East Cobb News

East Cobb Real Estate: Chastain Ridge home sells for $711K

February 23, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Chastain Ridge, East Cobb real estate sales

This week’s featured home sale is a two-story brick traditional in Chastain Ridge, located off New Chastain Road in the Sprayberry High School, Daniell Middle School and Blackwell Elementary School attendance zones.

It features seven bedrooms and 4.5 baths, covering 5,188 square feet on 0.63 acres. Built in 2007, the home sold for $711,000 on Feb. 13, 2026.

There is hardwood flooring throughout, and bedrooms are located on every level, including a finished basement that also features a secondary entertainainment and eat-in dining space. A covered deck and open balcony open to a tree-lined backyard.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from Feb. 9-13, 2026 were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

None

Lassiter

3410 Bonaire Crossing, 30066 (Northampton): $857,000

2280 Brandon Court, 30066 (Brandon Ridge): $400,000

2696 South Arbor Drive, 30066 (Arbor Bridge): $580,000

Marietta

676 Maple Grove Way, 30062 (Hamilton Grove): $520,000

Pope

2675 Tritt Springs Trace, 30062 (Post Oak Springs): $412,000

Sprayberry

241 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Bluffs at Bells Ferry): $395,000

233 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Bluffs at Bells Ferry): $379,900

3174 Vickery Drive, 30066 (Vickory Park): $590,000

2550 Alberta Lane, 30062 (Holly Springs): $425,000

2998 Kodiak Court, 30062 (Holly Springs): $420,000

3981 Lookout Point, 30066 (Lookout Point): $425,000

1350 Piedmont Road, 30066 (Pine Valley Farms): $489,000

1784 Wingard Drive, 30062 (Hasty Meadows): $400,000

3328 Knight Road, 30066: $925,000

3301 Chastain Ridge Drive, 30066 (Chastain Ridge): $711,000

1924 Wilkenson Crossing, 30066 (St. Charles Square): $568,000

2128 Carefree Circle, Unit 1, 30062 (The Crossings of East Cobb): $375,000

1100 Sallete Court, 30066 (Powell Station): $457,750

2277 Macby Court, 30066 (Sandy Mill): $325,510

3170 Ebenezer Road, 30066 (Shadowood): $425,000

Walton

4082 Audubon Drive, 30068 (Pinecrest): $412,500

1195 Fielding Way, 30068 (Indian Hills): $625,000

2764 Brookcliff Landing, 30062 (Brookcliff): $524,000

688 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (Villas at Parkaire): $310,000

5409 St Lyonn Place, 30068 (St Lyonn): $1.8 million

5371 Tall Oak Drive, 30068 (Woodland Trails): $590,000

815 Fairfield Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $800,000

4521 Woodhaven, 30067 (Woodhaven): $895,000

Wheeler

3088 Woodwalk Drive, Unit 5, 30339 (Riverwalk at Wildwood): $620,000

1620 High Trail, 30339 (Rivers Call): $1.305 million

461 Meadowbrook Drive, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $345,000

2748 Okawana Drive, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates): $635,000

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Editor’s Note: Please support community-driven news today!

February 21, 2026February 21, 2026 by Wendy Parker

February is the shortest month, but it’s been a busy one these days in East Cobb.

And this week alone, East Cobb News has been brimming with the local news that you love—and depend upon—to keep you updated with what’s happening in our community.

This week alone, we’ve provided you with a number of important headlines, from plans for the new worship center at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, the expansion of a popular grocery store, the closures of restaurants old and relatively new and a proposal to reimagine a longstanding local park.

There are plenty of other stories we’ve brought to you this week (you can get them all in one place, in our Sunday newsletter), and that nobody else is doing in this community.

East Cobb News exists for you, our readers, because we value the importance of local news and information. They’re part of the glue of this community, and along with promoting local businesses, they’re the essence of what we do at East Cobb News.

We do this all without a paywall, and we want to keep it that way. But for us to continue giving you this essential package and make it accessible to everyone, we’re asking for financial support from our readers.

As we near the end of February, we’d like for you to consider making a donation today if you haven’t done so.

Click here to donate to ECN today!

In the eight-plus years since I started East Cobb News, I have tried to keep alive the spirit of the best of the newspaper tradition I was brought up in while embarking on the necessary task of providing the news for readers in the early 21st century. That’s why the original subtitle was “Local News for the Way You Live Today.”

Now, it’s “Discover the Power of Local,” because since this site was launched, I’ve seen that new vision in action, and it indeed has been powerful in this community.

That’s because it’s community-driven, focused on the needs of readers and the local businesses that we promote. I call it hyperlocal, because we can be flexible and adapt more easily to their demands than the larger corporations.

You have responded so well to what we have done over the years at East Cobb News; now we need you to respond in an even more significant way.

I have come to you numerous times before, asking for continued reader support to help us keep giving you the local news that you love. It’s with a sense of optimism about continuing to provide solid community news coverage in East Cobb.

THAT TIME HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN NOW.

Donating is secure and easy!

Whether it’s stories featuring our original reporting, or others in our community passing along news about local events and activities, East Cobb News is devoted to what’s valued the most by readers here.

It’s our stock-in-trade, and for eight-plus years we’ve been building that community trust, one story at a time.

We do this without charging readers, because we believe reliable local news should be accessible to all.

At East Cobb News, nobody else does what we do, every day.

It’s our passion and our pride to give you the local news that makes a difference in this community.

Our donation amounts are voluntary, and what you pay is up to you. We are suggesting $6 a month on a recurring basis. You can also donate on an annual or one-time basis.

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

We appreciate whatever you are able to donate. Please click the box below to show your support via our Press Patron payment platform, which is safe, secure and easy.

Thank you East Cobb! And long live local news!

Sandy Plains-Holly Springs traffic project to be considered

February 21, 2026February 21, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Sandy Plains-Holly Springs traffic project to be considered

Proposed traffic improvements at the Sandy Plains Road-Holly Springs Road intersection will come before Cobb commissioners on Tuesday.

A contract for $1.367 million is being requested by Cobb DOT for the low bidder out of six companies, according to an agenda item.

The agenda item (you can read it here) said the work will entail re-aligning turn lanes, pavement markings and traffic signal modifications and will take roughly a year to complete once it gets underway.

The low bidder is Azimuth Contractors, LLC of Suwanee and the funding would come from the current 2022 Cobb SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax).

The Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.

At 1 p.m. Tuesday, commissioners will hold a work session that will include updates on the county’s economic development strategic plan and the proposed Unified Development Code (meeting agenda here).

You also can watch the meetings on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Community meeting set to discuss Shaw Park’s future

February 21, 2026February 20, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Shaw Park redevelopment town hall meeting

Long-awaited plans for improving Shaw Park will be disclosed next week at a community engagement meeting.

Cobb PARKS and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell have put out notices for the meeting, next Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Northeast Cobb Community Center/Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Drive).

County spokeswoman Shelly Weidner told East Cobb News that conceptual plan will involve updating athletic fields, including synthetic turf on some of them, as well as updating the tennis/pickleball/basketball court area and adding amenities, including batting cages, LED lighting and concrete walkways.

Details of those plans will be presented at the meeting, with a chance for the public to provide input, Weidner said.

“The meeting will be held in an open-house format, similar to our recent SPLOST community engagement sessions, allowing attendees to view the plans, and speak directly with staff.”

The redevelopment of Shaw Park is included in the current 2022 Cobb SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax), with the project designed to “better meet the recreational needs and desires of the surrounding community.”

The Shaw Park redevelopment, according to the SPLOST project list, is estimated to cost $4 million (you can read through the thumbnail description at this link on page 37).

Shaw Park is the second park in the county parks system, and has been showing signs of age for years.

There are five softball fields, nine pickleball courts, two tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic pavilions and the community center.

“Shaw Park was first developed in 1970, and has served several generations of families since,” the SPLOST project booklet states. “However, the park design and amenities are now outdated, and the park no longer meets the recreational needs of the community.”

It’s been nearly three years since Birrell held a town hall meeting that got a little testy at times, with youth softball parents pleading to preserve their ballfields pickleball enthusiasts demanding more courts for their fast-growing activity.

Birrell told East Cobb News this week that softball fields will remain part of the park, and the proposal calls for adding pickleball courts.

“We’re not decreasing the number of fields,” she said, adding that those attending the community engagement meeting will be able to see a variety of proposed layouts for the part and provide feedback.

The delay in doing so now was in part due to the redevelopment of Gritters Library and to address SPLOST funding issues she said have been resolved.

“There is more than one option, and we want to see what’s best before we continue,” Birrell said.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Wendy’s closes on Johnson Ferry Road

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Wendy's closes on Johnson Ferry Road

Almost all the signage is gone, replaced by other signs acknowledging the obvious.

The Wendy’s on Johnson Ferry Road at East Cobb Drive has closed, as part of a larger wave of closings initiated by the fast-food hamburger chain.

Around 5 percent, or roughly 300, Wendy’s stores are in the process of being closed during the first part of 2026. Wendy’s has around 6,000 restaurants across the U.S.

On an earnings call last week, Wendy’s interim CEO Ken Cook said the locations targeted for closure were “consistently underperforming.”

The East Cobb area is now left with three Wendy’s: On Powers Ferry Road, on Roswell Road near East Lake, and on Shallowford Road at Highland Plaza.

East Cobb Wendy's closes on Johnson Ferry Road

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!

Chastain to launch Cobb school board re-election campaign

February 19, 2026 by Wendy Parker

David Chastain, Cobb school board candidate

Cobb Board of Education member David Chastain, a three-term Republican from Post 4 in Northeast Cobb, will be officially launching his re-election campaign next week.

His campaign sent a message Thursday about a “meet and greet fundraiser” next Wednesday in the Town Center area organized by the campaign’s steering committee.

The names include some of the most prominent members of Cobb Republican and business leadership.

They include John Loud of Loud Security Systems, a former Cobb Chamber of Commerce chairman who’s gotten involved recently in local Republican campaigns, and who is Chastain’s steering committee chairman.

Republicans hold a 4-3 majority on the Cobb school board, which has been roiled by a number of partisan controversies in recent years.

Three of the seven school board posts are up for election in 2026, and Chastain is the only Republican. Post 4 includes the Kell, Lassiter and Sprayberry high school attendance zones (post map here).

In 2022, Chastain was re-elected with 55 percent of the vote in a bitter general election campaign (he was later fined for campaign finance violations).

He’s the only Republican to announce thus far for the Post 4 seat; Micheal Garza, a vocal critic of Cobb County School District and Republican school board leadership, is the only Democrat who has announced. The primaries are May 19.

Chastain’s campaign has been stressing what it calls his “record of proven success” as reflected by Cobb school district scores in student academic performance, upgrading facilities through SPLOST sales-tax extensions, school safety initiatives and “leadership that puts students first.”

Here’s Chastain’s campaign website. His campaign Facebook page also has recently been making many of those claims, with some critics of district and board leadership taking issue.

Loud is the head of Chastain’s steering committee, which incudes Jay Cunningham of Superior Plumbing, another former Chamber luminary, as well as former Chamber chairman David Connell; Mitch Rhoden, president and CEO of Futren Hospitality, which manages Indian Hills Country Club; business and community leaders Frank Wigington, Stan Wise and Shane Spink, Chastain’s appointee to the board’s facilities and technology committee; and Donna Rowe, head of the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Others from GOP politics include former Cobb school board member Scott Sweeney of East Cobb; former Cobb Republican Party chairmen Jason Shepherd and Scott Johnson; former Georgia State Sen. Chuck Clay; and Larry Savage of East Cobb, a former candidate for Cobb Commission Chairman.

Loud previously worked in 2024 to elect John Cristadoro, the Post 5 Republican school board member from East Cobb, and also recruited realtor Kay Morgan, the GOP nominee for Cobb Commission Chair who was defeated in 2024 by incumbent Democrat Lisa Cupid.

Chastain’s campaign chairwoman is Joy Doss, a securities fraud attorney.

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!

Cobb to open first drive-through court service in Georgia

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

Cobb County Government will open the state’s first drive-through court service on Monday, Feb. 23, offering the public a faster, more convenient way to pay fines.

The State and Magistrate Court Clerk’s Office Express will operate from 122 Waddell Street, Marietta. Individuals will be able to pay for traffic citations, school bus arm violations, probation fees, fines and restitution for cases that do not require a court appearance.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at noon Monday, Feb 23.

“Modern courts must meet people where they are,” said State Court Clerk Tahnicia Phillips, who developed the concept. “The Clerk’s Office Express provides a faster, more convenient way for people to resolve their cases and get back to their day.”

The drive-through express service comes at a critical time, as the county has seen an increase in cases following the installation of 150 school bus cameras. While online payment options remain available, the drive-through service removes barriers such as transportation, parking, and long wait times. Individuals should bring their citation or case number, a photo ID, and a debit or credit card to make payments. Court staff will provide receipts.

“We are proud to provide a service that makes court access easier for our community,” said Phillips. “We hope it sets a precedent for other courts and shows that innovation doesn’t always require new technology.”

The Clerk’s Office Express will operate 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be operating out of the former Cobb Purchasing Department Building.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Homeless Pets Foundation schedules events, seeks volunteers

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Homeless Pets Foundation seeks volunteers

Submitted information and photos:

You may not know there is a no-kill animal shelter right near East Cobb called the Homeless Pets Foundation (HPF). Homeless Pets Foundation is a veterinary-led rescue dedicated to saving the lives of cats and dogs that have run out of time at public shelters.

HPF holds several events every month at locations around our community, at the shelter, or at the Pet Smart located on Cobb Parkway. Please check out all the events at https://homelesspets.com

In addition, there are many volunteer opportunities. For example, every Sunday morning, there is a group walk with the dogs that are housed at the shelter. This is a fun event that gives you time to play, walk and cuddle with the fur babies, all while getting the opportunity to meet other animal lovers. If you love animals, want to help shelter pets and make some great friends, then Homeless Pets Foundation can make it easy for you to get involved.

Homeless Pets Foundation seeks volunteers

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

GBI: Man shot, killed by Cobb Police had deportation order

February 18, 2026 by Wendy Parker

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday identified a man shot and killed by Cobb Police during a residential standoff as a Guatemalan national who had “an active removal order.”

The GBI said in a release that Hermelindo Morete-Dista, 27, was pronounced dead on the scene of the incident on Bradley Avenue southwest of Marietta Monday night.

The GBI said that Cobb Police were responding to reports of possible gunshots at a home on Bradley Avenue, located off Smyrna-Powder Springs Road, around 10:40 p.m. Monday.

Police set up a perimeter around the front of the residence, according to the GBI. When Morete-Dista left the home with a weapon in his hand, the GBI said, he was given verbal commands by officers to drop the gun.

The GBI said that instead, Morete-Dista “continued to hold the firearm and began pointing it toward officers,” and several of them shot him, hitting him multiple times.

The GBI, which investigates officer-involved shootings in Georgia, said that it will turn over its findings to the Cobb District Attorney’s office for review.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church seeks new worship center permit

February 18, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Several months after revealing plans for a new $55 million worship center to its congregation, leaders of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church have taken the first step toward starting construction.

Church officials announced in a brief video last week that they’ve filed for a land-disturbance permit with the Cobb Community Development Agency.

Agency files show the church filed the request for a full site review on Thursday for six acres on Johnson Ferry Road, next to the church chapel.

A land-disturbance permit is needed for any construction work to begin, and a full site permit “allows for tree removal, site grading, and installation of project infrastructure,” according to the agency.

County filings indicate that Johnson Ferry work will be done by Croy Engineering of Marietta.

In a video posted on the church website on Friday, church officials wearing hard hats said they anticipate being able to begin the project this summer.

East Cobb News has left a message with Johnson Ferry Baptist seeking more information.

Johnson Ferry Baptist, which has 4,700 members, is located on a 37-acre campus it has occupied since 1983 on Johnson Ferry Road near Woodlawn Drive.

The 2,500-seat worship center, as revealed to Johnson Ferry members last fall, is a central component of an $84 million initiative that includes planting another church in metro Atlanta and expanding its missions.

Thus far, church members have pledged nearly $20 million for what’s being called “Forward Vision.”

As East Cobb News reported in May, church leaders have been contemplating building a new worship venue in recent years due to membership growth and to have the sprawling congregation worship under a single roof.

Currently Johnson Ferry holds a traditional worship in its main sanctuary (capacity 1,200) and three modern services in the church’s activities center, which holds 1,600.

Neither are large enough to accommodate what church leaders say they need to transform the 44-year-old faith community for the long-term future, into a “multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation.”

“They don’t always have community together,” Shane Bruce, Johnson Ferry’s executive pastor, told East Cobb News last May.

The worship center financials are included in a Forward Vision booklet that details all the initiatives.

A total of $30.1 million from those pledges would be used to build the worship center, along with $9 million in current reserve funding as well as another $15.9 million “to be financed responsibly,” according to the booklet.

More than half of the Forward Giving funds will be used for ongoing ministry work and another $11.3 million for global missions.

In order to create space for the new worship center, Johnson Ferry Baptist acquired 1.7 acres at 919 Johnson Ferry Road next to the sanctuary that had been residential property for $2 million.

That’s close to where church officials made their announcement last week about the land-disturbance permit filing.

Church leaders said the sanctuary would continue to be used for special events. The new venue would connect with the church’s busy activities center.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Food Scores: Mediterranean Grill gets 80 on follow-up

February 20, 2026February 18, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Mediterranean Grill, East Cobb food scores

A few weeks after getting a 77 (C) score in a health inspection, the Mediterranean Grill at Market Plaza didn’t fare much better on a re-inpsection.

The Johnson Ferry Road eatery earned an 80 (B) score on a follow-up visit Friday.

According to inspection reports, the initial visit on Jan. 13 included violations pertaining to improper food storage temperatures and an employee taking an order on a tablet and failing to wash hands before changing into gloves for food-handling work.

Last week’s second visit noted two new violations, including cooking beef and chicken at temperatures lower than the minimum-required heat and storing foods at higher temperatures than allowed.

During both visits (you can read them below), health inspectors said the violations were corrected on-site.

Restaurants that score under 80 on a routine inspection are entitled to re-inspections.

The Asian Foodie and Bubble Drink restaurant on Canton Road got a 90 score on Friday, after earning a failing score earlier this month.

On Feb. 5, inspectors issued a 63 score after noting that lemonade and punch were stored in bottles “with nozzles having some type of black up (mold like), food temperature storage issues and an employee’s personal thermos sitting on a prep board in the main kitchen.

Another violation was reported oberserving an “employee could not name the 5 symptoms and 6 illnesses that she has to report to the owner. The owner had a hard time as well, even reading the policy.” The other violations were corrected on-site.

During the re-inspection, inspectors noticed “some type of pink build-up” near an ice bin, and gave the restaurant 72 hours to correct the violation.

The following food scores have been compiled by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Aroma Indian Kitchen
4750 Alabama Road, Suite 114
Feb. 19, 2026, Score: 80, Grade: B

Asian Foodie and Bubble Drink (re-inspection)
3349 Canton Road, Suite 201
Feb. 13, 2026, Score: 90, Grade: A
Previous Inspection: Feb. 5, 2026, Score: 63, Grade: U

Augie’s Street Tacos
1951 Canton Road, Suite 340
Feb. 16, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Ducks Burger Bar
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2114
Feb. 17, 2026, Score: 95, Grade: A

Dumpling Garden
2731 Sandy Plains Road
Feb. 18, 2026, Score: 51, Grade: U

Einstein Bros. Bagels
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 101
Feb. 19, 2026, Score: 88, Grade: B

Harry’s Pizza and Subs
2150 Powers Ferry Road, Suite C
Feb. 16, 2026, Score: 89, Grade: B

Marietta Fusion Pizza
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 124
Feb. 16, 2026, Score: 70, Grade: C

Mediterranean Grill (re-inspection)
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 15
Feb. 13, 2026, Score: 80, Grade: B
Previous Inspection: Jan. 21, 2026, Score: 77, Grade: C

Papa John’s Pizza
1325 Powers Ferry Road
Feb. 13, 2026, Score, 100, Grade: A

Red Elephant Thai Cuisine
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 152
Feb. 16, 2026, Score: 81, Grade: B

Rise Coffee and Tea
4651 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 108
Feb. 18, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Schlotzky’s Deli
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite A-10
Feb. 17, 2026, Score: 83, Grade: B

Smoothie King
2022 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 120
Feb. 16, 2026, Score: 94, Grade: A

Three Dollar Cafe
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 132
Feb. 17, 2026, Score: 87, Grade: B

Wendy’s
3035 Canton Road
Feb. 13, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Wendy’s
1123 Roswell Road
Feb. 17, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Wheeler CircuitRunners Robotics advance to state competition

February 18, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Wheeler CircuitRunners Robotics advance to state competition

Submitted information and photos:

Two of Wheeler High School’s CircuitRunners Robotics teams, the FTC Team 1002 Surge and FTC Team 11347 Blackout, have officially qualified for the Georgia FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship, which will be held on February 21, 2026, at Riverside Preparatory Academy in Gainesville, GA.

This season, FTC 1002 earned 2nd Place Inspire Award and was part of the Winning Alliance, 1st Team Selected, while FTC 11347 earned the 1st Place Inspire Award. These awards reflect not just on-field success, but excellence in engineering, design, outreach, and leadership. Both teams are among the top FIRST Tech Challenge programs in Georgia this season.

CircuitRunners Robotics is a 23-year student-led STEM program that has built a sustainable pipeline for students in Marietta, reaching over 18,000 people this year through competitions, outreach, and mentorship. We are proud of our students’ achievements and the community impact they continue to create.

For more information on the CircuitRunners, click here.

Wheeler CircuitRunners Robotics advance to state competition

Send Us Your News!

East Cobb News wants to be your go-to source for events, recognitions and other information for citizens to share with the community.

It’s part of what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: [email protected], and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Kincaid ES principal retiring after 33-year education career

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Kincaid ES principal retiring after 33-year education career

The Cobb County School District announced last week that one of its longest-serving educators is retiring.

Debbie Tennyson, who is in her ninth year as principal of Kincaid Elementary School in East Cobb, will be retiring as of July 1.

Her retirement was announced Thursday at a Cobb Board of Education meeting following an executive session.

According to her Kincaid biography Tennyson hails from Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University.

She came to the Cobb school district in 1998 and she has been an elementary teacher, instructional lead teacher, technology integration specialist and an assistant principal.

Tennyson also earned a master’s degree and a specialist in education degree from Georgia State University.

East Cobb Middle School assistant principal Kevin Triebsch announced his retirement in January, also effective July 1. He has been the 7th grade assistant principal for four years and has been in the Cobb school district for 29 years.

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!

Cobb Police officer helps save newborn after roadside birth

February 17, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Police officer helps save newborn in roadside delivery — *The Preston family with their newborn child. Photos courtesy of Cobb Police.*

A Cobb Police officer responding to an emergency request for assistance last week ended up helping save a newborn baby in distress.

Officer William Desaussure was conducting an unrelated traffic stop on Thursday on Sandy Plains Road near Whitlock Road in East Cobb when he was approached by a driver asking for help.

The man told the officer his wife was in active labor and they weren’t going to make it to the hospital, according to a release Tuesday from Cobb Police.

https://eastcobbnews.com/sprayberry-hs-placed-on-lockdown-after-report-of-weapon/ — *Cobb Police Officer William Desaussure*

Desaussure reached the vehicle where a woman had already delivered the baby. But the infant was not breathing, and he began performing chest compressions, police said.

After several compressions, according to police, the baby began breathing.

Cobb Fire and Emergency Services were called to the scene and took the mother and child to a hospital for further care, according to police, who said “we are happy to report that both have since been released and are doing well.”

Police said the Prestons shared the above photo and “expressed their gratitude for Officer Desaussure’s actions.

“As first responders, officers never know when or where they may be called upon to act. On this day, Officer Desaussure was in the right place at the right time, and his quick response helped ensure this child entered the world safely.

“We extend our congratulations to the Preston family on the birth of their child and wish them continued health and happiness.”

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Kroger’s $23M Parkaire expansion to include fuel center

March 12, 2026February 17, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Kroger's $23M Parkaire expansion to include fuel center

Demolition work is getting underway for a major renovation and expansion of the Kroger store at the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center in East Cobb.

Kroger’s Atlanta Division said in a release on Tuesday that the store will grow from 59,000 square feet to 85,000 square feet and will include a fuel station in the parking lot.

That’s almost as big as the Kroger Superstore that opened on Powers Ferry Road in 2023 as the anchor for the MarketPlace Terrell Mill development.

Three vacant retail spaces will be converted for the Kroger project, including the former Tuesday Morning store next door, where the construction work is beginning.

Kroger said the project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2027 and that the store will remain open during the construction period.

The key features of the expansion include an expanded produce department and an enlarged deli counter, a full-service Murray’s cheese counter and the addition of a sushi culinary kiosk.

The Parkaire location is the only Kroger in East Cobb that currently doesn’t have a fuel center, and “a portion of existing surface parking will be removed to accommodate” the 12-pump gas station, the Kroger release said.

“We’re thrilled to see Kroger expand its presence at Parkaire Landing,” Eric Hines, director and Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regional lead of asset management at Jamestown, the retail center’s management company, said in the release.

“The store’s evolution aligns with our vision of creating a dynamic, one-stop destination, and we look forward to the benefits the new space will bring to the neighborhood.”

Kroger has been located at Parkaire Landing (4880 Lower Roswell Road at Johnson Ferry Road) since the 1970s.

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!

Local, gubernatorial candidates to visit East Cobb Democrats

February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Announced candidates for local elections in East Cobb as well as a candidate for Georgia governor will be visiting the February meeting of the East Cobb Democrats.

The meeting is Feb. 25 at Round Trip Brewing at Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1600). The featured guests include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor.

Chris Harden has announced as a Democratic candidate for the Georgia 11th Congressional District seat, and Micheal Garza is running for Post 4 on the Cobb Board of Education.

The event takes place at 7 p.m. and attendees must RSVP at this link.

Bottoms (campaign website) is in a crowded Democratic race to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Former State Sen. Jason Esteves, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former DeKalb County CEO and ex-Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond also are among the candidates vying in the May 19 primary.

In the 11th District Congressional race, Harden (campaign website) is an attorney in Cherokee County and is one of four Democrats who have announced. Republican incumbent GOP Congressman Barry Loudermilk is not seeking re-election.

Garza is an East Cobb resident who is seeking a seat on the Cobb school board currently held by Republican David Chastain.

Thus far they are the only announced candidates for Post 4, which includes the Kell, Lassiter and Sprayberry attendance zones.

Garza (campaign website) who ran for the District 46 Georgia House seat in 2024, has been a frequent critic of the Cobb County School District and the GOP leadership on the Cobb school board, which holds a 4-3 majority.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb restaurant update: Press Waffle closes at Avenue

February 17, 2026February 16, 2026 by Wendy Parker

East Cobb restaurant update: Press Waffle closes at Avenue

The Belgian-style concept Press Waffle Co. has closed at Avenue East Cobb, a little more than two years after opening in one of the retail center’s “jewel box” spaces.

Owners Keith and Niki Ginel announced the news on the restaurant’s Instagram page last week, saying that the the last day of service was Sunday.

No reason was given for the closure. The restaurant’s website is still functional and includes a menu and store hours.

“We are thankful to those of you who were a part of our Press Waffle community,” the Instagram message states. “It was an honor to receive so many prayer requests from our customers. We hope that our little restaurant served as a light and brought joy to East Cobb.”

East Cobb News has left a message with the Ginels seeking more information.

Press Waffle Co., which began as a food truck venture in St. Louis in 2016 and vaulted into fame via the television show “Shark Tank” had seven locations in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Colorado when the East Cobb venue opened.

Menu features included “customizable” handmade gourmet waffles and coffee and espresso items. With the East Cobb closure, there are only three Press Waffle locations remaining: in Oviedo, Fla., Houston and the original site in St. Louis.

Press Waffle is the third restaurant to close recently at Avenue East Cobb, following Tin Lizzy’s and Tin Pin Game Bar, which were part of a company reduction.

In November, Luga Italian Eatery opened in the former Drift space, and is being run in conjunction with the adjacent Giulia Italian Bakery.

The other jewel box occupant at Avenue is set to open soon. Tenku Sushi Elevation is hiring staff and has indicated on social media it will be opening soon, but has announced a date.

Like the original, in Woodstock, Tenku’s restaurant at Avenue features a variety of Japanese dishes that include nigiri and sashimi, signature rolls, robata grills, omakase, and flame-seared marinated octopus.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Real Estate: Wildwood townhouse sells for $530K

February 22, 2026February 16, 2026 by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Real Estate: Wildwood townhouse sells for $530K

This week’s featured home sale is a townhouse at the Riverstone at Wildwood, located in the Wheeler High School, East Cobb Middle School and Brumby Elementary School attendance zones.

It features 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, covering 3,510 square feet, and it sold for $530,000 on Feb. 3, 2026.

The townhouse opens to a three-story grand foyer leading to the main level, including a living area with a fireplace that opens to a large private deck.

The upper level includes a primary suite with lofty ceilings and natural light, a large walk-in closet, and an en-suite bath with dual vanities, a separate shower, and a soaking tub.

An additional bedroom can be used as a home office, and a lower level includes an extra family room with a bedroom and access to a private patio, a full bath, and ample storage.

The townhouse also has two-car garage with extra storage space and additional parking.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from Feb. 2-6, 2026 were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

1877 Falcon Wood Drive 30066 (Falcon Wood): $429,000

Lassiter

3480 Pebble Hill Drive, 30062 (Woodbine Station): $625,000

4545 Forest Peak Circle, 30066 (Highland Pointe): $900,000

2402 Woodbridge Drive, 30066 (Cambridge Forest): $675,000

4464 Windsor Oaks Drive, 30066 (Windsor Oaks): $735,000

Marietta

1511 Emerald Glen Drive, 30062 (Cameron Creek): $560,000

Pope

3461 Salem Trace, 30062 (Liberty Ridge): $549,000

2901 Davis Road, 30062: $375,000

Sprayberry

2260 Seatton Court, 30062 (Harper Woods): $615,000

2839 Pine Meadow Drive, 30066 (Pine Meadow): $380,000

358 Timber Way East, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $420,000

2846 Summit Ridge Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $406,000

2243 Rosemoore Walk, 30062 (Rosemoore at Harper Woods): $491,000

3150 Vickery Drive, 30066 (Vickery Park): $577,000

3909 Bellair Drive, 30066 (Philmont Estates): $625,000

1386 Valmont Trace, 30066 (St. Charles Square): $535,000

2800 Fernvalley Road, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $350,000

3216 Guynelle Drive, 30066 (Addison Heights): $393,000

Walton

2880 Octavia Circle, 30062 (Vestavia Estates): $2.063 million

2482 North Forest Drive, 30062 (North Forest): $655,000

1967 Rolling House Lane, 30068 (Timber Ridge): $757,000

2903 Ashebrooke Drive, 30068 (Ashebrooke): $842,550

5108 Nicolet Court, 30062 (North Forest): $659,000

Wheeler

2439 Little John Trail, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $325,000

1769 Millview Drive, 30062 (Barnes Mill Lake): $357,000

5882 Riverstone Circle, Unit 15, 30339 (Riverstone at Wildwood): $530,000

1507 Wynnes Ridge Circle, 30067 (Wynnes Ridge): $245,000

566 Lyle Drive, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $350,000

399 Old Canton Road, 30068 (Sope Creek Farms): $730,000

1564 Park Lane 30066: $395,000

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Bookmiser hosts ‘Southern Gothic’ author as reopening nears

February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Bookmiser hosts 'Southern Gothic' author as reopening nears

After being closed since late September due to a fire, the longstanding East Cobb independent bookstore Bookmiser is close to reopening.

That was the message this week from owner Annell Gerson in a message to store customers.

She said in an e-mail newsletter that the store at 3822 Roswell Road will reopen its doors “sometime during the week of February 21” but a specific date hasn’t been announced.

Gerson said that to celebrate the reopening, Bookmiser will have a book author session with Dick Harpootlian, a noted South Carolina attorney and political figure whose recently published book, “Dig Me A Grave,” recounts the life of a serial killer known as “The Redneck Charles Manson.”

The Bookmiser event with Harpootlian will be led by Adam Beam, an editor for the Politically Georgia newsletter published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 4-5:30 p.m. at Bookmiser, and is free to the public, but registration is requested.

In November, Bookmiser and other tenants at the Village East strip center had to vacate the premises for remediation after the fire broke out at Owl Repair, a computer repair store, adjacent to the bookstore.

Cobb Fire investigators said the bookstore sustained extensive soot and smoke damage, and Gerson held special sales before the closure and referred customers to online ordering options.

Most of the other businesses have reopened, including the Chopsticks China Bistro restaurant.

In her message this week, Gerson said that “nothing says ‘welcome back’ better than the story of a serial killer who seduced the South. Join us for some refreshments, an intriguing story, and an opportunity to see the new space.”

“Dig Me A Grave” examines the life, crimes, trial and execution of “Pee Wee” Gaskins, a serial rapist and killer who claimed to have murdered more than 100 people.

The book is being dubbed as “the definitive true ‘Southern Gothic’ account” of a charismatic lifelong criminal and “written by the prosecutor who brought him to justice.”

Gaskins was on South Carolina’s death row when he went on trial for killing another inmate. Harpootlian was the prosecutor in a case in which Gaskins received a second death sentence, resulting in his execution in 1991.

Harpootlian served as a state senator in South Carolina and also was the state Democratic Party chairman. As a defense attorney, he has represented Alex Murdaugh, a South Carolina lawyer convicted in 2021 of killing his wife and son. That conviction is being appealed.

Bookmiser is also partnering with the Cobb Library Foundation for a book author event with novelist Patti Callahan Henry at the North Cobb Regional Library on March 2 from 5-7:30 p.m.

Her most recent book is “The Story She Left Behind.” Attendees who purchase the ticket and book option will receive a signed/personalized copy of the book, a photo taken with the author, and preferential seating.

Details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyt-bestselling-author-patti-callahan-henry-in-discussion-wcolleen-oakley-tickets-1969357412033?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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!

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance seeks Adopt-a-Mile volunteers

February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information and photo:

The Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance (PFCA) is seeking community volunteers for its Adopt-A-Mile spring event on Saturday, March 28, from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, along Powers Ferry Road at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. PFCA hosts this event each spring and fall to invite individuals and groups to help improve the appearance of the community, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants.

Sign up: https://www.cognitoforms.com/PFCA3/PFCAsAdoptAMileDay

Learn more: https://powersferryca.com/adopt-a-mile-cleanup.html

Email: volunteer@powersferryca.com

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: [email protected], and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Kell

Lassiter

Marietta

Pope

Sprayberry

Walton

Wheeler

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Share this post:

Like this:

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Share this post:

Like this:

Send Us Your News!

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Kell

Lassiter

Marietta

Pope

Sprayberry

Walton

Wheeler

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this: