It's time to thank our public safety personnel for everything they do. Cobb Police Field Training Officer Taylor Stanford, pictured here, was selected as employee of the year at the Cobb Chamber's annual Public Safety Appreciation event Monday, Oct. 2. The luncheon began a weeklong effort through Oct. 6 to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County.
In March, Stanford made three major arrests in the span of an eight-day period, while still handling his daily patrol officer responsibilities. He has also responded to 4,300 calls for service, completed almost 1,200 incident reports and made more than 360 arrests. He has even been awarded three individual life-saving citations.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Public Safety Award winners:
Public Safety Employee of the Year
Field Training Officer Taylor Stanford, Cobb County Police Department
Award of Merit (2)
Kennesaw Police Officer Jared Wheeler and Officer Blake Arnold and Cobb County Police Sergeant Coty Thompson, Officer Andrew Brock, and Officer Jessica Richardson, Kennesaw Police Department and Cobb County Police Department
Station 1 and 2 C-Shift, Austell Fire Department
Distinguished Achievement Award
Training and Quality Assurance Manager Todd Borowski, Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications
Outstanding Community Contribution Award
Officer Paul Hill and K9 Barney, Marietta Police Department
Medal of Valor (2)
Officer Taniesha Palarche, Acworth Police Department
Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Hudgins and Deputy Sheriff Randall Lossing, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Bryan Bridges, Detective Dustin Shirley, Officer Michael Calhoun, Officer Christian Gutierrez, and Agent Quinn Lyles, Cobb County Police Department
The Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications is accepting registration of residents for the new Logan's List database. The list will help identify those with special needs and allow 911 personnel to alert law enforcement or emergency responders.
This information ensures those in public safety can better help people with special needs. Registering your family members for this database would help responders by letting them know they are non-verbal, how they best communicate, whether they are easily agitated or whether sirens and flashing lights upset them. The two-page form takes only a few minutes to complete and could help keep responders and residents safe.
All registrations are voluntary. To register for the Cobb County 911 Logan's List, go to cobbcounty.org/911 and look for the icon.
CobbLinc riders can now use the new Breeze mobile app and take advantage of its faster and reliable pay-as-you go system. All users will need to download Breeze Mobile 2.0 and create a new account to continue using their phone to pay their fare. Purchase fares directly on your phone, then scan your device on the bus or at the station. No Breeze card is required.
Riders can also make seamless payments across the region with Xpress, MARTA, CobbLinc, and Ride Gwinnett all using the same app. Transfers to and from MARTA are free. Breeze Mobile 2.0 is available for iOS and Android devices.
Learn more about Cobb's Election Board at town hall
Cobb County Elections and Registration will host a Town Hall 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Senior Wellness Center. Meet Interim Director Gerry Miller and learn about the department's divisions, duties and the November Municipal Elections.
A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations. You may also register to vote, request absentee ballots and find out what goes into becoming an election worker. The Senior Wellness Center is located at 1150 Powder Springs Street, Marietta.
Make the call for games and fun
Meet the people at 911 during a festive and fun event 10 a.m. - noon Saturday, Oct. 7, in Marietta. Bring your children to the Cobb 911 Kids Expo to learn about calling for help, play fun games, tour the 911 center, talk on the police radio and more activities. You may even meet Turbo the tortoise!
This event is free and great for kids in grades K-5. Children must be accompanied by a parent. The event will be held at 911 operations, 140 N. Marietta Parkway, Marietta.
Guard against Medicare fraud
With Medicare Open Enrollment coming up Oct. 15 - Dec. 7, Cobb Senior Services and Senior Medicare Patrol are providing presentations at five senior centers on how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud.
Freeman Poole Senior Center: 10 - 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3. Call 770-801-3400 for more information.
West Cobb Senior Center: 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4. Call 770-528-8200 for more information.
Tim D Lee Senior Center: 10 - 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9. Call 770-509-4900 for more information.
North Cobb Senior Center: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Call 770-975-7740 for more information.
Senior Wellness Center: 1 - 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16. Call 770-528-5355 for more information.
This past Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners adopted the county strategic plan to help set direction for the next five years in the areas of governance, transportation, housing, public safety, quality of life, economic development and infrastructure.
The county has been working on this effort since 2022 with the firm Accenture. Efforts have included 24 leadership interviews, five district listening sessions, two community workshops, a thorough analysis of data trends via the Cobb Data Dashboard and Trends Analysis, a county-wide survey that received more than 3,200 responses, and the preparation of both an insights report and a draft of the strategic plan itself.
Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid continues her meetings throughout the county, talking with constituents in a series of town halls. She is sharing her top priorities and taking questions. All events are free and open to the public. No RSVP is needed.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:30 - 8 p.m. - South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell
Monday, Oct. 9, 6:30 - 8 p.m.- Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta
The KSU Center is near the Holocaust Museum. Free parking is located near the museum entrance.
Bring the funk into your life this weekend
Come to the funkiest night of the year - The Legends of Funk concert at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre Saturday, Oct. 7, with Cameo, Original Lakeside, Larry Dodson and Band.
For more information, visit mablehouse.org/amphitheatre or stop by the box office noon - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
Diversify your reading list for October
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month – a time to recognize the diverse minds and beliefs held by all cultures around the world. Read beyond your perspective and experience with diverse books for all ages!
Wear your Halloween costume and gather the whole family for the PARKS Fall Festival of Fun. The free, drive-thru-style event will be held 4 - 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.
As you roll through, you'll engage with princesses, dinosaurs, pirates, superheroes and many more of your favorite characters. You'll also see decorated vehicles in the Fun Auto Zone and more throughout the park. Every child will receive a goodie bag from our candy fairies. No need to bring a bag. Participants are asked to stay in their cars and buckled up. The event is free, but please register in advance. Register here.
For more information or to plan your visit, call 770-528-8800 or visit the Cobb PARKS website. Click here for directions to Jim Miller Park.
Save water and money with new attachment
Shower smarter and clean up your energy bills. Showering accounts for 20 percent of residential indoor water use. Replacing an old showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model is one simple action that saves water.
A WaterSense labeled showerhead can save the average family more than $70 in annual energy and water costs, and 2,700 gallons of water per year. With less energy required to heat your shower water, your family can save enough electricity to power your entire home for 11 days.
The annual Cobb County Police Department Community and Faith Forum will take place 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Police Training Center in Austell.
Chief Stuart VanHoozer and departmental representatives will be discussing Police Athletic League initiatives, precision policing through technology as well as spotlighting a case from the Major Crimes Unit. This event is your opportunity to engage directly with your local police leaders. The training center is located at 2435 East-West Connector, Austell.
The Community and Faith Forum was created to promote harmony by bringing together different faiths and beliefs to discuss challenging social issues and raise awareness.
Domestic violence issues covered in training program
In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness in October, the Office of the Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady is presenting a two-day free training program. The Reduce the Silence Symposium is focused on issues surrounding domestic violence. The sessions are designed for law enforcement personnel, first responders, advocates and prosecutors. The sessions are POST and CLE credit eligible.
CobbTV's YouTube channel highlights the latest county meetings, informational videos and live events. Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss an update.
Cobb's Top 5 takes you on a 60-second journey of what's been happening in your favorite county. Take a journey of your own to our YouTube channel to watch this week's version.
Cobb firefighters rescued a man from inside a fully-involved house. Watch some of the helmet-cam video as crews discovered the victim and brought him outside.
A lot happens during the seven days between newsletters. Keep up with the most up-to-date Cobb County news on social media. You'll be informed of new events and programs, cancellations/delays, emergencies, disruptions to services and more.
• Not on social media? Get a daily "quick hit" of what's happening in Cobb County on the NEWCobb Blog here.
Upcoming public meetings