🌱 Man Sentenced For Assault + ATF Audit Draws Congressional Attention

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the East Cobb Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy. High: 73 Low: 63.

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Here are the three top stories in East Cobb today:

1. Attorneys for Cobb County filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit regarding its commission district map. The lawsuit was filed by East Cobb resident Larry Savage and Commissioner Keli Gambrill, who have challenged the legality of the new map. In Oct. 2022, the Democratic-led commission invoked "home rule" powers in order to redraw their own district boundaries after East Cobb's second district commissioner was drawn out of her district. The county's motion to dismiss is based on a Georgia Supreme Court ruling that a county and its Board of Elections may not be sued in the same lawsuit. (Yahoo News)
2. In nearby Smyrna, four members of Congress showed up to Adventure Outdoors during an audit by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Over a dozen ATF agents were conducting the audit on the store, which is the largest gun dealership in the Southeast. Congressional representatives, including Barry Loudermilk and Marjorie Taylor Greene, were skeptical about the need for so many agents at the store. ATF agents said that it was a surprise audit that happened simultaneously with other locations in the state. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
3. Down the road in Marietta, a man has been sentenced to 85 years in prison after assaulting four women in a staffing agency's office. In June 2022, Willie Elbert Kidd, Jr. went to the staffing agency in Marietta where he was employed and stabbed one woman, assaulted three others, and damaged property. On Monday, a jury found him guilty of four counts of aggravated assault, and he was also found guilty on counts of false imprisonment, possession of a knife, and criminal damage to property. (WSB - TV)

Today in East Cobb:

• LEGO Free Play Friday - East Cobb Library (3:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• This Saturday, Apr. 1, you can hop on down to the Al Bishop Softball Complex in nearby Marietta from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the annual Cobb Eggstravaganza. The event will include Easter egg hunts, games, crafts, and activities. For more information, call 770-528-8800. (Cobb County Government via Facebook)
• In case you missed it, the Cobb Teaching and Learning System utilized by Cobb County Schools was recognized by a recent study published by Brown University. The teaching and learning system was praised for improved student performance, educator coordination, and positive use of technology. (Cobb County Schools via Facebook)
• This Saturday, the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is holding an opening reception for two new exhibitions: "Entwined - A Group Exhibition of Textile and Fiber Art" and "Quilting the Pandemic." The event will include appetizers and a cash bar; click here to learn more. (Marietta Cobb Museum of Art via Facebook)
• Cobb Young Professionals is hosting a golf tournament on Apr. 19. The Topgolf Charity Tournament includes networking opportunities, awards, and a raffle to support Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. (Cobb Chamber via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with a new 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.