Motorist killed in crash on Lower Roswell at Old Paper Mill

Motorist killed in crash on Lower Roswell at Old Paper Mill

Cobb Police said that a motorist was killed in a two-car crash Thursday morning at the intersection of Lower Roswell Road and Old Paper Mill in East Cobb.

Sgt. Eric Smith said that Yodit Momo, 57, of Atlanta, was pronounced dead on the scene by the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office.

Smith said that Momo was driving a gray 2014 Toyota Camry west on Old Paper Mill around 11:06 a.m. when it collided with a white 2020 Dodge Ram with trailer in tow heading eastbound on Lower Roswell.

Police said when the Ram arrived at the intersection, the Toyota “entered its path” and the vehicles crashed with one another. Both came to a stop on a north shoulder of Lower Roswell.

According to Smith, the occupants of the Ram were not injured. They were identified by police as Charles Warren, 44, of Acworth, the driver, and Benjamin Chittick, 24, of Kennesaw, a passenger.

Smith said Momo’s next of kin have been identified and that the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at (770) 499-3987.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Scout Troop 1011 to leave Mt. Bethel Church after 54 years

Scout Troop 1011 to leave Mt. Bethel Church after 54 years

A scout troop that has met at Mt. Bethel Church for more than half a century is looking for a new venue after being told it can no longer stay there.

Scout Troop 1011 must leave the premises of the church on Lower Roswell Road by the end of August, according to a message sent out last week to troop families by Scoutmaster Jonathan Linder.

Linder said that the church’s governing board informed troop leadership that the “stated reasons are church doctrine being incompatible with Scouting America and insurance cost concerns.

“While we are disappointed in this decision, we respect their right to make this determination,” Linder said in the message, a copy of which was obtained by East Cobb News.

Linder said that Troop 1011 “is already identifying a new home and has opened discussions with various community partners.”

East Cobb News has left a message with Troop 1011 seeking more information. Linder said in his message that there was to have been a parent Q and A at a troop meeting on Monday to go over the venue change.

2023 Dog Days Run
Troop 1011 members at the Dog Days Run, sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Cobb, the troop’s charter organization since 2022.

He said that until the departure from Mt. Bethel, “all Troop activities will continue as planned.”

Troop 1011, which was chartered in 1972 at what was formerly Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, has roughly 120 youth and adult members and in its history has had nearly 400 boys attain the rank of Eagle Scout, according to Linder.

East Cobb News also contacted Mt. Bethel Church officials for information, and was told by marketing director Andrea Back in an e-mail response that “the church’s primary issue is not with the local troop or its leaders but with Scouting America, who has had dramatic changes in the past several years. The local troop is under the authority of their parent organization, Scouting America.”

Back said that Mt. Bethel had a facilities use agreement with Troop 1011 that ended on April 1, and that “the church entered into a period of discernment with Scout Troop 1011 Leadership. The Church’s Governing Board decided that the church would extend the agreement through August 31, 2026.”

She didn’t elaborate on the “dramatic changes” that led to the Mt. Bethel decision. East Cobb News has followed up with Mt. Bethel seeking more specific information.

In 2019, the former Boy Scouts of America renamed and rebranded itself Scouting America, and began allowing girls to join as members. Controversies preceded that a few years earlier, when it allowed openly gay scouts. That prompted a move by Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in East Cobb to cut ties with the Boy Scouts in 2013.

More recently, the Pentagon has threatened to end its partnership with Scouting America for being too “woke.”

A federal executive order was issued at the start of the second Trump Administration to end “illegal DEI” programs and replace them with “merit-based” opportunities.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wanted Scouting America to revert to a boys-only organization and change its name back to the Boy Scouts, but those demands were dropped.

In February, Scouting America agreed to change some policies that address diversity concerns and added a merit badge focused on military service.

But the scouts said that transgender youth would continue to be welcomed, contradicting a claim by Hegseth that they would be banned.

Scouting America said that the “affirmation deepens a 116-year partnership that greatly benefits our Armed Forces and our communities.”

Troop 1011 Scouts with former Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott (at right), a longtime troop leader, and late Commission Chairman Tim Lee, at an event to mark the arrival of the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County.

The Troop 1011 departure is the latest major change at Mt. Bethel in recent years.

The congregation left the UMC in a $13.1 million court settlement in 2022 following a protracted conflict over the denomination’s reassignment of Mt. Bethel’s senior pastor, and disputes over theology.

The church sold off nearby properties and ended its status as Troop 1011’s charter organizer and the Rotary Club of East Cobb has filled that role since then.

Mt. Bethel remains independent as a church body, but has been a founding member of a Methodist denomination that is more conservative theologically. Some former Mt. Bethel members and its former senior pastor broke away, forming Grace Resurrection Methodist Church, which is also independent.

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy was started by Mt. Bethel in the late 1990s. But it has gone independent of the church, and will be relocating to the school’s upper campus on Post Oak Tritt Road, after the parties couldn’t agree to lease renewal terms on the Lower Roswell Road campus.

“The Rotary Club of East Cobb is committed to supporting Troop 1011 and is working with Troop leadership to find a new meeting place,” Wade Patrick, the Rotary Club’s liaison with the troop, told East Cobb News.

“It’s sad to see Troop 1011 vacate its longtime scout hut where several generations of East Cobb youth became our community leaders. I think our community will come through and a solution will present itself.”

In his message to Troop 1011 families, Linder said that “we are confident that this new chapter will bring fresh opportunities to serve the East Cobb community and build young men of character for generations to come.”

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

 

Kell HS students recognized as Student Emmy Award winners

Kell HS students recognized as Student Emmy Award winners

Information and photos submitted by Cobb County School District:

Talent, creativity, and dedication were on full display this spring as Kell High School students earned national recognition for their work in the performing arts. Randy Yousif and Gavin Placencia took center stage at the 2026 NATAS Student Production Awards, where they were honored as Student Emmy Award winners. 

Competing against strong entries from across the region, the duo impressed judges with a dynamic compilation of their acting performances. Their submission stood out for its energy, thoughtful scriptwriting, and strong on-screen presence. 

The award marks Kell High School’s first win in the “Commercial” category and continues a growing tradition of excellence, making it the second Student Emmy win for the program in as many years. Their achievement reflects more than talent alone. It highlights the dedication and persistence required to refine a craft and perform at a high level. As Broadcast Video Production Teacher, Ed Cook, shared, success begins with taking the opportunity: “You can’t win if you don’t enter.”  

The celebrations at Kell High School don’t stop there. Teacher Ed Cook is also earning well-deserved recognition. Cook was recently named a finalist in the High 5 for Teachers contest, earning $500 for his achievement. This recognition speaks to the impact educators like Cook have every day. His commitment to students, both in and out of the classroom, helps create an environment where achievements like a Student Emmy win can happen.

Together, these accomplishments reflect the heart of Cobb Schools — a community where students are encouraged to dream big, teachers are celebrated for their dedication, and success is built through hard work and support.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Cobb Democrats speak out against non-partisan elections law

Cobb Democrats speak out against non-partisan elections law
“Policies that fundamentally alter elections should not single out only five counties for different treatment,” Cupid said in opposing HB 369.

A number of prominent Cobb County Democratic elected officials were critical of a bill signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp that would make a number of metro Atlanta elected offices non-partisan two years from now.

On Tuesday, Kemp signed HB 369 (you can read it here), which would make elections for county commission, school board, District Attorney, Solicitor General, Tax Commissioner and court clerks non-partisan in Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Clayton counties.

County sheriffs elections and DeKalb County commissioners elections would be exempt from the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2028 and would become effective with the 2028 election cycle.

The law was passed near the end of the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly and was substituted for a bill designed to regulate food trucks that met the legislature’s crossover day deadline.

The Republican-led legislature was accused by Democrats of cutting into the latter’s political dominance in heavily populated metro Atlanta counties.

That includes Cobb, which had been GOP-dominated from the 1980s to 2018 but now has Democratic majorities on the Board of Commissioners and the Cobb legislative delegation.

Republicans lead the Cobb Board of Education with a 4-3 split on a body that has become increasingly contentious along party lines.

State Sens. John Albers and Kay Kirkpatrick, Republicans with East Cobb constituencies, were among the main co-sponsors of the bill.

Albers said the bill was necessary for local jurisdictions to focus on public safety, as the five counties are considered “consolidated law enforcement counties.”

But at a press conference Tuesday before Kemp signed the bill, Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Commissioner Erick Allen and Solicitor General Makia Metzer held a press conference urging him to veto it.

They contended that the bill isn’t Democratic because county elections in 154 other Georgia counties remain partisan.

“This is not transparency, and this is not how you promote democracy,” Cupid said in making prepared remarks at the Cobb County government headquarters building in downtown Marietta.

This is not how our Cobb County citizens expect us to make decisions here and it should not be how decisions are made at the state level.”

Cupid said also said the law raises state constitutional questions, which several metro district attorneys, including Sonya Allen of Cobb, have alleged.

On a social media posting Wednesday morning, State Rep. David Wilkerson, a Democrat who is the chairman of the Cobb legislative delegation, said that “the Republican brand is so tainted in the metro area that they had to remove party identification. All this will do is create need to identify every elected official by political party. Local judges, city council, etc.”

Many of the positions held by metro Atlanta Democrats are black females, including Cupid and Allen.

Not all local Republicans were on board with HB 369 or didn’t state a preference. State Rep. Don Parsons of East Cobb voted against the bill, and State Rep. Sharon Cooper of East Cobb was excused from the final vote.

In Georgia, county commission and school board races as well as statewide constitutional officers have been elected in partisan fashion. Municipal elections and judicial seats have been decided in non-partisan elections.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

What East Cobb homeowners should know about tree safety before summer storm season

The crew of Scott’s Treewurk on a job site.

Please Note: This is a paid advertisement.

As spring turns into summer in East Cobb, many homeowners are noticing heavier tree growth around their homes—along with the return of Georgia’s thunderstorm season.

Strong wind gusts, saturated soil and weakened limbs can quickly turn an overlooked tree issue into expensive property damage. That’s why local tree professionals say late spring and early summer are one of the most important times of year for homeowners to evaluate the condition of the trees around their property.

We spoke with Kennesaw-based tree service company Scott’s Treewurk to learn a little bit more about what some of the most common issues are that homeowners should be looking out for.

Owner Scott Wolkoff says many potentially hazardous trees begin to show subtle signs of structural weakness long before a major limb comes down, or before a storm causes some serious damage.

Some of the issues he commonly sees include dead or hanging limbs, visible cracks in large branches or trunks, leaning trees, hollow or decaying sections, mushrooms growing near the base, or limbs extending over roofs, driveways, and power lines.

Scott’s Treewurk owner Scott Wolkoff.

“Most dangerous tree situations don’t happen overnight,” Wolkoff says. “Usually there are signs that something is wrong, but many homeowners simply don’t know what to look for.”

Wolkoff entered the tree industry in 2012 and founded Scott’s Treewurk in 2014. Serving Kennesaw, Acworth, East Cobb and surrounding communities, he says his approach has always centered around honest recommendations and building long-term relationships with homeowners.

“I’d rather tell someone their tree is okay than scare them into paying for work they don’t actually need,” he says.

While storm damage often creates emergency situations after severe weather moves through the area, preventative pruning and maintenance can often reduce the risk of major damage before storms occur.

In addition to tree removal, Scott’s Treewurk also provides pruning, trimming, storm cleanup and emergency tree services throughout the local area. The company works with experienced, fully insured crews and handles jobs ranging from routine maintenance to large hazardous removals.

This time of year is especially important for homeowners with mature trees near structures, fences, or neighboring properties. Heavy rain can weaken root systems, while summer storms often place additional stress on compromised limbs and trunks.

Wolkoff recommends homeowners to periodically walk their property and pay attention to the trees that may appear healthy at first glance, but actually show subtle signs of decay or structural weaknesses.

“Sometimes a relatively simple pruning job can prevent thousands of dollars in damage later,” he says.

Scott’s Treewurk currently offers free tree safety inspections for homeowners in Kennesaw, East Cobb, Acworth and nearby communities.

For more information or to schedule an inspection, visit https://scottstreewurk.com.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Hightower Trail MS named Georgia Military Flagship School

Hightower Trail MS Military Flagship Award

Submitted information and photos:

Hightower Trail Middle School has been named a 2026 Georgia Military Flagship School, recognizing the school’s strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and families.

The designation highlights schools that create welcoming, supportive environments for students navigating the unique challenges of military life, including frequent relocations, deployments, and transitions. Nearly 80 military-connected students attend Hightower Trail, where staff members work intentionally to ensure every student feels connected and supported.

“At Hightower Trail, we work every day to ensure our school is a place of consistency, care, and belonging,” Principal Dr. Hannah Polk said during the recognition ceremony.

The school provides wraparound counseling services, staff training focused on military family experiences, and programs that connect students with future service-related opportunities, including JROTC pathways at feeder high schools. Hightower Trail also hosts community events honoring military members, veterans, and first responders while offering additional support for families during the holidays and other times of need.

“This recognition is not just about programs,” counselor Lara Salzman said. “It is about families who live the reality of service every single day.”

Parents of military-connected students praised the school’s welcoming culture and strong sense of community, especially during deployments and periods of transition.

The Georgia Department of Education’s Military Flagship School award recognizes schools that go beyond academics to ensure military-connected students feel safe, valued, and supported from the moment they arrive on campus.

East Cobb students named Kiwanis Silver Pen Award winners

East Cobb students named Kiwanis Silver Pen Award winners
L to R: Steven Irby (dad); Ashley Irby (mom); Barry Gardner, Governor, GA District Kiwanis; Philip Gold, President Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K; Jim Perry, KCMGK; Karen Carstens, Tritt ES Principal. Front: Liam Irby, Tritt ES student, Silver Pen award winner; Rosie Teague, KCMGK.

Submitted information and photos:

The prestigious Silver Pen Award for 2026 was presented in April and May by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K to five Cobb County elementary school students. The award was presented to  the Fourth Grade School Winners from: Acworth, Addison, Powers Ferry, Rocky Mount and Tritt Elementary schools.

The Silver Pen Award is a writing excellence competition for fourth grade students, begun 30 years ago by Jack Boone as a “Signature Program” of this Club. Since then, it has expanded to become an approved program for Kiwanis Clubs throughout the Georgia District of Kiwanis and available to elementary schools statewide. 

The Silver Pen Award Program – Contest Structure and Judging
The students receive a writing assignment prepared by the Kiwanis Club and administered by their teachers.  Classroom teachers select the top two in each class. The school administration reviews these and submits the finalist from their school to the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K. A panel of judges from the Club, comprised of professionals and educators, evaluates the entries based on an established set of criteria and selects the “School Winner.”

Recognition and Awards
Winners are normally honored on a live morning broadcasts to the entire student body.

The Award for the winner includes:

  • A Silver Pen (in a velvet sleeve)
  • An engraved plaque recognizing the student’s achievement.
  • A monetary award of 20 uncirculated, one-dollar commemorative dollar coins purchased directly from the U.S. Mint

Jim Perry, Past President of the KCMGK and presenter of the SP awards added this about the presentations this year; “The students also had advice for their fellow learners. When asked if he had anything to share with the Powers Ferry Student Body, Kalid Adem stepped to the mic and said, ‘Follow your dreams!’.  At Acworth, I asked Attorney-to-be Kai Sandoval if she would like to share anything, as she works toward her law office in Buckhead. She said, ‘Hard work pays off’.  We are reading about and hearing a shift in attitude and maturity that should make all Kiwanians proud!”

GA District Governor of Kiwanis Makes Presentation at Tritt
Members of KCMGK are extremely proud to present the Silver Pen Awards to those Cobb elementary schools that participate, however, history was made in 2026. This is the first time a Georgia District of Kiwanis Governor has attended and made the Silver Pen award presentation, so we whole heartly thank Gov. Barry Gardner (Georgia District of Kiwanis).

Finally, on behalf of the all members of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K, congratulations to all the Silver Pen Award Winners for 2026.

East Cobb students named Kiwanis Silver Pen Award winners
L to R: John Kone, Past President Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K; Dr. Cheri Vaniman, Principal, Rocky Mount ES; Catrina Stewart, Callan’s writing teacher; Philip Gold, President KCMGK; Jim Perry, Past President of KCMGK and SP presenter; Rosie Teague, KCMGK; Paige DeLoach, Callan’s homeroom teacher; Kimberlyn Gunn (mom); Greg Gunn (dad); Dr. Sage Doolittle, Assistant Principal, Rocky Mount ES; front: Callan Gunn, 2026 Rocky Mount ES Silver Pen Award Winner.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

‘Speechless’ East Cobb rabbi recognized by Cobb commissioners

'Speechless' East Cobb rabbi recognized by Cobb commissioners

When he arrived as senior rabbi at East Cobb’s Congregation Etz Chaim in 2016, Daniel Dorsch had some very big shoes to fill.

He was called to succeed Rabbi Shalom Lewis, who started the county’s first Conservative synagogue in the early 1980s.

On Tuesday, Dorsch, a visible figure in the Cobb and metro Atlanta Jewish communities, was recognized by Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell for his decade at the helm.

“Alongside his wife, Amy, he has helped cultivate an inclusive and welcoming community grounded in meaningful Jewish experiences,” read the proclamation from Birrell at a Board of Commissioners meeting.

“Through his leadership, community outreach, and involvement in regional initiatives, Rabbi Dorsch has strengthened connections within the congregation and the broader Atlanta area, fostering spiritual growth, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement over the past decade.”

Dorsch, who came to Cobb from New Jersey, was joined by members of his synagogue to receive the honor.

“It’s very rare for a rabbi to be speechless,” quipped Dorsch, who started off Tuesday’s meeting with a lengthy invocation.

“I’m truly humbled by this honor and we look forward to serving the community for many years to come.”

Dorsch has been a president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association and is is a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Holocaust Museum at Kennesaw State University.

In more recent years, with anti-Semitic attacks on the rise, he has been increasingly vocal about the subject.

In 2023, after Neo-Nazi protesters brandished a Swastika flag in front of the Chabad of Cobb synagogue on Lower Roswell road, Dorsch spoke at a special ecumenical service at East Cobb UMC, saying that “Anti-Semitism isn’t a Jewish problem. It’s an everyone problem.”

Following Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians that sparked an ongoing conflict in the Gaza region, Etz Chaim lowered the Israeli flag to half-mast and set up a table with chairs bearing the names of hostages.

Birrell quickly introduced a resolution asking commissioners to provide “unwavering support” for Israel, but some members of the Cobb Muslim and Arabic communities protested, and the resolution was withdrawn.

Last fall, Dorsch said the table was being taken down and the flag raised again following the return of the last of the remaining living hostages.

“There’s a lot of brokenness right now that’s in need of repair,” he said in a radio interview. “I’m hopeful and cautiously optimistic that this will be the turning point for a brighter future.”

Dorsch and his wife Amy—a teacher at The Epstein School, a Jewish day school in Sandy Springs—have two children, Zev and Haley.

On Tuesday, Dorsch said that Cobb is “a wonderful place for our family to make our home.”

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

 

New Cobb Solicitor Annex offers youth offenders a 2nd chance

New Cobb Solicitor Annex offers youth offenders a 2nd chance

Submitted information and photo:

The Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office celebrated the opening of its new Solicitor General Annex Office on May 6, marking the expansion of youth-focused restorative justice initiatives. The Annex, located at 122 Waddell Street, Marietta, is now the permanent home of the SMART CHOICES – Youthful Offender Program.

“The new Solicitor General Annex Office gives us the opportunity to expand our youthful offender second-chance program and build SMART CHOICES into a more comprehensive and impactful initiative,” said Solicitor General Makia Metzger.

The program tailors accountability, educational, vocational, and professional development plans to each participant. Requirements may also include restitution, mental health evaluations, or treatment. Attendance at the program’s newly developed two-part educational seminar series is now mandatory.

To date, more than 200 participants have successfully completed the SMART CHOICES program.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Cobb Chamber of Commerce honors 2026 top small businesses

Cobb Chamber of Commerce honors 2026 top small businesses
From L-R: Cobb Chamber President/CEO Sharon Mason; Proda Technology founder/CEO Marissa Maldonado and Cobb Chamber Chair Melissa Cantrell. Images from the Cobb Chamber Marquee Monday. (Photo: Mooreshots LLC)

Submitted information and photos:

The Cobb Chamber named Proda Technology the 2026 Small Business of the Year at its Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon, presented by 1885 Grill and S.A. White Oil Company.            

Proda Technology is a nationally recognized, cybersecurity-focused managed IT firm — serving organizations across the United States. They’ve grown from a small founding team to more than 35 professionals. From 2023 to 2025, Proda experienced revenue growth by 50 percent. Their charitable giving has nearly doubled over that same period.

Their growth has been driven by three core principles: Investing in exceptional people; continuously improving operations; and staying relentlessly focused on protecting the businesses and communities they serve.

As the Chamber’s 2026 Small Business of the Year, Proda Technology will compete in the state’s small business of the year competition.

Competitive Application and Selection Process

To be considered for the Top 25 Small Businesses of Year, each hopeful candidate submits an application to the Cobb Chamber. The applicants must prove an increase in sales or unit volume, provide examples of innovation, discuss adversity and challenges, and thoroughly detail their community involvement. Applications are analyzed and considered by a group of independent community business leaders and affiliates of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

After all of the submitted applications are judged and rated, five finalists are selected based on their numerical score. The five finalists are then put through a second step in the application process – a site visit by an independent panel of judges. The visit is meant to be a fresh, in-person opportunity to present the ideals, practices, values and day-to-day operations discussed in their initial application.

2026 Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year

The Cobb Chamber honored the following Top 25 Small Businesses at the 2026 Small Business of the Year Awards:

41 South Creative InfoTank
The Butcher on Whitlock Johnson & Alday, LLC
Clementine Creative Agency kirpop
CMIT Solutions of Atlanta Southern Crescent & Atlanta Northwest Manay CPA Inc
DeNyse Companies Modo Modo Agency LLC
DynamiX Web Design, LLC The Music Studio Atlanta
Eclipse Networks Nothing Bundt Cakes
Essayon Construction Group Perfect Image
Essex Consulting LLC Proda Technology, LLC
FruiTea Bubbles Café Riverside EpiCenter, LLC
Gaston Street Eats Co. Summit Heating and Air
Georgia Roof Advisors Warner Fuller Consulting
Gillis Law Firm, LLC

2026 Business to Watch

In order to recognize the impressive accomplishments of many new Cobb businesses, the Cobb Chamber expanded its Small Business of the Year program to include the Businesses to Watch awards presentation. These are businesses that were launched less than three years ago and have already achieved substantial growth. Esteem Dental Studio was named the 2026 Business to Watch.

Minority-Owned Business of the Year

The 2026 Minority-Owned Business of the Year was awarded to Essex Consulting LLC. The award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievements and exemplifies the significant contributions made by minority-owned businesses in the country.

Woman-Owned Business of the Year

The 2026 Woman-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women-owned businesses in the country. The 2026 award was awarded to Manay CPA Inc.

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

The 2026 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by veteran-owned businesses in the country. The 2026 award was awarded to Essayon Construction Group.

Family-Owned Business of the Year

The 2026 Family-Owned Business of the Year award recognizes a family-owned business owner for excellence in leadership and achievement. The 2026 award was awarded to DeNyse Companies. 

Small Business Hall of Fame

The 2025 Small Business of the Year, 1885 Grill, was also honored during the awards program. The reigning small business of the year is inducted into the Small Business Hall of Fame, which includes all county and state winners of the Small Business of the Year award from Cobb County since 1982.

Community Service Excellence Award Winner

The Community Service Excellence Award is presented to a small business that has made a significant contribution to its community through impactful works of service. Modo Modo Agency LLC was awarded the 2026 award.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce honors 2026 top small businesses

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

East Cobb PTA names 2026 Margie Hatfield Scholarship winners

East Cobb PTA names 2026 Margie Hatfield Scholarship winners
Pictured from L to R: Micheal Garza, ECCC PTA Scholarship Chair, Grayson O’Daniel (Pope), Sadie Herrera (Kell), Jenay Scott (Sprayberry), Katherine Fallaw (Walton), Avi Jaiswal (Wheeler) and Margie Hatfield

Submitted information and photo:

The East Cobb County Council of PTAs (ECCC PTA) named its 2026 recipients of the Margie Hatfield Scholarship at its general meeting at Kell High School in April. Hatfield is a former ECCC PTA president, and the ECCC PTA scholarship was named on her behalf due to her diligent work and tireless commitment to the students of East Cobb.

Every year, ECCC PTA offers a $1,000 service-based scholarship to deserving seniors at each of the six high schools in the East Cobb area. Each recipient has worked hard to be successful, not just in their scholastic endeavors, but also by giving back to the community through their service and their time.

Selected from 28 applicants across six schools, the scholarship recipients are:

Sadie Herrera, Kell High School, who will attend Kennesaw State University to study Finance and Pre-Law. In addition to being a stellar student, Sadie is an accomplished BMX racer and mentor to others, especially other girls. Whether it is organizing girls only clinics or in a leadership role, she has a passion for changing the BMX space to be one in which girls feel welcome in participating in the sport.

Jonathan Lewelling, Lassiter High School, who will study Nuclear Engineering at Georgia Tech. Jonathan’s thirteen years of Scouting culminating in being an Eagle Scout laid the foundation of responsibility, civic duty, and community service. He’s not only a talented engineer, but he’s involved in Trojan Buddies, a student organization that fosters inclusion for students with disabilities.

Grayson O’Daniel, Pope High School, who will attend Auburn University where she will study Psychology on a Pre-Physical Therapy track. Described by those who know her as “quietly extraordinary”, Grayson’s journey is one filled with persistence and a genuine care for the community. She’s been part of Make-a-Wish Youth Leadership and makes weekly visits to a local personal care home.

Jenay Scott, Sprayberry High School, who will study Accounting at Clark University. Jenay is a leader in the community by mentoring the next generation through her work in the Future Successors Program and Girls in Excellence. In her words, “Each hour spent mentoring, planting, or organizing has been a step toward creating a world that is kinder, more equitable, and filled with opportunity.”

Katherine Fallaw, Walton High School, who will attend University of Texas to study Early Education. Katherine’s work with children in running a swim school and in advocacy with student government embody what PTA and this scholarship is all about. Her experiences have inspired her to pursue a career in education to help students build confidence and develop a positive relationship with learning from an early age.

Avi Jaiswal, Wheeler High School, who will study Neuroscience at Georgia Tech. As the founder of Cobb Serve, Avi has been able to provide elementary students with a way to volunteer and learn the importance of service to the community. This passion for service extends into his professional aspirations where he hopes to make science accessible to the families who need it most.

As the largest council within the state of Georgia, the East Cobb County Council of PTAs promotes the academic achievement and well-being of all students within the 35 schools within East Cobb.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Avenue East Cobb announces free summer movie schedule

Avenue East Cobb announces free summer movie schedule

During June and July, family-friendly movies will be shown for free at the plaza at Avenue East Cobb.

The movies will be shown starting at 6 p.m., rain or shine.

A few rules of the road that Avenue management has asked people to keep in mind:

  • We kindly ask that guests refrain from touching the screen or stepping onto the stage during the film. Failure to comply with this rule will result in being asked to leave The Plaza.

  • Movie showings are free for all guests & seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests are encouraged to bring extra chairs & blankets.

  • No outside food or beverage is permitted, but takeout from our onsite restaurants is encouraged. Click HERE to view our on-site dining options.

Movie Schedule:

  • Thursday, June 4th: Wicked (2024)
  • Thursday, June 11th: Wizard of Oz (1939)
  • Thursday, June 18th: Beauty and The Beast (1991)
  • Thursday, June 25th : Alice in Wonderland (1951)
  • Thursday, July 2nd: Shrek (2001)
  • Thursday, July 9th: Cars (2006)
  • Thursday, July 16th: The Little Mermaid (1989)
  • Thursday, July 23rd: Tangled (2010)
  • Thursday, July 30th: The Princess and The Frog (2009)

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

East Cobb Real Estate: Indian Hills ranch sells for $750K

East Cobb Real Estate: Indian Hills ranch sells for $750K

This week’s featured home sale is a ranch in Indian Hills, located in the Walton High School, Dickerson Middle School and East Side Elementary School attendance zones.

It has 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, covering 2,815 square feet. The home, which is on 0.31 acres, sold for $750,000 on May 1, 2026.

The home is located on the end of a cul-de-sac and features interior updates throughout.

It includes two fireplaces, including one in the primary suite, as well as a remodeled kitchen with new cabinetry, a sunroom and a paver patio.

The home has soaring ceilings in the foyer, dining room, and living room, a laundry room and a Jack-and-Jill bathroom serving two guest bedrooms.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from April 27-May 1, 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

4855 Rockford Ridge Drive, 30066 (Greyson Ridge): $759,000

4760 Jamerson Forest Circle, 30066 (Jamerson Forest): $275,000

1950 Wenlok Trail, 30066 (Stocktons Chase):$530,000

1918 Enchanted Woods Trail, 30066 (Enchanted Woods): $642,000

Lassiter

4118 Devon Wood Drive, 30066 (Devon Oaks): $850,000

4802 Township Brow, 30066 (Jefferson Township): $885,000

2907 Treeside Terrace, 30066 (Edgewood East): $1.3775 million

4402 East Brandon Drive, 30066 (Brandon Ridge): $375,000

3594 Downing Street, 30066 (Churchill Falls): $500,000

2699 South Arbor Drive, 30066 (Arbor Bridge): $660,475

Marietta

257 Bluffington Way, 30062 (Bluffs at Bells Ferry): $394,900

1453 Brentwood Drive, 30062 (Brentwood): $545,000

2107 Drogheda Lane, 30062 (Briarwood): $475,000

Pope

3333 North Hembree Rd, 30062: $1.11 million

3953 Vinyard Trace, 30062 (Arthurs Vinyard): $470,000

3638 Blakeford Way, 30062 (Blakeford): $802,000

4361 Jenkins Drive, 30075 (Havenridge): $325,000

2167 Fox Hound Chase, 30062 (Chimney Springs): $1.587 million

3087 Holly Mill Run, 30062 (Holly Springs Crossing): $518,000

4016 Bramble C0urt, 30062 (Walden): $795,000

3851 Meadow Lane, 30062 (Rolling Acres): $550,000

3042 Pathview Lane, 30062 (Wendwood): $325,000

Sprayberry

2850 Seagrave Way, 30066 (Heritage Manor): $710,000

1158 Research Drive, 30066 (Ramblewood): $331,000

1972 Granite Mill Road, 30062 (Granite Mill): $625,000

2935 Goldfinch Circle, 30066 (Woodrush Court): $567,650

2470 Trent Drive, 30066 (Village North) $475,000

1935 Redfield Road, Unit 15, 30066 (East Cobb Walk): $519,000

2146 Arbor Oaks Drive, 30062 (Arbor Oaks): $4389547,500

3911 Catalina Drive, 30066 (Philmont Estates): $420,000

2251 Velvet Sage Way, 30066 (Greenhouse): $832,750

2319 Ventana Crossing, 30062 (Keswyck Commons): $485,000

2942 Cynthia Court, 30062 (Mountain View): $389,000

2963 Timberline Road, 30062 (Mountain View): $415,000

3315 Ranch Road, 30066 (North Forty): $480,000

Walton

4833 Rivercliff Drive, 30067 (Rivercliff): $1.55 million

590 Ridgewater Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $2.1 million

2890 Brookcliff Lane, 30068 (Brookcliff): $490,000

4935 Secluded Pines Drive, 30068 (Rose Oak): $680,000

4727 Maple Brook, 30067 (The Columns) $1.9 million

3171 Sewell Mill Road, 30062 (Sewell Mill Heights): $1.455 million

4733 Karls Gate Drive, 30068 (Princeton Lakes): $925,000

1275 Partridge Way, 30062 (Princeton Corners): $635,000

4170 Blackland Drive, 30067 (Hidden Valley): $1 million

4030 Addie Lane, 30068 (Seven Springs): $484,000

3931 Stanton Trail, 30062 (Providence Place): $480,000

3246 Lost Mill Trace, 30062 (The Preserve at Lost Mill Trace): $1.48 million

895 Muirfield Ridge, 30068 (Indian Hills): $750,000

3798 Raccoon Run, 30062 (Providence Corners): $725,000

1565 East Bank Drive, 30068 (Jacksons Creek): $880,000

Wheeler

797 Belerose Lane, 30068 (Robinson Park): $775K

3209 Powder Mill Place, 30067 (Old Paper Mill): $925,000

3165 Brookview Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $815,000

351 Clear Spring Court, 30068 (Weatherstone): $425,000

632 Holt Road, 30068 (Farrington Estates): $448,000

721 Smithstone Road, 30067 (Dogwood Park): $500,000

3325 Indian Hills Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $705,000

3208 Sonnet Walk, 30339 (Reserve at Wildwood): $585,000

3756 Waterlilly Way, 30067 (Giverny): $1.597 million

237 Lamplighter Lane, 30067 (Fox Hills): $565,000

3120 Beechwood Drive, 30067 (Terrell Mill Estates): $740,000

2980 Chipmunk Trail, 30067 (The Village): $320,000

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

 

 

 

Braves legendary manager Bobby Cox, East Cobb resident, dies

Braves legendary manager Bobby Cox and East Cobb resident dies

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, a longtime East Cobb resident and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 84.

The Braves announced Cox’ passing on Saturday. He had been suffering from congestive heart failure and other health issues related to a stroke in 2019.

Cox, who managed the Braves on two occasions—from 1978-81 and from 1990-2010—is fourth on the all-time Major League Baseball list for wins by a manager with 2,504, as he led Atlanta to 15 division titles, five National League championships and the World Series crown in 1995.

“While Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family,” the Braves said in a statement.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.”

Cox died three days after the passing of former Braves owner and CNN founder Ted Turner, who hired Cox after the 1977 season. Cox, who had been a first-base coach with the New York Yankees, had not been a manager before.

The Braves went 266-323 before he was dismissed by Turner, who said he needed to make a change but wanted to hire someone like Cox.

Cox managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982-85 before returning to Atlanta as the Braves’ general manager. In the front office, he helped develop roster parts that would lead to the team’s dominance in the 1990s.

He was regarded as the ultimate players’ manager. “I never wanted to go anywhere else; I wanted to play for Bobby,” said former Braves pitcher Smoltz.

Cox was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 with two of his Braves’ pitchers, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, followed a year later by Smoltz.

Two other Braves’ players under Cox’ tutelage have Hall of Fame credentials: Third baseman Chipper Jones, inducted in 2018, and center fielder Andruw Jones, who will be inducted in July.

Cox also holds another Major League record, although it is unofficial, for having been thrown out of 162 games by umpires.

In 1991, the Braves reached the World Series for the first time in Atlanta, then defeated the Cleveland Indians for their first World Series championship in 1995.

Cox’ playing days were brief. He was a third baseman for the Yankees from 1968-69, but injured knees prompted his retirement after 229 games in the majors, and he soon embarked upon a baseball coaching and managing career.

Early in the 1995 season, Cox was arrested by Cobb County Police on a domestic violence complaint from his wife, following an argument at their home near Atlanta Country Club.

Both denied at a press conference that there was a physical altercation, and he did not miss any time away from the team. Battery charges against Cox were later dismissed.

In his retirement, Cox spent time on a farm he owned in the north Georgia mountains before selling it in 2021.

Due to declining health, Cox was an infrequent visitor to Truist Park. He last took in a game in August, at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Braves’ 1995 World Series title.

Among those paying tribute to Cox Saturday were Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Braves fans turned out at Truist Park and laid flowers at a Cox statue.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

East Cobb students surprise mothers with ‘dazzling diamonds’

East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'
Mt. Bethel ES 4th-grader Brooklyn Moore and her mother Stephanie.

An East Cobb jewelry store owner has partnered with the Cobb County School District to encourage young people to take up writing and creativity while honoring their mothers.

The Dazzling Diamonds initiative is conducted in time for Mother’s Day, with elementary students at East Cobb schools writing essays whose winners are chosen in each grade, kindergarten through fifth.

The mothers of the winners receive a 1/4-carat genuine round-cut brilliant diamond from David Douglas Diamonds and Jewelry, which began Dazzling Diamonds more than 20 years ago to honor the mother of founder Doug Meadows, who passed away from cancer in 1990,

“This is just one small way we can give back to the community and honor moms in the process,” Meadows said in a release issued by the Cobb school district.

2026 Dazzling Diamonds for Mom Winners

  • Kindergarten — Rocky Mount Elementary School — Annelle Geren
  • 1st Grade — Garrison Mill Elementary School — Libby Blythe
  • 2nd Grade — Davis Elementary School — Alice Pass
  • 3rd Grade — Sope Creek Elementary School — Parker Chernoff
  • 4th Grade — Mount Bethel Elementary School — Brooklyn Moore
  • 5th Grade — Murdock Elementary School — Z.Z. Tonng Mayega

More about the some of the individual recipients and their mothers, from the district release, along with their photos:

At Garrison Mill Elementary, first grader Libby Blythe was surprised in front of her classmates when her parents joined her in the media center to learn she had won the contest. Meadows read Libby’s heartfelt essay aloud, leading to an emotional celebration with her family.

“In my opinion my mommy deserves a diamond,” Libby wrote. “First, she has good cooking, but sometimes she burns it. Second, I love cuddling with her. Finally, she is the best!”

At Mount Bethel Elementary, fourth grader Brooklyn Moore and her mother, Stephanie, learned of their win during the school’s morning announcements.

“I’m extremely proud of her for writing something so beautiful,” said Stephanie Moore. “Being a mom is one of the best parts of my life.”

Meanwhile, students at Davis Elementary cheered as second grader Alice Pass received her winning certificate from Meadows in front of her classmates and mother.

“It’s so cool when they get so excited, and their faces are just priceless,” Meadows said.

At Mount Bethel, the surprise came during the school’s morning announcements when Principal Michelle Gillham sat next to Brooklyn Moore and her mom, Stephanie, as they were informed that they had won the Dazzling Diamonds for Mom contest.

“I’m extremely proud of her for writing something so beautiful. Being a mom is one of the best parts of my life,” said Stephanie Moore.

After the announcement, Brooklyn’s classmates erupted in cheers and applauded the fourth grader for winning a diamond for her mom.

At Davis Elementary, Mrs. Brent’s second-grade class got a big surprise when Doug Meadows walked in to present Alice Pass with a certificate naming her a winner of the Dazzling Diamonds for Mom writing contest.

“It’s so cool when they get so excited, and their faces are just priceless,” said Doug Meadows

Alice had a shocked look on her face and was then greeted by a big hug from her mom in front of her second-grade class.

East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'
Libby Blythe of Garrison Mill ES is surprised by her mother.
East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'
Alice Pass of Davis ES with her mother.
East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'
David Douglas Diamonds owner Doug Meadows visits with Davis ES students.

East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'

East Cobb students surprise mothers with 'dazzling diamonds'

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Editor’s Note: Support reader-driven, community-first news!

Editor’s Note: Support reader-driven, community-first news!

When I look back each week on all the stories published at East Cobb News, I marvel at how representative the submissions we get from people and organizations in our community.

That’s because so many of you value having an organ like this website to get out the word, and to build stronger community ties in the process.

Whether it’s a new Eagle Scout, or the latest robotics competition, from newly published authors and newly opened businesses to people and groups helping others in need, East Cobb News lets the rest of the community what’s going on in a unique way.

We’re absolutely proud of this role in encouraging reader-driven, community-first news because that is our mission.

Of course we publish important stories about local government and schools, elections and crimes and serious matters that every citizen should be made aware of.

But what really makes a community tick is how engaged its residents are, and at East Cobb News, we hear from so many of you wishing to share your news across East Cobb.

That’s one of the many value propositions that East Cobb News provides readers every single day—and we mean every single day.

We ask for readers to share their news, to let the community know, and that in turn helps make East Cobb News better. We’re grateful that so many of you oblige.

It’s part of what we do every day, and have done every day, since East Cobb News began publishing nearly nine years ago.

We’re absolutely reader focused, and East Cobb News asks for reader donations to help us to keep giving you the local news that you love.

But we would love to have the support of more of you than we do.

We’ve set up a safe, secure and easy online payment system via Press Patron, which helps local independent online with basic business expenses. They share our passion for local news and want to help small local news businesses like East Cobb News make a go of a tough media environment.

It’s not getting easier, and while East Cobb News is a thrifty operation, our business costs are going up.

You’ve told us how much you value East Cobb News, and here’s your chance to show that support with a donation today.

Here are some suggested levels of support:

  • $6/month or $60/year
  • $12/month or $125/year
  • $30/month or $300/year
  • $50/month or $500/year
  • Custom amount
  • One-time donation

Click here to donate to ECN today!

We do this for our readers without a paywall. We make it easy for you to find out what’s going on, so you can get on with other things.

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

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

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

Donating is secure and easy!

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you East Cobb! And long live local news! Today and every day!

Cobb Elections reports 32K early voters in 2026 primaries

After two weeks of early voting in the 2026 primaries, Cobb Elections reports that more than 32,000 people have cast ballots in advance of the May 19 elections. East Cobb advance voting

Nearly a third of those ballots have been cast at the two early voting locations in East Cobb.

Cobb voters are deciding on a number of offices in the primaries, including contested races for Cobb Board of Commissioners, Cobb Board of Education, 11th District Congress, Georgia Governor and other statewide offices, state judges and U.S. Senate.

As of Thursday, Cobb Elections said 97 percent of the early votes have been cast at person, at more than a dozen locations.

Leading the way is the East Cobb Government Services Center (4,005 votes), followed by the Tim D. Lee Senior Center (3,680 votes). The full breakdown is here; voters can vote early at any location in the county through next Friday, May 15.

The last weekend day of early voting is Sunday, and the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) will be open from 12-5.

Voters can also drop the ballots at the drop box at the East Cobb Government Service Center during early voting hours through next Friday.

Those early voting hours next week will be 7-7 Monday-Friday; there will be no early voting next weekend.

On election day, May 19, voters will go their assigned precincts.

For more locations for early voting, click here. Cobb voters can cast early ballots at any location in the county regardless of where they live.

Voters must bring a valid photo ID with them to the polls (click here for details).

Absentee ballots must be received in person or by mail at the Cobb Elections office or delivered to a designated drop box by 7 p.m. on May 19, when the polls close for good on election day.

To check your voter registration status, and to get a customized sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Cobb Elections also has prepared consolidated sample ballots: Democratic | Republican | Non-Partisan

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Cobb County School District honors 2026 retirees at luncheon

Cobb County School District honors 2026 retirees at luncheon
Dodgen Middle School retireees. Photos from CCSD.

The Cobb County School District this week held its annual luncheon near the end of the school year to honor employees who are retiring.

They include teachers, administrators, front office personnel, custodians, nurses, librarians, lunchroom workers, bus drivers and more.

We’ve included a listing below of the retirees at schools in the East Cobb area, along with photos from the district at the luncheon on Wednesday at the Cobb Convention Center.

This year’s retirees across the district logged more than 6,700 years of service. The number in parenthesis is the number of years each retiree served in the district, and not necessarily at their last school.

Elementary Schools

  • Addison: Sally Bocarro, teacher (21); Deborah Burdett, teacher (30); Stacy Pitts, teacher (24); Wanza Walston, teacher (33)
  • Bells Ferry: Teresa White, librarian (29); Sheri Parker, teacher (26)
  • Blackwell: Beth A Biancofiore, parapro (19); Sheri France, nurse (19)
  • Brumby: Richard Williamson, teacher (18)
  • Davis: Nancy Parsons, teacher (19); Michele Lowe, teacher (24); Kelly Lleranda, speech pathologist (24)
  • East Side: Vicky McDonald, teacher (19); Dorothy Reuther, teacher (17)
  • Eastvalley: Lisa Sonenshine, teacher (25); Melissa Madden, secretary (22); Terri Henderson, teacher (25)
  • Garrison Mill: Susan Clark, teacher (18)
  • Keheley: Tracy Cloer, parapro (25)
  • Kincaid: Cheryl Hammen, nurse (10); Heather Gutzmer-Reynolds, teacher (20); Cindy Knight, parapro (15); Deborah Tennyson, principal (28)
  • Mountain View: Robin Carney, secretary (20); Lisa Devine, teacher (11); Regina Davis, teacher (29); Crystal Bentley, parapro (18)
  • Murdock: Margaret-Ellen Laettner, teacher (22)
  • Nicholson: Vicky Phelps, parapro (22); Mary Mangum, parapro (25)
  • Powers Ferry: Amy Allen, teacher (13)
  • Rocky Mount: Sandra August, teacher (24)
  • Sedalia Park: Anne Bernard, teacher (11)
  • Shallowford Falls: Maribeth Fusco, secretary (14)
  • Sope Creek: Roni Levine, parapro (14); Regina Carter, teacher (24); Jana Ladner, psychologist (24)
  • Timber Ridge: Shannon McGill, principal (31); Alison Dunford, teacher (18): Christiane Wyckoff, teacher (23)

Middle Schools

  • Daniell: Stacy Jent, teacher (13); Joanna Burdell, teacher (18)
  • Dickerson: Richard Kaht, teacher (29); Sherilyn Walworth, teacher (24); Judith Elwood, teacher (20); Karen Kister, teacher (30); Pamela Bone, teacher (21)
  • Dodgen: Stacie Murrell, teacher (32); Lisa Boardman, secretary (20); Claire Giles, teacher (20); Kim Kellett, teacher (37)
  • East Cobb: William Triebsch, assistant principal (30); Andrew Shively, teacher (20)
  • Hightower Trail: Colleen Yurkanin-Ham, teacher (19); Janna Atkins, teacher (15)
  • Mabry: Elizabeth Davis, teacher (28); Stephen Fields, teacher (8); Kimberly Morton, teacher (26)
  • McCleskey: Licia Murrell, music teacher (23); Rebecca Slade, nurse (26); Paula Whittle, teacher (19)
  • Simpson: Mary Wynne, food service manager (23); Sheridan Evans, teacher (12)

High Schools

  • Kell: Edwin Ainsworth, police officer (10); Terri Robbins, secretary (19)
  • Lassiter: Amy West, food service (12); James Boyland, teacher (20); Stephanie Albrechtson, speech pathologist (23); Evelyn Dodd, teacher (5); Deborah Isenbletter, food service (18); Deborah Grimes, food service (23)
  • Pope: Maria Vera-Tancredi, teacher (22); Kathy Beckerman, teacher (21); Jerry Mahon, teacher (29); Eric Sever, teacher (20)
  • Sprayberry: Tracy Merriman, teacher (22); Rachelle Denison, clerk (16); Anne Thomas, teacher (23)
  • Wheeler: Lori Barger, teacher (15); Leigh Kuhn, teacher (33); Deanna Munlin, assistant principal (28): Melissa Winston, teacher (27); George Wasson, teacher (20); Lisa Casey, teacher (24)

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Marietta History Center to present American presidency event

Submitted information:Marietta History Center to present American presidency event

The Marietta History Center invites the public to explore the history of the American Presidency through the remarkable personal collection of local historian and collector Russell Clayton on Saturday, June 27th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Community Room.

This program is part of the Marietta History Center’s ongoing celebration of America’s 250th anniversary (America250), connecting local and national stories through history, art, and civic dialogue. As part of this celebration, the Marietta History Center is proud to offer this program free to the community.

Clayton, a sixth-generation Marietta native and retired Cobb County educator, will share items from his extensive collections related to the American Presidency and the White House. Featured materials include presidential autographs, rare books, vintage engravings, Christmas and holiday cards, gifts, and campaign buttons spanning multiple eras of U.S. history.

Clayton’s lifelong fascination with the presidency began at the age of eight, when his father took him to Washington, D.C. That early experience sparked a passion that has grown into decades of collecting and research. His presentation offers a personal and engaging look at the individuals, traditions, and symbols that have shaped the nation’s highest office.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early, as Clayton will be available prior to the official program to showcase additional items from his collection and speak informally with attendees.

Members may reserve tickets by emailing [email protected]. Tickets are also available online or in-store.

For more information, visit MariettaHistory.org.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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

Marietta Greek Festival returns for 36th annual event

Marietta Greek Festival returns for 36th annual event

Submitted information:

East Cobb’s beloved Marietta Greek Festival is back for its 36th year! Come enjoy your favorite homemade Greek foods, music, dancing and atmosphere as you make your way around the beautiful grounds – experiencing the beauty of the Greek culture.

The festival is held at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church (3431 Trickum Road, Marietta GA 30066), with complimentary parking & shuttle services.

Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free. Secure your tickets ONLINE NOW!

The hours of operation are:
Friday, May 15th, 4:00pm – 10:30pm
Saturday, May 16th, 11:00am – 10:30pm
Sunday, May 17th, 11:00am – 4:00pm

Visit www.mariettagreekfestival.com for more information about festival details, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer positions, and more.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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