=====  MDJ Script/ Top Stories for January 2nd 

Publish Date:  January 2nd 

Commercial:  

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

Today is Friday, January 2nd and Happy Birthday to Cuba Gooding Jr. 

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

1. No more cars up Kennesaw Mountain, starting January
2. Paychex founder makes historic $50 million gift to Wellstar
3. Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on breads 

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!  

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STORY 1:  No more cars up Kennesaw Mountain, starting January 

 Starting this month, private cars will no longer be allowed up Kennesaw Mountain. The park’s steep, winding Mountain Road—famous for its blind curves and 12% grade—has become a safety headache, with too many close calls between cars, cyclists, and hikers. 

Instead, visitors can reach the summit by shuttle, bike, or on foot. A new pedestrian lane will make the 1.5-mile trek safer for walkers, while the unpaved hiking trail remains untouched. 

Acting Superintendent Beth Wheeler said the changes address “growing safety concerns” and aim to protect the park’s natural and historic beauty. 

Road striping starts Jan. 6, with closures lasting through March. 

STORY 2:  Paychex founder makes historic $50 million gift to Wellstar 

Philanthropist and Paychex founder Tom Golisano just made history with a $50 million gift to Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia (WCHOG), the largest donation in Wellstar’s history. In recognition, the hospital will now be called the Wellstar Golisano Children’s Hospital of Georgia. 

This isn’t just a check—it’s a game-changer. The hospital is joining the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a network of 12 children’s hospitals across the U.S., opening doors to collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise. It’s the only hospital in the alliance representing Georgia and its neighboring states. 

The donation will fund projects like a cutting-edge pediatric cardiac ICU, further cementing Wellstar’s reputation for top-tier pediatric care. 

Other hospitals in the alliance include institutions in Buffalo, Fort Myers, and Hershey, Pa.—all part of Golisano’s mission to improve children’s health nationwide. 

STORY 3: Meet Aloka, the peace dog winning hearts nationwide during Walk for Peace 

  If you’ve ever seen a serene dog strolling alongside Buddhist monks—sometimes dressed better than the humans—you’ve probably met Aloka, the Peace Dog. 

Aloka isn’t flashy. He doesn’t bark for attention or demand the spotlight. But somehow, he’s become the quiet soul of the Walk for Peace, embodying everything it stands for. He walks when he can, rides when he’s tired, and never strays from the monks’ side. 

Once a stray in India, Aloka chose this life. Literally. He started following the monks during a peace walk years ago and never stopped. Now, he’s trekking across the U.S., his calm presence lifting spirits and drawing fans online. 

Despite the growing attention, Aloka stays grounded. He’s shy with fans, content to rest his paws in the grass or wait patiently for the next step. 

He doesn’t need words or signs to make his point. Aloka just shows up, step after step, proving that quiet compassion can be the loudest message of all. 

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We’ll be right back. 

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STORY 4: Duo Arpeggione to perform Jan. 11 at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church 

 St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Marietta (571 Holt Road) is hosting something special: a performance by the world-renowned Duo Arpeggione as part of its Friends of Music series. 

Mark your calendar—Sunday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m., in the church sanctuary. 

Duo Arpeggione, formed in 2017, brings together pianist Catherine Lan and cellist Claudio Jaffe. Their program, “Romantic Resonance,” promises a journey through the evolution of piano and cello music, from Beethoven’s refined elegance to the fiery, nationalistic flair of Cassadó and Chopin. 

Admission is free—donations welcome. Seating is first-come, first-served. 

Questions? Call 770-971-2839 or email stcats@stcatherines.org. 

STORY 5: Sprayberry comes back to upend Sandy Creek 

Down 12 in the second half against three-time defending state champs Sandy Creek, Sprayberry’s boys basketball team could’ve folded. But they didn’t. Instead, they clawed their way back for a gritty 50-45 win Monday at the Lemon Street Classic. 

Sandy Creek (6-2) brought the heat early, showing why they’re one of the toughest defensive teams around. Sprayberry (9-3) struggled to find rhythm, trailing 26-18 at halftime. 

Nate McDaniel sparked an 11-2 run in the third, hitting a three and sinking free throws to pull Sprayberry within three. McDaniel, who’s been part of the program since he was a kid, finished with 16 points, 10 in the second half. 

The Yellow Jackets opened the fourth with eight straight points, taking a 39-34 lead. Sandy Creek fought back, briefly reclaiming the lead at 42-41, but McDaniel’s clutch three-point play and a layup from Christian Bass sealed the deal. 

ANTHONY JOSHUA:  The boxing world is reeling after a tragic car crash near Lagos on Monday left Anthony Joshua injured and claimed the lives of two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. 

Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champ and Olympic gold medalist, is recovering in stable condition, his promoter confirmed. But the loss of Ghami, his strength coach, and Ayodele, a trainer, has left a deep void. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele had shared a lighthearted moment on social media, playing table tennis together. 

Tributes poured in from the boxing community. Tyson Fury called it “heartbreaking,” while Chris Eubank Jr. remembered Ghami and Ayodele as “genuinely good men.” Shannon Courtenay urged fans to keep Joshua in their prayers, adding, “No one should have to witness what he did.” 

The crash is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, even for giants like Joshua. 

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

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on breads 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

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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 mdjonline.com 

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