Advance voting will continue through Friday, Oct. 31,for the Tuesday, Nov. 4, Public Service Commissioner Special General and Municipal General Election. Municipal elections will be held for voters in Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, Marietta and Powder Springs. The public service commission election is for all Georgia voters. There is no voting on Saturday, Nov. 1, through Monday, Nov. 3, for these elections.
Advance voting is also taking place through Friday, Nov. 14, for a Nov. 18 special election for State Senate District 35, which includes parts of Smyrna, Vinings, and Mableton. Voters who live in this area should visit the My Voter page to confirm their eligibility to vote. There will be no voting in this election on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and Nov. 15 - 17.
Keep this year's scary holiday safe for trick-or-treaters. The National Safety Council and American Red Cross have tips to help protect kids celebrating this Friday. Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility can be a factor in these incidents.
Choose a costume that won't cause safety hazards; all costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags. Give them glow sticks and flashlights.
Use nontoxic makeup rather than masks that might obscure their vision.
A responsible adult with a flashlight should accompany young children.
If your older children are going alone, plan and review an acceptable route with them.
Agree on a specific time children should return home.
Teach children to only approach residences with lit porch lights and never enter a stranger's home or vehicle.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends. Use sidewalks instead of walking on the road.
Youth commission application deadline coming up
High school students in grades 9 - 12 can apply now for the 2025-26 Cobb County Youth Commission. The program provides an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of local government, engage in civic affairs, and become leaders of change in the community.
Previously, students designed service projects, ran town halls, engaged with staff and community leaders, and visited the state capitol.
Most sessions will be held in the evenings and some on weekends. Apply by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.
The Cobb PARKS Haunted House continues with thrills and chills nightly throughOct. 31 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Pre-registration is required. Admission is $5. Hours vary. Register for the Haunted House here.
And there are even more events in Cobb County for the entertainment of your discerning ghouls and goblins.
Oct. 27 - Spook-Tacular at Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center. 5 - 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 - Glow in the Dark Night Ride - 9 p.m. at Allatoona Creek Park. Halloween ride on the mountain bike trails. All ages. $3. Go here for information.
Oct. 30 - Costume Parade at South Cobb Library 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Show off your costume in a festive library parade! Event details
Oct. 31 - Costume Parade at Powder Springs Library 11 a.m. - noon. Celebrate Halloween morning with a fun parade for little ones. Event details
Nov. 1 - Hallatoona Haunted Maze, 7 - 9 p.m. at Allatoona Creek Park, 5690 Old Stilesboro Road, Acworth. Creepy haunted maze filled with ghouls and ghosts, tractor hay-ride, treats, and more. Wear a costume. $5. All ages. Register here #48204.
Nov. 15 - Pumpkin Smash - Smash it. Don't trash it. Recycle your leftover pumpkins and smash them to smithereens to become compost and animal food at Ward Recreation Center, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. All ages. Register here with code #49592.
If you enjoy Halloween as much as your partner, dress up in your best Halloween costumes (or don't) during a free group wedding at noon and 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at Cobb Magistrate Court, 32 Waddell Street SE, Marietta.
No appointment is needed. Just bring your boo and a marriage license from any Probate Court. Find more information here.
Get your timing right Saturday night
Don't forget to fall back this weekend. Before you go to bed Saturday, Nov. 1, make sure to set your standalone clocks an hour back to match daylight saving time. This might include the clocks next to your bed, on your microwave or inside your vehicle. It won't be fun, but at least you'll stay on time Sunday.
Out with the old in preparation for the holidays
Keep Cobb Beautiful will hold its next Community Recycling event 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. This free event will accept electronics, appliances, metal, textiles, clothing, shoes, hard-to-recycle items for the Hefty ReNew program, and books.
County Code amendments will be presented at the Board of Commissioners work session 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28, in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room, David Hankerson Building, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.
At 9 a.m. Nov. 12, and 6 p.m. Nov. 20, the Board of Commissioners will conduct public hearings to solicit comments and input on proposed amendments to certain chapters, articles, divisions, and sections of the Official Code of Cobb County, Georgia. Adoption of the code amendments will be considered at the Nov. 20 meeting, following the second public hearing.
Kemp Memorial Library is closed through Friday, Oct. 31, for parking lot paving. The library’s book drop and curbside pickup service will not be available during the closure. It is scheduled to reopen Saturday, Nov. 1.
Kemp Memorial Library is located at 4029 Due West Road, Marietta. For information on resources and programs offered by the library, visit cobbcounty.gov/library or call 770-528-2527.
Put your two cents in for economic development
Help shape the future of economic development in Cobb. The county is starting its first Economic Development Strategic Plan which will help guide it during the next five years as it continues to attract and foster new investments, jobs, and amenities that will improve the quality of life for all residents. Please stop by one of the open houses to learn more and share your visions for the future economic landscape of Cobb County. Flexible attendance. Feel free to stop by anytime during these events:
6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center
6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 - Mable House Arts Center
6 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 - Gritters Library
4-H sale provides fresh produce
Support Cobb youth programs at 4-H by purchasing a box of fresh fall produce. Each produce box includes an assortment of seasonal vegetables. The fundraiser runs through Nov. 7.
Walk, jog, or run – in person or virtually – during Cobb County's annual First Responder 5k Saturday, Nov. 15, at The Battery Atlanta, 800 Battery Avenue, Atlanta. This event is for all fitness levels and features prizes.
This family-friendly event 8 - 11 a.m. will include first responder vehicles and displays, field games with The Atlanta Braves Blooper, and a performance from the Braves Heavy Hitters. Sign-up here and run to help those who run to help you.
Registration price includes a long-sleeve shirt. This event is a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome.
Sell your creations at upcoming holiday craft fair
Cobb PARKS is looking for vendors for its upcoming Holiday Artisan Market at the Cobb County Civic Center in December. There will be a special Merry Marketplace pop-up shop featuring young entrepreneurs ages 10 - 17 showcasing and selling their homemade goods. Applications for vendors close Nov. 6 or when the event is full, so don't wait. Download the appropriate application here and send to the designated email.
The Holiday Artisan Market, which will include holiday performers, craftmaking and unique gifts from local artisans, will take place Dec. 5 - 7. The Merry Market will be held Saturday, Dec. 6. The Cobb County Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta.
Build a network to help your business
The Cobb County Small Business Forum is your chance to connect with key decision-makers from private industry, local government, and federal agencies focused on supporting small business success. The networking event will take place 9 a.m. - noon Thursday, Nov. 13, at Jim R. Miller Park Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta.
Gain valuable insights into upcoming projects, contracting opportunities, small business support programs, and funding resources. Experts will be on site from:
• Brasfield & Gorrie
• McCarthy Building Companies
• Small Business Administration
• Georgia Department of Transportation and more
Cobb's allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act is making a difference in the county. That includes Public Safety, where the federal dollars are being used to make our streets safer, help people with unique issues, and recruit the county's finest.
In his series "Inside the District," Commissioner Erick Allen spoke with some of the leaders with the Cobb Galleria Centre, about the reimagining of the complex and an upcoming name change.
A lot happens around the county that just doesn't fit into one weekly newsletter. Get more news and information from the Cobb departments you want to hear from.
