East Cobb News

Editor’s Note: Our February fundraising goal—500 new donors!

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I took a little bit of time out on Saturday to enjoy the warmth and the sun at East Cobb Park, and couldn’t think of a better way to start the month of February.

Editor's Note: Our February fundraising goal—500 new donors!
We’re asking for 500 donors in February—will you be among them? Thanks for your support!

January was a terrific start to 2025 in terms of traffic, with more than 70,000 unique visitors coming to East Cobb News to find out what’s going on in the community.

That’s roughly one-third of a very big coverage area, and it was gratifying to see the response.

Sometimes the first month of the year is a little slow, but winter weather and other events made East Cobb News a must-visit for many of you, and we’re grateful for your readership.

We are a truly reader-focused independent news site devoted to covering what makes this community tick, and one of our revenue sources comes from you, our readers.

We ask because unlike other local news outlets we don’t have any paywalls and we want East Cobb News to be accessible to one and all.

Please donate today!

This is becoming more common with sites like ours. Our friends at decaturish.com recently completed a successful fundraising effort, as readers there appreciate the value of that community news resource that covers not just Decatur, but a large portion of DeKalb County.

Editor Dan Whisenhunt does a great job not only of covering his community, but reminding readers what it takes to do this on a regular basis.

Similarly, last week East Cobb News unveiled a new reader fundraising drive called the 1500 Club that we’re asking all of you to consider supporting.

Into the spring, we want to get 1500 of our readers to become recurring monthly donors—for as little as $6 a month—to support the work of East Cobb News.

We thank those of you who have signed up in the last week, and as February gets underway, we’ve set a big goal to reach—500 new donors.

You can contribute whatever amount you’d like, but please consider giving on a monthly recurring basis. It’s the best way to support the work of East Cobb News to give you the local news that you love!

We have a secure online payment system, Press Patron, that works with local news publishers to solicit support from their readers.

Press Patron is safe, secure and easy to use, and your donation will go directly toward our efforts to cover the East Cobb community like no one else!

Thanks f0r your support and your readership!

Please donate today!

East Cobb Weather Update: A spring-like start to February

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East Cobb Weather Update: A spring-like start to February

After some bitter cold for much of Januadry and a good bit of rain on Friday, East Cobb’s going to thaw out a little bit as February gets underway.

Sunny skies and temperatures around 60 drew out a good crowd Saturday at East Cobb Park, and the weather will be conducive all week to outdoor activities.

Sunday will be like Saturday, with sun and highs in the mid-60s and lows around 40.

More sun will be accompanied by high temperatures around 70 on Monday, and the mid-70s for the rest of the work week, with some overcast conditions.

Highs will drop into the 60s by next weekend, with more clouds into the following week.

For more local weather information, click here.

 

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NW Metro Atlanta Habitat names new CEO/executive director

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NW Metro Atlanta names new CEO and executive director

Submitted information and photo:

Kyle A. Huhtanen has been named as CEO & Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta effective February 3, 2025. Huhtanen replaces Jessica Gill who will remain with the affiliate in a consulting role.

Kyle is the recent Executive Director of Decatur Church of Christ Senior Housing, Inc. where he managed two senior housing communities for nearly 400 residents. He has also served as Executive Administrator for Decatur Christian Towers and as the Program Manager for Third Lens Ministries. In addition, Kyle has a B.A. in Architecture and a degree in Environmental Design. He is also bi-lingual in English and Spanish.

“Kyle is an experienced CEO with 10 years of executive experience who has successfully worked with local governments,” says Bakari Brooks, Chairman of the Board. “His work leading nonprofits and background as an architect will help our affiliate in providing next-level affordable housing solutions in our community,”

“I am looking forward to working with the Habitat family and local stakeholders in providing desirable affordable housing in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties,” says Kyle. “I find great purpose in pouring into the foundations that build true community.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta
In 1985, Chrys and John Street met Millard Fuller, who challenged them to start an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in Cobb County. They distributed brochures to local churches and gathered 12 people to form a Board of Directors. On April 1, 1986, Cobb County Habitat for Humanity was officially incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. In 2008, the organization expanded to include Douglas and Paulding counties and the name changed to Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta. Since 1986, nearly 600 homes have been built, rehabilitated, or repaired as part of our pursuit to provide decent, affordable housing in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties. To learn more about the local affiliate, visit habitatnwma.org.

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Updated: East Cobb man with dementia found safe

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Mattie's Call issued for East Cobb man, 87, with dementia

Updated, 2:30 pm Friday:

Cobb Police said Eaton has been found safe.

Original report:

Cobb Police said Thursday that an elderly man in East Cobb has gone missing, and they’ve issued a Mattie’s Call.

Officer Aaron Wilson said John Eaton, 87, suffers from dementia and that his vehicle was detected by license plate readers in Lawrenceville and Social Circle.

Wilson said that police were called to an area along Sewell Mill Road around noon Thursday following a missing person report.

He said officers were told that Eaton was last seen leaving his home around 8 a.m. Thursday, and was to meet friends at a nearby McDonald’s.Mattie's Call issued for East Cobb man, 87, with dementia

But he never arrived at his destination, Wilson said, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

Police said that Eaton also has atrial fibrillation and left his medication at home.

Wilson said Eaton was seen wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and navy blue work pants, and was driving a 2003 Silver Toyota 4Runner with the Georgia tag 499WPR.

He’s described as being 5-foot-7 and around 195 pounds and has brown eyes.

Anyone who has seen Eaton or his vehicle is asked by police to call 911 or the Cobb Police Department at 770-499-3911.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Reunion; Fuji Hana; Fresh to Order; more

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Reunion Kitchen and Bar opens

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

Chili’s Grill and Bar
4111 Roswell Road
January 27, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Dunkin’ Donuts
4661 Woodstock Road
January 30, 2025, Score: 99, Grade: A

Fresh to Order
1333 Johnson Ferry Road
January 28, 2025, Score: 91, Grade: A

Fuji Hana Steak and Sushi
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 1
January 24, 2025, Score: 92, Grade: A

Ming’s Asian Kitchen
4665 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 101
January 24, 2025, Score: 95, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 105
January 24, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
3165 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite B
January 30, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Reunion Kitchen and Bar
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 16
January 28, 2025, Score: 95, Grade: A

Smoothie King
1271 Johnson Ferry Road
January 27, 2025, Score: 82, Grade: B

Zaxby’s
2756 Sandy Plains Road
January 30, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

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Boll and Branch bedding store opens at Avenue East Cobb

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Boll and Branch bedding store opens at Avenue East Cobb

Submitted information:

Boll & Branch is now OPEN!

Discover bedding and bath made different, so you can sleep better at night. Stop by and experience their quality products for yourself.

Boll & Branch is a leading designer and retailer of luxury home textiles, and the only bedding company fully managed from the source. Founded in January 2014 by Scott and Missy Tannen (now the CEO and Chief Designer, respectively), the company has become one of the largest luxury home brands ever, and counts millions of Americans, including U.S. Presidents and countless celebrities, as its customers.

All products are expertly crafted from the finest sustainable materials and are 100% traceable – guaranteeing a softer, more luxurious product. Stop in-store to schedule a complimentary consultation with a stylist.

Mark your calendar for their grand opening celebration on February 2nd from 10 AM – 3 PM for complimentary monogramming, hot chocolate, Valentine’s Day crafts for kids, and more.

Click here to learn more: https://ow.ly/1XmF50UPFlW.

The address is 4475 Roswell Road, 106, next to Barnes and Noble.

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Registration continues for 2025 Walton Raider Chase 5K

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Submitted information:Registration continues for 2025 Walton Raider Chase 5K

The 45th Annual Walton Raider Chase, a Peachtree Qualifier, will be held on Saturday, February 8th! Considered to be one of the long-standing 5K races in Marietta, the team’s only fundraiser is expected to generate fast times as the course is composed of few hills and starts and finishes at Walton High School. The Walton Raider Chase 5K will be a celebration of both running and Raider Pride. Enjoy an Olympic style track finish and age group prizes! 

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Cobb school district 2025-26 transfer window opens

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Submitted information:Campbell High School lockdown

Parents/guardians of a student zoned to attend a District school may apply for an HB 251 School Choice transfer in accordance with state law and District rule in order to pursue a transfer to a school other than the locally zoned school. 

Available space at a school is based on permanent classroom space. In the event that the number of transfer requests exceeds the available capacity of a school, the District will conduct a random lottery. 

The application window for the 2025-2026 school year is open from January 21, 2025 through February 14, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

For more information about this program, including instructions on how to apply, please visit our School Choice Transfer page. 

Here’s the following availability at schools in East Cobb:

Elementary Schools

  • Blackwell 160
  • Brumby 88
  • Davis 95
  • Eastvalley 20
  • Keheley 158
  • Kincaid 91
  • Mt. Bethel 5
  • Mountain View 47
  • Murdock 63
  • Nicholson 126
  • Sedalia Park 183
  • Shallowford Falls 273
  • Timber Ridge 41
  • Tritt 66

Middle Schools

  • Daniell 208
  • Hightower Trail 32
  • Mabry 183
  • McCleskeu 344
  • Simpson 17

High Schools

  • Kell 389
  • Lassiter 5
  • Pope 5
  • Sprayberry 178

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Johnson Ferry Road closures to address ‘urgent repairs’

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Johnson Ferry Road closures to address 'urgent repairs'

Johnson Ferry Road between East Cobb Drive and Bishop Lake Road will be subject to lane closures starting Wednesday for what’s being called “urgent repairs” by Atlanta Gas Light.

The office of Cobb District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell sent out a notice late Tuesday afternoon that “these daily closures will last for the next several weeks.”

The affected area includes the busy Johnson Ferry-Roswell intersection and includes access points to major shopping and commercial centers.

We asked the county for more details and this is what we were told:

“This is considered an emergency utility work situation where ATL Gas Light needs to do some exploration to find a potential problem in their lines.”

“So the location and time of the work remains fluid until if or when they find an issue.”

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Town Center Mall closed for not paying electricity bills

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Shoppers at the Town Center at Cobb mall on Tuesday were greeted by signs on locked doors saying that “due to unforeseen circumstances” most of the stores at the Kennesaw retail center were closed.Town Center at Cobb

The announcements didn’t explain what those circumstances were, and the said the closures would be in effect “until further notice.”

Later Tuesday, Town Center announced on its website that the mall will reopen Wednesday.

“We appreciate your patience and look forward to seeing you soon,” according to the message, which did not provide further details.

Anchor stores Belk, JCPenney and Macy’s were open on Tuesday.

But Georgia Power said it had disconnected electricity in most of the mall due to “highly delinquent” bills.

And the MDJ reported that the Cobb Fire Marshall has issued a warning saying that due to the electrical disconnection, fire alarm and sprinkler systems aren’t working.

Georgia Power issued a statement saying that “we’ve tried to work with Town Center Mall for many months and have provided numerous solutions to assist them in avoiding disconnection.

“Unfortunately, any customer that is highly delinquent in paying their bills ultimately has a negative impact for all of our customers so, while we will continue to work with the customer and are hopeful a payment will be made, we can no longer continue to extend the grace period.”

Georgia Power said it provided advance notice to Kohan and the tenants with hand-delivered letters and signs, and “we also made key community leaders aware.”

The financially struggling Town Center at Cobb, located on Barrett Parkway near I-575, opened in 1986 and for a time was the largest indoor mall in Georgia.

It currently houses 144 stores and services in more that 1.2 million square feet.

But in recent years, as the retail industry has been transformed by online shopping, Town Center has been proposed for redevelopment, although no specific plans have emerged.

Last year, Gwinnett commissioners approved a mixed-use redevelopment plan for the Gwinnett Place Mall, which like Town Center opened during the peak of the shopping mall industry in the late 1980s.

And at Cumberland Mall, the space that formerly housed a Sear’s store was approved for redevelopment for apartments, offices and other non-retail uses by Cobb commissioners in 2022.

In 2023, Town Center was purchased at auction by Kohan Retail Investment Group after previous owners considering closing the center for good.

The Belk store announced last week that it would be closing in February.

Kohan, which purchases struggling malls, also has had retail properties in other states disconnected for failing to pay electric bills.

Last year, one of its malls in Michigan has been closed for more than a year for non-payment of electric bills, and now has a new owner.

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Golden K Kiwanis Club to feature coach’s inspiring story

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Submitted information:

Golden K Kiwanis Club to feature coach's inspiring story
Andy Robinson
The Club is pleased to welcome Andy Robinson on January 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM to share the story that inspired the book TENACIOUS.
This is the story of legendary Georgia high school football coach Jeremy Williams who courageously battled ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) while leading his team to unparalleled success in the small town of Greenville, GA. Andy shares this inspiring story with professionalism and power.
Come and invite a guest:
January 30, 2025
10:00 AM
Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
2922 Sandy Plains Road
Marietta, GA 30066

Andy Robinson is a motivational who has shared this story with audiences across the state.

TENACIOUS tells Faith Based story of Coach Jeremy Williams (ALS) and The Williams Family. Coach Williams led Greenville Ga to thrilling undefeated regular season all while on the field courageously battling ALS. He was named National Coach Of The Year.

The Story was voted 2009 AJC Sports Story Of The Year.

The meeting, which starts at 10AM will be at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2292 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta,  GA.  (https://maps.app.goo.gl/A8zzymaWZK2WU9MR7) and the link provides the location.

Golden K Kiwanis Club to feature coach's inspiring story

 

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Cupid’s upcoming community meetings include NE Cobb location

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Submitted information:Cobb commission special elections scheduled as dispute lingers

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid will host a series of community meetings in the next few weeks addressing items before the Board of Commissioners including House Bill 581 and the Unified Development Code, and also community involvement opportunities.
The meetings will also have representatives from Cobb departments to share information with you about upcoming initiatives, events and more.
Join us for these informative sessions:
  • Jan. 29 – Wednesday, 7 – 9 p.m., Smyrna Community Center (Magnolia Room) 1250 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna
  • Jan. 30 – Thursday, 7 – 9 p.m., Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta
  • Feb. 4 – Tuesday, 7 – 9 p.m., South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell
  • Feb. 8 – Saturday, 10 a.m. – noon, Ron Anderson Recreation Center, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs
  • Feb. 12 – Wednesday, 7 – 9 p.m., Northeast Cobb Community Center, 880 Shaw Park Rd., Marietta
  • Feb. 18 – Tuesday, 7 – 9 p.m., North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main Street, Acworth
To learn more about HB 581 in Cobb County, please visit our website here https://bit.ly/40u2JpJ

Cobb Public Library System announces 2025 spring book sale

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Weekend events, Cobb Library Book Sale

Submitted information:

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! The Spring Book Sale will be held at Cobb Civic Center March 7-9, 2025.

Materials for sale include books for all ages in both hardcover and paperback, DVDs, Books on CD and audiocassette, magazines, and puzzles. Prices range from 10 cents to $4.00.

Find a price list here.

Cobb Civic Center is at 548 South Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30060. Hours for the sale are Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. There is plenty of free parking.

Acceptable forms of payment are debit, credit, cash, and checks — Visa and MasterCard only.

On Friday until 1 pm electronic (scanning) devices are not permitted. While we hope you will buy lots of materials, we are only able to sell up to 2 boxes of items at a time on Friday until 1 pm. Please plan to pay and take items to your vehicle before coming in to shop some more.

On Sunday we will be working to sell out the Civic Center so please come to buy, buy, buy!

Sunday is BYOB (Bring Your Own Box) Day: fill any size box (you can bodily get back to your car) for a flat rate — $10 upper level only; $20 lower level only; $20 mixed.

All profits from this book sale go directly to buying more items for Cobb County Public Library’s 15 branches and bookmobile. For more information, please visit cobbcat.org.

 

 

 

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Jan. 13-17, 2025

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High Gates at Robinson Farm, East Cobb real estate sales
High Gates at Robinson Farm

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

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

Kell

2032 Eula Drive, 30066: $743,250

4466 Whitecap Road, 30066 (Lamplighter): $412,500

1612 Barrier Road, 30066 (Lamplighter Ridge): $355,000

Lassiter

4352 Running Fox Court, 30062 (Raintree Forest): $565,000

Pope

987 Overbrook Circle, 30062 (Overbrook): $387,000

2991 Nestle Creek Drive, 30062 (Creekshire): $735,000

2905 Wendy Lane, 30062 (Wendwood): $406,950

3130 Waterfront Circle, 30062 (Johnson Ferry Estates): $899,900

3430 Rocky Springs Court, 30062: $408,500

Sprayberry

1999 Addison Road, 30066: $335,000

2201 Andy Drive, 30066: $309,000

3160 Ebenezer Road, 30066 (Shadowood): $410,000

2252 Rosemoore Walk, 30062 (Rosemoore at Harper Woods): $565,000

Walton

363 Cove Island Way, 30067 (Kings Cove): $610,000

878 Club Moss Court, 30068 (High Gates at Robinson Farm): $1.915 million

Wheeler

3144 Willow Grove Circle, 30067 (Timberlea Farms0: $600,000

60 Shadowlawn Road, 30067: $1.125 million

1251 Golden Rock Lane, 30067 (Ivy Crest): $510,000

1418 Forest Lane, 30067 (Evergreen Forest): $450,000

1466 Varner Road, 30062: $326,000

520 Salem Woods Drive, 30067 (Salem Woods): $310,000

501 Virginia Place, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $450,000

14 Rhodes Drive, 30068 (East Valley Estates): $600,000

2113 Pawnee Drive, 30067 (Sedalia Park): $460,000

3750 Waterlilly Way, 30067 (Giverny Park): $1.695 million

564 Lullingstone Drive, 30067 (Glens at Powers Ferry): $490,000

280 E Valley Drive, 30068 (East Valley Estates): $307,000

170 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $672,500

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Editor’s Note: Inviting our readers to join the 1500 Club!

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I’m deeply honored to be your editor and publisher at East Cobb News! I greatly appreciate your readership as we turn the calendar to 2025.Editor's Note: Inviting our readers to join the 1500 Club!

As a new year unfolds, we are launching a renewed effort to ask readers for their financial support of this community news resource.

We’re calling it the 1500 Club and are asking 1500 of you to sign up to becoming recurring monthly donors of East Cobb News.

That’s a little more than 15 percent of the more than 9,300 newsletter subscribers who get the East Cobb News Digest every week.

East Cobb News content will always be free to readers—unlike other news outlets, we don’t have a paywall. We want this to be accessible for anybody, but we do ask for your support if you feel this of special value to you.

We’d like to suggest a monthly payment of $6—you can contribute more if you like, or at whatever amount of your choosing.

We have a safe, secure online payment system called Press Patron via Stripe that makes it easy to donate, and to keep track of your account.

Consider becoming a regular supporter!

Press Patron enables local news publishers like me to ask readers like you for support. Many local news outlets, from the more traditional to the likes of East Cobb News, generate revenues from multiple sources to build sustaining businesses.

Your donations will power our expanding coverage of news in East Cobb, the place we call home, and that’s a very busy place!

There’s so much more that we want to cover for you, and in the next couple of months we’d like to have at least 1500 of you sign up to become continuing supporters.

It’s similar to a pledge drive for public radio, but for East Cobb’s only daily, all-online news source.

I’ve explained more about the 1500 Club in the video, and will be sharing more details about this initiative in the coming weeks.

Will you be among the 1500? Consider starting your financial support today, so we can keep giving you the local news that you love! Thanks East Cobb!

 

Click here to donate now!

 

 

‘Crushin’ for a Cause’ event to benefit SagerStrong Foundation

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Submitted information:'Crushin’ for a Cause' event to benefit SagerStrong Foundation

Join the SagerStrong Foundation and The 6-4-3 Foundation for the second annual “Crushin’ for a Cause,”  a fun, baseball-themed, family event February 1st  in Marietta!  Sports fans of all ages are invited to join us for Crushin’ for a Cause – a baseball-themed festival-style afternoon of good food, family fun and games, baseball opportunities, music, silent auction and more, all leading up to the Celebrity Home Run Derby, featuring 6-4-3, KSU, and Sprayberry Alum and Braves prospect Tyler Tolve along with players from the Astros, Cardinals, Dodgers, Reds, Rangers and Tigers Organizations!  Last year’s winner was Michael Trautwein, with the Reds Organization! 

Tickets are only $15 in advance, and all proceeds will benefit The 6-4-3  Foundations Scholarship Program which benefits families in need in the Marietta area, and metro Atlanta,  and the SagerStrong Foundations blood cancer research initiatives to support pediatric cancer patients and their families in their fight against blood cancer in metro Atlanta.

**There is also an opportunity to watch an amateur HR Derby, prior to the professionals, see the link below for more info!

“Last year’s event was such a great time – raising funds for The 6-4-3 Foundation and Sager Strong Foundation that we decided to make it an annual event!” said Tyler Tolve, 6-4-3 Alum, and Mississippi Braves Catcher. “I wanted to make a difference, and pay it forward, and raise funds for younger player that have aspirations to play baseball on a professional level one day, as well as help raise funds for families dealing with the reality of blood cancer.  My great uncle had Leukemia, and my father had Multiple Myeloma, so I know the toll treatment can take on a family.  My Father and my great uncle are my inspirations, as well as Carson Rozsman… we wanted to recreate the event and help raise funds for these charities through Crushin’ for a Cause! ”

Event details are as follows:

  • Event Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 – 5:00 pm  – event schedule online!
  • Location: Aviation Sports Complex
  • 455 Aviation Road, Marietta, GA

Website page for additional info:

Join 6-4-3 Alum Tyler Tolve and Friends for a Celebrity Home Run Derby – Sager Strong Foundation

Information on Tyler Tolve:

SagerStrong Spotlight – Meet Tyler Tolve! – Sager Strong Foundation

Click here to learn more – see the CELEBRITY LINEUP — and buy tickets today:

Crushin’ For A Cause 2025 – The 6-4-3 Foundation

Highlights of the Day:

  • Amateur Homerun Contest, sponsored by Prep Baseball Georgia–Players from Metro Atlanta Compete Prior to the Celebs!
  • Celebrity Homerun Derby – Come See the Professionals – MLB and MiLB Players Compete for Most Dingers!
  • Food trucks,  DJ, games, music, autographs and more fun for the family and true baseball fans!
  • Silent Auction, filled with Sports Items, including signed memorabilia, tickets to Braves games, Hawks game, unique one of a kind offerings, baseball equipment, and even Prep Baseball Georgia Showcase Certificates, and more!

Don’t miss it – get your tickets today to support both charities and enjoy a great day at the ballpark!

About the SAGERSTRONG Foundation:

Craig Sager was a two-time Emmy-Award winner, and Hall of Fame Sportscaster, known for his colorful suits and ties, with a personality to match. Sager succumbed to cancer in 2016. Stacy and Craig Sager started the SAGERSTRONG Foundation in the hope that, one day, leukemia patients and their families will never have to go through the battle they have endured. The mission of the SAGERSTRONG Foundation is to give hope to those who need it most, through research to find a cure and programs to support families in their fight against blood cancer.  For more information, please visit sagerstrongfoundation.org.

 

 

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Former Sprayberry HS football coach begins tenure at Etowah

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Shortly after leading the Sprayberry High School football team to its winningest season ever, coach Brett Vavra announced he was taking another job.

Brett Vavra, Sprayberry football
Former Sprayberry head coach Brett Vavra at the East Cobb Pigskin Preview.

Earlier this month, Vavra began his tenure at Etowah High School at Cherokee County.

This week, he penned a farewell letter to the Sprayberry community (he’s a Sprayberry grad) where he taught and coached for eight years.

“There have been ups and downs, but it has been an incredible ride,” he said in a social media posting on Monday. “The positive relationships that I have established over the years with my players, coaching staff, parents, booster club, faculty an administration have been nothing short of amazing and it is the exact reason I wanted to become a coach 20+ years ago.”

Vavra added that “while this moment is extremely bittersweet for me, I know that I’m leaving Sprayberry in a good place. . . . Once a Jacket, always a Jacket.”

When he announced his decision in December, Vavra told the MDJ that he was returning to Etowah, where he previously was an assistant coach, for family reasons.

His family lives in Woodstock and his daughter is a student at Etowah, and he told the newspaper “it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

Vavra was 41-45 in his eight seasons at Sprayberry and 11-2 in 2024, when the Yellow Jackets won Region 6AAAAA and reached the Georgia High School Association Class 5A semifinals.

Etowah was 2-8 last season and has struggled in recent years.

Vavra’s successor at Sprayberry has not been named.

 

 

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Retired minister in East Cobb acquitted in 1975 Pa. slaying

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Retired minister in East Cobb charged in 1975 Pa. slaying

A jury in Pennsylvania last week acquitted a retired minister who had been living in East Cobb for the killing of a young girl nearly 50 years ago.

News reports in the Philadelphia area said George Zandstra, now 84, was acquitted by jurors in Delaware County, Pa., after a four-day trial.

He was arrested and extradited in 2023 and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Gretchen Harrington, who was 8 when she was found dead in 1975, after walking to a Bible school at a church where he was a pastor.

Zandstra, who had lived in a home in Northeast Cobb since 2005, following his retirement from the ministry, was accused by prosecutors in Delaware County in a longstanding cold case file.

He had confessed to the murder and abusing two other young girls, but during the trial his attorney said the confession had been coerced and persuaded a jury to find him not guilty.

The district attorney’s office brought the charges after being told by an individual who said she was best friends with Zandstra’s daughter, and who would stay at the minister’s home for sleepovers when she was a girl.

The witness said that when she was 10, she was awakened by Zandstra groping her, and another friend told her that he “did that sometimes,” according to the Delaware County DA.

That was right before Harrington went missing. The same witness also told authorities a child in her class was almost kidnapped twice, and noted in her diary that she thought Zandstra might have been behind those attempts, the DA’s office said at the time.

Her body was found two months after her disappearance by a jogger at a nearby state park, bludgeoned to death with a rock and covered with tree branches.

When Zandstra was charged in 2023, a law enforcement official at the time said that “justice does not have an expiration date.”

But Zandstra’s attorney, who argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime, said that Zandstra had been lied to and misled by police investigators during an interview they conducted at his home in East Cobb.

“He maintained his innocence for most of his interview, and he maintains his innocence to this day,” defense attorney Christopher Boggs said in a statement issued after the verdict.

“We are happy to have Mr. Zandstra returned to his family. Criminal trials in this country are amazing things and we thank the jury for their hard work this week. Our hearts along with all of Delaware County still break for the Harrington family who deserve an end to the nightmare of losing a family member.”

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East Cobb Food Scores: Suburban Tap; Sabores de Mexico; more

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East Cobb Food Scores, Suburban Tap

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

Empire Care Center
4360 Johnson Ferry Road
January 17, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Legacy Ridge at Marietta
840 Lecroy Drive
January 22, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

Martin’s
3101 Canton Road
January 23, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

McDonald’s
3010 Canton Road
January 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Sabores de Mexico
1951 Canton Road
January 22, 2025, Score: 82, Grade: B

Suburban Tap
1318 Johnson Ferry Road
January 17, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

Taco Bell
2943 Canton Road
January 22, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Twisted Taco Express
2960 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 303
January 23, 2205, Score: 100, Grade: A

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New Akers Mill ramp to I-75 Express Lanes opens Friday

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New Akers Mill ramp to I-75 Express Lanes opens Friday

A $45 million project to build a new ramp connecting Akers Mill Road with the Northwest Corridor Express Lanes on Interstate 75 in Cobb County opens Friday.

Local and state dignitaries held a media event Wednesday that included a groundbreaking ceremony organized by the Cumberland Community Improvement District.

When the new ramp opens for the Friday afternoon commute, it will be the 12th access point for the Northwest lanes, which opened in 2018 and cover 29.7 mile between an area just north of Akers Mill and Hickory Grove Road in north Cobb, and along I-575 in Cobb to Sixes Road in Cherokee County.

“The ramp will serve southbound express lanes users as an exit in the mornings and northbound express lanes users as an entrance in the evenings,” the Cumberland CID said in a statement.

The CID estimates that the ramp will provide daily access to the Cumberland area to around 100,000 motorists, serving six Class-A office towers around the Galleria.

The Ramp will be 24-feet wide for the reversible lanes plus break-down shoulders and will widen to 50-feet at Akers Mill. It will include a barrier separated entrance to the northbound managed lanes,” according to a project description (more info).

Here’s how the funding breaks down:

  • Cobb County SPLOST ($15 million)
  • Atlanta Regional Commmission ($10 million)
  • Cumberland CID ($6.3 million)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation ($5 million)
  • Georgia Department of Transportation ($4.4 million)
  • Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority ($3.5 million)

 

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