Wendy Parker

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

Cobb County School District retirees honored at luncheon

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Cobb County School District retirees honored at luncheon
Bells Ferry ES Principal Gail May served 38 years in the Cobb County School District.

Cobb County School District employees who are retiring at the end of the current academic year were honored at a luncheon last week at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

They include Bells Ferry Elementary School Principal Gail May, who is concluding a 38-year career in the district.

She’s among the more than 200 personnel—teachers, bus drivers, principals, food services assistants, an assistant superintendent, and a variety of support staff—who contributed nearly 5,000 years of service, according to the district.

Here are the retirees from schools in East Cobb:

  • Addison ES: Tanya Sattelmeier
  • Bells Ferry ES: Randa T. Burden, Gail May, Will Tyler
  • Blackwell ES: Lisa J. Casazza
  • Brumby ES: Charlene Elizabeth Brisco, Lorri Ocker
  • Daniell MS: Frances Hebb
  • Davis ES: Kathryn Farrar Bernier, Laura Welch
  • Dickerson MS: Maureen Andrizzi, Tammi Jacobson
  • Dodgen MS: Debbie Amodeo, Daniel J. Clark, John Jeffres, Kimberly Solomon
  • East Cobb MS: Denise Boykin, Chenedra Garnigan, Aleem Shaw, Leetonia A. Young
  • East Side ES: Renee Mitchell
  • Eastvalley ES: Sandra Magee
  • Garrison Mill ES: Donna Bramlett, Robin A. Brown
  • Hightower Trail MS: Janet Grooms, Teresa Mullaney
  • Keheley ES: Jennifer Eitenmiller
  • Kincaid ES: Mandy Gai Robertson, Vicki L. Scheffel, Patricia J. Williams
  • Lassiter HS: Wylie Brown, Lynne McLaughlin, Carol Pizza, Ann Rives, Paul Stadtmuller
  • Mabry MS: Daisy Tsui
  • McCleskey MS: Lisa Day
  • Murdock ES: Christy Garvin, Brenda J. Holmquist
  • Nicholson ES: Michele Myers, Kelley Cone O’Hare
  • Pope HS: Mary Bowen, Elizabeth Bristol Malte, Jenny Young
  • Powers Ferry ES: Karmen Callaway, Dianne Steinbeck
  • Simpson MS: Laurie Bartlow, Valerie Page
  • Sope Creek ES: Robin Crispin, Ida Lowrie, Michelle Patterson, Sherona Pfaff
  • Sprayberry HS: Carlos Barrera, Rosa D’Astoli Santaiti
  • Timber Ridge ES: Janine L. Espriella, Heidi Holman Wolff
  • Tritt ES: Kelle Laushey
  • Walton HS: Felicia Glass
  • Wheeler HS: Cynthia R. Carwise, William Rembert, Celeste Sorensen

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Wheeler High School senior is recipient of LGE scholarship

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Wheeler High School senior is recipient of LGE scholarship

Submitted information and photo:

LGE Community Credit Union is proud to announce that Sabrina Xing of Wheeler High School is the winner of a $2,500 scholarship through LGE’s 2024 Scholarship Program. These awards are designed to support educational opportunities for exceptional high school seniors from Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Floyd, Fulton, Gordon, and Paulding counties.

She is one of nine students receiving the scholarships, which total $22,500.

“The LGE Scholarship Program reflects our commitment to supporting the education and development of the next generation,” said Chris Leggett, president and CEO of LGE Community Credit Union. “We are proud to invest in the futures of these students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.”

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‘Spot-zoning’ request in Fox Hills gets initial thumbs-up

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The Cobb Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to recommend modifying a rezoning request that would split a residential property in the Fox Hills subdivision for the construction of an additional home.

The vote was 3-0, with two members absent.

CO2 Creative Group, LLC, a Marietta developer, wants to renovate a home it owns on Huntsman Way and divide the back portion of a one-acre lot and build a home fronting Spring House Court, at a cul-de-sac.

In order to do that, it sought a change from R-30 zoning, which is the category of most homes in that part of Fox Hills, to R-20 (you can read the case file here).

To “spot zone” the land “is a bad precedent to set,” said Jackie Bettadapur of the East Cobb Civic Association.

Simon Holt of CO2 Creative said the Hunstman Way land was originally two lots, then combined by a previous owner in 1974. His firm bought the land in November for $412,000, and would build a similar-type house on the Spring House Court parcel.

He said it would be around 3,000 square feet with two stories and architecture similar to surrounding homes.

“The idea is to build a house that works well with the surrounding houses,” he said.

Holt said the impervious surface of the Spring House Court land would be 45 percent.

But two neighbors who tried unsuccessfully to buy that 22,813-square-foot parcel expressed concerns about stormwater runoff.

Jim Nee of Spring House Court said his back property has a 25-foot dropoff, and worried that there wouldn’t be proper monitoring of construction.

“I offered to buy the lot to keep it the way it is,” he said.

The Cobb Zoning Office recommended deleting the request to R-30 with conditions.

After questioning stormwater staff, the applicants and an opponent, District 2 Planning Commissioner David Anderson followed that recommendation and added several conditions.

They included a lot-size variance to build the new home, but require the developer to follow setback distances for R-30 construction and construct a 10-foot buffer.

Anderson also asked that an April 29 stipulation letter from the builder (you can read it here) be part of the recommendation, which also includes final elevations to be approved by the district commissioner.

Cobb commissioners will hear the case on May 21.

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Cobb Water System launches new online payment system

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Submitted information:Cobb Water System to ask for rate increase

As of May 6, 2024, we have a new billing system with a new Customer Self-Service portal.

This portal has enhanced features including the ability to submit online requests for: senior discounts, water service, payment plans, leak adjustments, general adjustments, etc. To make online requests please visit our new Customer Self-Service Portal: https://ccw-css.cobbcounty.org.

We are currently experiencing a very high call volume and extended wait times. For our Frequently Asked Questions, please visit https://www.cobbcounty.org/…/customer…/request-service.

We hope the new portal will provide an improved customer experience.

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Georgia Celebrates Quilt Show set for Cobb Civic Center

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Submitted information and photos:Georgia Celebrates Quilt Show set for Cobb Civic Center

The Georgia Celebrates Quilts Show will be held at the Cobb County Civic Center, Thursday, June 6th through Saturday, June 8th from 10am – 5pm. Immerse yourself in the world of quilting as the most talented quilters from around the state compete for cash prizes. Over 300 quilts will be on display in the quilt gallery. In addition to the gallery of over 300 quilts, the show will include a wide variety of vendors who come from all over the US, offering the latest quilt-related products for sale in the market areas. There will be quilted items and small treasures made by guild members for sale in The Quilt Store, along with fabric postcards, a raffle for gift baskets with each valued at $100 or more, commemorative pins, a sewing studio raffle, and a passport basket opportunity just for visiting the show.

. This year’s show features the raffle quilt “Kaleidoscope,” created by guild members. Tickets for the raffle are sold in bundles of six for $5.00 and can be purchased online at  https://www.georgiacelebratesquilts.com/rafflequilt/ until June 5, 2024, at noon.

The show is being held at the Cobb County Civic Center – 584 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 – Thursday, June 6th through Saturday, June 8th from 10 am to 5 pm. There is plenty of free parking and handicap access. Tickets are $10 at the door or online at www.georgiacelebratesquilts.com/tickets.

For additional information visit  www.GeorgiaCelebratesQuilts.com.

Georgia Celebrates Quilt Show set for Cobb Civic Center

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Cobb Library System’s summer reading program starts May 13

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Submitted information:

Embark on a literary adventure with Cobb Library’s Summer Reading Program! Running from May 13 to July 30, 2024, this inclusive program is designed for all ages, offering many opportunities for family bonding, community engagement, and shared learning experiences. With exciting events and prizes awaiting you, mark your calendars and join us for a summer filled with exploration and enrichment at the library.

  • Children: Begin building language and reading skills. Reading to young children, even infants, increases word recognition and vocabulary!

  • Students: Students are at risk of losing 2-3 months of reading and math skills over the summer. Keep students learning and engaged by encouraging them to complete Summer Reading!

  • Adults: Make time for yourself to experience the joys of reading – it’s a great way to relieve stress and strengthen your brain! As little as 15 minutes a day is proven to make a difference!

For more information, click here.

 

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East Cobb Biz Scene: Buckhead Butcher Shop opens 2nd store

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Buckhead Butcher Shop opens East Cobb
“We’re not selling products, we’re selling an experience,” Buckhead Butcher Shop executive chef Leonard Lewis said. ECN photos

As he considered expanding from his original store in Atlanta, Buckhead Butcher Shop owner Connor Boney said coming to East Cobb was high on his list.

He also was looking at another possibility in the Alpharetta-Johns Creek area, but decided on the former Cleaver and Cork space at the Shops of Woodlawn on Johnson Ferry Road (next to Big Peach Running Co.)

“It’s a great location and fits our clientele,” Boney said, citing a wealth of other local businesses and opportunities to get involved in community activities.Buckhead Butcher Shop opens East Cobb

The Buckhead Butcher Shop opened on May 1, and like its older counterpart sells premium beef and meats and select seafood products, along with charcuterie items, side dishes, spices, eggs, prepared pasta meals, condiments and more.

Boney and his wife Katie (the company’s chief financial officer) started the Buckhead Butcher Shop in 2020, not long after the start of COVID-19.

He was a co-owner of Revere Meat Co. in Forest Park, which specialized in locally sourced meat processing and distribution. One of his employees there, Sam Fender, came over to help open the Buckhead Butcher Shop, as pandemic closures continued.

Buckhead Butcher Shop started as box-truck operation, selling meats to largely home-bound customers as restaurants remained closed, then took up temporary store space in Peachtree Heights.

The Buckhead store has moved to a location off West Paces Ferry Road, and includes space for cooking classes and private events.

“This how we started,” Fender said, looking around the black-clad walls and decor at the East Cobb store. “This is similar to the first store, with the same aesthetic.”

For now, Fender and executive chef Leonard Lewis—who served in a similar capacity at Bones, an iconic Atlanta steakhouse—are handling the operations in East Cobb, which is open for retail sales from daily.

The beef comes primarily from Creekstone Farms of Oklahoma, which specializes in black Angus. Seafood is sourced from around the world, with salmon from Norway, tuna from Costa Rica, to name two examples.

The objective, Lewis said, is to help home cooks.

“We’re not selling products, we’re selling an experience,” he said. “We want to make everything connect with you.”

Fender noted the competition in the area: the New York Butcher Shoppe, and long-standing businesses such as the Cajun Meat Co.

He said he not only welcomes the competition—”it keeps your standards high”—but says their presence reflects a strong opportunity in this market.

“We’re trying to get people back to the dinner table,” Fender said, “and enjoying meals and one another.”

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Buckhead Butcher Shop

1062-D Johnson Ferry Road

678-402-6996

Open daily 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

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East Cobb resident earns public health communication award

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Valerie Crow, the director of communications for Cobb and Douglas Public Health, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Georgia Public Health Association Communications Excellence Award.

East Cobb resident earns public health communication award
Valerie Crow, Cobb and Douglas Public Health

The honor was awarded on May 3 at the association’s annual convention on Jekyll Island.

Crow has held that position for 10 years. She attended Sope Creek ES, Dickerson MS and Walton HS and still lives in East Cobb.

She is involved with the Chattahoochee Plantation Women’s Club and attends Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

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Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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Volunteers take part in Sewell Mill Creek cleanup project

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Sewell Mill Creek cleanup project

Submitted information and photos from reader Wade:

Saturday morning, May 4, local Scouts and Rotarians braved the rain to join Friends for the East Cobb Park and Cobb Water to clean trash from the banks of Sewell Mill Creek in East Cabb Park.

2 hours and a lot of hands removed some interesting artifacts!

Sewell Mill Creek cleanup project

Sewell Mill Creek cleanup project

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, April 15-19, 2024

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Millbrook Farm, East Cobb real estate sales
Millbrook Farm

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

April 15

932 Red Apple Drive, 30066 (Sprayberry): $454,800

2262 Shadetree Court, 30062 (Post Oak Manor, Sprayberry): $805,000

3924 Lower Roswell Road, 30067 (Stone Walk on Lower Roswell, Walton): $1.65 million

2650 Roswell Road, 30062 (Walton): $300,000

268 Millbrook Farm Road, 30068 (Millbrook Farm, Wheeler): $690,000

163 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills, Wheeler): $538,000

1754 Wingard Drive, 30062 (Hasty Meadows, Sprayberry): $461,000

2124 Lamplight Drive, 30062 (Chadds Walk, Pope): $925,000

3020 Wendwood Drive, 30062 (Wendwood, Pope): $440,000

1221 Windburn Drive, 30066 (Shaw Woods, Sprayberry): $455,000

3810 Bluffview Trace, 30066 (Creekside Bluffs, Lassiter): $571,500

1090 Malibu Drive, 30066 (Philmont Estates, Sprayberry): $450,000

4550 Columns Drive, 30068 (Columns Drive@ACC, Walton): $1.4 million

April 16

1843 Jacksons Creek Drive, 30068 (Jacksons Creek-The Bluffs, Walton): $785,000

2562 Arrowwood Drive, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $565,000

2627 Wellington Drive, 30062 (Wellington Forest, Pope): $650,000

2261 Piedmont Forest Drive, 30062 (Piedmont Forest, Sprayberry): $435,000

3081 Karen Lane, 30062 (Mountain View, Sprayberry): $369,000

51 Willard Drive, 30066 (Brookhaven, Sprayberry): $345,000

4802 Woodspring Drive, 30066 (Tremont, Kell): $362,000

704 North River Forest Court, 30068 (North River Forest, Walton): $1.425 million

4998 Meadow Lane, 30068 (The Meadows, Walton): $340,000

April 17

480 Fouse Court, 30066 (Canterbury, Sprayberry): $820,000

1714 Tappahannock Trail, 30062 (Hamilton Corners, Marietta): $634,000

2921 Torreya Way, 30067 (The Woods Condos, Wheeler): $295,000

202 Yancy Drive, 30067 (Hamby Acres, Wheeler): $300,000

3099 Gant Quarters Way, 30068 (Gant Quarters, Wheeler): $590,000

904 Pritchard Place, 30068 (Pincrest Townhouses, Walton): $465,000

2322 Milstead Circle, 30066 (Landsdowne, Sprayberry): $520,000

April 18

816 Exposition Pointe, 30067 (The Townes at Marietta, Marietta): $435,860

1902 East Piedmont Road, 30062 (Sprayberry): $337,000

2891 Dara Drive, 30066 (Northeast Colony, Sprayberry): $402,000

4440 Marsh Road, 30066 (Lamplighter Cove, Kell): $402,000

5147 Weatherwood Trace, 30068 (Willow Point, Walton): $863,000

744 Olde Towne Lane, 30068 (Hamptons of Olde Towne, Walton): $440,000

April 19

1496 Soaring Pointe, 30062 (Eagle Ridge, Marietta): $525,000

118 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Old Bells Ferry, Marietta): $442,955

2582 Middle Coray Circle, 30066 (TheOaks at Mill Pond, Lassiter): $1.425 million

4920 Kentwood Drive, 30068 (Cobblestone Manor, Walton): $1.281 million

4513 Summersweet Drive, 30066 (Mountain Creek Estates, Lassiter): $872,000

4040 Riverlook Parkway Unit 208, 30067 (Willows by the River, Walton): $342,000

2680 Greentree Drive, 30067 (Sandpiper, Wheeler): $298,000

1702 Paddlewheel Drive, 30062 (Wellcrest Townhomes, Wheeler): $330,000

3514 Billingsley Drive, 30062 (Princeton Corners, Walton): $656,000

2442 Spring Lake Drive, 30062 (Shadowwoods, Pope): $714,000

1980 Trophy Drive, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates, Sprayberry): $425,000

1430 Wood Valley Drive, 30066 (Oak Creek Estates, Spraybery): $430,000

4008 Rock Mill Drive, 30062 (Rock Mill, Lassiter): $365,000

2930 Summitop Road, 30066 (The Summit at Sweat Mountain, Lassiter): $605,000

4618 North Landing Drive, 30066 (North Landing, Kell): $380,000

2655 Stillwater Court, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): $738,440

4642 Kempton Place, 30067 (Whitehall, Walton): $1 million

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: 2024 Taste of East Cobb food festival

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More than 20 restaurants, a couple dozen sponsors and a few dozen more local businesses and organizations set up after an early-morning rain Saturday, but that’s as wet as it would get for the 2024 Taste of East Cobb.

By the time the festival aisles at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church were flush with visitors—sampling food, picking up flyers and listening to the sounds of school jazz bands—the sun was out on a warm and sunny weekend afternoon.

In addition, there were games and face-painting for kids, raffle prizes, a silent auction and other activities as part of the Walton Band Parent Association’s main fundraiser.

Several jazz bands from Walton and Wheeler high schools, and Dickerson and Dodgen middle schools, also performed.

East Cobb News was proud to be a sponsor for the second year in a row, and we’re honored to be a part of this festive community event.

Here are the winners as voted by attendees:

Restaurants

  • Favorite Overall Taste – Sterling Estates
  • Rookie Award –Verandah Indian Cuisine 
  • Most Scrumptious Sweet – Schmoo Pies
  • Most Unique Taste – Verandah Indian Cuisine
  • Most Likely to Order Seconds  – Righteous ‘Que

Vendors and Sponsors

  • Friendliest Booth –Rohan Law 
  • Most Likely to Call Tomorrow – Mojo Vitality
  • Most Interesting  – Peachtree Curling Association
  • Best Giveaway  – DC Patel Financial Services
  • Favorite Overall   – East Cobb City Lifestyle

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‘Widow Strong’ Mother’s Day event set for East Cobb Park

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The non-profit organization Widow Strong, a component of the East Cobb-based Life Transformed Christian Counseling, is holding a special Mother’s Day-related event Sunday at East Cobb Park for families without fathers.

It’s called “Pampering and Portraits,” and it’s for widows with their children, grandchildren and other family members from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

There will be lunch, a mini photography session and a pampering gift bag

You can go to the LTCC office at 3827 Roswell Road, Suite 104 for the portrait and gift bag, then go to the park (3322 Roswell Road) and look for the Widow Strong tent for grilling, games and a potluck meal.

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Cobb schools to expand graduate degree program for teachers

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After more than 500 Cobb County School District teachers enrolled in an all-expenses-paid online graduate degree program last year, the district announced Friday it is expanding that offer.Campbell High School lockdown

The district said in a release Friday afternoon that Georgia’s BEST (Building Educator Success Together) will add 200 more enrollment slots for classes that begin in August.

Teachers get their degrees from the University of West Georgia. When Georgia’s BEST was unveiled last year, the district approved spending $500,000 for a proof of concept proposal that also included certificate programs.

The district release Friday didn’t indicate if any additional funding would be required for the expansion.

Cobb schools superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Georgia’s BEST is designed not only to improve teacher retention, but to broaden professional development in the classroom.

Certified staff and paraprofessionals have until May 10 to file an application of interest form, including those who applied last year but were not enrolled.

Nearly 500 slots will be filled for the upcoming academic year. The August cohort degree programs include education specialist, a master’s in special education, an MAT in special education and an educational doctorate in school improvement.

The January cohort programs include education specialist and master’s of education in instructional technology.

For more infomation, click here.

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Visit the East Cobb News booth at the Taste of East Cobb!

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Taste of East Cobb 2023

Some rain is expected Saturday, but the Taste of East Cobb will go on, rain or shine!

That’s what festival organizers said Friday morning, as some wet weather will be moving into the area for the next few days.

The latest forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain early Saturday morning, followed by more possible rain the late morning and early afternoon. More rain is expected in the early evening. High temperatures will be in the mid 70s.

East Cobb News is proud to be a sponsor of the Taste of East Cobb, our community’s signature food festival once again (we had an absolute blast in our debut last year!), and we’re looking forward to seeing all of you.

Please stop by our booth and say hello, pick up some swag, and learn more about East Cobb’s only daily news resource. We help local businesses with our dynamic all-digital advertising products and services that reach a growing and engaged readership.

We’d love to meet our readers and the general public and spread some springtime community cheer.

The festivities take place from 11-5 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road). Parking and admission are free, as is jazz musical entertainment from Walton and Wheeler high schools, and Dodgen and Dickerson middle schools.

You pay for food and drink tickets to sample, featuring some of East Cobb’s favorite restaurants and eateries (full lineup here).

For information and tickets visit the Taste of East Cobb website.

 

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Rally on the Runway event includes East Cobb cancer patient

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Rally on the Runway event includes East Cobb cancer patient

Submitted information and photo:

At April’s Rally on the Runway fundraiser at the Georgia Aquarium, 10-year-old Nick from Roswell/East Cobb and Rally Kids from throughout Georgia who are fighting or surviving cancer, each took 47 steps down the runway as a reminder that everyday 47 children are diagnosed with cancer.

The evening’s host was longtime Rally supporter and Atlanta Falcons Defensive Tackle Grady Jarrett. Jarrett along with other NFL players walked with each model down the runway. Nick was joined on the runway by Atlanta Falcons Linebacker Donavan Mutin, where the two struck a pose to excited cheers from the crowd. That evening more than $780,000 was raised for pediatric cancer research. Joined by NFL players, the kids also got a chance to have a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium prior to the event. You can see Nick modeling at about the one-minute mark here.

Last summer, he was having fun when he suddenly became fatigued and tired all the time. His parents knew something was wrong and after a few hours at the hospital, it was confirmed that Nick had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nick immediately started treatment and has been fighting cancer ever since. Nick loves sports especially baseball. Within the first six months of his diagnosis, he and his family decided to raise money to help fight childhood cancer. Nick and his family have raised $50,000 and are going to be able to name a research grant in his honor.

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Walton senior, English teacher earn Georgia STAR honors

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Walton senior English teacher earn Georgia STAR honors
Omer Mustafa Inan, second from right, of Walton HS, is the 2024 State PAGE STAR Student. Tamara Hollingsworth, second from left, an English teacher at Walton, is the State PAGE STAR Teacher. With them are Vickie Hammond, left, a member of the PAGE Board of Directors, and PAGE Executive Director Craig Harper. Photo courtesy of PAGE.

Submitted information and photo:

Omer Mustafa Inan, a senior at George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, Ga., is the 2024 State PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators) STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Student. He named Walton’s Tamara Hollingsworth, an English teacher, as his STAR Teacher. As this year’s State PAGE STAR Student, Inan won a $7,500 scholarship from PAGE, and as State PAGE STAR Teacher, Hollingsworth received a $7,500 cash award from the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation.

Parv Mahajan, a senior at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Lawrenceville, Ga., is the State Runner-up PAGE STAR Student. He named Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology’s Julia Rachkovskiy, a computer science teacher, as his STAR Teacher. Mahajan received the $2,500 SouthState Bank Scholarship, and Rachkovskiy $2,500 SouthState Bank Award and the $500 Mozelle Christian Award.

Twenty-seven PAGE STAR Student Region Winners were state finalists in the annual STAR program for high school seniors.

The search for the State PAGE STAR Student began earlier this school year with the naming of local STAR Students from more than 600 participating public and independent high schools across the state. In turn, those STAR Students then recognized the teacher who had the most influence on their success as their STAR Teacher.

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school seniors must have the highest score on any single test date of the SAT and must be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class, based on GPA.

“Recognizing these outstanding students and their teachers in region events and then at the state event each year is our great honor,” said PAGE Executive Director Craig Harper. “We are pleased to be a major sponsor and administrator for the STAR program to ensure that Georgia’s excellent students and teachers receive the attention they’ve earned through their success.”

Sponsors for the 2024 State PAGE STAR awards are PAGE, the PAGE Foundation, the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, SouthState Bank, and the Mozelle Christian Endowment.

As the largest independent educator association in the state and nation, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) exists to support our members who serve in every Georgia public school. PAGE provides unparalleled legal coverage, legislative advocacy, professional learning, grants, and scholarships. PAGE honors and encourages educational excellence through student programs including Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR), Future Georgia Educators (FGE), Georgia Academic Decathlon (GAD), and PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades.

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Cobb DOT to hold open house on Holly Springs Corridor project

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Cobb DOT to hold open house on Holly Springs Corridor project
Cobb DOT estimates that a roundabout will provide the biggest time reduction in getting through the Holly Springs-Post Oak Tritt intersection.

After holding an open house in February to solicit feedback on proposals to ease congestion at the intersection of Holly Springs Road and Post Oak Tritt Road, Cobb DOT has scheduled a similar public meeting this month.

The next open house is set for Tuesday, May 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Regional Library (3330 Sandy Plains Road) “to review community input received on the Holly Springs Corridor 2022 SPLOST project.”

Cobb DOT has presented three options for improvements at that intersection:

  • A roundabout costing $3.4 million
  • A signal upgrade costing $2.5 million
  • Right turn lanes costing $449,000

Another proposal includes a signal improvement at Holly Springs and Sandy Plains Road, at a cost of $383,000.

Those expenses don’t include acquiring right-of-way properties. The available budget overall is $3.9 million.

Cobb DOT said a roundabout would provide the best traffic relief option, in terms of reducing wait times (see table below).

If that’s done, the existing traffic signal would be removed, and a multilane roundabout would be constructed, similar to what’s on Hembree Road at the entrance to Pope High School.

The signal upgrade calls for through lanes going north and south as well as turn lanes in the north-, south- and eastbound lanes, with the signal rebuilt.

Those projects would take an estimated 16 months to complete.

The third option would add southbound and eastbound right lanes and rebuild the signal.

That option, plus the Holly Springs-Sandy Plains option, would take around six months to complete

Cobb DOT didn’t specify what proposed changes may be in store for the upcoming open house, but the project is still considered to be in the conceptual stage.

 

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East Cobb Food Scores: Capozzi’s; Pappasito’s; Winston’s; more

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Capozzi's Roswell Road; East Cobb food scores

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

Capozzi’s Restaurant
4285 Roswell Road
May 1, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A

Pappasito’s Cantina
2788 Windy Hill Road
April 30, 2024 Score: 83, Grade: B

Wellstar East Cobb Health Park Parkside Bistro
3747 Roswell Road
May 1, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

Wendy’s
1270 Powers Ferry Road
May 1, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Winston’s Food and Spirits
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 101
May 1, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates 30th anniversary in photos

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates 30th anniversary in photos
CCSD photos

Present and previous educators and staffers at Hightower Trail Middle School recently celebrated together the school’s 30th anniversary with a photo-and-memorabilia walk down memory lane.

The Cobb County School District said in a release that the commemoration in the school’s media center included refreshments, laughs and plenty of nostalgia.

The tribute included composite staff photos from the past three decades, honoring “the the dedicated individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s identity and fostering a culture of excellence.”

The event also took place on the same day of Hightower Trail’s Night of the Arts, highlighted by musical performances by students.

Hightower Trail opened its doors off Post Oak Tritt Road at the start of the 1993-94 school year, helping ease growing middle school attendance in the Pope High School cluster.

“We were beyond thrilled with the overwhelming turnout for our 30th Anniversary Celebration,” Hightower Trail principal Dr. Hannah Polk said in the release.

“How gratifying for the entire Hightower Trail family to witness current and former staff members become reacquainted and share their favorite husky memories. It is an honor and privilege to serve this incredible community as we look forward to the next 30 years of celebrating student success at Hightower Trail Middle School.”

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Cobb schools financial watchdog group holding budget session

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A citizens group that scrutinizes Cobb County School District finances is inviting the public to an online information session next week to go over the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget.Cobb schools financial watchdog group holding budget session

Watching the Funds-Cobb (Facebook page) said the Zoom call is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. It’s open to anyone who wants to take part, but you must register in advance by going to this link.

Those who sign up will get a confirmation e-mail with more information about the session.

Watching the Funds-Cobb said that all seven Cobb Board of Education members have been asked to serve as panelists, but only Becky Sayler of Post 2 has agreed. The budget session will, according to its event listing:

  • help taxpayers understand the budget
  • earn about new laws going into effect impacting our property taxes, millage rates and district funding
  • learn how to contact board members to provide input into the budget, as allowed by law.

The Cobb school district’s proposed budget is $1.85 billion, up from the current FY 2024 budget of $1.5 billion that lasts through June 30.

It includes pay raises for most full-time employees ranging from 4.4 percent to 9 percent, and holds the property tax rate at 18.7 mills.

(Proposed FY 2025 budget documents can be found by clicking here.)

The budget was presented to the Cobb school board and was tentatively adopted, which means the district can properly advertise it to the public.

Formal adoption is scheduled for May 16, following the second required public hearing.

But Watching the Funds-Cobb was among those last week calling for more opportunities for public comment on the budget, especially given the significant spending increase.

Some complained the public hadn’t had time to look through the extensive documents which were posted only a short time before the first public hearing last Thursday, hours after the budget presentation.

“Sadly, you hold the minimum hearings required by law, and you hold them on the same day of these votes,” Watching the Funds-Cobb leader Heather Tolley Bauer said, noting how other local school districts provide citizens more opportunities to review and comment on their budgets.

“While they give their stakeholders months, you give us only hours, sending a clear message that you want our money but not our opinions.”

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