🌱 Rookie Cop Saves Woman's Life + Georgia Changes English Curriculum

Hello all. I'm here with your fresh copy of the East Cobb Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Showers, heavy t-storms. High: 83 Low: 66.
• Wednesday: A thunderstorm around. High: 77 Low: 61.

Big love to our local sponsor. We couldn’t keep the community informed without you!

Attention music lovers! Don't miss out on The Roswell Music Festival, a one-day, ticketed event on Saturday May 20th. This exciting festival will take place in Historic Downtown Roswell, featuring six amazing bands, tent vendors, and local businesses serving up delicious food and drinks. You won’t want to miss original and tribute bands covering classic rock, soul, funk, country and blues music — including the incredible talents of Southern Avenue (Blues), End of the Line (Allman Brothers), Funk You (Funk, Dance), Frankly Scarlet (Grateful Dead), The Highwaymen Show (Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash), and TROY (Soul, Pop). Tickets are on sale now!

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Here are the top three stories today in East Cobb:

1. In case you missed it, a rookie Marietta Police Officer is being hailed a hero after saving the life of a woman contemplating suicide. A woman climbed over the fence on the overpass at Delk Road above I-75 during a mental health crisis. Officer Austin Martin was the first on the scene, where he approached the woman and asked her to talk to him and tell him what was going on. Martin laced his fingers over hers through the fence just before she passed out, and other officers ran to grab parts of her clothes through the fence to keep her from falling until the fire ladder could move to grab her from the overpass. Martin had been on the force less than a year but knew exactly what the woman needed in her crisis. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
2. Georgia has changed the English curriculum to get rid of all the common core standards. For the next two years, English teachers will be learning the new standards for the curriculum which will go into effect in 2025. The new standards are built around the "science of reading," which emphasizes phonics at young ages to give students strong literacy skills. This comes from the concern from educators and parents over the past few years who have seen downward trends in reading proficiency. The Governor says this new curriculum will allow teachers to slow down or accelerate lessons based on how their classes are doing with certain topics or units within the curriculum. (East Cobb News)
3. A Cobb County man has been charged with beating his baby daughter after he claims she was possessed by evil spirits. Police were called to Juan Hernandez's home for an unresponsive baby who suffered respiratory failures and skull fractures. Hernandez claims that the beating was not his responsibility and that he too may have been possessed. He's been charged with aggravated battery and child cruelty but has since been released on bond. While he is out on bond he has been ordered to stay away from anyone under 16 years old. (WSBTV)

Today and tomorrow in and around East Cobb:

Tuesday, May 16

• Board Of Commissioners Zoning Hearing At BOC Room (9:00 AM)
• Open Mic Night With Chip Jones At Suburban Tap (9:00 PM)

Wednesday, May 17

• Cobb County Senior Services Expo & Marketplace: Voter Registration And Education Event At Civic Center (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• May is Jewish American Heritage Month! The library has compiled books by Jewish American Authors for readers of all ages in celebration of Jewish heritage. (Cobb County Public Library via Facebook)
• The Cobb County Fire Department hosted Man in Machine Class for over 40 Technical Rescue Team Members from across Atlanta. The class teaches the teams how to remove rings, use torches to burn through metal, and help people pinned under vehicles. (Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services via Facebook)
• The Cobb County Government is warning its citizens in low-lying areas to prepare for hurricane season. Jun. 1 is when the season officially starts and Georgia will see heavy rain from storms. If you don't have flood insurance policies now is the time to get one added to your home, since it typically takes 30 days for it to go into effect. (Cobb County Government via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Maya Eventov Artist Show : Textures of Nature (May 20)
• Microchip & Vaccination Clinic for Dogs & Cats - Low Cost (May 21)
• Tara Winds Community Band Concert (May 21)
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Featured gigs & services:

• Masonry work (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with 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.