Cobb County’s Department of Emergency Communications has earned one of the highest honors from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch – Accredited Center of Excellence status for police dispatch. This recognition places Cobb County among an elite group, as it is only the 33rd police dispatch center worldwide to receive this accreditation.
“I am extremely proud of our team for this extraordinary achievement,” said Department of Emergency Communications Director Melissa Alterio. “This accomplishment exemplifies their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment to serving the citizens, visitors, and first responders of Cobb County.”
The Academies will present the Cobb County DEC team with an accreditation plaque during the 2025 Navigator Conference in Orlando, Fla.
Share your opinions on county government
We’re conducting a survey to understand how the community perceives the value of Cobb County Government services. Your feedback will help us evaluate the strengths of our image, identify areas for improvement, and ensure we continue to meet the needs of the community.
The survey, located here, should take just a few minutes to complete, and your responses will remain confidential. We greatly appreciate your input!
Join in honoring MLK Day
Cobb County Government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday is designated as a national day of service to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.
The Cobb County NAACP will hold its public MLK Day celebration 10 a.m. - noon that day at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. There will be performances and speeches to mark the occasion. The theme of the event will be "Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy and the Spirit of Nonviolence365."
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is also a free entry day at all national parks, including Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
4-H plant sale is underway
Join the annual Cobb 4-H Plant Sale to raise funds for the youth development program. Most of the plants in the selection are not only full of color but will invite beneficial pollinators to your yard, all while adding color to your landscape throughout the year.
The sale offers many tried and true varieties as well as some new plants that will add a pop of color to your landscape, all at a great price. Plant Sale pre-orders will be taken through Feb. 28 at the Cobb County Extension Office. There are limited quantities of all varieties. Plants are sold on a first come, first served basis. Plant Sale pick-up day will be held 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta.
Stop by the Cobb County Extension Office 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, to pre-order your plants. Place your order in person with a Visa/MasterCard/Discover Card, cash, check, or money order. You can also mail your plant sale order form with a check or money order. The mailing address is 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200, Marietta, GA 30060. Make all checks payable to Cobb Extension/4-H.
The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office has teamed up with the Cobb Family Advocacy Center to host a winter coat drive benefitting MUST Ministries. Drop off donations of new or gently used coats at these locations by Jan. 21:
Cobb Superior Courthouse, 70 Haynes Street, 3rd Floor, Marietta
Cobb Family Advocacy Center, 277 Fairground Street SE, Marietta
The remaining public hearing date is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 with the Board of Commissioners. This meeting will be held at 100 Cherokee Street, 2nd floor.
How to save a life
Learn CPR from Cobb firefighters to keep you and your family safe this year. The Family and Friends CPR program gives residents the chance to gain essential life-saving skills for emergencies. This instructional course teaches how to use an AED and perform CPR on adults, children, and infants. Choose from upcoming sessions scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Feb. 25, and March 20. Classes will take place at the Cobb County Safety Village, 1220 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. Register for a course here.
Water photography contest underway
High School students enrolled in Cobb County and City of Marietta School Districts are invited to participate in the annual waterSmart High School Photography Contest. Up to a dozen winners receive a cash prize, and their photos will be created into notecards to be distributed throughout the county.
Participating students must 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. Submissions are due Saturday, March 1. For more information, and to submit a photograph, visit cobbcounty.org/water/education.
This contest is a partnership between Cobb County Water System and Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority. CCMWA started the waterSmart program in 2000 to educate about the value of water and encourage sustainable, year-round water conservation in our community.
New elections coming up in Districts 2 and 4
The primary for the upcoming Special Elections for Cobb County Commission Districts 2 and 4 will take place Feb. 11. Advance voting begins Feb. 1.
The runoff election (if necessary) will take place March 11. The General Special Election will be April 29.
Advance voting will be available for these contests at select locations. Only Cobb Commission Districts 2 and 4 voters will be eligible to vote in this special election. Go to Find Your Commissioner online to identify the district where you reside.
Civil Service Board seeking candidates
The Cobb County Civil Service Board will hold an election for Post 5 next month. Candidates must qualify 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays between Jan. 27 and Jan. 31. Members of the board represent the public in the improvement of public administration and their duties include hearings on employee claims of improper treatment or actions.
The primary will be Feb. 24 - March 9. A runoff, if needed, will be March 14 - 28. Only county employees covered by the Civil Service Board can vote. The election is for a four-year term starting April 1. More details about candidate qualifications are located here.
Assistance just a click away
Cobb County has partnered with FindHelp to create a new online resource that connects residents with local, vetted assistance programs. On the site, you can search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more. Residents can access this new portal by visiting findhelp.cobbcounty.gov. The initiative is funded through an allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.
This week on CobbTV
Subscribe to CobbTV's YouTube channel for the latest county meetings, informational videos, and live events. Here are some of this week's highlights:
Cobb received the largest snowfall in a half-dozen years Friday, with more than two inches of snow - followed by some ice - falling across the county. Relive the storm and the county's efforts to keep the roadways safe.
A swearing-in ceremony last week marked the start of the second term for Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. Check out the festivities and the message the chairwoman had for county residents.
Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14
Board of Commissioners Comprehensive Plan Hearing, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28
Meetings take place at 100 Cherokee Street, 2nd floor unless otherwise noted. Many public meetings and hearings are broadcast live on CobbTV and YouTubeand are available on demand on YouTube.
More ways to get Cobb news
There's a lot going on in Cobb County that doesn't fit in one newsletter. Keep up with what's going on by subscribing to department enewsletters and following us on social media. You'll be informed of new events and programs, cancellations/delays, emergencies, disruptions to services and more.
Upcoming public meetings