Leadership Cobb 2027 Class announced by Cobb Chamber

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Submitted information:Cobb Chamber annual golf tournament

Leadership Cobb, the Cobb Chamber’s premier leadership development program, has selected 60 new participants for the 2026-2027 class.

Founded in 1983, Leadership Cobb brings together diverse business and community leaders for a 10-month journey focused on personal and professional growth.

The program accomplishes this through leadership training, teambuilding, and educational experiences highlighting our community’s greatest success stories and most significant ongoing challenges.

The 2027 Class:

  • Coleman Alford, Atlanta Braves Baseball Club
  • Rhonda Anderson, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office
  • Tee Anderson, Capstone Communities, LLC
  • Norman Barnett, Magistrate Court of Cobb County
  • Kayla Bedwell, CROFT & Associates
  • Trevor Beemon, Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc.
  • Cole Blackwell, Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority
  • Tara Boockholdt, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Barbie Brown, The Brown Agency
  • Cassandra Brown, City of Mableton
  • Patina Brown, City of Marietta
  • Shaneak Brown, Comcast
  • Keynun Campbell, Marietta Sixth Grade Academy
  • Cory Chipman, Freeman Mathis & Gary LLP
  • Jessica Coane, Cobb Travel & Tourism
  • Natalie Dale, Georgia Department of Transportation
  • Naceo Denney, Georgia Power
  • Alice Dondelinger, Pinnacle Financial Partners
  • Jason Doss, The Doss Firm, LLC
  • Anita Douglas Murphy, Status: Home
  • Chandler Fincher, Southeastern Engineering, Inc (SEI)
  • Barbara Garner, Circles Cobb
  • Anna Goolsby, Cobb Chamber
  • Edrick Harris, Prestwick Development Company
  • Matt Heather, Savant Technologies
  • Zephaniah Horton, Lockheed Martin
  • Chaundra Johnson, TK Elevator
  • Michelle Jorda, United Way of Greater Atlanta
  • Solomon Jordan, Gas South
  • Lisa-Ruth Karnes, Cobb Community Foundation
  • Jonathan Kemp, Cobb & Douglas Public Health
  • Jennifer Kilgo, Cox Communications
  • Natalie Knight, Impact Public Affairs, LLC
  • Kim Kranzlein, Cobb County School District
  • Laura Kraus, Marietta Schools Foundation
  • Audrey Lewis, Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun and Rogers
  • Drew McCollum, Ameris Bank
  • Scott McNally, Croy Engineering
  • Anand Mehta, Stand Up Family Medicine
  • Eric Mohrman, Smyrna Fire Department
  • Amy Mollohan, Ansley Real Estate
  • Matt Moore, Atlanta United FC
  • Nwakaego Nkumeh Walker, Kennesaw State University
  • Heather Pence, Chattahoochee Technical College
  • Ben Perkins, Propylaeum Systems, LLC
  • Ben Peterson, Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
  • Terrance Pryor, Pryor Innovations, LLC
  • Tara Riddle, Cobb County Probate Court
  • Carlos Rodriguez, Kilgore & Rodriguez LLC
  • Karl Sadler, Northside Hospital
  • Miranda Sanders, Walton Communities
  • Carlos Searcy, The Los and Lisha Legacy Foundation
  • Slade Sellers, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
  • Angie Smith, Mission 1:27
  • Jodi Taylor, Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
  • Kristen Trice, Wellstar Health System
  • Fred Tull, JE Dunn Construction
  • Brent Turner, Calvary Children’s Home
  • Amy Welchel, Welchel Enterprise
  • Tim Willis, Summit Heating and Air

Andy Gaines, Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, and Tricia Newton, Waterworks Atlanta, will be co-chairs for the 2026-2027 program year. Daniel Cummings, City of Marietta, and Rachel Rogers, Cobb Travel & Tourism, will be the vice co-chairs for the 2026-2027 program year. This year’s class theme is “Me | Us | We.”

The Leadership Cobb class of 2027’s Yearlong Presenting Sponsor is Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business MBA Programs; Legacy Sponsors, CDH Partners, Cobb Travel & Tourism, Accounting Consultants of Cobb, Mauldin & Jenkins, Johnson & Alday, Croy Engineering, and Genuine Parts Company; and Champion Sponsors, Corient, Brasfield & Gorrie, and Atlanta Braves. For more information about Leadership Cobb, contact Kai Lawrence at 770-859-2346 or [email protected].

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East Cobb Real Estate: Princeton Pointe home sells for $829K

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Princeton Pointe, East Cobb real estate sales

This week’s featured real estate sale is a custom-built home in the Princeton Pointe subdivision, in the Sprayberry High School, Simpson Middle School and Addison Elementary School attendance zones.

It has 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths and includes 4,77 square feet on 0.28 acres, and sold for $829,000 on June 15, 2026.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from June 15-19, 2026 were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

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

Kell

5052 Rodrick Trail, 30066 (Oxford Manor): $410,000

4674 Jamerson Creek Drive, 30066 (Jamerson Forest): $360,000

Lassiter

2298 Wickingham Drive, 30066 (Cambridge Crossing): $635,000

4905 Raven Way, 30066 (Falcon Crest): $391,340

2688 Raven Trail, 30066 (Falcon Crest): $385,000

3822 Rockhaven Court, 30066 (Stonehurst): $1.595 million

3851 Trickum Road, 30066 (Trickum Heights): $408,000

3620 Brookhill Circle, 30062 (Woodbine Station): $594,000

Marietta

1519 Evanston Lane, 30062 (Gables at East Worthington): $425,000

1169 Mountain View Drive, 30062 (Bonnie Dell): $386,000

1420 Jazzberry Way, 30066 (Old Bells Ferry): $398,900

529 Water Birch Way, 30066 (Hamilton Grove): $482,000

Pope

1961 Kramer Way, 30062 (Holly Springs Crossing): $630,000

3870 Bays Ferry Trail, 30062 (Baywater): $810,000

2198 Carlyle Drive, 30062 (Cedar Hills Estates): $519,999

3666 Chestnut Ridge Court, 30062 (Chestnut Ridge): $520,000

2861 Interlaken Drive, 30062 (Alpine Lakes): $566,000

3080 Waterfront Circle, 30062 (Waterfront): $1.249 million

3311 Woodleaf Way, 30062 (Chestnut Creek): $599,500

Sprayberry

2137 Boyce Circle, 30066 (Princeton Pointe): $829,000

1051 Camellia Drive, 30062 (Eastwood Forest): $385,000

1661 Huntington Drive, 30066 (Huntington Woods): $395,000

2993 Huntcliff Drive, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $412,000

2072 Abode Way, 30066 (Courtyards at Ebenezer): $694,000

671 Dozier Drive, 30066 (Breezecrest): $360,000

3863 Clarington Drive, 30066 (Chastain Overlook): $436,000

2800 Idlewood Drive, 30062 (Mountain View): $380,000

1250 Rockcrest Drive, 30062 (Blackjack Hills): $625,000

2925 Bob Bettis Road, 30066 (Caribou Hills): $405,750

Walton

2788 Dellinger Drive, 30062 (Wooded Hills): $500,000

1394 Waterford Green Drive, 30068 (Waterford Green): $1.5 million

1705 Nordic Trace, 30068 (Lake Fjord): $955,000

714 Olde Towne Lane, 30068 (Hamptons of Olde Towne): $468,000

4415 Blackland Drive, 30067 (Sanders Field Estates): $3.069 million

4161 Thunderbird Drive, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club): $2.5 million

889 Fawn Way, 30068 (Fawn Ridge): $695,000

958 Bridgegate Drive, 30068 (Bridge Gate): $610,000

1120 Taliwa Trail, 30068 (Mohina Woods): $615,000

746 Mockingbird Lane, 30068 (Cobb Estates): $1.4 million

Wheeler

3300 Windy Ridge Parkway, Unit 1321, 30339 (Horizon): $439,500

80 Pinehurst Lane: $485,000

3036 Leafwood Drive, 30067 (Stratford): $525,000

300 Millbrook Farm Court, 30068 (Millbrook Farm): $610,000

1069 Cliffridge Court, 30067 (Millridge): $737,000

3405 Rivers Call Boulevard, 30067 (Rivers Call): $1.935 million

314 Lamplighter Lane, 30067 (Fox Hills): $690,000

1398 Old Virginia Court, 30067 (Salem Ridge): $349,000

122 Cross Gate Drive, 30068 (Crossgate): $495,000

1650 Cedar Bluff Way, 30067 (Cedar Bluff): $274,000

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July 4 events slated for Marietta, Cobb as America turns 250

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July 4 events slated for Marietta and Cobb as America turns 250
Marietta’s Fourth in the Park celebration includes the long-standing Let Freedom Ring parade Saturday, along Roswell Street to the Square.

Many of the cities and entities that hold annual July 4 celebrations will be doing them again, but the schedules for some will look a little different this year.

And that’s not just because of the milestone of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

July 4 falls on a Saturday, and some related events have already taken place, or have been scheduled throughout the holiday weekend.

On Wednesday, July 1, the City of Marietta will be holding a ragtime band concert at the Square from 12-1 p.m.

Among the entities getting a head start is the Indian Hills Country Club, whose annual fireworks show takes place on Thursday, July 3, starting at sundown.

It’s part of the community’s Member Appreciation Day that takes place in concurrence with Independence Day.

Nearby, Congregation Etz Chaim (1180 Indian Hills Parkway) is inviting the public to a Shabbat service and cookout on Friday. The event gets underway at 6 p.m. and after service, the foods include hamburgers, hot dogs and others observing dietary laws. The cost is $17.76 for adults and $7.76 for children.

The deadline to sign up is Monday at noon.

The Atlanta Southern band Drivin ‘N’ Cryin’ will be performing at the Marietta Square in an Independence Eve concert.

The City of Kennesaw’s Salute to America celebration (2829 Cherokee Street) also takes place on Friday, with food, live music and other entertainment from 4-10 p.m., with fireworks to start at 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the cities of Acworth and Powder Springs, as well as Six Flags over Georgia and Truist Park will be having some combination of July 4 celebrations and fireworks shows, and Cobb Travel has all the details.

The biggest celebration of them all is in the City of Marietta, and literally will be a day- and night-long event on Saturday.

But on Friday, a concert on the Marietta Square kicks off everything, from 7-9 p.m. The band is Atlanta’s Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ and it’s free to attend. Participants can bring their bring blankets and lawn chairs, like they do for Glover Park Concert Series events.

But this one has no VIP or table reservations.

Fourth in the Park continues at 10 a.m. Saturday with its annual Let Freedom Ring Parade (see the route), which roams through Roswell Street to the Square (see the list of road closures), followed by a day-long festival at Glover Park. There will be arts and crafts, food, a kids zone and free concerts during the day.

A special bell-ringing takes place at 2 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

For more on the Marietta celebrations, including parking, click here.

 

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Founding head of school of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy dies

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Founding head of school of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy dies

Mt Bethel Christian Academy announced on Saturday that Vivian Lovett, who served as the first head of school at the East Cobb parochial school, has passed away.

A message on the school’s Facebook page did not disclose the cause of death or other related details, but said that “we will share more details regarding her celebration of life soon.”

Lovett was the head of what was then only the Lower School of MBCA when it opened in 1998, on the campus of what was at the time called Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church.

The school was a direct ministry of the church, and was started because, according to its mission statement, “the demand for quality Christian education far exceeded the supply of available options for parents in the immediate area.”

Over her 20-year tenure, “Mrs. Lovett’s vision, faith, and unwavering commitment established the foundation upon which our school stands today,” the MBCA message continued.

She “was the heart and soul of the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy community. She was more than an administrator—she was a mentor, leader, encourager, and faithful servant whose influence extended far beyond the walls of the classroom. She knew students by name, celebrated their successes, comforted them in difficult moments, and inspired them to pursue both academic excellence and a deeper relationship with Christ.”

Lovett retired in 2018, as MBCA was undergoing a major transformation. That was the year of the first graduating class for the school’s high school component, which held classes on a new campus on Post Oak Tritt Road.

That same year, MBCA was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

In 2021, MBCA became independent of the church, and in 2023, the school lease was terminated by the church, which had separated from the United Methodist Church.

MBCA, which has until 2028 to leave the Lower Roswell Road campus, is in the process of relocating K-8 grades to the Post Oak Tritt Road facility after Cobb approved major site plan changes last year.

More than 700 students attend MBCA, making it the largest religious-affiliated school in East Cobb.

“Her greatest legacy lives in the thousands of students who walked our halls and the families whose lives were forever changed through the ministry of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy,” the MBCA message stated about Lovett.

“Her steadfast faith, compassionate leadership, and genuine love for children helped shape countless lives and left an enduring mark on our community.”

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Cobb Chamber accepting nominations for Citizens of the Year

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Butch Carter named 2024 East Cobb Citizen of the Year
Butch Carter, owner of the Honest-1 Auto Care Center, was the 2025 East Cobb Citizen of the Year.

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards. The Cobb Chamber, in partnership with cities, business associations and various civic partners throughout the community, come together each year to select and recognize outstanding, service-minded individuals across Cobb County. These citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live.

These awards are presented as a part of the Cobb Chamber’s Area Council programs, and will be presented to individuals in Acworth, Austell, Cumberland, East Cobb, Kennesaw, Mableton, Marietta, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Town Center and West Cobb.

Nominations are now open through Friday, August 28 at https://tinyurl.com/mtexbjfj. Thank you Presenting Sponsor, Capital City Bank. For more information on the Citizen of the Year Awards, contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or [email protected]. 

About the Cobb Chamber

At the Cobb Chamber, we believe in the power of ambition. Through our wealth of programming and partnerships, we unite the region’s most innovative, informed, and determined people so that they can achieve more. And through our advocacy and initiatives, we ensure that our county is a healthy place to do business. While our members span industry, background, and experience, we share a common desire: to see Cobb County flourish. For more information, visit www.cobbchamber.org.

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Suspect sought after bear spray injures 15 at Cobb hotel pool

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Cobb Police said Friday that they’re looking for a woman they say injured 15 people after she released bear spray during a brawl at a hotel pool in the Cumberland area.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

A warrant has been issued for Porsha Liddell, of Clinton, Miss., on a felony charge of first-degree child cruelty and misdemeanor charges of battery and reckless conduct.

Sgt. Eric Smith said that the incident took place around 6 p.m. last Saturday at the Embassy Suites hotel (2815 Akers Mill Road), and was after a verbal altercation between two females at an indoor pool.

“During the incident, one of the individuals produced a canister of bear spray and discharged it, striking the other female, her daughter, and numerous individuals in the surrounding area,” Smith said in a Cobb Police release.

He said the suspect fled the scene. The warrant states that eight of the people were minors who “suffered significant physical pain” that required medical attention.

Police said Cobb Fire personnel rendered aid on the scene.

In his release, Smith didn’t indicate what triggered the incident.

Bear spray is a concentrated red-pepper oil used to fend off attacks from bears and other large animals. When emitted from a cannister, the spray produces a cloud of heavy fog designed to disorient the animal and that lasts for several seconds.

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East Cobb Indian restaurant gets 90 after failing inspection

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East Cobb Indian restaurant gets failing health inspection

An Indian restaurant in East Cobb that failed a health inspection last week got a much better score on Thursday.

Cobb and Douglas Public Health inspectors gave Vatica Indian Cuisine  (1475 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 105) a score of 90, or A, upon a re-inspection.

Vatica received a score of 57 on June 17 for a variety of violations, including food-handling and storage issues, food build-up on surfaces throughout the kitchen and the presence of roaches.

On Thursday, inspectors docked the restaurant nine points after seeing “employee using bare fingers to remove ghee from a container, then apply it to uncooked naan in main kitchen. The same container of ghee was used on ready-to-eat cooked naan in main kitchen.”

Otherwise, the major issues cited in the original report had been corrected, although inspectors also cited Vatica on Thursday for not posting the initial inspection report in public view.

“The most current inspection report shall be prominently displayed in public view at all times, within fifteen feet of the front or primary public door and between five feet and seven feet from the floor and in an area where it can be read at a distance of one foot away,” states the re-inspection report (which you can view here).

Restaurants that get scores of 70 or below are typically re-inspected with 10 working days.

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Teenager charged with East Cobb home invasion and auto theft

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An 18-year-old woman is being held without bond after being arrested for committing a home invasion in East Cobb and stealing a vehicle from the residence.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

According to an arrest warrant, Haylie Marshall, of College Park, is facing felony charges of home invasion, theft by taking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

She has been at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center since Monday, according to her booking report.

The warrant states that Marshall and two other females arrived at a home in 1800 block of East Piedmont Road around 11 p.m. on June 15 and forced a resident to open the door.

Once inside, Marshall and the other females took car keys belonging to the resident’s stepfather, who was sleeping, according to the warrant, which states that they used the keys to steal a 2006 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

The warrant did not identify the other two females, but said that Marshall was transferred to the custody of the Cobb Sheriff’s Office after being detained at the Fulton County jail.

In Fulton County, Marshall was charged with theft by receiving stolen property, loiter prowl and willful obstruction of law enforcement, according to her booking report there.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Williamson Bros.; Derek’s Cafe; more

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Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q; East Cobb food scores

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

Chili’s Grill and Bar
4111 Roswell Road
June 24, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Derek’s Cafe
1779 Canton Road
June 23, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Ducks Burger Bar
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2114
June 22, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

El Huarache Veloz
1157 Roswell Road
June 24, 2026, Score: 94, Grade: A

Harold’s Chicken and Ice Bar
1477 Roswell Road
June 24, 2026, Score: 84, Grade: B

La Carreta
1252 Roswell Road
June 24, 2026, Score: 95, Grade: A

Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 190
June 24, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Super Chix
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 400
June 23, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Taco Hub
2800 Canton Road, Suite 1220
June 24, 2026, Score: 87, Grade: B

Vatica Indian Cuisine (re-inspection)
1475 Terrell Mill Road
June 25, 2026, Score: 90, Grade: A
(East Cobb News story)

Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q
1425 Roswell Road
June 23, 2026, Score: 95, Grade: A

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Profiles: New principals at McCleskey MS and Timber Ridge ES

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Profiles: New principals at McCleskey MS and Timber Ridge ES

During the summer break, the Cobb County School District has been published brief Q and A profiles with newly appointed principals.

Four district schools in East Cobb will be getting new principals when the 2026-27 school year begins in August.

They include Dr. Tonya Polk, who was appointed principal at McCleskey Middle School. She succeeds Dr. Andrea Jenkins-Mann, who is the principal at Cobb Horizon School, an alternative high school program.

Polk has been in the Cobb school district for 12 years, and for the last two years has been an assistant principal at Sprayberry High School.

McCleskey is a Sprayberry feeder, and Polk said that in that time, “I have gained insight into the skills students bring to high school and the areas where they need stronger preparation, and I look forward to using that experience to help ensure McCleskey students are fully prepared for the next level.”

Polk holds business-related degrees from Valdosta State University and the University of West Georgia.

At Timber Ridge Elementary School, Dr. Kristi Lankford will step in as principal following the retirement of Shannon McGill.

Lankford was most recently an assistant principal at Pearson Middle School and taught at Dowell Elementary School and Fair Oaks Elementary School, as part of more than 25 years in Cobb schools.

She said that what she likes best about being an educator is that “as a principal, witnessing the success and growth of both students and staff is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy supporting others as they build confidence, reach goals, and recognize their own potential.”

Lankford earned education degrees from the University of South Florida.

Polk and Lankford will begin their new roles on July 1, as will Dr. Christina Moll at Addison Elementary School and Lauren Rabil at Kincaid Elementary School.

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2028 Cobb SPLOST referendum to be put on November ballot

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Cobb commissioners set to vote on 2028 SPLOST project list

The Cobb Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to place on the November ballot a referendum to extend the Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax starting in 2028.

The vote was 4-0, with Chairwoman Lisa Cupid absent.

Cobb voters will vote by Nov. 4 whether or not to renew the one-percent tax for another six years.

The 2028 SPLOST would continue collections for a variety of projects, including roads and transportation, public safety facilities, parks and libraries upgrades and maintenance and more.

The estimated collection for the 2028 SPLOST would be $1.15 billion, with $794 million going to Cobb government projects.

The project list was approved by commissioners in April, and includes a $20 million relocation of the East Cobb Library from Parkaire Landing Shopping Center to an unspecified site.

County officials said in January they would like to rebuild the East Cobb branch, the second-busiest in the Cobb system, on county-owned land.

Cobb has leased space for the East Cobb Library at Parkaire since 2010, after the branch previously was located at Merchants Walk Shopping Center.

The rental cost has been nearly $400,000 a year, and library officials say they need more space. The East Cobb Library has 17,000 square feet of space, and a request for the proposed new branch called for 28,000 square feet.

But before adopting the referendum resolution Tuesday night, commissioners approved a late change capping capacity at the current 17,000 square feet.

Another East Cobb project on the 2028 referendum list is an $8.2 million expansion of the Tim D. Lee Senior Center.

The 2028 SPLOST also would fund a new Cobb State Court building to cost $174 million; $130 million in road resurfacing projects; and $60 million for a new infirmary building at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Another $30 million would be earmarked for a central aquatic center in Marietta to replace the current facility near the Cobb Civic Center; $30 million combined for two new fire stations in West Cobb and South Cobb; and $18 million for a new recreation center at a site to be named in South Cobb.

Among the transportation projects in East Cobb, $3.5 million would go for an intersection project on Shallowford at McPherson Road; $2.5 million each for improvements in the Johnson Ferry Road corridor and the Shaw Road corridor; and $1.5 million to upgrade the intersection of Lower Roswell Road at Paper Mill Road.

For a detailed list of the 2028 SPLOST referendum project list, click here.

For more on the 2028 SPLOST in general, click here.

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Cobb proposes $1.4B FY 2027 budget that holds millage rates

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Cobb proposes $1.4B FY 2027 budget that holds millage rates
Cobb chief financial officer Buddy Tesar

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday was presented a fiscal year 2027 budget proposal that would add 29 new positions to county government and keep the same property tax rates.

The budget would come to $1.4 billion, an increase of $84 million over the fiscal year 2026 budget of $1.325 billion.

The primary increases proposed are for water and sewer capital expenses, the creation of a stormwater utility fee, additional employee salaries and benefits and higher costs for employee benefits as well as healthcare and workers compensation claims.

You can read through the budget presentation by clicking here, or view the same information on the slideshow on the bottom of this post. You can also watch a replay of the work session below.

During a work session Tuesday afternoon, Cobb chief financial officer Buddy Tesar said that 20 of the new positions proposed would be funded through the general fund, and nine more in the fire fund.

Most of the new salaries in the general fund would come in the water and sewer department, which also includes stormwater services.

The budget also proposes reducing the amount of water revenues to the general fund from 4 percent to 3 percent.

The general fund is the primary source of revenue for Cobb government, paid through property taxes. The general fund rate of 8.46 mills would be unchanged.

Under the fiscal 2027 proposal, general fund revenues would rise by $29 million, from $646 million to $672 million.

The fire fund rate of 2.97 mills also would stay the same, with expenses proposed to rise from $160 million to $166 million.

Expenditures for claims and liability would go up from $128 million in the current budget to $139 million.

The stormwater utility fee—which went into effect in June after a controversial approval last year—is being budgeted for $17.1 million for fiscal year 2027.

The water and sewer fund would rise from $286 million to $307 million.

The presentation was brief—commissioners didn’t have questions, and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid was absent—with a basic breakdown of spending and revenue categories and what Tesar called “high-level” summaries of major line items of interest.

He also outlined “budget impact items” totaling $7.6 million that commissioners will be asked to approve for the current fiscal year 2026 budget.

Those include $4.5 million for a new medical provider contract with the Cobb Sheriff’s Office for inmate health care at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, and $2 million in increases in step and grade compensation tiers for the Cobb Police Department.

The proposed budget also recommends adding seven calendar clerks in Cobb Superior Court, a part-time position in the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office, three veterinarian/technician positions in Cobb Animal Services and two positions in the procurement area for the countywide disparity study.

Tesar said the position requests for Cobb Fire are “currently being discussed with Commissioners.”

The budget also requests $500,000 to expand on-demand transit services through CobbLinc.

Since the proposed millage rates would not “roll back” to meet current budget totals, Georgia state law considers that a property tax increase, and Cobb must hold three public hearings on the budget.

They will take place on July 14 at 9 a.m., July 21 at 6:30 p.m. and on July 28 at 7 p.m., shortly before budget adoption.

For more Cobb budget information, click here.

To view the slideshow of the budget presentation, click the middle button below.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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Home under renovation destroyed in East Cobb house fire

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Home under renovation destroyed in East Cobb house fire

A reader in the Post Oak Springs subdivision sent us the photos and information about a house fire overnight Tuesday that destroyed a residence that had been under renovation.

She said that the fire began around 1 a.m. Tuesday at a home on Rocky Springs Drive, located off Post Oak Tritt Road, and that fire engines “were parked all the way along” the road as they battled the blaze.

“Neighbors kept watch throughout the night.  Smoke could be seen coming out this morning at about 7 a.m. Firefighters came out again to smother the embers.”

Lauren Burden, public information officer for Cobb Fire and Emergency Services, told East Cobb News that that the home was under renovation.

She said the “fire was fully involved prior to our arrival and that crews extinguished the fire and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.”

“I do not currently know if the house was occupied during this renovation period, but it does not appear so.”

Property records at that address show the home is owned by an Atlanta real estate and property management company.

Home under renovation destroyed in East Cobb house fire

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Cobb 101 Citizens Government Academy registration continues

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The registration deadline for the 2026 Cobb 101 Citizens Government Academy is July 4. Cobb 101 Citizens Academy registration deadline approaching

Cobb 101 is an 11-week program offering citizens a chance to learn in-depth about the functions and departments of Cobb County Government.

Participants will visit facilities, talk to leaders and learn how their tax dollars are spent.

The 2026 Cobb 101 program will start in August and participation is limited to 32 people. The weekly sessions will take place on Thursdays from 6-9 p.m.

Here are more details about the program:

Through a combination of presentations and hands-on projects, participants will learn about vital community services including emergency services, law enforcement, planning, zoning, finance, court systems, public works, special projects, parks and recreation. Most importantly, participants will have the opportunity to connect with their local officials and county staff who provide these services. Weekly instructors will vary depending upon the county service or department being covered that week.

The program is structured around six strategic commitments:

  • Informed and engaged community
  • Financial health and economic prosperity
  • Healthy, livable and sustainable Cobb County
  • Transportation, mobility and connectivity
  • Safe and prepared community
  • Accountable and responsive government

Participants will gain a better understanding of:

  • The relationships between residents, the county manager and Board of Commissioners and governmental departments
  • The process of deciding why and how government projects are implemented and services are provided
  • The ways various projects support county manager and Board of Commissioners’ goals and objectives
  • The budgeting process
  • Roles and functions of county departments

To learn more about the Cobb 101 Citizens Government Academy, click here. To apply, click here.

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New East Cobb t-shirt store fundraising for homeless students

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A new Big Frog custom t-shirt store opened recently in East Cobb at the Pavilions at East Lake Shopping Center (2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2186).New East Cobb t-shirt store fundraising for homeless students

In lieu of a traditional ribbon-cutting, owners Ben and Lydia Olu-Harding launched a fundraising campaign to assist homeless students in the area.

The “Room for Everyone” campaign thus far has raised more than $2,000 out of a targeted goal of $10,000, through sales of t-shirts at the store.

Several hundred local students are homeless, according to the campaign, which will designate portions of shirt sales as proceeds for those students in the Wheeler High School community.

The Olu-Hardings are partnering with Grace Church Marietta and four local ministries—Family Promise, Simple Needs, The Table on Delk, and Garments of Grace.

Last weekend, they activated the campaign, and the shirt sale proceeds will continue through the end of June.

You can go by the store or purchase shirts online to benefit the campaign.

On their Facebook page, Lydia Olu-Harding said “this is why we chose Big Frog as our leap into small business ownership . . . Immediate community impact driven by our business. Proud and honored to join forces with Grace Marietta to make a difference right in our backyard.”

She also said that “if you are thinking you don’t really need another t-shirt but you want to support our cause, your shirt can be donated to Garments of Grace to help the same community that needs an extra hand.”

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Naked man accused of hitting officer in East Cobb burglary

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A man police say showed up naked and tried to burglarize a home in East Cobb last week also has been charged with hitting an officer called to the scene.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

A warrant for Jonathan Brown, of a Wendwood Drive address in East Cobb, said that he tried to break into a home on Missy Drive, located off Meadow Drive near Pope High School, on the afternoon of June 15.

The warrant also states that Brown “did appear in a public place in a state of complete nudity” and that “his intent was to behave in a ‘silly’ manner.”

He tried to enter through a back door of the home but failed, according to the warrant.

The warrant further states that officers were called to the scene and tried to arrest Brown, who “became actively combative and physically resisted apprehension.”

In doing so, the warrant states, Brown hit one of the officers in the head with his fist.

There’s no booking information available from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office. According to the warrant, Brown is facing felony charges of attempted burglary and obstruction and misdemeanor charges of simple battery and public indecency.

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East Cobb Civic Association visits Cobb Fire Station 20

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East Cobb Civic Association visits Cobb Fire Station 20

Submitted information and photo:

The East Cobb Civic Association, Inc. (ECCA) visited with Firehouse #20 located on the corner of Sewell Mill Road and Hilton Drive. Smaller and older than many stations, the facility responds to a wide and busy area of East Cobb. With only 12 firefighters divided into 3 shifts, it is remarkable how much small teams handle each day. 

ECCA commends the responsibility, dedication, and professionalism demonstrated by firefighters and police officers to protect and take care of all of us. 

Thank you for your service. 

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East Cobb Biz Scene: Merchants Exchange LA Fitness to close

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East Cobb Biz Scene: Merchants Exchange LA Fitness to close

Several signs are taped near the entrance bearing the messages we’ve heard in recent days from several readers: The LA Fitness gym at Merchants Exchange (4400 Roswell Road) is closing as of July 20.

There wasn’t a reason given for the closure, but the signs addressed to members said they can use any other LA Fitness location, and directed them to the Sprayberry Square location (2550 Sandy Plains Road).

There’s also an LA Fitness in East Cobb at 1453 Terrell Mill Road.

East Cobb News has left a message with LA Fitness seeking more information about the Merchants Exchange closing.

LA Fitness is the second major tenant to leave that retail center recently; Dance Stop Studios closed in May after being in business for more than 50 years, due to the owners’ retirement.

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East Cobb Real Estate: Sibley Forest Tudor sells for $1.13M

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East Cobb Real Estate: Sibley Forest Tudor sells for $1.13M

This week’s featured home sale is a brick Tudor in the Sibley Forest subdivision, in the Wheeler High School, East Cobb Middle School and Sope Creek Elementary School attendance zones.

It has 5 bedrooms and 4 baths and includes 5,233 square feet on 0.47 acres, and sold for $1.13 million on June 12, 2026.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from June 8-12, 2026 were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

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

Kell

None

Lassiter

3672 Stoney View Drive, 30062 (Rock Mill): $435,000

3889 Easy Circle, 30066 (Trickum Heights): $850,000

4419 Wood Creek Drive, 30062 (Raintree Forest): $535,000

2659 Thornberry Place, 30066 (Thornberry): $572,500

4377 Cades Pointe, 30066 (Oak Creek Estates): $750,000

4403 Rosemary Court, 30066 (Hampton Ridge): $550,000

Marietta

1628 Ruskin Way, 30062 (Gates at Hamilton Grove): $400,000

1533 Reids Ferry Way, 30062 (Alexandria at East Lake): $530,000

1347 Woodcutt Place, 30062 (The Pines at East Worthington): $500.000

Pope

2891 Wynfair Drive, 30062 (Gates Point): $850,000

2345 Brownstone Court, 30062 (Brownstone): $540,000

2252 Chimney Springs Drive, 30062 (Chimney Springs): $585,000

3905 Woolbridge Way, 30062 (Dorset): $482,500

Sprayberry

480 Fouse Court, 30066 (Canterbury): $875,000

2067 Fairport Way, 30062 (Fairport): $660,000

2331 Danielle Court, 30062 (Sprayberry Crossing): $510,000

336 Rockmoor Trail, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $343,900

1741 Basswood Court, 30066 (North Ridge): $450,000

3880 Courson Street, 30066 (Canterbury): $715,000

1609 Lake Holcomb Lane, 30062 (Holcomb Lake Village): $490,000

1850 Branch View Drive, 30062 (Hasty Meadows): $430,000

2871 Colleton Drive, 30066 (Colleton Plantation): $445,000

1419 Shadowood Court, 30066 (Noonday Hills): $390,000

Walton

3531 Princeton Corners Lane, 30062 (Princeton Corners): $819,000

4000 Lower Roswell Road, 30068: $556,500

2994 Octavia Circle, 30062 (Vestavia Estates): $1.8 million

1950 Bennetts Point Drive, 30068 (Bennetts Point): $1.46 million

590 Clubwood Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $3.17 million

2500 Sewell Mill Road, 30062: $565,000

4278 Ivywood Drive, 30062 (Ivywood): $680,000

4679 Cherry Way, 30067 (The Columns): $1 million

4040 Riverlook Parkway, Unit 208 (Willows by the River): $329,000

950 Old Canton Road, 30068: $450,000

4495 Dobbs Crossing, 30068 (Woodlawn Commons): $735,000

653 Parkcrest Place, 30068 (Park Crest): $605,000

Wheeler

613 Abbington River Lane, 30339 (Abbington at Wildwood): $800,250

2510 Monterey Drive, 30068 (Bannock Estates): $645,000

2762 Fireside Court, 30067 (Country Place): $450,000

131 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $490,000

281 Cross Gate Drive, 30068 (Heritage Woods): $510,000

1267 Golden Rock Lane, Unit 9, 30067 (Ivy Crest):$510,000

212 Shadowlawn Road (Shadowlawn Pointe): $1,7 million

3465 Buck Hill Road, 30067 (Sibley Forest): $1.13 million

732 Terrell Crossing, 30067 (Old Paper Mill): $1.157 million

2833 Scottish Mill Way, 30068 (Princeton Mill): $605,000

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Cobb to hear ’27 budget proposal, consider SPLOST referendum

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The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will be formally presented the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal during a work session.

That evening, they will be asked to adopt a resolution establishing a referendum in November to extend the Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax starting in 2028.

Commissioners will be holding two public hearings in July on the budget proposal, following Tuesday’s presentation.

In late April, county officials presented requests from department heads for 322 new full-time positions, 278 within the general fund, totaling $1.5 billion in spending.

That’s $157 million more than the current fiscal year 2026 budget of $1.3 billion, but those requests are unlikely to be reflected in the proposed budget.

Commissioners last year added only four new positions after being asked to create nearly 300 more jobs.

“The County does not have the resources to support all the requests presented, nor is the County considering funding all the requests,” Cobb chief financial officer Buddy Tesar noted in the April summary.

Most of the additional staff requests are from the Cobb Sheriff’s Office, public safety, courts and the Cobb District Attorney’s Office.

Last year commissioners held the millage rate for the general fund and slightly lowered it for the fire fund. The Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office is projecting digest growth of 4 percent for 2026.

Two public hearings on the budget are required, and have been scheduled for July 14 at 9 a.m. and on July 28 at 7 p.m., shortly before adoption.

You can find more Cobb budget information at this link.

At the Tuesday evening meeting, commissioners will be asked to pass a resolution scheduling the November SPLOST referendum (agenda item here).

The one-percent sales tax, if approved by Cobb voters, would raise $1.15 billion for a variety of construction and maintenance projects in Cobb and municipal governments over a six-year period, starting on Jan. 1, 2028.

Of that total, nearly $800 million would be for Cobb county government projects, including a relocated East Cobb Library branch, expanding the Tim D. Lee Senior Center, building a new Cobb State Court building, spending $130 million in road repaving projects and earmarking $60 million for a new infirmary building at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Commissioners adopted the project list in April.

The work session begins at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.

The Tuesday regular meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the same location. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.

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

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