Editor’s Note: We’re starting an occasional news feature that rounds up news in the county outside of East Cobb and elsewhere in metro Atlanta. Let us know what you think! —— Wendy Parker
Sex Shops Closed in Marietta–”Tantra Adult Fantasy Store, Elations of Marietta and Tokyo Valentino were all enjoined in Cobb Superior Court in December 2023. The court found they’d all been operating without the proper adult establishment licenses, in violation of the city’s adult establishments ordinance.” [MDJ] (We referenced two of them during the East Cobb Tokyo Valentino saga in 2o2o.)
Historic McAfee House sold for $1–”The Lusks have until May 15 to remove the structure from the property, but Beemon said the couple hoped to have the house gone by the end of April. Once moved, Cobb Landmarks will require the house to be protected by a preservation easement, ensuring the exterior retains its historic integrity and that the house is protected from demolition moving forward.” [MDJ]
Smyrna Pride to Allow GOP Group at Festival—”Any attempts to spread hostility or disrupt the festival’s inclusive nature will result in permanent banning from all future Smyrna Pride events. This is a festival for ALL members of the LGBTQ+ community. Any vendor who attempts to undermine that will not be welcome.” [MDJ]
Cobb Commission Runoff Candidates Prepare—”Both Dr. Jaha Howard and Erick Allen are working in reconfigured District 2, chatting up potential voters and sticking to their core messages while they eye the quickly-approaching March 11 runoff vote.” [Cobb Courier]
Elementary School to Close in Sandy Springs—”The board’s vote moved forward a redistricting plan involving four Sandy Springs elementary schools. Current Spalding Drive students will attend Heards Ferry or Woodland Elementary Schools. Some Woodland students will attend Ison Springs Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year.” [Rough Draft Atlanta]
Congressman Grilled at Roswell Town Hall—”McCormick, a decorated United States Marine Corps veteran and physician, shared where his views veered from that of the commander-in-chief and other Republicans, but he was met throughout the 90-minute session with booing and cries of ‘Shame!’ when he advocated for bipartisan solutions that would require Democrats’ cooperation.” [Appen Media]
DeKalb Police Chief Stepping Down—”The county currently has 531 police officers on staff but funded 841 officers in the budget. At a DeKalb House Delegation meeting on Feb. 3, Cochran-Johnson said the police department should have about 1,100 officers.” [Decaturish]
Gwinnett Schools to Add Weapons Detectors—”The decision to not go forward with a districtwide clear book bag policy means GCPS officials are pivoting to other options for increasing school safety. GCPS now plans to put weapons detectors in middle and high schools for the 2025-2026 school year and begin a multi-year rollout of more SROS or private security in elementary schools.” [Gwinnett Daily Post]
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