Marietta Daily Journal
Spooky season
MARIETTA — Halloween is just around the corner and skeletons, spiders, tombstones and more line Cherokee and Church streets in anticipation. Up and down the roads between North Marietta Parkway and Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, neighbors work to put...
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‘When you get out, nobody tells you nothing’
Hundreds of veterans from across the state gathered at the Cobb County Civic Center Thursday for the fifth annual Metro Atlanta We CARE Vet Fair. Hosted by United Military Care, a veterans support nonprofit, the fair is held at several locations...
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Contaminated river
Environmental officials have confirmed the presence of forever chemicals in the Chattahoochee River, according to a study released Wednesday. The study from the Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group found per- and...
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Election season
Cobb has seen a 15.9% turnout through the first week of the early voting period, which began Oct. 13, Georgia’s secretary of state reports. This puts the county above the state average of 13.6%. Through the first week of voting, 83,183 in-person...
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Blue Devil crown
Marietta High School senior Birdie Dixon was crowned homecoming queen at the school’s football game against Paulding County Friday night. Former homecoming queen Breanna Herrick put the cape and crown on Dixon during the halftime ceremony at Northcutt...
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Ossoff, Bottoms hold joint rally as early voting opens
CUMBERLAND — Cobb County was a flurry of activity Saturday as Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms made a joint appearance at the Cobb Galleria for the first weekend of early voting. Ossoff currently has a lead...
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Marietta’s Court
The nominees for Marietta High School’s homecoming royal court are set as students prepare to receive a crown during the school’s homecoming celebration Friday. Among the students chosen as nominees for the school’s homecoming king and queen...
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SCARECROWS ON THE SQUARE RETURNS FOR 23RD YEAR
Businesses, schools and nonprofits are bringing their creativity to Marietta Square for the 23rd annual Scarecrows on the Square competition, with bragging rights and a “Best in Show” title up for grabs. “The Scarecrows in the Square is an opportunity...
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Top priorities
Roughly two-thirds of Powder Springs’ proposed $24.3 million allocation through the 2028 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program would fund road resurfacing, intersection improvements, bridges and parking, if voters approve renewing the 1% sales...
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COBB-MARIETTA MARCHING BAND EXHIBITION MARKS 53RD YEAR
Musicians from across the county marked the 53rd year of the Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition. The exhibition was held on October 5 at Harrison High School and on October 12 at Lassiter High School. The exhibition is a chance to experience the...
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‘Get things done’
In 1980, roughly 5,000 people called the city of Kennesaw home. More than four decades later, the city is approaching 40,000 residents — growth city officials say has made keeping up with roads, sidewalks, public buildings and other infrastructure...
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Rivera gives back
MARIETTA — Marietta High School seniors got a leg up in the college application process Friday morning. The students got the chance to send in a free college application to the school of their choice. The opportunity was made possible by Marietta City...
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SATURDAY/SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10/11, 2026 MDJONLINE.COM Cobb Co. braces for hurricane
INSIDE TODAY: The MDJ’s 2026 general election voter guide, which includes candidate Q&As for Cobb school board, Cobb commission as well as Cobb’s representatives in the state House and Senate. Also inside are sample ballots and a look at the race for...
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Smyrna’s $70.9M plans
SMYRNA — Tolleson Park and Pool. The Smyrna Market Village Green. Those are just a few of the projects Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton pointed to that have been previously funded by Cobb County’s 1%, six-year sales tax. Come November, voters will decide...
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‘We had a great fair’
Sunday rain prevented the North Georgia State Fair from breaking the all-time attendance record it set at Jim Miller Park last year, but it was still a successful showing for the fair’s 94th year. Fair manager Tod Miller told the MDJ he expects this...
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Getting into full swing
The North Georgia State Fair, presented by Superior Plumbing, is now in its first full week at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Here’s what you need to know about the fair’s sixth day Tuesday. The fair opens at 4 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. After 6 p.m.,...
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‘She was just a light’
EAST COBB — Friends, neighbors and Cobb County officials gathered Saturday morning to plant and dedicate a tree in honor of Carol Brown, a community advocate who died in March at 75 years old. Officials planted the tree outside Gritters Library,...
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Festive fair food
MARIETTA — There is no shortage of food at this year’s North Georgia State Fair presented by Superior Plumbing at Jim Miller Park. Options range from classic fair staples to all-new inventions from fair vendors. Each year, the fair holds a “Crazy Fair...
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‘For decades to come’
Kennesaw’s new $15.6 million public safety facility is open for business. Hundreds of officers, Kennesaw staff and community members gathered for an open house after officials cut the ribbon on the two-story facility, located at 3074 Moon Station...
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Time for the fair
The 94th annual Superior Plumbing Presents North Georgia State Fair is returning to Cobb County this week at Jim Miller Park. The fair will run from Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 4. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight...
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Veni, vidi, Vinings
An upscale contemporary Italian restaurant has opened its doors in Vinings. Cotto Modern Italian held its grand opening Thursday at Vinings Jubilee. It was created by restaurant management company Fork U Concepts, which also operates Taqueria Tsunami,...
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A full agenda
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is set to consider funding improvements to the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Shallowford roads during Tuesday’s meeting. Planned improvements to the intersection include reconfiguring the westbound lanes to...
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FARM FRESH
The Acworth Farmers Market invited residents to peruse a range of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, preserves and other farm products Saturday morning. Tina Rhoades, manager of the Acworth Farmers Market, said the extra day was a new addition...
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‘You are not forgotten’
Veterans, servicemembers and two former POWs gathered at a new memorial to honor those who have yet to make it home during National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day Friday. The Aviation History and Technology Center, an outdoor...
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Bees, birds and more
SMYRNA — Pollinator pockets are popping up in Smyrna as the city works to create habitats for bees, birds, butterflies and more. According to Keep Smyrna Beautiful (KSB) Executive Director Julie Barwig, pollinator pockets are gardens designed to...
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Campaign promises
MARIETTA — Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson promised to create a statelevel agency for veterans issues if elected. The promise — which he made during a press conference Wednesday in Marietta — is in response to veterans complaining that...
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SPLIT VOTE
MARIETTA — The Cobb Board of Commissioners approved the rezoning for a controversial mixed-use development in an industrial corridor on Atlanta Road during Tuesday’s zoning hearing. The proposal from developer Branch Acquisition Company aims to...
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Leading lady
CUMBERLAND — The Cobb Chamber of Commerce named County Manager Jackie McMorris the 2026 Woman of Distinction on Monday. The Woman of Distinction award is given annually by the chamber’s Cobb Executive Women to recognize a woman who has demonstrated...
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Searching for stars
MARIETTA — A program devoted to mentoring young girls has opened a chapter in Marietta. Every Girl Shines is a nonprofit that pairs middle and high school girls with professional women for advice and mentorship. Since its beginning in 2017, the...
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Field of Flags
More than 100 people gathered at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park early Friday morning for a ceremony honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The event was hosted as part of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta’s...
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25 YEARS LATER
Smyrna Scouts, first responders and their families gathered Thursday evening to place flags at City Hall to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The event was sponsored by the Smyrna police and fire departments, and the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation,...
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Room for rooms
Cobb County is set to consider language allowing accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as part of upcoming amendments to the county code. ADUs are secondary independent residential units located on the same lot as a detached singlefamily home. They are...
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‘Years of prayer’
SMYRNA — A new era for Smyrna First Baptist Church is beginning after the church broke ground on its new campus last week. The church, currently located at 1275 Church Street SE, is moving less than a mile away to 5.5 acres at 3030 Atlanta Road,...
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Walking the walk
CUMBERLAND — Hundreds of firefighters and civilians from Cobb County and beyond were up bright and early Saturday to be part of a stair climb honoring the sacrifice of 343 firefighters who died while responding to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The...
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‘It means everything’
Hundreds of firefighters and civilians from Cobb County and beyond were up bright and early Saturday morning to be part of a stair climb event to honor the sacrifice of 343 firefighters who died while responding to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The...
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Report: Former KSU student had not been seen in days prior to death
Roommates of a former Kennesaw State University student who was found dead in an apartment near campus told police he hadn’t been seen or heard from for days prior to his death, according to a police report. Larry Parker Green, 24, was found dead...
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Inflated celebration
MARIETTA — Strong test scores on the annual Georgia Milestone exams called for a bounce house celebration Thursday for Dunleith Elementary School students. School administrators brought four large bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses into the...
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The home stretch
TRUIST PARK — The end of the Major League Baseball season is just around the corner, and the Atlanta Braves are celebrating with new merchandise, theme nights and specialty concessions for fans at all its remaining home games at Truist Park. The...
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Oasis for officers
WEST COBB — A former dilapidated space at Cobb Police’s Precinct 5 station received a facelift after officials opened its new outdoor garden area, created and built by a local Girl Scout. Laine Burson, 18, designed and transformed the space into a...
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Field of Flags
MARIETTA — Hundreds of people marched down Kennesaw Avenue on Saturday morning to plant nearly 3,000 flags at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The event, known as Field of Flags, was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta and invited the...
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Always remember
MARIETTA — Hundreds of people marched down Kennesaw Avenue on Saturday morning to plant nearly 3,000 flags at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The event, known as Field of Flags, was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta and invited the...
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DREAM BIG
MARIETTA — Friday kickstarted the Marietta High School football team’s first home game of the season, as well as an annual tradition for the team’s junior and senior players. Multiple players brought school spirit to Lockheed Elementary School by...
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Top priority
MABLETON — The Mableton City Council appointed Kerry Stallings as the city’s inaugural public safety director during Wednesday’s meeting. Stallings currently serves as chief of police for the University System of Georgia (USG), where he oversees...
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Hope chest
EAST COBB — Cobb foster parents looking for childcare assistance just received a new resource. Local nonprofit Ignite Hope, founded by east Cobb residents Jacqui and Jeff Jackson, held the grand opening of the organization’s Hope Chest, a store space...
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Collins in Cobb
ACWORTH — Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins brought his campaign for U.S. Senate to Cobb County Monday night, pitching his record on veterans, taxes and national security while taking repeated aim at Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. In a...
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A new year
KENNESAW — Sweet treats and stuffed owls welcomed thousands of Kennesaw State University students back to campus as the fall semester kicked off Monday. University President Kathy Schwaig stood on the campus green alongside school mascot Scrappy the...
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Wares of the world
MARIETTA — The world came to Cobb County on Saturday as the Cobb International Festival returned to Jim Miller Park in Marietta. The festival, which has taken place since 2019, is a family-friendly event that offers the opportunity to taste,...
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‘Once-in-a-lifetime’
Marietta High School families gathered at Marietta Melt Yard Thursday night to cheer on the Blue Devils from more than 4,000 miles away as they opened their football season against the NFL Academy in Loughborough, England. Superintendent Grant Rivera...
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‘Always your babies’
MARIETTA — For the second time this year, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office opened the doors of its adult detention center Thursday to something rarely seen inside a jail: mothers embracing their children. Seven female detainees were reunited with...
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A new nest
With the new school year less than a week away, new students flooded the halls of Kennesaw State University’s dorm room towers Wednesday for the first day of student move-in. Over 4,200 students across KSU’s Kennesaw and Marietta campuses are slated...
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Start with purpose
KENNESAW — Thousands of students, parents, teachers and community members gathered on North Cobb Christian School’s football field for a moment of prayer, worship and reflection Tuesday morning. The event marks the school’s 28th Circle of Prayer,...
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Top teacher
MABLETON — The Cobb County School District has named Mableton Elementary School teacher Kylie Hardy Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, members of the Cobb Board of Education and Mableton Elementary staff surprised Hardy with the honor...
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A SPECIAL REUNION
POWDER SPRINGS — A few dozen seniors braved the heat Saturday afternoon to spend time with old friends at the 60th reunion for the Lemon Street High School Class of 1966. Lemon Street High School was a school for Black students in Cobb County before...
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‘Trip of a lifetime’
MARIETTA — Marietta High School’s football team boarded buses Friday bound for the airport and a once-in-a-lifetime journey to London, where the Blue Devils will open their 2026 season on an international stage. The team — 45 players, 18 coaches, two...
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Deed is done
MARIETTA — The City Council voted Wednesday night to approve a controversial data center on Powers Ferry Place, off Delk Road. The approval will enable an existing storage building on the 10.7-acre property at 1155 Powers Ferry Place to be partially...
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Across the pond
MARIETTA — Kickoff to Marietta High School’s football season is next week, and practices are well underway for perhaps the farthest road game the team has ever had to play. Instead of playing under the bright lights of Northcutt Stadium, over 40...
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Not so common
SMYRNA — This week, Whitefield Academy celebrated a major milestone for its 100-acre Smyrna campus with the grand opening of its new $40 million Learning Commons. Students, parents and staff of the Christ-centered college preparatory school eagerly...
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Sweet rides, good cause
ACWORTH — The parking lot outside of Holbrook Life Communities, a senior living community, was transformed into a display of classic cars over the weekend. The car show was organized by Holbrook staff working with Car Community Connection, a classic...
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Critter couture
MABLETON — Pets and their families from across Cobb County turned out in style Saturday for Cobb County Animal Services’ Woofs and Whiskers fashion show. The fashion show, which was held at Mable House Arts Center, invited people and their furry...
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Data debate
A pair of experts said residents should be concerned the Marietta City Council is considering approving a data center near a residential area. The comments came during a Thursday evening town hall at the Cobb County Civic Center on data centers hosted...
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Excellent educators
It was an emotional and exciting morning for three schools as the Cobb School District named its 2026 elementary, middle and high school-level Teachers of the Year. Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and several members of the Cobb Board of...
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Welcoming vibes
SMYRNA — Riverline Coffee, the Jonquil City’s newest coffee shop, is for “the craft obsessed and the curious.” Inside the shop, shelves full of books on various topics, games, coloring books and pencils cover one wall. On the other side of the shop, a...
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Wrapped in tradition
MARIETTA — Rolls of toilet paper dangled from trees, trash cans and bushes across Marietta High School while the school’s entrance was blanketed by the stuff Monday evening. Members of the Marietta High School Class of 2027 arrived the night before...
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Class is in session
ACWORTH — Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale visited students and teachers and spoke with media Monday during a firstday-of-school event at Pickett’s Mill Elementary School. As around 105,000 students headed back to school across the district,...
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A lot of colors
MARIETTA — The Marietta High School parking lot turned into an art studio for the senior class with parking spaces as their canvases. In an annual tradition, the Class of 2027 kicked off the last weekend of summer vacation by painting their reserved...
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Laying the foundation
For inaugural city manager William “Bill” Tanks, managing Cobb County’s youngest city takes dedication, focus and a commitment to serving others. Tanks began his role as city manager in April 2024, one year after the city incorporated in May...
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Practice makes perfect
NORTHEAST COBB — With the first day of school on Monday, the Cobb County School District’s youngest students got their first look at their school buses and classrooms Thursday morning. Dozens of students at Mountain View Elementary School boarded the...
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‘Be somebody’
MARIETTA — As students prepare to return to school next week, Marietta City Schools hosted its annual staff kickoff celebration to welcome teachers and faculty back to class. Superintendent Grant Rivera led the kickoff at the Marietta Performing Arts...
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Dogs on duty
MABLETON — With the 2026-27 school year approaching next week, the Cobb School District is preparing to introduce an additional eight Vapor Wake K-9s to its weapons detection fleet. In total, 16 different K-9s — trained to detect explosives and...
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