MDJ Script/ Top Stories for July 2nd 

Publish Date:  July 2nd 

   

Commercial:  

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

  

Today is Wednesday, July 2nd and Happy Birthday to  

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 
Cobb K9 finds murder victim remains, suspect sentenced to life
Acworth student named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University
‘The Bluebird Guy’ Leads 13-Year Conservation Effort in West Cobb

 

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 9 

STORY 1:   Cobb K9 finds murder victim remains, suspect sentenced to life 

A Cobb County investigator, Dr. Tracy Sargent, and her K-9 partner, Taz, played a key role in solving the murder of Carrie Hardin, a Fayetteville woman. Taz, a cadaver dog rescued and trained by Sargent, discovered Carrie’s burned body in a shallow grave near her home. Carrie’s husband, Kenneth Hardin Jr., confessed to the murder after a domestic dispute and was arrested in Louisiana following a multi-state manhunt. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including felony murder, and was sentenced to life without parole. Sargent and Taz have a history of assisting law enforcement nationwide in missing persons and homicide cases. 

 

STORY 2: Acworth student named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University 

Katherine Ullmer of Acworth was honored as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar during Mississippi State University's spring 2025 commencement. Among over 3,500 graduates, she was one of 140 students to achieve this distinction, awarded to those with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Ullmer earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from MSU's College of Business. 

 

STORY 3: ‘The Bluebird Guy’ Leads 13-Year Conservation Effort in West Cobb 

Jim Bearden, a 79-year-old retired event planner from Alabama, is affectionately known as “the Bluebird Guy” for his 13-year conservation efforts to repopulate bluebirds in the southeast. Starting with one nesting box at Green Meadows Preserve in Cobb County, Bearden has expanded the Bluebird Trail to over 30 boxes, helping over 3,000 bluebirds thrive. His work combats the species' decline caused by DDT in the 1960s and ’70s. Bearden funds much of the effort himself, including $200 monthly for mealworms, but annual fundraisers like the Marietta Wine Market event help offset costs. The trail’s success has inspired community involvement, with Bearden sharing tips like planting native plants and avoiding pesticides. His work is also shared with Cornell’s NestWatch program, ensuring a lasting impact. 

 

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  

 

We’ll be right back. 

 

Break: INGLES 9 

 

STORY 4:'Love and diversity': Thousands celebrate LGBTQ+ community at Smyrna Pride 

 

The fifth annual Smyrna Pride festival brought together over 3,500 attendees on Saturday to celebrate love, diversity, and the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by Smyrna is Fabulous, the event is Cobb County’s only Pride festival and featured over 50 LGBTQ-owned or inclusive vendors, live music, face painting, and food. Campbell High School’s Pride Coalition engaged guests with a signed rainbow flag tradition, fostering a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. Attendees, including families and allies, embraced the festival’s message of love and acceptance. Organizers highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming space in Georgia, celebrating the beauty of diverse identities and connections. 

 

STORY 5: Cobb D.A. launches chaplain program to support staff facing trauma 

Cobb District Attorney Sonya Allen introduced a chaplain program to support her team of prosecutors, investigators, and staff who face trauma from handling violent crimes. At a luncheon, Senior DA Jared Horowitz and others shared the emotional toll of cases involving murder, rape, and child abuse. The program, offering spiritual care from various faiths, aims to help staff process their experiences and maintain mental well-being. Pastor Dorcas Rodriguez emphasized providing compassion and support, while Horowitz highlighted the importance of staying emotionally strong to serve victims and the community. The event concluded with prayers, marking the program's start in fostering justice and compassion. 

 

 

Break:  

 

STORY 6: Marietta Awards $1.4M in Arts and Tourism Grants 

The Marietta City Council approved $1.39 million in grants to 18 local arts, culture, and tourism organizations, funded by auto rental and hotel/motel taxes. Major recipients included the Marietta History Center ($160,000), Strand Theatre ($100,000), and Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art ($95,000). The Georgia Symphony Orchestra received $24,000, far below their $95,000 request, sparking concern from Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson, who highlighted the orchestra’s 75-year contribution to the community. Despite her opposition, the council approved the recommendations. The grants support programming, marketing, and staffing for organizations, ensuring continued investment in Marietta’s cultural scene. 

STORY 7: Truist Park, Battery revenues continue to outpace county debt service 

Cobb County’s partnership with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta continues to generate significant revenue, surpassing its debt obligations. In 2024, the county netted $3 million in general fund gains, with property tax revenues from The Battery increasing to $2.6 million. Since 2014, The Battery’s taxable value has grown from $5 million to $577 million. Additional sales tax revenues from the development totaled $28 million in 2024, benefiting the county, schools, and state. Braves Development Company highlighted ongoing projects, including new restaurants, residential towers, and the upcoming MLB All-Star Week, showcasing the partnership’s long-term success and economic impact. 

 

We’ll have closing comments after this.  

Break: INGLES 9 

 

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 

Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

Produced by the BG Podcast Network 

  

Show Sponsors: 
www.ingles-markets.com

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MDJ Script/ Top Stories for July 2nd&nbsp;
Publish Date:  July 2nd&nbsp;
  &nbsp;
Commercial:&nbsp;&nbsp;
From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. &nbsp;
 &nbsp;
Today is Wednesday, July 2nd and Happy Birthday to&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>Cobb K9 finds murder victim remains, suspect sentenced to life</li>
<li>Acworth student named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University</li>
<li>&lsquo;The Bluebird Guy&rsquo; Leads 13-Year Conservation Effort in West Cobb</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
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! &nbsp;
&nbsp;
BREAK: INGLES 9&nbsp;
STORY 1:&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/cobb-k9-finds-murder-victim-remains-suspect-sentenced-to-life/article_fdd60f51-8eb2-4d50-b137-e9086baecbf4.html">Cobb K9 finds murder victim remains, suspect sentenced to life</a>&nbsp;
A Cobb County investigator, Dr. Tracy Sargent, and her K-9 partner, Taz, played a key role in solving the murder of Carrie Hardin, a Fayetteville woman. Taz, a cadaver dog rescued and trained by Sargent, discovered Carrie&rsquo;s burned body in a shallow grave near her home. Carrie&rsquo;s husband, Kenneth Hardin Jr., confessed to the murder after a domestic dispute and was arrested in Louisiana following a multi-state manhunt. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including felony murder, and was sentenced to life without parole. Sargent and Taz have a history of assisting law enforcement nationwide in missing persons and homicide cases.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 2: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/education/acworth-student-named-a-stephen-d-lee-scholar-at-mississippi-state-university/article_d192fc63-c09d-42db-8168-52b6e4df9c0d.html">Acworth student named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar at Mississippi State University</a>&nbsp;
Katherine Ullmer of Acworth was honored as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar during Mississippi State University's spring 2025 commencement. Among over 3,500 graduates, she was one of 140 students to achieve this distinction, awarded to those with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Ullmer earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from MSU's College of Business.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 3: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/the-bluebird-guy-leads-13-year-conservation-effort-in-west-cobb/article_8a0d60c6-64cd-489a-8fdb-9336aacb7f37.html">&lsquo;The Bluebird Guy&rsquo; Leads 13-Year Conservation Effort in West Cobb</a>&nbsp;
Jim Bearden, a 79-year-old retired event planner from Alabama, is affectionately known as &ldquo;the Bluebird Guy&rdquo; for his 13-year conservation efforts to repopulate bluebirds in the southeast. Starting with one nesting box at Green Meadows Preserve in Cobb County, Bearden has expanded the Bluebird Trail to over 30 boxes, helping over 3,000 bluebirds thrive. His work combats the species' decline caused by DDT in the 1960s and &rsquo;70s. Bearden funds much of the effort himself, including $200 monthly for mealworms, but annual fundraisers like the Marietta Wine Market event help offset costs. The trail&rsquo;s success has inspired community involvement, with Bearden sharing tips like planting native plants and avoiding pesticides. His work is also shared with Cornell&rsquo;s NestWatch program, ensuring a lasting impact.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll be right back.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break: INGLES 9&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 4: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/love-and-diversity-thousands-celebrate-lgbtq-community-at-smyrna-pride/article_e769fc98-aaee-46ab-931c-627447f9bef7.html">'Love and diversity': Thousands celebrate LGBTQ+ community at Smyrna Pride</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The fifth annual Smyrna Pride festival brought together over 3,500 attendees on Saturday to celebrate love, diversity, and the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by Smyrna is Fabulous, the event is Cobb County&rsquo;s only Pride festival and featured over 50 LGBTQ-owned or inclusive vendors, live music, face painting, and food. Campbell High School&rsquo;s Pride Coalition engaged guests with a signed rainbow flag tradition, fostering a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. Attendees, including families and allies, embraced the festival&rsquo;s message of love and acceptance. Organizers highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming space in Georgia, celebrating the beauty of diverse identities and connections.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 5: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/cobb-d-a-launches-chaplain-program-to-support-staff-facing-trauma/article_49accc9d-dc3b-4e48-bb93-449d4f0fa857.html">Cobb D.A. launches chaplain program to support staff facing trauma</a>&nbsp;
Cobb District Attorney Sonya Allen introduced a chaplain program to support her team of prosecutors, investigators, and staff who face trauma from handling violent crimes. At a luncheon, Senior DA Jared Horowitz and others shared the emotional toll of cases involving murder, rape, and child abuse. The program, offering spiritual care from various faiths, aims to help staff process their experiences and maintain mental well-being. Pastor Dorcas Rodriguez emphasized providing compassion and support, while Horowitz highlighted the importance of staying emotionally strong to serve victims and the community. The event concluded with prayers, marking the program's start in fostering justice and compassion.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 6: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/marietta-awards-1-4m-in-arts-and-tourism-grants/article_0bd007da-0d84-4292-a104-c29ddb97c2f4.html">Marietta Awards $1.4M in Arts and Tourism Grants</a>&nbsp;
The Marietta City Council approved $1.39 million in grants to 18 local arts, culture, and tourism organizations, funded by auto rental and hotel/motel taxes. Major recipients included the Marietta History Center ($160,000), Strand Theatre ($100,000), and Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art ($95,000). The Georgia Symphony Orchestra received $24,000, far below their $95,000 request, sparking concern from Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson, who highlighted the orchestra&rsquo;s 75-year contribution to the community. Despite her opposition, the council approved the recommendations. The grants support programming, marketing, and staffing for organizations, ensuring continued investment in Marietta&rsquo;s cultural scene.&nbsp;
STORY 7: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/truist-park-battery-revenues-continue-to-outpace-county-debt-service/article_328528ab-211d-4b0a-97f7-8ba58af3c32a.html">Truist Park, Battery revenues continue to outpace county debt service</a>&nbsp;
Cobb County&rsquo;s partnership with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta continues to generate significant revenue, surpassing its debt obligations. In 2024, the county netted $3 million in general fund gains, with property tax revenues from The Battery increasing to $2.6 million. Since 2014, The Battery&rsquo;s taxable value has grown from $5 million to $577 million. Additional sales tax revenues from the development totaled $28 million in 2024, benefiting the county, schools, and state. Braves Development Company highlighted ongoing projects, including new restaurants, residential towers, and the upcoming MLB All-Star Week, showcasing the partnership&rsquo;s long-term success and economic impact.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Break: INGLES 9&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Signoff-  &nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;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&nbsp;
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">Produced by the BG Podcast Network</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Show Sponsors:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">www.ingles-markets.com</a></li>
</ul>
#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations&nbsp;

Get the news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County with the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.

Marietta Daily Journal - https://www.mdjonline.com 

Cobb Life Magazine - www.cobblifemagazine.com 

 

 

 

This podcast is produced by BG Ad Group

 

For advertising inquiries, please email j.southerland@bgadgroup.com

For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/

Get the news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County with the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Marietta Daily Journal - <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com">https://www.mdjonline.com </a>
Cobb Life Magazine - <a href="http://www.cobblifemagazine.com">www.cobblifemagazine.com </a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This podcast is produced by BG Ad Group
&nbsp;
For advertising inquiries, please email <a href="mailto:j.southerland@bgadgroup.com">j.southerland@bgadgroup.com</a>
For more information be sure to visit <a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/</a>