MDJ Script/ Top Stories for December 10th

Publish Date:  December 10th

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

Today is Tuesday, December 10th and Happy Birthday to 7 Nation Army’s Med White.

***12.10.24 - BIRTHDAY – MED WHITE***

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

1.      Teen Mother Indicted for Murder of Newborn

2.      Marietta Eyes Improvements to West Dixie Park

3.      Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to Cobb Air Force Major

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: CU of GA (06.26.24 CU OF GA FREE CHECKING_REV_FINAL)

STORY 1:  Teen Mother Indicted for Murder of Newborn

A 17-year-old mother, Leticia Rodriguez, has been indicted in Cobb County on seven charges, including malice murder, felony murder, and child cruelty, following the death of her newborn. Police discovered Rodriguez digging a grave in a Marietta backyard, where they later found her deceased son wrapped in a plastic bag. Authorities stated Rodriguez gave birth alone six hours prior, and her uncle alerted police after witnessing her actions. The newborn’s body was reportedly mutilated. Rodriguez now faces charges of aggravated assault, abuse of a dead body, and concealing the death, alongside the murder counts.

STORY 2:     Marietta Eyes Improvements to West Dixie Park

The Marietta City Council committee has tentatively approved final funding for the $1.2 million West Dixie Park improvement project. The upgrades will include a new playground, restroom, looped walking trail, pavilion improvements, stormwater infrastructure, ADA-accessible sidewalks, landscaping, and ornamental fencing. Funding comes from sources like a $500,000 state grant, 2009 Parks Bond, ARPA funds, and SPLOST, with a final $225,275 expected from park improvement sales tax funds. The project design advances to the Dec. 11 City Council meeting, with construction anticipated between March and May 2025.

STORY 3:  Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to Cobb Air Force Major

Maj. Adam Haas, a flight nurse with the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with a Combat Device for heroic actions during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. Tasked with providing medical aid after a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport, Haas led his team through unsafe conditions to assist U.S. service members and Afghan citizens. His actions contributed to the largest aeromedical evacuation airlift in Kabul Coalition Hospital's history. The prestigious medal, rarely awarded, reflects Haas’s bravery and dedication under combat conditions.

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We’ll be right back 

Break: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Cobb County)

STORY 4:  Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Killing Marietta Motorist

Former Woodstock Police officer Grant Shaw pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2023 shooting of 20-year-old Emmanuel Malik Millard. The incident occurred after Millard led police on a pursuit, ending with a PIT maneuver and Shaw firing a fatal shot during Millard's removal from the vehicle. Though prosecutors sought a 10-year sentence with two years in prison, the court suspended the term, sentencing Shaw to 500 hours of community service. Shaw resigned from the department shortly after the shooting.

STORY 5:  Cobb Police Release Footage of Pet Dog Shooting

The Cobb County Police Department has released 911 calls and body camera footage from an Oct. 2 incident where officers fatally shot a family’s dog, Zeta, while responding to a 911 call. Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer described the situation as “tense and unpleasant,” expressing condolences to the family and emphasizing the difficulty of such decisions for officers. The officers responded to unclear coordinates from the 911 call, leading them to a residence where the dog ran toward them before being shot. The department is conducting an ongoing internal investigation and has not cleared the officers of wrongdoing. The chief stressed the importance of learning from the incident to prevent similar situations in the future.

We’ll be back in a moment 

Break: Ingles Markets 1

STORY 6:  Commissioners Question Cupid's Spending Requests

Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid has requested to allocate $200,000 from her contingency funds for communications consultants and policy analysts, sparking debate among board members. Cupid’s plan divides the funds into $100,000 for professional services, $25,000 for office activities, and $75,000 for programs and events. While the board approved a similar request last year, contracts were not finalized before the fiscal year ended. Republican Commissioner JoAnn Birrell and Democrat Monique Sheffield voiced concerns, with Birrell suggesting the funds should support special projects instead of consultants. Cupid defended the proposal, emphasizing its importance for improving policy vetting and community communication. The board will vote on the request at today’s meeting.

STORY 7:  Bomb Threat At Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Home Leads to Fatal Wreck

A Rome police officer was involved in a fatal car crash while responding to a bomb threat at U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s home. An email claimed a pipe bomb was in Greene’s mailbox, leading local police to dispatch the Floyd County Bomb Squad. On the way, an officer driving his personal vehicle collided with a Mazda Protege, killing 66-year-old Tammie Pickelsimer. The officer sustained minor injuries. The bomb threat, traced to a Russian IP address, follows multiple previous threats made against Greene. Local and federal authorities, including the FBI, are investigating.

Break: 08.09.24 MDJ THEATRE MOTOWN CHRISTMAS_FINAL

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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