🌱 Train Stuck On Tracks In Marietta + New PORCH For Schools Program

Hello, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Marietta Daily. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Some rain and a thunderstorm. High: 60 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories today in Marietta:

1. All crossings near Marietta Square were closed on Tuesday due to a train stuck on the tracks. Drivers were encouraged to look for alternate routes as the train blocked Whitlock Avenue and surrounding streets. As of this writing, all railroad crossings are closed until further notice. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
2. In nearby Mableton, a candidate has been disqualified for the mayoral election. On Tuesday, Cobb County Elections Director Janine Eveler said boxing coach and reverend Henry Okafor's name was removed from the ballot due to a bounced check for the qualifying fee payment. The check was bounced due to insufficient funds; according to court officials, Okafor can have his name re-added to the ballot if he can show evidence the bounced check was a bank error by Feb. 3. The disqualification comes a day after a Mableton city council candidate, Paul Chukelu, was disqualified for the same reason. (Patch)
3. The all-volunteer organization PORCH-Marietta has announced its PORCH for Schools program. The organization has launched a new program to serve broader needs in the Marietta area. The program initially focuses efforts on getting healthy snacks to children attending Sedalia Park Elementary School and has provided 37 cases of snacks to the school so far, according to a press release. According to chapter leader Liz Platner, the public can support the food drive with tax-deductible donations by clicking here, and businesses can provide sponsorships. (East Cobb News)

Today in Marietta:

• The Art Of Glass Fusing At Marietta Cobb Museum Of Art (11:15 AM)
• Intro To Sequential Art For Teens (Cartooning/Comics) At Marietta Cobb Museum of Art (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• A wind advisory has been issued for Cobb County. It will begin at midnight tonight and last until midnight tomorrow. (MDJOnline.com)
• Marietta is now home to the Georgia Association of Museums Institution of the Year. Congratulations to the William Root House Museum for this well-deserved, state-wide recognition! (Visit Marietta GA via Instagram)
• Police are investigating a string of burglaries that targeted multiple Hispanic grocery stores in metro Atlanta. (WSB Atlanta)

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Events:

• Scream Your Heart Out Ghost Hunt and Interactive Paranormal Investigation at Jasper’s Old Jail (February 3)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.