Roberts, pictured in the middle above, is the son of Jodi and Tim Roberts, Kol Emeth congregants. He is an 11th grader at The Weber School, a private Jewish school in Sandy Springs.
Here’s more about what happened from the Center for Israel Education:
The weekend featured a mix of activities, discussions and educational games designed to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of Israel and Zionism and to help them plan learning programs back home.
Center for Israel Education Vice President Rich Walter introduces the teens to the card game Atzmaut, which teaches early Israeli history.
The 24 teens came from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Michigan and California. Interactive sessions included having teens develop a program goal and craft a program outline.
For example, the students formed a human timeline representing Zionist and Israeli events from 1881 (the start of the First Aliyah) to 2007 (Hamas’ takeover of Gaza), picked out the eight prime ministers among 16 head shots, identified the Israeli locations of cat photos, and played a version of the Food Network show “Chopped” in which six teams made hummus that had to include such ingredients as wheat crackers, hot sauce and orange Gatorade.
“I have a lot of Jewish friends in NFTY. Every one of them supports Israel, but I don’t think a lot of them know about Israel too much,” Roberts said. “I feel like I’m going to be able to teach them and also talk to my friends in Israel.”
CIE and ISMI emphasize context and documentary evidence in the study of Israel’s issues and history but do not advocate specific views, allowing students to reach their own conclusions. To that end, CIE President Ken Stein led two sessions to help the teens own Israel’s story and confront the Israeli-Arab conflict, and the teens got to choose among two or more programs several times during the weekend.
The program included the Abrahamic Reunion, a team of Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze leaders, and explored different perspectives on Israel’s independence in 1948 and diverse elements in modern Israeli culture.
Although Israel was the focus of the weekend, it also addressed anti-Semitism, a topic that took on unexpected immediacy when the massacre occurred at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha synagogue while the institute teens were worshiping and studying at Emory’s Marcus Hillel Center.
(Photos courtesy of the Center for Israel Education)
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Sam Teasley finished 173 votes behind Mary Frances Williams in the State House District 37 race.
On Monday, Cobb election results were certified from last Tuesday, with the possibility of a recount looming in a legislative seat that includes part of Northeast Cobb.
Tuesday 5 p.m. is the deadline for all county elections boards in the state to certify their results and report them to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, which was closed Monday for the Veterans Day holiday.
Stacey Abrams won Cobb but Brian Kemp took most East Cobb precincts.
Most counties, including Cobb, have finished. DeKalb and Gwinnett county elections boards are the subject of a lawsuit filed Monday by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Abrams, who won Cobb County, has not conceded to Republican Brian Kemp, who holds an unofficial lead of under 60,000 votes and who has declared victory. She is vying for a runoff.
A runoff could take place in State House District 37, where Republican incumbent Sam Teasley trailed Democratic challenger Mary Frances Williams by 137 votes. That seat includes part of Northeast Cobb, much of the city of Marietta and a portion of West Cobb.
The re-elections of Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell and Cobb school board member David Chastain (Kell and Sprayberry) were certified, as was Charisse Davis’ win for another Cobb school board seat in East Cobb that had been held by Scott Sweeney (Walton and Wheeler).
David Chastain was re-elected to the Cobb Board of Education.
Other East Cobb legislative incumbents all won last Tuesday, but final results have to be certified in some of those races since they include more than one county.
The same goes for the 6th Congressional District race, which includes East Cobb, North Fulton and north and central DeKalb. Democrat Lucy McBath edged Republican incumbent Karen Handel by a little more than 3,000 votes.
Also certified by Cobb elections on Monday was the biggest landslide winner of them all: the so-called “Sunday brunch bill,” which would allow for Sunday alcohol sales as early as 11 a.m., instead of the 12:30 p.m. start currently permitted.
In unincorporated Cobb, voters approved the measure with a whopping 71 percent of the vote. The measure passed in Cobb cities by similar margins.
Georgia Governor
Brian Kemp (R)
Stacey Abrams (D)
Ted Metz (L)
Statewide
1,976,614
1,918,847
37,173
State %
50.26
48.79
0.95
Cobb only
138,850
168,764
4,194
Cobb %
44.50
54.09
1.34
6th District Congress
Lucy McBath (D)
Karen Handel (R-I)
Districtwide
159,945
156,752
District %
50.50
49.50
Cobb only
40,807
51,297
Cobb %
44.26
55.63
Cobb Commission 3
JoAnn Birrell (R-I)
Caroline Holko (D)
Total Votes
36,450
34,290
Vote %
51.46
48.41
Cobb school board 4
David Chastain (R-I)
Cynthia Parr (D)
Total Votes
20,630
17,907
Vote %
53.50
46.43
Cobb school board 6
Charisse Davis (D)
Scott Sweeney (R-I)
Total Votes
21,771
20,640
Vote %
51.29
48.63
State Senate 32
Includes most of East Cobb and portions of North Fulton.
Kay Kirkpatrick (R-I)
Christine Triebsch (D)
Total Votes
52,870
39,288
Vote %
57.37
42.63
Cobb Votes
47,558
33,718
Cobb %
58.49
41.47
State House 37
Mary Frances Williams (D)
Sam Teasley (R-I)
Total Votes
11,928
11,755
Vote %
50.34
49.61
State House 43
Sharon Cooper (R-I)
Luisa Wakeman (D)
Total Votes
13,122
12,379
Vote %
51.52
48.41
State House 44
Don Parsons (R-I)
Chinita Allen (D)
Total Votes
14,170
11,422
Vote %
55.33
44.60
State House 45
Includes parts of East Cobb and North Fulton.
Matt Dollar (R-I)
Essence Johnson (D)
All Votes
17,003
11,681
Vote %
59.28
40.72
Cobb Votes
15,896
9,574
Cobb %
62.39
37.57
State House 46
Includes part of Northeast Cobb and Cherokee.
John Carson (R-I)
Karin Sandiford (D)
All Votes
17,458
10,783
Vote %
61.82
38.18
Cobb Votes
11,679
7,707
Cobb %
60.22
39.74
Cobb ‘Brunch Bill’
To allow Sunday alcohol sales at 11 a.m. instead of 12:30 p.m.
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Cobb Police said a motorist was thrown from a pickup truck Monday morning in a collision with another vehicle at Canton Road and Piedmont Road.
Officer Sarah O’Hara, a spokeswoman for Cobb Police, said Patrick Bruce, 38, of Marietta, was driving a maroon 1998 Ford F-150 north on Canton Road when the truck left the road.
The truck struck a utility pole and a stone wall before returning to Canton Road, then hit a black 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS, also heading north, according to police.
O’Hara said the Chevrolet driver was able to bring her vehicle to a stop at Canton and Old Piedmont Road, while Bruce was ejected during the collision.
O’Hara said Bruce was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet, Donna Kelley, 53, of Marietta, was not injured, police said.
O’Hara said the crash is still being investigated and that police expect to file charges. Anyone with information is asked to Cobb Police at 770-499-3987.
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Thanks to Sharon Renaud for the photo and information about the very first East Cobb Tour of Homes, which is taking place April 27-28, 2019.
Organizers Kelly Lamb and Todd Barney (above) have issued a call for entries for the tour, which will feature private residences featuring “exquisite interior design, architecture, landscaping and the art of good living.”
Here’s more from Lamb:
“East Cobb has a well-established reputation as a great place to raise families and enjoy a high quality of life at a superior value. It’s also increasingly recognized for elegant new housing and beautifully maintained older homes. We’re inviting homeowners to ‘share their flair’ during the East Cobb Tour of Homes, which will showcase the qualities that make our community unique in metro Atlanta.”
Owners of homes that will be included in the tour will get complimentary admission to a gala opening night party on April 26.
The theme for the tour is “Share Your Flair!” and the application deadline is Dec. 31.
For more information and to apply, visit the tour website or e-mail: info@eastcobbtourofhomes.com.
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Cobb government officials said late this afternoon that Cobb County is now under a flash flood WARNING, and some areas, including Sope Creek in East Cobb, are experiencing some flooding.
The warning was due to expire at 10:30 p.m., but heavy rains are expected the rest of the evening and into Tuesday.
Here’s the message that was sent out around 5:30:
Cobb’s EMA is watching the situation that includes at least 6 roadways with flooding reports and Allatoona and Sope Creeks reporting minor flooding.
The rain is expected to continue for several days.
IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD ZONE please review your emergency plans and take precautions for continued rainfall.
Do not attempt to drive through a flooded roadway.
A message from the Catholic Church of St. Ann said that due to the rains, parts of Bishop Lake Road are under water, between entrances to the Chimney Lakes neighborhood.
Cobb DOT is reporting flooding on a number of roads throughout the county, including Davidson Road in East Cobb. Downed trees also are affecting traffic.
If you notice flooding, power outage or other weather-related issues where you are, let us know (and send photos too): e-mail editor@eastcobbnews.com or phone/text 404-219-4278.
ORIGINAL POST, 12:30 P.M. MONDAY
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 3 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Wednesday that includes Cobb and much of North Georgia, as a heavy downpour soaks a good bit of the state.
A watch means that conditions exist for flooding based on weather forecasts.
The metro Atlanta area and Cobb have already gotten between 2-3 inches of rain, according to the NWS. Creeks and rivers could rise out of their banks and possibly close roads and impact homes and other buildings.
Thus far we have not heard any reports of any such issues in Cobb but we will update this story with pertinent information.
The Cobb area could ultimately get around four inches or more through the end of the week, as we’re not likely to see the sun until late in the week.
It’s also expected to be cold, with highs reaching 50 only on Tuesday. Lows most nights this week could get into the 30s.
Monday’s forecast into the evening calls for 100 percent chance of rain, and it’s going to rain into Tuesday morning, with patchy fog and highs only in the high 40s. There’s a 40 percent chance of rain Tuesday night.
Heavier rain is forecast on Wednesday, with a 70 percent chance during the day and 90 percent by Wednesday night.
Thursday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with the rain tapering off Thursday night.
The sun is expected to come out by Friday, and the weekend should be clear and sunny as well, with high temperatures rising back into the 50s.
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Thanks to Donna Goldenberg for the photo and information about her son Trevor, who for the second year in a row organized the For Three Basketball Clinic for exceptional youth, and a few adults.
She says 18 participants, ranging in age from four years old to 39 years old, turned out for the clinic last Tuesday at the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy high school gym on Post Oak Tritt Road.
In addition, around 20 volunteers took part in helping run the clinic, which was held on Election Day, when Cobb schools are closed.
Donna says the clinicians are selected in various ways, usually by word of mouth. She says Trevor, who’s circled at the bottom left of the photo, began the clinic last year as a bar mitzvah project (the family attends Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell). He is an 8th grader at Dodgen Middle School and is a member of the school’s Beta Club.
She adds that East Marietta Basketball, a youth organization, and president Clark Humble, is involved as a sponsor of the event.
“We are going to do it again next year and will continue to do it with their help,” she said. “Hopefully, we can get more sponsors next year to make it even bigger and better.”
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It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and holiday-themed events are popping up on our East Cobb events calendar, including the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration. on Thursday.
It’s the 14th annual service starting at at 7 p.m. at Temple Kol Emeth (1415 Old Canton Road), and this year’s theme is “Harmonizing the Voice of Humanity.” Representatives of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other metro area faith communities will participate in readings, music and fellowship.
The public is invited to stay for dessert and is asked to bring canned food donations for Must Ministries and an offering for Give-a-Gobble. Overflow parking is at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3155 Trickum Road.
The elections are over, but the League of Women Voters of Marietta-Cobb is delving into lingering political matters with a discussion Monday night about gerrymandering. It starts at 7 p.m. at WellStar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road), and the guest speaker is Elizabeth McNamara, the former president of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
Cobb Police are continuing their community outreach events with citizens on Tuesday. Cookies With a Cop goes from 6-8 p.m. at the Great American Cookies/Marble Slab Creamery in Providence Square Shopping Center (4101 Roswell Road). Bring your questions about crime and public safety for Precinct 4 community officers to answer in an informal setting.
Check our full calendar listings for more, including a number of public library book club and other events going on during 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 this week, make it a great one! Enjoy!
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A “Blue Wave” tent on election day in front of Eastvalley Elementary School urged voters to support Democratic candidates. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)
Cobb County may be trending for the Democratic Party in major elections, but East Cobb remains reliably Republican ground in the county and metro Atlanta area.
But it could be argued that East Cobb’s stronghold status has been dented to some degree in Tuesday’s elections.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams carried the county by 54-46 percent, following Hillary Clinton’s 46-44 margin over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race.
Brian Kemp won precincts in blue; Stacey Abrams in green; click map for precinct details.
Voters in East Cobb stuck with Republicans in those races, just as they did for the most part this week. (The results of all races are to be certified Monday by the Cobb Board of Elections.)
Yet for the first time in a long time, Democratic candidates were on the ballot in every race in the East Cobb area, which no longer has all GOP elected officials.
Lucy McBath, a Democrat from East Cobb and a gun-control advocate with a national profile, unseated Republican incumbent Karen Handel in a close 6th Congressional District race. Handel won East Cobb precincts decisively, getting in some cases more than 60 percent of the vote.
But McBath cruised in DeKalb and nearly drew even with Handel in North Fulton, following some suburban trendlines in Congressional elections that are favoring Democratic candidates.
That it happened in a district that has been in Republican hands since Newt Gingrich was first elected in 1978 is notable.
McBath’s unofficial victory was less than 3,000 votes, a year after Handel fended off Jon Ossoff by four points in a special election that was the most expensive ever for a U.S. House race.
Close calls in county, legislative races
In the Cobb Board of Education Post 6 election, Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney was defeated by Democrat Charisse Davis (in photo) in another close race. The post covers the Walton and Wheeler attendance zones and some of the Campbell area.
Sweeney ran strong in most East Cobb precincts where he lives, but Davis got most of her votes in the Smyrna and Vinings area that is her home.
Longtime legislator Sharon Cooper, the chairwoman of the Georgia House Health and Human Services Committee, was re-elected with only 52 percent of the vote for the District 43 seat in East Cobb she has held since 1997.
That 52 percent number is also is what Republican Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell received in her election to a third term representing District 3. She defeated Caroline Holko, a Democratic first-time candidate like many others in East Cobb, but this was Birrell’s closest margin since she was first elected.
Republican State Rep. Sam Teasley, who represents part of Northeast Cobb in District 37, was defeated also by the slightest of margins by Democrat Mary Frances Williams.
Otherwise, Republican incumbents prevailed in East Cobb, which is looking like territory of last resort for the county GOP.
Wake-up call for Cobb GOP
In a statement, the Cobb Republican Party said on Wednesday that “while the Blue Wave did not turn out to be the tsunami Democrats hoped for, it did hit Cobb County and did wash out a couple of our great Republican elected officials.”
Sam Teasley was the lone Republican legislator representing East Cobb who was defeated Tuesday.
Noting that Abrams won won Cobb by nearly 30,000 votes, the GOP added that “we all now see exactly how much we must fight for every vote, or concede Cobb to Democrats along with higher taxes for less services.
“Nothing in politics is ever permanent and sometimes a wake-up call what is needed to spur good people to action,” said the Cobb Republican statement.
Demographic changes are part of the reason why Cobb is becoming more “blue,” and not just in South Cobb. Marietta and points north in Acworth and Kennesaw also are voting more with Democrats.
Some precincts in East Cobb closer to the city of Marietta are also trending purple, if not blue. Some Republicans were getting closer to 50 percent than the 55-and-up margins they enjoy in easternmost precincts.
The Cobb school board, which has had a 6-1 Republican majority for several years, will now be a 4-3 split, with Democrats picking up two seats on Tuesday. Republican David Chastain, who represents the Kell and Sprayberry areas, was re-elected.
The Cobb state house delegation will have a Democratic majority, holding eight of the 15 seats come January.
The Ossoff effect?
In East Cobb, last year’s special Congressional election inspired Ossoff volunteers to launch candidacies of their own.
None of them won on Tuesday, but they did make entrenched Republican incumbents, some of whom see little competition, campaign more than usual.
All of the Democrats were women, and some of them, including McBath and Davis, are minorities. A number of them were outspokenly progressive in their views, which is also unusual for those running for office in East Cobb.
Holko (in photo) was among them, as she advocated for more transit options and other positions that aren’t heard much on the campaign trail in this community. The day after the election, she told supporters that “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and change comes in steps.”
Whether this year’s Democratic surge in Cobb is part of a permanent movement or not remains to be seen.
What seems fairly clear is that with a presidential race looming in 2020, East Cobb will be eyed for further gains by Democrats, and doubling-down efforts by Republicans.
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We got word this afternoon from Greg Felter, the restaurant’s managing partner, that the East Cobb Jason’s Deli opening will be this Monday, Nov. 12.
It was supposed to be Oct. 22 but renovation delays pushed that back. Hours are 10-10 seven days a week.
The Houston-based fast casual eatery chain operates 275 restaurants in 28 states, including 16 in Georgia and two in Cobb, near Cumberland and Town Center malls.
In addition to traditional deli-style menu options, Jason’s Deli also serves burgers, salads (and a salad bar), vegetarian dishes, soups, pasta entrees and a kid’s menu.
The Jason’s Deli space at Merchants Exchange (1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 334) has been the home for Sage Social Kitchen, Chequers Seafood and Steak and Houlihan’s.
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If you think it was chilly when you woke up this morning, wait until Sunday. The National Weather Service in Atlanta has issued a freeze warning for most of north Georgia, including Cobb County.
Around 10 a.m. today, the NWS issued the warning from 9 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Sunday, with overnight temperatures possibly dipping into the 20s.
The freeze warning area runs along and north of a line from LaGrange to Griffin to Covington and Washington.
In Cobb, temperatures dropped into the high 30s last night, with highs today only in the low 50s. That’s also the forecast for Sunday afternoon, but not before low temperatures tonight are expected to be around freezing.
Adding to the chilly conditions are winds that could reach gusts of 15 mph during the day today. They will fade on Sunday, according to the NWS, but rain is expected late Sunday night and through Monday.
After warmer, but often rainy, weather this week, the freeze warning signals a return to colder weather for most of next week.
Tuesday is expected to be rainy all day, and with the lower temperatures there is the chance of more freezing conditions, with lows possibly falling under 32 overnight.
High temperatures aren’t likely to get much higher than the low 50s until the end of the week, with clear and sunny skies.
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After piling up big wins at home to start the Georgia High School Association playoffs, the Kell and Walton football teams now have the challenge of replicating that success on the road.
The Kell Longhorns might be one of the hottest teams in the state after romping 48-8 over Carver of Atlanta on Friday in the Class 5A playoffs. Ebony Jackson scored four touchdowns for Kell (9-2), which has won seven games in a row after starting the season 2-2.
Kell’s high-powered offense, which also includes quarterback Evan Conley, has averaged 37.8 points a game during the season. Next Friday, the Longhorns will play at Buford, which defeated Miller Grove 35-14.
The Wolves are on a similar roll, having won six games in a row, and are averaging 43 points a game during the season.
In Class 7A, Walton also played host to a first-round game on Friday, and had little trouble with a south Georgia opponent. The Raiders (10-1) defeated Camden County 40-20, as quarterback Austin Kirskey threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Kendall Alford.
On Friday, Walton will travel cross-county to play fellow Cobb school Hillgrove. The Hawks are undefeated at 11-0 after defeating Pebblebrook 21-7.
The football season came to an end Friday for Pope, which had a daunting task in its first-round Class 6A playoff game at Creekview. The Cherokee County team was 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state going in, and cruised 38-14.
The Grizzlies jumped out to a quick early lead, and Pope (5-6) didn’t get on the scoreboard until later in the game. But in two seasons under former Pope player Tab Griffin, the Greyhounds have reached the playoffs have some lean years.
They also fought back to get to the post-season after starting out 0-4.
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Thank you to Gina Duncan of the Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre for the information and photos about its presentation of “The Nutcracker” over the Thanksgiving weekend at the Cobb Civic Center.
She says more than 150 young local dancers will be involved in the classic holiday ballet performance, and they range in age from seven to 18. Their training takes place at the Georgia Dance Conservatory on the Marietta Square, with professional dancers D Patton White as Godfather Drosselmeyer and Alex Barros as the Cavalier joining the cast.
Here the dates and times:
Friday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 25th at 2 p.m.
The venue is the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center (548 S. Marietta Pkwy) and tickets are $10 to $30. For information visit: www.georgiametrodance.tix.com.
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A Catholic Church of St. Ann priest has responded to his parish’s membership this week after the Archdiocese of Atlanta published a list priests, deacons, seminarians and other religious workers it says have been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of minors over many decade.
Two of those named in the report were a pastoral aide who was convicted of molesting two boys while working at St. Ann in 1999-2000, and a priest at a Canton parish who may have been at the East Cobb church on occasion in the early 1990s.
Rev. Wilton Gregory, the Atlanta Archbishop, said he was publicly identifying those on the list “in a spirit of transparency and the hope of continued healing for the survivors of abuse.”
On Friday, the Rev. Raymond Cadran, the St. Ann pastor, sent a letter to members of the Roswell Road parish, expressing “my deepest sorrow and anger and hurt over the actions of any LaSalette or anyone associated with our name who has caused hurt and pain to any of God’s precious children, young people and their families.”
He said that “all credible claims were handled in an appropriate and timely manner.”
The names on the Atlanta list go back to the founding of the archdiocese in 1956 and were compiled from “the best information available to us at this time,” according to the Archdiocese.
Another name on the Archdiocese list is Father Raymond Horan, who was the founding pastor of Transfiguration Catholic Church in East Cobb. He was there from 1977-1981.
Kenneth Cassity was a pastoral aide who lived at the St. Ann rectory from Aug. 1999-July 2000. He had been considering becoming a priest with Missionaries of Our Lady of LaSalette (of which St. Ann is a part) but was dismissed in 2000. In 2002, Cadran wrote, a “credible accusation” was made against Cassity while he was working at a Catholic church in Florida.
In June 2003, he pleaded guilty to two counts of molestation stemming from the St. Ann charges. He was sentenced to three years in prison and seven more on probation.
In December 2003, the Atlanta archdiocese and the Missionaries of LaSalette settled a $10 million lawsuit filed by the parents of Cassity’s molestation victims at St. Ann.
Rev. Ray Cadran
In August, the Catholic Archdiocese of Arlington, Va., acknowledged that it was told of an allegation of abuse by a minor against Cassity when he was a youth pastor at a parish there in 1992, and that law enforcement was notified.
That was the same year Richard Boucher, a priest at Our Lady of La Salette Church in Canton and who visited St. Ann on occasion, was accused of abusing a minor.
According to Cadran, Boucher “was immediately removed from all priestly and pastoral ministry by the La Salette Missionaries, as is still the case to this day. He may have had reason to be on our campus occasionally while he was in Canton for events such as a penance service.”
Cadran, who has been at St. Ann since 1996 and was at the Canton parish before that, also urged church members to contact the Atlanta archdiocese hotline 1-888-437-0764 with about a credible allegation of sexual abuse against a minor by a priest or religious worker.
“With you, I pray that the bishops gathered may find the strength and wisdom to create the way forward with their decisions and truly take the bold action necessary to heal the Church,” Cadran wrote in his letter.
UPDATED, SUNDAY, 1:15 P.M. Earlier today Father Fernando Molina-Restrepo, the pastor at Transfiguration, also posted a letter to his congregation regarding Horan, who later served at other churches in metro Atlanta and Georgia.
According to the Atlanta Archdiocese, Horan was removed from the ministry in 1992. He died last year at the age of 74.
“It’s obviously painful to see this news and recognize that enough evidence had been shown” for Horan’s removal, Molina-Restrepo wrote:
“Important now is that we, as a parish family, continue to pray for all victims of child sexual abuse. The Archdiocese of Atlanta is seeking to be transparent and giving assistance to anyone who may have been harmed. The Archdiocese of Atlanta, as the Archbishop has said numerous times, is always ready to assist victims with professional help and with whatever is needed for their healing.
“Here at Transfiguration, please know that we, as your parish clergy, are always willing to find a time to sit down and visit with any of you who may be struggling with this information or need advice, counsel or referral.”
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Back in August, Xi-Anna Graham, an East Cobb mother of four children, was found strangled to death at her home in the Merritt Road area. A man who lived there with them was arrested for her murder and last week he was indicted by a Cobb Grand Jury.
Christopher Gene Scarboro, 27, faces charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the third degree. He was arrested for the killing of Xi-anna Graham after what Marietta Police said was on ongoing domestic dispute.
Graham, who was 24, had four children living with her and Scarboro at the home at 697 Bonnie Dell Drive. According to police, at least one of the children was home when Scarboro allegedly choked Graham around the neck with his bare hands, and then threw her onto the ground.
Police said they found Graham’s lifeless body when they made a welfare check early on the morning of Aug. 24.
Scarboro has been held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center since his arrest the same day.
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We placed this on the calendar but wanted to expand this item more because there’s some news accompanying a fundraiser the East Cobb-based non-profit Play Me Again Pianos is having on Sunday:
The group that refurbishes, repaints and donates used pianos for community use is inviting the public for a fundraiser from 5-7 Sunday at Red Sky Tapas and Bar (1255 Johnson Ferry Road).
The event will be featured around a Dueling Pianos concert (like the Dueling Pianos entertainment programs at the restaurant), and there will be food, drinks, and other musical fun.
Play Me Again Pianos will accept cash donations, and there will be raffle prizes and Red Sky will donate a portion of food and beverage sales on Sunday.
Co-founders Jason and Kelly Brett are aiming to provide 88 pianos to communities around metro Atlanta. Thus far there are two Play Me Again Pianos in East Cobb. “Sunny” at East Cobb Park, pictured above, whose ribbon-cutting we covered last summer, was painted by summer Artscape! painters. Last fall, “Tommy” was unveiled at Egg Harbor Cafe (4917 Lower Roswell Road).
Now for the news part: A third piano will be placed in East Cobb soon, at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center. Kelly told us there’s not an ETA yet on when “Vincent” will arrive. She says he’s still being painted, and “since our artists are volunteers we pretty much just roll with their timeline. We’re hoping that it’s before the end of the year though.”
While the pianos are donated and are free for the public to use, upkeep is not, and that’s what the fundraising efforts are all about. The Bretts estimate that each piano costs $500 a year to tune and make minor repairs.
And here’s more on how the Bretts began their efforts to create more public music spots for what they say remains a labor of love. Says Jason:
“One of the things we love about these pianos is that they create spaces where friends and strangers alike gather to just enjoy a few minutes of music and happiness together, and that’s exactly the kind of community we want to be a part of.”
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Alyssa Prindle never left ICU after falling out of a moving car on Johnson Ferry Road July 5.
An East Cobb teen charged with the death of another teen who fell out of a moving car over the July 4 holiday has been indicted by a Cobb grand jury.
Abigail Cook, 17, is facing charges of vehicular homicide, having a false identification and underage possession of alcohol.
The indictments were handed Nov. 1, according to online documents filed with the Cobb District Attorney’s Office.
Cook, whose home address is listed as Wood Thrush Way, was charged shortly after Alyssa Prindle, 18, a recent graduate of Pope High School, was seriously injured in the incident and taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
Cobb Police said Prindle was a backseat passenger in an SUV driven by Cook that was heading north on Johnson Ferry Road near Sewell Mill Road around 2 a.m. on July 5.
According to police, Prindle rolled down a window of a silver 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe and began hanging out of the vehicle while it was in motion, yelling and screaming before she fell out.
Prindle, who was to have been a freshman at Georgia Southern University this fall, was in intensive care at Kennestone until she died on July 27.
The charges against Cook, who bonded out of jail shortly after her arrest, were upgraded to include vehicular homicide. She was indicted by the grand jury for violating her class D drivers license hour restrictions.
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Early holiday shoppers will have more opportunities to beat the crowds, discover the best finds and help out local charitable efforts with an array of holiday markets leading off upcoming East Cobb Weekend Events.
The Good Mews Holiday Decor Market has been underway for a couple of weeks now and continues every weekend until mid-December at the Sandy Plains Exchange shopping center (1860 Sandy Plains Road at Scufflegrit). Hours are 10-5 Saturday and 12-5 Sunday and all proceeds go to shelter operations;
The Mt. Zion United Methodist Women Craft Show returns (photo above from last year) from 9-5 Friday and 9-4 Saturday at the church (1770 Johnson Ferry Road). It’s the 32nd year for the event, which will have items from more than 100 vendors, door prizes, a bake sale, a quilt drawing and Santa pictures. Proceeds go to UMW programs.
On Saturday, the Ribbons and Holiday Handcrafted Market takes place at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road), with goods from more than 50 vendors, face painting for kids, food and more. Mt. Bethel’s mission projects are the beneficiary.
Well before dawn on Saturday many will be lining up for Free Dental Day at Mansouri Family Dental Care (4720 Lower Roswell Road). It’s the 8th year for the first-come, first-serve service, which provides free cleanings, extractions and fillings for those who can’t afford them. Treatment numbers will be given out starting at 5:30 a.m.
Friday Night Lights have been extended for three East Cobb high school football teams that have qualified for the Georgia High School Association playoffs. Two are playing at home: Camden County is at Walton, while Carver of Atlanta visits Kell. Pope will be playing at Creekview in Canton. Kickoff times are all at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the East Cobb-based Play Me Again Pianos non-profit is having a family-friendly fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. at Red Sky Tapas and Bar (1255 Johnson Ferry Road), as it continues to provide refurbished pianos to communities across metro Atlanta. Two are located at East Cobb Park and Egg Harbor Cafe, and another will be presented soon at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center.
Monday is Veteran’s Day, and there are plenty of events slated around the county to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War. The closest to East Cobb is the Marietta Veterans Day Parade that will be held on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church (774 Roswell Street) and traveling to the Marietta Square, where speakers and commemorations will take place. The parade is in its 14th year, and is put on by the City of Marietta and the Marietta Kiwanis Club.
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 this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!
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Administrators at Wheeler High School were sending out word around lunchtime that there was “an interruption to the instructional day” but that “all is fine.”
We contacted the Cobb County School District for more information, and this is what a spokeswoman told us:
“An alarm was accidentally triggered at Wheeler High School today. The issue was resolved quickly. Teachers are teaching, and students are learning.”
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This morning U.S. Rep. Karen Handel conceded to Lucy McBath in the 6th Congressional District election.
Here’s part of the statement Handel issued:
After carefully reviewing all of the election results data, it is clear that I came up a bit short on Tuesday. Congratulations to Representative-Elect Lucy McBath and I send her only good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her.
While Tuesday’s loss is indeed disappointing, there is much for which we can and should be grateful.
We live in a great country. In no other nation in the world could a girl leave home at 17 – finish school on her own and then work her way up – and have the incredible opportunities that I have had.
This country has enabled me to follow my dreams personally and professionally. You gave me the honor of serving as Chairman of the Fulton Commission, as Secretary of State. And, for the last year and a half, you gave me the high honor – the incredible privilege – of serving you as your representative in Congress.
My story underscores just how exceptional this country is. In this great nation, the least among us have opportunities to offer our best. We’re a country that encourages and rewards hard work.
McBath, an East Cobb Democrat, claimed victory on Wednesday. Handel, a Republican from Roswell who touted President Trump’s tax cuts, said in response she wouldn’t make any additional statements then.
The results are still unofficial, but McBath surged ahead of Handel by fewer than 3,000 votes after extremely tight returns all evening on Tuesday. Handel won 55 percent of the vote in East Cobb precincts and barely won her North Fulton home ground. McBath got more than 60 percent of the vote in north and central DeKalb.
The margin was within the realm of a recount, but Handel decided against that. After winning a special election last year in the most expensive race in U.S. House history, Handel will have served 18 months when McBath succeeds her in January.
She will be the first Democrat to hold the seat since Newt Gingrich was first elected in 1978. McBath also is one of 37 Democrats to defeat Republican incumbents this year, with the GOP losing House control as a result.
On Thursday afternoon, McBath issued a statement in response to the mass shootings in southern California that killed 12 people at a nightclub. Her son was shot and killed six years ago in an incident that prompted her to become a gun-control advocate:
The tragedy in California is one of far too many. I grieve with the families affected and for every life lost. I pray that Congress will support me in taking action to prevent these tragedies from affecting the lives of so many. I am deeply thankful for all of the first responders.
As a congresswoman, but more importantly as a mother,I pledge to do every thing I can to make our communities safer. The most important title I am ever going to hold is Jordan’s mom – and that is what drives me to keep going. Knowing firsthand the deep pain of losing a loved one to gun violence is what drove me to stand up. Then, after watching the tragedy of Parkland, I knew I had to do more. That is why I am here today.
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Democratic challenger Lucy McBath is declaring victory in the Georgia 6th Congressional District race over Republican incumbent Karen Handel.
Here’s the statement issued by McBath’s campaign shortly before 2 p.m. today:
“After a hard fought race, I am honored to announce that the people of Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District have put their trust in my vision for the future of our district and nation.
The voters responded to my commitment to put aside partisan fights for the good of the American people. Six years ago, I went from a Marietta mom to a mother on a mission. After my son was lost to gun violence, I stood up and started demanding more. After Parkland, I was compelled to enter this race for Congress – to provide leadership that would be about the business of putting lives over profit. I vow to make that my top priority.
I look forward to representing the people of Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, and I pledge to work hard fighting for every single person and family in this district.”
Handel’s campaign had this response around 3 p.m.:
Given the close results of our race, and the fact that the official results at this time are within the 1% threshold where a recount is possible, we believe it is prudent to review and assess all data before making additional actions or statements.
Both candidates exchanged the lead more than once in the hours shortly after the polls closed on Tuesday in a race that late polls showed to be a dead heat.
Shortly after 2 a.m., Handel held an extremely thin lead, by around 50 votes. Both candidates told supporters late last night that a recount seemed likely
But as absentee ballots and other late-reporting votes came in from Fulton County this morning, McBath, an East Cobb resident and nationally known gun-control advocate, took the lead.
Handel won the East Cobb portion of the 6th District and McBath cruised in DeKalb. In Handel’s home base of North Fulton, she leads McBath by less than 1,000 votes.
If McBath is officially declared the winner, she’ll be part of the new Democratic majority in the U.S. House.
She would also would end a 40-year Republican Congressional hold on the seat that Newt Gingrich first won in 1978.
We’ll keep updating this post.
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Sweeney ran strong in most East Cobb precincts where he lives, but Davis got most of her votes in the Smyrna and Vinings area that is her home.
None of them won on Tuesday, but they did make entrenched Republican incumbents, some of whom see little competition, campaign more than usual.
