Cobb Police said Thursday that one person died and another was injured in a single-car crash on Powers Ferry Road in East Cobb.
Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release that the incident happened at 5:46 Wednesday on Powers Ferry Road, near the intersection of Bonnie Glen Court.
The two persons, from Marietta, were occupants in a a silver 2010 Toyota Camry that was heading eastbound on Powers Ferry when it veered out of its lane, crossed in the westbound lane and went down an embankment before crashing into a tree.
Wilson said both persons were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, with one later being pronounced dead. They were not identified, and the status of the other person was not disclosed.
He said the crash is still being investigated and that anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s S.T.E.P. Unit at 770-499-3987.
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This year, the Cobb County Police Department has been blessed with a remarkable “baby boom,” with over 30 officers welcoming new additions to their families so far in 2024.
Among these joyful new parents, some officers even met their significant others within the department, building their careers and families together.
In the spirit of Halloween, this group photo captures about a third of these proud officers holding their newborns, each dressed in adorable Halloween costumes.
The Cobb County Police Department is honored to share this joyous time and celebrates the officers who work tirelessly to protect and serve. Congratulations to all the new parents!
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“Rob” speaking to the Cobb Board of Education on Oct 18, is the founder of an intelligence firm working with the Cobb County School District.
The Cobb County School District’s new partner on safety issues is an intelligence firm that wasn’t identified last week when making a presentation about the new plans before the Cobb Board of Education.
The AJC on Friday revealed the company is the Servius Group, and its CEO and founder is Rob Sarver, and also reported that the district has confirmed that information.
At the meeting last week, the district wouldn’t say how much money it’s spending, but Friday told the newspaper it has has spent less than $200,000 on a non-contractual basis.
At the Oct. 18 school board meeting, four intelligence officials, including a man who identified himself only as “Rob” (above) , who said he was a former Navy SEAL, broadly outlined services they’ll be provide in what Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said would be a long-term association.
They include scraping social media accounts and using a bevy of behavioral indicators to detect possible threats and risks before they happen.
Other efforts involve counterintelligence techniques as well as employing data science and machine-learning components.
While the new partnership came about in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, the new measures are also designed to address gang activity, cyberviolence and other safety threats.
The AJC reported Friday that “the district said Servius would only get basic school directory information such as what schools share with the companies that produce yearbooks, textbooks and diplomas.”
The company has conducted risk assessments at three unidentified schools in the Cobb district and will be conducting others on all campuses, according to Ragsdale’s remarks last week.
The report said Sarver confirmed that information and said that Servius has worked with schools “elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad.”
Servius Group is based in Florida but there’s little other public information available. A domain name tied to the company is parked with no additional content.
Ragsdale said last week that most of the funding for the intelligence firm will come from previously budgeted sources and a state school safety grant.
The Georgia legislature this year approved an amount of $47,124 per school in state funding to be used for security initiatives.
On Thursday, State Rep. Devan Seabaugh, a Republican from Marietta, issued a release saying that after brainstorming with Ragsdale about the issue, “I was able to connect the superintendent with highly trained intelligence officials I’ve collaborated with on other projects to explore how cutting-edge technology might be utilized to proactively identify potential threats to school safety.”
“It is certainly a step in the right direction in helping keep our kids, teachers and staff safe, and along with the safety measures already in place I think this approach could serve as a model program for other school districts across the state.”
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How many times has a first responder positively impacted your life without you even realizing it? Probably more times than you can count. Recently, the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team hosted three events in one week focused on the mental health of our local heroes to thank them for their services.
On October 9th, Janice opened her office’s front doors to all Firefighters, Police, Sheriff’s Deputy, Veterans, and local community heroes alike for the semi-annual First Responders Appreciation Lunch. These heroes were hungry for barbeque and appreciation, being the largest turnout of the semi-annual lunch in five years. Sitting down with officers who put their lives on the line every day, Janice heard their stories, laughed with them, and offered the well-deserved rest from protecting our community.
Leftover sweets from the event were not wasted, instead delivered to the Cherokee County 911 center, one of the first 911 Centers in the nation to create a foundation specifically for the mental health and overall nutritionment of the dispatchers.
The Cherokee County 911 Center has even adopted an office dog, named Ruby, to help lighten the emotional weight of the difficult conversations they face daily. Emergency operators are an often neglected aspect of crisis responding, but with this 501(c)(3) foundation, the community can give back to those on call for us 24/7. GA Senator John Albers explains that other public safety offices have established foundations for officers in times of need, which is revolutionary for the holistic health of first responders.
“Let’s say a dispatcher gets cancer, this is where we can help them out personally and internally.” The foundation acknowledges a budget gap hindering the ability to rightly serve our first responders in their times of need without additional tax burdens.
Janice also interviewed U.S. Congressman Rich McCormick about the lack of first responder mental health awareness that exists at the “Fireside Chat” on October 15th.
As an ER Doctor and a U.S. Marine, Congressman McCormick has a vital perspective on the physical and mental challenges first responders face on a daily basis. Working with community members, business owners like Janice Overbeck, and a U.S. Congressman was a great start to serve our local heroes and make lasting change in Metro Atlanta. This change can take form through policy initiative, supporting foundations, or simply saying thank you to a local hero.
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“An off-the-shelf solution won’t work” when it comes to school safety, Cobb school board members were told Thursday.
A group of private high-tech professionals with experience in military and national security operations has conducted safety assessments at three schools in the Cobb County School District and will eventually do the same for other schools.
That’s according to Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, who on Thursday announced a new “partnership” with a company that signals “a new era” in an effort to become more proactive about school safety.
He did not identify the schools, nor did he name those doing the assessments.
“Although they were impressed with our schools’ preparedness, they identified safety solutions that could be employed and tailored specifically for each Cobb school,” the district said in a statement issued later Thursday.
Nor did Ragsdale say how much that partnership will cost, but that “local funds are available” that have previously been secured and that there is state funding for school security and safety efforts that he could explain in executive session.
In the wake of a fatal mass-shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Cobb and other school districts have been responding to increased concerns about safety and in particular the presence of guns on school campuses.
Ragsdale said the intelligence operations will supplement, and not replace, existing safety measures headlined by the Cobb Shield program and that feature regular Code Red drills.
The Cobb school district spends around $35 million a year for safety and security measures, mostly with its police department of 85 officers.
“No price is too high to protect students and staff,” he said.
Since the Apalachee shootings, threats have been made at a number of Cobb schools, including Walton High School and Dickerson Middle School, but the district said there have been no active threats on campuses.
The safety presentation Ragsdale promised in September took place at a Cobb Board of Education meeting Thursday night and featured four individuals with intelligence expertise.
A private intelligence company will be conducting security assessments across the Cobb school district.
Citing security concerns, they also used only their first names when explaining an overview of the services that will be provided in an ongoing relationship.
“It’s a process, not a product,” Ragsdale said of the district’s work with the intelligence company.
It’s a multi-level process that involves collecting intelligence information on potentially threatening individuals, including using counterintelligence techniques, making a “socio-cognitive” analysis of behavioral risks as well as employing data science and machine-learning components.
The intelligence company was co-founded by a former Navy SEAL, who led the presentation, along with a former federal counterintelligence officer, a cognitive scientist and a data scientist.
To view following slides that were presented to the school board Thursday, click the middle button.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
The intelligence officials focused on proactive strategies that are designed to help students, teachers, staff and parents detect trouble before it arises.
A woman who told school board members she has been a counterintelligence agent supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation explained 16 safety indicators that will be employed “to help equip school officials to stop these threats themselves.”
Another woman summarized data science and machine-learning elements that provide real-time risk monitoring indicators.
And “Robert,” a cognitive scientist, laid out strategies to identify psychological, cultural and social drivers behind potentially threatening behavior.
Counterintelligence strategies are designed “to help equip school officials to stop these threats themselves.”
When asked by school board member Becky Sayler how these measures would involve community, he responded that they were designed to identify “early on where support is needed and then work with stakeholders to get those kids the support they need.”
When school board member Brad Wheeler asked “What can parents do?” Ragsdale responded that “parents need to know the warning signs . . . . but we’re educators. We don’t know how to spot the warning signs.”
The monitoring would include, but not be limited to, scraping social media data “to customize a solution for the community,” he said.
“One school will be different from the others.”
“Rob,” the intelligence company CEO, explained that the crux of his company’s work is to customize down to the school level, since every campus has different layouts, entry points and logistics, as well as socio-cultural dynamics.
“If you have seen one school, you have seen only one school,” he said. “An off-the-shelf solution will not work.”
He also said that “over the past months, our work has put Cobb County on the forefront of school safety in the state of Georgia and on a national level.”
Ragsdale said the next steps are to identify “the next set of schools” to undergo security assessments, but a timetable wasn’t mentioned.
“Our parents have to know that when they bring their kids to school, they’re safe,” Ragsdale said.
Taking additional steps to enhance safety by working with those whose expertise is beyond what Cobb currently provides is the only option, he said.
“It’s not needed, it’s required, if we want to maintain student and staff safety. This is not a proof of concept. This is our partnership, and we’re looking forward to a long relationship.”
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An interfaith groups, Jews and Allies of Georgia, is holding a panel discussion Sunday in East Cobb on the subject of safety in houses of worship.
The event is free and takes place from 4-7 p.m. in the Chimney Springs subdivision clubhouse (2465 Hearthstone Circle).
The invited speakers include State Sen. John Albers, a Republican who represents part of East Cobb, and Eric Castater, a Democrat seeking the State House District 45 seat.
The moderator is JoEllen Smith of East Cobb of Jews and Allies of Georgia and an advocate for legislation to protect houses of worship.
The discussion will examine security threats to places of worship in the United States as is occurring in Europe and elsewhere, and the need for additional measures to protect churches, mosques and synagogues and evaluating K-12 curricula for religious bias.
Anyone wishing to attend is asked to e-mail JewsAllies@gmail.com to RSVP.
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A reader photo from Columns Drive, which is closed between Atlanta Country Club Drive and Riverlook Parkway.
UPDATED, 6:20 P.M.:
Cobb Police said just a few moments ago that Columns Drive has reopened. “There is still some standing water and a tree down in the area, but the roadway is deemed passable,” according to a message on its Facebook page posted around 6 p.m.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Cobb County was spared the worst of Tropical Storm Helene Friday morning, but there’s extensive flooding that’s affecting travel for the remainder of the day.
A local state of emergency remains in place as cleanup crews continue their work.
Cobb also remains under a flash flood watch until 1:15 p.m. Friday, and citizens are urged not to get out on the roads before then, if at all today, unless absolutely necessary.
That’s because even main roads are treacherous after heavy rains, estimated to be in excess of six inches in some places, and trees and power lines were downed.
High winds are also continuing through Friday, with gusts in parts of the East Cobb area topping 40 mph.
Cobb DOT said Friday morning that Columns Drive in East Cobb, along the Chattahoochee River, is closed between Atlanta Country Club Drive and Riverlook Parkway.
A reader sent the following photos from her backyard on Columns Drive that extends to the river. Click the middle button to start the slideshow:
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
In Northeast Cobb, Blackwell Road is closed between Fowler Drive and Windridge Drive (east of Canton Road) because of downed power lines.
Cobb government said its crews have already dealt with 55 downed trees on roads, 11 flooded roads and eight reports of traffic lights being out.
In addition, flood warnings are in effect along most rivers and major streams and creeks in Cobb, including the Chattahoochee River and Noonday Creek.
Cobb Police said in a social media posting that the Bells Ferry Trailhead at Noonday Creek “saw quite a bit of water buildup, now it’s more of a ‘Trail-Lake’—serious flooding over there, so maybe skip that hike for now!”
A reader sent the photo below of flooded soccer fields at Noonday Park:
We haven’t heard of any such warnings along Sope Creek in East Cobb, but the U.S. Geological Survey indicated water levels above 12 feet.
The reader who sent the photo above tells us that the creek “looks like it’s about to come over the bridge on Columns where it dumps into the Chattahoochee.”
Another East Cobb resident posted this video of Sope Creek at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area:
We’d also like to share your information/photos/videos of storm conditions near you with the community. If it’s safe, please e-mail editor@eastcobbnews.com or text 404-219.4278.
Nearly 1 million Georgia electrical customers were without power Friday morning after Helene barged in from Florida as a Category 2 storm, then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached metro Atlanta.
More than 5,000 electrical customers in Cobb County are without power as of mid-Friday morning, according to Georgia Power and Cobb EMC, which provide most service to the East Cobb area.
According to Georgia Power, roughly 1,000 East Cobb customers are without electricity, while Cobb EMC reports that an estimated 750 customers in East Cobb are reporting outages.
Another Columns Drive reader sent us this video showing the extent of the flooding, and how it trapped residents for hours:
Much heavier wind damage and flooding occurred east of the metro area. Gov. Brian Kemp said at a news briefing Friday morning that 11 deaths have been reported across Georgia, including a first responder.
As the storm gathered in the Gulf of Mexico, a rare tropical storm warning was issued for north Georgia, with gusts as high as 73 mph anticipated.
Winds were expected to gust between 30-40 mph through Friday afternoon, with partly sunny skies also in the forecast as Helene moved north out of Georgia.
Cooler temperatures also greeted the passage of the storm, in the mid-60s on Friday morning, as the weather improves for the weekend.
Sun and highs in the high 70s return for the weekend and temperatures will be back in the low 80s next week.
But for the rest of Friday, you’re asked to stay put if possible while the cleanup work continues.
If/when you do get out, do not try and drive through a flooded area. You’re asked to call 911 or Georgia Power/Cobb EMC immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line.
Cobb government said if you have structural property damage to report, you can do so by clicking here.
An aerial photo of a flooded golf course at Indian Hills Country Club, posted on its social media account:
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Rain ahead of Hurricane Helene was already waterlogging major roads in East Cobb Thursday, including the Roswell-East Piedmont intersection.
UPDATED, FRIDAY, 11 A.M.:
Here’s our report on the latest road conditions, power outages and more in the East Cobb area on Friday morning. You’re asked to avoid travel as much as possible due as work crews are addressing flooding and downed power lines and trees.
A few roads are closed, and rivers and creeks are overflowing, including Sope Creek in East Cobb.
Overall, our area was spared the worst of Helene.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
State and local authorities continued to warn citizens to take extreme precautions Thursday as Hurricane Helene is set to move into Georgia with anticipated tropical storm-force winds and heavy rains.
Between 4-8 inches of rain is predicted for the Cobb area as the hurricane moves inland from the Big Bend coastline of Florida, where it’s expected to reach landfall Thursday night as least as a Category 3 storm.
In addition, sustained winds in excess of 50 mph and gusts up to 60 mph could take place in the metro Atlanta starting late Thursday night and into Friday.
Emergency officials are urging citizens to prepare for flooding, heavy property damage and extended power outages in what could be life-threatening conditions.
“Due to the intensity and fast forward motion, unprecedented wind and flooding impacts, rivaling or exceeding those of Hurricanes Opal (1995), Irma (2017) and Michael (2018), are expected across the north and central Georgia,” the National Weather Service said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Local response
Cobb government issued statements Thursday morning closing offices, including libraries, through Friday, and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid issued a countywide state of emergency to allow “the county to quickly access state and federal resources that may be needed after the storm passes.
“I encourage everyone to take precautions and avoid travel during the storm,” she said. “Forecasters are predicting high winds and heavy rainfall. With the amount of rain we’ve already received, flooding is likely. If you live in a flood-prone area, please assess whether it is necessary to relocate to a safer location.”
Cobb DOT crews will operate on 12-hour shifts starting Thursday night to handle calls about downed trees, blocked roads and flooding.
Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt said the Cobb Emergency Management Agency will activate its Emergency Operations Center, “and a combined police and fire incident command will coordinate the emergency response. Additionally, 911 will increase its number of operators to manage the expected surge in calls and dispatch emergency responders.”
He added that “during the peak of the storm, anticipated on Friday morning, residents are asked to call 911 only for immediate emergencies. For non-emergency assistance, a list of contact numbers is available on the Helene Information page at cobbcounty.org.”
Latest conditions
The NWS said that the majority of Georgia has an “80-90 percent chance of seeing tropical storm force winds” from late Thursday afternoon until as late as Friday afternoon.
Those winds range from 38 mph to 73 mph.
“The strongest winds and wind gusts will continue to be found on the eastern side of the storm and may change with small wobbles in the forecast track,” the NWS message said.
Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a statewide emergency, and hurricane warnings have been issued for southwest Georgia.
Cobb and most of the rest of Georgia are under a flash flood watch and a tropical storm warning until Friday afternoon.
Tornadoes also are expected to materialize during Helene’s onslaught into Georgia, and tornado warnings have been in effect in parts of south and middle Georgia Thursday afternoon,
The storm center is expected to pass over the metro Atlanta area by 7 a.m. Friday, but winds and rain from Helene will be arriving before that.
“The worst of the system is expected to arrive between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.,” the Cobb Emergency Management Agency said Thursday.
“With this being the case, the GREATEST risk is overnight. As you prepare to go to bed tonight, make sure any supplies you may need are in an easy to access area. Power outages may make it difficult to collect items after the storm system has arrived, so stage it TODAY before you may need it! Don’t forget to plan for small children and pets.”
The area has been watterlogged by 2-5 inches of rain thus far from unrelated rain showers since Wednesday, prompting further warnings for those living near creeks, streams, rivers and other bodies of water.
Water levels at Sope Creek in East Cobb were already surging to nearly five feet (see map).
Numerous local businesses in East Cobb were altering their schedules or closing early or cancelling activities.
Staying safe
Local and state authorities have been sending out messages on how to prepare for what could be catastrophic conditions for several days:
Prepare an Emergency Kit: Include at least a gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, necessary medications, a multi-tool, and a whistle. Don’t forget items like batteries, a manual can opener, and personal hygiene products.
Secure Your Home: Bring in or secure any outdoor furniture, decorations, and equipment that could be damaged or become projectiles. Check windows and doors to ensure they are properly sealed.
Prepare for Power Outages: Charge power banks for devices and have extra batteries for flashlights. Consider investing in a generator if you live in an area prone to outages, and make sure you have candles and matches as backups.
Avoid Floodwaters: Even shallow water can be dangerous, hiding debris or strong currents. Stay informed about local weather conditions and heed warnings from authorities.
Know Evacuation Plans: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and have a go-bag ready with essentials like clothing, cash, and important documents. Discuss a meeting place with family in case you get separated.
Power outages
Gather emergency contact information for your electricity provider to report power outages, downed lines, etc., and to receive messages and alerts.
Georgia Power is preparing an outage map and has compiled safety information here; Cobb EMC provides similar resources here.
Contact info:
Acworth Power – 770-293-9557
Atlanta Gas Light – 877-427-4321
Marietta Power – Emergency 770-794-5160
Cobb EMC – Power Outage 770-429-2100, then press 3
Georgia Power – 888-660-5890
Greystone Power – 770-942-6576
Officials are warning that the outages could be extensive. Georgia Power offers additional tips:
Before a Storm: Stay aware, heed advice from officials, and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Check your emergency kit and family plan. Unplug major appliances and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity – appliances, metal objects and water.
After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wire, including telephone or TV wires that touch a power line. Never pull tree limbs off of power lines yourself or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage. Customers should call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line.
Travel cautions
Authorities are asking citizens to avoid driving if at all possible on Friday morning, even on major roads, which are already struggling to absorb pre-Helene rains.
If you must drive, do not try to drive through a flooded area.
“Turn around, don’t drown! An estimated 2-3 inches of rain has already fallen due to unrelated storms,” Cobb EMA Said.
We can expect an additional 4-6 inches. This may present as flash flooding and may be extremely dangerous. DO NOT wade in storm water. Remember: 6 inches of water is enough to knock over a person and 12 inches is enough to carry a vehicle. Do not attempt to cross moving waters.”
Cobb EMA said the storm system from Helene is expected to clear out of the area by between 1-3 p.m. Friday.
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Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Thursday he will make a detailed school safety presentation to the public in October.
During a Cobb Board of Education meeting Thursday, he said that while “I will not identify systems and structures designed to keep our students, teachers, and staff safe,” additional safety measures will be announced next month.
His comments (full video here) come in the wake of the deadly shootings at Apalachee High School in Winder earlier this month, and following calls from local citizens for more open discussion of safety measures in the Cobb County School District.
Ragsdale was responding in particular to demands that board member Tre’ Hiutchins’ previous attempts to put such a discussion on the agenda be reconsidered.
But he said that “I fully appreciate the desire to know and the frustration that you cannot. However, law enforcement and school safety experts repeatedly caution that school safety plans should not be discussed in public—ever.”
He said the Cobb school district spends $35 million a year on student and staff safety, including the efforts of an 81-officer district police department.
“Our Board receives briefings in executive session, Ragsdale said, adding that he told the board on Thursday “of expanded threat assessment and abatement measures that we are investigating in a more detailed discussion. Following the Board’s input, I anticipate bringing a PUBLIC presentation on those aspects we can share without endangering students and staff of those measures during next month’s Board meeting.”
In addition to the Apalachee reaction, the district said it has received more than 60 reports of threats, none of which posed an actual threat to a Cobb school campus.
They included Dickerson Middle School last week and at Walton High School on Tuesday, which was on a brief lockdown after a report of a bomb that the district said “was not an active threat.”
In reference to those incidents, Ragsdale said that “we do not consider any threat ‘false’ until we are confident it is false. And also, please know we do not consider these false threats as pranks and every threat is reported to law enforcement and will likely result in both serious school discipline and criminal prosecution.”
Hutchins’ proposal would add non-certified school support officers and install weapons detection devices at schools and for large events.
For parent Melissa Marten, a frequent critic of Cobb school district, Ragsdale’s pledges weren’t satisfactory.
“All we’ve been asking for is an open discussion for you to consider any and all things that could keep our kids safe,” she said during a public comment Thursday night, “and an acknowledgement of the fear we live with every day. But you refuse.”
Marten asked how would a parent know about how the district’s emergency tip line was being monitored and responded to, and she claimed Ragsdale is “incapable” of extending empathy.
“Whose tips would you take seriously, and whose would you blow off?” Whether the reported threats are real or not, she continued, “it’s taking a toll.”
During his prepared remarks, Ragsdale said that “in general terms, our school safety measures are among the most comprehensive and layered in the State of Georgia.”
He added that “in times less troubled than these, this Board has endured loud and organized opposition to police presence on campus, armed police, safety drills, and even crisis response systems. Despite these critics and criticism, this Board has put the safety of students first.”
Before the meeting Thursday, the district said that students taking part in school walkouts to protest gun violence would be facing suspensions. A special assembly was held Friday morning without incident at the Wheeler High School football stadium to honor the Apalachee victims.
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A bomb threat was reported at Walton High School on Tuesday, according to a message that went out to the school community.
But the Cobb County School District said late Tuesday afternoon in response for information from East Cobb News that “there is not an active threat to Walton High School.”
A message from Principal Stephanie Santoro that was sent out around 3 p.m. said that the threat was called into 911, and “our team immediately reported the threat to multiple law enforcement agencies.”
She said in the message those agencies are now conducting an investigation.
“Currently, while there is an increased law enforcement presence, there has been no interruption to the school day, and dismissal is on schedule,” according to the message, which was not more specific.
There were social media reports of a lockdown at Walton that the district did not confirm nor deny when asked by East Cobb News.
It’s the second time an East Cobb school has been what appears to be the subject of false threats in as many weeks, two weeks after a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder.
Last week, the Cobb County School District said a student at Dickerson Middle School was charged with making threats, but said the student is “not a threat to the school.”
It was among the more than 50 such incidents the district said it has received since the Apalachee shootings that have “not been proven to be actual threats to a Cobb school.”
WSB-TV reported Tuesday afternoon that in addition to the Walton incident, Northview High School in North Fulton went on lockdown, and that a sweep of that campus by police “determined that there was no threat.”
The Cobb school district said that there was no evacuation at Walton.
“We take each reported threat very seriously, including increased law enforcement so the school day can continue without disruption,” a district spokesperson told East Cobb News in a statement.
On Tuesday, the message that went out to the Walton school community said the number of reported threats in the Cobb school district has now grown to more than 60, and that “almost all these incidents were the result of bad behavior on the part of people who are seeking to disrupt the school day.
“Our administration, the District, and law enforcement take every rumored threat seriously and are thoroughly investigating. Once we have an update, we will update you.”
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Whether you’re a truck enthusiast or just looking for a fun-filled family outing, mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and head to Town Center at Cobbmallfor an unforgettable day.
From fire engines to police motorcycles, the mall’s back parking lot will transform into a playground for both kids and adults. This is your chance to get up close and personal with some of the largest and most impressive trucks around. Let your inner 5-year-old run wild as you explore everything from SWAT vehicles to steam shovels.
But that’s not all—this event is also for a great cause! All proceeds from Truck-A-Palooza will benefit the Cobb County Safety Village, helping fund vital educational safety programs for the community. So not only will you have fun, but you’ll be making a positive impact, too.
Charge up your camera for the ultimate photo opportunities with these massive machines, and be ready to make some amazing memories!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (rain or shine)
Location: Town Center at Cobb, 400 Ernest W Barrett Parkway NW, Kennesaw (Back parking lot near the food court)
Cost: $5 per person (family pack: $20 for up to six people), children under 2 are free
Tickets: Available at the gate (cash and credit cards accepted)
Proceeds Benefit: Cobb County Safety Village educational safety programs
Don’t miss out—come for the trucks, stay for the memories!
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The chairman of the Cobb Board of Education responded to concerns from parents and students following a deadly school shooting in Georgia last week by saying the board and Cobb County School District “have doubled and tripled down on keeping your children and grandchildren safe” over the long term.
Republican Randy Scamihorn, who is up for re-election in November, said in a “Just the Facts” newsletter issued by the district that he’s heard from parents and students since four people were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder.
He reiterated that parents should visit the district’s Cobb Shield vertical devoted to safety issues, and that includes information about a tip line and the district’s public safety staff.
Scamihorn said the mother of high school twins wrote to ask “can we do something about treating schools so they do not seem like prisons?”
A retired Cobb educator, Scamihorn replied that “we know some of our safety decisions are inconvenient. Some of my family members are teachers, and yes, I am required to check in just like everyone else. If we have to choose between convenience and keeping your children safer, we choose safety every time.”
In his newsletter, Scamihorn didn’t reference an incident this week that led to criminal charges against a Dickerson Middle School student for making threatening statements toward another student.
The district said the student is not considered a threat to the school, and that’s one of more than 50 reported incidents that have “not been proven to be actual threats to a Cobb school.”
Nor did Scamihorn indicate if the school board, which meets next week, would take up a proposal by colleague Tre’ Hutchins to implement further safety measures.
They include implementing a School Support Officers program of non-post certified personnel to assist the district’s 81-member police force, and asking for technological assistance for detecting weapons at schools and at events, games and other functions in the district.
Hutchins also is asking for a financial analysis of those three items.
He proposed those measures following the shootings of former students at the McEachern High School parking lot in February (and a stabbing incident at Sprayberry in March), but couldn’t get a discussion placed on the board meeting agenda.
That’s because board policy requires either the superintendent, chairman or a four-member board majority to add agenda items.
Earlier this week, Heather Tolley-Bauer of Watching the Funds-Cobb, a school watchdog group, said the policy “is the worst example of representative democracy that you will ever see. . . . We are talking about enhancing the safety and security of our schools and they want to call us the activists?”
At the end of his newsletter Friday, Scamihorn countered critics who “have argued for ‘defunding the police,’ taking guns out of school police officers’ hands, moving money from safety to other areas of interest, blaming community crime on the schools, criticized safety drills, and fought against money spent on the crisis response system in our schools.
“Instead, the School Board and Superintendent have doubled and tripled down on keeping your children and grandchildren safe. Because of these and other safety investments we have made, the ‘feeling’ our students and parents have is one of security, not fear.”
The board will hold a work session next Thursday afternoon and a voting meeting Thursday night but agendas have not been published.
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!
The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team is proud to host its 11th semi-annual First Responders & Military Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday, October 9th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event, held twice a year, is dedicated to honoring our local heroes in Cobb County, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel, and veterans.
Join us for a full-spread BBQ lunch featuring delicious pulled pork and pulled chicken, provided by PRIME Lending. Attendees can enjoy their meal on our spacious patio, network with fellow first responders, or take their food to go.
As well as many of our other wonderful sponsors will be supporting our heroes. Arrows Exterminators will provide beverages, First American Home Warranty will provide sweet treats, All Atlanta Ameri Spec and Perrie & Associates will be giving away fun swag items as a gift to those who tirelessly serve the Marietta community.
This heartfelt event is free for all first responders from Cobb County and the surrounding areas, including police, fire, detective units, and active/retired military personnel. We look forward to celebrating and expressing our gratitude to those who serve our community with dedication and bravery.
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!
As part of the 29th annual Public Safety Appreciation Week (Oct.7-11), the Cobb Chamber will honor Cobb County’s finest during a special recognition program at the Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon event held at the Coca-Cola Roxy on October 7. The luncheon will kick off a weeklong effort to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County. The luncheon is presented by Marquee Sponsor Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating and includes the presentation of the 2024 Public Safety Awards.
2024 Public Safety Awards and Nominees
The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon will honor the bravery and commitment to excellence for each of the 2024 nominees – 15 individuals and 10 units, representing 12 different public safety organizations. Each nominee is eligible to win the following awards: the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, Medal of Valor, Award of Merit, Distinguished Achievement Award, and Outstanding Community Contribution Award. The 2024 Public Safety Committee Chairwoman is Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications.
Award winners will be announced and celebrated at the October 7 Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy. Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/2ba98snc.
Sponsors include Marquee Sponsor, Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating; Platinum Sponsors, Cobb EMC and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service; Awards Sponsor LoRusso Law Firm; Gold Sponsors Barrow Wrecker Services, Genuine Parts, and Marietta Wrecker; and Appreciation Week Sponsor Verizon.
2024 Public Safety Appreciation Week
The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon kicks off a weeklong community effort to celebrate the efforts of our public safety personnel, known as Public Safety Appreciation Week. Led by the Cobb Chamber, the community is invited to show their gratitude by visiting the public safety agencies in their neighborhood, between Oct. 7 through Oct. 11.
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!
The Cobb County School District said Wednesday that a Dickerson Middle School student is facing criminal charges for “making threatening statements.”
A “Dickerson safety message” that was sent to the school community didn’t specify what those statements were, but said that the student is “not a threat to the school.”
The message said that the Cobb school district’s police department and administrators investigated the statements of the Dickerson student in the wake of last week’s fatal school shooting in Winder.
The Cobb school district said in response to a request for comment and further information from East Cobb News that the Dickerson administration learned of the threat “from one student to another.”
But “the details of those charges and the serious, disciplinary consequences are not publicly available,” according to a district spokeswoman, due to state and federal student privacy laws.
She said in a statement to East Cobb News that the district has received more than 50 reported threats in the last six days—since the deaths of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder.
But all of them have “not been proven to be actual threats to a Cobb school,” the district said.
“All applicable policy, and the law, have been strongly enforced and we can confirm there is no active threat to Dickerson’s students or staff,” the spokeswoman said.
The message sent to Dickerson families urged them to help “by talking to your children” about the district’s Cobb Shield safety resource page and the district’s tipline to report incidents.
School districts around metro Atlanta and north Georgia have been pressing charges in similar incidents since the Apalachee incident. A 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, has been charged with four counts of murder, accused to taking an assault rifle to the Winder campus.
His father has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and child cruelty after Barrow County authorities said he bought an AR-15 rifle.
According to a family member, the boy’s mother called the school to warn a counselor less than an hour before the shooting about her son’s mental health issues, according to published reports.
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At 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, crew members of Cobb Fire Station 21 in East Cobb turned on their sirens.
It was at that precise moment 23 years ago that the South Tower at the World Trade Center collapsed.
Twenty-three minutes later, at 10:28, the sirens went off again, signifying the time the North Tower fell.
Before that, crews honored the memory of those on four planes that crashed that day with a moment of silence.
The commemorations that took place at Station 21, located at the East Cobb Government Service on Lower Roswell Road, also were held simultaneously at other Cobb fire stations on Wednesday.
A total of 343 members of the New York Fire Department lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks, after hijacked commercial airliners struck the World Trade Center.
Fire departments across America have held special observances since then.
Across the street from Station 21, students from Mt. Bethel Christian Academy watched as the sirens blared, with the front facade of Mt. Bethel Church by a massive American flag.
Fire crews stopped traffic on Lower Roswell for the students to cross, and then took them on a tour of Station 21.
At the Georgia State Capitol, Gov. Brian Kemp led a special ceremony featuring music and the appearance of first responders (you can watch a replay by clicking here).
“Twenty-three years ago today, in a moment that changed the very course of history, we were painfully reminded that freedom is not free,” Kemp said, “and that the principles we hold dear, and that make America the last best hope for the world, also make us a target for those with evil intentions.
“But in the face of that horror, and the terrorism our enemies hoped would break us, we all observed the unique spirit of patriotism, of strength and of courage that we must continue to drive us forward for this day.”
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The Cobb Police Chief on Monday took the unusual step to speak publicly about an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect at a Cobb Parkway pharmacy over the weekend.
Cobb Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer
Stuart VanHoozer urged the media at a press conference to “look for corroborating evidence” before reporting on details of an incident that led to officers killing Nathan Jenkins, 32, late Friday evening, at a Walgreen’s store in the Cumberland area.
He referenced media reports that included “speculation” that the suspect was shot 25 times, had his hands up when officers fired and was possessing a cell phone and not a gun.
“I did not see any evidence” of those allegations, VanHoozer said at the press conference at Cobb Police Headquarters on Fairground Street in Marietta, adding that they were part of the ongoing investigation.
He asked reporters “to patiently wait for solid evidence” and not “conjecture” as the investigation into the shooting continues.
VanHoozer said the officers involved in the shooting have been place on administrative leave in the meantime.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation, and typically local police departments do not comment until those probes are completed.
“There are some questions that have popped up in the media that have caused us some concern,” VanHoozer said.
Some of those reports included interviews with the suspect’s father, who said his son called him after the shooting and he went to the scene, as well as Jenkins’ brother, who called it “an unjustified shooting.”
Jenkins’ father told WSB-TV that his son had experienced addiction and psychological issues in his past.
Jenkins, of Valdosta, was wanted on a number of warrants, and VanHoozer said they included failure to appear on a charge of a felony possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance and fleeing and attempting to elude police in Fulton County, and probation violations in Fulton and Lowndes County.
He said officers went to the Walgreen’s at 2670 Cobb Parkway at Windy Ridge Parkway at around 11:30 p.m. based on the outstanding warrants.
Police said initially that they got into an altercation with Jenkins inside the store, and he was shot by officers when they made contact. According to police, Jenkins was pronounced dead after being taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
VanHoozer said an unspecified previous traffic stop in which a suspect got away—he said police didn’t pursue him due to the department’s chase policy—may be linked, that “possibly that pursuit and this individual.
“That’s what led to that area [the Walgreen’s on Friday] in a continuing investigation,” VanHoozer said. Jenkins was “a wanted individual that we knew about.”
VanHoozer took a few questions, and was asked about an initial GBI report saying it found a gun on the scene.
“That was not our weapon,” VanHoozer said, but he deferred other questions to “give the GBI a chance to get its ducks in a row.”
He said the Cobb Police Department was extending its condolences to Jenkins family.
“We don’t want to see incidents end like this one ended,” he said.
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The partnership between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve has been vital in reducing crime levels. For law enforcement to be truly effective, they require the active support and engagement of citizens. This underscores the significance of events such as National Night Out (NNO), an annual tradition that unites community members and law enforcement to foster trust and promote a safer environment for all.
WHAT: National Night Out
WHO: Cobb County Public Safety
WHEN: Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
WHERE: Jim R. Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road, Marietta, GA 30008)
National Night Out is more than just an evening of festivities; it’s an impactful initiative that began in 1984, spearheaded by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Celebrated across all states, NNO promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, making our communities safer and more caring.
The event offers activities for all ages, including live music, face painting, and a kid-friendly zone with games and inflatables. Public safety demonstrations from our K-9 unit, SWAT team, and fire department will be featured, and officers will be available to answer questions, share safety tips, and engage with the community.
Attendees can also meet local organization representatives, learn about crime prevention, and explore volunteer opportunities. Food vendors will offer local fare, making it a great night out for families.
We invite all Cobb County residents to join us in this effort to build stronger, safer communities.
Your participation is essential in creating a supportive environment where everyone feels secure.
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!
The Cobb County School District’s 2024-25 academic year begins on Thursday, and both the district and Cobb County government have been rounding up information related to bus transportation.
Foremost among those reminders is a new Georgia law that went into effect July 1 that makes it a “high and aggravated misdemeanor” to pass a stopped school bus.
The minimum fine is $1,000 and the maximum penalty is up to 12 months in jail.
“When the violation is caught by school bus-mounted cameras it is punishable by a civil fine of not less than $1,000,” according to information released this week by Cobb County government.
Some other tips to remember as buses will be back out on the roads:
Yellow flashing lights mean the school bus is slowing down and about to stop.
Red flashing lights and the extended stop arm mean children are boarding or exiting the bus. Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus. They must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is retracted, and the bus starts moving again before they return to their drive.
Children alongside the road might dart into traffic without looking. Motorists are responsible for watching out for them and preparing for an emergency stop.
Motorists should drive more slowly if they see children beside the road or a bus nearby.
Cobb government also has provided links to new videos showing motorists how to stop for buses, depending on the type of road:
The Cobb school district has more specific information about finding bus routes, downloading its “Here Comes the Bus” mobile app and other transportation details to follow throughout the school year.
One other handy tip for the start of the school year: Students are allowed to bring water bottles on the buses in August and September, in containers with a screw-on lid.
For more information contact the Cobb school district’s transportation department at 678-594-8000.
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!
A man crossing Woodlawn Drive Sunday afternoon was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle, Cobb Police said.
Officer Joseph Wilson said William Cahill, 32, of Marietta, was taken to Kennestone Hospital after being struck by a maroon 2005 Rav 4 heading south near the intersection of Woodlawn Parkway around 12:54 p.m.
That’s just below Johnson Ferry Road, at an entrance to Woodlawn Square Shopping Center.
Police said Cahill was attempting to cross Woodlawn Drive from the west, outside of a designated crosswalk, when he was hit.
Wilson said the driver of the Rav 4, Vickie Morrissett, 69, of Marietta, was not injured.
Police said anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499- 3987.
