East Cobb News

Marietta man found guilty of second-degree murder for ignoring daughter’s medical emergency

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A man whom prosecutors alleged ignored his infant daughter’s serious medical emergency at their Delk Road-area apartment last year was found guilty of second-degree murder on Tuesday.Sidrick Melancon

The Cobb District Attorney’s office said Sidrick Raymone Melancon Sr., 32, was convicted by a Cobb Superior Court jury of all the charges against him, including murder in the second degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, and two counts of influencing a witness.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21, and could get up to 50 years in prison.

He was charged after dropping off his daughter to an urgent care location on Aug. 5, 2017 after she was unresponsive and purplish, then leaving the scene with another person to run errands and go to a liquor store, according to prosecutors.

They said at the trial that Melancon delivered the girl’s body “like a sack of potatoes” and that doctors found Laura Higgenbotham, who was 10 months old, suffering from massive bleeding on her brain. She also had bleeding in the eye, some neck trauma and leg fractures, according to testimony presented at the trial.

The child was rushed to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, then airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta before doctors declared her brain dead and removed her from life support, according to prosecutors.

The girl’s mother, Sadai Higgenbotham, 27, texted Melancon the morning of Aug. 5 from her Collingwood Drive apartment that she was unable to wake the child, the Cobb DA’s office said. Sadai Higgenbotham is awaiting trial and also is facing murder and other charges in connection with her daughter’s death.

Melancon was arrested on Aug. 8 and has remained in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center without bond since then.

Also living at the apartment was Melancon’s long-time girlfriend and three children he fathered with her. The woman had threatened to call the Department of Family and Children’s Services for what prosecutors said was Sadai Higgenbotham’s treatment of her daughter.

At his trial, Melancon testified he did not know Laura Higgenbotham was his child at the time of her death. Prosecutors said that investigators reviewed text messages between Melancon and Sadai Higgenbotham and his girlfriend, and alleged that he had asked both of them to lie to police.

According to one of the messages presented at the trial, Melancon said: “I didn’t do anything to that baby, but I didn’t do anything for that baby. So . . . that’s on me.”

Said Cobb assistant district attorney Drew Healy, who tried the case: “This man saw, heard, and was told about everything happening to this defenseless child. Despite all of these warnings, the defendant ignored them, and shut down the opportunities for this child’s life to be saved.”

 

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City of East Cobb group releases ‘favorable’ feasibility study

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City of East Cobb
The map proposed by the Committee for Cityhood in East Cobb, Inc. would include most of Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott’s District 2.

We’ve just gotten a City of East Cobb feasibility study commissioned by a local group that is claiming a number of “positives” for incorporation, including no additional tax levies above the current Cobb millage rate.

The study, which was conducted by the Center for State and Local Finance at Georgia State University, was paid for by a group called Committee for Cityhood in East Cobb, Inc.

Our previous story here. For a more detailed view of the proposed map above, click here.

The study concludes that not only would a City of East Cobb be financially viable, it would start out with a surplus of nearly $3 million.

Here’s a link to the full report, which was made public on Tuesday.

The research analysis concluded that the City of East Cobb could expect annual revenues of around $48 million and expenses of around $46 million.

The cityhood group is led by Joe Gavalis, a resident of the Atlanta Country Club area, who said the study is just the first step toward having a public dialogue about the possibility of East Cobb becoming a city.

He said “the study’s findings are extremely favorable to East Cobb cityhood.”

The Committee for Cityhood in East Cobb is claiming the benefits of cityhood would include more local control, enhanced police and fire services, better road maintenance and expansion of the East Cobb Government Service Center.

A two-year process would be required to formally pursue cityhood, including passage of state legislation calling for a referendum that would give citizens the final say about forming a new city.

According to the study’s executive summary, State Rep. Sharon Cooper, an East Cobb Republican, contacted GSU. Cityhood efforts also require a state representative and a state senator from the possible new city to sponsor referendum legislation.

“This study is not a budget, it is a feasibility study. It develops revenue and expense estimates based on property tax files, a boundary map and estimated business license revenue,” Gavalis said in a statement.

Georgia law also requires that new cities provide at least three public services. GSU was asked to examine the provision of public safety, fire management, parks and recreation and community development in East Cobb. The researchers noted that the latter category is a broad one, and for this study included zoning and code enforcement.

The GSU study estimates that nearly half of the proposed revenues, $23 million, would come from property taxes. The biggest expense would be public safety, around $19 million, with around $12 million of that for police.

The GSU researchers projected a 142-officer police force, as well as the acquisition of five current Cobb fire stations within the proposed East Cobb municipal boundaries (stations 3, 15, 19, 20 and 21, see fire department maps).

The study compared populations, demographics, home values and other data for the East Cobb cityhood proposal with Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Roswell and Smyrna (see chart below).

The proposed map, which comprises around 40 square miles, doesn’t include all of what’s generally regarded as East Cobb. It includes only unincorporated Cobb east of I-75 that is in Cobb Commission District 2 (in map at top) and outside of the Cumberland Community Improvement District. Click here for a detailed view of that map.

It includes none of the East Cobb area that is in District 3, which generally lies between Sandy Plains Road and Canton Road.

The population in the proposed city map area amounts to 96,858, which would make the city of East Cobb the second-largest in metro Atlanta. Roswell’s estimated population is around 94,000 and Johns Creek, which incorporated in 2006, is around 84,000.

A city of East Cobb would have an elected mayor and six-member city council and an appointed city manager. Neighborhoods in unincorporated areas could petition to join the city if it is chartered.

Startup plans would estimate the hiring of 35 non-public safety city employees. No public works department is being proposed for East Cobb, but such a city would be eligible for Cobb SPLOST and state funding for road maintenance and improvements.

Previous suggestions for East Cobb cityhood haven’t gotten past the talking stage. Most recently former Cobb Commission Chairman Bill Byrne proposed it during his 2012 campaign to regain his seat, but the idea never took off.

That was right before voters in Brookhaven and Tucker began to organize their own successful cityhood efforts. There hasn’t been a new city in Cobb County, which has six municipalities, since the late 1800s.

The Committee for the City of East Cobb, which has not revealed its parties beyond Gavalis and one other person, paid $36,000 for the GSU study.

Gavalis has been a member of the Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission, a citizen advisory board, and was reappointed Tuesday by District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott.

According to documents filed with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office corporations division, the committee registered as a non-profit organization in September and stated that it does not intend to have members.

The only other name listed on the filing forms is the group’s incorporator, G. Owen Brown, who is the president and founder of the Retail Planning Corporation based on Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb.

 

Read the full report here

 

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Black ice possible Tuesday morning; Cobb schools and government on delayed opening schedule

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Cobb black ice advisory

UPDATED, 4:30 P.M. This just in from Cobb schools:

In an effort to help parents and staff plan for tomorrow morning’s work and school schedule as early as possible, the Cobb County School District has delayed the start of school by 2 hours tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11th. The CCSD has reached this decision out of an abundance of caution and in order to align with the announcement from the Governor’s Office. We will continue to monitor conditions and reports from the National Weather Service throughout the evening.

Around noon today the National Weather Service in Atlanta issued an advisory about the possibility of black ice on the roads in North Georgia tonight and also into Tuesday morning.

Cobb County government is opening its offices late Tuesday morning (see note below), while Cobb schools say they’re monitoring road conditions and will make a decision by 5:30 Tuesday morning.

That includes Cobb County, as the culmination of continuing rain and temperatures around freezing or below could made conditions hazardous.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the high 20s or around freezing in most of the advisory area, and it won’t be much warmer throughout the rest of the state.

The chance for black ice is highest on secondary and untreated roads, as wells as on bridges, sidewalks and porches. Here’s more from the NWS advisory:

The threats for black ice and slick spots will diminish through the morning hours as temperatures are expected to warm through Tuesday afternoon to well above the freezing mark. Use caution and allow extra time to reach your destination if traveling late Tonight and Tuesday morning.

UPDATE, 3:40 P.M.: The Cobb County School District sent out this message a few minutes ago:

After a colder-than-normal but safe Monday across the district, we are aware of temperatures which may fall below freezing early Tuesday morning. We are in conversation with the National Weather Service and various agencies across the state of Georgia as we monitor for black ice and unsafe driving conditions. We will update you on our social media outlets throughout the evening and will inform you of a decision no later than 5:30 A.M.

At the same time, Cobb government issued this alert:

Due to the possibility of icy conditions on the roads early Tuesday, Cobb County government operations will delay opening until 9 a.m. Any employee who believes the roads are too treacherous to drive should contact their supervisor and delay their travel.

Cobb DOT crews will come in overnight to respond to any reports of icy conditions. If conditions deteriorate, the delayed opening may be changed. We will update the situation on cobbcounty.org and via email if necessary.

Around 2:30 p.m. Georgia DOT sent a message that it “will continue with brine operations in the northern counties that experienced snowfall. With the abundance of potential icy conditions expected, we will begin brine operations in Metro Atlanta tonight at 7 pm.”

Gov. Nathan Deal has delayed the opening of state government offices until 10 a.m. Tuesday “out of an abundance of caution.”

Right now its around 45 degrees in the East Cobb area, with light rain in some places. But temperatures are expected to drop to around 30, as the chance of rain falls from around 70 percent to 20 percent overnight.

On Tuesday, temperatures could reach 50 degrees and the sun is expected to return since the first time since the middle of last week.

Wednesday will be the same, and rain could return by Thursday night.

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East Cobb weather update: Cold rain continues Monday; schools monitoring roads

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NWS winter storm map 12.9.18

Cobb County and metro Atlanta remain outside of a winter storm area in northeast Georgia that experienced snowy and icy conditions this morning.

The storm crippled parts of North Carolina and Virginia, causing mass power outages and shutting down roads as many areas were under a state of emergency.

The watch/warning advisory period for northeast Georgia has been extended to 12 p.m. Monday.

While the forecast here calls for none of that, Cobb County School District officials said they will be monitoring roads early in Monday morning as another week of classes is set to begin.

In social media messages, CCSD said late this afternoon that “based on temperatures looking like it will be above freezing throughout the night, we expect to see our students in school on time tomorrow.”

Earlier today, Cobb government said county DOT crews were called to various areas overnight, including Bryant Lane and Columns Drive in East Cobb, due not to ice but to downed trees, some flooded areas and clogged drains.

Cobb was included in a flood watch that was due to expire at 7 p..m Sunday.

Temperatures have hovered just above freezing most of the weekend and are expected to remain that way Sunday night, with lows overnight around 35.

Monday won’t be much warmer, with a 50 percent chance of rain and highs forecast only for the low 40s. Monday night could be an issue, with lows possibly dipping below freezing, with a chance of rain and snow before 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The sun (remember that?) is expected to return on Tuesday, and it’s supposed to warm up a little, possibly as high as the low 50s.

Wednesday also will be as warm and cloudy, and then rain is expected to return by Thursday night.

 

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Delta Community Credit Union delivers Toys for Tots in East Cobb

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Delta Community Credit Union Toys for Tots

The weather was frightful on Saturday morning, but thanks to those at the Delta Community Credit Union not only for getting out in the cold rain to help out with Toys for Tots but also for passing along the photo and information from its event at Highland Plaza Shopping Center on Sandy Plains Road.

Branch manager Eddie Johnson is pictured with Kristin Klingshirn, from The Bert Show on radio station Q100, as part of the Great Toy Drop taking place across metro Atlanta.

Donations will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for underprivileged children during the holidays.

Toys for Tots will also be accepted from Dec. 10-23 at metro Atlanta Publix stores. For more information, visit the Q100 website.

 

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Cobb winter weather forecast: Wet and cold, flood watch issued

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Cobb winter weather forecast

Cobb is not included in a winter storm watch that has been issued for northeast Georgia, but we’ll be getting a blast of wet and cold weather this weekend that could turn for the worse by the start of the week.

A winter weather system is moving into Georgia and metro Atlanta later Friday that could bring several inches of rain.

For starters, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday for a good bit of Georgia, including Cobb. We’re expected to get at least a couple inches of rain, with chances for wintry precipitation on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Areas of Northeast Georgia are already under a winter storm watch with temperatures expected to dip below freezing. Between 1-2 inches of snow is being forecast, as well as possible accumulations of ice.

Cobb and metro Atlanta are not included in that storm watch for now, although low temperatures Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be in the mid- to low-30s.

Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said Cobb DOT crews have run exercises this week to refine routes and trucks are preparing to lay out brine and clear roads if necessary.

He also said Cobb Emergency Management is monitoring  conditions should road closures be necessary. 

They’re posting updates on the Cobb government Facebook and Twitter accounts.

UPDATE: Shortly after 4 p.m. today, Cobb schools sent out a message saying it also would be monitoring weather conditions, and “will update Cobb parents and staff multiple times over the weekend” on social media outlets.

Cobb schools post those updates on the district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

They’re also asking that parents check and update e-mail preferences with their childrens’ schools to receive those messages.

It’s almost exactly a year ago today that we had an unexpected winter storm in Cobb, with several inches of snow and several days of school cancellations.

Here’s more from a special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service this morning:

At this time, the best chance of seeing measurable ice accumulations will be north and east of a Homer to Gainesville to Dawsonville line. The rain-freezing rain line could move as far south and west as Canton to Cumming to Lawrenceville to Winder to Athens, where a mix of rain and freezing rain is possible.

Outside of the winter weather threat, across parts of north and middle Georgia, heavy rain Saturday into early Sunday could result in up to 3 inches of rainfall. This will likely elevate the threat for localized flooding or flash flooding.

Sunday night into Monday, wrap-around moisture in the colder air behind the system could result in some light snow showers across portions of north and central Georgia.

The chance of rain is around 90 percent Saturday and 50 percent on Sunday.

High temperatures are expected to be only in the low 40s on Saturday and the mid 30s on Sunday.

Similar weather is forecast for the start of the week on Monday. By Tuesday, the sun may come out a little, and fully sunny skies are in the forecast for the middle of the week.

 

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Senior Citizen Council of Cobb wants reconsideration of senior fees

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After Cobb seniors were asked to pay a membership fee and pay higher fees for services at county senior centers this year, a senior citizens group is asking that they be eliminated or at least reconsidered.

At a recent Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting, June Van Brackle, president of the Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County, cited a figure that fewer than 3,000 seniors are using the centers this year, compared to around 6,500 before the fees were imposed.

Earlier, commissioners set an annual membership fee of $60 a person to take part in activities at the senior centers.

In January, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce held a town hall meeting at the East Cobb Senior Center to get input on the proposed fees (see photo above) as part of the county’s budget process.

While some were upset by the membership fees and higher cost for activities fees and room rentals, he said “we’re all in this together.”

One group that regularly met at the East Cobb Senior Center has stopped having regular events there. The Foxtrotters Ballroom Dance Club, held a farewell dance in June after 21 years. They’re having a reunion dance there on Jan. 18.

Here’s more from Van Brackle’s remarks:

The Senior Citizens Council of Cobb is urging the Board of Commissioners to eliminate these mandatory fees. Cobb County is renowned for the services it offers to its residents. The reduction in participation at the five centers can only be a major detriment to the overall quality of life for Cobb seniors.

The Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County is an all-volunteer organization that has been in existence for 45 years and advocates for better public policies for Cobb seniors. The Council has always been against additional burden on our oldest citizens and if you are interested, we ask that you contact your commissioner and express your feelings regarding these fees.

Commissioners will be holding their semiannual retreat Monday at the Cobb Civic Center, and Boyce told Van Brackle to attend.

 

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Amazing Grace Invitational meet to honor former Walton swimmer

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Back in March the Walton school community mourned the death of Grace Bunke, a student and swimmer who fought osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Grace Bunke, Amazing Grace Invitational

On Saturday, the renamed Amazing Grace Invitational will honor her memory and serve as a fundraiser for cancer research.

Since 2009 the Walton swimming program has held a cancer research fundraiser, initially in memory of Margaret Soulen Gilbert, a former swimmer and coach in the Atlanta area.

Now the name of the event has been changed to the Amazing Grace Invitational.

Bunke was 11 when she was diagnosed with cancer, and had many surgeries and a partial leg amputation. In order to get back into physical shape, she began to swim, and even was a member of the U.S. Paralympic team.

She later made the Walton swim team, but her cancer returned, and spread to both lungs. She died a day before her 15th birthday.

Saturday’s meet starts at 1:15 p.m. at the Cobb Aquatic Center (520 Fairground St., near the Cobb Civic Center) and the other teams competing are from Etowah, Hillgrove, Marietta, Kennesaw Mountain and North Springs high schools.

The fundraiser will benefit Swim Across America, and each school will have a bucket at the sign-in table for donations from those attending the meet.

“Race for Grace” T-shirts also will be sold, with partial proceeds going to Swim Across America and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

 

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Pope Fastpitch Toys for Tots drive includes free admission to Friday girls basketball game

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New Pope Gym

The Pope Fastpitch softball team is gathering some holiday cheer for needy kids with a Toys for Tots collection at Friday’s varsity basketball games.

Those bringing unwrapped toys will receive free admission to the girls game against Dunwoody, which tips off at 6 p.m. The boys will play at 7:30 p.m.

The goal is to collect a record number of toys for the softball team to later this month as it volunteers to help the U.S. Marines with its Toys for Tots toy drive.

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA named recipient of Cobb Chamber health awards

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA
From L-R: Trey Sanders, 2018 Cobb Chamber Chairman; Becky Shipley, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (organization); Misty Lathem, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (individual); Dr. Ross Brakeville, 2018 Health & Wellness Committee Chair (Photo: Cobb Chamber)

Thanks to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for the info and photo with some good news about the McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA:

The Cobb Chamber presented its 2018 Health Hero Awards to two recipients at its First Monday Breakfast at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Dec. 3. The awards, sponsored by MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service and the Cobb Community Foundation, recognized the outstanding accomplishments of one individual and one organization who have made significant impacts on the health of the Cobb County community.

The individual 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to Misty Lathem, Wellness Director for the YMCA of East Cobb. In addition to her role as wellness director, Lathem serves as the East Cobb Y hunger relief coordinator, organizes and manages the YMCA run club and oversees the Haunted Hustle 5K/10K, Little Nugget 1 Miler and Youth Fit 4 Life events.

Lathem further serves the Cobb community by managing Farm Fresh Markets for impoverished seniors, promoting active lifestyles through the Atlanta Y Kids Tri program and providing leadership as a board member of the Roswell Bike Club, Cobb 2020 and the Cobb Health and Wellness Committee. 

The organizational 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to the YMCA of East Cobb, which actively seeks gaps in the Cobb community and plays a critical role in the health and wellness of thousands of citizens. The Y tackles hunger through Farm Fresh Market food deliveries and the School’s Out Lunch program, and as America’s Swim Instructor, teaches thousands of children how to protect themselves in water.

Additionally, East Cobb YMCA addresses the needs of special community populations, having designed programs such as PD Gladiators, a program designed for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, and programs supporting cancer survivors and promoting diabetes prevention.

In 2018 alone, East Cobb YMCA partnered with Walton Communities to offer adult swimming lessons, with Brumby Elementary and MUST Ministries to create a food pantry, with Cobb and Douglas Public Health to prepare children for their first-ever triathlon and continued a partnership with East Valley Elementary School and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, offering Youth Fit 4 Life, an after-school fitness program designed to lower the BMI and increase the cardio health of children.

 

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Murdock Elementary lockdown extends voting time

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A brief lockdown at Murdock Elementary School has resulted in extended voting time at the polling station located there in today’s runoff elections.cobb advance voting, Cobb voter registration deadline, Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum

The extra time is only brief—11 minutes, to match the period of a Code Yellow lockdown, according to Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt.

He said Cobb County Senior Judge George Kreeger signed an order to keep the precinct open there longer this afternoon.

So if you vote at Murdock (2320 Murdock Road), that precinct will now close at 7:11 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m.

We’re seeking further information about the Murdock lockdown from the Cobb County School District.

It was the second such lockdown in Cobb schools today, and that also affected voting times.

Earlier this morning, Teasley Elementary School in Vinings was locked down for around 20 minutes after reports of a man with a gun in the vicinity of the school.

Those reports turned out to be false, but the polling station at Teasley will stay open until 7:20, also after Kreeger issued an order, according to Cavitt.

 

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East Cobb food scores: My Friend’s Place, Peace Love and Pizza, Willie Jewell’s, Zama and more

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Willie Jewell's, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb restaurant scores from Nov. 19-30 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant 
3165 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite D-2
November 19, 2018 Score: 86, Grade: B

La Carreta 
1252 Roswell Road
November 28, 2018 Score: 91, Grade: A

My Friend’s Place 
1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 127
November 19, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Nicholson Elementary School
1599 Shallowford Road
November 26, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Peace Love and Pizza
1050 E. Piedmont Road, Suite 154
November 20, 2018 Score: 75, Grade: C

Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q 
2550 Sandy Plains Road
November 20, 2018 Score: 92, Grade: A

Zama Mexican Cuisine 
2550 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 300
November 28, 2018 Score: 88, Grade: B

Zaxby’s 
3030 Johnson Ferry Road
November 28, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

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Senior living proposal near Holly Springs-Davis roundabout rejected by Cobb Planning Commission

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A proposed single-family subdivision for seniors near the Holly Springs-Davis roundabout got a recommendation of denial Tuesday by the Cobb Planning Commission.

The board voted 4-0 against a proposal by Loyd Development to get a residential senior living (RSL) designation to build 16 free-standing homes on 4.3 acres near the southeast intersection of the roundabout.

The land, currently zoned R-20 (single-family residential) is part of the Margaret A. Keheley Living Trust, and two homes are currently located there.

The developer wants to build homes between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet with a cost range between $550,000 and $600,000, according to Garvis Sams, a zoning attorney representing the applicant. The buyers would be age-restricted, from 55 years old and up.

(Read the case file here.)

The density would be 3.7 homes an acre, but Cobb zoning staff recommended a reduction to 10 homes, or 2.5 an acre, closer to nearby neighborhoods that have a density of 2.3 homes an acre.

The county’s future land-use map calls for the property to remain low-density residential. All other neighborhoods in the vicinity are zoned R-20 or R-15.

Loyd also is seeking a reduction of the minimum 15 feet between homes to 10 feet, and reducing the side setback distance to five feet.

Some residents of the Ashmore subdivision supported the application, but others spoke out against it.

Randy Shaw of the Hudson Pond subdivision said Holly Springs traffic in that area during the day “is a nightmare” and that placing a new neighborhood so close to the roundabout “is going to add to the problem.”

“This is just not a good access point,” he said.

Amy Diaz of Cobb DOT said her agency believes the proposed subdivision entry on Holly Springs is far enough away from the roundabout to minimize those concerns.

Patrick Burns, a resident of Chestnut Oaks, said such a high-density development is incompatible with the community and will have a major impact on traffic.

“This will not be neighborhood we know and love” if it is built, he added.

Charles Sprayberry of the Cobb County School District also expressed the district’s concerns about the RSL category because of the county’s senior property tax exemption.

Cobb DOT estimates that nearly 12,000 cars use Holly Springs Road in the roundabout area daily, and nearly 4,000 travel along Davis Road in that vicinity, for D and C levels of service, respectively.

However, those are estimates from 2011, before the roundabout was built.

Planning Commission chairwoman Judy Williams, whose District 3 includes the Keheley land, said while she generally likes RSL zoning, “this RSL almost looks like a density grab to me.”

She said she preferred R-12 (another low-density single-family use), but “there is no plan before me.”

Williams said she’d like to see the developer to continue to work with the community to revise the proposal.

The planning board’s vote is advisory; the Cobb Board of Commissioners is scheduled to take action Dec. 18.

 

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CobbLinc ‘Stuff A Bus’ dropoff points include 3 in East Cobb

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CobbLinc Stuff a Bus dropoff points

Next week a toy collection drive that includes the county’s transit service will take place across the county. The CobbLinc ‘Stuff A Bus’ dropoff points include three in East Cobb, on designated days and at specific times.

Donations of unwrapped toys, food and monetary contributions will be accepted to assist needy children and their families during the holiday season.

It’s part of the Cobb Christmas program, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, and which “provides a minimum of three age-appropriate toys to each child, ages infant through 15.” Participating families go through a qualification process.

The collections in East Cobb will take place as follows:

  • Monday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at WellStar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road);
  • Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at WellStar administration building (805 Sandy Plains Road);
  • Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 2:30 p.m to 3 p.m., at Three-13 Salon (2663 Canton Road).

The full dropoff schedule and other details about Cobb Christmas can be found at this link.

 

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Additional Johnson Ferry-Shallowford community meetings scheduled for early 2019

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Johnson Ferry-Shallowford community

Earlier this spring we reported from an open house (photo above) designed to gain citizen input for future land use and development possibilities in the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford community of East Cobb.

Also known as JOSH, the master plan project is being led by officials from several Cobb government agencies, including community development, parks and recreation, transportation and stormwater management.

Part of the process has included asking citizens to fill out an image preference survey of potential future buildings, and some people balked at the choices as too dense and not in keeping with the community surroundings (including the multi-family housing example offered below)

The Cobb Community Development office was asked to redo the design guidelines at the request of commissioner Bob Ott, whose District 2 now includes the JOSH area.JOSH image preference survey

The JOSH study is similar to other corridor master plan projects in his district, including Johnson Ferry (between Roswell and Lower Roswell), Powers Ferry and Vinings.

Now the community development office is getting out word it’s holding some more public meetings after the first of the year.

According to comprehensive planner Phillip Westbrook, three meetings will be held “to refamiliarize everyone with the JOSH study and provide more opportunities for additional feedback.”

The specific dates haven’t been announced, but are being tentatively planned for January, February and March.

The master plan concept that is developed from the JOSH meetings will be incorporated into the Cobb 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Citizens can offer feedback online, and view documents, maps and other information related to the study area, by visiting the Cobb government website with JOSH information.

 

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Cobb government: There’s not a boil order for county water customers

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This just issued from Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt:Cobb County Water System, Cobb water bills

The City of Atlanta had an issue with their water system that resulted in a Boil Water Alert. Many in Cobb County are reporting receiving a phone message about the alert.

Cobb County’s Water System is operating normally and does not have a boil order alert at this time.

Most of the city of Atlanta was experiencing a water outage or low water pressure after a pump failure at a water plant on Monday morning.

 

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Georgia runoff elections to decide Secretary of State, PSC slot

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The Georgia runoff elections Tuesday will decide two statewide offices—Secretary of State, and a spot on the Public Service Commission.

Voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your regular polling station (click here to check).Georgia runoff elections

In the Secretary of State race, Republican Brad Raffensperger is facing Democrat John Barrow, a former Congressman.

In the Nov. 6 general election, Raffensperger got 49.09 percent of the vote and Barrow received 48.67 percent. Libertarian candidate Smythe Duval of Marietta had 2.23 percent of the vote.

The winner will succeed Brian Kemp, the Georgia governor-elect. He resigned on Nov. 7 and Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Robyn Crittenden to serve on an interim basis.

The PSC District 3 runoff candidates are Republican incumbent Chuck Eaton and Democrat Lindy Miller.

District 3 covers most of metro Atlanta, including Cobb County. Eaton received 49.7 percent of the vote, Miller got 47.63 percent and Libertarian Ryan Graham earned 2.67 percent.

Republicans won all other statewide offices in the Nov. 6 general election. However, Democrats got a majority of the vote in Cobb for those offices.

According to Cobb Elections, a total of 28,467 people cast ballots in advance voting last week.

 

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East Cobb This Week: Hanukkah and holiday events; aging support; business meet-ups; and more

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East Cobb Senior Center

More holiday events are on tap in the early part of the week, but there’s a good variety of other activities taking place in East Cobb through Thursday. From our calendar listings:

Hanukah begins at sundown on Sunday, and on Monday Chabad of Cobb (4450 Lower Roswell Road) is having a Chanukah Gelt Drop event from 5:30-6:30. Treats, donuts and a special chocolate gelt “raining down” from a ladder truck in tribute to the Cobb Fire Department.

On Tuesday, it’s Eggnog and Mittens from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Cobb Senior Center (3332 Sandy Plains Road, in photo above). Bring new mittens, scarves and hats for MUST Ministries and enjoy Donna’s famous eggnog and cookies. Registration required, as is membership with Cobb Senior Services.

The monthly meeting of the Marietta Golden K Kiwanis Club is from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, also at the East Cobb Senior Center, starting with a social and including a guest speaker.

Later Tuesday, it’s the East Cobb Business Association Holiday Party from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at WellStar East Cobb Health Park (4737 Roswell Road). Members of ECBA, Northeast Cobb Business Association and Marietta Business Association can bring themselves and a guest for free at this networking event, which includes refreshments.

More business networking is Thursday, for the Sandy Springs-Cobb Meetup breakfast. It starts at 9 at Egg Harbor Cafe (4719 Lower Roswell Road), and is an open group format to learn from other small business owners and get referrals.

If you’re not quite in the holiday mood, the Bing Crosby Hollywood favorite “White Christmas” ought to do the trick. It’s the latest Classic Movie Thursday screening from 2-4 at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road). It’s free to all, and you’re welcome to bring your own food and drink.

Thursday night, the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road) is having a Christmas Sing-along from 7-8:30 p.m., featuring the church’s musicians and choirs.

East Cobb-based Aloha to Aging offers ongoing activities for the elderly and those who care for them. The Aloha Day Club is every Monday and Wednesday for those who need engagement outside the home. There’s also an Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group and a Parkinson’s Disease/Care Partner group that meet on a regular basis. All activities take place at Aloha to Aging offices (4608 Lower Roswell Road).

There’s a lot more you can find listed in our Holiday Guide, which has events details through the New Year.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this week, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing to start the week, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Cobb and Georgia elected officials remember President George H.W. Bush

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Here’s how some Cobb and Georgia elected officials responded to the death of President H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday at the age of 94:

President George H.W. Bush death
Photo: Office of Sen. Johnny Isakson

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-East Cobb), who worked with Bush on education legislation during Isakson’s time in the U.S. House. The 41st president also campaigned for Isakson:

“America and the world will miss and mourn the life and service of George H.W. Bush. President and Mrs. Bush were and always will be an unforgettable first family. I was honored to serve and work with them. Dianne and I extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the 

Bush family.”

U.S. Sen. David Perdue (R-Warner Robins):

Bonnie and I join Georgians and all Americans in mourning the loss of President George H.W. Bush.

As a World War II veteran, member of Congress, CIA Director, Ambassador, Vice President, and ultimately our 41st Commander in Chief, President Bush dedicated his life to serving the United States of America. He was a skilled leader whose dedication to our nation was tireless during some of our most trying times.

Both George and Barbara Bush had an unmatched love for America. Bonnie and I both send heartfelt prayers to President George W. Bush and the entire Bush family during this time.

U.S. Rep. Karen Handel (R-Roswell):

George H.W. Bush was a statesman and patriot who dedicated his life to our country. Our nation’s last World War II veteran to serve as Commander and Chief, President Bush will be remembered as one of our nation’s greatest leaders and problem solvers.

It was an honor to have had the privilege of serving in his Administration, and through President Bush, I learned that any successful life had to include giving back and serving others. He instilled in me my desire to serve.

One thing that President Bush said has stayed with me all these years: “No problem of human making is too great to be overcome by human ingenuity, human energy, and the untiring hope of the human spirit.” Steve and I extend our deepest condolences to the Bush family. RIP President George H.W. Bush.

U.S. Rep.-elect Lucy McBath (D-Marietta):

HW Bush’s leadership and love for his country is unquestioned. I am praying for the entire Bush family, and I hope that myself and fellow congresspeople will follow his examples of leadership.

Former President Jimmy Carter:

Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush. His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience. Through his Points of Light initiative and other projects, he espoused a uniquely American volunteer spirit, fostering bipartisan support for citizen service and inspiring millions to embrace community volunteerism as a cherished responsibility. We again extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bush family.

Gov. Nathan Deal has ordered the American flags at all state buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff through Dec. 30:

President George H.W. Bush was an honorable man and a proud American whose character and generous spirit helped to change our nation indelibly and for the better. His devotion to the country he nobly fought for and led was matched only by his profound love of family.

While all Georgians join in grieving this national loss, we are comforted in knowing that President Bush is reunited with his beloved Barbara. Sandra and I send our deepest condolences to the Bush family and to all those fortunate enough to have known him.

 

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Update: Sage Woodfire Tavern Windy Hill closes after a year in business

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Sage Woodfire Tavern closes

Back in August the owner of the Sage Woodfire Tavern Windy Hill had put the restaurant up for sale less than a year after opening. A reader passed by recently and alerted us that it that it looked like it had closed.

The restaurant did reach its first-year anniversary in October, but closed not long after that. According to a posting on its Facebook page, Sage Woodfire Tavern shuttered its doors on Oct. 28.

There was no word on whether the property has been sold, or what might come in its place. It opened in October 2017 in the spot of the former Houston’s restaurant.

The parcel at 3050 Windy Hill Road, at the intersection of Powers Ferry Road, is adjacent to, but not part of, a block of land that made up “Restaurant Row.” Those mostly vacant restaurant buildings will make way for a mixed-use development approved by Cobb commissioners that will include the remaining restaurant, the Rose & Crown Tavern.

The Sage closing is the second in the East Cobb area in the last couple years for the Sage Woodfire Tavern group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it sought a buyer for the Windy Hill property.

The Sage Social Kitchen was open for only a few months at Merchants Festival. The space is now occupied by Jason’s Deli, which opened earlier this month.

Just before it closed, the Windy Hill restaurant was promoting a new Sunday jazz brunch menu, as well as a new happy hour menu and live music performances.

Sage Woodfire Tavern locations remain in Dunwoody and Buckhead.

Related stories

 

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