Good morning, Marietta.

On June 17, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity—with help from HOPE Family Resource Center, Una Elliot Foundation and Lions Club—cooked and delivered BBQ, sausage dog and chicken with veggies plates to homeless camps around metro Atlanta, feeding over a couple of hundred people and continuing its service work.

Batman, an 11-month-old neutered male Australian cattle dog with a black and white coat, is featured as Dog of the Day at the Cobb County Animal Services Shelter in Marietta—online appointments are preferred for visits, though walk-ins are welcome and any questions can be addressed by calling 770 499 4136.

Former KSU officer Brandall Irving was fired and faces battery and false imprisonment charges after a staff complaint on June 3 led to an investigation—he turned himself in on June 6—and he is now out on bond.

Jack Cebe said The Stitch project is under review after tax district approval—City Council is now focusing on other legislative matters.

Marietta City Council approved a plan for a 31-acre data center on Bells Ferry Road — the campus will have two buildings sized 213,600 and 133,600 square feet, a four-acre substation, and a detention pond to manage stormwater runoff.

City staff said the project is expected to boost tax revenue but also noted concerns over effects on nearby residential neighborhoods.

A Georgia widow said she is still fighting for help from the federal Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program four years after her husband’s COVID vaccine led to serious health problems and his death in March—raising concerns as only about one third of 13,794 claims have been processed and 98 percent were denied due to filing issues. Local families now face long waits and rising frustration as bureaucratic hurdles continue to block timely compensation.

Georgia will join other states and U.S. territories in a settlement that will take $7.4 billion from Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family—this deal is aimed at addressing costs related to the opioid crisis.

The Cobb County Courier features a female white/grey tabby domestic short hair kitten that is 8 weeks old and weighs 2 lbs in shelter in Marietta.

Cobb County Animal Services prefers appointments for pet visits (walk-ins welcome) and is located at 1060 Al Bishop Drive.

Possum Trot 10K and Fun Run

In-Person Race: 7 a.m. — Chattahoochee Nature Center — Registration required — Participate in a fast and fun 10K while supporting local environmental education programs.

Open House at Sibley Forest

1-4 p.m. — 3648 Sope Creek Farm SE — Free entry — Explore a beautiful retreat with access to nature trails in a desirable community.

Breakthrough Basketball Skills Camp

Mon, Jul 7–Wed, Jul 9 — Life University — $97 entry — Enhance your ball handling and scoring skills at this high-intensity youth basketball camp in Marietta.

Build Your Own Bouquet!

1-3 p.m. — The Avenue West Cobb — Free entry — Create your own custom bouquet with fresh flowers and explore our Pressed Flower Workshop.

First Taste and See Event

3-8 p.m. — Sweetie's Crab Shack — Ticket required — Experience an unforgettable evening with local wines, seafood delights, and live music.