Cobb emergency crews prepare for impact of Hurricane Michael

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Cobb emergency crews, Hurricane Michael

Just a little while ago Cobb government public information officer Ross Cavitt sent out the following message and video here of crews working in the Vinings area, related to county preparations for what we might get via Hurricane Michael:

Cobb County’s Emergency Management Agency participated in National Weather Service and GEMA briefings this afternoon. We expect some gusty winds and up to two inches of rain in this area. Much of this will happen after dark tonight.

Cobb County Department of Transportation crews spent much of the day clearing clogged storm drains and preparing their tree clearing equipment in anticipation of work tonight.

Cobb County Emergency Management Director Cassie Mazloom says the tornado threat in the Cobb area is low but still worth monitoring. The biggest concern remains downed trees and power outages, especially since we’ve been in a fairly dry period.

Cobb is included in a hazardous weather outlook area issued this morning by the National Weather Service in Atlanta.

Just before the eye of the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane earlier this afternoon, wind gusts of nearly 150 mph were measured at Tydall AFB near Panama City Beach, Fla., according to news reports there.

Yesterday Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in 93 counties in central and south Georgia, which are expected to get a heavy brunt from Michael.

Today he expanded that area to 108 counties, many of which are now under a hurricane warning, according to the National Weather Service, with the threat of devastating amounts of heavy rain and hurricane-force winds, possibly in excess of 70 mph.

The storm is projected to sweep up  part of the Middle Atlantic coast before crossing into the Atlantic Ocean.

In the video, the interview is with Gary Pongetti, Cobb DOT Drainage Division Maintenance Supervisor.

Earlier this morning, the Cobb County School District sent out this message:

We continue to remain in contact with the National Weather Service and are monitoring the track of Hurricane Michael. Our Operations and Transportation teams are ready to get every student to school and back home safely for the rest of the week!

Cobb schools will be on a previously scheduled early release Thursday for a local school professional learning day.

High temperatures in Cobb are expected to cool, starting on Thursday, and not get out of the 70s for the rest of the week. Low temperatures are expected to drop into the 50s, with mostly sunny weather on the weekend after the chance of rain and showers on Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said today that the only stronger storm on record to reach so far north on the Gulf Coast was Hurricane Camille, a Category 5 storm in 1969 that slammed into the Mississippi coast, killing more than 200 people and reaching winds of more than 170 mph.

 

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East Cobb Jason’s Deli opening at Merchants Exchange on Oct. 22

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East Cobb Jason's Deli

An update to a story we posted back in May about the forthcoming East Cobb Jason’s Deli location: There is now an opening date.

Benny Marchuk, who’s the manager of the East Cobb location, called East Cobb News today to report that the first day of business will be on Oct. 22.

Opening hours will be from 10-10 seven days a week. The managing partner is Greg Felter.

He also sent the above photo of the outside of the building at the Merchants Festival Shopping Center (1401 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 334), and said there’s still some work being done to renovate the inside.

That’s quite a dramatic difference from the space that used to be Sage Social Kitchen and Houlihan’s.

Marchuk also said he’s in the process of hiring, and is accepting applications for the positions listed below on the flyer (here’s the link to apply online).

The Texas-based fast casual eatery chain operates 275 restaurants in 28 states, including 16 in Georgia and two in Cobb, near Cumberland and Town Center malls.

In addition to traditional deli-style menu options, Jason’s Deli also serves burgers, salads (and a salad bar), vegetarian dishes, soups, pasta entrees and a kid’s menu.

 

Related story

 

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Woman pleads guilty but mentally ill in Cobb crime spree that included death of pedestrian

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A woman who went on a crime spree that included the death of a pedestrian near Bells Ferry Road two years ago has been sentenced to prison.Kristie Renee Nesby, Cobb crime spree

The Cobb District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that Kristie Renee Nesby, 45, of Fresno, Texas, has been sentenced to 55 years in prison, with 20 to serve and the rest on parole.

She pleaded guilty but mentally ill last week to several felony charges, including killing Luci Turner, 71, who was struck by a car driven by Nesby.

Prosecutors said that incident came at the end what the DA’s office called a “bizarre” string of crimes by Nesby in May 2016.

Nesby, who was to go on trial next week, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to 10 charges, including homicide by vehicle, armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, hit and run, aggravated assault, and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Around 5 a.m. on May 11, 2016, they said Nesby robbed the owner of a Smyrna cleaning business, then hit another vehicle while speeding on Interstate 575. Prosecutors said Nesby fled the scene, drove the wrong way on an exit ramp and hit another car.

Shortly after 6 a.m., the DA’s office said Nesby was driving on Cobb Parkway near Bells Ferry Road when her car left the road and went on a sidewalk, hitting Turner, who was walking to her job at a nearby Burger King.

Turner, who had been a teacher and a volunteer at MUST Ministries, died of her injuries at WellStar Kennestone Hospital.

After that incident, prosecutors said Nesby hijacked a car driven by a female motorist on Bells Ferry Road and fled toward Interstate 75. She then hijacked a second car and robbed a woman of her cell phone, according to the DA’s office.

Prosecutors said that while driving to Atlanta Nesby called 911 and said she would take a hostage and kill the hostage and herself if police didn’t chase her with blue lights and stop her.

She crashed into several vehicles in Atlanta and tried to hijack another car before being arrested there, according to prosecutors, who said police found her in possession of two handguns.

Prosecutors said Nesby contended that among other things, a fast food employee put something in a soft drink she had ordered that caused her to hallucinate and commit the crimes.

The Cobb DA’s office enlisted the help of mental health experts who evaluated Nesby, and that prosecutors and Nesby’s attorney asked the court to find her mentally ill.

Cobb Superior Court Judge Stephen Schuster accepted Nesby’s plea before issuing the sentence, the Cobb DA’s office said.

Nesby, who has been in the Cobb County jail since her arrest, will receive credit for time served, according to the Cobb DA’s office, which said she also will receive mental health treatment in prison.

 

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East Cobb Halloween events: Pumpkin Patches, fairs, festivals and more

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East Cobb UMC Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patches are already open at a couple of East Cobb churches, and other faith communities and other arts and musical groups have Halloween-themed events through October.

Here’s a sampling of what we’ve got for this week, and if you have something to submit to our calendar listings, check the information at the bottom of this post:

Pumpkin Patches continue through Oct. 31 at Mt. Zion UMC (1770 Johnson Ferry Road) and St. Andrew UMC (3455 Canton Road).

Both churches will have weekend events to get into the mood of the season, which hasn’t felt much like fall, but cooler weather is expected later this week.

On Friday (11-6) and Saturday (10-4( is the 17th Fall into Crafts Marketplace at St. Andrew, an early and easy way to start holiday shopping while benefitting the church’s women’s mission projects.

On Saturday, Mt. Zion is having its Party in the Patch event from 10-2, and kids are invited to show up in their costumes for treats, games and a lunch for purchase.

On Sunday afternoon, treat your kids and the whole family to a Ghost and Goblins Concert that starts at 4 at the Lassiter Concert Hall (2601 Shallowford Road), featuring the sounds of the Georgia Philharmonic.

Other events during the month include Trunk or Treat events at several churches as well as Sprayberry High School, a fall festival at The Avenue East Cobb, a community fair at Paper Mill Road Baptist Church and a special haunted theater production at Pope High School.

Check our special Halloween listings for more things to do, this week and through the end of the month.

* * * * * * * *

We’re just getting started with the holiday season, leading into the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year events.

If you have events you’d like to share with the East Cobb community—holiday or not—we’ll be glad to post them. E-mail us at calendar@eastcobbnews and we’ll add them to our calendar listings. Feel free to send photos, flyers and of course contact information as East Cobb News aims to make our calendar listings the best around!

You can also send breaking news and news tips anytime—check out our submission guidelines for more information.

 

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East Cobb’s Casteel-Nix-Volin House added to Cobb County Register of Historic Places

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Casteel-Nix-Volin House, East Cobb farmer tenant house, Cobb County Register of Historic Places
The front of the Casteel-Nix-Volin House, which sits on 1.4 acres off Holly Springs Road near Sewell Mill Road. (Photos: Cobb Community Development Agency)

You can’t see it from Holly Springs Road, but a home tucked away in a rural setting near Sewell Mill Creek and close to a typical suburban subdivision is a relic from Cobb County’s distant past.

What was built as a tenant farmer house, and preserved close to that function by its many owners, has been added to the Cobb County Register of Historic Places.

It’s called the Casteel-Nix-Volin House, and local historical preservationists say it’s one of a handful of “saddlebag” homes still standing in Cobb County. Those were log-style homes with two rooms and a central chimney and were built starting from the late 1800s into the 1920s or so.

That’s when the Casteel-Nix-Volin House, which was part of a larger farmstead that dates back to the years before the Civil War, was built.

According to background material gathered by the Cobb Historic Preservation Commission, a portion of the original front porch was enclosed in the late 1930s to make up a bedroom, and the home has gradually been expanded to include 1,750 square feet.

Owners Curtis and Emily Volin applied for the designation, which was adopted last week by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

“This is a great example of our agricultural history in East Cobb,” said Dana Johnson, the director of the Cobb Community Development Agency.

(You can read more here about the home’s history, which was submitted as part of the application, and see more photos of the house and the property.)

“This is very rare, to have an historic home in this area,” said Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, before she and her colleagues voted 5-0 to add the Casteel-Nix-Volin House to the register.

Here’s what Emily Yewell Volin told East Cobb News:

“Our family fell in love with this home and the setting’s uniqueness in the area, at first sight and we are excited for this little piece of local history to always be preserved. The place seems to have attracted kindred spirits throughout its history. We are grateful to everyone who has cared for the home and setting before, but historic properties cannot rely solely upon goodwill to preserve their heritage. We are glad the Cobb Registry of Historic Places exists and that this property is now in its protection.”

She and her husband Curtis, a system divisions chief at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, are involved in FTC Team 4631 robotics team. She thanked Mandy Elliott of the Cobb Historic Preservation staff for guidance during the historic register process:

“She and the Cobb County Historic Preservation Committee were helpful with all the procedures and protocols needed for the Cobb Cobb County Community Development Agency to present our application to the Board of Commissioners for a vote. We are thankful for their service and guidance.”

The Volins’ application noted that by 1900, roughly half of all farmers in then-agricultural Cobb County were tenant farmers, rather than land owners. The homes they lived in, and especially those built in the saddlebag style, are almost extinct today:

“Today, in the suburban growth area of east Cobb County, historic structures in general have dwindled and it is yet more uncommon to find a representation of the tenant farming system that was once prevalent in the County. The loss of saddlebag houses in Cobb County also exemplifies the loss of Cobb County’s agricultural history. The 2007 Cobb County Historic Resources Survey identified nine saddlebag-type houses in the County. Two are known to have been demolished, leaving the Casteel-Nix-Volin House likely one of eight saddlebags left in Cobb County.”

Local history buffs will be interested to know that the original landholders, and those who purchased the property on which the Casteel-Nix-Volin House stands today, were involved in the Marietta Camp Ground, which dates back to 1837 and still remains on Roswell Road, the venue for the Marietta Campmeeting revival every summer.

So was the family of Cline Nix, another owner of the property, and who is buried along with some relatives at the cemetery located across the street, next to the East Cobb United Methodist Church.

Some members of the Casteel family are buried at the Holly Springs Cemetery, which is now surrounded by a new housing development further north on Holly Springs Road.

Parcels of the land and the home changed ownership hands several times over the years, with Curtis and Emily Volin buying it in 2013.

As noted above, there’s a lot more to this story of East Cobb history.

While there are tax incentives to property owners for having a structure included on the register, Johnson said “there is a benefit to preserving history and we hope to extend it around the county.”

 

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The Cook’s Warehouse closing East Cobb location at Merchant’s Walk

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The Cook's Warehouse

The following message was sent out last week by the management of The Cook’s Warehouse, which opened next to Whole Foods in the redeveloped Merchant’s Walk Shopping Center in 2011:

Dear East Cobb Community,

After over 7 wonderful years in the East Cobb community, we have made the difficult business decision to close our East Cobb location at Merchant’s Walk. We have thoroughly enjoyed giving you “Every Excuse to Cook” at this location, and we sincerely hope you will continue to shop with us at our Midtown or Peachtree Station locations, or online at www.cookswarehouse.com. We will be continuing to pursue opportunities for our next location as we continue to expand our business.

As we prepare to close in East Cobb, we hope you will visit for some once-only savings. Starting today, we are offering 10% off everything in the East Cobb Store only, excluding Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe Packages (which are already at incredible, deeper discounts at this time). The last scheduled class at East Cobb will be Italian Trattoria Date Night Hands On on November 17th. We hope you will consider joining one of our classes before then by visiting classes.cookswarehouse.com. We will be rescheduling some of our classes scheduled after that date at one of our other locations.

We look forward to being a continuing culinary resource for everyone in the East Cobb community and look forward to your continued business.

According to the Atlanta retail blog ToNeTo The Cook’s Warehouse owner Mary Moore also closed a store in downtown Decatur last year, and “plans to relocate both the Decatur and East Cobb locations when the ideal locations become available. “

 

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Pope, Lassiter softball to start state tournament play at home

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The Pope softball team, fresh off winning the Region 7AAAAAA tournament last week, gets to stay at home as the Georgia High School Association state tournament begins this week.

The Greyhounds will play host to Creekview, the defending state champion, on Wednesday in a doubleheader at 5 and 7 p.m. in a best-two-of-three series. A decisive game if necessary also would be at Pope at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Here is the Class 6A playoff bracket.

Pope blazed through the region with a perfect 14-0 record and is 23-3 for the season. That’s only the second time the Greyhounds have defeated region opponents without a blemish. The other time was in 2014, when Pope won its only state championship.

Here’s more on their remarkable region run, from the Pope Fastpitch site:

The 2018 undefeated region campaign was marked with 5 no hitters and 10 shutouts over the course of the 14 games. The 2018 Hounds held a 164 run differential over opponents in region games scoring 169 runs while only surrendering 5 runs over the 14 game span.

The Lassiter softball team won Region 4AAAAAAA and also gets to play host to a first-round series against Peachtree Ridge on Wednesday, also in a doubleheader. The Trojans are 21-4 overall and went 13-2 in the region.

Here’s the Class 7A bracket.

 

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Cobb school board candidates event slated for Mt. Bethel ES

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After last week’s last-minute cancellation of a Cobb school board candidates forum, the Mt. Bethel Elementary School PTA has sent word that it has organized an event with the Post 6 competitors on Tuesday.Charisse Davis

That will be held from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the media center of Mt. Bethel ES (1210 Johnson Ferry Road).

The candidates are Scott Sweeney, a Republican incumbent from East Cobb who is completing his second term in office, and Democrat Charisse Davis, a first-time candidate from the Smyrna-Vinings area.

More about them, including links to their campaign websites, in a previous post here. Scott Sweeney, Cobb school calendars

The Wheeler PTSA event that was to have taken place Thursday was called off due to a previously scheduled orchestral concert at East Cobb Middle School. Thursday also was Wheeler’s homecoming parade.

Post 6 includes all of the Walton and Wheeler high school attendance zones as well as some of the Campbell area.

The Mt. Bethel ES PTA is calling this a “meet and greet” event and not a formal forum. Light refreshments will be provided.

 

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Kavanaugh confirmed to U.S. Supreme Court as Isakson, Perdue vote ‘aye’

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Kavanaugh confirmed

The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 Saturday to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, as Georgia’s Senators voted, as expected, with the Republican majority.

Sen. David Perdue issued this statement afterward:

I just voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. This has proven to be a very tumultuous time in Washington. Despite the partisan attempts to assassinate Judge Kavanaugh’s character, I’m encouraged that the U.S. Senate acted decisively about the future of America’s highest court.

The presumption of innocence is still a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy. The Senate’s Constitutional role is to offer advice and consent, and this is something I take seriously.

There is no doubt in my mind that Judge Kavanaugh is going to do exactly what he said he’d do in his testimony: “Preserve the Constitution of the United States and the American rule of law.” Judge Kavanaugh has served America well for 12 years on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and I’m confident he will continued to do so on the United States Supreme Court.

Sen. Johnny Isakson of East Cobb did not speak from the Senate floor or comment after the vote, but issued this statement on Thursday about his intention to vote for Kavanaugh.

Neither Georgia senator is up for re-election this year. Republicans currently have a 51-49 majority.

Outgoing Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said this after the vote Saturday:

Brett Kavanaugh is one of our nation’s finest legal minds and he will serve on the U.S. Supreme Court with distinction.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana was absent and did not vote Saturday, giving away his daughter at her wedding. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a Republican swing vote, opposed Kavanaugh’s nomination and voted present as a courtesy to Daines.

Kavanaugh, the subject of intense Senate and national debate after allegations of sexual misconduct were made public, was confirmed in the closest vote since Clarence Thomas in 1991.

That confirmation also followed dramatic hearings about alleged sexual harassment from Anita Hill. The Georgia-born Thomas is now the longest-serving justice on the court.

Kavanaugh, who succeeds retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, was sworn in late Saturday afternoon by Chief Justice John Roberts.

 

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East Cobb youth Ninja Warriors set to compete in cable TV series

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East Cobb youth Ninja Warriors

Thanks to Kent Walker for the information about and photos of five East Cobb youth Ninja Warriors, including one of his own, who will be appearing next weekend on the first episode of the “American Ninja Warriors Junior” series on the Universal Kids cable outlet.

Kent says the five kids work out at Ninja Quest on Canton Road, and were among 6,000 applicants to make the initial cut.

Three are in the 13-14 age group, and two others in the 11-12 age group. They are Vance Walker and Luke Milman, who both attend Simpson Middle School. Ethan Bartnicki goes to Walton High School, and Brooks Bieber and Tate Allen are home-schooled.

Kent tells us that “A couple of them went really far in the competition. I can’t tell the exact outcome. There will be 20 episodes as the competition narrows down to one winner in each of 3 age groups.”

In other words, you’ve got to stay tuned. That debut episode is Saturday at 7 p.m.

Here’s more about the series from Universal Kids:East Cobb Youth Ninja Warriors 2

Gold Medal Winning Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez will co-host American Ninja Warrior Junior with Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila on Universal Kids, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s network for kids 2-12. This next generation of American Ninja Warrior marks the first time some of the show’s biggest fans can become part of this five-time Emmy nominated worldwide phenomenon. 

American Ninja Warrior Junior celebrates real kids taking on the iconic course with dedication and skill. Nearly 200 boy and girl Junior Ninjas from across the U.S. will face off on the same Head to Head courses in three age brackets: 9 & 10, 11 & 12, and 13 & 14 year olds. The courses will feature iconic Ninja Warrior obstacles, including Sonic Swing, Tic Toc, Spin Cycle, and the Warped Wall. Each age bracket will be mentored by All Star Ninja Mentors – Kevin Bull, Drew Drechsel, Natalie Duran, Meagan Martin, Najee Richardson, and Barclay Stockett. Three final winners (one per age bracket) will be crowned the first ever American Ninja Warrior Junior Champions.

“At Universal Kids, we see kids as they see themselves and want to share their stories,” said Deirdre Brennan, General Manager Universal Kids. “American Ninja Warrior Junior celebrates a kid-centric movement that everyone can be a part of and enjoy together. It will encourage and inspire all kids to push their limits and not shy away from challenges.”

“Over the last number of years, we have received an outpouring of letters and videos asking when is there going to be a Ninja show for kids? Well, the time is now! People are going to be amazed at how talented and dedicated these young ninjas are,” said Arthur Smith, CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions and Executive Producer of the ‘American Ninja Warrior’ franchise. “They’re remarkable, and to know that they’ve been inspired by our show is immensely gratifying.”

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Cobb Elections seeking poll workers for Nov. 6 general election date

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From Cobb County Government:

Cobb Elections needs additional poll workers, especially in the East Cobb area, to work the election on Nov. 6. Please apply now.

A poll worker must be a U.S. Citizen, Cobb County resident, at least 16 years old, able to read, write, and speak English, and not have any felony conviction in the last 10 years. Poll workers attend at least one training class before working at the poll.

Workers must arrive at 6 a.m. on Election Day and stay until approximately one hour after polls close at 7 p.m.

You must provide your own transportation to your scheduled class and to the poll on Election Day.

To obtain information regarding pay rates or to complete an application, please download a brochure at www.cobbelections.org/pdf/PollWorkerBrochure.pdf

Related story

 

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Cobb Police respond to Holly Springs Road suspicious person questions

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In the wake of arrests made earlier this week in an attempted child abduction incident off Bells Ferry Road, some social media chatter centered on an individual spotted in some East Cobb neighborhoods, in particular around Holly Springs Road and the vicinity of Pope High School.Cobb Police, Holly Springs Road suspicious person

Cobb Police Lt. Nathan McCreary, who heads up criminal investigations for Precinct 4, has issued the following response to those citizens’ concerns:

The Cobb County Police Department is aware of the information that has been making rounds on social media platforms regarding a suspicious male in a black Nissan Maxima in the East Cobb area, specifically Holly Springs Road. Investigators have identified and spoken to the involved individual who was cooperative with the investigation. At this time, we have found no evidence of criminal activity associated with the vehicle or its driver.

We want to thank the citizens for their vigilance and encourage everyone to call 911 if they see a suspicious person or vehicles. Do not hesitate to use the emergency line to report any and all suspicious activity.

 

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Lassiter back stadium parking lot closing due to gym construction

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Starting on Sunday, the Lassiter back stadium parking lot will be closed because of the start of construction for a new primary gymnasium.New Lassiter High School gym, Lassiter back stadium parking lot

Students were notified Thursday of the closure, which will affect more than student parking.

That lot is where student dropoffs and pickups also have taken place.

School officials said in their notice Thursday that all car riders must now be dropped off and picked up in front of the school.

Carpooling vehicles should “expect heavy delays” and those students being dropped off in the morning should allow for extra time to be on time for the start of the school day at 8:20 a.m.

As for student drivers, here’s more information that’s been shared about that:

  • Only park with decal;
  • Do not park in neighborhoods or area businesses;
  • Plan on heavy traffic delays. Leave at least 30 minutes earlier in the morning;
  • Only seniors should be parking in the school lots. All juniors must park at Harrison Park with a decal;
  • Any cars without decals may be ticketed and/or towed.

Construction updates are being provided on the Lassiter homepage.

The new gym, whose funding was approved last month by the Cobb Board of Education, is expected to be completed by next November.

The $15.66 million facility will include a capacity for 3,000 and will meet other specifications for new gyms in Cobb, similar to those recently opened at Pope and underway at Walton.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Oktoberfest; St. Ann turns 40; Lassiter Band recycling; and more

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Holy Trinity Oktoberfest, East Cobb weekend events

The first weekend of October feels all too summery, with high temperatures expected to remain at least in the high 80s into early next week. In the mean time, the fall spirit is in the air with these East Cobb Weekend Events from our calendar listings:

The 10th anniversary of Oktoberfest is Saturday from 10-4:30 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2922 Sandy Plains Road), with the usual festive lineup of food, drink, oompah-music, crafts, games, a horse shoe contest and a petting zoo. Admission is $5 for adults (or 6 food cans) and $2 for children (or 2 cans) and food/drink tickets are extra; cans will be donated for MUST Ministries. Additional free parking is at Addison ES or the adjacent post office after 1 p.m.;

Right up the road, and shortly after Oktoberfest is over, is the Transfiguration Catholic Fall Fair, from 5-8 on the church grounds (1815 Blackwell Road). Food, games, crafts and other activities can be enjoyed by the whole family; event tickets are $1 each;

Another big church event takes place on Sunday, as the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road) is holding a 40th anniversary festival from 1:30-4:30;

One more church-related item, also on Saturday: Bring your pets from 10-10:45 a.m. to St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road), for a free Blessing of the Animals that’s becoming a parish tradition. Please keep animals leashed or caged as appropriate;

All kinds of high school football continues on Friday, in particular the all-East Cobb showdown between Lassiter and Walton, as well as Wheeler’s homecoming vs. Newnan, and home games for Kell vs. Villa Rica and Sprayberry vs. Osborne. All kickoff times, including Pope’s road game at Johns Creek, are at 7:30;

On Saturday, the Lassiter Bands Recycling Day is from 9-4 as they continue fundraising for its Tournament of Roses trip in January. Come to the front parking lot of the school (2601 Shallowford Road) and bring items from the following approved list. Cost is $10 per vehicle;

Not on the calendar, but starting on Sunday: Regular Sunday opening hours at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), from 1-5, as part of expanded Sunday hours at selected Cobb branches.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Mountain View Regional Library Sunday hours set to begin

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Mountain View Regional Library

As part of the recent Cobb County budget, Sunday hours for selected library branches are expanding. Those hours begin this Sunday, including at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road).

The hours are from 1-5 each Sunday. Since the recession, only the main Switzer branch in downtown Marietta has been open on Sunday, and only during the school year.

The expanded Sunday hours also are at the South Cobb Regional Library and at the Kemp branch in West Cobb until Nov. 11. That’s when the West Cobb Regional Library is slated to open after being closed earlier this week for renovations.

The other library branches in East Cobb—East Cobb, Sewell Mill and Gritters—are still closed on Sundays.

Before the budget process began, county library officials listed proposed cuts that would have reduced the system’s operating budget by nearly $3 million, or a quarter of its fiscal year 2018 $12 million allocation.

Included in the proposed budget-cutting was the closure of the East Cobb Library and other branches, which galvanized citizens to start a drive called Save Cobb Libraries.

That group, led by East Cobb resident Rachel Slomovitz, was vocal at budget hearings throughout the summer.

In July, commissioners voted to raise the property tax millage rate by 1.7 mills for a $454 million fiscal year budget, with East Cobb commissioners Bob Ott and JoAnn Birrell in opposition to the size of the hike.

 

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Isakson to vote for Brett Kavanaugh confirmation to U.S. Supreme Court

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This just in from the office of Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican from East Cobb who has not said much publicly about the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process for the U.S. Supreme Court:

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, CHIP reathorization
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

“The Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley, did a remarkable job conducting the confirmation process to consider the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

After reviewing the proceedings, including more than 30 hours of testimony from Judge Kavanaugh, and reviewing all witness testimony along with the rest of the record that has been presented throughout the course of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process, I will support his nomination.

“Any judge on the nation’s highest court should be one who understands and applies the law based on the U.S. Constitution, and I have confidence that Judge Kavanaugh will fulfill these duties accordingly. I’ve based my decision on the totality of the information provided during the confirmation process.

Judge Kavanaugh is a talented and experienced jurist, and I am confident he will bring a strong commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law to the Supreme Court. I look forward to voting to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve as associate justice on the Supreme Court.”

Republican Sen. David Perdue, Georgia’s junior senator, has been a a vocal supporter of Kavanaugh and on Wednesday issued some harsh words from the Senate floor about his Democratic colleagues who have opposed the nomination, accusing them of inciting extremism.

“This is America, but these are the tactics of the brownshirts in Germany in the 1930s,” Perdue said.

Perdue has been confronted by anti-Kavanaugh protestors in recent days, including some who cornered him in a restroom at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

On Thursday, senators were viewing a supplemental report compiled the FBI to look into accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh when he was a teenager, and that formed the basis of a tense hearing last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A Senate vote on confirmation has been scheduled for Saturday. Republicans hold a 51-49 edge in the Senate.

 

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Sen. Isakson notes new legislation, bills signed into law

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Press release:

There’s been a lot in the news recently, but last week, Senator Isakson introduced new legislation and even had some of his previously introduced bills pass the Senate or U.S. House and head to the president’s desk! Here’s what you may have missed:

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, CHIP reathorization
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 – Last Tuesday, Sept. 25, the Senate unanimously passed Senator Isakson’s bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. Peace Corps. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. More information about the bill here.

The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2018 – Also last Tuesday, Sept. 25, the Senate passed Senator Isakson’s bipartisan legislation to increase veterans’ disability benefits from the VA. This bill would increase the rates of VA disability compensation, dependency compensation for surviving children and spouses, as well as the clothing allowance for veterans, based on rising costs of living. The bill heads to the president’s desk this week to be signed into law. More information about the bill here.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2018 – Last Friday, Sept. 28, President Trump signed into law Senator Isakson’s bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans continue to have access to critical programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation continues many important programs, including veterans homelessness prevention, adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans, and workforce training for injured service members. More information about the bill here.

The Scarlett’s Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act – Last Thursday, Sept. 27, Senator Isakson introduced critical bipartisan and bicameral legislation to combat Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood and strengthen existing efforts to understand these tragedies and improve prevention efforts. The bill would supply grants to help states, municipalities and nonprofits improve data collection and death scene investigations related to unexpected infant and child deaths, promote safe sleep practices, and ensure death reviews for every infant and child fatality. More information about the bill here.

The Global Food Security Reauthorization Act – Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Senator Isakson’s bipartisan legislation to extend the life-saving food security programs managed under the Feed the Future Initiative for another five years. This legislation previously passed the Senate in June and is headed to the president’s desk to be signed into law. More information about the bill here.

The Preserving America’s Battlefields Act – Last week, Senator Isakson introduced the Preserving America’s Battlefields Act to ensure our nation’s living memorials honoring those who fought for our freedoms are protected for current and future generations. This bipartisan legislation would provide for the restoration of battlefield sites across the country, including the one in Chickamauga, Ga., helping transform them into historic tourism destinations. More information about the bill here.

 

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Cobb Marching Band Exhibition kicks off next week

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Walton band, Cobb marching band exhibition

All county high schools will be represented at the Cobb Marching Band Exhibition, starting next Monday, Oct. 8, and continuing the following Monday, Oct. 15.

The performances will all be at Walter Cantrell Stadium McEachern High School (2400 New Macland Road, Powder Springs), and will start at 7 p.m. each time.

On Oct. 8, the East Cobb schools that will perform are from Pope, Kell and Lassiter High Schools.

On Oct. 15, the Sprayberry, Walton and Wheeler bands will be in action.

In addition, bands from Kennesaw State University and Auburn University will perform.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

The event is organized by the Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools. For information, contact Stacy Levy, CCSD Fine Arts Assistant or Chris Ferrell, Supervisor of Instrumental Music at (770) 426-3404.

 

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East Cobb food scores: Righteous Que; Tin Lizzy’s; Ege Sushi; Egg Harbor; and more

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Righteous Que, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb restaurant scores from Sept. 17-Oct. 3 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:

Dodgen Middle School 
1725 Bill Murdock Road
October 1, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Domino’s Pizza 
2146 Roswell Road, Suite 100
September 24, 2018 Score: 95, Grade: A

East Cobb Fit Nutrition Club
2135 Roswell Road, Suite 130
October 2, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Ege Sushi & Japanese Cuisine 
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 3100
September 24, 2018 Score: 83, Grade: B

Egg Harbor Cafe
4719 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 210
October 3, 2018 Score: 99, Grade: A

J.J. Daniell Middle School 
2950 Scott Drive
September 17, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Liberty Pizza 
1275 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 130
September 17, 2018 Score: 85, Grade: B

Moon Wings & Hibachi 
3012 Canton Road
September 26, 2018 Score: 81, Grade: B

New China House 
1050 East Piedmont Road, Suite 132
October 1, 2018 Score: 98, Grade: A

Parc at Piedmont 
999 Hood Road
September 28, 2018 Score: 92, Grade: A

Planet Smoothie 
2014 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 350
September 20, 2018 Score: 78, Grade: C

Righteous Que 
1050 East Piedmont Road, Suite 146
October 2, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Shadowood Cafe 
2110 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 120
September 19, 2018 Score: 90, Grade: A

Sope Creek Elementary School 
3320 Paper Mill Road
September 18, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Starbucks at Kroger East Lake
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 300A
September 24, 2018 Score: 96, Grade: A

Subway 
2610 Delk Road
October 2, 2018 Score: 83, Grade: B

Subway 
2200 Roswell Road Suite 110
October 2, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A
September 27, 2018 Score: 91, Grade: A

Subway 
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 301
September 19, 2018 Score: 67, Grade: U
September 21, 2018 Score: 95, Grade: A

Timber Ridge Elementary School
5000 Timber Ridge Road
September 17, 2018 Score: 100, Grade: A

Tin Lizzy’s/Beni Cubana 
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 110
September 27, 2018 Score: 96, Grade: A

Waffle House 
1176 Roswell Road
October 1, 2018 Score: 84, Grade: B

Wendy’s
1312 Johnson Ferry Road
September 25, 2018 Score: 82, Grade: B

Wheeler High School 
375 Holt Road
September 18, 2018 Score: 97, Grade: A

Wing Factory 
1475 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 106
September 26, 2018 Score: 70, Grade: C

 

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Update: Cobb school board candidates forum at East Cobb MS cancelled

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Following up a story we posted last week about the Post 6 Cobb school board candidates forum at East Cobb Middle School, that was scheduled for Thursday:

It’s been called off.Cobb school board candidates forum

No reason has been given by the Wheeler PTSA, which had organized the event.

The candidates are Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney, who told us yesterday he’d been notified via text message, and Democratic challenger Charisse Davis, who’s been informing her supporters of the cancellation as well.

Sweeney also told us there is no other scheduled event for the candidates in that race before the Nov. 6 election.

Post 6 includes the Walton, Wheeler and part of the Campbell attendance zones.

On Thursday the League of Women Voters of Marietta/Cobb is holding a candidates forum for District 3 Cobb Commission candidates and those running for state senate, including District 32 in East Cobb.

 

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