🌱 Voucher Program Spending Report + World Robotics Championship

Hello again, friends. It's Tuesday in East Cobb and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in the community.

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.

What will Julie do to make sure your home sells? Professional photography and staging. Drone videos. She’s even turned Open Houses into cocktail parties. In other words: whatever it takes.

To learn what your home is worth - and to connect with a local force of nature - contact Julie today.

Now, today's weather:

Considerable cloudiness. High: 69 Low: 41.

📈 Interested in reaching our highly engaged readers with targeted messaging that drives proven results for local businesses? I'm looking for business owners and marketers in East Cobb who want to build awareness, connect with customers, and increase sales. If that's you, click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in East Cobb today:

1. This Spring, Hightower Trail Middle School and Wheeler High School students will advance to the world robotics championships. The Hightower Trail team, made up of five members, will be making the trip to the VEX World Robotics Championships in Texas after placing No. 14 in the state skill challenge. In a release from the Cobb County School District, Hightower Trail Principal Dr. Hannah Polk said the school began a VEX robotics program this year backed by the Husky Foundation. (East Cobb News)
2. A new report showed a significant increase in voucher program spending in Georgia, House Bill 233 could expand it further. The report, released by Public Funds Public Schools, revealed that program spending in Georgia went up 883 percent between 2008 and 2019. Senate Bill 233, currently stalled in the Georgia House of Representatives, could expand the school voucher program even more; the bill would allow students who attend schools ranked in the lowest 25 percent to receive $6,500 to attend private schools, online classes, or homeschools by creating third-party promise scholarship accounts (PSA). (Cobb County Courier)
3. Police are investigating a homeless encampment death that occurred in Cobb County early Monday morning. Fire officials were called out to a fire just after 1 a.m. in the woodline near Interstate 75 and Earnest Barrett Drive. After extinguishing the burning tent, firefighters found a body inside the tent; as of Monday morning, the body has not been identified. (Fox 5)

Today in and around East Cobb:

• March Wine Events: Washington & Oregon At Stem Wine Bar, Marietta (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• East Cobb resident John Cristadoro is set to announce his run for a seat on the Cobb Board of Education! In a Facebook post, the Air Force veteran teased a “Special Announcement Coming Soon” at the Cobb Republican Party breakfast on Saturday, Apr 1. (East Cobb News)
• After a two-year-long wait, general site preparations for North Point's East Cobb Church have begun. Construction at the corner of Shallowford and Johnson Ferry roads will bring a new,125,000-square-foot church. The church received its permit from the county last week, and the church is hoped to be finished within two years. (Yahoo News)
• Georgia gasoline prices remained stagnant over the past week. Drivers are currently paying an average of $3.22 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, the same as it was a week ago. The price is seven cents more than a month ago and 74 cents less than a year ago. (Cobb County News)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• A Romantic Evening (April 1)
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Featured gigs & services:

• Masonry work (Details)
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• Skilled electrical assembly (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. 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.