jackson

The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle by Lillian Faderman

It was Vugar & It was Beautiful: How AIDS Activists Used Art to Fight a Pandemic by Jack Lowery

The Lexington Six: Lesbian and Gay Resistance in 1970s America by Josephine Donovan

Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality by Debbie Cenziper

Love’s Next Meeting: The Forgotten History of Homosexuality and the Left in American Culture by Aaron Lecklider

The Pink Line: Journey’s Across the World’s Queer Frontiers by Mark Gevisser

The Queens’ English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases by Chloe O. Davis

Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation by Robert Fieseler

Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Love, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison by Hugh Ryan

 

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East Cobb Biz Scene: Brass Tap opens; June biz events; more

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Brass Tap opens East Cobb

After some delays, the first Brass Tap Craft Beer Bar in the East Cobb area has opened at MarketPlace Terrell Milll.

The location at 1420 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 100, is located near the Los Abuelos Grill.

Monday was the first day of business for the location operated by Raj and Meghl Patel, brothers in their 20s from a family of entrepreneurs, who have operated gas stations and businesses in the hospitality industry.

They’ve signed on to open several more locations in metro Atlanta for Tampa-based franchise chain, which has Atlanta-area locations at Perimeter Center, Milton and Hapeville for the time being.

Brass Tap is one of the finishing touches on the mixed-use development that includes a Kroger superstore that opened last summer and market-rate apartments at the intersection of Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill roads.

More than 150 craft beer choices on draught and in bottles are featured at Brass Tap, ranging from the (512) Bock deep amber from Austin, Texas to five varieties of Pennslyvania’s famed Yuengling Brewer, including a Hershey’s Chocolate Porter.

Georgia beers include Terrapin, Sweetwater, and Marietta’s own Red Hare.

The main food menu includes a wide selection of starters, nachos, chicken wings, burgers, pizzas, salads, subs and desserts.

The restaurant includes a loyalty program called the Brew Crew, and online delivery and pickup ordering is also available.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to midnight daily. Phone: 813-226-2333.

June Biz Association events

The East Cobb Business Association will hold its monthly women’s luncheon, Professional Women of East Cobb, on June 14 at J. Christopher’s at Woodlawn Square (1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 114).

The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $20-$25.

The organization’s main luncheon is June 18 and the featured speaker is leadership coach and branding consultant Stacey Ruth, whose topic is: “Brand You: Breakthrough thinking to fast-track growth.”

The event includes networking and lasts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rich Hart Global Studios )2030 Powers Ferry Road, Suites 270-280).  The cost is $20-$30.

ECBA also has weekly open networking meetings Friday at IHOP (3130 Johnson Ferry Road) and monthly Toastmasters sessions, also at Rich Hart.

For information and to register, visit the ECBA website.

The Northeast Cobb Business Association is on hiatus until August.

State of the County address

Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid will deliver the State of the County address June 10 at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Monday Marquee.

It’s from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre at The Battery Atlanta (800 Battery Avenue, Suite 500).

Cupid, a Democrat, is in the final year of her term and is seeking re-election in November.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, May 13-17, 2024

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Bishops Green, East Cobb real estate sales
Bishops Green

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

May 13

3415 North Hembree Road, 30062 (Pope): $930,000

4101 Riverlook Parkway Unit 102, 30067 (Willows by the River, Walton): $285,000

3140 Indian Hills Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Wheeler): $750,000

545 Barnes Mill Drive, 30062 (Marietta): $267,500

1430 Helena Drive, 30066 (Trojan Hills, Sprayberry): $250,000

2244 Carlyle Drive, 30062 (Cedar Hills Estates, Pope): $580,000

2830 Timberline Road, 30062 (Holly Springs, Sprayberry): $360,000

4444 Freeman Road, 30062 (Breckenridge, Pope): $852,o0o

4840 Olde Mill Drive, 30066 (Olde Mill Ford, Kell): $480,000

5543 Woodberry Circle, 30068 (Willow Point, Walton): $699,000

May 14

3886 Lower Roswell Road, 30067 (Walton): $1.392 million

1270 Promontory Lane, 30062 (Walton’s Reserve, Walton): $850,000

890 Edgewater Circle, 30062 (Barnes Mill Lake, Wheeler): $338,000

2185 Northfield Court, 30066 (North Field, Sprayberry): $510,000

3137 Sycamore Lane, 30066 (Oak Creek Estates, Sprayberry): $465,000

4450 Windsor Oaks Circle, 30066 (Windsor Oaks, Lassiter): $750,000

2994 Forest Chase Terrace, 30066 (Forest Chase, Lassiter): $482,500

May 15

2600 Middle Coray Circle, 30066 (The Oaks at Mill Pond, Lassiter): $1.399 million

2814 Prado Lane, 30066 (Enclave at Laura Creek, Sprayberry): $549,000

197 Parkstone Way, 30066 (Park at Barrett Creek, Sprayberry): $523,000

1815 Bishops Green Drive, 30062 (Bishops Green, Pope): $742,000

3011 Wendwood Court, 30062 (Wendwood, Pope): $500,000

4230 Arbor Club Drive, 30066 (Arbor Bridge, Lassiter): $590,000

5062 Gardenia Circle, 30068 (The Gardens at Parkaire, Walton): $352,000

May 16

1508 Keener Lane, 30066 (Roman’s Ridge, Sprayberry): $765,000

290 Lamplighter Lane, 30067 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): $625,000

614 Fairway Court, 30068 (Millstone, Walton): $763,000

1106 Tom Lane, 30066 (Powell Station, Sprayberry): $405,000

902 Roanoke Drive, 30066 (Owensby, Sprayberry): $345,000

2190 Wilmington Circle, 30062 (Rutherford, Sprayberry): $515,000

3909 Twin Leaf Place, 30062 (Lost Forest Place, Pope): $901,000

3724 Running Fox Drive, 30062 (Raintree Forest, Lassiter): $575,000

3298 Hutton Walk, 30066 (Hampton Ridge, Lassiter): $720,000

2693 Raven Trail, 30066 (Falcon Crest, Lassiter): $310,400

5109 Nicolet Court, 30062 (North Forest, Walton): $654,000

May 17

1547 Cambridge Place, 30062 (Cambridge Walk, Marietta): $480,000

3685 Tarn Court, 30062 (Cochran Lake Estates, Lassiter): $1.7 million

202 Parkstone Way, 30066 (Park at Barrett Creek, Sprayberry): $495,000

3291 Belmont Glen Drive, 30067 (Belmont, Wheeler): $975,000

3069 Greyfield Trace, 30067 (Greyfield, Wheeler): $650,000

3793 Fox Hills Drive, 30068 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): $550,000

740 Anderson Walk, 30062 (Barnes Mill Townhomes, Wheeler): $295,000

3765 Creek Stone Way, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $2.463 million

3760 Hickory Ridge Court, 30066 (North Ridge, Sprayberry): $525,000

4196 Liberty Trace, 30066 (Windsor Oaks, Lassiter): $830,000

4332 Highborne Drive, 30066 (Highland Pointe, Lassiter): $700,000

903 Willeo Place, 30068 (River Forest, Walton): $1.15 million

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Police: Woman found dead in Tenn. last seen in East Cobb area

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Cobb Police are asking for the public’s help in investigating the death of a young metro Atlanta woman who was last seen in the East Cobb area.Police: Woman found dead in Tenn. last seen in East Cobb area

Police said on Friday that they’re tracking leads in the case of Maury-Ange Faith Martinez, 20, of Alpharetta. She was reported missing in Gwinnett County last fall and her skeletal remains were identified in January in an area near Chattanooga, Tenn.

Cobb Police said in a release Friday that Martinez was last seen in unincorporated Cobb, “near Powers Ferry Road,” but didn’t elaborate further.

They’re asking for anyone who may have seen her or had any contact with her around the time of the disappearance to contact them at their Crimes Against Persons unit at 770-499-3945 or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 770-577-TIPS (8477).

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East Cobb Food Scores: Bradley’s Bar and Grill; Gusto!; more

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East Cobb restaurants opening, Bradley's Bar and Grill

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

Bradley’s Bar and Grill
4961 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 117
May 30, 2024 Score: 92, Grade: A

Catfish Hox
2595 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 101
May 22, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Gusto!
688 Johnson Ferry Road
May 30, 2024 Score: 89, Grade: B

IHOP
3130 Johnson Ferry Road
May 22, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A

Liliana’s Italian Restaurant
2595 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 107
May 22, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Mambo Italiano
2022 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 240
May 29, 2024 Score: 67, Grade: U

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Stretch Zone starts food drive for Wheeler HS food pantry

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Submitted information from Stretch Zone East Cobb (4371 Roswell Road), which is accepting food items as noted below through June 8:Stretch Zone starts food drive for Wheeler HS food pantry

Stretch Zone East Cobb is proud to announce the launch of a food drive to support the Wheeler High School Food Pantry. This initiative aims to ensure that no child goes hungry this summer by providing meals for families in need.

With approximately 50 percent of Wheeler High School students receiving free or reduced-cost lunches, the food pantry plays a crucial role in supporting these families. Stretch Zone East Cobb is stepping up to help fill the gap and provide much-needed resources for the community.

From now until the end of the drive, community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at Stretch Zone East Cobb. As a token of appreciation, anyone who donates 10 items will receive a free stretch session.

Kelly Boatright, owner of Stretch Zone East Cobb, expressed her commitment to the cause, stating, “We believe in supporting our community, and the Wheeler High School Food Pantry is an essential resource for many families. By coming together, we can make a significant impact and ensure that our students have the nutrition they need to thrive.”

Items needed for the food pantry include:

  • 1-2 lb bags of rice and beans
  • Canned vegetables, soups, or chili
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Canned meals
  • Fruit snacks
  • Peanut butter crackers, chips, or crackers
  • Cereal
  • Noodles

Donations can be dropped off at Stretch Zone East Cobb during regular business hours. The food drive is an excellent opportunity for the community to unite and support local students and their families.

For more information about the food drive and how you can contribute, please visit Stretch Zone East Cobb or contact us at (678) 971-2905.

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‘Inspiring seniors’ named from East Cobb high schools

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At the end of the school year high school leaders in the Cobb County School District round up stories of what they call “inspiring seniors” to highlight around graduation.

Vanessa Washington, Kell High School

These students “stand out for their remarkable stories of perseverance, resilience, and achievement,” according to the district, and a number of them have overcome health obstacles and other hardships, or are recognized for their accomplishments in school and service to others in the community.

The Cobb school district provided information on “inspiring seniors” from every high school, and summaries of those students from schools in East Cobb, Class of 2024, are included below.

Kell High School
Vanessa Washington played volleyball and was the yearbook editor, and in the classroom took multiple literature and writing classes. She has committed to play volleyball at the University of North Dakota and will be majoring in journalism.

Washington’s classmate, Ricky Solorzano, was a starting pitcher for the Kell varsity baseball team and assisted the school’s football and baseball athletic trainers. He has overcome learning challenges in his academic career, and according to school leaders, “puts in the extra hours, those optional hours not required by any individual, towards his learning and future.”

Solarzano’s mother is a Cobb elementary school teacher and “is an excellent representation of the CCSD mission statement of what it looks like to work as a team towards a goal for student success.” He plans to attend Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. next year on a baseball scholarship and to study health and exercise science.

Lassiter High School
Kiara Evans will attend the University of Pittsburgh and was selected as a Chancellor’s Scholar for that research university. At Lassiter, she was involved in varsity basketball, being named an honorable mention selection for the All-Cobb County team, and track and field.

Samantha Marcus battled and overcame leukemia during high school while maintaining academic success with a rigorous AP schedule and earning a 4.45 GPA. She is  involved in the Lassiter community and “a source of great pride for Trojan Nation,” according to school leaders.

Jennifer He, Walton High School

Pope High School
Sebastian Torres Urzua came to Pope in 10th grade from his native Mexico, and not only learned English fluently, but also taught himself several programming languages – Python, Java, HTML, CSS, and Arduino. “Sebastian has the chops for a highly rigorous higher education and I’m excited to see how he succeeds in the future,” school leaders said.

At Pope, he played varsity tennis and “takes seriously all the activities he takes part in and puts full effort into those things.” His plans include majoring in industrial engineering and working in operations in the corporate world.

Sprayberry High School
Jordan Tolliver, the school’s Class of 2024 salutatorian, started the school year undergoing an emergency appendectomy and had complications with the surgery. “We were unsure if Jordan would be able to keep up with his course load of all AP classes or if he would be able to return to school at all with the recovery from the surgeries,” school leaders said.

Tolliver earned all A’s when he returned to school, and is headed to the University of Pennsylvania.

Walton High School 
Jennifer He was a finalist for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars as a senior, and will be attending Princeton University in the fall. Her last year at Walton included a variety of volunteer activities, including a role providing school supplies to homeless youth. For those efforts, she was awarded a scholarship by the East Cobb County Council of Parent Teacher Association. Her other scholarships include the 2024 InspirASIAN National and Doris L. Kays NJCL scholarships.

Wheeler High School

Jordan Tolliver, Sprayberry High School

Jay Imperatori was awarded one of Georgia Tech’s elite Stamps President’s Scholarships, awarded to the most promising students from across the nation to foster their development as scholars, leaders, and citizens of the greater community through purposeful programming, mentoring, and enhanced educational opportunities.

Marlon Louie endured the loss of his father and the school’s band director within a few weeks, and “has exemplified unwavering strength and optimism, inspiring all who know him,” school leaders said. In addition to music, Louie is involved in drama activities and a math teacher said he “continued to radiate positivity towards his peers and teachers.” According to his drama director, Nicholas Morrett, Louie demonstrated “boundless energy and unwavering positivity.”

Alex Morrisette was told that he would not be able to graduate. He has attended four different schools during his high school career. He took six classes this year and was able to graduate on time, with plans to enlist in the Air Force.

Addison Kowall “excels in everything that she does, a Wheeler teacher said. “She is an incredible dancer, student and friends. She lost her father at a young age, but she remains positive. She loves teaching dance to young students at Rhythm Dance Center.”

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Cobb spills 12M+ gallons of wastewater into Lake Allatoona

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Cobb government officials said Tuesday that more than 12 million gallons of wastewater were released from the Cobb County Water System’s Northwest Water Reclamation facility last week that “did not fully” meet its standards.Cobb County Water System, Cobb water bills, East Cobb water treatment plant odor

A release said that 6.46 million gallons were released on May 21 and another 5.7 million gallons on May 22, but that the wastewater had been treated and “will not impact drinking water supplies.”

Cobb Water officials on Tuesday declared the wastewater to be below standards, per Georgia Environmental Protection Division criteria, after receiving routine compliance sampling results, but they didn’t elaborate.

“CCWS operations staff are investigating the cause but report that the plant is operating normally,” according to the release, which added that upstream and downstream water quality testing has begun in the discharge location around the lake.

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Family Promise of Cobb County receives grant for housing support

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Submitted information:Family Promise of Cobb County receives housing support grant

Family Promise of Cobb County was recently awarded an $18,000 grant from Clayton Homes and Family Promise National that will ensure families in Cobb County receive the support they need to remain safely housed. 

The grant is a portion of the $1.3 million dollars that Clayton and Family Promise National are dispersing to the Family Promise network nationwide. The funds are a result of the recently announced partnership extension between Family Promise and Clayton. A Future Begins at Home, the program that arose from the collaboration, focuses on helping families who face homelessness remain in their homes and quickly regain stability. Since its inception in 2019, A Future Begins at Home has catalyzed millions in additional funding resulting in more than 25,000 families served.

“Thanks to the grant from Clayton and Family Promise National, we can provide children and families with safe, stable housing without funding concerns. Thank you, Clayton and Family Promise National, for your commitment to ending family homelessness and supporting our mission.” – Autumn Sines, Executive Director, Family Promise of Cobb County. 

In addition to the grant program, Clayton has donated 16 homes to the Family Promise network since 2019. These homes are used primarily as transitional housing for families working with Family Promise. The homes allow families to stay together and regain stability as they work to find a new home.

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Cobb Victim Witness Unit to hold elder abuse training session

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Submitted information:Cobb County logo, Cobb 2017 elections

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day next month, the Cobb County Victim Witness Unit and the Family Advocacy Center will host Elder Abuse Training on June 12. This comprehensive session will provide essential insights and strategies for addressing elder abuse effectively. This training an opportunity for professional development and also offers POST Credits for attendees. Registration is now open.

Go here to register.

 

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East Cobb Traffic Alert: Shallowford-Wesley Chapel lane closures Wednesday

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Shallowford-Wesley Chapel lane closures Wednesday

Cobb government sent out the following message late Tuesday afternoon:

“A utility installation at the southern corner of Shallowford Road at Wesley Chapel Road will cause significant lane closures Wednesday, May 29. This project will install a large self-supporting concrete pole that will replace three wooden poles, one of which is located at the southern corner of the intersection. That wooden pole has been hit several times and due to the safety issues, the Cobb Department of Transportation and Georgia Power Company will jointly fund this project.

“Lane closures will begin 6 a.m. Wednesday and last through 6 p.m. Wesley Chapel Road will have its northbound lane closed and northbound traffic will be rerouted into the Wesley Chapel Road southbound left turn lane. Southbound traffic will be shifted into the Wesley Chapel southbound right turn lane. Shallowford Road will see three lanes closed consisting of the two northbound lanes plus the center two way left turn lane.”

Update: Lower Roswell Road reopens after storm damage

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Lower Roswell Road closed
Cobb Police photo

Updated Tuesday, 9:30 am:

Police said the road reopened to traffic around 8 am.

Updated, 3 pm:

Cobb Police said the closure will continue late into Monday evening.

Original report:

Here’s a message from Cobb Police around 10:45 a.m. Monday:


“Due to multiple trees and power lines down on Lower Roswell Road between Indian Hills Parkway and Lindsey Road, the roadway is closed for an extended period of time. Crews are working to clear the roadway and restore power. Please avoid the area and take an alternate route. We will provide an update when the roadway is reopened.”

East Cobb residential real estate sales, May 6-10, 2024

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Sentinel Chase, East Cobb real estate sales
Sentinel Chase

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

May 6

4256 Biltmore Place, 30062 (Biltmore, Walton): $1.775 million

2681 Beckwith Trail, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $285,000

580 Clubwood Court, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $2.289 million

1280 Rockcrest Drive, 30062 (Blackjack Hills, Sprayberry): $583,100

3446 Chastain Glen Lane, 30066 (Chastain Glen, Sprayberry): 4487,500

4947 Chalden Lane, 30066 (Cooks Valley, Lassiter: $635,000

4657 Jefferson Township Lane, 30066 (Jefferson Township, Lassiter): $767,333

May 7

2765 Old Sewell Road, 30068 (Sentinel Chase, Wheeler): $865,000

921 Burns Drive, 30067 (Tuxedo Estates, Wheeler): $500,000

871 Oriole Lane, 30067 (Meadow Brook, Wheeler): $442,000

2568 Greyfield Court, 30067 (Ashley Hall, Pope): $785,000

653 Glenbarrett Court, 30066 (Chastain Glen, Sprayberry): $425,000

1583 Willow Drive, 30066 (Willow Creek, Kell): $490,000

May 8

589 Lullingstone Drive, 30067 (Glens at Powers Ferry, Wheeler): $567,000

4445 Cove Island Drive, 30067 (Kings Cove, Walton): $745,000

3884 Vinyard Way, 30062 (Arthurs Vinyard, Pope): $387,500

2610 Ridgewood Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills, Sprayberry): $329,900

May 9

511 Sybil Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $510,000

2417 Siesta Court, 30062 (Hickory Grove, Walton): $1.669 million

2338 Tall Timbers Lane, 30062 (Avonshire, Lassiter): $675,000

4941 Hawk Court, 30066 (Falcon Crest, Lassiter): $450,000

2856 Clary Hill Drive, 30075 (Clary Lakes, Pope): $788,000

May 10

3050 Brown Point Place, 30068 (Walton Glen, Walton): $1.5 million

3227 Sewell Mill Road, 30062 (Mulberry Park, Walton) $731,000

2144 Arbor Oaks Drive Unit 2, 30062 (Arbor Oaks Condos, Sprayberry): $495,000

632 Bostic Hill Court, 30067 (Sibley Forest, Wheeler): $1.375 million

30 Foxridge Court, 30067 (Foxridge, Wheeler): $610,000

203 Lakeshore Court, 30067 (Kings Cove, Walton): $677,500

4024 Tritt Homestead Drive, 30062 (The Park at Lost Forest, Pope): $837,900

2633 Baramore Oaks Lane, 30062 (Wyncroft, Sprayberry): $560,000

2749 Tritt Springs Drive, 30062 (Post Oak Springs, Pope): $540,000

31 Tracy Lane, 30062 (Heartwood, Pope): %525,000

3698 Hembree Lane, 30062 (Hembree Hills, Pope): $721,000

71 Willard Drive, 30066 (Brookhaven, Sprayberry): $465,000

4192 Summit Way, 30066 (Creekside Oaks, Lassiter): $620,000

4712 Jamerson Forest Circle, 30066 (Jamerson Forest, Kell): $350,000

299 Woods Edge Court, 30068 (Hampton Farms, Walton): $701,111

2867 Clary Hill Drive, 30075 (Clary Lakes, Pope): $825,000

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Groundbreaking held for Cobb ‘Veterans Village’

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Groundbreaking held for Cobb 'Veterans Village'

Submitted information and photo:

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting America’s first responders, Gold Star families and military veterans, is bringing its commitment to eradicating veteran homelessness to the Atlanta area. The organization held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new “Atlanta Veterans Village” on May 17, 2024 in Mableton. When completed in 2025, the location at 65 S. Service Road will provide permanent and transitional housing to nearly 100 veterans in Atlanta and surrounding areas. 

At the groundbreaking, Tunnel to Towers (T2T) announced details of its plans to turn the former Wingate by Wyndam hotel into a Veterans Village. 

  • Long-term living spaces will include apartments with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom
  • The renovated facility will also have a gym, business center, great room, cafeteria and commercial kitchen
  • Male and female veterans will be able to live in the facility

The facility in Mableton is part of a nationwide Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Homeless Veteran Program. In 2023, the Foundation provided housing assistance and services to more than 3,000 veterans. It also provides mortgage assistance to catastrophically injured Veterans, Gold Star families and Fallen First Responder Families with prior military experience. 

“This new Homeless Veterans Village in greater Atlanta is a part of Tunnel to Towers’ commitment to eradicating veteran homelessness nationwide. In a few short months, this facility which was once a blight on this community, will soon serve as a beacon of hope, says Gavin Naples, Vice President of the T2T Homeless Veteran Program. “We want to ensure that the men and women who served our country have a dignified home they can call their own and facilities like this one are the least we can do for those who sacrificed so much. We will not let our heroes down.”

Ted Decker, President and CEO of The Home Depot, also attended the groundbreaking. The Home Depot Foundation is one of the nonprofit’s earliest partners, supporting the T2T mission from the start. The Home Depot Foundation pledged to donate $500,000 to the new facility in Austell as renovations get underway.Tunnel to Towers is in the process of several transformative projects aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of those it serves. A similar project was completed by T2T last November in Houston, TX where the Foundation converted a former hotel into a high-end, affordable apartment complex. It now provides permanent and transitional housing to more than 100 veterans in the greater Houston area. 

The Foundation’s Homeless Veteran Program currently provides housing to Veterans in Riverside, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Austin, TX, and Phoenix, AZ. Additionally, it is in the process of creating homes for Veterans in twenty other cities including Las Vegas, NV, Denver, CO, and Orlando, FL. 

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Cobb school students earn 2024 Kiwanis ‘Silver Pen’ awards

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2024 Kiwanis Silver Pen Awards
(Front) Margy Rogers, Kiwanis Club Marietta Golden K; Mila Kornuth, Silver Peb award winner and Dana Popovich, Kiwanis. (Back) Jim Perry and Paul Smith, Kiwanis

Submitted information and photos:

In May of 2024, The Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K proudly presented the coveted Silver Pen award to students from 5 Cobb County Elementary Schools. Fourth graders from Acworth, Addison, Powers Ferry, Rocky Mount and Tritt Elementary Schools were presented with the award. In addition, a FIFTH GRADE Silver Pen award was presented to a student from Powers Ferry Elementary School.

The awards included: A Silver Pen; $25 dollars in cash in the form of uncirculated 1 dollar coins from a US mint and an engraved plaque

The topic of the essays that the 4th grade (and 5th grade) students wrote about this year was “What They Want to be When When Grow Up.” The essays were submitted for judging  at the school level, then winning essays from each school were further submitted for judging by a team of Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K judges. After the rigorous judging process was completed, final Silver Pen award winners from each school were announced.

As Jim Perry, past president of Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K stated, “There were some first this year that are worthy of note:  

  • We presented six awards this year, which is an all time record, adding two new schools: Addison and Powers Ferry.
  • We presented the first Fifth Grade Silver Pen Award ever anywhere in the Georgia District of Kiwanis at Powers Ferry Elementary School.
  • The winning student at Acworth Elementary School has been taught by a teacher who has now had four Silver Pen Award Winners!
  • The mother of the winning student at Acworth Elementary School was a Key Club member when she attended North Cobb High School!

Parents, faculty, staff, and Kiwanis members were privileged to recognize these talented students who displayed their respective thinking and writing skills.  

  • Acworth – Elias Nunez – Pilot
  • Addison – Mila Kornuth – Pro Golfer
  • Powers Ferry – 4th Grade – Isaque  Fernandes – Professional Soccer Player
  • Powers Ferry – 5th Grade – Jaden Artiga Hernandez – Police officer
  • Rocky Mount – Quinnlyn Davis –  Veterinarian
  • Tritt – Lucy Hostetler – Author

The Silver Pen award is a national award and everyone is extremely proud of these exceptional writers. We wholeheartedly congratulate them and we are confident that these talented writers will be successful in whatever professions they choose.

2024 Silver Pen Awards
(L-R) Paul Smith, president of Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K; Jim Perry, Kiwanis; Gitma Davis (mom), Quinnlyn Davis, Silver Pen award winner; Nate Davis (dad) and Dana Popovich, Kiwanis.

 

2024 Silver Pen Awards
Paul Smith, Kiwanis; Lucy Hostetler, Silver Pen award winner: Jim Perry and Dana Popovich, Kiwanis.

 

2024 Silver Pen Awards
(L-R) Jim Perry, Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K; Paul Smith, President Kiwanis; Jaden Artiga Hernandez, 5th grade Silver Pen winner; Isaque Fernandes, 4th grade Silver Pen winner, Rosie Teague and Dana Popovich, Kiwanis.

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Sewell Park Pool opens Saturday for 2024 summer season

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Sewell Park Pool

Submitted information:

Start your summer with a splash at Cobb PARKS’ two outdoor pools opening Memorial Day weekend. Cool off with the family at Sewell Park Pool and Seven Springs Water Park.

Sewell Park Pool
2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta
Open May 25 – July 27
Hours: 1 – 6 p.m., seven days a week
Holiday hours – 1 – 5 p.m., in effect on these days:
• Memorial Day Monday, May 27
• Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19
• Independence Day, Thursday, July 4
• Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2

From July 28 – Sept. 2, the pool will be open 1 – 6 p.m. weekends and closed weekdays. Fees are $3.50 for youth, $4.50 for adults and $3 for seniors 55 and older. More information on Sewell Pool can be found at https://bit.ly/3ymUoK9.

Seven Springs Water Park
3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs
Dive into the summer season starting May 25. The pool and water park will offer two separate sessions, noon – 3 p.m. and 4 – 7 p.m., seven days a week through July 28, then weekends through Labor Day, Sept. 2. Fees are $6 for adults, $4 for children and $3 for seniors 55 and older. Passes are available. Please here for more details: https://bit.ly/4dFLHL9.

 

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Police: Northeast Cobb missing boy, 13, found safe

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Updated, 4:15 pm:

Police said around 4 pm that the boy has been located and he is safe.

Original Post:

Cobb Police have sent out this message Thursday afternoon:

“There will be a significant police presence in the area of Autumn Leaves Lane. Several units from our uniformed patrol division and special units will be searching for a missing juvenile in the area.”

That’s off Blackwell Road near Ebenezer Road.

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Cobb Memorial Day closures and observations announced

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Submitted information:Cobb Memorial Day closures and observations announced

Cobb County Government offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, May 27. Many county services will remain available online through cobbcounty.org.  Memorial Day is a solemn time when we remember and honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Memorial Day ceremonies in Cobb:

• Pay your respects at noon Monday at the Marietta National Cemetery, 500 Washington Avenue NE.  

• Powder Springs Memorial Day Ceremony will be at noon Monday at the Veteran’s Memorial in front of the Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs.

• Smyrna Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial next to City Hall, 2800 King Street SE, Smyrna.   

• Acworth Memorial Day Ceremony is 10 – 11 a.m. Monday at Cauble Park, Patriots Point, 4425 Beach Street, Acworth.

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