Marietta Daily Journal
‘Truly delighted’
MARIETTA — The Cobb County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People saw hundreds of chapter members, community leaders and supporters turn out for its annual Oscar Freeman Freedom Funds Award Gala on Saturday. Named...
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‘Disasterville’
EAST COBB — Sprayberry High School students got to try their hand at responding to natural disasters Thursday through an interactive experience provided by the Army National Guard. The Sprayberry gym was transformed into “Disasterville,” a virtual...
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‘Veterans come first’
CUMBERLAND — During remarks to the Cobb Chamber on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins said he is working hard to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins said as secretary he has worked to reform the VA, including...
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Keisha Lance Bottoms claims place in history
ATLANTA — Georgia voters made history Tuesday, electing for the first time in 238 years of statehood a woman — and a Black person — as governor. In January, when she is sworn into office, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta,...
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‘We’ve got to vote’
Election Day is finally here. After months of campaigning, rallies, speeches and more, the people of Georgia are ready to make their voices heard in the 2026 midterm elections. “It was good,” Mike Carlile, a retired northeast Cobb voter, told the...
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FUN TAKES FLIGHT
Ghosts, princesses, superheroes and witches turned out in droves Saturday evening for Avenue at West Cobb’s annual fall festival. The festival invited kids and their families to trick-or-treat at local businesses, play games, watch magic shows, enjoy...
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A SPOOKY GOOD TIME
Ghosts, princesses, superheroes and witches turned out in droves Saturday evening for Avenue at west Cobb’s annual fall festival. The festival invited kids and their families to The Avenue at West Cobb, located off Dallas Highway in Marietta, to...
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Tossing time
MARIETTA — Pumpkins were flying all over the place at a Kennesaw State University field Thursday afternoon. It was the site of the university’s 16th annual “Pumpkin Launch,” a fall tradition where students from KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of...
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Pilot zones
Cobb County officials unveiled the county’s microtransit service expansion Thursday morning, bringing the on-demand service to new areas of the county. The microtransit service, known as CobbLinc Go, is operated by Via Transportation and uses minivans...
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‘Amazing teachers’
MARIETTA — The Cobb and Marietta school systems came together Wednesday morning for an upbeat, energetic celebration honoring over 130 educators named a 2026-27 Teacher of the Year at their respective schools. Rachel Maddox, who teaches fourth grade...
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Exercise your right
MARIETTA — Cobb County remains on track to surpass its early voting turnout number from 2022. Through the first two weeks of voting, Cobb County has seen 149,929 ballots cast, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s website, well on the way to...
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Candy Crawl
KENNESAW — Fairies, superheroes, goblins and witches filled the streets of downtown Kennesaw on Saturday for the city’s annual Candy Crawl. The event, which is put on by the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority and the Kennesaw Downtown Merchants...
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Crawling for treats
KENNESAW — Fairies, superheroes, goblins and witches filled the streets of downtown Kennesaw on Saturday for the city’s annual Candy Crawl. The event, which is put on by the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority and the Kennesaw Downtown Merchants...
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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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