🌱 Atlanta Lyric Theatre Closure + Teacher Accused Of Drinking

Hello all. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the East Cobb Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 61 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories today in East Cobb:

1. The Atlanta Lyric Theatre in nearby Marietta has announced its closure after nearly 42 years in the theatre business. The theatre said the decision comes after a notable dip in overall attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that while efforts were made to overcome the challenge over the past several months, the financial strain was too much. The board said the theatre will not present its last two scheduled shows, “Pippin” and “Best of Broadway”, and will also not present the final two shows of the Cabaret Series. Tickets for Season 42 will not be refunded, and the monthly donations to the Spotlight society were canceled on Mar. 3. (WSBTV)
2. The Cobb County Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation have identified the motorist that allegedly reached for a gun during a traffic stop on I-75 on Wednesday night near Delk Road. Atlanta resident Kenny Ezekiel, 31, ignored the command of an officer who told him not to reach for the weapon and pulled the gun from his waistband. The officer immediately shot Ezekial, who threw the gun out of the driver’s side window, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. No officers were injured in the incident. (East Cobb News)
3. A Cobb County elementary school teacher is being accused of drinking in the classroom. Warrants for Jean Warnken accuse her of drinking an alcoholic beverage out of a "reusable plastic cup" while with students at William Milton Davis Elementary School. Police say the incident happened around 10:30 a.m. on Mar. 3. According to a tweet by the school, Warnken was William Milton Davis Elementary School's classified employee of the year for 2020-2021. (FOX 5 News)

Today in and around East Cobb:

• Atlanta Reptile Expo Show Me Reptile Show At Cobb County Civic Center, Marietta (10:00 AM)
• Noche De Verano Sin Ti A Bad Bunny Dance Party At The Masquerade, Atlanta (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• In a recent Facebook post, the Cobb Chamber welcomed Bess Health Careers Institute, LLC, and Zama Mexican Cuisine & Margarita Bar to Cobb County! Both new businesses are located down the road in Marietta. (Cobb Chamber via Facebook)
• With spring just around the corner, Friends for the East Cobb Park invites residents to become members of the park. Although the park is free to the public, the organization depends on donations to keep it running. Learn more at the link. (Friends for the East Cobb Park via Facebook)
• Searching for a four-legged family member? Meet the latest animals up for adoption, including Mira, a shorthair Manx mix! (East Cobb Patch)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.