=====  MDJ Script/ Top Stories for January 30th 

Publish Date:  January 30th 

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

Today is Friday, January 30th and Happy Birthday to Franklin D. Roosevelt 

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

1. Cobb to launch drive-through court services to handle surge in volume
2. Marietta SPLOST list proposes new park, widening Whitlock and Cherokee
3. Inspired by their daughter, Cobb couple creates long-term housing for adults with intellectual disabilities

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats 

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 10 

STORY 1:   Cobb to launch drive-through court services to handle surge in volume 

 Cobb County is trying something new—a drive-thru for court services. Yep, you read that right. Starting late February, the “Clerk’s Office Express” will let people handle things like traffic ticket payments, probation fees, and even court filings without stepping inside the courthouse. It’s all happening at a former Wells Fargo on Waddell Street in Marietta. 

State Court Clerk Tahnicia Phillips says it’s a pilot program, designed to ease the chaos inside the aging courthouse.  

The timing couldn’t be better. Since Georgia upped penalties for passing stopped school buses in 2024, citations have skyrocketed. Cobb issued nearly 4,000 violations in just five months last year, raking in $1.75 million in fines. That’s a lot of paperwork—and a lot of people crowding the courthouse. 

The drive-thru, which costs taxpayers nothing, will also help with safety and accessibility concerns. Judges, like Bridgette Campbell, are on board. “This is going to be a good thing for the public,” she said. 

If it works, Phillips hopes other counties will follow Cobb’s lead. For now, the county will monitor how it goes and decide if it’s here to stay.  

STORY 2:  Marietta SPLOST list proposes new park, widening Whitlock and Cherokee 

 Marietta’s proposed SPLOST list is packed with projects—everything from widening Whitlock Avenue to building a new park in Ward 7. The 1% sales tax, if approved by voters this November, is expected to bring in $1.15 billion countywide, with Marietta getting about $78 million over six years. 

But here’s the catch: the city’s draft Tier 1 list totals $93 million, meaning $15 million worth of projects will need to be bumped to Tier 2. Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin admits it’s a tough process. “You dream big, then reality hits, and you’ve got to cut,” he said. 

The draft includes citywide street resurfacing, sidewalk upgrades, fire station remodels, and even turf replacement at Franklin Gateway Sports Complex. Tumlin emphasized fairness, saying every ward should see benefits since everyone pays the tax. 

The clock’s ticking—Marietta has until Feb. 28 to finalize its list. Voters will decide the rest. 

STORY 3: Inspired by their daughter, Cobb couple creates long-term housing for adults with intellectual disabilities 

 David and Debbie Turner know the struggle. Raising a child with Down syndrome, they’ve lived the exhaustion, the endless search for resources, and the heartbreak of watching opportunities disappear after high school. Their daughter, Amber Grace, wanted independence—just like her siblings. But where could she go? 

After years of searching and finding nothing that fit, the Turners decided to build it themselves. In March, Amber Grace Community will open on 35 acres at Berry College, offering 48 adults with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities a safe, supportive place to live. 

The “mini village” has eight houses, each with private apartments and shared spaces, plus a dining hall, gym, pool, and even a salon. Staff will live on-site, helping residents find purpose—whether through work, volunteering, or simply belonging. 

The nonprofit, funded by donors, will rely on an annual $5 million fundraising goal to keep it running. Families cover basic care costs, but there’s no rent—just opportunity. 

An open house is set for Friday and Saturday at 101 Independence Lane, Mt. Berry. For details, visit ambergrace.com. 

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 10 

STORY 4: Registration open for Town Center Community’s 5th Annual Noonday Shanty 5K/10K 

 Ready to lace up? Registration’s now open for the 5th annual Noonday Shanty 5K/10K, happening March 28 and presented by Avonlea Apartments. 

The race winds through the scenic Noonday Creek Trail and is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier—so, yeah, it’s legit. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just here for a brisk walk, all ages and experience levels are welcome. 

The course? Gorgeous. Think bird habitats, wetlands, greenspaces, and landmarks like Aviation Park, Cobb International Airport, and Fifth Third Stadium. Oh, and public art along the way. 

10K runners? You’ll get even more trail to explore. 

Details: towncentercid.com/noonday-shanty. 

STORY 5: Lassiter girls hold off Walton for Cobb swim championship 

Winning state titles? That’s been Lassiter’s thing. But county championships? Not so much—until now. 

For the first time since 2017, Lassiter’s girls knocked off Walton to claim the Cobb County Championship last Friday at Mountain View Aquatic Center. It was close—like, nail-biting close. The Trojans racked up 980 points, edging Walton’s 939. Harrison came in third with 878, followed by Pope (673) and Kennesaw Mountain (652). 

Here’s the kicker: Lassiter didn’t win a single event. Not one. But they played the long game, and it paid off in the final three events. Allison Gale and Mia Burgios snagged third and fourth in the 100 backstroke, while Maria Beretta and Elisa Rasco did the same in the 100 breaststroke. Then came the 400 freestyle relay—Burgios, Gale, Emma Fincher, and Ashlyn Loftin powered to second place, sealing the deal. 

It was a meet full of drama, grit, and some seriously fast swims. For Lassiter, though, it was a long-awaited county crown—and maybe a sign of more to come. 

DAYTONA 500: Corey Heim’s gearing up for a shot at the Daytona 500. The 23-year-old Marietta native—fresh off a dominant NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season where he snagged 12 wins in 25 races—will try to qualify in the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing. 

This would be Heim’s first Daytona 500, and he’s ready. “Last season was incredible,” he said. “I’m excited to keep growing and see what this year brings.” 

Heim, a Kennesaw Mountain High grad, joined 23XI Racing last year under a multiyear deal. He’s already made waves, including a sixth-place finish at Bristol in September. 

I'm Keith Ippolito and that’s your MDJ Sports Minute. 

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats  

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: INGLES 10 

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 mdjonline.com 

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