🌱 Marietta To Install Red Light Cameras + Reading Scores Increase

Hello all. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your fresh copy of the Marietta Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny and warm. High: 91 Low: 67.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and warm. High: 89 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories in Marietta today:

1. Marietta plans to install red light cameras at busy intersections to address speeding and enhance safety, although some experts argue that the effectiveness of such cameras is questionable. The city currently has three cameras in place, and they are considering expanding to additional locations pending approval from GDOT. While proponents believe the cameras will help regulate traffic, a recent study suggests that while angle accidents decrease, rear-end accidents increase, resulting in minimal overall safety improvement. City Council is set to revisit the issue in August, and GDOT must approve any new camera installations. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. The Marietta City School District has achieved significant improvements in reading scores for third-grade students, with a 20-point gain reported in the recently released Georgia Milestones Assessments, surpassing the state average by five times. The district attributes the success to various factors, including reading specialists, an afterschool reading program, reduced classroom sizes, and hiring 40 new reading specialists. The initiative has led to notable progress for students like Neal Dean Gilland, who demonstrated remarkable growth and improved reading skills through dedicated support and interventions. (WSB-TV)
3. Marietta's Strand Theatre is hosting a musical revue called "Jukebox Giants: Motown & More!" from Aug. 11 to 20. The show will showcase a collection of popular hits from the Motown era and beyond, featuring song and dance performances. The theatre is situated on Marietta Square at 117 North Park Square, conveniently located across from Glover Park. (Cobb County Courier)

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Today and tomorrow in Marietta:

Monday, July 31

• Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting At Marietta City Hall (6:00 PM)
• Taste And Talk Opportunity At TBA (7:00 PM)

Tuesday, August 1

• Axe Throwing At IronMonger Taproom (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Marietta's annual HarvestFest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hosted by Marietta Parks, Recreation and Facilities, the festival features various attractions like Scarecrows in the Square, an Arts & Crafts Show, Touch-A-Truck, a Costume Contest, Pie Eating Contest by Pie Bar, and Halloween Happenings for kids. The event will be held at Glover Park in Historic Marietta Square, which is located at 50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060. (Cobb County Courier)
• Congratulations to PSA Katie Williams on her historic appointment as the first dedicated civilian leader of the Public Safety Ambassador Unit at Marietta Police Department (MPD). As the new PSA Supervisor, Katie will focus on the training and career development of the Ambassadors, a role previously overseen by a day watch Lieutenant with other responsibilities. Her qualifications, including a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and the ongoing pursuit of a master's in criminal justice law enforcement leadership, make her well-suited for this significant role. (Marietta, Georgia Police Department via Facebook)
• The Marietta League has officially opened registration for Fall cornhole. Interested participants can register for the league until Monday, Aug. 21. (Marietta Square Market via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• We CARE Veterans Fair (August 4)
• Atlanta to host National Cycling League inaugural series race (August 20)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.