Three graduate from Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court  

Three graduate from Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court  

Submitted information and photos:

The Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court (VATC) graduated three veteran participants during a 9:30 a.m. ceremony Friday, Feb. 6, at the Cobb County Superior Court Building, 70 Haynes Street.

The graduation brings the total number of local participants who have completed the 18- to 24-month intensive treatment program to 72. The Cobb County VATC began June 13, 2014, under the leadership of Judge Reuben Green, joining a nationwide surge of accountability courts specifically tailored for veterans. The program addresses post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and other mental health issues through counseling, job training, and additional supportive services.

Judge Green, a U.S Marine Corps veteran, served as a judge through 2020 and passed away in 2025. The VATC honored his legacy during Friday’s ceremony, unveiling a painted portrait and placing a custom embroidered streamer on the Marine Corps flag. His portrait will be displayed in the VATC, courtroom 6100, in Superior Court.

“As a Marine, Judge Green brought his passion for helping military servicemembers in need into the courtroom,” said Superior Court Judge Robert D. Leonard. “He was a trailblazer with a reputation for excellence and for changing lives. Veterans Court is his legacy.”

The mission of the Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism, alleviating the tax burden of incarcerating law-breaking veterans, and helping participants become productive members of the community. The program provides intensive case management to address mental health issues while offering the familiarity of structure and accountability similar to military service.

Participants receive alcohol and drug treatment through contracted treatment providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs. When a participant is stable in their recovery and treatment, the assigned VATC team addresses other issues that hinder success, such as unemployment, lack of stable housing, the need for continuing education, or the benefits of family counseling.

One unique aspect of the VATC is the Mentor Program. Each participant is paired with a veteran mentor who understands the challenges faced by veterans working toward program completion. VATC mentors must be honorably discharged from military service, have no prior criminal record, and commit to assisting at least one veteran for the duration of the 18-month VATC program.

The three veteran participants graduated from the VATC with their mentors by their sides. These veterans turned what once seemed like a dismal path into a very bright future for themselves and their families.

Three graduate from Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court  

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Mezza Luna serves up authentic Italian cuisine in East Cobb

Mezza Luna serves up authentic Italian cuisine in East Cobb

Please Note: This is a paid advertisement.

Since assuming sole ownership of the Mezza Luna Restaurant in East Cobb in 2023, Daniele Furfaro has added his own personal touch to everything: From menu items to a remodeled dining room to the family atmosphere that he wants diners to enjoy—as well as his own name.

In rebranding what’s now known as the Mezza Luna Furfaro Italian Restaurant and Bar, the Calabria-born Furfaro is emphasizing community ties as well in serving lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Specialty dishes include veal chop gorgonzola, butter squash ravioli, gnocchi al pesto with blue crab meat and salmon piccata, as well as starters, soups, salads and a wide variety of desserts, wines and cocktails.

“This is a family-owned restaurant,” Furfaro says, noting that his wife, Bella, also a native of Italy, oversaw the dining room upgrade, even down to the choice of dinner plates and silverware.

“A lot of our customers come back with their friends,” he added.

Mezza Luna serves up authentic Italian cuisine in East Cobb
Daniele Furfaro and his wife Bella

Furfaro and his family will soon putting down roots in East Cobb to further invest in the restaurant and the community.

They are the parents of daughters, ages 10, 5 and one and a half, and are in the process of moving from Woodstock, where he previously was a chef.

Many of those Furfaro knew from his previous restaurants have followed him to Mezza Luna, located in the Pavilions at East Lake (2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2198). He also was a chef at Dolce, an Italian restaurant in Buckhead.

He wants the East Cobb community to experience the distinctive food and ambience of Mezza Luna. Furfaro is the chef as well as the owner. Everything is freshly made on the premises and many food items are sourced locally as well as from Italy.

Trained at an Italian culinary school, Furfaro worked in the American corporate restaurant industry, which brought him to Atlanta. He became a partner in Mezza Luna, then took over the East Cobb restaurant in 2023 (it remains independent from the Mezza Luna restaurant in Smyrna).

As the dining room was overhauled, Furfaro amplified the menu to reflect “a mix of Italy.” Meat dishes like chicken marsala are traditionally served in northern Italy, while seafood dishes like branzino, sea bass seared in a lemon butter sauce, are standard in the south.

Mezza Luna serves up authentic Italian cuisine in East CobbDiners can choose from an offering of appetizers, including blue crab cakes and calamari fritti, tomato bisque soup and salads. All meals come with generous baskets of fresh bread. There’s also a menu fearing pizza, pasta and meatballs with children in mind.

Furfaro changes the menu every three months or so to reflect seasonal favorites, but “I also keep a few dishes all year” that are popular Italian-American fare.

“If you love chicken parmigiana, you can get chicken parmigiana,” Furfaro says. His diners rate the surf and turf and lamb and veal dishes as among their favorites.

“People like to come and feel they’re at home,” Furfaro says.

“I’ve put my life and my heart into this place, and I want people in East Cobb to come and try us.”

Mezza Luna is open Monday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5-9 p.m, Friday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12-9 p.m.

Reservations are accepted, and online ordering and catering are also available.

For information, visit the Mezza Luna website or call 678-214-5856.

Click the middle button below to see more of Mezza Luna’s menu items and the dining room.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

East Cobb Food Scores: J. Christopher’s; Yogli Mogli; more

J. Christopher's Powers Ferry, 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:

Asian Foodie and Bubble Drink
33490 Canton Road, Suite 201
Feb. 5, 2026, Score: 63, Grade: U

Bells Ferry Elementary School
2600 Bells Ferry Road
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Catering Cajun of Georgia
2421 Shallowford Road, Suite 130
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 95, Grade: A

Coldstone Creamery
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 320
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 81, Grade: B

J. Christopher’s
1275 Powers Ferry Road
Feb. 4, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Lux Banquet Hall
2727 Canton Road, Suites 200-210
Feb. 4, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Night Life Pizza
562 Wylie Road, Suite 18
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 92, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
1860 Sandy Plains Road, 105
Feb. 5, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Pruitt Place East Cobb
3039 Sandy Plains Road
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 82, Grade: B

Sedalia Park Elementqry School
2230 Lower Roswell Road
Feb. 4, 2026, Score: 90, Grade: A

Smoothie King
1271 Johnson Ferry Road
Feb. 4, 2026, Score: 89, Grade: B

Yogli Mogli
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 35
Feb. 2, 2026, Score: 95, Grade: A

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Boston Celtics star joins Wheeler Athletic Hall of Fame

Boston Celtics star joins Wheeler Athletic Hall of Fame

Jaylen Brown, who led Wheeler to a Georgia high school boys state basketball championship, headlines the 2025-26 Wheeler Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

Also honored in late January were former basketball player Sharaud Curry, baseball player Joey Monahan, football-baseball-track athlete Hal Shaw, and the 1977 and 1978 softball teams. A formal induction ceremony was postponed due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled at a date to be announced.

Brown played four years of varsity basketball for the Wildcats and as a senior was named Georgia Mr. Basketball. He played at the University of California-Berkeley for one season and was the third player chosen in the 2016 NBA draft. In 2024, he was named the MVP of the NBA Finals as the Boston Celtics won their 18th championship, and he has been an All-Star four times.

Curry was part of two Wheeler boys basketball state championship teams, in 2003 and 2005, and he later starred at Providence College. He played professional basketball in Europe for 13 seasons and has been a coach and owner of a basketball training academy.

Monahan was a standout on the baseball diamond for Wheeler in the late 1990s, earning first-team All-Cobb County, as well as being named MVP of the East Cobb Yankees and selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Connie Mack World Series.

He starred at Liberty University and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, and played minor league baseball for several seasons before running an insurance business.

Shaw was a lineman for the Wheeler football team under coach Corky Kell, and named a permanent co-captain in the 1973 season, when the Wildcats went undefeated before falling to Thomasville in the state championship game.

He was named All-County and All-State by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and he joins his brother Bill (Class of 1968) in the Wheeler Hall of Fame.

The Wheeler girls softball team played a slow-pitch version of the sport in the late 1970s under coach Jim Mau, who previously led the Wildcats to a baseball state title. His softball teams in 1977 and 1978 won Cobb County titles and finished with respective records of 19-2 and 17-3.

For more information and photos about the inductees, visit the Wheeler Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb high school athletes make college commitments

East Cobb high school athletes make college commitments
Photo: Cobb County School District

High school athletes from around the country made their college commitments this week in what’s known as National Signing Day.

That’s when the officially sign scholarship offers to continue their sports careers at the next level.

According to the Cobb County School District, Sprayberry High School had 14 athletes sign, the most for any school in the district. They included five football players as well as the first Yellow Jacket athlete to sign a college commitment in flag football.

The district compiled the following names and schools (this is only a partial list):

Kell High School

  • Jacob Carroll (Football/Reinhardt)
  • Kennedy Deese (Basketball/Howard)
  • Anabel Gonzalez (Lacrosse/Life)
  • Alexander Jean (Football/Shorter)
  • Myles Jones (Football/Arkansas at Monticello)
  • Chase Lewandowski (Football/Miles)
  • David Ornelas (Football/Reinhardt)
  • Jaziah Owens (Football/Muskingum)
  • Leah Wetherington (Soccer/Kennesaw State)

Pope High School

  • Jaxson Griffin (Football/Reinhardt)
  • Mathews Lago (Football/Newberry)

Sprayberry High School

  • Josh Alequin (Baseball/Brewton-Parker Christian)
  • Colton Clearman (Baseball/Paradise Valley C.C.)
  • Luke Hopkins (Baseball/Truett-McConnell)
  • Kobe Lewis (Football/Drake)
  • Lenai Louie (Basketball/Montreat)
  • Graci Pederson (Softball/Shorter)
  • Isabella Puleo (Softball/Reinhardt)
  • Payton Ramsay (Soccer/West Georgia)
  • Jordan Simpson (Softball/West Georgia)
  • Brock Trout (Football/Berry)
  • Jack Trout (Football/Berry College)
  • Judah Williams (Football/Central Georgia Tech)
  • Mikyla Wilson (Flag Football/Alabama State)
  • Ashton Wrigh(Football/Andrew)

Walton High School

  • Christian Andrews (Football/Reinhardt)
  • Ethan Baker (Football/Berry)
  • Cooper Bowles (Football/Johns Hopkins)
  • Bryant Gunnels (Football/University of the South)
  • Max McRaney (Football/Anderson)
  • Sam Strickland (Football/Furman)
  • Nick Thorner (Football/Kennesaw State)

Wheeler High School

  • Khalil Bullock (Football/Muskingum)
  • Jemar Mitchell (Football/Benedict)
  • Jashawn Sanders (Football/Huntingdon)
  • Greg Kendrick (Football/Miles)

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Georgia Symphony Orchestra kicks off 75th anniversary season

Georgia Symphony Orchestra kicks off 75th anniversary season

Submitted information and photo:

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of performances for 2026, offering an extraordinary range of musical experiences across genres, styles, and audiences. From boundary‑breaking jazz and cinematic favorites to youth performances and sensory‑friendly classics, GSO’s 75th season underscores its commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and inclusive access to the transformative power of live music.

The 2026 lineup includes:

Big Band & Beyond – Jazz Meets Symphonic Sound

Saturday, February 7

This show promises an electrifying blend of jazz energy and orchestral power held at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center.

Mas Que Nada: The Music of Sergio Mendes

Saturday, February 28

Audiences will experience the vibrant rhythms and passion of Brazilian music as GSO Jazz, joined by award-winning vocalist, Karla Harris, honors the legendary Sergio Mendes at The Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre.

Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, March & May Concert Series – Showcasing Your Talent

Sunday, March 1 & Sunday, May 17

The Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra will take the stage this March and May at the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center, showcasing the next generation of exceptional musicians.

Cinema Classics: The Magic of the Movies

Sunday, March 15

A dazzling Pops event at the Strand Theatre will bring Hollywood’s most beloved film scores to life in two performances, celebrating the magic of the silver screen through an unforgettable orchestral sound.

Anniversary Songbook – A Choral Tribute

Sunday, March 22

Enjoy free admission to the GSO Chorus at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta for an uplifting choral celebration showcasing favorite works from the ensemble’s storied past.

Music of Magic and Myth – Orchestral Adventure

Saturday, March 28 (2:00 & 4:00 PM)

Presented in two performances at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, this program includes a Sensory Friendly Concert with supportive accommodations such as reduced lighting and sound levels and a relaxed environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities, as well as a Family Concert designed for audiences of all ages to enjoy spellbinding orchestral works inspired by enchanted landscapes and legendary tales.

GSO 75: A Musical Celebration – A Milestone Anniversary Event

Saturday, May 23

The season culminates with GSO 75: A Musical Celebration at Atlanta Symphony Hall, a landmark concert honoring 75 years of artistic excellence, community connection, and cultural enrichment, featuring the full orchestra, 200 voice chorus, and side-by-side performance with the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

New Georgia gubernatorial candidate to run Super Bowl ad

Republican Rick Jackson, who announced his campaign this week for Georgia governor, has purchased advertising time during the Super Bowl game on Sunday.New Georgia gubernatorial candidate to run Super Bowl ad

The 30-second ad (you can watch it below) references his childhood growing up in public housing and in foster care to becoming a self-made billionaire as the CEO of Jackson Health Care.

A longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, Jackson said in the ad that “like President Trump, I don’t owe anybody anything.”

He pledged in the ad that Georgia would lead in criminal deportations of illegal immigrants if he’s elected and advocates cutting the state income tax rate in half and freezing property taxes.

Jackson’s priorities also include stopping “woke ideology” and ending reverse discrimination and supporting children in foster care.

In announcing his campaign earlier this week (his campaign website can be found here), Jackson said he was putting $50 million of his own money into his campaign account, including an initial $40 million advertising blitz to introduce himself to the public.

The Super Bowl is the most expensive advertising window in American television. While national ad rates for Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are estimated to cost an average $8 million for a 30-second spot, local rates are lower.

According to ALM Corp., a marketing agency, Super Bowl rates in markets like Atlanta could cost $300,000 and $600,000 for 30 seconds, and the same time slot typically costs from $50,000 to $300,000 in smaller and mid-tier markets.

The surprise entry by Jackson—who has never sought public office before—crowds an already loaded Republican battle to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp. That field includes Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr.

In announcing his campaign Wednesday, Jackson called Raffensperger a “Judas” for not bowing to Trump’s demands to find more votes in the 2020 Georgia presidential election.

Jackson called the Georgia political establishment a “cartel” that he intends to break up.

Although he donated $1 million to Trump’s campaigns, the president has endorsed Jones.

On the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former State Sen. Jason Esteves, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former DeKalb County CEO and ex-Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond are among the candidates vying in the May 19 primary.

 

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

U.S. Rep. Loudermilk not seeking re-election to Congress

Congressman Barry Loudermilk, whose 11th District in Georgia includes East Cobb, announced Wednesday he won’t be seeking re-election.

Ga. Congress members respond to ' One Big Beautiful Bill'
U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk

He issued a statement on his Congressional website as well as social media accounts saying that “while serving my constituents in Congress ranks among my greatest honors, being a husband, a father, and a grandfather holds even greater importance to me; and at this time, I wish to spend more dedicated time with my family.”

Loudermilk, 62, a Republican serving his sixth term in a conservative district, is a strong ally of President Donald Trump, but the narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House could be in jeopardy in 2026 midterm elections.

He is the 29th incumbent Republican in the House who is leaving Congress, and the fourth sitting member from the Georgia delegation not seeking re-election.

Loudermilk had been serving as chairman of a Republican-led subcommittee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 invasion of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters as the Electoral College was meeting to certify the 2020 presidential election.

In 2024, Loudermilk won the general election by 34 percent. Another Republican has previously announced for the 11th District seat, Chris Mora, a local party activist from Pickens County. Several Democrats have announced in what is expected to be a GOP-leaning seat.

The 11th District is one of the most conservative in Georgia and in addition to East Cobb includes western Cherokee County, as well as Bartow, Gordon and Pickens counties.

The Georgia Congressional primaries will be May 19. Candidate qualifying takes place from March 2-6.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb students earn national honors at 4-H championships

Cobb students earn national honors at 4-H championships

Submitted information and photo:

Four Cobb County high school students earned top national honors after representing Cobb 4-H and Georgia 4-H at the 4-H Family and Consumer Science National Championship and Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Prayushi Padhi (Campbell High School), Aarsheya Gunjal (Sprayberry High School), Naitik Maheshwari (Wheeler High School), and Shubham Badve (Wheeler High School) competed against teams from across the country and returned home with an impressive slate of awards.

As a team, the students earned Champion Team OverallChampion Team for PlacingsChampion Team for Group Think, and Reserve Champion Team for Reasons.

Individually, students were also recognized for outstanding performance:

  • Prayushi Padhi: Third High Individual for Reasons; Fourth High Overall

  • Aarsheya Gunjal: Fifth High Individual for Reasons

  • Naitik Maheshwari: Fourth High Individual for Placings

  • Shubham Badve: First High Individual Overall; First High Individual for Reasons; Fifth High Individual for Placings; earned perfect scores for both sets of reasons, a rare national achievement

The students’ success reflects years of dedication. Each has participated in the Georgia 4-H Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Competition since fourth grade. Consumer Judging teaches students how to evaluate products and services based on quality, cost, and value, while building critical thinking, teamwork, and public speaking skills that translate to academic and career success.

Congratulations to Prayushi, Aarsheya, Naitik, and Shubham for representing Cobb County with excellence. Their achievements highlight the impact of long-term commitment, strong mentorship, and supportive learning communities.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Middle School talent show continues long tradition

East Cobb Middle School talent show

Submitted information, photo and videos:

For more than 25 years, the talent show at East Cobb Middle School has been a staple within Cobb Schools, an event hundreds look forward to each year.

This year, the talent show brought out brave 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students who showcased a wide range of talents they had spent weeks and months preparing to perform.

“My favorite part is seeing the joy all the students have,” said longtime East Cobb teacher and event organizer Hope Onyeukwu. 

People in attendance saw everything from inspiring piano performances and energetic dance routines to heartfelt singing and even a unique yo-yo performance.

“I feel like I unite with my team when we do it, and it’s all about unity when we dance,” said 8th grader Adrienne.

According to the talented East Cobb students, the event provided more than the fun of showcasing their talent. They also learned more about their fellow classmates through shared interests and made new friends.

“I hope that they get out of this that no matter what you do, you have to have courage. These kids are so inspiring because the amount of courage they have to get up there at such a young age inspires not only the young but the older people as well,” said ELA teacher Andrew Trowers, who helps host the event every year.

Click the button in the middle to view more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb Senior Citizens Council to have decluttering seminar

The first meeting of the Senior Citizens Council of Cobb County in 2026 is a decluttering and downsizing seminar.Cobb Senior Citizens Council to have decluttering seminar

The event takes place on Friday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wellstar Vinings Health Park, 4441 Atlanta Road, in Smyrna.

Roxie Hernandez, a relocation specialist and Linda Kaplan, a consultant in move management, will lead the seminar.

Together they have over 20 years experience in giving valuable information for seniors on decluttering, downsizing, and rightsizing to fit an individual or family’s current or future needs.

The event is free but persons need to preregister to secure a seat. Seniors can use the QR code on the flyer or register by going to the website www.seniorsofcobb.org where the seminar is listed under the Meetings & Events tab.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb Sheriff’s Office announces 5th Citizens Academy

Submitted information:Cobb Sheriff's Office

The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office invites community members to participate in the 5th Cobb County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (CCSCA) — a hands-on, behind-the-scenes opportunity to learn about the structure, operations, and leadership of the Sheriff’s Office.

This seven-week interactive program includes lectures, interdisciplinary workshops led by Sheriff’s Office personnel, tactical equipment displays, and discussions with specialized units. Participants will gain firsthand insight into the daily operations and responsibilities of the men and women who serve Cobb County.

Who: Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
What: Cobb County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy (CCSCA) — a seven-week program focused on educating residents about the Sheriff’s Office through immersive learning and direct engagement with Sheriff’s Office leadership.
When: Every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:

  • March 5, 2026
  • March 12, 2026
  • March 19, 2026
  • March 26, 2026
  • April 2, 2026
  • April 16, 2026
  • April 23, 2026
Where: Cobb County Public Safety Training Center, Cobb County Adult Detention Center, and the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in downtown Marietta
Why: This free academy strengthens community partnerships by empowering residents through transparency, education, and open dialogue. It offers a rare chance to go beyond the badge and engage with key personnel who protect and serve Cobb County.
Enrollment Requirements:
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Possess a valid government identification
  • Complete an application and submit it to the Community Engagement Unit
  • Successfully complete a background investigation
  • Attend at least 6 out of 7 sessions
  • Deadline to apply is February 27, 2026

Cost: Free. Apply here for this unique opportunity

Commissioners appoint new Cobb Water System director

Submitted information and photo:Commissioners appoint new Cobb Water System director

During its regular meeting last week, the Board of Commissioners appointed Alicia Giddens as the new Cobb Water System director. Today, Feb. 2, was her official first day in the role.

Giddens, who has been with the agency for more than 30 years, previously served as the deputy director. She joined in 1995 as an environmental compliance technician. Since then, she has held numerous positions, including laboratory technician, biologist (quality assurance/quality control manager), laboratory superintendent, environmental compliance division manager and water protection division manager.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and minor in chemistry from Kennesaw State University. She is certified as a wastewater laboratory analyst and wastewater operator class III by the Georgia Board of Water and Wastewater. Giddens was also chairperson of the Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. She is also an alumnus of the Cobb County EXCEL Leadership program. 

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Hembree Road subdivision request gets initial hearing

UPDATED:

The Planning Commission recommended the request for approval on its consent agenda.

ORIGINAL POST:

A residential developer who wants to convert 13 largely undeveloped acres near Pope High School for a subdivision is seeking a rezoning request to increase the number of homes to be built.Hembree Road subdivision request to get initial hearing

Red Ridge Properties LLC, of Athens, will go before the Cobb Planning Commission Tuesday seeking rezoning from R-30 to R-20 to build 20 homes, or 1.95 units an acre. The current zoning category allows for 14 homes.

The land at 2760 and 2830 Hembree Road contains a single home, built in 1976, and it surrounded by newer subdivisions. According to an agenda item (you can read it here), Red Ridge Properties is planning to build homes with an average of 2,500 square feet and a traditional or craftsman architecture.

The property is being sold by the Estate of James Lamar Rucker.

The Cobb Zoning Division is recommending approval of the request, which is on the consent agenda, meaning there’s no known opposition to the application. Red Ridge is represented by noted Cobb zoning attorney Kevin Moore.

In its analysis, the staff noted that the adjacent Liberty Ridge subdivision also has a similar density of 1.9 units an acre, and that it conforms with the low-density residential category called for in the Cobb Future Land Use Map.

The subdivision would be zoned in the Cobb County School District to Pope High School, Hightower Trail Middle School and Murdock Elementary School, all of which are under capacity, according to the agenda item.

The agenda item also states that Cobb DOT is recommending a deceleration lane be built as part of the subdivision’s access point because Hembree Road is an minor collector road.

The Cobb Planning Commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.

You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

The Planning Commission’s recommendations will be considered by the Cobb Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17.

Related stories:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb Seed Library program expands to East Cobb Library

Cobb Seed Library program expands to East Cobb Library

Submitted information:

Calling all gardeners, the Seed Library is back this spring at four new library locations near you!

Cobb County Public Library’s Seed Library is a system-wide, community-based initiative designed to promote local gardening, sustainable food practices, and biodiversity preservation by enabling people to get seeds designed to grow in our region.

These portable catalogs of seed packets are organized by seed type with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Folks may take up to 3 packets per day for use in home gardens and landscapes.

February 2, 2026 through June 4, 2026 while supplies last: East Cobb Library, North Cobb Library, Powder Springs Library, Sweetwater Valley Library.

In 2025, over 3600 seed packets went out to local gardeners.

Related:

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

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.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Celebree School brings whole-child learning to East Cobb

Celebree School lets East Cobb families embrace whole-child learning

In East Cobb, families have many childcare options, but more parents are looking for something beyond just a place to drop off their children. They want early learning that builds confidence, social skills, emotional awareness, and academic growth. The new Celebree School of East Cobb on Johnson Ferry Road was designed to meet that need with a research-backed curriculum and a philosophy that focuses on the whole child.

Opened in December 2025 at 1099 Johnson Ferry Road, The Celebree School is a new premium brand entering Georgia, and is now enrolling infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-k aged children. The school is led by long-time East Cobb residents Farwa Khan and Aloke Devalia, who bring decades of professional experience and a strong commitment to their community.

Farwa previously operated an accredited preschool in Marietta and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University. Aloke, an MBA graduate from Georgia Tech, spent over 20 years in leadership roles at companies including Delta Air Lines and Equifax. Together, they are creating a learning environment where children and families can grow and thrive.

Celebree School director Beth Anderson, at left, with owner-operator Farwa Khan

A central part of the school’s approach is Conscious Discipline. This social-emotional learning framework teaches children self-regulation, empathy, and problem-solving skills. “Conscious Discipline is more than a program, it is a philosophy that guides every classroom decision,” said Farwa Khan. “It helps children understand their emotions, make safe choices, and interact positively with peers and teachers.”

The school’s Promise to Grow People Big and Small™ reflects its commitment to nurturing every child. Celebree takes pride in nurturing both their employees’ professional development and the growth of the children in their care. As they help children learn and develop new skills, they actively promote the personal and career growth of their staff, welcoming them to aspire to higher positions within the Celebree organization

At Celebree School, every space is designed with kids in mind. Classrooms are bright, spacious, and full of natural light, perfect for exploring and learning. Outside, there’s a brand new fully turfed playground with plenty of shaded spots and modern play equipment where kids can run, climb, and play safely.

Everything is set up to help children be curious, confident, and engaged, while also reflecting Celebree’s promise to protect, educate, and nurture every child in their care. Celebree School also emphasizes strong partnerships with families. Parents are encouraged to engage with teachers, observe classrooms, and participate in the learning process. This holistic approach creates a community where children, educators, and families work together to support social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

For East Cobb families who want childcare that balances academics with social-emotional development, Celebree School offers a fresh option. With enrollment now open, families can visit the facility, meet the director and educators, and see how the school’s philosophy comes to life every day.

Farwa and Aloke’s vision is simple. They want to give children the skills and confidence to succeed while offering families peace of mind and a sense of connection. With Celebree School, families in East Cobb have a new standard for early childhood education.

Beth Anderson, the Celebree School East Cobb director, has been in early childhood education leadership for 21 years and partners closely with families to create nurturing, play-based learning environments that support each child’s social, emotional, and developmental growth. Building strong relationships with families is at the heart of her work, because when we work together, children thrive.

She has worked as a teaching artist, training public school teachers to integrate the arts into everyday learning, and served as a Wolf Trap educator.

Her leadership has been recognized through multiple childcare awards, including being named Director of the Year twice, Mentor of the Year, and receiving a “Grit”  Award for compassion and early child education innovation. Her work has also been featured in Spotlight Magazine and Parent Magazine. She has served as a board member of the Georgia Child Care Association (GCCA) and the Mountain View Arts Alliance.

At heart, she is a child advocate- someone who believes in the power of play, imagination, and meaningful relationships. Her goal is always the same: to create a joyful, exciting and safe experience, where children are familiar and parents are at peace and connected.

Celebree School of East Cobb is inviting families to tour and enroll at 1099 Johnson Ferry Road. Please visit https://www.celebree.com/east-cobb-ga/ or call 770-874-0100 to schedule a visit.

Click the middle button below to view more photos from Celebree School East Cobb.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Please note: This is a paid advertisement.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Real Estate: Equestrian retreat sells for $1.9M

This week’s featured home sale is an 11-acre equestrian treat on Wesley Chapel Road, near Garrison Mill Elementary School.

It features four bedrooms and 4.5 baths, spread out over 3,115 square feet. Built in 1940 and featuring its original charm with modern upgrades, the home sold for $1.95 million on Jan. 23, 2026.

The anchor is a light-filled kitchen with custom cabinetry, double ovens and abundant prep space. There are multiple gathering rooms with hardwood floors and spacious bedrooms and bathrooms.

The immediate backyard features a swimming pool and a privacy fence, fanning out to woodlands with riding space and stables.

There are multiple barns with stalls, turnout areas and rolling acres. The home also includes a partially finished basement with office space, a garden, a patio and back deck and parking space for eight vehicles.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from Jan. 20-23, 2026 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

4262 Inlet Road, 30066 (Lamplighter): $360,000

Lassiter

None

Marietta

None

Pope

235 Ashleigh Terrace, 30062 (Heartwood): $602,000

2864 Sudbury Court, 30062 (Liberty Ridge): $440,000

2138 Cedar Forks Drive, 30062 (Cedar Forks): $365,000

Sprayberry

229 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Bluffs at Bells Ferry): $405,000

2412 Retreat Close, 30066 (Stone Creek): $582,500

2020 Starlight Drive, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates): $416,000

2902 Timberline Road, 30062 (Mountain View): $485,000

4108 Christacy Way, 30066 (Thornbrook): $413,000

Walton

5157 Forest Brook Parkway, 30068 (Tally Green): $1.065 million

1502 Wood Thrush Way, 30062 (Chestnut Springs): $580,700

Wheeler

3048 Haverford Lane, 30067 (Stratford): $390,000

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Light flurries fall on East Cobb as extreme cold moves in

Light flurries fall on East Cobb as extreme cold moves in

The amount of snowfall forecast for Cobb County is turning out to be less than projected in this weekend’s winter storm, but very cold temperatures could make travel hazardous into Sunday morning.

Light flurries began falling in East Cobb mid Saturday morning, with little initial accumulation. The National Weather Service is forecasting that less than an inch of snow overall is expected as the precipitation continued through mid Saturday afternoon.

But dropping temperatures and high wind gusts not only will make it feel like below zero.

Some businesses and events were closed or canceled on Saturday, including Cobb County libraries and all Cobb County School District extracurricular events.

We’re starting to get some announcements about Sunday plans at churches, and will update them here:

  • Eastminster Presbyterian—Regular 9 and 11:15 am, as well as all scheduled activities will go ahead.
  • Mt. Zion United Methodist—All Sunday worship and activities canceled
  • Wesley Chapel United Methodist—All Sunday worship and activities canceled
  • St. Catherine’s Episcopal—All Sunday activities will take place, including 8:30 and 11 a.m. services
  • Eastside Church—All Sunday activities will take place, including 11 a.m. service
  • Grace Resurrection Methodist—11 a.m. worship will take place
  • Johnson Ferry Baptist—In-person services will take place at 10 and 11:30, no 8:30 service
  • East Cobb United Methodist—All Sunday worship and activities will take place
  • Mt. Bethel Church—In-person worship will take place at 11 a.m. only; all other services and activities are canceled
  • St. Andrew United Methodist—All Sunday worship and activities are canceled

Let us know about your church or other activities for Sunday, and send us any weather pictures: editor@eastcobbnews.com. If you see any downed tree or power lines or road issues, please let us know and we’ll s spread the word.

We haven’t heard anything from Cobb DOT or other sources about road or power issues on Saturday.

Cobb is in an extreme cold weather warning area from 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.

Saturday’s high is only in the mid 20s, with a low Saturday of around 13, and a wind chill factor of minus -3 degrees.

On Sunday, the sun will return with a high around 32, with also with a wind chill factor of minus -3 and wind gusts up to 30 mph. Sunday night’s low will be around 20, and then a warming trend comes through the area early next week. Tuesday’s high is expected to be in the mid-50s.

For more local weather information, click here.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

Students walk out at Sprayberry and Wheeler to protest ICE

Students walk out at Sprayberry and Wheeler to protest ICE
A still photo of Sprayberry HS students protesting ICE from video shot by Andrew Register.

Students at a number of Cobb County high schools walked out of classes and other school activities Friday afternoon to protest federal immigration operations in Minnesota that havd galvanized opposition across the country.

Dozens of students at Sprayberry High School in East Cobb gathered at the intersection of Sandy Plains Road and Piedmont Road, across from the school, holding signs and getting motorists to honk in support.

Local videographer Andrew Register sent us the footage below and the photos in this post from the Sprayberry protest that included interviews with some students.

A smaller group of students gathered outside Wheeler High School on Holt Road in East Cobb on Friday afternoon as well, as students around Georgia coordinated protests agains the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency raids in the Minneapolis area.

Sprayberry Principal David Church

Two protesters there were shot and killed in recent weeks by U.S. Border Patrol agents involved in activities to remove illegal immigrants.

The Cobb County School District issued a statement early this week saying that students who disrupted class activities would be subject to its student code of conduct, including out-of-school suspension and “the potential loss of parking privileges, sports, and extracurricular privileges. Each has long-lasting impacts that could be taken into account by college admission offices and future employers.”

Students organizing the walkouts complained that threatened their free-speech rights, and Cobb students published an open letter demanding mental-health services due to “immigration-related stress” but the school district did not respond.

On Wednesday Sprayberry principal David Church wrote an open letter to the school community saying that he and his staff met with students and staff, as well as parents, “to help students find ways to share their voice, support causes they care about and express their views, all while staying within the guidelines of the school district.

“I am proud of our students for having the courage to come forward with their ideas and questions.”

Church added in his letter that proceeds from the Sprayberry Student-Principal Advisory Committee’s winter dance on Thursday will be used “to support a group benefitting local families and children.”

A message posted by a Wheeler student protest organizer after the walkout Friday expressed disappointment with the turnout, “as this morning, admin had threatened students again through announcements, and many felt scared to walk out—but we would advise you not to be discouraged.

“We see all of you, and we are so grateful to have members of our community that have the compassion and motivation to speak up for what is right,” said the message, which did not include any names.

“Today’s events should not be seen as signs of failure, but rather as an increasingly evident fact that there is still so much work to do, and that we have to realize we have more power than we think.”

The Wheeler student message said that Principal Sara Fetterman “has spoken about other opportunities and alternatives that we can pursue to be civically engaged, and we encourage students to work together to find out more ways to stand up for this cause.”

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb added to winter storm warning as DOT pretreats roads

Cobb added to winter storm warning as DOT pretreats roads

Cobb DOT crews are pretreating major roads on Friday as the county was added to a winter storm warning, and with the possibility of two inches of snow or more in the forecast.

Cobb County government said late Friday morning that the brine pretreating of more than 500 miles major roads will continue through early Saturday morning.

Cobb has been included in a winter storm watch area since Thursday. Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency in Georgia for the second weekend in a row.

The Cobb County School District also announced Friday afternoon that all extracurricular activities scheduled for Saturday and Sunday have been canceled.

Also canceled was the Braves Fest fan event Saturday at Truist Park.

Cobb DOT director Drew Raessler said Friday that crews will be coming in at 3 a.m. Saturday to monitor the weather and “to respond to the weather as it comes.” The shifts will run 12 hours after that “until the worst of the weather passes,” he said.

For the second weekend in a row, those crews have been working around the clock. Last weekend’s ice storm did not result in any road closures, although there were some downed trees.

The National Weather Service has declared the winter storm warning period from 1 a.m. Saturday through 1 a.m. Sunday.

Cobb DOT is urging motorists to avoid travel during this period, as roads are expected to become hazardous and possibly impassible in areas. The agency also wants the roads to be cleared so crews can work ahead of the storm as much as possible.

There’s a 20 percent chance of precipitation overnight Friday, and a 40 percent chance during the day Saturday,k with highs only in the mid-20s.

The Cobb area is expected to get up to two inches of snow, but more snow could fall in localized areas.

Cobb continues to be under a cold weather warning from 7 p.m. Friday to 10. a.m. Sunday.

With temperatures dropping into the low teens, there’s no ice, sleet or freezing rain in the forecast. But with wind chills the weather could feel like it’s below zero Saturday and into Sunday.

The low Saturday will reach around 12 degrees, but the wind chill could make it feel like it’s below zero in some areas.

Sunday will be sunny with a high of 32 and the low will also be the teens before a warming trend comes through the area early next week. Tuesday’s high is expected to be in the mid-50s.

For more local weather information, click here.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!