During its regular meeting last week, the Board of Commissioners appointed Debbie Blair to be the new county attorney. She has worked for the Cobb County Attorney's Office for a decade, handling all sectors of public sector law, including constitutional issues, governmental transparency ethics, zoning and codification of laws. Blair served as the deputy county attorney since 2019.
She replaces William H. Rowling Jr., who retired after 30 years of service. The Cobb County Attorney’s Office assists in the preparation of legislation and resolutions, provides legal opinions, and negotiates and reviews contracts. It represents the county and its officials in civil litigation matters ranging from civil rights and constitutional cases to land use and zoning disputes.
Open congressional seat goes to runoff
The two top candidates in the special election for U.S. House of Representatives District 14 will face each other again in a Tuesday, April 7, runoff. During the March 10 special election, no candidate gained the necessary majority to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Now Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris will face each other in the runoff.
Fuller, an Air National Guard lieutenant colonel and district attorney, received 34.8 percent of the vote. Harris, a retired brigadier general and cattle producer, got 37.33 percent of the ballots.
In addition, Cobb County Elections and Registration is looking for new sites to act as polling locations for upcoming elections. To ensure voters have convenient and accessible places to cast ballots, the department is identifying both primary and backup polling locations. Voters, community organizations, faith-based institutions, schools, and other facilities are encouraged to participate by suggesting locations that may be suitable. Suggest a polling location here.
Talking about writing with your favorite authors
A milestone literary event, the Together We Read: Cobb Library Book Festival, will take place 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at North Cobb Regional Library in Kennesaw. It will include engaging author panels, book signings, local food vendors, and a dedicated kids’ area.
The festival features a growing lineup of authors, headlined by New York Times bestselling writer Nic Stone. The group also includes Breanna McDaniel, Wanda Morris, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Tanisia Moore, Karen Good-Marable, H.D. Hunter, Kelly Young-Silverman, Kimberly Brock, Julian Winters, Valerie Burns, Andy Runton, and Delali Adjoa.
The Cobb County Public Library and the Book Worm Bookstore in Powder Springs are co-sponsors of the festival.
Spring into something new with Cobb County Senior Services. Registration for spring quarter classes opens 9 a.m. Monday, March 23. For adults 55 and older, Cobb County's lineup is packed with new opportunities to grow, from fitness and creative arts to tech workshops and life enrichment. It’s the perfect time to stay active, learn a new skill, and connect with friends.
Maker Madness, a week-long celebration of creativity in honor of National Maker’s Month, will be observed with hands-on crafting programs at Cobb County library locations March 23 - 28. The inaugural Maker Madness main event will be 2 - 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw. The family-friendly event is for crafters, tinkerers, hobbyists and makers ages 10 and older.
The main event will feature a Crafters Showcase, a Craft Supply Swap, and digital fabrication displays, including the laser cutter, 3D printer, and Cricut smart cutting machines. Light refreshments will be served. The first 50 attendees will receive a free custom-print tote.
If you would like to display your crafts at a table for the March 28 program you must register in advance. All Maker Madness displays must be appropriate for a public library environment. Register for a display table here.
Forum coming up for SPLOST project work
Cobb County Government invites current and potential vendors to the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Vendor Forum 3:30 - 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the Cobb Civic Center. This event highlights upcoming county projects and initiatives, providing vendors with insight into future opportunities across Cobb County. Attendees must register by March 31.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with county leaders, project managers, and department representatives while learning about planned investments and procurement processes.
The one-percent sales tax has been in place for decades, helping to fund major capital projects such as courthouses, community centers, parks, libraries, and large-scale transportation improvements.
Congratulations to the winners of Cobb Water's 2026 High School Photography Contest! The 12 winning students each received a cash prize, and their photos were turned into notecards to be distributed throughout the county. The winning entries will be displayed April 9 - May 15 at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road. View all of the photos here.
This year’s winners are Thenulya Jayasinghe from Marietta High School; Alex Hood, Dayton Davis, Katelyn Garrow, Sarah Joseph, Marissa Meyer, Rushna Ahsan from Lassiter; Ashleigh Lafferty and Neyla Lamont from Sprayberry; Charlie Sayler and Jonah Suarez from Wheeler; and Julian Vergara from McEachern.
The contest invited Cobb County and City of Marietta high school students to submit a photograph in one of six categories: Water at Play, Water at Work, Water in Nature, Water and People, Protecting Water, and Conserving Water.
Dust off your armor to brighten the weekend
Hear ye, hear ye! The Cobb County Public Services’ Renaissance Faire shall take place 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Art Place - Mountain View campus in Marietta. This event, presented by Cobb PARKS in collaboration with Cobb Libraries and Senior Services, is designed as a fun, single-day, family-friendly prelude to the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn.
Renaissance attire is encouraged but not required. Expect an afternoon filled with demonstrations, performances, food, crafts, and interactive activities that showcase the spirit of the Renaissance era. Complete quests for prizes.
Adopt a pet for good luck, good health, and a great feeling
Adoptions are $40 through the end of March at the Cobb County Animal Shelter in Marietta. Would-be pet parents can also adopt for free when they donate cat or dog food to Cobb Animal Services’ pet food pantry. The shelter is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta
The 2026 Homestead Exemption application window closes soon. Apply by April 1 to ensure your exemption goes into effect for your 2026 property tax bill. Visit CobbTax.gov to learn more and submit your application today.
UGA Cobb Extension is taking preorders for the Vidalia Sweet Onion sale. Each 10-pound bag of medium onions is only $12. The fresh Vidalia Sweet Onions come from Morris Farms in Vidalia, Georgia. The deadline for preorders is 5 p.m. April 13.
Those interested can also help families in need by donating a bag via a partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the food pantry at St. Ann by the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
All pre-orders are accepted via mail or can be made at the office located at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, Ga. 30060, during normal business hours 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. View the flyer here.
The onions will arrive the first to second week of May. Pickup will be at the office when they arrive. The final pickup date is 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 23.
An online reservation system is open at a half-dozen Cobb County libraries for people needing help with their income taxes. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will provide free tax preparation assistance by appointment only. Appointments can be made in-person (but not same day) or online.
Appointments run through Wednesday, April 15. For more information, including an accessible list of the libraries and what to bring to a Tax-Aide appointment, visit here.
Cobb libraries will also provide free federal 2025 1040 tax forms and instruction booklets while supplies last and will also offer free printing of federal and state forms (not instructions), up to 10 pages. Contact your library to ensure they have forms available before making a trip.
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