East Cobb resident named to Forbes wealth advisors list

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Submitted information and photo:East Cobb resident named Forbes wealth advisors list

Local Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Financial Advisor Benny Varzi was recently named to the 2023 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list.

Benny lives in East Cobb and attended Kennesaw State University. He is a Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager with the Varzi Group and this is the fifth consecutive year he has been named to this list.

Since the beginning of his financial services career in 1981, Benny’s area of emphasis has been portfolio management. His focus has been on the implementation of investment policy statements, asset allocation recommendations and portfolio construction/security selection.  Benny holds the designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) and taught in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Kennesaw State University and has Certifications of Portfolio Management from The Babson School of Executive Education in Boston, DePaul University in Chicago and The University of Chicago Booths School of Business.

In his spare time Benny serves on the Alliance Theatre of The Woodruff Art Center and previously served on The Board of Trustees of the Atlanta International School. Benny and his wife, Roxanne, have two children, Leila and Sofia. His hobbies include skiing, mountain biking and traveling.

Merrill holds the No. 1 position for all firms, with 1,820 total advisors recognized on the published list. Additionally, Merrill has 23 advisors recognized as No. 1 in their state. This was the sixth consecutive year Merrill has ranked No. 1.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, May 8-12, 2023

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Dover Crossing, East Cobb real estate sales
Dover Crossing

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales between May 8-12, 2023, were compiled from agency reports:

May 8

1425 Vada Drive, 300658 (Bells Landing, Wheeler): $390,000

2258 Roosemoore Walk, 30062 (Rosemoore at Harper Woods, Sprayberry): $552,000

11 Elan Court, 30068 (Elan, Wheeler): $820,000

210 Pinehurst Lane, 30068 (Heritage Woods, Wheeler): $410,000

4152 Shoshone Valley Road, 30068 (Seven Springs, Walton): $452,000

3129 Bryant Lane, 30066 (Sprayberry): $385,000

4038 Middle Drive, 30066 (Greenland, Kell): $662,571

1851 Thomas Drive, 30066 (Lakewood Colony, Kell): $490,000

4253 Chestnut Walk, 30066 (Cambridge Forest, Lassiter): $649,000

2158 Heritage Trace Lane, 30062 (Heritage Trace, Walton): $505,000

May 9

310 Pine Valley Road, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club, Walton): $899,000

53 Old Farm Road, 30068 (Pioneer Woods, Wheeler): $491,000

1897 Meadowood Drive, 30062 (Canton Hills, Pope): $400,000

3606 Downing Street, 30066 (Churchill Falls, Lassiter): $499,999

May 10

3072 Alberta Drive, 30062 (Holly Springs, Sprayberry): $325,000

3182 Rangers Gate Drive, 30062 (Pine Springs, Pope): $452,600

2609 Dering Gate, 30066 (Dover Crossing, Lassiter): $721,000

2643 Forest Way, 30066 (Forest Chase, Lassiter): $410,000

1262 Colony Drive, 30068 (Lake Colony, Walton): $505,000

May 11

3182 Powers Ford, 30067 (Old Paper Mill, Wheeler): $900,000

2650 Club Valley Drive, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates, Wheeler): $605,000

1754 Tulip Tree Court, 30066 (North Ridge, Sprayberry): $500,000

944 Kentwood Drive, 30068 (Cobblestone Manor, Walton): $1.16 million

174 Old Farm Road, 30068 (Weatherstone, Wheeler): $615,000

2695 Indian Lake Drive, 30062 (Indian Springs, Walton): $473,000

3170 Moss Creek Drive, 30062 (Chestnut Creek, Pope): $595,000

188 Kathryn Lane, 30066 (Brookhaven, Sprayberry): $380,000

3466 Chastain Glen Lane, 30066 (Chastain Glen, Sprayberry): $430,000

2480 Jamerson Road, 30066 (Lassiter): $599,999

525 Gramercy Drive, 30068 (River Park at Hampton Farms, Walton): $1.970 million

509 Gardenia Lane, 30068 (The Gardens at Parkaire, Walton): $362,000

816 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (The Villas at Parkaire, Walton): $249,000

4917 Gaskin Walk, 30068 (Camden Place, Walton): $915,500

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The Avenue East Cobb update: Summer events; redevelopment

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The Avenue redevelopment continues

The summer schedule of special events at The Avenue East Cobb will be getting underway next week as redevelopment continues.

Above is an aerial photo taken for the retail center, which has set a general timetable for completion by this summer.

Marketing manager Madison Murphey told East Cobb News there’s no more specific estimate for unveiling the new look, which will include two “jewel box” buildings with restaurant and retail space and a public plaza.

The project got underway in December, and in February, North American Properties, which manages The Avenue, announced some new restaurants: Press Waffle Co. will occupy one of the jewel boxes, and Peach State Pizza is coming to the former Stockyard Burgers space.

Murphey said there are no updates about those projects, as well as the upcoming opening of Barnes and Noble at the former Bed Bath and Beyond location. A summertime opening was announced and renovations are underway.

As for the summer “signature events,” they include family-friendly comedy the first Monday of the month, kids’ activities the last Tuesday of the month, fitness events every Wednesday and live music every Friday.

A weekly cornhole league and cooking classes at the Olea Oliva! store are continuing.

Details and the full schedule can be found by clicking here.

The Avenue East Cobb construction update

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U.S. Rep. McCormick endorses DeSantis in presidential race

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U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, whose 6th District includes part of East Cobb, is one of a handful of members of Congress to support Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in his campaign for president.U.S. Rep. McCormick endorses DeSantis

DeSantis, who recently won re-election by nearly 20 points, announced his candidacy this week for the Republican nomination, and McCormick issued a video (see below) calling him “a bold conservative” who can not only defeat Democratic President Joe Biden, but “grow our party.”

In the two-minute video, McCormick—who is serving his first term in a district that also includes North Fulton and Forsyth and Dawson counties—didn’t reference former President Donald Trump, who’s holding big leads in polling among GOP candidates.

McCormick blamed what he called “Joe Biden’s failed leadership” on issues such as immigration, crime and energy.

“We need a warrior to do whatever it takes to champion conservative values and safeguard the next generation,” McCormick said in the video, adding that DeSantis is “battle-tested and ready to be our next president. He’s bold and has a vision for our future.”

In the Republican congressional primary last year, McCormick defeated Jake Evans, whom Trump had endorsed.

Among Trump’s Congressional endorsers is Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose district includes part of South Cobb.

GOP Congressman Barry Loudermilk, whose 11th District also includes part of East Cobb, has supported Trump in the past but thus far hasn’t announced his preference for 2024.

Georgia figures to be a battleground state again in the 2024 presidential election. Biden was declared the winner in 2020 by less than 12,000 votes, but Trump has disputed those results ever since.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s office has been investigating whether Trump and his campaign broke the law in trying to overturn the Georgia results, and there could be indictments.

The dispute has roiled Georgia Republicans, as Trump attacked Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, fellow Republicans who have upheld said the 2020 election results in the state.

Both are bypassing the state Republican Party convention next month in Columbus, but Trump has said he will attend.

McCormick also published an end0rsement of DeSantis in The Hill, a Washington political publication, saying the Florida governor, who has touted a strong conservative legislative agenda and whose pugnacious style includes an extended battle with the Walt Disney Co. on cultural issues, “will fight and will win.”

McCormick said DeSantis’ strengths include “stopping the left’s woke agenda, spurring economic growth, and keeping us safe.”

He also said it’s important to back a candidate “who can fight and win against the radical left and their allies in the media. Who can earn victory in Georgia. Who can beat Joe Biden.

“Most of all, this election is not about the past,” McCormick said, with the video showing DeSantis, 44, his wife and three young children. “It’s about the future. Who can lift us up, who can inspire the nation, who can lead us forward.”

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Cobb high school Habitat coalition dedicates 26th home

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Cobb high school Habitat coalition dedicates 26th home

Students from the Habitat clubs of the Cobb County High School Coalition recently completed their 26th home in the Marietta area, and on May 20 celebrated the dedication with the family.

The students are from Campbell, Hillgrove, Pope, and Walton high schools, and the resident is Laurelle, a mother of two children who is a paraprofessional at Birney Elementary School.

A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, she applied for Habitat consideration through her son’s therapist. Soon, she will be closing on a home with a zero interest mortage, according to Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta.

“Every year, it is amazing to see busy high school students give up their Saturdays for nine weeks to build this house,” NW Metro Atlanta Habitat CEO Jessica Gill said. “The students are led by great teachers who help them raise the funds for the project all year and build alongside them and the homeowner each Saturday.”

Cindy Cassanova, Habitat Club sponsor from Pope High School, said “they not only get to be a part of building a home for a family, but they also get to do it with peers from other area schools.

“Seeing the family and crew all dressed up and celebrating a new home that will be loved and lived in for years…well that is what it is all about.”

Cobb high school Habitat coalition dedicates 26th home

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Cobb Food Scores: Truist Park; Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen; more

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The Battery Atlanta, World Series Security

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

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
2830 Windy Hill Road
May 24, 2023 Score: 91, Grade: A

Perks Coffee and Nom Station
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 176
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Ph’east—Fan’Tasia 
925 Battery Ave., Suite 1100, Space 4
May 22, 2023 Score: 87, Grade: B

Piu Bello
2014 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 450
May 24, 2023 Score: 90, Grade: A

Truist Park—3rd Base Dugout Lounge
755 Battery Ave.
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Truist Park—Chick-Fil-A
755 Battery Ave.
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Truist Park—Food Trailer
755 Battery Ave.
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Truist Park—H & F Burger
755 Battery Ave.
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

Truist Park—Terrapin Taproom Concourse Bar
755 Battery Ave.
May 25, 2023 Score: 100, Grade: A

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Suspects captured after Bentley-Windy Hill Road vehicle chase

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suspect arrested Windy Hill Road vehicle chase
The chase ended at the Pappadeaux restaurant (blue star) after beginning along Bentley Road (upper right corner). OpenStreetMap

UPDATED, MAY 27:

Cobb Police said on Saturday that all three suspects have been captured.

Public Information Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release that the other two suspects were taken into custody at the Country Hearth Inn and Suites (2767 Windy Hill Road) after conducting surveillance.

Wilson said that police obtained a search warrant and asked the suspects to come out, but they declined. He said that the Cobb Police Violent Crime Bureau was called to the scene, and “with their assistance, officers were able to get the two suspects into custody.”

Wilson said all three suspects were listed as runaway juveniles and were not identified.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb Police said Friday that they have captured one person and two other suspects are at-large after a vehicle chase along in the Bentley Road-Windy Hill Road area earlier this morning.

A Precinct 3 press release said that around 4 a.m. Friday, a Flock license-plate reader alerted officers to a stolen vehicle in the Bentley Road area, and that the vehicle matched the description given by Marietta Police of being involved in several car break-ins in the vicinity.

Cobb Police said an officer spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop but the driver got away.

The driver “operated the vehicle recklessly” as officers pursued, according to police, and the vehicle continued to the Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (2830 Windy Hill Road).

Police said the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed, and three suspects fled on foot.

Police said a K9 unit found one of the suspects hiding in a bush near the Belmont Place apartments and made an arrest. Meanwhile, other officers pursued the other suspects, but they got away, Cobb Police said.

One of suspects jumped a bridge rail and ran down a hill, with an officer deploying a Taser. But that didn’t work, and the suspect continued to flee. The officer sustained cuts to his right hand, a bruise to left thigh, and had a swollen left foot, and was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment, police said.

Police said they recovered three guns at the scene where the vehicle was ditched, with two confirmed as having been stolen, but K9 units were unable to locate the two other suspects.

The Precinct 3 release didn’t describe the vehicle or identify the suspects.

There’s no booking information available at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

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Cobb won’t retry Justin Ross Harris in son’s ‘hot car’ death

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Justin Ross Harris conviction overturned
Justin Ross Harris is serving a 12-year-sentence for exchanging sexually explicit messages with minor girls.

Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady said Thursday his office will not retry a man sentenced to serve life in prison in the “hot car” death of his son in 2014 but whose conviction was overturned last year.

In a 6-3 vote last June, the Supreme Court of Georgia overturned the conviction against Justin Ross Harris, whose 22-month-old son Cooper died of hypothermia being left all day at his father’s workplace in Vinings in a vehicle that was nearly nearly 100 degrees inside.

The high court ruled that evidence presented by prosecutors at Harris’ trial about his extramarital activities and sexually lewd activities and communications with girls and women was prejudicial and should have been separated from the murder indictment.

Harris continues to serve a 12-year sentence in the Georgia prison system for criminal attempt to commit sexual exploitation of a minor and distributing harmful materials to minors.

But Broady said in a release Thursday that his office is closing the murder case on Harris after a nearly year-long review, concluding that “crucial motive evidence that was admitted at the first trial in 2016 is no longer available to the State due to the majority decision of the Supreme Court.”

Broady said he disagrees with the Supreme Court ruling, which was also based on now-retired Cobb Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark’s denial of objections by Harris’ attorneys to introduce that evidence, and that she didn’t give “limiting” instructions to the jury.

Staley Clark, who retired last May, right before the Supreme Court ruling, also denied a motion by Harris’ attorney last year for a new murder trial.

The Cobb DA’s office—then led by Vic Reynolds, now a Cobb Superior Court judge—prosecuted the case in Glynn County, on the Georgia coast, due to pretrial publicity, claiming that Harris’ motive was to kill his son to get out of his marriage.

Harris, who was 33 at the time of his son’s death, was a web developer working for Home Depot.

On the morning of June 18, 2014, he was to have dropped off his son at Home Depot’s day care center before going to his office. Father and son had eaten breakfast at Chick-fil-A, but Harris was late for work, and left the boy inside his Hyundai Tucson, prosecutors said at the trial.

According to trial evidence, while Cooper remained inside a hot vehicle, Harris was at work in his office, where he sent lewd messages to women.

The evidence showed that Harris returned to his car after 4 p.m., and found Cooper unconscious in a car seat in the back of the SUV with the windows rolled up.

According to trial records, Harris removed the boy from the SUV and placed him on the pavement, and, according to witnesses, yelled “What have I done?”

Even though Harris said he simply forgot about his son in the vehicle, a jury found him guilty of murder and sentenced him to life without parole.

A dissenting Supreme Court opinion argued last year that there was “no abuse of the court trial’s discretion” in deciding that severing the cases against Harris was unnecessary, and that introducing evidence about his sexual desires was not improper.

“Although we disagree with the outcome of the majority opinion and agree with the reasoning set forth by the dissenting justices, we are bound by the majority’s decision,” Broady said Thursday.

He thanked law enforcement and prosecutors “who worked tirelessly for years to obtain justice for Cooper. Cooper will always be remembered by this Office and those who fought for him.”

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Friends for the East Cobb Park group to organize garden club

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East Cobb Park garden club

The Friends for the East Cobb Park, an all-volunteer organization that supports activities at Cobb PARKS facility (3322 Roswell Road), is organizing a garden club.

An organizational meeting has been scheduled for next Saturday, June 3, at 10 a.m. at the gazebo overlooking the park, next to the maintenance shed, and accessible at the back of the upper parking lot.

They’re looking for volunteers to get the effort started with an eye toward a number of a variety of projects, including creating garden areas, pollinator gardens, trail beautification, community gardens, removing invasive plant species and other related activities.

The Friends for the East Cobb Park sponsors concerts, the Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park celebration and  purchases playground equipment. The group also held a cleanup day at the park recently along the banks of Sewell Mill Creek.

“We need people,” Friends president Kurt von Borries said in reference to the garden club. “The goal is to beautify the park even more than it already is.”

For more information and to sign up for the garden club, e-mail: info@eastcobbpark.org  or visit its website.

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Opening of new Eastvalley ES campus delayed until fall

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New Eastvalley ES opening delayed

Last Saturday a final walkthrough was scheduled at the longstanding Eastvalley Elementary School main building on Lower Roswell Road.

It was a chance for students, parents and staff to bid farewell to an aging building after more than 60 years of use.

Furniture, books and other items had all been packed up, ready to be moved to the new campus across from Wheeler High School on Holt Road.

But construction delays mean that those items will remain where they are for the time being.

The new campus won’t be ready when the 2023-24 school year begins Aug. 1.

The Cobb County School District told East Cobb News that the issue is supply chain issues, but a spokesperson wasn’t more specific. Here’s the statement we received:

“We are told that our new building should be completed around Fall break. We know this timing is not ideal, but the construction team assures us that every step is being taken to complete the project as soon as possible. Until then teaching and learning will continue in our current building.”

The fall break in the Cobb school district is the week of Sept. 25-29.

The $36.7 million Eastvalley rebuild began in the spring of 2022 and will contain 136,110 square feet and 61 classrooms, with an expected capacity of around 960 K-5 students.

The present campus has been overcrowded for years, with more than 700 students crammed into a main classroom building designed for 400. A dozen trailers have been in use but have generated parental complaints.

New Eastvalley ES opening delayed

New Eastvalley ES opening delayed

New Eastvalley ES opening delayed

New Eastvalley ES opening delayed

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Rocky Mount, Tritt ES students named Silver Pen Award winners

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Golden K 2023 Silver Pen Awards
L to R: Dr. Cheri Vaniman, Principal Rocky Mount ES; Peter Munk (dad); Karen Munk (mom); Aimee Mendel, past president KCMGK: Jim Perry, presenter and past president KCMGK; John Kone, president KCMGK and Dr. Sage Doolittle, Rock Mount ES. Front: DEANNA MUNK, SP award winner

Thanks to John Kone, president of the East Cobb-based Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K, for the following information and photo:

The Silver Pen Program, now a statewide award, was created over 25 years ago by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K (KCMGK). Since then, the Silver Pen Award has been presented by the KCMGK to Cobb County Fourth grade students. The essay completion was competitive since  the award was open to all 4th grade students on a school wide level.

Jim Perry, past president of the KCMGK and Silver Pen Award presenter summarized it this way, “The Club challenges all fourth graders in three schools to write a comprehensive essay on a topic assigned by the Club. Teachers in each section of fourth grade send their best two submissions to the school administration. One paper from each class is submitted to the Club, who has a panel of judges select the winner from each school.  The Silver Pen Award was our Signature Program for many years, but  its success became widely known. Now, this is an approved program for Kiwanis Clubs throughout the Georgia District.” 

This year, the KCMGK awarded the Silver Pen Awards at three Cobb County schools: Acworth, Rocky Mount, and Tritt Elementary Schools. The winning students were: ASHLEY LANGAN, Acworth ES; JAMES THORPE, Tritt ES, and DEANNA MUNK, Rocky Mount ES. Each winner was presented with a silver pen in a velvet sleeve, a roll of $25 uncirculated one dollar coins acquired directly from the Philadelphia Mint, and an engraved plaque. The presentations were made during the morning broadcast to the whole school.

Everyone was extremely proud of the Silver Pen Award winners, however, the most surprising change observed by us, the adults (parents, teachers and Kiwanis Club members)  was the delivery! At each school, the SP awards were presented LIVE, to each classroom, via a “closed circuit” in house TV system. “We never had anything like this when I was in Elementary School,” one parent went on to say.” Both students and adults are thankful for all the technological changes that have taken place in our schools over the years.  

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Cobb schools announce 2023 valedictorians and salutatorians

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Cobb 2023 vals and sals
From L-R: Wheeler valedictorian Rithu Hegde; Sprayberry valedictorian Sebastian Jean Francois; Kell salutatorian Elana Darsey.

As graduation ceremonies continue this week, the Cobb County School District on Tuesday announced the Class of 2023 valedictorians and salutatorians.

Overall, the valedictorians in the Cobb school district combined for an average grade-point average of 4.705, with salutatorians at 4.67.

Five seniors from high schools in East Cobb had grade-point averages above 4.8.

Two of them are from Walton, valedictorian Chaitanya Yetukuri (4.826), and salutatorian Gavin Du, with a GPA of 4.808.

The others are Pope valedictorian Shaunak Karnik (4.815), Wheeler valedictorian Rithu Hegde (4.803) and Lassiter valedictorian Arsh Mukhtar Ali (4.8).

What follows are the vals and sals from the six East Cobb high schools, their GPAs, college choices and intended majors.

Eight of the vals and sals from East Cobb are headed to Georgia Tech, with others bound for Cal Tech, MIT, Cornell and Northwestern.

Kell High School
Valedictorian—Clare Wu, 4.750, California Institute of Technology, computer science
Salutatorian—Elana Darsey, 4.719, Georgia Tech, computer engineering

Lassiter High School
Valedictorian—Arsh Mukhtar Ali, 4.8, Georgia Tech, computer science
Salutatorian—Joshua Michael Wu, 4.75, Georgia Tech, computer science

Pope High School
Valedictorian—Shaunak Karnik, 4.815, Georgia Tech, computer science
Salutatorian—Amy Kokan, 4.778, Georgia Tech, mechanical engineering

Sprayberry High School
Valedictorian—Sebastian Jean Francois, 4.750, Cornell University, computer science
Salutatorian—Thomas George, 4.742, Georgia Tech, civil engineering

Walton High School
Valedictorian—Chaitanya Yetukuri, 4.826, Georgia Tech, business administration
Salutatorian—Gavin Du, 4.808, Northwestern University, economics

Wheeler High School
Valedictorian—Rithu Hegde, 4.803, Undecided, mathematics
Salutatorian—Ewuraba Buckle, 4.766, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, computer science

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Man charged with murder in shooting at Northeast Cobb home

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A man died Saturday at a home located off Canton Road in Northeast Cobb, and police said they have charged a another man with murder.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

A release by Cobb Police Tuesday afternoon said that Darius Butler, 20, has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and murder.

Cobb Police Public Information Officer Aaron Wilson said officers were called to a home on Buckline Court, in the Shallowford Forest neighborhood, after a black male was seen laying in front of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said that Butler, 28-year-old Anthony Jones of Marietta and a third, unidentified suspect went to the home around 8:30 p.m. Saturday to commit an armed robbery against Michael Sonnichsen, 25, of Kennesaw, and Malik Darden, 24 of Woodstock.

According to police, Sonnichsen and Darden shot at Butler, Jones and the other suspect in self-defense.

Jones was pronounced dead at the scene and Butler was injured by gunfire, police said.

Police said Butler has been taken into custody, but didn’t indicate whether he had been hospitalized. There is no booking information about him available at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Police said Jones’ next of kin has been notified, but did not indicate what happened to the unidentified suspect.

UPDATED:

Butler was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center Thursday but no further information is available.

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Ex-Cobb Police officer sentenced for assault, child cruelty

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A former Cobb Police officer assigned to patrol duties in Precinct 4 in East Cobb was sentenced to six years in prison and 14 more years on probation Monday for a 2018 assault on a woman.Ex-Cobb Police officer sentenced for assault

According to the Cobb District Attorney’s Office, Robert New, now 51, pleaded guilty to that felony charge, as well as to another felony count of cruelty to children in the first degree.

A release issued by the DA’s office Tuesday said New was sentenced as a first offender in a non-negotiated hearing before Cobb Superior Court Judge James Bodiford.

New was charged with aggravated assault in June 2018 stemming from an off-duty incident with a woman who accused him of choking and slapping him during a sexual encounter at his home off Hawkins Store Road.

The DA’s office said police were alerted to the incident by a “good Samaritan” who said the woman had cognitive disabilities.

Police conducted a forensic interview with the the woman, who was 44 years old at the time, and concluded that due to a traumatic brain injury that occurred during childhood, she had the mental capacity of a 10-14-year-old child.

An internal affairs investigation determined that New met the woman online, and while the encounter was consensual, police said “the actions that took place during the encounter brought us to take out warrants against Officer New.”

The DA’s office said Tuesday that during a sexual encounter in May 2018, “the victim stated that New became violent during sex and choked her to the point of her not being able to breathe.”

Prosecutors said that in an interview with the victim, she said New wanted her to bring her juvenile niece and involve her in sexual activity. Police conducted a forensic analysis of New’s phone and arrested him, the DA’s office said, and he resigned a few days later.

Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill accepted New’s guilty plea in April, according to the DA’s office.

New was hired by Cobb Police in February 2005 and was assigned to Precinct 4 in East Cobb. He later served on the department’s DUI Task Force before returning to Precinct 4.

He was a police officer for a total of 27 years before his arrest, the DA’s office said.

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Cobb Newcomers Club holds 2023 installation of new officers

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Cobb Newcomers Club

Thanks to Lee Tarbell of the Newcomers Club of Cobb County for the following information and photos:

The Newcomers Club of Cobb County held their annual installation of new officers meeting on May 16, 2023 at the John Knox Presbyterian Church in Marietta. This is the Club’s largest and most well-attended event of the year with approximately 60 women participating. It was no ordinary monthly meeting due to the talent and creativity of one member and her team, Dotti Catini. A routine meeting was turned into a dress-up costume luncheon with a theme of “Alice in Wonderland.” There were many “Alices,” “Queen of Hearts,” “Tweedledum” and “Tweedledees” and “White Rabbits” racing down the rabbit hole. This theme was carried throughout with the table and hall decorations and desserts. 
 
The event became so popular after Dotti suggested to the Board in 2016 a way to liven things up and have a lot of fun. Since then each year (except for 2020 and 2021) the event became memorialized with various themes over the years: Hollywood and the red carpet (2017), a Flight Crew on their way to Paris (2018), Run for the Roses Derby Race (2018), Breakfast at Tiffany’s—with various Audrey Hepburns in attendance and finally, the Alice in Wonderland theme (2016 and 2023). If you would like more information or would like to join a great group of women, you can find us at www.newcomersofcobbcounty.com.  

Cobb Newcomers Club

Cobb Newcomers Club

Cobb Newcomers Club

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East Cobb Biz Update: Ribbon-cutting for LM Frame and Gallery

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LM Frame and Gallery Ribbon-Cutting

The LM Frame and Gallery celebrated expanded space at its location at the Shops of Woodlawn (1062 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 150) last Thursday with an art exhibit and a special ribbon-cutting with members of the East Cobb Business Association.

The custom framing store and contemporary art gallery is owned by Christophe and Caroline Choquart. Framing work includes traditional paintings, 3D objects, needlework, posters and more.

Hours are 10-5 Monday-Saturday, with an emphasis on contemporary art and fine art paintings by local artists, as well as photography. The current exhibit features Aboriginal art from Australia.

You can take a virtual tour by clicking here.

All photographs were taken by Stuart Hasson of Hasson Photography.

LM Frame and Gallery Ribbon-Cutting

LM Frame and Gallery Ribbon-Cutting

LM Frame and Gallery Ribbon-Cutting

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Cobb Police: Pedestrian killed on I-75 near Windy Hill Road

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Cobb Police said that a woman walking along Interstate 75 early Sunday north of  the Windy Hill Road intersection was killed after being struck by a vehicle.Cobb Police, Powers Ferry Road crash, East Cobb crime forum

Public Information Officer Aaron Wilson said in a release Monday that Rebecca D. Poole, 40, was walking eastbound from an eastern shoulder of I-75 shortly before 5 a.m. when she was hit by a black 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross driven by Maria Salas Bracho, 24, of Marietta, who traveling was northbound on I-75 in the second lane from the right.

Wilson said that Salas Bracho was not injured but Poole was pronounced dead at the scene by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.

He said her next of kin has been notified and that anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Cobb Police at 770-499-3987.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, May 1-5, 2023

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Atlanta Country Club, East Cobb real estate sales
Atlanta Country Club

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales between May 1-5, 2023, were compiled from agency reports:

May 1

210 Candlestick Court, 30067 (Fox Hills, Wheeler): $700,000

2627 Little John Trail, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $389,000

2167 Sedalia Court, 30067 (Sedalia Park, Wheeler): $465,000

2351 Hembree Drive, 30062 (Walton): $825,000

1624 Rex Drive, 30066 (Village North, Sprayberry): $408,000

2390 Catamaran Court, 30062 (Autumn Lake, Sprayberry): $450,000

3270 Wendwood Drive, 30062 (Wendwood, Pope): $405,000

563 Charing Cross Drive, 30066 (Canterbury North, Sprayberry): $400,000

2980 Forest Chase Terrace, 30066 (Forest Chase, Lassiter): $365,000

3519 Jefferson Township Parkway, 30066 (Jefferson Township, Lassiter): $790,000

700 N River Forest Drive, 30068 (North River Forest, Walton): $927,500

5510 Conway Drive, 30068 (Hyde Park, Walton): $865,000

May 2

3994 Chapel Grove Drive, 30062 (Highlands at Wesley Chapel, Lassiter): $1.1 million

4053 Jordan Lake Drive, 30062 (Walden, Pope): $760,000

804 Weybourne Court, 30066 (Chastain Commons, Sprayberry): $400,000

May 3

660 Atlanta Country Club Drive, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club, Walton): $5.9 million

1901 Meadowbrook Lane, 30067 (Meadowbrook, Wheeler): $330,000

3850 High Green Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $663,100

1525 Oakmoor Place, 30062 (Allgood Farms, Sprayberry): $600,000

2275 Spear Point Trail, 30062 (Cedar Forks, Pope): $445,000

1768 Apple Boulevard, 30066 (North Ridge, Sprayberry): $325,000

4519 Reva Court, 30066 (Stockton Place, Lassiter): $508,000

4986 Meadow Lane, 30068 (The Meadows Condos, Walton): $310,000

May 4

2175 Watercrest Commons Circle, 30062 (Watercrest Commons, Walton): $980,000

3103 Soldier Trail, 30068 (Sumpter Ridge, Wheeler): $695,000

2536 Princess Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $395,000

2284 Woodsfield Lane, 30062 (Post Oak Square, Pope): $590,000

May 5

4120 Lower Roswell Road, 30067 (Kings Cove, Walton): $1.51 million

2116 Carefree Circle, 30062 (The Crossings of East Cobb, Sprayberry): $345,000

227 Powers Ferry Road, 30067 (Wheeler): $320,000

102 Creekway Lane, 30062 (Park at Barrett Creek, Sprayberry): $525,000

671 Wind Grove Road, 30067 (Grove Meade, Wheeler): $499,000

522 Smithstone Trace, 30067 (Smithstone, Wheeler): $495,000

302 Robin Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $327,500

2774 Bentwood Drive, 30062 (Bentwood, Pope): $510,000

2693 Tritt Springs Trace, 30062 (Post Oak Springs, Pope): $590,000

4004 Highfield Way, 30062 (Madison Hall, Pope): $1.164 million

3125 Suholden Drive, 30066 (Addison Heights, Sprayberry): $315,500

3064 Antler Trail, 30066 (Oak Knoll, Sprayberry): $410,000

4563 Ashmore Circle, 30066 (Hampton Ridge, Lassiter): $555,000

4921 Marlos Drive, 30066 (Cooks Valley, Lassiter ): $549,000

1965 River Forest Drive, 30068 (River Forest, Walton): $1.03 million

2252 Rushmore Drive, 30062 (Plantation Place, Walton): $700,000

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East Cobb high schools to have a graduation ceremony a day

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Lassiter graduation, Cobb schools 2020 graduation schedule

The Class of 2023 in the Cobb County School District begins receiving their diplomas on Monday, with commencement exercises taking place through Saturday.

As the schedule would have it, the graduations for the six public high school in East Cobb will be spread out over all six of those days.

All East Cobb graduations will take place at the KSU Convocation Center (590 Cobb Ave., Kennesaw).

The Cobb County School District has a full schedule and other information on graduation ceremonies, including parking, ordering DVDs and live streaming information at this resource page.

The parking cost is $10 per vehicle, and KSU requires all persons entering the venue to pass through a metal detector.

All bags and packages will be searched, and only bags with a clear tote or small clutch will be allowed.

All guests must be ticketed, and balloons and signs are not permitted. Strollers also may not be brought to the graduation site.

  • Kell High School: Monday, May 22, 7:30 p.m.
  • Pope High School: Tuesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
  • Walton High School: Wednesday, May 24, 7:30 p.m.
  • Lassiter High School: Thursday, May 25, 10 a.m.
  • Sprayberry High School: Friday, May 26, 7 p.m.
  • Wheeler High School: Saturday, May 27, 2:30 p.m.

Three school days remain in the 2022-23 academic year in the Cobb school district. All school levels will have early release on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Schools will release students, and buses will run, as follows:

  • High Schools, 11:30 a.m.
  • Elementary Schools, 12:30 p.m.
  • Middle Schools, 1:30 p.m.

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New principals named at Sedalia Park ES, Mountain View ES

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Katie Derman, Mountain View ES principal
Dr. Katie Derman

The Cobb Board of Education on Thursday formalized the appointments of two principals at East Cobb elementary schools as part of broader personnel changes for the 2023-24 school year.

They include the appointment of Dr. Katie Derman to succeed the retiring Renee Garris as principal at Mountain View Elementary School.

Derman has been the principal at Picketts Mill Elementary School in Acworth, and previously was an assistant principal there.

She also served as a special education teacher in the Cherokee County School District.

Sedalia Park Elementary School also will be getting a new principal in August. Principal Tiffany Jackson has been reassigned to Sanders Elementary School in Austell, and her successor will be William Dryden.

He has been the principal at Frey Elementary School in Acworth, and one of his previous teaching assignments was at Brumby Elementary School.

Both Derman and Dryden will begin their new duties on July 1, when the fiscal year 2024 starts in the Cobb County School District.

William Dryden, Sedalia Park ES principal
William Dryden

Sedalia Park assistant principal Rachel Kaliah has been promoted to principal at Austell Elementary School and also will begin that appointment on July 1.

The Cobb school district also promoted Sherri Hill, its chief leadership officer, to the position of chief of staff to the superintendent.

She succeeds Kevin Daniel, who is retiring. Hill’s replacement will be Dr. Jasmine Kullar, who has been an assistant superintendent for middle schools in West Cobb.

The school board also approved Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s recommendations to extend the contracts of other members of his cabinet for another year.

They include Chief Strategy and Accountability officer John Floresta, Chief Technology and Operations officer Marc Smith, Chief Financial Officer Brad Johnson, Chief Academic Officer Catherine Mallanda and Chief Human Resources officer Keeli Bowen.

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