MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Mar 26th            

Publish Date:  Mar 26th        

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From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. 

Today is Tuesday, March 26th, and Happy 79th Birthday to singer Diana Ross.

***03.26.24 – BIRTHDAY – DIANA ROSS***

I’m Dan Radcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia. 

1. Man Indicted in Death of Disabled Elderly Woman
2. Two Indicted for Murder After Child Dies with Fentanyl in System
3. Historic McAfee House Barn Engulfed by Flames

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: CUofGA

STORY 1: Man Indicted in Death of Disabled Elderly Woman

Gary Allen Williams, a 66-year-old east Cobb man, was indicted by a Cobb grand jury for murder and neglect following the death of Addreinne Gordon, a disabled elderly woman in his care, who died from sepsis in November 2021. Williams is accused of neglecting Gordon, who was bedridden and paralyzed on her left side, resulting in severe injuries including bed sores, matted hair, untrimmed nails, and feces accumulation. Despite being her sole caretaker, Williams denied seeing her injuries. Gordon died the next day after being admitted to the hospital. Williams is currently detained at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on $110,220 bond for murder and $16,720 bond for neglecting a disabled adult.

STORY 2: Two Indicted for Murder After Child Dies With Fentanyl in System

A grand jury has indicted Jocelyn Romero and Pablo Calihua-Garcia on charges of murder and drug trafficking, including substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine. This follows the tragic death of a child, discovered with fentanyl in his system, in an apartment complex on Cobb Parkway during the period between October and November 2023.

Romero faces separate murder charges after the child's demise in the same apartment, underscored by a toxicology report confirming fentanyl exposure. The discovery of fentanyl within the premises has led to additional scrutiny of the accused’s activities.

Both Romero and Calihua-Garcia are charged with felony murder and drug trafficking charges, highlighting the endangerment of a toddler through their alleged fentanyl trafficking operations. They are currently detained without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center, awaiting trial as co-defendants.

STORY 3: Historic Barn Destroyed by Fire

A historic barn on the property of the McAfee House caught fire over the weekend. Cobb County Fire crews swiftly responded to the blaze, which was extinguished within an hour. While the house itself, built in the 1840s and serving as a Civil War headquarters, was spared, the barn suffered significant damage and is considered a total loss. The property, owned by a family that hasn't occupied it for over a decade, is up for sale as a commercial development site. Cobb Landmarks hopes to relocate the house and remaining barn to preserve its historical significance amid surrounding developments, though legal protections for its heritage are lacking.

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We’ll be right back 

Break: HENRY CO SHERIFFS – DRAKE

STORY 4: Fired Cobb Teacher Appeals in Cobb Superior Court

A Cobb County fifth-grade teacher fired for reading a book about gender identity to students has appealed her termination to Cobb Superior Court after the Georgia Board of Education upheld her firing. The appeal contends the Cobb school board's decision was arbitrary and lacking evidence. Rinderle was dismissed for reading "My Shadow is Purple," which features a nonbinary character, despite a tribunal recommending against termination. She's also filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school district. The state board's decision rejected claims of policy vagueness. Rinderle's firing coincided with the district's removal of certain books, sparking accusations of homophobia, which the district denies, citing a focus on curriculum standards. The case reflects broader concerns about educational policies and LGBTQ+ themes.

STORY 5: Atlanta Braves Unveil New Seating Offering for the 2024 Season

The Atlanta Braves have recently announced the introduction of the Lexus Premium Boxes, a premier seating option set to be available from the 2024 season. This unveiling is part of a broader initiative involving multimillion-dollar renovations at Truist Park, reflecting the organization's commitment to enhancing the fan experience through first-class amenities and partnerships.

The Lexus Premium Box offers an exclusive hospitality experience for groups ranging from 8 to 14 guests. The Terrace Level will be rebranded as the Lexus Level, further solidifying this collaboration.

Located in specific sections across Truist Park, the Lexus Premium Boxes will provide guests with several luxury amenities. These include complimentary premium parking, a private entrance, flexible seating options featuring cushioned seats and high-top seating, as well as unlimited access to the Xfinity Club. Additionally, guests can enjoy exclusive menu and beverage packages delivered directly to their boxes, ensuring an unparalleled game-day experience.

Despite the high demand, all season leases for the Lexus Premium Boxes have already been sold out, highlighting their popularity and the anticipation surrounding this new offering. However, there is a limited opportunity for daily rentals. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Braves directly via phone, visit the official website, or email for more information on securing a daily rental.

We’ll be back in a moment 

Break: CURIOSITY LAB BIKE RACE – INGLES 9

STORY 6: VA Regional Office renamed for Johnny Isakson

The Atlanta Veterans Affairs Regional Office was officially renamed in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson during a ceremony in Decatur. Isakson, who passed away in 2021, served as chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee from 2015 to 2019. Sen. Jon Ossoff highlighted Isakson's bipartisan approach and commitment to veterans' issues during the ceremony, emphasizing his influence on the Senate's work ethic and cooperation. Isakson, known for bridging partisan divides, was honored for his dedication to national interests and veterans' welfare. Ossoff sponsored the bipartisan bill to rename the VA office after Isakson, which was passed by the Senate in 2022.

STORY 7: Acworth K-9 Catches First Suspect

During a traffic stop on Main Street in Acworth, Christopher Lance Hammitt fled on foot from Officer Anthony Trapani. Acworth Police K-9 Robuck was deployed and successfully tracked Hammitt, leading to his apprehension near the Bartow County line. Hammitt was wanted for various offenses including methamphetamine trafficking and fraud. Robuck's acquisition was made possible by a donation from Regina Robuck, and this successful track marked Robuck's first operation with the Acworth Police Department. The department expressed gratitude to Regina Robuck for her generous contribution.

Break: ATL HEALTH FAIR

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 Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.  

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Produced by the BG Podcast Network

Show Sponsors:

• ingles-markets.com
• cuofga.org
• drakerealty.com
• henrycountysheriffga.gov
• peachtreecornersga.gov/385/Curiosity-Lab-Criterium-2024
• acc.org/ATLHealthFair

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