🌱 Home Intruder Killed + Former K-9 Handler Arrested For Molestation

Hi all. Sean Peek here with your Tuesday edition of the East Cobb Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Julie Brittain of Berkshire Hathaway

Selling a home in a challenging real estate market? You need an 5-Star Realtor

Remember when anyone listing a home with a roof and a front door could expect multiple offers within a few days? It seems like a lifetime ago — even if it was early 2022.

Today’s market is tougher. But there are buyers out there. And prices haven’t fallen nearly as much in our area as you might expect.

So how do you list your home today and still win? You need an experienced Realtor with a proven track record of marketing homes and getting deals done.

Fortunately, there’s Julie Brittain. Julie has 25 years experience in Atlanta-area real estate, with deep knowledge of East Cobb, Roswell and Woodstock. She’s high energy, whip smart and can't be out-hustled.

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Now, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Sunny, pleasant and warmer. High: 77 Low: 48.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 82 Low: 50.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories in East Cobb today:

1. In Cobb County, a home intruder was shot and killed by the resident. Investigators believe the shooting victim was attempting to break into a home in the area of Lochlomand Lane and Highland Drive in nearby Smyrna on Sunday night. The shooting was reported shortly before 7:30 p.m. and only the homeowner and the victim were involved. The homeowner was not injured and the victim's name has not been released. An investigation is underway and interviews are being conducted, however, police say it's too early to determine if the homeowner will face charges. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
2. A former Cobb County Police K-9 Handler has been charged with child molestation. Michael Yancy, 66, has been accused of child molestation in two counties and has been arrested and charged in Paulding County with one count of child molestation and one count of enticing a child. Yancy has also been booked into the Cobb County Jail on two counts of child molestation for an incident that occurred last May. The Police Department says that Yancy has been retired from their department for several years now but that he was once a K-9 Handler for them. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
3. Recycling and trash businesses, along with a local green non-profit, will hold a Recycling Roundtable on Apr. 21. A panel of experts from the Cobb County Sustainability Department, WestRock, Waste Management, Trash Taxi, and B Green will discuss recycling matters, answer questions from the community attendees, and explain what can and cannot be recycled. Cheers to Recycling and My Green Earth will be sponsoring the event that takes place the day before Earth Day. The roundtable will start at 10:30 a.m. and be held at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center. (East Cobb News)

Today and tomorrow in and around East Cobb:

Tuesday, April 18

• Hygiene Donation Drive for Project U First, At South Cobb Regional Library (10:00 AM)
• April Wine Events: Chile & Argentina, At Stem Wine Bar (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, April 19

• Art Wednesdays, At Kemp Memorial Library (3:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• 17 firefighters were sworn in on Apr. 14 at Cobb County's recently renovated Fire Training Academy. Recruit class 60’s journey at the academy began on Aug. 22, 2022, where they completed 12 weeks of physically demanding fire school. They then had to complete 24 weeks of EMT training, earning them their National Registry Advanced EMT Certification. They have now been assigned their stations throughout the county and are ready to serve the community. (Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services via Facebook)
• The Cobb County Public Library Bookmobile will be visiting East Cobb Park for Pop-Up Storytime on Apr. 19. The story time will start at 10:30 a.m. and book checkouts will also be offered. Another Bookmobile event will happen on Saturday, Apr. 22, at Cobb County Safety Village's Camp Puzzle at 10:00 a.m. (Cobb County Public Library via Facebook)
• The Cobb County Government has released a video on their Facebook of all the past week's events in the county. There are clips of recycling day, the packed easter egg hunt, the swearing-in of the new firefighters, and the library book sale. (Cobb County Government)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Día del Niño Festival (Day of the Child) (April 22)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll see you around!

— 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.