East Cobb Environment & Nature

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance seeks Adopt-a-Mile volunteers

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance seeks Adopt-a-Mile volunteers
More than 30 adults and youth helped clean up the area surrounding Terrell Mill and Powers Ferry last October, during the Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance’s Fall Adopt-A-Mile clean-up in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful and supported by Kroger. 

Submitted information and photo:

The Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance (PFCA) is seeking community volunteers for its Adopt-A-Mile spring event on Saturday, March 28, from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, along Powers Ferry Road at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. PFCA hosts this event each spring and fall to invite individuals and groups to help improve the appearance of the community, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants.

Sign up: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PFCA3/PFCAsAdoptAMileDay

Learn more: https://powersferryca.com/adopt-a-mile-cleanup.html

Email: volunteer@powersferryca.com

Related:

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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.

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Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree recycling event extended

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Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree recycling begins Dec. 26

Submitted information:

Still have your Christmas tree? Keep Cobb Beautiful has extended its Bring One for the Chipper recycling event through Jan. 10 at various locations throughout Cobb County.

Before dropping off your tree, please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and bases. Wreaths, garlands, and other items will not be accepted.

Drop-off locations (Home Depot):

  • 3355 Cobb Parkway, Acworth
  • 1200 East-West Connector, Austell
  • 2350 Dallas Highway, Marietta
  • 4101 Roswell Road NE, Marietta
  • 449 Roberts Court NW, Kennesaw
  • 3605 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
  • 1062 Richard Sailors Parkway, Powder Springs
  • 1655 Shiloh Road, Kennesaw
  • 2450 Cumberland Parkway SE, Atlanta.

You can also drop your tree off at Fullers Park through Jan. 10 at 3499 Robinson Road, Marietta (lot down the street).

 

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Student winners named in Cobb waterArt calendar contest

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Student winners named in Cobb waterArt Calendar contest

Seven students from middle schools in East Cobb are among those whose works have been included in the Cobb County Water System and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority’s 2026 waterArt calendar

Nearly 200 students submitted “original artwork judged on creativity, relevance, and artistic ability” for consideration for the calendar, which features themes relating to nature and water conservation.

Penelope Schroeder from Mabry Middle School was the cover art winner (her work is seen above) in the Cobb waterSmart waterArt calendar contest.

The other students from East Cobb whose works are featured in the calendar include Grace Valdivia and Raya Owings of Dickerson Middle School (the latter’s work is seen below); Olivia D’Anna of Mabry Middle School; Esme Etkin and Riley Pearson of East Cobb Middle School; and Angel So of Simpson Middle School.

You can download the calendar by clicking here; it includes water conservation tips from the water authorities.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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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!

Keep Cobb Beautiful’s 2025 Christmas tree recycling program

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Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree recycling begins Dec. 26
The Home Depot at Providence Square Shopping Center will once again be a ‘Bring One for the Chipper’ dropoff spot.

Submitted information:

Join Keep Cobb Beautiful for our annual Bring One for the Chipper event, taking place Saturday, January 3 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at various locations throughout Cobb County.

Bring One for the Chipper is the state of Georgia’s annual Christmas tree recycling program. As an affiliate, Keep Cobb Beautiful works with sponsors to organize the recycling event for Cobb County. These sponsors include The Home Depot, The Davey Tree Expert Company and Cobb County Parks. Numerous local sponsors and volunteers also make contributions and provide in-kind services.

The Chipper program involves the entire community and countless volunteers. Since its inception, the program has recycled an estimated 5.9 million Christmas trees statewide. The mulch from these trees has been used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects, and individual yards.

You can support the Chipper program by bringing your cut Christmas tree to a designated drop off site or volunteering with your local coordinator to collect trees.

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Pope HS students to offer glass pickup during holidays

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Pope HS students to offer glass pickup during holidays

Submitted by mygreenearth, a Cobb-based environmental non-profit:

Students from Pope High School are offering curbside glass pickup to make recycling convenient this holiday! The cost is just $15 for one month or $30 for three months. Each household can set out one standard-size moving box of glass for pickup. Collection dates are Saturday, Nov 29, Dec 27, and Jan 31.

Through this program, students are gaining hands-on experience in business, sustainability, and community leadership. Proceeds will support the creation of a newFood Forest in Metro Atlanta. Spots are limited – register today!

Sign up here >>

Additional information: The service area is limited to the Pope, Lassiter, or Walton districts only, and boxes with the glass are to be left at the end of driveways by curbs or mailboxes.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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!

 

Be a Halloween Hike Station host at East Cobb or Fullers Park!

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Submitted information:Be a Halloween Hike Station host at East Cobb or Fullers Park!

Get ready for a spooky-but-not-too-spooky good time! The Friends for the East Cobb Park and East Side Baseball are excited to announce our first annual “Halloween Hike” event at East Cobb and Fullers Parks, and we’re looking for community members to host one of our themed stations.

This free event for local families will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. We expect about 100 kids and their parents to walk a festive trail around the parks, stopping at each station for a treat and a friendly greeting.

We are looking for 15-20 station hosts to come in costume, decorate a station with a not-too-scary theme, and provide candy or trinkets for the children. This is a great way to showcase your organization, business, or just be a fun part of the community. The best part? There is no cost to be a sponsor! Please also plan to provide a table, chairs, or whatever you’ll want at your station.

We have a list of fun themes to get you started, like a “Wizarding School” or a “Pirate Cove,” but we’re happy to consider other ideas for appropriateness.

Ready to sign up? Just head to our Sign-up Genius page to register and select your station:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BA5A62EA1F4CF8-58112124-halloween

Thank you for helping us make this a fantastic event for our community!

 

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Chestnut Ridge Christian Church to hold waste workshop

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Submitted information:Chestnut Ridge Christian Church to hold waste workshop

Chestnut Ridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is hosting a workshop called “Faithful Responses to Reducing Waste” presented by Georgia Interfaith Power & Light on Sunday, October 5, 2025, starting at 12:30 p.m. 

The hour and a half workshop will be taught by Hannah Schultz from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL). The goal is to understand the environmental and justice concerns related to the use of single-use plastics and the challenges associated with recycling in Georgia. This workshop will explore opportunities to address plastics at a policy level and solutions to help the congregation reduce and divert waste onsite. The workshop is open to the community. 

Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, a Green Chalice Congregation with the Disciples of Christ, is a recipient of a ReWilding Program grant from GIPL. The ReWilding Program with GIPL is a program to focus on the ecological regeneration of congregational lands, restoring natural processes, and fostering more resilient ecosystems and communities. This Workshop is presented as part of that program.

The “Faithful Responses to Reducing Waste” workshop will take place in the sanctuary of Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, beginning at 12:30pm and ending around 2pm on Sunday, October 5, 2025. The church is located at 2663 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, at the corner of Post Oak Tritt and Johnson Ferry. Enter the parking lot off of Post Oak Tritt. 

Learn more about Chestnut Ridge Christian Church’s ReWilding Program: https://www.chestnutridgechristianchurch.com/greenchalice. 

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

Related:

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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!

Scene in East Cobb: Community cleanup at Sewell Mill Creek

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Scene in East Cobb: Community cleanup at Sewell Mill Creek

A wide variety of community groups took part in a cleanup project Saturday morning, bagging several bags of trash along Sewell Mill Creek at East Cobb Park.

It was the third annual spring cleanup organized by the Friends for the East Cobb Park, and included members of the Rotary Club of East Cobb, Boy Scout Troop 1011 and the Cobb County Water System.

“Every year the creek has been cleaner than it was the year before,” reports volunteer Wade Patrick, who submitted the photo above.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

Related:

 

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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!

Scout Troop 795 earns Keep Cobb Beautiful Adopt-A-Mile award

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Scout Troop 795 wins Keep Cobb Beautiful Adopt-A-Mile award
Barbara Kappel, Troop 795 volunteer and Dodgen Middle School teacher. Photos courtesy Troop 795.

Boy Scout Troop 795, based at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in East Cobb, has been honored by Keep Cobb Beautiful with its Adopt-A-Mile youth group of the year award.

The troop was recognized at the Cobb Sustainability Forum and Expo at Jim Miller Park on April 30. It is given for “an organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship through a wide range of initiatives, activities, and/or programs.”

Jason Lee, a committee member of Troop 795, said those projects include regular cleanups along Johnson Ferry Road.

Accepting the honor on behalf of the troop was Barbara Kappel, the primary adult volunteer for the program and a 6th grade science teacher at Dodgen Middle School.

“The Scout program requires both Service hours and Conservation Service Hours for almost every rank leading up to Eagle,” Lee said. “We are proud to help our local community keep Johnson Ferry Road clean!”

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information 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, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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!

 

 

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
A record number of 40 volunteers picked up 44 bags of trash along Powers Ferry, Terrell Mill and Delk Roads during Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance’s Spring Adopt-A-Mile clean-up with Keep Cobb Beautiful on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Submitted information and photos:

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance welcomed a group of 40 volunteers, including District 3 Cobb County commissioner JoAnn Birrell, to its Spring 2025 Adopt-a-Mile event on Saturday, March 29th.

“This was the largest turnout ever, essentially doubling the number of participants from any prior event,” said Patti Rice, the event’s project leader. “It’s amazing and heartwarming to see these people join forces to improve the community’s environment. Forty-four bags of trash is a significant number.”

Area neighborhoods represented included Riverwalk at Wildwood, Riverstone at Wildwood, The Flats at Riverwalk, River’s Call, Woodruff Plantation, Millridge, Sedalia Park, Stratford Grove/Mead/Hyde Park, Valencia Hills and Terrell Mill Estates.

Volunteers enjoyed complimentary refreshments provided by Kroger and a surprise donation of lots of Krispy Kreme donuts!   

PFCA conducts the cleanup every spring and fall in partnership with Keep Cobb Beautiful.

ABOUT POWERS FERRY CORRIDOR ALLIANCE

As a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of individuals, HOAs and businesses, the PFCA works to understand community issues, promote quality development, support local schools and help drive the area’s economic vibrancy.  For more information, visit powersferryca.com

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
Event organizer Patti Rice and neighbor Linda Bell proudly show off 44 bags of trash collected along Powers Ferry, Terrell Mill and Delk Roads.
Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
Jordan Deeney, pictured with his sons, Maxen and Oliver, were among the nearly 40 community volunteers who picked up 44 bags of trash.
Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts spring Adopt-A-Mile
District 3 Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, left, with event organizer Patti Rice.

Related:

Keep Cobb Beautiful April events include Tim D. Lee Center

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Submitted information:

Get your spring cleaning started and participate in one of the community recycling and educational events hosted by Keep Cobb Beautiful.
KCB Mobile Recycling Pop-up/Drop-off

April – July – Various dates – visit the website for more information.

Community Recycling event

Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta
Free on-site document shredding, electronics, metal, textiles, and Hefty Renew Program plastics will be accepted. Register here. 
Medication Disposal event
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location 1: 2380 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw
Location 2: 4025 S. Hurt Road NW, Smyrna
Location 3: Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
Safely dispose of unused and expired medications by bringing them to this free event. 
 
Sustainability Forum and Expo
Thursday, April 30, 4 – 8 p.m.
Jim R. Miller Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta  
 
Attend sessions, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits and hear guest speakers on green initiatives and how they affect you. Nominate your fellow neighbors for a sustainability award.
For more information on the above events, visit keepcobbbeautiful.org or call 770-528-1135.

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance seeks Adopt-A-Mile volunteers

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts Adopt-A-Mile cleanup

Submitted information:

The Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance (PFCA) is seeking community volunteers for its Adopt-A-Mile Fall event from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 29 along Powers Ferry Road at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up and enjoy complimentary refreshments at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067.

PFCA is pleased to host this bi-annual event that allows individuals and/or groups to improve the appearance of our community, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger.

All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants.


Sign up: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PFCA3/PFCAsAdoptAMileDay

Related:

Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree recycling begins Dec. 25

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Keep Cobb Beautiful Christmas tree recycling begins Dec. 25

Two Home Depot locations and Fullers Park will be accepting Christmas trees for free recycling from Dec. 25-Jan. 4.

It’s part Keep Cobb Beautiful’s “Bring One for the Chipper” drive in which used trees are chipped into mulch and used for a variety of beautification projects around the county.

You can go by the Home Depot at Highland Plaza (3605 Sandy Plains Road) and Providence Square (4101 Roswell Road) or Fullers Park (3499 Robinson Road).

View other locations and more details here.

But there are some ground rules:

  • Remove all ornaments, lights and bases
  • Do not bring wreaths or garlands
  • No other items will be accepted.

Free mulch is available. To receive a mulch request form, email Keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org.

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts fall cleanup project

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts fall cleanup project

Submitted information and photos:

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance is pleased to announce that a group of 19 community volunteers picked up 380 pounds of trash at the group’s Adopt-A-Mile Fall event in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Wearing bright yellow vests, the participants gathered everything from illegal stick signs to general roadside litter into 55 orange trash bags along Powers Ferry Road from Terrell Mill Road to Wildwood Parkway. Keep Cobb Beautiful also sponsored a pop-up recycle drop-off station in conjunction with the event at the Kroger Fuel parking lot on Powers Ferry, collecting 38 Hefty bags of renewable items, 300 pounds of glass and 40 pounds of general recyclable material from 41 residents.

“It’s amazing to see local residents and business leaders join forces to keep our community clean and vibrant,” said Kedrick Green, PFCA’s Adopt-A-Mile coordinator. “The PFCA strives to create opportunities for volunteers to give back and also be a part of a bigger initiative.”

Area neighborhoods and organizations represented included Riverwalk at Wildwood, Riverstone at Wildwood, Girl Scouts, Valencia Hills, Terrell Mill Estates, Hyde Park, Flats at Riverwalk, Lassiter High School, Stratford Grove and Wynne’s Ridge Condominiums.

Volunteers enjoyed complimentary refreshments provided by Kroger. The event was additionally supported by Take 5 Oil Change, Custom Signs Today and cheered on by the firefighters at Cobb County Fire Station 19.  Keep Cobb Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Mile program is a partnership that allows individuals and/or groups to improve the appearance of our community. Learn more: powersferryca.com.

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance conducts fall cleanup project

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Cobb to monitor effects of Rockdale chemical plant fire

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Here’s what Cobb County Government and the Cobb Emergency Management Agency released late Wednesday afternoon, after saying on Monday the Rockdale chemical plant fire posed no local threat:Cobb to monitor effects of Rockdale chemical plant fire

“The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) has issued an advisory stating that a shift in weather patterns could push smoke from the BioLab facility in Rockdale County toward metro Atlanta. Winds from the southeast are expected late Wednesday. As the smoke settles near the ground after sunset, ‘there is a high likelihood that people across Metro Atlanta will wake up Thursday morning seeing haze and smelling chlorine.’

“While it is unlikely that any haze reaching Cobb County will contain chlorine at harmful levels, the GEMA advisory notes, ‘It is important to know that as the air settles each evening, smoke also settles toward the ground. As the air lifts back up in the afternoon and evening, the smell and haze should dissipate. Chlorine has a very low odor threshold, meaning you can smell it before it reaches a harmful level.

“ ‘We are working closely with GEMA and the EPA, and we are prepared to conduct air testing in Cobb County if necessary,’ said Cobb Emergency Management Agency Director Cassie Mazloom. ‘We requested testing earlier this week, and the EPA reported no traces of chlorine or hydrogen chloride were found.’

“Cobb County Fire Department’s HazMat team will also be on standby to conduct air quality testing should calls come in.

“No shelter-in-place advisories have been issued for Cobb County at this time.

“The shift in winds could last several days. Although chlorine concentrations are not expected to be hazardous, individuals with sensitive respiratory conditions should follow the Georgia Department of Public Health’s precautions, which are listed [here].‘

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Cobb officials: Rockdale chemical plant fire no local threat

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Cobb government officials on Monday said that a chemical plant fire in Rockdale County that prompted a shelter-in-place advisory there poses no threat here.Cobb County Government logo

A “public safety alert” was sent out by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency about a “LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY” following a major fire at the BioLab facility.

More than 17,000 people in the vicinity of the plant have been evacuated, and all Rockdale County residents were urged to shelter-in-place Monday afternoon.

The fire broke out on Sunday, and some parts of metro Atlanta were reporting a haze and chemical smells this morning.

But Cobb was not among them, according to the county’s message.

“The alert was sent to anyone within a 50-mile radius of the facility and noted that the chemical levels were unlikely to cause harm to most people.

“Although Cobb County was included in the alert area, the prevailing winds have shifted the fire’s effects away from our region. Out of an abundance of caution, our Emergency Management Agency has coordinated with state and federal officials to conduct air sampling in Cobb County. At this time, there is no indication that the impacts of the Rockdale incident have reached our area.”

The AJC reported that some schools and outdoor activities in Fulton County and DeKalb County were cancelled Monday afternoon and DeKalb officials are testing air quality. Some sampling in the city of Atlanta showed small amounts of chlorine in the air, the newspaper reported.

The fire at BioLab is the third there in the last seven years, according to published media reports.

 

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Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

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Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

Reader Helen passed along this flyer and photo of a free community glass recycling spot in East Cobb.

It’s provided by Ripple Glass, a national recycling and waste management company, and the purple bin is hard not to notice.

It’s located next to Whole Foods at Merchants Walk (1311 Johnson Ferry Road), near the rear parking area.

The flyer below shows you what you can and can’t deposit there.

Basically, everyday items like glass food and beverage containers, drinking cups and glasses, general bottles, jars and glass containers and windows and shower doors are good to go.

But cardboard, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, dishwares, lightbulbs and television sets are not accepted.

The Merchants Walk location is the third such “purple bin” in the East Cobb area, following Jackie’s Wine and Spirits (3140 Johnson Ferry Road) and Janice Overbeck Real Estate (2249 Roswell Road).

Here’s more on Atlanta operations, including places where you can pick up a purple Ripple Glass tote bag.

Ripple Glass says it collects more than 800 tons of glass every week from its bins around the country, and offers curbside service in its home market of Kansas City.

Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance to hold Adopt-a-Mile cleanup

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance to hold Adopt-a-Mile Event

Submitted information and photo:

Seeking community volunteers for the Adopt-A-Mile Fall event from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 along Powers Ferry at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up and enjoy complimentary refreshments at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger Fuel parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067.

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance is pleased to host this bi-annual event, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger and Take 5 Oil Change. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Keep Cobb Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Mile program is a partnership that allows individuals and/or groups to improve the appearance of our community. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants. 

Sign up by clicking here. Email: volunteer@powersferryca.com Learn more: powersferryca.com.

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Septic tank pumping reimbursement project launched in Cobb

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Submitted information:

In an effort to promote environmental health and support community well-being, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) is excited to announce the launch of a new Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program. This initiative aims to encourage regular septic tank maintenance among primary homeowners, thereby preventing system failures, protecting water quality, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all.  

Proper septic tank maintenance is essential for the efficient operation of septic systems, which are  vital for managing household wastewater in many Cobb County households. Without regular  pumping (recommended every 3-5 years), septic systems can prematurely fail, leading to costly repairs and potential environmental hazards. The Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program is designed to help homeowners reduce these risks by providing a financial incentive for routine septic tank pumping and maintenance. 

Primary homeowners who participate in the program will receive a credit of up to $250 (based on  actual cost of service) after having their septic tank pumped by a state approved provider. Eligible services must be completed between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2026, or until grant funds are exhausted (whichever occurs first).  

Homeowners interested in the Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program can enroll by following these simple steps: 

  • 1) Visit our website for more details, for a list of state approved septic tank pumping  companies, and to review the water bill credit request process.  
  • 2) Schedule Service: Contact a state approved septic tank pumping company to schedule a septic tank pumping appointment. 
  • 3) Submit Water Bill Credit Request: After the service is completed, submit your receipt/proof  of septic tank pumping service through our online portal or mail the request application and supporting documents to Cobb Environmental Health, Water Bill Credit Request, 1650  County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008
  • 4) Receive Water Bill Credit: Once approved, your credit of up to $250 should appear on your Cobb County or City Water Bill within 90 days. 
  • “Cobb & Douglas Public Health is committed to supporting our community’s environmental health,” said Dr. Janet Memark, CDPH District Health Director. “This program not only provides financial  relief for homeowners but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining septic systems to  prevent environmental contamination.” 

For more information about the Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program, click here or email us at  cdph.environmentalhealth@dph.ga.gov or call 770-435-7815. 

This project is made possible through Cobb County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

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Cobb Water System probing Lake Allatoona wastewater spills

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The Cobb County Water System announced Tuesday that it is investigating three separate instances of treated wastewater being released into Lake Allatoona in the last month that didn’t meet state environmental standards.Cobb Water System to ask for rate increase

A release issued through the Cobb government communications office said that there have been three readings of “out of specification test results” from wastewater released from the water system’s Northwest Water Reclamation Facility since late May.

A total of 7 million gallons of “out of spec” wastewater was spilled into the lake. When that happens, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division requires a public notice.

Cobb said last weekend that routine tests conducted last Thursday, Sunday and Monday revealed “out of spec” readings, and that immediate action was taken.

“The released wastewater, which was disinfected, poses no threat to our drinking water supplies. No cleanup or remediation is required,” the Cobb release said.

On Tuesday, Cobb County said the water system is continuing to determine the cause of the readings. which could come from “a contaminate introduced into the wastewater system that interferes with microorganisms used in the treatment process.

“Test results are pending, and crews are working to adjust the plant’s operations to prevent a repeat.”

Cobb is permitted to release 12 million gallons of treated wastewater daily into Lake Allatoona, the primary source of drinking water for Cobb County.

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