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 included in new wind chill advisory; East Cobb churches seeking shelter volunteers

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National Weather Service

For the second time this week, the National Weather Service office in Atlanta has issued a wind chill advisory that includes Cobb County.

The advisory period is from 7 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday for northwestern Georgia. Low temperatures are projected to dip into the teens, with wind chills possibly resulting in temperatures between five above and seven below zero.

Two East Cobb churches are also offering shelter from the cold tonight for the homeless, and need volunteers. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road) and Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road) announced on the Opening Our Doors website that they need volunteers at both locations.

There’s a volunteer sign-up link here; and if you have issues call 678-560-7527.

The cold snap that’s lingered into the new year won’t be thawing out anytime soon. Friday’s high is forecast to be only in the mid 30s, with Friday lows once again in the teens. Saturday and Sunday highs will be the same, and there’s a chance of freezing rain on Sunday night.

Temperatures aren’t expected to get into the 40s until Monday, and next week could bring temperatures in the low 50s.

 

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State Rep. John Carson to discuss Georgia distracted driving legislation

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State Rep. John Carson

State Rep. John Carson, chairman of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving, said Wednesday he is holding a press conference a week from now, on Jan. 10, to detail Georgia distracted driving legislation for the upcoming session of the legislature.

Carson, a Republican from Northeast Cobb, will also discuss the committee’s final report, which was issued in December and includes legislative recommendations (full report is here).

On Tuesday, the City of Smyrna became the first municipality in the state to pass a hands-free driving ordinance (report here via the Cobb County Courier), but only after Mayor Max Bacon voted to break a tie on the city council.

A poll cited by Carson’s study committee found that two-thirds of Georgians favor a hands-free driving law in Georgia (66.4 percent), with nearly 22 percent undecided.

“I’m encouraged to see that the majority of Georgia voters are supportive of a hands-free driving law in our state,” Carson said in a statement in December. “Last year alone, over 1,500 people died in automobile accidents on Georgia roads, and according to a recent poll, over 82 percent of Georgia voters believe that texting while driving is a major contributing factor to the increased number of auto accidents. Distracted diving is an extremely serious public safety concern, and it is absolutely essential that this issue is addressed in the 2018 General Assembly session to prevent further distracted driving-related car crashes and fatalities.”

The poll was conducted by in October by Landmark Communications, Inc. of Alpharetta, and surveyed 700 randomly selected active Georgia voters.

The study committee also is recommending an increase in the current $150 fine for distract driving on a staggering scale, up to $1,000 for serious, repeat offenders, and to boost the driver’s license penalty by 2 to 4 points on a staggering scale, from the current 1-point penalty for a distracted driving offense.

The committee recommended against a total ban on use of mobile devices in vehicles, saying it’s not realistic. No other state has such a law.

Carson’s study committee found that 13 of the 15 states with hands-free laws have seen an average decrease of 17.5 percent in traffic fatalities two years after passing and enforcing those laws.

The panel also noted that Georgia’s anti-texting law, which went into effect in 2010, has been difficult to enforce because law enforcement officers are unable to determine whether motorists are using their phones to text or for other purposes.

The 2018 legislative session begins on Monday. Carson’s press conference is Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m on the second floor of the rotunda of the Georgia State Capitol,  206 Washington St. SW, Atlanta.

 

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The Art Place-Mountain View art classes for winter open for registration

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The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road) has reopened after the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break, and today opened registration for winter art classes that begin later this month. The Art Place

Classes are divided in to youth (ages 5-18) and adult divisions, with classes beginning as early as Jan. 16.

Classes include pottery, sculpture, raku, drawing, illustration, digital photography, metals and jewelry, mosaics, knitting, painting, felting, drama and more.

There’s a new registration system that’s also kicked into effect starting today, called CivicRec (more info about that here). Participants who’ve been in the previous system for the last two years have had their accounts automatically transferred.

The Cobb PARKS site has general information about programs, but for more information about The Art Place registration, and to sign up online, click here.

 

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Former Sprayberry football star Rodrigo Blankenship helps Georgia Bulldogs reach national championship game

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When former Sprayberry football star Rodrigo Blankenship kicked a 55-yard field goal for the Georgia Bulldogs near the end of the first half on New Year’s Day against Oklahoma, it did more than set a Rose Bowl record.Rodrigo Blankenship

Those points helped the Bulldogs recover from a 17-point deficit as they defeated the Sooners 54-48 in double overtime in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

It was a game, as one sportswriter covering the came called it, “flat-out bonkers,” and Blankenship played a vital role.

In the national championship game next Monday against Alabama, Blankenship and UGA will be playing very close to home, at the new Mercedes Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Blankenship, who also starred for the Yellow Jackets in soccer during his days at Sprayberry, was an all-county and all-state placekicker and punter under former coach Billy Shackelford.

But he initially was a walk-on at Georgia, and finally was awarded a full athletic scholarship earlier this season, after he kicked the decisive field goal for the Bulldogs in a 20-19 win over Notre Dame.

A sophomore, Blankenship’s previous longest field goal was from 49 yards out this season against Mississippi State. His longest field goal in high school was a 56-yarder.

He’s also become something of a cult figure on social media, notable for the thick, nerdy-looking glasses he wears under his helmet while playing.

The Twitter account for Men in Blazers, a national soccer TV program hosted by two sardonic British expatriates, posted several times during the game and included photos of Blankenship playing soccer for Sprayberry (also while wearing glasses):

On his personal website, Blankenship has included soccer information while he was at Sprayberry. He graduated in 2015 and enrolled at UGA, redshirting that year, and was an all-freshman SEC team selection last year.

This season, he has made 16 of 19 field goal attempts, including the Rose Bowl, and was voted one of the most improved UGA players on special teams.

After the Rose Bowl, Blankenship talked about his record-setting kick and Georgia’s memorable win:

 

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East Cobb This Week: Library events; new Pope gym opens; tree recycling

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Sewell Mill Library
The Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center is holding a Podcasting basics course Saturday from 2-5, and a podcast-ready microphone will be raffled off. (ECN file photo)

It’s the first business day of 2018, and while Cobb schools don’t get back into session until Thursday, there’s plenty to do in East Cobb during the first full week of the new year.

Many of those activities will be at public libraries, including the new Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road), which is having an orientation session from 7-8 tonight that includes a chance to sign up for classes, as well as film screenings and other special events later in the week.

On Thursday “The Adventures of Robin Hood” classic film screening takes place from 2-4 at Sewell Mill.

Also on Thursday, at the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road), there will be a screening of “The Return of the Pink Panther” from 1-3, that’s part of the Movie Matinee Club. The East Cobb branch also will be having a senior Tai Chi Wellness Class from 11:30-12:30 that requires registration.

On Saturday is the first of the “Murderino” murder-mystery film screenings at Sewell Mill. “The Night of the Hunter” will be shown from 11-1.

Also on Saturday, Sewell Mill will be holding an Introduction to Podcasting session from 2-5, with speakers from the Podcast Atlanta collaborative. The event also includes a podcast-ready microphone that will be raffled off.

A new regular event begins Thursday at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), and it’s for knitting, crocheting and related crafting devotees. “I’d Rather Be Stitching” is a weekly drop-in session from 1-3.

Also at Mountain View on Saturday is an art event for middle and high school students. “#TeenSpace Light Painting” goes from 2-4 and you’ll need to register for this one-time workshop.

Saturday is the day to get your Christmas tree recycled through Keep Cobb Beautiful’s “Bring One for the Chipper” event. Drop off your trees at Fullers Park or Noonday Creek Park or two Home Depot locations between 9-4 and get free mulch in exchange.

Also on Saturday, Pope High School (3001 Hembree Road) will christen its new gymnasium with a community ribbon-cuttting ceremony at 3:15 p.m., followed by varsity basketball games starting at 4 p.m. between the Greyhounds girls and Chattahoochee High School, and the boys tipping off at 6 p.m.

Check out our full events calendar for this week and beyond. Send your calendar listings to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post them here!

 

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Cobb Board of Education elects officers, sets meeting schedule for 2018

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The Cobb County Board of Education met this morning in a special called organizational meeting to choose officers for 2018.

David Chastain
Cobb school board member David Chastain of NE Cobb

The new chairman is Brad Wheeler of Post 7 (Harrison, Hillgrove, McEachern). He is a former teacher, coach and administrator in Cobb schools, and has been on the school board since 2013.

Last year’s chairman, David Chastain of Post 4 in Northeast Cobb (Kell and Sprayberry), remains an officer and will serve as vice chairman for this year.

Chastain, a board member since 2015, attended Brumby Elementary School and East Cobb Middle School and is a graduate of Wheeler High School.

The seven-member Cobb school board annually elects officers for calendar year period. Wheeler and Chastain are among the six Republicans on the board, and they were elected with unanimous votes.

The Cobb school board also set its 2018 meeting schedule Tuesday, and has made some changes. Previously the board held work sessions on the second Wednesday and regular meetings on the third Thursday.

In 2018 the board be holding its monthly work session and regular meeting on the same day, either the second or third Thursday (see schedule below). From January through October, the work sessions start at 1 p.m., with regular meetings starting at 7 p.m. Both meetings will include public comment periods. Executive sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m.

In November and December, the work sessions begin at 9 a.m., followed by an executive session and regular meeting.

The meeting dates are as follows:

  • Jan. 18;
  • Feb. 15,
  • March 15;
  • April 19;
  • May 17;
  • June 21;
  • July 26;
  • Aug. 16;
  • Sept. 13;
  • Oct. 18;
  • Nov. 15;
  • Dec. 13.

All public meetings are held in the board meeting room of the Cobb County School District central office, 514 Glover St., Marietta.

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WellStar Health System provided $648M in charity care in 2017

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East Cobb Health Park

 

Press release:

WellStar Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in Georgia, provided more than $648 million in charity and unreimbursed care, as well as community programs during the 2017 fiscal year.

As a community-based health system, WellStar’s physicians, nurses, advanced practice professionals and team members are committed to helping patients and communities live healthier lives.  Currently, 10 percent of WellStar’s patients do not have insurance.  As part of its mission,WellStar cares for these patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

Through 11 hospitals and 250 medical office locations, WellStar provided more than $250 million in charity care and more than $117 million in care for those who were unable to pay for services but did not apply for charity care.  Additionally, community and outreach programs are important tools to help patients and families meet their health goals and understand their options, and WellStar funded $10 million in community programs during fiscal year 2017.

The amount of charity and unreimbursed care dramatically increased in 2017 due to WellStar’s recent expansion.  In 2016, WellStar grew to an 11-hopsital system when WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, WellStar Atlanta Medical Center South, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, WellStarSpalding Regional Hospital, WellStar Sylvan Grove Hospital and WellStar West Georgia Medical Center joined the health system.

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East Cobb youth baseball registration underway through January

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It’s bitterly cold as 2018 begins, so it doesn’t feel much like baseball season, but time is running out for East Cobb youth baseball registration.

Registration continues through Jan. 28 for the East Marietta National Little League, which will have player evaluations Feb. 3, followed by the start of practices Feb. 10 and the Opening Day celebration at Sewell Park on March 10.East Cobb youth baseball registration

Full registration information, including costs and season dates, can be found here.

At East Side Baseball, the online registration deadline is this coming Sunday, Jan. 7, with a late fee applying after that. Evaluations start during the month, on Jan. 20, with the season starting on March 3 and the rookie season following on March 17.

More registration information is listed here.

Registration for the recreational season at the Sandy Plains Baseball Association concludes on Jan. 25 at 9 p.m., with late fees applying after that. More details here about fees and age groups. Evaluations start on March 3.

East Cobb Baseball‘s spring season starts in late February with various Triple Crown tournament events for ages 8-14. For more information and a full schedule of events, click here.

 

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Wind chill advisory ushers in cold first week of 2018 for Cobb, metro Atlanta

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If you think the end of 2017 was cold, the first week of the New Year is going to be the coldest weather sequence of the winter.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory from 7 p.m. tonight until 10 a.m. Tuesday for most of northwest Georgia, including Cobb County.

Not long after 2018 rang in, the temperatures dropped dramatically. At around noon today the temperature in East Cobb hovered around 20 degrees, and the high isn’t expected to get beyond the mid 20s.

But it feels a lot colder than that, and it will for the rest of New Year’s Day and into Tuesday.

The wind chill is the real issue. At around 8 a.m. the NWS estimated the wind chill in the Marietta area was 3 degrees above zero.

There was a chance of light snow flurries this morning as well, although nothing has been reported to have fallen in the Cobb area.

It’s after the sun goes down tonight that even colder weather, aided by the wind, could drop into the mid teens. The projected wind chill in the advisory area—a line running roughly north from Carrollton to Canton to Cleveland—could be between 5 degrees above zero and zero.

The wind chill means that it’s precarious to go outside with skin exposed. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly, so individuals are advised to wear heavy coats, hats and gloves and to bring outdoor pets inside.

Tuesday will be sunny with a high just above freezing, with lows in the high teens.

Wednesday and Thursday won’t be much warmer, with highs also around freezing. By the weekend, there may be something of a thaw, with highs in the low 40s for Sunday.

 

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Here’s looking at you, East Cobb: Community events, people and happenings in 2017

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solar eclipse, East Cobb Park
East Cobbers take in the solar eclipse in August at East Cobb Park. (East Cobb News photos and slideshow by Wendy Parker)

Previously we posted about the notable news stories in East Cobb during the past year. What follows is a photo gallery of other East Cobb community events since East Cobb News launched in July.

Related coverage

Click on the photo for a related story and photo link, and scroll all the way down for a gallery of even more photos from our first six months of publication.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

Skip Wells Memorial Ride

Skip Wells Memorial Ride

Braves dedicate Sandy Plains Baseball field

East Cobber Parade marches down Johnson Ferry

East Cobber parade, Walton flag team

East Cobb Garden Tour debuts

McFarlane Nature Park

Mt. Zion UMC celebrates 125th anniversary

Mt. Zion UMC 125th anniversary

East Cobb Rotary Club’s Dog Day Run

East Cobb Rotary Dog Days Run

Labor Day BBQ and Classic Cars at Holy Smoke Festival

Holy Smoke Festival

A new community piano for East Cobb Park

'Sunny" Piano Dedication at East Cobb Park

13th annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service

But wait, there’s more!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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The last East Cobb News Digest for 2017 is out! Subscribing is a snap!

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East Cobb Park fall

If you’re a newsletter subscriber, you received a special year-end edition of the East Cobb News Digest on Friday, ahead of the New Year’s holiday.

The newsletter usually comes out on Sunday, and will return on its usual date next Sunday, Jan. 7.

If you haven’t subscribed, it’s free and easy to do so. Follow this link, type in your e-mail address and you’re all set! Catch up with the top headlines in East Cobb, find out what’s coming up and find convenient community information all in one place!

East Cobb News doesn’t offer or sell its newsletter list to anyone, but in the future subscribers may receive occasional messages from advertisers.

We launched in the middle of the year and I’m looking forward to expanding our coverage of East Cobb in our first full year, and provide readers and local business owners more opportunities to make community connections.

I want to end 2017 with a special thanks to all of you who have subscribed recently, and who continue to read East Cobb News:

Greg Talsky, Lisa Hanson, Elizabeth Brown, Frankie Bidwell, Robert Love, Cecilia Griesenauer, Robert Tchou, Steve Worrall, Jana Hill, Bobbie Whitaker, J. Stewart, Megan Lee, Katie Williams, Teresa Glamp, Christina Engberg, Cornelius O’Connor, Bill Zingalie, Katie Hinson, Lonnie Hignite, M. Brown, Gordon Hopper.

Doris Wilson, Patricia Young, Caroline McGrath, Nate Bennett, Alexis Williams, Robert Thompson, Iris Thorn, Laura Springer, Barbara DeLaRonde, Jacky Rojas, Ruth Powell, Amanda Myers, Makiko Onodera, Gail Harris, Bob Zartarian, Johnnie Hunsucker, Ellen Williams, Charles Muckey, Miles Seymour, Douglas Martin, Dipti Khilnani.

Jennifer Gleaton, Roger Wilby, Janice Ciejek, Charlotte McDowell Montgomery, Mary Scruggs, Steve Ridenour, Ed Speirs, Stacy Gibbs, L. Stokes, Meredith Pierce, Jessie Lovett, Dorie Gallagher, Catherine Raymond, Jessica Karp, Mike Politinsky, Mikki Hester, Jennifer Burke, Heather Johnson, Scott Felcher, Angela Herritt, Barry Riesenberg.

Please feel free to get in touch, send tips and news items, and let us know how we’re doing: wendy@eastcobbnews.com; phone/text 404-219-4278.

Have a great New Year’s celebration, and a great start to 2018!

Selected New Year’s Eve events near East Cobb

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While a number of East Cobb restaurants are having special dinners Sunday night, there are quite a few places to ring in 2018 in public settings that aren’t far from home.New Year's Eve, East Cobb

This first one is for kids only, and it’s in East Cobb: a quick Zumba celebration from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Sunday at the Northeast Cobb YMCA TRX Studio (3010 Johnson Ferry Road). There will be dancing, singing and a special countdown right around the noon hour.

This event is for kids ages 5-12, and there’s no registration or cost.

Making its New Year’s Eve debut is The Battery Atlanta (800 Battery Ave.), with two events with free admission.

The children’s/family party is from 5:30 to 8 p.m., D.J. Rekka on the Fox Stage, as well as stage show performances and other entertainment. The ice skating rink will be open until 7 p.m.

The adult party goes from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., also with D.J. Rekka, aerialists and acrobats and fireworks. The featured music is by Charles Esten of the CMT “Nashville” program at the Georgia Power Pavilion.

All parking decks are open for both events.

The Marietta Square Winter Wonderland is back for another holiday season, and the ice skating hours are generous: from 10 a.m. to “late” on New Year’s Eve, and from 2-9 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

On New Year’s Eve, food trucks and kid’s events get underway at 5 p.m., the Chick-fil-A cow drop starts at 7 and live music fills the air from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The evening is topped off by the countdown to midnight at 11:59 p.m. and the chicken drop to follow.

In downtown Atlanta, the Peach Drop, presented by the City of Atlanta, has an evening of free events starting at Woodruff Park from 5:30 p.m. until well after midnight. Performers include rappers Jeezy, TLC and Tyrese.

The location is new this year, at the Flatiron Building, and is accessible via the Peachtree Center and Five Points MARTA stations.

Wherever you go and whatever do, bundle up! Temperatures could dip into the low 20s and even lower to start 2018, and may not get above freezing on New Year’s Day and into the first week of the new year.

 

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Start of horror flick series closes 2017 events at East Cobb-area libraries

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The last day that East Cobb-area libraries will be open for 2017 is Saturday, and the newest branch will be kicking off a new film series in the final event of the year.Videodrome poster

The new Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) keeps adding to its film screenings with the showing of “Videodrome,” a 1983 Canadian science fiction film starring James Woods and Deborah Harry (of “Blondie” fame).

Woods plays a television executive who chases down the source of a broadcast signal that shows violence, and who loses touch with reality in what’s dubbed a “techno-surrealist” film.

It’s the first of a “Horror Movie Saturday” series that continues every other week through Feb. 24. Saturday’s flick, and all the others in this series, run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you’re free to bring your own food and drink.

Please keep in mind that this series is for adults only (and “Videodrome” certainly is loaded with adult material), and some films are rated R.

All Cobb library branches will be closed Sunday and Monday, and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 2 at regular hours and with several events scheduled. Among them is an orientation of the new programs and services offered at Sewell Mill from 7-8 p.m., including the chance to register for classes and programs.

The library opened on Dec. 4, with a formal ribbon-cutting taking place Jan. 9.

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Cobb Police release photos of Powers Ferry-Terrell Mill bank robbery suspect

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SunTrust robbery suspect

The suspect wanted for the recent robbery of a SunTrust bank at Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill roads has been identified via surveillance camera.

Cobb Police have released photographs of the man they believe held up the SunTrust branch at 1380 Powers Ferry Road on Dec. 20 (previous East Cobb News post here) as he approached a teller demanding cash.

The suspect left with the money but there has not been a description of the vehicle.

Police describe the suspect as a black male, 20-25 years old, 175-180 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, camouflaged hoodie, black jacket and blue jeans. Police also have said the same suspect may have robbed a South Cobb motel earlier this month.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Cobb Police at 770-499-3945 or provide an anonymous tip at Greater Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).

 

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Johnson Ferry-Lassiter Road zoning application proposes restaurant, gym, retail use

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Licata Rezoning

The first look at the February zoning calendar is out (Cobb doesn’t handle zoning cases in January), and the preliminary agenda includes a Johnson Ferry-Lassiter Road zoning case that would convert a vacant medical complex for a restaurant, gym and retail use.

The applicant for Z-4 is Robert Licata of Pediatric Medical Care of East Cobb, LLC, who wants to rezone the 1.09-acre parcel at the southwestern corner of Johnson Ferry Road and Lassiter Road from low-rise residential (LRO) to neighborhood retail commercial (NRC).

There are two buildings on the site, which is accessible only on Lassiter Road, and the proposal includes space for a learning center.

The site plan filed with the Cobb Zoning Office would make use of the existing buildings as they are, as well as the existing parking lot. The buildings total around 10,000 square feet combined.

The businesses would be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, and there would be no drive-through businesses on the property, according to the zoning filing.

There is NRC zoning in the vicinity, but the property is adjacent to a residential complex (zoned RA-5).

There’s not a staff recommendation now since only the preliminary calendar has been released. The case will be heard during the Cobb Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 6.

The site of the former Mountain View Elementary School was rezoned in October for a multi-use commercial project that includes a restaurant, retail space, a bank and a supermarket (previous East Cobb News post here).

The developer, Brooks Chadwick Capital, LLC, has applied for a special land use permit that’s also on the Feb. 6 agenda that would allow for a self-storage facility to be built on the nearly 14-acre site on Sandy Plains Road.

Another East Cobb case, Z-15, would convert 1.2 acres on the east side of Lawana Drive, south of Allgood Road, from single-family residential (R-20) to RM-8, multi-family residential. The applicant, Traton Homes, LLC, wants to build five townhomes.

 

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East Cobb Government Service Center meeting rental fees take effect Jan. 1

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East Cobb Government Service Center

Last week we noted the closure of the business office only at the East Cobb Government Service Center, which technically takes place tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 29, since it’s the last business day of calendar year 2017.

The rest of the facility at 4400 Lower Roswell Road is staying open, including the community meeting rooms near the back of the building. It’s where early voting takes place, and has been a regular meeting spot for the East Cobb Civic Association.

Starting Jan. 1, there will be a $25 fee charge to reserve the meetings rooms, and Cobb government has provided instructions and on how to do that, and to sign up.

The fee is part of a set of fees and service charges approved by Cobb commissioners last month for public use of a variety of county facilities, including libraries, parks and senior centers (see yesterday’s post here about town hall meetings in January for the senior fees).

The South Cobb Government Service Center on Austell Road is also part of the new reservation fee structure.

The large meeting room at the East Cobb center has a capacity of 88 and a smaller conference room holds up to 10 people.

The reservation fee goes into effect for bookings starting in February.

 

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Top East Cobb headlines for 2017: Taking a look back

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Walton High School, Top East Cobb headlines 2017
Students, teachers, staff and parents at the official opening for the new Walton High School building in July. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

East Cobb News launched in July, but most of the most notable stories in the community took place during those last six months of 2017.

With just a few days left before the start of a new year, here’s a more-or-less chronological compilation of the stories, events and people who were the biggest newsmakers in East Cobb in 2017.

Handel elected in nationally-watched Congressional race

Karen Handel

When Karen Handel defeated Jon Ossoff in a June runoff to win the 6th Congressional District special election, she got a strong turnout in East Cobb that aided her victory. Among her biggest supporters were East Cobb commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Bob Ott, at whose August town hall meeting Handel spoke shortly after taking office to succeed Tom Price. Story.

New classroom building opens at Walton High School

Walton High School ribbon-cutting

The new $48 million Walton High School classroom and administration building was officially opened in late July, right before the start of a new school year, as work on a new gymnasium and fine arts building was set to get underway. Story and Photos.

Cobb budget closes $20M deficit; millage rate hike rejected

Cobb commission chairman Mike Boyce

In his first year in office, Cobb Commission chairman Mike Boyce was defeated in his proposal to raise the property tax millage rate to fulfill the 2008 parks bond referendum. Story. A couple months later, he and his colleagues hammered out a fiscal year 2018 budget by using contingency funding to close a $20 million deficit. Story.

Wheeler High School becomes STEAM-certified

Wheeler High School STEAM

Shortly after the school year began, Wheeler High School was notified that it was the first high school in Georgia to earn STEAM certification. Story.

Lower Roswell Road crash kills two

Lower Roswell Road accident

Two young men escaping hurricane weather in Florida were killed in September when their car crashed into a brick wall at the entrance to the Gold Branch Unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area on Lower Roswell Road. One of the victims was a Wheeler graduate. Story.

Dream season for Walton football team

Walton football team

With a first-time head coach and a losing record a year ago, the Walton Raiders weren’t expected to be a contending team in 2017. But they were one of the biggest surprises in all of Cobb and Georgia high school football with an 11-1 season that ended in the state playoffs. Story.

East Cobb water main replacement completed

East Cobb Water Main Project

After nearly two years of traffic delays on Lower Roswell Road, the $47 million East Cobb Water Main replacement project was completed in the fall and into the early winter, replacing the 54-inch, 6-mile pipes laid down 50 years ago. Story.

Funding for Mabry Park construction approved

After years of delays, Mabry Park is set to become a reality in 2019, as Cobb commissioners voted to spend $2.85 million to build the new facility on Wesley Chapel Road. Story.

A library opens, another eyed for closure

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center

In December, the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center opened to replace the East Marietta Library. Story. However, the occasion was preceded by commissioner JoAnn Birrell’s suggestion to close the East Cobb Library, which drew heated opposition. Story.

A Winter Wonderland in East Cobb

Willow Ridge Christmas

In early December, an unexpectedly heavy winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow in north Georgia, and most of East Cobb got several inches. Coverage. For one East Cobb family, however, the storm left them without power and heat for nearly four days. Story.

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Cobb senior services fees subject of East Cobb Senior Center town hall meeting

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East Cobb Senior Center

The East Cobb Senior Center will be the venue for the first of several town hall meetings in January for public feedback on newly enacted Cobb senior services fees.

That first town hall hosted by Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The East Cobb Senior Center is located at 3332 Sandy Plains Road (phone: 770-509-4900).

At a November Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting, some East Cobb seniors sounded off against the rising fees, including the imposition of a membership fee for the first time (previous East Cobb News post here).

Senior fees had been recommended several years ago by a Cobb government citizens oversight committee, and were approved by commissioners who are facing a projected $30 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2019.

The membership fee for seniors will be $60 annually for Cobb residents and $90 for non-residents. It goes into effect on Feb. 1 and does not affect winter class registration that starts Jan. 22. The membership fee will be required to sign up for classes in the spring.

The other town hall meetings will take place Jan. 17 at the North Cobb Senior Center in Acworth and at the West Cobb Senior Center in Powder Springs, Jan. 18 at the Freeman Poole Senior Center in Smyrna and on Jan. 19 at the Marietta Senior Center.

For more information visit the Cobb Senior Services Department website.

 

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Cobb winter weather advisory includes chance of ‘wintry mix’ for Wednesday morning

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Cobb winter weather advisory
Forecast map issued by the National Weather Service Atlanta around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for Cobb County and much of central and north Georgia, and includes the possibility of a “wintry mix” of light sleet and rain in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

Shortly after 3 p.m. the NWS office in Atlanta said brief periods of light rain and possibly sleet are most likely along and north of Interstate 20. Accumulations are not expected, according to the NWS forecast, which indicates that the precipitation is most likely to take place between midnight and 6 a.m.

The chance of rain or sleet after daybreak Wednesday is 30 percent, and the highs tomorrow are expected to be in the mid 40s. A slight chance of rain or freezing rain could return on Thursday, when temperatures are expected to reach in the mid 30s and lows could reach into the mid 20s.

Friday and Saturday will be sunny, with highs in the mid 40s and lows in the 20s.

On Sunday, New Year’s Eve, more winter weather is a possibility, with snow and sleet possible before 1 p.m. Lows could dip into the low 20s.

On New Year’s Day, the sun will return but it will still be cold, and may not get above freezing.

 

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Honors for Walton football coach, star receiver as all-Cobb teams named

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East Cobb football
Walton coach Daniel Brunner at an East Cobb kickoff breakfast in August.

First-year Walton football coach Daniel Brunner has been named coach of the year for 2017 by the Cobbhsfootball website, and Raiders’ star receiver Dominick Blaylock was tabbed as offensive player of the week.

Blaylock led the 22-man all-Cobb team that was released just before Christmas, and that includes three other players from East Cobb high schools.

They include Walton linebacker Malik Adams, Kell offensive lineman Johnathan Bass, and Lassiter defensive back Derrik Allen.

Brunner, a former assistant at Walton, led the Raiders to an unlikely 11-1 season, after the program came off a losing season under Mo Dixon in 2016.

Walton’s only loss came in the state playoffs to eventual state runner-up Colquitt County, where Dixon is now an assistant. In Brunner’s first game, in the Corky Kell Classic, the Raiders defeated North Gwinnett, which went on to win the Georgia Class 7A state championship.

Brunner, who was named Cobb coach of the year by The Marietta Daily Journal, is a graduate of Roswell High School and also coached there before coming to Walton.

Before the season started, he inaugurated “Raider Day,” a jamboree-style event that included all the Walton football teams, from varsity down to the grade school-level.

With Blaylock, who has committed to play at the University of Georgia, and Adams returning, Walton is expected to contend in the region and state in 2018.

Bass was part of another Kell state playoff team under Brett Sloan, a former Walton assistant in his first year as head coach. Bass has signed to play at Georgia State University.

Allen, considered one of the top high school players in the country at his position, had another strong season for Lassiter, whose state playoff streak ended this season. He has signed to play at Notre Dame.

 

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