East Cobb News

Leading COVID-19 metrics continue fall in Cobb; deaths lag

February 16, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb COVID metrics fall — *PCR test positivity rates continue to fall in Cobb County; for more **visit the Georgia DPH Daily Status Report**.*

Many of the key COVID-19 metrics that have been on the decline in Cobb County over the last two weeks or so continue falling, although death rates are continuing to lag those figures.

We’ve been noting in particular the steep drop in case rates, generally in the county, and reported by the Cobb County School District (which is on winter break this week).

Other numbers that have been receding including community spread, hospitalizations and test positivity rates.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, there were 160 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cobb County, according to the “date of report” category. There were also 12 more deaths reported on Tuesday in the same category, continuing a trend of double-figure death reports over the last month.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, there have been 53,826 cases in Cobb County and 791s death, per Cobb and Douglas Public Health.

On Monday Dr. Janet Memark, director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health, offered a snapshot update of those and other indicators in the two-county region.

The community spread figures continue to move down, with Tuesday’s 14-day moving average of 322 cases per 100,000 people, a drop of more than 100 from the end of last week.

After surging past 1,000 cases per 100,000 in early January, that number is now close to returning to what it was in October, when Cobb school district students were returning to campuses.

A two-week average of 100 cases per 100,000 is considered “high” community spread.

Hospitalization numbers also are doing down, with the Cobb and Douglas region falling to around 92 percent of general inpatient beds in use, after hovering near full capacity.

Also trending in a more positive direction is the COVID-19 test positivity rate. After peaking at around 20 percent in January, that figure in Cobb County is was at 8.9 percent on Tuesday, The seven-day moving average is 6.9, the closest is had been to the ideal 5 percent range since late November.

But vaccine distribution in Cobb remains very limited. Cobb and Douglas Public Health is in th second week of halting new appointments at Jim Miller Park as it honors previously booked appointments and second doses.

On Tuesday, no vaccines were distributed due to the cold weather, but those with appointments were to be notified about rescheduling.

For more Cobb COVID information, click here.

Golden K Kiwanis Club honors student with Silver Pen Award

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Golden K Kiwanis Silver Pen Award

Submitted information and photo:

The Silver Pen Award is presented by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K to an elementary school student in Cobb County for completing and submitting a creative writing response to a writing prompt. The 2020 Silver Pen winner is Jeremiah Perry from Rocky Mount Elementary School with the Cobb County School District in Marietta, GA. Jeremiah won the award last year when he was a 4th grader, but the pandemic delayed the recognition ceremony until February 2021.

As explained by Jim Perry, Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K (no relation to the winner), “The Silver Pen Award is designed to encourage creative writing.” Students read the beginning of an interesting short story, create an engaging end to the story, then submit it to their 4th grade teacher for review. Each homeroom teacher selects the top three entries from the class and the Assistant Principal chooses one finalist from each class. The four finalists are given “a numbered score” by former educators who are now members of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K. All the stories are submitted without names throughout the selection process, so the judges do not know which student wrote the story.

Jeremiah received the following special gifts: A Kiwanis Club Pen, a Silver Pen, twenty one-dollar coins, and an engraved plaque from the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K recognizing Jeremiah for his writing accomplishment.

Jim Perry spoke for all present (at the socially-distanced, outside awards ceremony on February 10, 2021) when he told Jeremiah, “We hope you will take that writing skill and put it to use throughout your life, because our whole purpose is to encourage good writers to be better writers. You did well.” Assistant Principal Dr. Sage Doolittle added, “Rocky Mount is so proud of Jeremiah! We are thrilled that he has embraced a love for creative writing and that writing passion will serve him well in the future.”

Pictured above representing the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K are: Jim Perry (Past President), Jim Farley (Past Kiwanis District 15 Lt. Governor), Aimee Mendel (President-elect), Margy Rogers (President), and Gene Schumacher (Committee Co-chair). Also pictured are: Dr. Sage Doolittle (Assistant Principal at Rocky Mount Elementary); Shani Childress (Jeremiah’s Teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary) and Marika Perry (Jeremiah’s mother). Not pictured is John Kone (Club Vice President).

East Cobb Weather Alert: Black ice advisory issued for Tuesday

February 15, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb black ice advisory

The National Weather Service has issued an advisory about the chance of black ice into Tuesday morning in much of north Georgia as temperatures are headed below freezing following rain on Monday.

Temperatures in metro Atlanta and Cobb County could dip into the low 20s Monday night, and highs on Tuesday are expected only to be in the mid-30s, according to the NWS in Atlanta.

Cobb County Government issued a statement late Monday afternoon saying all of its offices will open Tuesday on a delayed basis, starting at 10 a.m.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners zoning hearing will start at 10:30 a.m. instead of the usual 9 a.m. time.

The Cobb and Douglas Public Health drive-up vaccine service at Jim Miller Park will be closed Tuesday, as that’s an outdoor set-up.

The statement also said that Cobb DOT road crews will arrive early and inspect the roads, treating any ice areas, and pre-treating bridges.

The Cobb County School District and most private schools in the East Cobb area are on winter break this week. Annual CCSD staffers will be working remotely Tuesday, according to a message the school district issued late Monday afternoon.

The message said that employees whose jobs require them to be on-site will be contacted by their supervisor.

The chance of rain Monday night is 100 percent, with between a quarter and a half inch possible in some areas.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies, but it will be cold, and low temperatures Tuesday night also will be in the mid-20s.

The weather will get warmer as the week goes on, into the 50s by Thursday, but also with rain and subfreezing temperatures in the forecast Thursday night.

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 Commission Chairwoman to issue state of the county addresses

February 15, 2021February 15, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

On Monday, March 8, Chairwoman Lisa Cupid will hold two events to share our 2021 State of the County address:

State of the County address at Cobb ChamberDuring the Cobb Chamber’s Marquee Monday luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy, Cupid will discuss how Cobb continues to provide outstanding customer service despite the challenges of a global pandemic, address community concerns, support the business community and maintain fiscal stability. She will also highlight the county’s biggest successes and milestones from 2020, as well as our goals for 2021 to continue moving Cobb forward. Registration is open now through March 3 for those attending in person. To attend virtually, register for the event by selecting the virtual attendance option. For more information, or to register, click here.
State of the County community eventCupid will also host a State of the County address for the community on the evening of Monday, March 8. This will be an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about progress and goals in our community and to ask questions. Due to socially-distanced protocols, the event will be open to a small number of interested attendees who will be randomly selected. If you would like to attend in person or know someone who would, please email the names to [email protected]. Everyone is also invited to attend the address virtually. More information will be shared soon about this event.

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!

Wellstar honors ‘Vital Valentines’ employees for pandemic care

February 13, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Wellstar Vital Valentines

Submitted information and photos:

Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, is celebrating team members as “Vital Valentines” for providing extraordinary and compassionate care during the pandemic. The systemwide appreciation campaign honors all team members with special customized and heartfelt messages of support from Wellstar leaders.

When: From Feb. 10 to Feb. 14, Wellstar will distribute appreciation notes to all team members, including Valentine’s Day cards and candy hearts with customized Wellstar messages. Employees will also have the opportunity to share and acknowledge co-workers with notecards or recognize a team member by making an online donation to the Employee Assistance Fund in the honoree’s name.

Wellstar has launched a systemwide appreciation campaign to honor all team members as “Vital Valentines.”

Community Participation: Wellstar also encourages the public to join in celebrating Wellstar team members by following Wellstar social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. The community is invited to share photos, words of encouragement, and other appreciation items on social media by using the hashtag #vitalvalentines. Also, we’ve partnered with the Wellstar Foundation for anyone who would like to make a donation honoring a Wellstar physician, caregiver or team member by visiting www.wellstar.org/wccg. 100% of the donation will support the Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which offers emergency financial support to our healthcare workers and team members who experience unforeseen catastrophic events.

Wellstar Vital Valentines

Cobb schools COVID-19 case rates drop to pre-holiday figures

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021 by Wendy Parker

As the COVID-19 case rates have declined dramatically in Cobb County, they also have gone down significantly in the Cobb County School District.

The district’s weekly COVID update on Friday reported 232 newly confirmed cases of the virus among students and staff. That’s the lowest single-week tally since there were 106 new cases the week of Nov. 20, right before the Thanksgiving holiday.

For the first time in many weeks, any schools that reporting cases have 10 or fewer, even in high schools, which have had occasional double-digit numbers over the last few months.

The schools in East Cobb with the highest number of cases this week are Addison Elementary School and Walton High School, with 7 each.

Since July 1, there have been 3,731 cumulative COVID cases reported in the Cobb school district, which doesn’t break down numbers among staff and students.

High schools have the most total cases, led by 98 at Walton and North Cobb.

Since students returned for a phased reopening of in-person classes in October, weekly case rates climbed steadily, to 470 the week of Jan. 15, after the start of the spring semester.

The following week, all classes were held online, and two Cobb teachers who had been hospitalized with COVID died, including Cynthia Lindsey, a paraprofessional at Sedalia Park Elementary School.

This week’s figures were a steep drop from the 331 reported last week, which had been the lowest since mid-December.

COVID cases in Cobb have been falling since February. This week there have been 829 cases reported according to date of report, with only Thursday having more than 200 cases.

According to date of symptom figures, there have been 337 cases in Cobb, as some of those daily numbers are falling below triple digits for the first time since late October.

Earlier this week Dr. Janet Memark of Cobb and Douglas Public Health was encouraged by those figures, as well as community spread numbers that show a declining 14-day average of 371 cases per 100,000 people. That number had been above 1,000 per 100,000 last month.

Public health officials said 100 cases per 100,000 is considered “high” community spread.

They also say anything below a 5 percent test positivity rate is ideal. In Cobb that metric also has been falling, to a current 7-day moving average of around 9 percent. That number had been 17.8 percent on Jan. 1.

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale urged students, parents and staff to take precautions during the winter break week next week to continue to reduce the spread of the virus.

Cobb NAACP Black History Month events continue

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021 by Wendy Parker

From the Cobb NAACP, information on its Black History Month events, virtual and in-person, including a Profiles in Black and General Membership meeting on Feb. 23 at The Strand Theatre in Marietta:

Cobb NAACP Black History month events

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 schools to seek SPLOST extension referendum in November

February 13, 2021February 12, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Eastvalley ES parents — *A portable classroom at Eastvalley ES, which is slated for a replacement facility in the current Cobb Ed-SPLOST V collection period.*

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Thursday he will be seeking an extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax with a referendum in November.

What would be Cobb Ed-SPLOST VI would begin in 2024 and for five years would continue to collect a one-percent sales tax for school facility, maintenance and technology expenses.

Local legislation will be required this year to call for a referendum, which would take place in a light election year.

Ragsdale said a project list, called a “notebook,” and details about the process throughout this year will be coming soon.

That process includes public hearings about the project list. A total estimated cost of the five-year collection period, which would also raise funds for similar needs for Marietta City Schools, is to be announced.

At a Cobb school board work session Thursday, Ragsdale said there will be an even higher emphasis on technology, given the expanded remote learning options the Cobb school district has been providing this year due to COVID-19, and that figures to continue on a long-term basis.

“The pandemic has brought a new focus on technology,” he said.

That may include what Ragsdale calls a “one-to-one” initiative for devices, which Cobb students have received since the end of the last school year for remote learning.

The current SPLOST V collection period began in January 2019. The major facility projects include a new campus for Osborne High School and a rebuild of Eastvalley Elementary School in East Cobb.

An architect was hired last February to design the new Eastvalley campus, which will be relocated to the former site of East Cobb Middle School on Holt Road. A construction timeline has not been announced.

The process of developing a SPLOST notebook—with public as well as staff and school board input—will take place throughout the rest of the year, leading up to a referendum.

“No other district creates a notebook like we do,” Ragsdale said. “It’s about prioritizing needs.”

The current $797 million SPLOST V was passed in March 2017. This year, the only elections in Cobb County are in its six municipalities.

“This District could not survive without Ed-SPLOST because that is what allows us to build the school buildings, school improvements, athletic fields, and technology our students and staff need,” a Cobb schools spokeswoman said in a statement to East Cobb News.

East Cobb Food Scores: Stockyard; Tin Lizzy’s; Capozzi’s; more

February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Stoclyard Burgers, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Feb. 8-12 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Capozzi’s Restaurant
4285 Roswell Road
February 11, 2021 Score: 95, Grade: A

Jamaican Dutch Pot Restaurant
2555 Delk Road, Suite A-11
February 9, 2021 Score: 83, Grade: B

McDonald’s
2782 Sandy Plains Road
February 12, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Stockyard Burgers and Bones
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1700
February 8, 2021 Score: 95, Grade: A

Smitty’s Lockdown BBQ
2900 Canton Road
February 11, 2021 Score: 88, Grade: B

Tin Lizzy’s Cantina
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1510
February 8, 2021 Score: 93, Grade: A

Wing Cafe & Tap House
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 170
February 10, 2021 Score: 99, Grade: A

Lovesac furniture retailer opens at The Avenue East Cobb

February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Lovesac Opens Avenue East Cobb

Submitted information and photo:

Lovesac, maker of The World’s Most Adaptable Couch and The World’s Most Comfortable Seat is opening its 2nd Georgia showroom this weekend at The Avenue East Cobb.

Known for high end retail, The Avenue East Cobb is excited to welcome this specialty furniture retailer to their outdoor lifestyle centers and feel Lovesac is the perfect addition to their already diverse tenant mix including Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Lululemon, Sephora and Banana Republic.

About Lovesac – Lovesac is committed to providing comfort and peace of mind that you can’t get with other furniture. We believe a product should be built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as your needs change. This heightened sense of utility enables a new way of living – where you can continue to invest in, expand, and evolve your furniture instead of adding it to the landfill. This reduced stress frees you to live the life you love.

The Avenue East Cobb showroom opens Friday, February 12 from 10 am – 7 pm with a 25% off President’s Day Sale. Showroom capacity will be limited to ensure safe social distancing or you can schedule an appointment or learn more about their reopening plan at Lovesac.com/showroom-reopen.

Divided Cobb school board extends superintendent’s contract

February 11, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb school superintendent honored

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale received a new contract extension Thursday night.

But the vote wasn’t unanimous as it has been in the past.

After an executive session and by a 4-3 party-line vote, the Cobb Board of Education approved the extension for Ragsdale, taking his contract into 2024.

A year ago, Ragsdale got a 7-0 vote to extend his contract and a salary increase to $350,000 a year.

On Thursday, the four votes in support of an extension were from the board’s Republican members—David Banks and David Chastain of East Cobb, Randy Scamihorn of North Cobb and Brad Wheeler of West Cobb.

The three Democratic members of the board—Charisse Davis of East Cobb and Smyrna, Jaha Howard of Smyrna and Tre’ Hutchins of South Cobb—voted against.

Board members didn’t discuss the extension before voting. Since they were elected two years ago, Davis and Howard have taken issue with Ragsdale on several issues, including equity matters and the district’s response to COVID-19.

In December, they opposed his recommendation to spend $12 million for special UV disinfecting lights hand sanitizers and other COVID-related safety equipment, saying that was a lot of money to spend from the district’s reserve funding for measures they said were proven.

Last month, Howard was blocked from asking Ragsdale about the district’s COVID response, which wasn’t on the board’s agenda despite the deaths of three teachers from the virus since Christmas.

Hutchins just began his tenure on the board, being elected in November to succeed three-term Democratic member David Morgan, who did not seek re-election.

Ragsdale, named Cobb superintendent in 2015 after serving as deputy superintendent and in other capacities, initially received a three-year contract, the maximum under state law. Since then he has received extensions without objections.

After the vote Thursday, Ragsdale thanked the board and said he looked forward to continue working “as one team.”

In a release issued by the district, board chairman Randy Scamihorn said that “as a Board, we are grateful to have a Superintendent and staff who provide steady, consistent leadership at the helm of one of the largest districts in the country. The common-sense approach to the challenges we face, along with consistently making decisions that prioritize our students and staff, makes our entire county better.”

The release cited improved test scores, improvements to teacher and staff salaries and technology initiatives to accommodate remote learning and enhance school security.

Cobb schools to offer virtual learning option for 2021-22

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb K-5 reopening plans — *A demonstration of a virtual student completing classwork in real-time from home. Source: CCSD*

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Thursday a virtual learning option will be offered in the Cobb County School District for the 2021-22 school year.

He made the announcement at the Cobb Board of Education work session Thursday afternoon, and said revisions to the current remote and in-person options are being revised.

“That is emphatic and definite,” Ragsdale said of continuing a virtual option.

He said hopes to have the modifications finalized by the end of the current school year in May.

He did not elaborate on what those changes may entail, except to say that “we are learning from mistakes” and “seeing the impacts” a dual learning system has had on students and teachers.

“We recognize the extreme level of difficulty for all team members this school year,” Ragsdale said.

While students have had a choice of how to learn, teachers have been required to teach from their classrooms, and to teach their in-person and remote students simultaneously.

That has led to complaints from teachers for instructional and health reasons. Following the COVID-related deaths of three Cobb school teachers since Christmas, some have renewed calls to allow teachers with health issues to work from home.

Ragsdale didn’t specify those matters in his remarks at the school board work session.

More than two-thirds of Cobb’s more than 107,000 students opted for in-person learning for the spring semester, a higher figure than slightly more than 50 percent in the fall.

But while Ragsdale said he is hopeful that COVID “will be in the rear view mirror” someday, that time is not now.

“I don’t know if the virtual option is not here to stay,” he said. “Some students excel in that environment.”

Parents of Cobb school district students have until the end of February to change their child’s learning option for the rest of the current school year.

Cobb traffic update: I-75 NB reopens after multi-vehicle crash

February 12, 2021February 11, 2021 by Wendy Parker

I-75 closed Cobb multi-vehicle crash

UPDATED:

The interstate reopened Thursday shortly before 7 p.m.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb Police said Thursday afternoon that Interstate 75 northbound in Cobb County will be closed below Chastain Road for several more hours after a fatal multi-vehicle crash.

Police sent out a social media message around 1:30 p.m. Thursday that the northbound lanes of the interstate will be “likely shut down for another 6+ hours” as they continue to investigate the crash and clear the scene.

The northbound express lanes also are closed.

There’s been at least one fatality and more than a dozen vehicles were involved in the crash, which took place late Thursday morning on the interstate between Barrett Parkway and Chastain Road, including a tractor-trailer that caught fire.

Traffic backups on I-75 north are already below Roswell Road. The photo above is a Georgia DOT screengrab of northbound traffic at the South Marietta Parkway shortly after 2 p.m.

Alternative routes include Cobb Parkway and I-575.

This post will be updated.

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 COVID case rates, community spread continue to fall

February 10, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb COVID cases continue fall — *Source: Georgia DPH. You can view more data its its daily COVID status report **by clicking here**.*

For the third day in a row, newly reported cases of COVID-19 in Cobb County numbered less than 200, as case rates and the county’s rate of community spread of the virus continue to fall.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported Tuesday that there were 114 new cases in Cobb, according to the “date of report” category, following 142 and 143 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Wednesday’s total was the lowest date of report figure in Cobb since late November. The seven-day moving average of 190 also is the lowest in the county since early December.

The Georgia DPH reports cases and deaths two ways: By the dates cases and deaths are reported to the health agency, and the date of symptoms, or onset, and date of death.

The date of onset/date of death numbers also are going down, but high numbers of deaths in Cobb continue to lag.

There have been 15 deaths in Cobb via date of report since Monday, including 11 on Tuesday. But dates inside a 14-day window are likely to be revised.

On Jan. 26, the last day before current window, nine deaths took place in Cobb, a single-day high. Eight deaths occurred on two other recent days, Dec. 25 and Jan. 16.

Final January date of death figures in Cobb are not in; 137 deaths were reported by date of report statistics, which sometimes include deaths that took place in previous months.

Since the pandemic began last March, 754 people have died of COVID in Cobb County, and there have been 52,798 cases.

You can look through detailed Cobb County COVID data, include cases and deaths by age, race and ZIP codes, by clicking here.

Dr. Janet Memark, director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health, said in an update Tuesday to the Cobb Board of Commissioners that deaths typically lag cases and hospitalizations, which are also starting to go down.

She didn’t give specific numbers, but was also encouraged by a reduction in the level of community spread in Cobb County.

As the winter spike reached its peak, Cobb had a 14-day average of more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people. “High community spread” is a two-week average of 100 per 100,000, and Cobb has been under that total only briefly, for a few days in the fall, since last summer.

But as of Wednesday, Cobb’s community spread figure is at 415, both the result of the PCR tests and rapid antigen tests.

“We were more than double these rates just a few weeks ago,” Memark said.

But the availability of vaccines for the general public remains limited. Cobb and Douglas Health has not been booking new appointments for the last two weeks, and is using its supplies for those who previously had appointments.

On Monday, Memark said the agency distributed only 668 vaccines at Jim Miller Park. You can hear her full remarks on the video below. She did not indicate whether new vaccine appointments would be opening for next week, saying Cobb and Douglas Public Health may not get a significant increase in supplies until March or April.

Cobb and Douglas Public Health had been releasing appointments each Friday at 5 p.m. You can check that status and get more information about vaccine distribution by clicking here.

Cobb Animal Shelter undergoing cleaning after strep zoo tests

February 12, 2021February 10, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb animal shelter closes

The Cobb Animal Shelter will resume previously scheduled appointments for adoptions and surrenders as early as Friday after closing over the weekend due after two dogs were tested for strep zoo.

The county issued a statement Wednesday saying that the two dogs tested negative for strep zoo, which is a bacterial infection that is contagious for animals.

The shelter, located on Al Bishop Drive in Marietta, will undergo a deep cleaning followed by a phased reopening. Staffers will be contacting those people who had appointments canceled when the shelter closed to rearrange their visits.

Due to COVID protocols, appointments are necessary for people wanting to adopt pets from the shelter, or to turn them in. You can call 770-499-4136 for more information and to book an appointment, or visit the shelter’s website.

This is the second time in four months the Cobb Animal Shelter closed because of strep zoo cases in dogs, including the death of one animal. Two years ago, two dogs died at the shelter after strep zoo outbreak.

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 Fire conducting training structure burn on Pete Shaw Road

February 10, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Fire Training burn

Cobb County government is sending out word that you might see some smoke and fire this afternoon along a stretch of Sandy Plains Road.

There’s no need to be worried, because the Cobb Fire and Emergency Services Department is conducting what’s called an “acquired structure burn” for training purposes Wednesday at an empty homesite on Pete Shaw Road.

That’s scheduled to go on until 6 p.m. at 3100 Pete Shaw Road, near the intersection of Sandy Plains Road and Wigley Road.

According to the Cobb Tax Assessor’s office, the two-story brick home was built in 1976.

Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission issues COVID fraud alert

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission COVID fraud alert

The Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission is getting out the word about COVID-19 fraud, and offers suggestions and resources to help you prevent from becoming a victim:

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams.

Be on the lookout for antibody testing fraud schemes. Never share your personal or health information to anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals. Learn more about what to avoid.

Be cautious of unsolicited healthcare fraud schemes of testing and treatment through emails, phone calls, or in person. The U.S. have medical professionals and scientist working hard to find a cure, approved treatment, and vaccine for COVID-19. Learn more about what to avoid

Be wary of unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees. Remember IRS first form of communications is by mail – not by phone. Learn more about fraudulent schemes related to IRS

Be aware of unemployment insurance fraud and learn the steps to take if you suspect criminals have exploited your identity. Learn more about unemployment insurance fraud.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide. Stay alert and stay informed about common fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Find out more about types of scams.
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

Cobb commissioners eliminate redevelopment zoning category

February 9, 2021 by Wendy Parker

Sprayberry Crossing virtual town hall

A zoning category that’s being requested for the proposed Sprayberry Crossing redevelopment in East Cobb was dropped from the Cobb County Code by commissioners on Tuesday.

In making code amendment changes, commissioners eliminated the ROD-1 category (Redevelopment Overlay District), although it won’t affect the status of the Sprayberry Crossing application.

That remains pending, and is scheduled to be heard in March after several continuances. The change to drop ROD-1 is effective immediately, so new new applications will be taken.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of District 3, which includes the Sprayberry Crossing area, said “I feel like [the zoning category] is not needed” and that anyone seeking to redevelop properties on the county’s designated redevelopment list could apply for other zoning categories.

Atlantic Residential, an Atlanta-based apartment developer, has proposed converting the run-down shopping center at Sandy Plains Road and East Piedmont Road into a mixed-use development with apartments, townhomes, senior living, a grocery store, other retail and community space.

That application was first filed last fall, and has been revised several times, including a new site plan in January that eliminates green space (see below).

The latest site plan calls for 125 apartments, 125 senior living apartments, 44 townhomes, 36,000 square feet of retail and 8,000 square feet of office space. Most of the retail space would be for a grocery store.

The apartment numbers have been reduced from nearly 200 and the story height has come down from five to three.

Sprayberry Crossing rendering 1.21 — *To see a larger view, **click here**.*

This is the first zoning case brought under ROD-1, which was created in 2005 and is designed to spur redevelopment of blighted properties.

Sprayberry Crossing has long been included on a redevelopment list approved by commissioners.

ROD-1 projects are “site plan specific,” meaning that there aren’t minimum lot sizes, setbacks and buffers that are required in most rezoning cases.

At least 10 percent of the housing units in an ROD-1 project must be set aside for residents making no more than 80 percent of an area’s average median income.

Sprayberry Crossing still has a few businesses open, but is largely empty, and nearby residents have been organizing for years for its redevelopment.

But other residents have been opposed to Atlantic Residential’s plans, some for traffic reasons but many because of the apartments.

Some have also asserted that the ROD-1 provisions don’t allow for apartments at all.

The commissioners’ vote to scrap ROD-1 was 5-0. Birrell asked that the code change be made effective immediately instead of March 1, as had been in the code.

“There could be something filed between then and now,” she said.

Cobb libraries to provide tax forms but no AARP assistance

February 8, 2021 by Wendy Parker

We’ve been asked by some readers about the status of tax filing assistance that’s been provided by the AARP at Cobb libraries for the last few years, and today got some answers.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Cobb County Public Library System announced Monday that those AARP Tax-Aide sessions will not be taking place.

Retired accountants had been on hand at various branches to help citizens with their tax filings, but some of those sessions last year were cancelled when the pandemic began.

The library system said in a release late Monday afternoon that 1040 federal 2020 tax forms will be provided as long as supplies last.

But like everything else you do with the libraries for the moment, you’ll have to order those materials in advance for curbside pickup.

The branches have been closed to patrons since December due to rising COVID case rates, but checked-out materials have been available on weekdays

Those pickup hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact your specific library branch to order tax forms.

Here’s more from the library system’s release:

“Curbside service for library items reserved in advance is offered at all CCPL locations except the Switzer Library in downtown Marietta as the facility is under renovation and the Sweetwater Valley and Lewis A. Ray libraries.

“Cobb libraries will also offer limited free printing of federal and state forms when contacted in advance by phone and given the form number or name. This service will not include instruction books. Library staff is unable to answer tax questions or provide advice about which forms to use.

“Residents are encouraged to review tax-filing information at irs.gov and dor.georgia.gov for details that apply to individual circumstances, including virtual resources for tax-filing assistance. Tax season has been delayed as the IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue announced 2020 tax filings will be accepted beginning on February 12, a few weeks later than normal tax-filing schedules.”

Related coverage

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 Tavern closes temporarily due to ownership change

February 13, 2021February 8, 2021 by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Tavern

Last week East Cobb Tavern said it was closing temporarily, but initially a reason wasn’t given.

That led to some speculation of a COVID-related closure, but the restaurant located in the Shallowford Corners Shopping Center said on its social media channels it’s because there’s an ownership change in the works.

The messages didn’t say when the restaurant will reopen. We left a message seeking more information and were told that there’s nothing definite yet.

After customers left well-wishing messages on the restaurant’s Facebook page, owner Sean McCall responded that he was hopeful the tavern’s general manager and kitchen manager would purchase the business.

“They’re great operators but Covid hurt us,” McCall said. “My wife and I are proud of the space but we can’t sustain anymore losses.”

East Cobb Tavern opened in Jan. 2020 after replacing Keegan’s Irish Pub, with a revamped menu that included items beyond traditional pub fare.

The tavern also had become the venue for dedicated sports team followers, including Notre Dame football.

The expanded tavern concept got a new addition in East Cobb in August with the opening of McCray’s Tavern at Parkaire Landing.

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related Content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related stories

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related coverage

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this:

Related content

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Share this post:

Like this: