News Nearby: Hollywood Stars in Metro Atlanta, Storm Damage in Cobb

Movie Stars in Cartersville Meet Fans

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m obsessed with celebrities. And, in my career as a journalist, I’ve been lucky enough to meet a few famous people, such as Cal Ripken Jr., Al Gore and Bobby Cox. And, a few months ago, I got to meet Kim Fields, better known as Tootie fromThe Facts of Life, when she visited .

So, when I heard that Devil’s Knot was , I was obviously obsessed with catching a glimpse of one of the . My drive through town somehow always ended up driving by the old courthouse where the movie is being filmed. And yes, I was one of those people who slowed down, craning my neck to try to get a glimpse of someone. I saw Reese Witherspoon from a distance the first day of filming, and I thought that was pretty neat. I didn’t really expect much else since I haven’t had the time to go downtown to watch.

Read more on Cartersville Patch.

South Cobbers Awaken to Downed Trees After Storms, Flash Floods

A week after Independence Day and the night sky was lit up with flashes of light, but they weren't leftover fireworks. The intense and incredibly close lightning followed by thunder was part of a storm and flash floods that have caused major damage to all areas of Metro Atlanta, including South Cobb.

Read more on South Cobb Patch. 

Ambulance Services Controversy Discussed

The Kennesaw City Council conducted a tense discussion Wednesday night about the actions of City Manager Steve Kennedy, who on Friday told Georgia EMS that the company had until 12:01 a.m. Monday to stop responding to 911 calls due to a state mandate that the city use only MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service.

The council entered the session at the request of Councilman Bruce Jenkins. Mayor Mark Mathews, who is employed by MetroAtlanta, opted to sit out of the discussion, taking a seat in the audience. Kennedy was not in attendance.

On Friday, Kennedy told Georgia EMS via phone call to cease responding to emergency calls in Kennesaw, which is outside of their jurisdiction.

Kennedy did this as a result of a letter sent by Deputy Director Mickey Moore of the Department of Health Services. Moore’s letter reaffirmed that Kennesaw may only use Metroatlanta Ambulance Service for medical emergencies. The letter also stated that the city has until August 1 to submit a written consent to use MetroAtlanta exclusively.

Read more on Kennesaw Patch. 

Silver Comet Trail Victim Remembered

On the Silver Comet Trail, just a few feet east of Floyd Road, there is a cross that reads "Betsy" and a bouquet of flowers. Nearby is a new pole and a patch of fresh dark pavement.

Sometimes during the past week, runners and cyclists of the trail could see people embracing and crying on the benches not far from the small wooden cross. Friends and family members mourned the loss of 52-year-old Elizabeth "Betsy" Ziegler of Austell. To them, she was a mother, sister, aunt, daughter and coworker.

The ATV collided with a pole placed to prevent motorized vehicles on the trail and caught fire, Cobb police said.

Read more on South Cobb Patch. 

Portion of Robinson Road Closed

Wednesday night's severe thunderstorm in East Cobb shut down a portion of Robinson Road this morning. 

The portion of the road from Roswell Road east (near ) to the entrance of  is closed to traffic due to downed power lines and a broken utility pole,according to a notice from Cobb County government. 

Read more on East Cobb Patch. 

Burned at 8, McEachern Alum Now an ‘Iron Man’

For a while after the tragedy of Aug. 4, 1982, Shay Eskew didn’t remember—or want to remember—what happened that day. 

But as time went on, especially when he began to give inspirational speeches, the mental images resurfaced. 

His 15-year-old neighbor asking Eskew, who was 8, and his 7-year-old friend to help her get rid of a yellow jacket nest.

The neighbor throwing a match on the nest.

The neighbor then tossing gasoline in the nest’s direction. 

The gasoline accidentally landing on Eskew, his friend and the match, sending the boys’ bodies aflame.