🌱 New Barnes & Noble Updates + Early Morning Shooting in Marietta

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the East Cobb Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

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

Meet the East Cobb Realtor who turns clients into fans

How do you build a 25-year career as a top-producing Realtor in the Atlanta area? For Julie Brittain of Berkshire Hathaway, the answer has been “one happy client at a time."

Here’s a sampling of what some of those clients have to say about working with her:

• “Responsive, hard-working, and attentive to the details”
• “Wonderful to work with — like having a friend on the ‘inside’”
• “A top agent in the metro area — highly recommended!”
• “Extremely knowledgeable”
• “Amazing negotiation skills”
• “Head and shoulders above her peers”

In a challenging and complex real estate market like today’s, you need an experienced Realtor with deep knowledge of the local market and a proven track record of getting deals done.

Whether you’re a buyer, seller or investor, Julie’s expertise in marketing, staging, negotiating, the East Cobb residential market — even the local lending landscape — will have you giving rave reviews as well.

Work with a local Realtor you can trust. Call Julie today.

Now, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower in the p.m. High: 71 Low: 47.

Are you a business owner or marketer in East Cobb who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top 3 stories today in East Cobb:

1. Barnes and Noble formally released a press release about the new Avenue East Cobb store on Wednesday, outlining its concept. This location will be the first in Georgia to be a part of the “smaller” size concept aimed at giving stores the feeling of an indie bookstore by allowing managers to curate recommended books for local tastes. Although an opening date hasn't been shared, new Instagram and Twitter accounts are available to follow. (East Cobb News)
2. A shooting early Wednesday morning in Marietta has been ruled a homicide. Ricky Haney, 31, passed away from a gunshot wound to the abdomen after being transported to the hospital the same day. Clarence Mitchell, the 28-year-old suspect, has been arrested and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. (Fox5)
3. On Tuesday, the Cobb commissioners approved spending more than $98 million in federal funds under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act to support 80 community-based projects. The funds have been broadly distributed between infrastructure ($19.3 million), community health ($23.8 million), economic development ($21.5 million), public safety ($10 million), and non-government support services ($23.2 million). Over 200 applications were submitted, and some of the selected projects include food distribution, stormwater management upgrades, rental assistance, and much more. (East Cobb News)

Today in East Cobb:

• Career Readiness Workshop on Ace Your Interview At CobbWorks Workforce Development Center (10:00 AM)
• February Wine Events: A Tour of Tuscany At Stem Wine Bar (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• When it comes to doling out municipal fines and fees, Georgia ranks fourth in the nation. According to an analysis of 2020 Census Bureau data, the Reason Foundation found that Peach State cities collected nearly $377 million in fines and fees from residents across the state that year. That’s about $35.16 per person, compared to the national average of $27 per resident. (The Center Square)
• Red Hare Brewing & Distilling will be hosting trivia tonight in The Brewery from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No advanced registration required. (Red Hare Brewing)
• The Cobb County Department of Transportation will host an open house on Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2023, to discuss the Noonday Creek Trail Extension study from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the project's background and have the chance to ask questions and provide feedback. (East Cobb News)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Queen Custom Couture www.Queencustomcouture.com — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Anna Razumovskaya Artist Show (February 18)
• Rae and the Ragdolls (February 18)
• BJ's Wholesale Club Pre-opening Limited-time Offer (February 23)
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• Masonry repairs (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another 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.