MDJ Script/ Top Stories for February 26th 

Publish Date:  February 26th 

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From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

Today is Wednesday, February 26th and Happy Birthday to Johny Cash 

***02.26.25 - BIRTHDAY – JOHNNY CASH*** 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. Cobb High School Coalition Hammers First Nails in Habitat Home 
2. KSU Students Call for Skybridge at Campus Intersection 
3. Taste of Marietta is April 27 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

BREAK: Ingles Markets 3 

STORY 1:   Cobb High School Coalition Hammers First Nails in Habitat Home 

On Saturday, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta, local high school students, and future homeowner David began building the first home of the season in Austell. This marks the 28th Habitat home built by students from five Cobb County high schools. David, a single father and U.S. Postal Service worker, is excited to create a safe, stable home for his two sons. Habitat CEO Kyle Huhtanen praised the students’ dedication, working nine Saturdays to help a local family. The project is supported by sponsors, donors, and volunteers, making David’s dream of homeownership a reality. 

STORY 2:     KSU Students Call for Skybridge at Campus Intersection 

Following a tragic accident where KSU sophomore Alyssa Stringer lost her leg after being struck by a car, over 150 students have joined the BRIDGE initiative, co-founded by freshman Joshua Fowler, to improve pedestrian safety near campus. The group is advocating for a pedestrian skybridge at the dangerous Frey Road and Skip Spann Connector intersection, which has seen 150 crashes since 2019. While Cobb County oversees the intersection, officials are conducting a traffic study and have made signal adjustments. BRIDGE aims to push for long-term solutions, including the bridge, while exploring temporary safety measures. 

STORY 3:  Taste of Marietta is April 27 

Taste of Marietta, Cobb County’s largest food festival, returns April 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Marietta Square, celebrating its 30th year. Featuring over 50 restaurants, live music, a Kids’ Zone, chef spotlights, and a food competition, the event offers something for everyone. New additions include the Publix VIP Lounge with exclusive perks for $89 and the Georgia Grown Member Village showcasing local goods. Admission is free, with food prices ranging from $2 to $10. Over 50,000 attendees are expected. Visit tasteofmarietta.com for details. 

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STORY 4:  Kennesaw Man Charged with Murdering Mother 

A Kennesaw man, Daniel Sarris, 28, was arrested Monday and charged with murdering his mother, Melanie Sarris, 67. Cobb police discovered Melanie deceased at her home on Evian Way during a welfare check around 10:30 a.m. Daniel faces charges of aggravated assault and murder. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Cobb County Police Department at 770-499-3945. 

STORY 5:  Cobb Schools Backing School Safety Bill 

The Cobb County School District supports House Bill 268, which aims to enhance school safety in Georgia. The bill proposes measures like an anonymous tip app, mandatory threat management teams, stricter punishments for terroristic threats, and tax incentives for safe gun storage. It also includes creating a statewide database for timely student data sharing between schools. While Cobb Schools back the bill, Assistant Superintendent Gretchen Walton is working with legislators to refine its language. Some Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about potential bias in the database and its impact on minority students. The bill remains under review in the House. 

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STORY 6:  19-Year-Old Arrested in Connection to Cumberland Shooting 

Cobb County Police arrested 19-year-old Trevon Clarence Thomas on Tuesday for allegedly shooting two men during a 5-year-old’s birthday party at Main Event near Cumberland Mall. Thomas reportedly fired a pistol, injuring Kai Greenwood and Kashif Walls, before fleeing the scene. Both victims sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. Thomas, with a history of legal troubles, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault and weapon possession. Denied bond as a “danger to the community,” he remains in custody. His prior offenses include trespassing, assault, and illegal firearm possession. 

STORY 7:  8th Annual Adult Spelling Bee is March 14 at The Strand Theatre 

Communities in Schools of Georgia in Marietta/Cobb County will host the 8th Annual Adult Spelling Bee on March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre. Proceeds support CIS’s mission to help over 27,000 students annually with academic and non-academic challenges, including financial literacy, workforce development, and graduation support. The event, known for its costumes and comedic antics, features teams competing for spelling and fundraising awards. Last year’s event raised over $100,000, with a goal of $125,000 this year. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $75 for VIP at earlsmithstrand.org. 

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Signoff-   

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.mdjonline.com 

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