Name: Popefest
Start: 2026-08-14T17:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-08-14T21:00:00-04:00
Location: Pope High School

Editor’s Note: On our 9th anniversary, why local news matters

July 8, 2026 by Wendy Parker

*Publishing a local news website requires more than an act of faith, but belief in the power of community is an imperative.*

One day in the spring of 2020, a few weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, I was driving around East Cobb in a daze, gathering photos of what was looking like a ghost town.

For a while, I was also wondering if East Cobb News would go down with the dozens of small and local businesses in the community that simply went away, unable to handle the shutdowns and restrictions.

I was angry about their fate, but had to scramble to ensure that mine wouldn’t be the same. East Cobb News was making some headway in terms of business viability at the time, not quite three years old, and I was feeling good about our prospects.

We had broken or led significant stories in the community, especially the failed effort over East Cobb Cityhood.

As strong as we’ve been in providing vital local news and useful community information, East Cobb News is also a for-profit business, in the mom-and-pop category that’s always vulnerable to even the barest of economic fluctuations.

Skip Wells Memorial Ride — *East Cobb News first rolled out on July 8, 2017, and we’re just getting started.*

We stared the end of the road squarely in the eyes more than once during that time. I tried like hell not to blink. I have to be honest here; I wasn’t sure if East Cobb News could survive.

But our readers, who had come to expect coverage unlike anything else in this community, picked me up when I needed it the most. I’d get an e-mail or other message asking if I could find out whether a store was open, or tip me off about an accident or something, anything, to get me back to the task of doing the news.

A few readers checked in to say hello, to see how I was doing, and said they appreciated what we’ve been doing all along.

That meant more to me than any of those well-wishers will ever know.

I felt the same way on that day I mentioned above, when driving around, I saw the sign on the neighborhood fence that’s in the photo above. I pulled over to safe spot and snapped that picture and published it. It’s stayed with me far longer than COVID.

It’s been one of the symbols of my pledge to carry on with East Cobb News, no matter what.

Please help us keep local news free.

On July 8, 2017, East Cobb News first began publishing, just a few times a week at first, and now several times a day six days a week.

We’ve added a Sunday newsletter since then, and grown a healthy readership. Currently we’re averaging 125,000 pageviews and nearly 80,000 unique visitors a month—the latter figure representing a third of our coverage area.

We have more than 9,400 subscribers to our newsletter, and around 25,000 who follow us on social media.

We’re proud of those numbers and what they reflect about our readers, who’ve kept the faith with us all along.

East Cobb News is thriving journalistically, and I’m so proud of that, after more than 40 years as a reporter and editor.

We’ve built a modest small business with local business advertising, but like other news outlets—including many that are much larger and older than we are—East Cobb News also relies on reader support to sustain our efforts.

*East Cobb News remains undaunted in chronicling a community that’s undergone a lot in our time online.*

We have been asking for some months now for modest donations—suggesting $6 a month—and some of you have responded.

Frankly, we’re not getting a whole lot, and I understand why these appeals can be annoying.

But East Cobb News was founded on the premise that local news needs to be accessible to all. We have been publishing non-stop since this day nine years ago, more than 7,000 posts in all,

We intend on keeping it that way, and to keep publishing indefinitely into the future.

It’s what I called in my last message “the local news revolution,” and of which I’m proud to be a part.

East Cobb News is among the hardy band of local, online independent news entrepreneurs that wears their passion about their hometowns and the business of building up a local news business on their sleeves—and just about everywhere.

We can’t help it, because it’s not just what we do, it’s who we are.

We consider ourselves local news revolutionaries here at East Cobb News, and we invite our readers to join us.

For just a few dollars a month, your support will help sustain local journalism—right here in East Cobb.

You rely on us to stay informed and we depend on you to make our work possible.

We do all this without a paywall, but if you value what you get from East Cobb News, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Your donation is voluntary and the amount you pay is up to you, but here are some suggested amounts:

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Your donation—continued or new—will help keep East Cobb News strong, free and independent for years to come.

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Thank you for your support! And long live local news!

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!

Free caregiver session set for living with dementia patients

July 8, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

ACAP Cobb & Cherokee will present “Living Well with a Parent with Dementia: Basic Tips for Daily Care,” a free educational program for family caregivers, on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.. The in-person program will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church – Kapperman-Williams Hall, 2881 Canton Road, Marietta, GA.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be challenging. This program gives important information about the signs and behaviors of these diseases and offers helpful tips for daily care.

The program will be presented by Staci Hannah, DCP Owner Graceful Journey.

This program is free and open to everyone. Reserve a spot today at acapcommunity.org, or contact ACAP Cobb & Cherokee at [email protected].

Program Details
What: Living Well with a Parent with Dementia: Basic Tips for Daily Care
When: Thursday, July 16, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Covenant Presbyterian Church – Kapperman-Williams Hall, 2881 Canton Road, Marietta, GA
Cost: Free and Open to the CommunityRSVP:

acapcommunity.org | [email protected]

About ACAP – Adult Children of Aging Parents®

Adult Children of Aging Parents® (ACAP) provides information, resources, support, and community for adult children as they care for their aging parents and for themselves. Through its network of local chapters, ACAP offers free monthly educational programs, expert speakers, and a compassionate community to help families navigate the challenges of eldercare. For more information, visit www.acapcommunity.org or email [email protected].

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Military family food drive set for Powers Ferry Road Kroger

July 8, 2026July 8, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

Kroger’s Atlanta Division and the USO are teaming up for the “Kick Hunger to the Sidelines | Stuff the Truck” Food Drive, inviting customers to donate items that will support military service members and their families.

The food drive will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at the Powers Ferry Kroger, 1310 Powers Ferry Road SE in Marietta. The USO | Kroger Mobile Food Truck will be on-site during the event.

A suggested list of items especially needed by military service members is below and will also be available onsite. Customers may use the list as a guide; additional helpful donations also are welcome.

SUGGESTED DONATION ITEMS:

Food and Beverages:

Kroger Protein & Fiber Bar

Simple Truth applesauce pouches

Kroger individual trail mix

Kroger fruit snacks

CLIF Builders Protein Bars

KIND granola bars

Kroger snack meat sticks

Small packages of beef jerky

StarKist tuna packets

Lunch-to-go kits

Jif To Go peanut butter

Kroger flavored drink packets

Nutella & Go! snack packs

Kroger cheese dip sticks

Kroger tuna packets

Liquid I.V. hydration packets

Folgers coffee-to-go packets

Personal-care items:

Gold Bond foot powder

Kroger razors, three- or four-packs

Small containers of Vaseline petroleum jelly

Kroger tampons and pads

Kroger sunscreen

OFF! insect repellent

Items for children and families:

Kroger apple juice
Boxed candy, such as Sour Patch Kids
Crayons and coloring books
Pop-its
Play-Doh
Bubbles

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!

Kincaid PTA to receive Georgia state arts education grant

July 8, 2026July 8, 2026 by Wendy Parker

The Kincaid Elementary School PTA is among the recipients of an arts eductation grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts.

The council, which is part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, awards a variety of grants to community arts organizations and programs, including schools.

In Wednesday’s announcement by the Georgia Council for the Arts, several other Cobb organizations also were named as recipients for the grants, which total more than $1.3 million and will be distributed to 179 entities.

Here’s more from Wednesday’s release:

The Arts Education Program Grant will be distributed to 32 organizations to support the arts in K-12 education, and many include a variety of disciplines, from visual art to music or theater, to dance and creative writing.

Kincaid is the only school in the Cobb County School District to receive an arts education grant, which also was awarded to Marietta City Schools.

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!

Moon family legacy at Sprayberry HS stretches 60-plus years

July 8, 2026July 8, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information, photos and video from the Cobb County School District:

When you drive past Sprayberry High School this summer, you’ll see more than construction crews and renovation work. You will see the next chapter of a school that has helped shape generations of students and families.

For the Moon family, every trip past Sprayberry is a reminder of the generations of memories, friendships, and traditions built within its walls.

From the Class of 1963 to the Class of 2026, the Moon family has a history with Sprayberry spanning more than 60 years.

“I think people in Sprayberry don’t keep up with the Joneses. They keep up with Sprayberry, and it’s a different pace of life,” said Stephen Moon, Class of 1988.

Moon’s uncle, Arthur Cochran, started the family tradition when he graduated in 1963. From there, cousins, aunts, and Moon’s three children added to the family’s long history at Sprayberry.

“I think it helped. Me and my sister looked out for each other, and we were both in class together. But it was also really good to have my senior brother there as a freshman,” said Samuel, Class of 2025.

From STEM programs and track and field to the arts, this legacy family has embraced all that Sprayberry has to offer.

“The Moon family is a testament to what the school does. This community really anchors the neighborhoods, and it’s something that people keep coming back for,” said Sprayberry principal Dr. David Church.

During the 2026 graduation ceremony, Rosie sang the national anthem to begin the special night for her and the rest of the senior class.

“It’s just cool to have a legacy like that. It gives you something to look back on and be proud of,” said Rosie.

Moon’s children — Rosie, Samuel and Max — said they were grateful for Sprayberry and felt prepared for the next chapter of their education after graduating.

“I just appreciate that you guys are here to represent the community and the meaning behind Sprayberry High School,” said Vice Board Chair David Chastain.

While the family’s current chapter at Sprayberry has come to a close, future generations could one day continue the tradition of making memories at Sprayberry for years to come.

“It was a kind of a sense of closure on an era. For now, we’ll see. Maybe down the line I’ll have kids of my own, and then maybe they come here too,” said Max, Class of 2022.

As Sprayberry continues its Ed-SPLOST-funded renovation, the campus is being reimagined for the next generation of students while preserving the traditions and community spirit that have defined the school for more than six decades. While the Sprayberry campus may look remarkably different when students return in August, the sense of belonging that has connected families like the Moons across generations remains unchanged.

Today’s construction is creating tomorrow’s Sprayberry — a school ready to welcome future generations and thousands of more students who will create their own memories, traditions, and legacies for years to come.

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!

Fitness center proposed for Powers Ferry Road ex-Kroger site

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by Wendy Parker

The former Kroger site on Powers Ferry Road has sat vacant since the grocery retailer relocated up the street nearly three years ago.

The 4.8 acres on Powers Ferry at Delk Road was proposed for apartments at the same time, and plans were approved unanimously by the Marietta City Council, but then vetoed by the mayor.

The developer who wanted to build a five-story, 322-unit apartment building said then that the site wasn’t viable for other commercial or retail uses.

And since then, the property been the subject of code enforcement complaints, including the presence of trash and debris, outdoor storage and marked by graffiti.

But now the property owner, Atlanta-based Habersham Partners LLC, is proposing a location of a national fitness center chain for that site, and will be asking the City of Marietta for approval.

The City Council on Wednesday will be asked to consider two variances for an EOS Fitness Center, which has three metro Atlanta locations.

According to an agenda item (you can read it here), Habersham Partners doesn’t need rezoning, since the existing community retail commercial (CRC) category includes fitness centers.

What is being requested is a reduction of a 40-foot screening buffer adjacent to residentially zoned property, as well as a reduction of the requirement to install landscaped parking lot islands for every 12 consecutive parking spaces.

The agenda item states that EOS will be undergoing extensive interior and exterior renovations to operate in the old Kroger, which opened in the early 1980s.

“The site plan provided contains very little detail about the proposed improvements to the building and site,” states the city’s zoning staff analysis, which doesn’t make a recommendation on the variance requests.

Nearby apartments that are in unincorporated Cobb and located off Delk Road were built around the same time, “and have coexisted, presumably without issue, for 30 years without a buffer,” according to the zoning analysis.

“Should this variance be approved, consideration should be given to requiring a new fence and also limiting the area to overflow parking to minimize impact on the residential neighbors.”

As for the parking island requirement, the staff analysis said the proposal for the fitness center would include retrofitting the parking lot “to add numerous islands bookending rows of newly striped parking spaces.

“While not meeting the strict rule of ‘no more than 12 parking spaces in a row without an island,’ these changes will substantially improve the look (and drainage) of the site. And, again, although there is no hardship present, these changes will only incur benefits and drastically reduce the nonconforming parking area.”

The Marietta City Council also will hear on Wednesday a data center proposal off Delk Road near Interstate 75 that that was recommended for approval by the Marietta Planning Commission in a split vote.

The City Council also will consider a request for data center moratorium, similar to one in Cobb County. You can read through the full meeting agenda by clicking here and here.

The City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Marietta City Hall. (205 Lawrence Street).

Subdivision request off Old Canton Road continued again

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Tucked away off Old Canton Road is a narrow-single lane road with some older houses that evokes a rural feel amid East Cobb’s suburban sprawl.

Although the road is paved, residents say there isn’t much other modern infrastructure to serve the few homes along Clackum Road, some of which are owned by members of the Clackum family.

One of those residents is a developer who wants to assemble 11.8 acres along Clackum Road, as well as Old Canton Road and Shelly Court for a luxury single-family subdivision.

Jairo Murillo wants the land—which is split into two non-contiguous parcels—to be rezoned from R-30, a low-density residential category to R-15, which is more dense than most of the surrounding subdivisions.

*The proposed homes on Clackum Road would start at $1 million.*

Last month, the Cobb Planning Commission continued the case following opposition, and on Tuesday voted again to hold the request (you can read through it here) following the submission of a new site plan.

Murillo initially proposed building 20 homes on the land, which stretches beyond a cul-de-sac at the end of Clackum Road and along property he owns near Sewell Mill Creek (see the site plan below).

Residents of the nearby Mill Creek subdivision expressed opposition in June, especially over stormwater concerns.

On Tuesday, a revised site plan reduced the number of homes to 14, and included three designated areas for stormwater retention.

Murillo’s representative said Tuesday the homes envisioned would be at least 4,800 square feet and feature three-car garages and would be priced starting at $1 million.

For Jeb Beardsley, a commercial real estate specialist whose family owns one of the homes on Clackum Road, the development would be a welcome addition.

Clackum Road, he said, is only 16 feet wide, and it’s difficult for traffic getting in and out.

“All of this will help the neighborhood tremendously,” he told Planning Commission members Tuesday. “This is a local developer, a local family-owned business.”

But other residents, including in Mill Creek, again expressed opposition. The site plan doesn’t address their stormwater or density concerns.

Mike Cotti, who lives nearby and owns a construction and remodeling business, said the R-15 category isn’t compatible with the surrounding area.

“The people that live in the area aren’t anti-development,” he said. “They just want to see a reasonable development.”

He suggested an R-20 category, which is what Mill Creek and the nearby Canton Hills subdivisions are zoned. The Olde Canton Chase subdivision to the south of the Murillo property is zoned R-15.

The Cobb Zoning Division had recommended denial based on the initial site plan. John Pedersen, the zoning manager, told Planning Commission member Deborah Dance that his office hadn’t had time to analyze the revised site plan, which was received last Monday.

She moved to continue the case, and the motion passed 5-0 to bring it back in August.

**Click here** to see a larger view of the site plan, with homes on Clackum at Old Canton (top) and at the left, close to Sewell Mill Creek.

Cobb commissioners to hold property tax public hearings

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners announces its intention to increase the property taxes it will levy this year, over the rollback millage rate, by 4.07 percent in the County Maintenance & Operations (General) Fund.

Each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by Georgia law to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county. When the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicate that there has been an increase or decrease in the fair market value of any specific property, the board of tax assessors is required by law to revalue such property and adjust the assessment. This is called a reassessment.

When the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a “rollback” millage rate must be computed according to specific instructions issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue. This “rollback” millage rate would have produced the same total tax revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred.

The 2026 proposed millage is higher than the recently computed “rollback” millage rate. Therefore, before the Cobb County Board of Commissioners may set the final 2026 millage rates, Georgia law requires that three public hearings be held to allow the public an opportunity to express their opinions on the increase.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is proposing to maintain millage rates. The General Fund M&O will be set at 8.46; the Fire millage rate will be set at 2.97; and the Cumberland Special Services District II millage rate will be set at 2.45. Although these millage rates are not increasing from the prior year, Georgia law requires the County to advertise a “Tax Increase” in the press and on the County’s website because the tax digest has increased.

All eligible property owners who have claimed the homestead exemption for the 2026 tax year will see no change in their County M&O tax bill, as long as the property owner made no changes to the property that affect its taxable value. The floating homestead exemption maintains the net taxable value of the primary residence. When the millage rate remains unchanged from the prior year, the assessed tax for County M&O also remains unchanged.

All citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Board of Commissioners meeting room located at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, Georgia on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM and on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

The Board of Commissioners will adopt the 2026 Property Tax Millage Rates for its three tax districts (General, Fire, and Cumberland Special Services District II) following the third public hearing at the BOC Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

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 Crime Blotter: Rape suspect held without bond

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 by Wendy Parker

An 20-year-old man from East Cobb is facing charges of rape and related offenses from an incident in May.

According to his booking report, Patrick Deegan has been held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center since he was taken into custody on June 29.

A warrant for Deegan, of a Holliglen Drive address, said he is charged with felony counts of rape and aggravated sodomy and a misdemeanor account of sexual battery.

The warrant states that on May 2, Deegan went to a Kennesaw apartment and forced a woman into having sex against her will.

Deegan is accused in the warrant of forcing the victim into undressing and raping her despite her protests that “I don’t want to have sex, I don’t want to do anything.”

The warrant also states that Deegan performed an unwanted act of oral sex on the victim and attempted to have anal intercourse with her.

He also is accused of using “his fingers and mouth to make unwanted physical contact with the intimate parts of the victim” and also by kissing her neck and breast.

“I will blow your ——- brains out”

Another East Cobb man also is being held without bond for physically assaulting and threatening to shoot another man in his neighborhood during an incident overt the July 4 holiday weekend.

Christopher Cavalier, of a Shadow Bluff Drive address in the Shadowwoods subdivision, has been charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and other charges, according to his warrant.

The warrant states that around 9:30 p.m. on of Friday, July 3, Cavalier went to a nearby residence, also on Shadow Bluff Drive, and pointed a loaded Bearman .22 revolver at the neighbor.

Cavalier told the man that “I will blow your ——- brains out” and then pushed the neighbor several times, according to the warrant, which states that the incident was caught on a Ring camera video.

Cavalier also has been charged with a misdemeanor account of driving under the influence for driving a pickup truck to the neighbor’s home and back to his residence, according to the warrant, which said he admitted to consuming alcohol beforehand.

The warrant states that Cavalier “had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath” and tested at 0.194 percent on a preliminary breath test, which is above the legal limit of 0.08 percent in Georgia.

Editor’s Note: East Cobb News regularly publishes reports about crime incidents taken from arrest warrants and other official reports provided by law enforcement agencies. All accused parties are presumed innocent upon being charged.

Reports published by East Cobb News about criminal allegations are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a final legal judgment or an official finding of guilt.

East Cobb News does not publish photos of those charged with crimes unless or until they are proven guilty or admit to guilt in a court of law and are sentenced.

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East Cobb tech entrepreneur publishes book on how to use AI

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

East Cobb resident and technology entrepreneur Ken Leebow has come out of retirement to write his latest book, 100 Incredible Things You Can Do With AI, which is already off to a strong start.

With artificial intelligence dominating the news, Leebow’s new book is designed to make AI practical, understandable, and useful for everyday people and businesses. He is also giving presentations on AI, including his featured program, “Building Your AI Dream Team,” where he demonstrates an AI product he calls “AI on Steroids.”

Leebow is also pleased to announce that he has established a veterans scholarship program connected to the book.

For additional information, contact Ken Leebow or visit Leebow.com.

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 Biz Scene: Sunny Brook Stables to relocate

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Sunny Brook Stables, which offers horse riding lessons and other equestrian training, is leaving East Cobb.

Dr. Grania Gothard Holman, the owner and founder of the five-acre facility on Roswell Road east of Johnson Ferry Road, made the announcement Sunday that Sunny Brook will be relocating soon to North Fulton.

“While our address is changing, the heart of Sunny Brook remains exactly the same,” Holman said in a message on Sunny Brook’s Facebook page.

“For years, families have trusted us to introduce children to horses through thoughtful riding instruction, horsemanship, camps, and a community built on kindness, confidence, and stewardship. Our new home allows that vision to grow.”

She said Sunny Brook will be occupying expanded facilities at Fortitude Farm, a horseback training center in the Alpharetta-Milton area.

Sunny Brook also operates Heart Horse Retirement, Rehab & Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the care of older horses, and which also will be making the move.

“We are incredibly grateful to every family, volunteer, supporter, and friend who has helped shape Sunny Brook into what it is today,” Holman said. “Now, we look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces as we begin this next chapter together.”

Sunny Brook and Heart Horse will be reopening in August, she said, and enrollment is open.

Sunny Brook has leased the five acres at Roswell Road, located between a subdivision and East Cobb Presbyterian Church and close to Avenue East Cobb.

The land was recently put up for sale as a residential lot with an asking price of $3 million, and is already under contract, according to its MLS listing.

Holman told East Cobb News that the new location for Sunny Brook will provide “additional riding space, and a covered arena that will allow for more consistent lessons throughout Georgia’s changing weather. Most importantly, it gives us the opportunity to continue building the safe, family-centered riding program that has always been at the heart of Sunny Brook.”

She said Sunny Brook and the non-profit will be able to “grow together” and expand beyond its focus on riding lessons for youngsters.

“The next chapter will also include expanded opportunities for adult riders, clinics, retreats, educational experiences, and community involvement, while continuing to support the mission of Red Heart Horse,” Holman said.

“Although the address is changing, the values are not.”

Sunny Brook will continue to offer one-on-one, small-group and private riding instruction, with an emphasis on horse care and helping riders build meaningful relationships with the animals.

“Our vision has always been about more than teaching people to ride,” Holman said. “It has been about creating a place where horses and people both have the opportunity to grow. Some horses need retirement, rehabilitation, or rescue. Some children discover confidence for the first time. Some adults find their way back to horses after years away. This new home gives us the opportunity to continue serving all of them.”

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: Wicks Lake ranch sells for $708K

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 by Wendy Parker

This week’s featured real estate sale is a renovated lakeside ranch home in the Wicks Lake subdivision, in the Pope High School, Dodgen Middle School and Murdock Elementary School attendance zones.

It has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and includes 3,852 square feet on 0.29 acres, and sold for $708,000 on June 23, 2026.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from June 22-26, 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

1290 Shallowford Road, 30066 (Northwind Meadows): $252,500

4522 Inlet Road, 30066 (Jamerson Forest): $400,000

4788 Rubes Creek Drive, 30066 (Jamerson Forest): $373,500

Lassiter

3448 Highborne Connector, 30066 (Highland Pointe): $550,000

3753 Heddington Lane, 30066 (Garrison Parc): $1.25 million

3343 Cranmore Court, 30066 (Northampton): $1.05 million

3359 Shallowford Green Drive, 30062 (Shallowford Green): $580,000

3765 Shallow Court, 30066 (Heatherwood): $437,500

Marietta

1431 Soaring Pointe, 30062 (Eagle Ridge): $459,900

1354 Baileys Corner, 30062 (Franklin Ridge): $830,000

392 Cherry Tree Lane, 30062 (Hamilton Grove): $469,500

114 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Bluffs at Bells Ferry): $429,900

Pope

2962 Graham Gardens Lane, 30062 (Graham Gardens): $1.03 million

2650 Nicholas Court, 30062 (Crystal Downs): $448,422

3187 Wicks Lake Drive, 30062 (Wicks Lake): $708,000

3306 Emory Drive, 30062 (Hembree Hills): $625,000

2178 Carlyle Drive, 30062 (Cedar Hills Estates): $547,000

2675 Tritt Springs Trace, 30062 (Post Oak Springs): $745,000

Sprayberry

2725 Stillwater Lake Lane, 30066 (Stillwater Lake): $592,950

2511 Hidden Hills Drive, 30066 (Hidden Hills) $325,000

2344 Chimney Cottage Circle, 30066 (Chimney Cottage): $380,000

132 Parkstone Way, 30066 (Park at Barrett Creek): $472,500

2301 Lessie Maude Drive, 30066 (Powell Station): $366,000

2795 Cottonwood Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $320,000

537 Kelly Drive, 30066 (Addison Heights): $359,999

2125 Bells Ferry Road, 30066: $715,000

1505 Oakmoor Place, 30062 (Allgood Farms): $650,000

3070 Mary Drive, 30066 (Russell Plantation): $397,500

Walton

4415 Blackland Drive, 30067 (Sanders Field Estates): $3.069 million

3650 Brighton Place, 30062 (Independence Square): $740,000

1194 Manor Crest Court, 30068 (Manor Oaks): $850,000

600 Willow Knoll Drive, 30067 (The Columns): $1.43 million

4868 Hampton Lake Drive, 30068 (Hampton Lakes): $1.01 million

3444 Liberty Lane, 30062 (Independence Square): $675,000

Wheeler

807 Wynnes Ridge Circle, Unit 807, 30067 (Wynnes Ridge): $280,000

426 Lucky Court, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $412,300

555 Virginia Place, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $325,000

3305 Sulky Circle, 30067 (Ward Meade): $1.25 million

617 Lullingstone Drive, 30067 (Glens at Powers Ferry): $474,900

365 Briarwood Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $620,000

667 Brookline Drive, 30067 (Hyde Park): $400,000

2160 Old Orchard Drive, 30068 (Weatherstone): $584,000

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Editor’s Note: Please support the local news revolution!

July 3, 2026July 3, 2026 by Wendy Parker

The first news outlet in America predates the creation of the nation by several decades.

In 1690, the first multi-page newspaper printed in what would become the United States made its debut. Publick Occurrences, Both Forreign and Domestick, lasted only one issue, due to colonial censors.

Another newspaper would not be printed in America for another 14 years.

But the spirit of a free press, as well as a free nation-in-the-making, was undaunted.

Shortly after the United States of America won its independence, the First Amendment to the Constitution guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.

And with them newspapers, pamphlets and magazines of all kinds continued to flourish.

As America celebrates its 25oth birthday, the media landscape is quite different.

Local news outlets that bolstered communities and kept citizens well-informed have been disappearing for other reasons.

But news revolutionaries devoted to reviving local news and who are passionate about their hometowns are on the march.

Hundreds of local, independent online news entrepreneurs have been popping up everywhere in recent years—including here, with East Cobb News.

Please help us keep local news free.

Earlier this week, I took part in a “Born to Run Local News” celebration featuring local news publishers. It was based in New Jersey—hence, the title—but many of us dialed in via Zoom, and took pride in what we’ve done.

We had plenty to feel good about, and shared stories of how we’re overcoming long odds to do what we love the most, and to serve our communities.

*Ben Franklin, Founding Father and publisher of the Pennsylvania Gazette*

It was as inspiring as it was a sobering reminder of the obstacles we face, and a great way to lean into a milestone national holiday.

At East Cobb News, we’ll soon be celebrating our 9th anniversary—more about that next week—but for now, we’d like to ask readers to support us as we keep local news free and independent.

At East Cobb News, readers come first, and always will. Our vow when we launched on July 4, 2017, was to make the news free and accessible to everyone, and to keep it that way.

We’ve been asking readers for some months now to provide voluntary financial support, and we appreciate those of you who have contributed. But we need more of you to help us as we continue our mission of giving you the local news that you love.

We consider ourselves local news revolutionaries here at East Cobb News, and we invite our readers to join us.

For the price of a cup of coffee.

For just a few dollars a month, your support will help sustain local journalism—right here in East Cobb.

You rely on us to stay informed and we depend on you to make our work possible.

Your donation is voluntary and the amount you pay is up to you, but here are some suggested amounts:

$6/month or $60/year
$12/month or $125/year
$30/month or $300/year
$50/month or $500/year
Custom amount
One-time donation

Your donation—continued or new—will help keep East Cobb News strong, free and independent for years to come. Thank you for your support! And long live local news!

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!

Parade route, parking info for Marietta July 4 celebrations

July 3, 2026July 3, 2026 by Wendy Parker

If you plan to attend the July 4 celebrations in the City of Marietta on Saturday, here’s some pertinent information about road closures and parking.

The day-long festivities begin with the Let Freedom Ring parade. It starts at 10 a.m. at Mission Church Roswell Street (formerly Roswell Street Baptist Church) and continues westbound on Roswell Street through the Marietta Square and up Cherokee Street to the Cobb 911 headquarters.

But road closures along the route will begin starting at 9:15 a.m., so you’ll need to find your vantage point well ahead of time.

The parade also will be live-streamed below on the City of Marietta’s YouTube channel.

The 4th in the Park event also starts at 10 a.m. and continues until dark at the Marietta Square, and some temporary closures will remain for the duration.

They include the four streets surrounding the Square, Mill Street, and Whitlock Avenue from the Square to the Marietta Parkway.

There are also will be no on-street parking on Church Street and Cherokee Street from the Square to Lemon Street.

Here are the scheduled highlights:

10:00am thru 9:00pm Festival – Arts & Crafts, Kid’s Zone, Festival Food, Free Concerts
12:00pm Concert
2:00pm Bell Ringing Ceremony
2:30pm Atlanta Concert Band
7:00pm Concert
8:00pm to 9:30pm Headline Concert : Departure

After the headline concert will come the fireworks.

There is a mix of paid and free parking around the Square; here’s a map with those locations (except those affected by the traffic closures).

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East Cobb Food Scores: Fresh to Order; Beyond Juicery; more

July 3, 2026July 3, 2026 by Wendy Parker

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

Beyond Juicery and Eatery
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 901
June 30, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Cue’s Billiards
3372 Canton Road, Suite 140
July 2, 2026, Score: 88, Grade: B

Delicias do Brasil Bakery and Grill
2610 Delk Road
June 29, 2026, Score: 63, Grade: U

Fresh to Order
1333 Johnson Ferry Road
July 2, 2026, Score: 89, Grade: B

Indian Hills Country Club
4001 Clubland Drive
June 26, 2026, Score: 86, Grade: B

Mr. Wonton
3595 Canton Road, Suite 328
July 1, 2026, Score: 79, Grade: C

RC’s Southern Cooking
1516 Roswell Road
July 1, 2026, Score: 83, Grade: B

Shish Kabob Mediterranean Grill
2060 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 280
June 30, 2026, Score: 86, Grade: B

Tropical Smoothie Cafe
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 102
June 29, 2026, Score: 96, Grade: A

Wing Stop
2550 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 141
June 26, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

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!

Update: Man shot at Delk Road apartments dies; 2 arrested

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Police said Thursday that a man shot at an apartment complex on Delk Road has died, and two men have been arrested.

Sgt. Eric Smith said that Giovanni Scruggs, 19, died after being taken to a hospital.

Mareece D. Adams, 18, and Markeise K. Adams 19, have been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, according to Smith, who added they have been booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center and are being held without bond.

Police said they were called to the Stratford Ridge Apartments (2560 Delk Road) around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and found a man in a vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Smith said officers rendered aid before the victim was hospitalized. Police didn’t indicate a possible motive for the shooting.

According to their booking reports, the suspects are listed as residents at Stratford Ridge.

Smith the investigation remains active, and additional charges may be pending. Anyone with information is asked to call thethe Cobb Police Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-3945.

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Eastside Church senior-living proposal delayed to August

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 by Wendy Parker

A proposed senior-living complex at Eastside Church will not be heard again until August at the earliest.

The Cobb Planning Commission delayed the application in June for another month, but the church’s attorney has asked the Cobb Zoning Division for additional time.

The matter has been taken off of Tuesday’s Planning Commission agenda, according to filings this week, and is continued until Aug. 4.

Kevin Moore, who represents Eastside, said in a June 25 letter that the delay is needed to conduct a traffic study and to “evaluate comments received from a recent community meeting.”

That community meeting took place last week, after the Planning Commission heard from some nearby residents concerned about density, traffic, stormwater and other issues.

Eastside wants to build a 95-unit assisted living/memory care building and eight independent living cottages for seniors as part of its expanded church mission.

The main three-story building would have full services and amenities, including medical care and food service, as well as exercise and recreational space.

A retention pond would be landscaped and surrounded by a walking trail to serve the senior community, which would have 133 parking spaces.

Eastside would build, operate and maintain the complex, which it would run through a non-profit entity.

“We want to be good neighbors,” Eastside executive pastor Darrell Whipple told East Cobb News in outlining the proposal.

Lyndsay Webb, a nearby resident on Little Road, told East Cobb News this week that she attended the June 23 community meeting at Eastside Church, and that more than 50 people showed up.

She said most of those who spoke were against the proposal for some of the same reasons, and said the church didn’t adequately inform nearby residents of the Red Oak Park community and other neighborhoods about the plans.

“People were upset and they were emotional,” Webb said of the gathering, which included Cobb Planning Commissioner Deborah Dance.

Webb said that they wanted to know more about not only about the scale and size of the project, but how it will be paid for and run.

“What are they going to do with this and who are they giving it to?” she said.

Red Oak Park is an older neighborhood in East Cobb, built in the late 1950s and will smaller homes and smaller lots than newer subdivisions.

While some longtime residents there remain, Webb said many of the residents are like her and her family, raising children.

“There are lots of families in our neighborhood,” she said.

They have continuing issues over traffic and walkability on streets without sidewalks.

Also opposing the Eastside project is the East Cobb Civic Association, which balked at density levels in a single-family residential area that would come to 13 units an acre.

Marietta Planning Commission forwards data center proposal

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 by Wendy Parker

By a 4-3 vote Wednesday, the Marietta Planning Commission recommended approval of a data center off Delk Road that drew community opposition.

The proposal by Prime Storage would convert up to 40 percent of its existing 90,000-square-foot facility on Powers Place, located adjacent to Interstate 75 at Delk, for what the applicant’s attorney called “mission critical” data infrastructure use for local purposes.

Attorney Parks Huff said the proposed data center is needed in the area because “latency is a problem.” He was referring to the time lag between when a data request is made and when it is processed, especially for medical and other time-sensitive purposes.

But nearby citizens urged at least a delay in the request (you can read it here) because they said more details need to be made public.

“This could be a good use,” said Marietta resident Don Barth, who lives in the Powers Ferry Hills community not far from the Prime Storage site.

“But there’s not enough information. It’s not a bad deal, but you’re building too close to homes.”

The Prime Storage site is surrounded by commercial properties, but is close to apartments, motels and two neighborhoods in unincorporated Cobb—Tuxedo Estates and Sun Valley Estates.

The proposed 12-megawatt data center, which could be expanded to 18 megawatts, is on a much smaller scale than a data center rezoning request approved by the Marietta City Council last year, and which has drawn strong opposition recently.

While there’s no proposal at the Bells Ferry Road property, several dozen people turned out Wednesday before the Planning Commission to echo similar concerns.

David Baker, who lives nearby and who said he is a corporate computer analyst, said that while “data centers have been around for a long time, we don’t know what technology is going to look like in 10 years. Is this really the only use planned?”

Other citizens expressed concerns about the possibility of rising electrical and water rates because of what data centers can consume, as well as noise issues.

Huff said that “we’ll comply with the noise ordinance,” which was referenced in the city’s zoning analysis.

The city zoning staff also extensively noted that the Marietta code doesn’t have anything specifically relating to data centers. The proposed data center sits close to an existing data center on Powers Place that has a larger size.

The Marietta City Council will consider the Prime Storage request next Wednesday, and could discuss the matter at a work session on Monday.

Declaration of Independence reading set for Switzer Library

July 1, 2026July 1, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

The Charles D. Switzer Library will take part in Sharing the Spirit of America, a nationwide simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence starting 6 p.m. Wednesday in the library’s Georgia Room.

The Sharing the Spirit of America readings throughout the country will reenact the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) on July 8, 1776.

The Georgia Room event will begin at 5:45 p.m. July 8 and the reading will begin at precisely 6 p.m.

“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, we honor the monumental events of 1776 that defined our independence,” said Cole Hale, manager of The Georgia Room. “Over the historic week that followed the final debate on independence, America voted to break free on July 2, adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, and first shared its message with the public on July 8.”

Initiated by the Hawaii America250 Commission, the Sharing the Spirit of America events will bring Americans together at the same time in all 50 states and 16 territories – across about 9,500 miles and nine time zones – to dramatically share how the Declaration of Independence is a living document, organizers said.

“This nationwide event, this moment, is much more than a simple reenactment,” said Alexandra Beswick, Switzer Library and Central Region Manager. “By reading these historic words aloud together, our community bridges the past and the present, uniting us in a shared conversation right here at the library.”

Switzer Library is located at 266 Roswell St. NE, Marietta 30060, near the Marietta Square.

For information on Georgia Room events and resources, visit cobbcounty.gov/library or call 770-528-2333.

July 4 events for Marietta, Cobb as America turns 250

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Four individuals graduate from Cobb Drug Treatment Court

July 1, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information and photo:

Four individuals celebrated a life-changing milestone as they graduated from the Cobb County Drug Treatment Court Program. Judges, court staff, attorneys, elected officials, family members, and friends gathered in the Ceremonial Courtroom of Cobb Superior Court to recognize their accomplishments and the hard work that made recovery possible.

The Cobb County Drug Treatment Court provides a voluntary alternative to incarceration for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The 18-to-24-month program combines intensive treatment, accountability, and judicial supervision to help participants achieve long-term recovery and successfully reintegrate into the community.

Throughout the program, participants engage in substance use treatment, regular drug testing, court appearances, and recovery support services designed to address the underlying causes of addiction and reduce recidivism.

Reflecting on his journey, one graduate shared, “Whatever you put into your recovery is what you’re going to get out of it. If you want better, Drug Court will help you achieve it.”

Another graduate spoke about the transformation he experienced during the program, “Before entering the program, I had completely given up on myself. I blamed my circumstances on everyone and everything around me and took no accountability for my actions. I pushed away the people who loved me and became someone my family no longer recognized. Today, I am excited about my future for the first time in years. My relationships are stronger, my thinking is different, and I am proud of the work I have done to become a better person.”

The Honorable Judge Jason D. Marbutt, who presides over the Drug Treatment Court, praised the graduates for their perseverance and commitment to recovery. “Today, we celebrate four individuals who made the decision to change their lives. Their commitment to recovery demonstrates that lasting change is possible when people are given the opportunity, support, and accountability to succeed. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to all they will achieve moving forward.”

Program Coordinator Porsha Winfrey added, “Recovery is not easy, but these graduates chose every day to continue moving forward. Their success reflects the power of accountability, treatment, and community support working together. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.”

The graduation ceremony served as a reminder that recovery is possible and that, with support, accountability, and determination, individuals can overcome addiction and build healthier, more productive lives.

For more information about Cobb County Drug Treatment Court, including ways to get involved or support the program, contact Porsha Winfrey, Program Coordinator, at 770-528-1933 or Porsha.Winfrey@cobbcounty.gov

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