MDJ Script/ Top Stories for September 17th
Publish Date: September 17th
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From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Today is Wednesday, September 17th and Happy Birthday to Hank Williams
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal
- Cobb elections director not to return after leave
- Sawyer Road Elementary celebrates 20 years with $7.7M renovation reveal
- Three arrested, charged in east Cobb Waffle House fight
All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
BREAK: INGLES 1
STORY 1: Cobb elections director not to return after leave
After less than two years on the job, Cobb County Elections Director Tate Fall is stepping down—for good.
Fall, who came to Cobb from Arlington County, Virginia, was appointed in late 2023 and has since overseen nine elections, including the 2024 General Election. But last month, she requested leave, and now it’s official: she won’t be back.
In her absence, Michael D’Itri, a longtime county employee and Elections Prep Center manager, has stepped in as acting director.
Why is Fall leaving? The county isn’t saying, and Fall herself hasn’t commented.
STORY 2: Sawyer Road Elementary celebrates 20 years with $7.7M renovation reveal
Sawyer Road Elementary just hit the big 2-0, and it’s looking better than ever. Thanks to a $7.7 million renovation, the school got a serious glow-up—new floors, ceilings, lighting, windows, paint, and even a revamped media center. The upgrades, funded by the E-SPLOST VI program, were unveiled Monday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This isn’t just fresh paint and new windows,” said board member Kerry Minervini. “It’s an investment in our kids’ futures.”
Fifth-grader Adamary Lopez-Cisneros summed it up perfectly: “It’s like watching your house get remodeled. It feels special—like they care about us.”
And honestly? It shows.
STORY 3: Three arrested, charged in east Cobb Waffle House fight
It was chaos at a Waffle House on Sandy Plains Road last week, and now all three suspects involved in the early-morning brawl have been arrested, according to Cobb County jail records.
Sammy Dodd, 17, of Ball Ground, and Daniel Riley, 18, of Calhoun, are accused of climbing the counter, kicking plates, and assaulting a staff member—leaving him bruised and cut, with pain in his chest and back. Oh, and they allegedly broke 24 plates in the process.
Blake Talley-Stewart, 17, of Roswell, reportedly threw a plate of food and a drink into the fray.
All three face misdemeanor charges, with bonds ranging from $1,870 to $5,720.
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We’ll be right back.
Break: INGLES 1
STORY 4: UPDATE: Cobb teachers on administrative leave for 'unacceptable comments' on Kirk shooting
The Cobb County School District is investigating “unacceptable” social media posts by educators about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Some posts, according to the district, appeared to celebrate his death—a claim that’s sparked outrage.
Nan Kiel, the district’s spokesperson, confirmed that employees involved have been placed on administrative leave. “They won’t be in classrooms or interacting with students,” she said, adding that the district will report the matter to Geo
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