Vendor applications closed for Spring Arts Festival
There are reports that some social media pages are soliciting applications and fees for vendor spots at the Cobb PARKS Spring Arts Festival this month. However, vendor applications for the event have already been closed. Please don't respond to requests for fees from social media sites not associated with Cobb PARKS.
More than 100 artisans and crafters will present handmade art, merchandise, and goods for sale 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Jim R. Miller Park. Attendees at the Spring Arts Festival can indulge in a variety of foods, live music and entertainment including aerial acts, and art demonstrations in glass-blowing and ceramics.
Parking and admission are free. Jim R. Miller Park is located at 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.
Make CobbLinc your way to get to the game
When you come to see your favorite slugger play ball, remember you can save money and avoid fees for parking and rideshare by using the CobbLinc buses.
You can get to the game at Truist Park for free from many spots in the Cumberland area on Cobb's Cumberland Circulator buses. There are also ways to get there from the Marietta Park and Ride Lot, 800 South Marietta Parkway, and the Busbee Park and Ride Lot, 3321 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw.
Last year, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved an adjustment to water and sewer rates that took effect Tuesday, April 1. A rate increase of 2.5% in water rates and 3.5% in wastewater rates is needed due to increasing operating expenses, and to fund capital improvements to our water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure replacements and upgrades. The Board also adopted annual 3.5% increases in water and wastewater charges for 2026 through 2029 to be effective Jan. 1 of each year.
For the average residential water and sewer customer, the rate adjustment will result in a monthly increase of $1.90. Even with the rate adjustment, Cobb continues to have the lowest rates in Metro Atlanta. Go online here for more information.
This month's recycling events begin Saturday
Clean up this season by participating in one of the community recycling and educational events hosted by Keep Cobb Beautiful.
Community Recycling event
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12
Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta
Free on-site document shredding, electronics, metal, textiles, and Hefty Renew Program plastics will be accepted. Register here.
Medication Disposal event
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26
Location 1: 2380 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw
Location 2: 4025 S. Hurt Road NW, Smyrna
Location 3: Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
Safely dispose of unused and expired medications by bringing them to this free event.
Sustainability Forum and Expo
4 - 8 p.m. Thursday, April 30
Jim R. Miller Park and Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta
Attend sessions, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits and hear guest speakers discuss green initiatives and how they affect you. Nominate your fellow neighbors for a sustainability award.
For more information on the above events, visit keepcobbbeautiful.org or call 770-528-1135.
Special egg hunt for visually impaired kids
The Beeping Egg Hunt, an event for visually impaired children hosted by the Cobb County Bomb Squad, will be held 9 - 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Horizon Feild, 400 South Main Street, Acworth. The eggs will contain beeping devices to enable visually impaired children to find them. This event will be open to ages 3 - 21. In case of inclement weather, the alternate location will be the Acworth Community Center, 4361 Cherokee Street in Acworth.
Your next employer could be just one conversation away during a job fair 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta.
Meet representatives from Kennesaw, Smyrna, Acworth, Town Center Community, Powder Springs, Marietta, Austell, Mableton, and Cobb County. No pre-registration is needed. Just show up and be interview-ready.
Cobbworks/WorkSource Cobb offers reemployment and retraining services for those transitioning from federal or other employment with federally-funded programs. Go to worksourcegaportal.com for more information.
Advance voting starts soon for special elections
On April 29, Cobb County Elections and Registration will hold the special elections for Cobb commission seats for Districts 2 and 4. In the District 2 race, Democrat Erick Allen faces Republican Alicia Adams. Candidates in the District 4 race are Democratic party incumbent Monique Sheffield and Republican Matthew Hardwick.
Advance voting for this special election will be held April 19 and April 21 - 25.
Cobb County officials cut the ribbon on the new police Precinct 6 building last week. The $8.2 million project, which will help reduce the size of police beats across Cobb, was part the county’s 2016 SPLOST program. The event provided tours and information about the services it will provide the community. These services include filing police reports, requesting copies of accident and most incident reports, VIN verifications, and obtaining vehicle impound releases.
The precinct is located at 3141 Hong Way in Marietta next to the Mountain View Aquatic Center. Starting today, the Precinct 6 building will be open to the public 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Go here for more information.
Onion deadline arrives Wednesday
You'll be crying happy tears when you order Vidalia onions before the deadline. The Cobb County UGA Extension is accepting pre-orders. Order your 10-pound bags of medium-sized onions for $12 by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9.
If you think that's a lot of onions, Vidalia onions can last for one to two months stored in a cool, dry place, or up to six months when refrigerated. You can also peel, chop and freeze them in a resealable plastic bag for a few months. You may also choose to donate a bag to the St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Pantry.
Onions arrive the week of Mother’s Day and pick-up will be available immediately upon arrival. Final pick-up date is 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 17. Download your pre-order form here.
New benefits available with your library card
In celebration of National Library Week, Cobb County Public Library is launching the CCPL Perks Program — a new initiative offering exclusive discounts to Cobb Library cardholders at local businesses in the Marietta Square area. Participating businesses in Marietta Square include Marietta Proper, Hamp and Harry’s, Warm Hugs Bakery, Sweet Treats Ice Cream, and Bomb Babes (Pop-up) inside The Local Exchange.
Cobb County Purchasing staff will host the next "How to Do Business with Cobb County Government" webinar at noon, Wednesday, April 21. This free informational series features a single Cobb County department sharing details about the department, current/future procurement needs and specific points of contact. The April webinar will highlight the Cobb County Department of Transportation (Road Maintenance Division) and available business opportunities.
The upcoming Senior Services Annual Expo will be a day filled with resources, connections, and valuable information at the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta. Mark your calendar for 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. Admission and parking are free and the first 400 households will receive a bag of free produce.
Discover a variety of vendors offering services in life enrichment, transportation, nutrition, senior living, Medicare, wellness, safety, and much more. Plus, Northside Hospital will be providing free health screenings, and we’ll have informative seminars on important topics throughout the day.
Cobb and Douglas Public Health are keeping the environment safe by helping income-eligible primary Cobb and Douglas homeowners to get their septic systems pumped, repaired or connected to local sewer systems. The program is funded through American Rescue Plan Act grants from Cobb and Douglas County Governments.
Income-eligible primary homeowners who participate in the project will receive a subsidy of up to $500 (based on the actual cost of service). Upon inspection, if repairs are needed, the project will subsidize up to $15,000 to repair the system or connect the home to the local sewer. The project collaborates with certified local service providers to ensure that all septic tank pumping and septic system repair services meet all state and local requirements.
Eligible work must be done between March 26, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026, in Cobb, or until grant funds are exhausted. Rental and commercial properties are not eligible to participate. Go online here for more information.
Cobb County turned out to clean up
Volunteers at Commissioner Monique Sheffield's District 4 Cleanup picked up 3,440 pounds of litter on Saturday, March 29. There was an excellent turnout for the event, including groups from Keep Cobb Beautiful, Cobb Senior Services, Kennesaw State University, Cobb County Department of Transportation, and other volunteers. Nearly 400 KSU students helped with yard cleanup, litter pickup, and other tasks. Thanks for making our community look great! Go here to view photos of the massive event.
April pet deals on the table
Cobb County Animal Services is offering special pet adoptions this April.
Dogs 50 pounds and bigger are only $20
All cats are only $20
All other pets cost $50
The department is also offering free adoptions if you donate unexpired/unopened dog or cat food to their food pantry. Find more details here.
Go here to view your options. The shelter is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta. Stop by and visit the companions waiting for you.
Get help for yourself or loved ones
Findhelp.cobbcounty.gov is the county's new resource making it easier to find local, vetted assistance programs. Cobb residents can get assistance and a leg up with many of the county's nonprofit partners.
On the site, you can search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more. Access this new portal at 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.
Cobb leaders joined members of our Police Department to officially open the county's newest police precinct. Precinct 6 will serve the residents of North and Northeast Cobb and allow the department to shrink beats, resulting in more community-oriented policing.
Governor Kemp visited Cobb County to help cut the ribbon on a new manufacturing facility in Smyrna that will employ 200. Chairwoman Lisa Cupid also spoke at the event for Flock Safety where they will build their new line of drones designed for public safety.
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.
