Wendy Parker

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

Update: Charlie Kirk vigil relocated to East Cobb Park

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Just a few hours before Thursday’s Charlie Kirk vigil, the event has relocated for a second time, to East Cobb Park.Update: Charlie Kirk vigil relocated to East Cobb Park

The event is slated for 7 p.m. in the front field of the park (3822 Roswell Road).

Organizers were forced to move the event from Woodlawn Square Shopping Center when Retail Planning Corp., its property management company, said it was not told about it.

Organizers said they received permission from the manager of the Chick-Fil-A to hold the vigil near the restaurant.

But Beth Wallace, the assistant property manager for Woodlawn Square, told East Cobb News the retail center never has had events like this and doesn’t, for liability reasons.

The vigil was moved Tuesday from the East Cobb Government Services Center when county officials said the vigil organizers didn’t notify them, and that it doesn’t allow public gatherings that would interfere with public safety operations at the Cobb Police Precinct 4 and Cobb Fire Station 21.

East Cobb Park is operated by Cobb PARKS. East Cobb News asked Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt if the vigil organizers needed to get permission before holding such an event, and he said “only if they were planning on using any of the facilities which it’s too late for that now.”

Candles will be distributed, and participants will be invited for song and prayer.

 

 

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Wyndshyld Auto Glass owner earns inaugural specialist award

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Wyndshyld Auto Glass owner earns inaugural specialist award
Jacques Navant, president of the Auto Glass Safety Council, left, and Glenn Fell of Wyndshyld Auto Glass.

Submitted information and photo:

The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) has officially announced that Glenn Fell, president of Wyndshyld Auto Glass has become the first person to earn the newly created AGSC Certified Glass Calibration Specialist designation. The certification, introduced for the first time last week during Auto Glass Week ’25, marks a groundbreaking advancement in the safety of customers having their auto glass replaced.

Fell is the first to complete the certification process, which included training and testing and distinguished himself by earning a perfect score on the certification exam.

The ADAS-Glass Calibration Certification program was developed by the Auto Glass Safety Council to recognize and credential professionals who demonstrate advanced expertise in the critical process of glass calibration—an essential element in ensuring safety and functionality in modern vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

“Glenn’s accomplishment sets the bar for excellence in our industry,” said Jacques Navant, AGSC president. “Becoming the very first Certified Glass Calibration Specialist demonstrates both his leadership and his commitment to advancing safety standards in auto glass service.”

Approximately 110 individuals participated in the first certification training and testing. For more information about the Certified Glass Calibration Specialist program, please visit www.agsc.org.

For more information about Wyndshyld Auto Glass, please visit https://www.wyndshyld.com.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Hong Kong Star; Schlotzky’s; more

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Hong Kong Star, East Cobb Food Scores

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

Chipotle Mexican Grill
1298 Powers Ferry Road
Sept. 15, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Dickerson Middle School
855 Woodlawn Drive
Sept. 12, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Dunkin Donuts
2022 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 100
Sept. 12, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

East Side Elementary School
3850 Roswell Road
Sept. 12, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Hong Kong Star
4719 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 110
Sept. 17, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

Jet’s Pizza
2900 Delk Road, Suite 300
Sept. 16, 2025, Score: 96, Grade: A

Mi Rancho
1495 Roswell Road
Sept. 17, 2025, Score: 67, Grade: U

Mt. Bethel Elementary School
1210 Johnson Ferry Road
Sept. 12, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Panda Express
4275 Roswell Road
Sept. 18, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Schlotzky’s Deli
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite A10
Sept. 12, 2025, Score: 87, Grade: B

Tritt Elementary School
4435 Post Oak Tritt Road
Sept. 18, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

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Cobb Democratic Party blasts ‘unfair punishment of teachers’

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The chairwoman of the Cobb County Democratic Committee on Wednesday issued a statement blasting the Cobb County School District for placing teachers on leave for the comments they’re accused of making about the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.Cobb Democratic Party blasts 'Unfair Punishment of Teachers'

Essence Johnson said in a statement authorized by the party that the school district “is once again picking and choosing which employees get a pass, and which are harassed until the ends of the earth.”

The district announced Monday that it had placed an unspecified number of employees on administrative leave while it investigates allegations that they posted social media messages “appearing to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk.”

The district didn’t specify what the messages said, but indicated that the employees won’t be allowed in classroom settings while on leave, and that they could be subject to disciplinary action that could involve possible revocation of their teaching certificates.

Johnson said the Cobb school district’s decision smacks of hypocrisy, and referenced a December 2023 report in the Cobb County Courier alleging that employees in the district’s communications office had ties to a conservative Powder Springs group, American Vision.

In that report, Cobb school district chief accountability officer John Floresta—who oversees the communications staff—was quoted as saying that the district isn’t “interested in the personal or political views of any of our staff.”

“For those unfamiliar, Gary DeMar, the [American Vision] founder, supports the death penalty for people in the LGBTQ community,” Johnson said in her statement Wednesday. “Now, after two years the school system has changed its stance on the personal or political views of its staff according to a statement released on Monday about the suspension of a teacher.”

Johnson, an East Cobb resident and former Georgia legislative candidate, further stated that “make no mistake, we reject political violence, regardless of which ‘side’ it comes from. However, Mr. Kirk’s killing has been used as an excuse by MAGA to persecute anyone who doesn’t adhere to their beliefs.”

“To those hellbent on rewriting history and ratting out their neighbors over perceived slights, we urge you to stop. To Cobb County Schools, we demand you stop using our teachers as political pawns and allow them to do their jobs.”

The Cobb school district has a social media policy for employees that also has provisions for what employees are permitted to post on their personal and social media accounts.

Among the provisions, employees are refrained from posting material that “displays inappropriate personal information, videos, or pictures that impair the employee’s professionalism and reputation” and “harms the reputation of or discredits the District.”

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East Cobb Charlie Kirk vigil relocated to Woodlawn Square

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UPDATE: The event has been moved again, to East Cobb Park, at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The organizers of the East Cobb vigil for Charlie Kirk on Thursday said they have relocated the event to the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center on Johnson Ferry Road.

The vigil is set for the same time—7 p.m.—and will take place near the Chick-Fil-A (1201 Johnson Ferry Road).

The organizers were forced to find a new venue after Cobb County officials said Tuesday they could not have it at the East Cobb Government Services Center on Lower Roswell Road, which had been announced as the location.

The facility houses Cobb Police Precinct 4 and Cobb Fire Station 21.

County officials said they weren’t informed there was a group meeting there, and said that such gatherings are not allowed “due to the potential disruption of public safety operations. Anyone who attempts to attend will not be permitted to gather there.”

Candles will be provided and the vigil along the lines of other vigils across the country for Kirk, a conservative activist who was shot to death last week at a college event in Utah.

He was the founder of Turning Point USA, an advocacy group that organized youth around a message of conservative populism.

Kirk was a strong ally of Trump who hosted his own podcast and spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2024.

A public memorial service is scheduled for Sunday at a football stadium near Phoenix, where Kirk lived.

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East Cobb man gets life sentence for felony murder, neglect

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An East Cobb man indicted last year for the death of his wife due to what prosecutors alleged was an extreme case of neglect has been sentenced to life in prison. East Cobb man gets life sentence for felony murder, neglect

Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill handed down the sentence after a jury found Gary Williams guilty of felony murder and neglect at his trial earlier this week, according to the Cobb District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office said that Williams, 66, badly disregarded the needs of his disabled wife, Addreinne Gordon, to the point that her body was covered in sores and lesions and her bed was blackened with human waste.

Gordon was 66 years old when she was admitted to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on Nov. 9, 2021, “and placed on maximum-level life support,” according to a release from the Cobb DA’s office. “She died the following day from blood poisoning.”

Williams was Gordon’s caregiver at a home in the Lake Fjord neighborhood that is owned by her estate.

According to the DA’s office, Gordon was visited by Adult Protective Services at the hospital before her death and “reported numerous injuries,” according to the release.

An arrest warrant for Williams stated that Gordon was observed with “multiple and severe bed sores, extremely matted hair, untrimmed toenails and fingernails, feces under and around the toenails and a large, deep laceration to the left hip area.”

Williams was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in late July 2022, then was taken into custody at the Cobb Adult Detention Center, and has been held there without bond ever since, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking reports.

“This case was not about how she died—it was about how she was forced to live,” Cobb DA Sonya Allen said in the release, referring to Gordon.

“She suffered slowly, trapped in a body she could not care for, completely dependent on the one person who vowed to protect her. The only person who could have given her dignity, safety, and comfort instead allowed her to endure a living torture until she died.”

According to her obituary, Gordon worked for the Xerox Corp. for 30 years until her retirement in 2008, and is survived by a daughter, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

“Addreinne, who was affectionately known to her family as ‘Honey,’ was known as a giver with a wide smile and huge personality. She loved cooking and entertaining and celebrated every holiday with excitement. Her favorite times included being with her family, especially her grandchildren.

“Her laugh and zeal for life was contagious to all who knew her.”

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North Georgia State Fair returns to Jim R. Miller Park

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Submitted information:North Georgia State Fair returns to Jim R. Miller Park

Come for the rides and food. Stay for the shows and exhibits. The North Georgia State Fair is coming back this week with amusements for all interests Sept. 18 – 28. This year’s shows include motocross, a demolition derby, monster trucks, bull riders, magicians, a circus, a hypnotist, racing pigs, and Frisbee dogs. 

New traffic plans: All vehicles will be directed to County Services Parkway. Eastbound Al Bishop Drive will be closed to through traffic starting one hour prior to the fair opening each day. Westbound Al Bishop Drive will be two-laned for incoming fair traffic. Uber/Lyft pick-up and drop-off will be located at the Cobb Safety Village, 1220 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. This year, parking is free.

Further parking and shuttle details are available here.

 

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Updated: East Cobb rezoning cases continued to October

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Updated: East Cobb rezoning cases continued to October
Neighbors said they’ve seen dogs fighting and being a nuisance while unattended in the backyard of Annie Lou Crispell, who wants to run a dog-training and boarding business from her home.

Earlier this month the Cobb Planning Commission voted to hold a proposal for a gas station/convenience store by RaceTrac at Bells Ferry Road and Barrett Parkway until October.

Two other cases in East Cobb that were to have been heard Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners also will be waiting for a month, continued by Cobb Zoning Staff.

That includes a proposal for a dog- training and boarding business by Annie Lou Crispell at a home off Terrell Mill Road that we wrote about in August.

During a Planning Commission meeting in August, Crispell tearfully explained how she’s tried to satisfy opposition from some neighbors.

But the five-member board voted on Sept. 2 to recommend denial, with Planning Commission member Deborah Dance saying the business was not appropriate for a residential neighborhood.

Since that vote, no new information has been added to that filing. Cobb Zoning Division manager John Pederson did not explain the reason for the continuance.

That case will go before county commissioners Oct. 21.

Little Sunshine’s Playhouse to rezone two acres at Sandy Plains Road and Trickum Road for a 12,330-square-foot day care center also is on hold until October (you can read the filings here).

The two land parcels fronting Sandy Plains Road are residentially zoned and have older homes on them, and are surrounded by other residential properties.

On Aug. 27, the applicant’s attorney, Parks Huff, submitted a list of stipulations to satisfy concerns from the East Cobb Civic Association.

Those cases will be heard by the Planning Commission on Oct. 7.

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Cobb Elections director leaving after less than two years

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Tate Fall, who was hired less than two years ago to run the the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration, will be leaving her post.New Cobb Elections director hired

Cobb government announced last week that she will be departing near the end of the year, after her leave period expires.

Fall has been on an unspecified leave for the last few months. Michael D’Itri, a deputy director in the elections office, has been named the acting director.

A former deputy elections director in Arlington County, Va., Fall started her tenure to succeed Janine Eveler in Cobb County in December 2023.

Fall was chosen after a search for Eveler’s successor was extended because a lack of qualified candidates.

At the time, then-Elections Board Chairwoman Tori Silas said that “it was difficult to find someone with the level of experience needed along with the zeal for this job. We believe we have found the right person at the right time.”

In Fall’s time in Cobb, the five-member appointed board has been embroiled in a number of disputes, including county commission redistricting.

Last month, the board sparred over electing officers following the appointments of two new members. Fall was absent at that meeting, at which the extension of her leave was announced.

No timetable was mentioned for hiring her successor, which will be chosen by the elections board.

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Cobb Community Foundation selects Giveathon non-profits

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Cobb Community Foundation selects Giveathon non-profits

Submitted information and photo:

On September 10, Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) and a panel of 30 trained community leaders selected and finalized 27 Cobb County nonprofits to participate in this year’s highly anticipated Match Magic Giveathon. The announcement marks the start of a season of giving that rallies the community around organizations working to meet critical local needs.

Through a rigorous review process, volunteer leaders spent hours in small and large groups evaluating over 50 applications and determining which nonprofits would take part. The result: a dynamic cohort of organizations that reflect the diversity and strength of Cobb’s nonprofit sector.

Fundraising kicks off November 11 and runs through December 2, 2025—but right now, we’re building the Match Pool, a special fund powered by generous donors to boost every gift—and we’d love your support. Want to help make the magic happen? See details below.

What is Match Magic?

Match Magic is Cobb Community Foundation’s signature giving campaign that provides local nonprofits with tools, visibility, and matching dollars to amplify their year-end fundraising. Last year, thanks to generous donors, we raised over $800,000 in donations for 25 nonprofits in 2 weeks—a story that made waves in local media.

The results were extraordinary.

  •  $700,000+ raised by participating nonprofits in 2-weeks
  • $100,000+ raised as a “match pool” by CCF
  • $800,000+ TOTAL distributed to 25 Cobb nonprofits
  • 64% gained new donors
  • 76% saw larger gifts from existing supporters

“This is what collective giving can do. The generosity of our donors and the commitment of our nonprofits make this possible,” said Shari Martin, President & CEO of Cobb Community Foundation. “We’re proud to provide the infrastructure, tools, and support to help nonprofits succeed, and we can’t wait to see what this community can achieve together this year.”

Help Us Build the Match Pool

To make Match Magic possible, CCF is raising a Match Pool that proportionally boosts every community gift, depending on how much the organization raises overall. Last year, a $108,000 Match Pool helped amplify nearly $700,000 in donations, giving most contributions a 15% boost.

This year, CCF is hoping to raise $200,000 for the Match Pool. Community members and donors are invited to contribute here: http://bit.ly/45bT9LT, or call or email Cobb Community Foundation directly.

“We are grateful to Walton Communities for once again seeding our 2025 Match Pool with a generous $50,000 gift, and to the Marietta Daily Journal (MDJ) for helping to spread the word by distributing our Match Magic Giving Guide throughout the county,” Martin added.

Supporting the pool means you’re fueling ALL 27 nonprofits at once — it’s a gift to the whole community.

Announcing our 2025 Participating Nonprofits 

  1. Acworth Cultural Arts

  2. Aloha to Aging, Inc

  3. Arts Bridge Foundation

  4. Atlanta Humane Society

  5. Backpack Blessings, Inc.

  6. Blue Thanksgiving, Inc.

  7. Circles Cobb

  8. Cobb County Bar Association CSF Children’s Emergency Fund

  9. Cobb Police Athletic League Inc

  10. CobbWorks, Inc.

  11. Cumberland Counseling Centers

  12. Family Life Restoration Center, Inc.

  13. Food Security for America

  14. Four Corners Group Inc

  15. Friends of The Strand, DBA Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

  16. Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb

  17. Highland Rivers Foundation

  18. LiveSafe Resources

  19. Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, Inc.

  20. Matthew 25:40 Car Care Ministry

  21. NAMI Cobb (local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness – Georgia)

  22. Reflections of Trinity Inc.

  23. Serenade Heights, Inc.

  24. Simple Needs GA, Inc.

  25. The Center for Children and Young Adults

  26. Tillman House Resource Center

  27. Youth Centric, Inc.

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East Cobb vigil for Charlie Kirk scheduled for Thursday

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UPDATED: The vigil has been relocated to the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center.

A vigil for the slain conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has been scheduled for Thursday in East Cobb.

But the vigil that had originally been scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the East Cobb Government Services Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) is being relocated

A group of East Cobb mothers organized the event, according to a message about the event sent to East Cobb News on Monday. The East Cobb Government Services Center facility includes Cobb Police Precinct 4 and the Cobb Fire Station 21.

But they did so without notifying the county, which told East Cobb News on Tuesday “that this location is not appropriate for large public gatherings, as such activity could interfere with critical police and fire operations.

“Public safety officials have attempted to contact the organizers without success. The public should be aware that this facility cannot accommodate this event due to the potential disruption of public safety operations. Anyone who attempts to attend will not be permitted to gather there.”

Randi Beth Soniker, one of the organizers, told East Cobb News Tuesday that “we were not told no” but said her group was making arrangements for another location to be determined.

A number of vigils have been taking place across the country since Kirk was killed last Wednesday while speaking at a university in Utah.

Among the vigils included a Sunday event at the Kennedy Center in Washington that drew cabinet members of the Trump Administration and 85 members of Congress.

A vigil even was held in the Utah hometown of the 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson.

The East Cobb organizers said that at Thursday’s vigil, it will be “just community coming together to talk about Charlie Kirk and open with a prayer or two. People can speak about how they are feeling and what’s on their mind. We’ll light candles in honor of Charlie Kirk. Just a peaceful event to bring the community together.”

Kirk, 31, was shot once in the neck from long range while speaking at Utah Valley University, and later was pronounced dead at a hospital.

He was the founder of Turning Point USA, an advocacy group that organized youth around a message of conservative populism.

Kirk was a strong ally of Trump who hosted his own podcast and spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2024.

A public memorial service is scheduled for Sunday at a football stadium near Phoenix, where Kirk lived.

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Cobb school employees on leave over Charlie Kirk messages

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The Cobb County School District said Monday an unspecified number of employees have been placed on administrative leave while it investigates allegations that they posted messages on social media “appearing to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk.”Campbell High School lockdown

In a release sent out Monday afternoon, the Cobb school district said the employees on leave “will not be in a classroom or interacting with students or parents while on leave. The District will complete a thorough investigation and will take appropriate personnel action. We will also report the matter to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the ethics board for Georgia educators, requesting appropriate action against their Georgia teaching license.”

The district didn’t indicate how many employees have been placed on leave, and how many are teachers. Nor did the district detail the social media messages or identify the social media platforms where they were posted.

East Cobb News left a message with the Cobb school district seeking more information, but a district spokeswoman said that “We cannot discuss personnel specifically.”

Kirk, 31, was a conservative political activist who was shot and killed in Utah last Wednesday while speaking at a college event.

His death sparked outrage from many conservatives on social media and elsewhere, including President Donald Trump, whom Kirk supported.

But the assassination also has sparked some who opposed Kirk’s politics to express comments that have prompted more controversy.

Employers are taking action against workers who have been accused of cheering Kirk’s killing. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has suspended some employees with a message from its chief executive officer.

Teachers around the country also are being suspended or dismissed for negative comments about Kirk, a junior college dropout who had strong appeal with many students.

Cobb school district media and communications director Nan Kiel said in the release that the district was informed by parents about the posts, which she said “are incredibly rare instances and do not reflect the outstanding professionalism demonstrated by the vast majority of Cobb educators daily.”

Kiel further stated that more complaints about the posts “have been received from Cobb educators, stating these behaviors are inconsistent with the professional duty educators owe their students and the Cobb community. We could not agree more. Professional educators are expected to exercise sound judgment and professionalism in and outside the classroom. ”

The Cobb school district has a social media policy for employees that also has provisions for what employees are permitted to post on their personal and social media accounts.

Among the provisions, employees are refrained from posting material that “displays inappropriate personal information, videos, or pictures that impair the employee’s professionalism and reputation” and “harms the reputation of or discredits the District.”

In its release Monday, the district said that “posts that celebrate or support the murder of an innocent person by a school shooter are unprofessional and disruptive to the school environment. We expect Cobb educators to help students learn and grow, which requires limiting disruptions to their classrooms and school. ”

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Editor’s Note: A tasty way to support East Cobb News!

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Editor's Note: A tasty way to support East Cobb News!
Cafe Rivkah, a new East Cobb News advertiser, served freshly baked gourmet pastries and breakfast and lunch fare on the weekends.

When we write about local restaurants, it’s usually about openings and health inspection scores. But the last couple of weeks have been very different on the East Cobb foodie scene.

A longtime favorite, Chin Chin, was destroyed in a fire. Three other eateries were burglarized. And a local Waffle House was the scene of an ugly brawl in which workers were attacked by teens well after dark.

These aren’t the kind of headlines that our readers are used to, but East Cobb News was there to give them to you, getting information and details that no other outlet can provide.

We’ve become a go-to source for all kinds of news that offers more than a glimpse of what’s happening in East Cobb—they reveal quite a bit about what makes this community tick.

And the places where we like to eat are as important to many of us as any place in our community. That’s why so many readers get in touch—with tips about openings and closings, and questions about who’s behind a restaurant.

We recently profiled a neighborhood cafe, Cafe Rivkah, that serves up delicious gourmet pastries and breakfast and lunch items, and how it’s made a lot of changes to adapt to customer tastes.

Cafe Rivkah ribbon cutting

We’re thrilled that Cafe Rivkah has signed on recently as an East Cobb News advertiser. Owner Vicky Savrin and her husband and business partner Phil want to get out the word about their new hours and menu in a challenging time for independent local restaurants.

We hope you’ll go by their cafe Friday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and check them out at the Pavilions at East Lake (2100 Roswell Road). It’s cozy and friendly and a pleasant place to have a bite to eat, and to linger for a while.

As a fellow indie business, we want to do more than just root for these local gems to succeed—we want to help them succeed.

Local business advertising is how we pay most of the bills at East Cobb News, but all news outlets, including those that are much bigger, also ask their readers for support.

Please donate today!

But unlike some of our competitors, we don’t hide our reporting behind a paywall.

We believe high-quality local journalism is the bedrock of a healthy community, and it should be available to everyone, regardless of a person’s current financial situation.

In order to keep local news free, however, we need your help.

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

We’re asking our readers to help support us financially, but it’s entirely voluntarily.

If you value what you get from East Cobb News—what we post every day to our site, as well as our weekly newsletter, and our connections with readers and community on social media–please consider making a financial donation today.

At East Cobb News—where nobody else does what we do, every day—we’ve built an engaged audience that comes to rely on what we do every day.

We’ve been at this since 2017, and we intend on staying at it for a long time to come—giving you the local news that you love, and that makes a difference in this community.

Donating is secure and easy!

Specifically, we’ve been asking for reader support to help us defray some of our business costs.

With our growth has come some additional costs, and while we’re thrifty, we have bills that come due every month.

Our donation amounts are voluntary, and what you pay is up to you. We are suggesting $6 a month on a recurring basis.

Put a better way, here’s how to think about what you can do to help us out:

For less than the half the price of a lunch entree, your support will help keep free, real local journalism alive.

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

We appreciate whatever you are able to donate. Please click the box below to show your support for the only daily news source serving East Cobb. Our Press Patron payment platform is safe, secure and easy. 

Please consider making a donation today! Thank you!

East Cobb residential real estate sales, Sept. 2-5, 2025

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Wellington Forest, East Cobb real estate sales
Wellington Forest

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

1624 Barrier Road, 30066 (Lamplighter Ridge): $419,000

Lassiter

4429 Windsor Oaks Circle, 30066 (Windsor Oaks): $755,000

4181 Singing Post Lane, 30075 (Hedgerow): $560,000

3583 Candlewood Trail, 30066 (Stocktons Mill): $524,900

Marietta

727 Pear Grove Place, 30066 (Hamilton Grove): $540,000

1177 Baker Lane, 30062 (Bonnie Dell): $327,650

Pope

2755 Whitehurst Drive, 30062 (Jacksons Square): $430,000

2872 Bentwood Drive, 30062 (Saddle Ridge Lake): $512,000

2932 Cheshire Drive, 30062 (Wellington Forest): $735,000

3053 Ramsey Place, 30062 (Hembree Crossing): 4640,000

2540 Rocky Springs Drive, 30062 (Post Oak Springs): $712,000

3430 Rocky Springs Court, 30062 (Post Oak Springs): $739,000

2830 Wendy Lane, 30062 (Wendwood): $418,000

3457 Winter Hill Drive, 30062 (Winter Chase): $525,000

Sprayberry

1740 Basswood Court, 30066 (North Ridge): $430,000

1546 West Oak Drive, 30062: $475,000

809 Shadybrook Drive, 30066 (Shady Brook): $520,000

986 Sarah Frances Circle, 30066 (Wright Pines): $407,000

1105 Tom Lane, 30066 (Powell Station): $395,000

3160 Tina Lane, 30066 (Russell Plantation): $385,000

Walton

917 Saints Court, 30068 (St. Andrews Park): $1.035 million

837 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (Villas at Parkaire): $375,000

302 Rolling Rock Road, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club): $2.025 million

942 Fairfield Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $2.425 million

1906 Bonaventure Way, 30068 (Hunters Crossing): $470,000

Wheeler

1489 Pebble Creek Road, 30067 (Terrell Mill Estates): $680,000

2194 Freydale Road, 30067 (Freywood Estates): $325,000

3355 E Terrell Branch Court, 30067 (Old Paper Mill): $1.245 million

1325 Timberland Drive, 30067 (Terrell Mill Estates): $625,000

2071 Meadowbrook Lane, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $455,000

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PHOTOS, VIDEOS (and more): 27th annual EAST COBBER parade

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PHOTOS, VIDEOS (and more): 27th annual EAST COBBER parade
Students from Dance Stop Studios—a regular participant at the EAST COBBER parade—step off on Johnson Ferry Road Saturday morning. ECN photos and videos.

The East Cobb public turned out in strong numbers on a beautiful Saturday morning for the 27th annual EAST COBBER parade.

It was a familiar festive scene, as schools, community organizations, faith groups, local businesses and public agencies were represented in the parade route, which marched down Johnson Ferry Road, from Mt. Bethel Elementary School to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

A community festival took part early Saturday afternoon.

Many of the schools featured their teachers and classified employees of the year.

Librarians from the Cobb County Public Library pushed their book carts down the mile route.

Members of the Twilight Twirlers tossed up batons as they kept the pace.

Scout troops waved their pack flags, and marching bands from Pope, Walton and Wheeler high schools played their fight songs and provided musical entertainment (see the videos below).

Among those taking part included:

  • Addison Elementary School; Boy Scouts Pack 1714; Brumby Elementary School; CertaPro Painters; Club Pilates Merchants Walk; Cobb County District Attorney; Cobb County School District Transportation; Cobb County Sheriff’s Office; Dance Stop; Daniell Middle School; Dickerson Middle School; Dodgen Middle School; East Side Elementary School; Good Mews Animal Foundation; GRACEPOINT School; Hightower Trail Middle School PTSA; Keheley Elementary School; Mabry Middle School; McCleskey Middle School; Murdock Elementary School; My Best Friend’s Vet; Peach State Roller Derby; Peachtree Curling Association \; School of Rock East Cobb; Shallowford Falls Elementary School; Simpson Middle School; STORSquare; Timber Ridge Elementary School; Tritt Elementary School; Twilight Twirler of Marietta; White Tiger Martial Arts.

Click the middle button below to view the photo slideshow, then scroll down some more for the high school bands.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

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Police charge 3 suspects in East Cobb Waffle House brawl

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xSandy Plains Road Waffle House employees attacked by teens

Cobb Police said Friday that three teenagers have been charged for their involvement in a brawl at an East Cobb Waffle House Sunday in which an employee was beaten and injured.

Police said Sammy Dodd (17, Ball Ground), Daniel Riley (18, Calhoun), and Blake Talley-Stewart (17, Roswell) are facing misdemeanor charges that include battery, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and affray.

Talley-Stewart was taken to the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, after initially being apprehended by Roswell Police. He was charged with a misdemeanor account of disorderly conduct on Thursday and was released Friday on an $1,870 bond.

Dodd was charged with battery, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, criminal trespass (damage) and affray and was taken into custody by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.

Riley also was charged with battery, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, criminal trespass (damage) and affray.

Riley was booked into the Cobb jail Friday afternoon and released early Saturday morning on a $5,720 bond, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking reports.

In a statement Friday, Cobb Police did not indicate what led to the assaults, which took place around 2 a.m. Sunday at the Waffle House at 2720 Sandy Plains Road.

Videos shared on social media but that have since been deleted showed several teens entering the restaurant, then threatening employees.

A few seconds into one of the clips, one of the teens began throwing items at an employee behind the counter, then jumped over the counter and began physically assaulting the employee in a prolonged fistfight.

Police said Friday that Talley-Stewart “created a disturbance in the restaurant” and that Dodd and Riley are alleged to have assaulted Waffle House employees.

According to an arrest warrant, Talley-Stewart “threw a plate full of food and a To-Go drink cup toward the fight that took place behind the counter” that was captured on a surveillance camera.

The warrant states that the terms of his bond include that he “shall not return to any Waffle House in Cobb County.”

Police did not provide further details of the incident in their update on Friday.

Witnesses told police that that the teens who came to the restaurant had been asked to leave but refused.

The situation escalated when the teens “began arguing with staff, knocking plates from the counter, and jumping over the service area into the kitchen,” police said Monday.

“One victim was placed in a headlock and struck multiple times in the head. Several patrons attempted to intervene,” according to the initial statement provided by Cobb Police.

Police reiterated Friday that the teens were not students at nearby Sprayberry High School, as some social media speculation had suggested, and that the suspects “have no affiliation with any schools in the Cobb County School District.”

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East Cobb students plant American flags for 9/11 anniversary

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East Cobb students plant American flags for 9/11 anniversary

Several schools in the East Cobb area have been festooned with American flags for the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

Students at Kell High School planted 2,977 flags—equalling the number of people who were killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001—on the school’s lawn.

“A truly touching morning for all who could see this display,” said a message on the school’s Facebook page, which contains more photos.

Similarly, at Pope High School, students there placed the same number of flags on school grounds on Wednesday, so they would be seen as the school day started Thursday.

“We truly have the best students and yesterday was another powerful reminder of their compassion and commitment,” said Pope’s Facebook message, which also included more photos.

East Cobb students plant American flags for 9/11 anniversary

The same gesture was made at Walton High School:

“Every year Student Leadership Council students line the walkways and driveways with flags in honor of the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001.”

East Cobb students plant American flags for 9/11 anniversary

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East Cobb traffic alert: Johnson Ferry Road parade closures

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East Cobb traffic alert: Johnson Ferry Road parade closures
Part of Johnson Ferry Road will be mostly pedestrian Saturday morning for the EAST COBBER parade. ECN file photo.

Saturday is the 27th edition of the EAST COBBER parade, which marches down the heart of Johnson Ferry Road.

For a couple of hours at least, part of the road will be completely closed to traffic.

The parade marches off starting at 10 a.m. from Mt. Bethel Elementary School, and will head to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, with a community festival there lasting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of Johnson Ferry will be closed between Roswell and Lower Roswell roads from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Woodlawn Drive also will be closed during this time.

Before that, Princeton Lakes Drive will be closed, starting at 8 a.m., since that leads to the entrance to the school, which is the staging area for the parade.

Cobb DOT will be setting up detours at the intersections of Roswell Road and Indian Hills Parkway and Lower Roswell Road.

Other detours will be set up at the intersection of Roswell and Timber Ridge Road and Lower Roswell and Timber Ridge.

East Cobber Parade route

The parade route will detour into the church south parking lot at Olde Towne Parkway.

The participants in the parade include a variety of schools, community organizations, local businesses, scout troops and government agencies.

The festival takes place in the north lot of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and will include a number of business and community vendors, food, and live music and entertainment.

Admission to the parade and festival is free; for more information visit the EAST COBBER website.

 

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East Cobb Food Scores: Flames Indian Grill; Macaw Acaiteria; more

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Cobb Food Scores: Flames Indian Grill; Macaw Acaiteria; more

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

Flames Indian Grill (reinspection)
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 128
Aug. 29, 2025, Score: 82, Grade: B
Previous Inspection: Aug. 20, 2025, Score: 62, Grade: U

Macaw Acaiteria
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 110
Sept. 3, 2023, Score: 100, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
4811 Lower Roswell Road
Sept. 10 2025, Score: 87, Grade: B

The Red Eyed Mule
430 South Marietta Parkway
Sept. 8 2025, Score: 83, Grade: B

Starbucks
31 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A
Sept. 2, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Willy’s Mexicana Grill
2900 Delk Road, Suite 8
Sept. 2, 2025, Score: 84, Grade: B

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East Cobb students named National Merit semifinalists

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More than 16,000 semifinalists have been named for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, including a number of seniors at Walton and Wheeler high schools in East Cobb. East Cobb National Merit Scholarship Program

They are competing for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring by NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance to college-bound students.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and another 300 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors.

The process for the 2025-26 school year began earlier this year, with more than 1.3 million juniors applying. A semifinalist, according to the NMSC, “must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school offi cial, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.”

Finalists will be announced in February 2026, and “Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.”

LASSITER H. S.

  • Lucy Conway; Carter Kopp; Riley Sullivan; Alina Zhu

POPE H. S.

  • Kenneth Kim; Ishaan Marwaha; Ekansh Singh; Nyla Yarbrough

WALTON H. S.

  • Aayushmann Bhattacharyya; Anna Isabelle Cerqueira Perman; Li-Yen Chou; Sean Dalton; Thomas Ellison Cole Jamison; Maxim Le-Tu; Jung Woo Lee; Jacob Lembeck; Aditya Manabala; Aashrith Muppalla; Benjamin Norman; Dev Patel; Christina Philip; Shinjon Rafique; Jeremiah Raj; Ameen Sayeed; Aubrey Seay; Anika Thatte; Vishruthi Thiyagarajan; Logan Wicks; Alena S. Wolfe-Tham; Jerry Xu; Anna Yang

WHEELER H. S.

  • Samuel Grouchnikov; Maddic Jordan; Thilo Kalbarga; Nathan Lawson; John Leith; Madelyn McGurk; Krish Patel; Ananya Rajagopalan; Ritvik Ranjan; Mythili Shah; Vidya Sinha; Ezekiel Skeene; Jacob Thottungal; Dillan Vuong

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