The MUST Ministries Hope House will open its warming station Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 3, in preparation for the onset of colder weather. It will provide shelter services and meals for men, women, and children. Those wishing to use the shelter are asked to arrive by 8 p.m. The Hope House shelter is located at 1297 Bells Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30066.
Transportation options are available to the shelter through transit vouchers provided by the county, available from Reflections of Trinity at 4037 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Powder Springs. Call (770) 222-6511 to request the vouchers.
Cobb County is launching a limited-time amnesty period to help businesses operating in unincorporated Cobb come into compliance with county licensing requirements. During Dec. 1 - Jan. 30, individuals and businesses engaged in commerce within unincorporated Cobb County can obtain a 2026 Occupation Tax Certificate — commonly known as a business license — without incurring back taxes, penalties, or interest.
The Board of Commissioners approved the amnesty period to support local businesses and ensure that all entities doing business in the county are properly registered. This requirement applies to independent businesses and county vendors providing goods or services under county contracts.
Seasonal celebrations will take place throughout the county this month, including genuine Santa visits, holiday-themed classes and performances of classic Yuletide stories. This weekend, Dec. 5 - 7, will mark the long-awaited Cobb Holiday Artisan Market at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta. Teens will showcase their creations at the event's Merry Marketplace: Youth Market on Saturday, Dec. 6. Free entry and parking.
Thursday, Dec. 4 - Marietta Tree Lighting, 4 - 8 p.m. Ugly sweater parade, Santa arrival, tree lighting, in Glover Park/Marietta Square.
Dec. 5 - 7 - A Christmas Carol live performances at The Art Place, Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Get tickets at artplacemarietta.org or call (770) 509-2700.
Runoffs bring the public back to the polls this month
The work of voting returns this week. Marietta will hold its municipal general runoff election for Wards 3 and 5 on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Polls will be open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Find sample ballots and links to confirm your ward here.
Friday, Dec. 5, is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in the Senate District 35 special runoff election. The special election will take place Tuesday, Dec. 16, between former retired Georgia House member Roger Bruce and Cobb Board of Education member Jaha V. Howard. State Senate District 35 includes parts of Smyrna, Vinings, and Mableton. Advance voting for the Senate runoff begins Monday, Dec. 8.
Please note that all Cobb County Public Libraries will be closed and will not offer curbside hold pickup this Friday, Dec. 5, due to staff in-service day. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Visit the library's research and digital page here to find eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, comics, and newspapers, streaming video, and hundreds of other databases and resources in dozens of topics.
Spots still available at Mable House High Tea
Celebrate the magic of the season through Dec. 4 with a festive High Tea in the decorated Mable House Art Center gallery. Gather your friends and family for a cozy, holiday-inspired gathering amidst the glittering décor, featuring intricately adorned trees, seasonal music, and wreaths. This experience begins at 3:30 p.m. and is open to guests ages 6 and up. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Your registration covers tea and small bites. Upon arrival, please check in at the front table, where the staff will guide you to your reserved seating. This is a ticketed event ($21 per person). The Mable House Arts Center is located at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
The Cobb County Water System has a special offer for residents. Grab the biggest deal of the year throughDec. 5 on the Flume Smart Home Water Monitor and Leak Detector. Cobb Water customers will pay just $79 after a $100 water bill credit.
Cobb Christmas is loading up its annual Stuff-A-Bus food and toy drive soon. Collection days are scheduled Dec. 16 - 18. Drop-off locations for the public are being selected. A Cobb Christmas representative schedules a date and time for the bus to make a stop at their location to collect the items which have been donated. Those who want more information about becoming a Stuff-A-Bus location should contact cobbchristmasinc@gmail.com.
Cobb County Government recently unveiled its redesigned website at cobbcounty.gov. These changes, which can be viewed on any personal computing device, are designed to improve searchability, readability, and access for the public.
The work is ongoing. As staff continues updating links across the site, you may occasionally see a “Page Not Found” message. If that happens, please use the site’s search feature or navigation bar to find the information you’re looking for.
Cobb County’s Community Development's Building and Development Division is making it easier to submit building and development plans. Customers can now submit all required documents including applications, building plans, drawings, and site plan reviews — entirely online through the county’s new Digital Plan Room.
This new service, powered by Accela’s E-Permit Hub, brings modern efficiency and convenience to the plan submittal and review process. The Digital Plan Room allows contractors, architects, engineers, and homeowners to upload plans, monitor review progress, receive comments, and resubmit revisions — all from one secure, cloud-based location.
Cobb could become the first place in the state to use autonomous shuttles to get people around the Cumberland area. It is thanks to a new federal grant that the fleet should be in place by 2027. Watch the video to learn more!
In his latest "Inside the District," D2 Commissioner Erick Allen talks with the CEO of the Center for Family Resources on how they work to keep families together, and in a stable home. Watch the latest video podcast!
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.
