MDJ Script/ Top Stories for September 17th
Publish Date: September 17th
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From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Today is Wednesday, September 17th and Happy Birthday to Hank Williams
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal
All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
BREAK: INGLES 1
STORY 1: Cobb elections director not to return after leave
After less than two years on the job, Cobb County Elections Director Tate Fall is stepping down—for good.
Fall, who came to Cobb from Arlington County, Virginia, was appointed in late 2023 and has since overseen nine elections, including the 2024 General Election. But last month, she requested leave, and now it’s official: she won’t be back.
In her absence, Michael D’Itri, a longtime county employee and Elections Prep Center manager, has stepped in as acting director.
Why is Fall leaving? The county isn’t saying, and Fall herself hasn’t commented.
STORY 2: Sawyer Road Elementary celebrates 20 years with $7.7M renovation reveal
Sawyer Road Elementary just hit the big 2-0, and it’s looking better than ever. Thanks to a $7.7 million renovation, the school got a serious glow-up—new floors, ceilings, lighting, windows, paint, and even a revamped media center. The upgrades, funded by the E-SPLOST VI program, were unveiled Monday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This isn’t just fresh paint and new windows,” said board member Kerry Minervini. “It’s an investment in our kids’ futures.”
Fifth-grader Adamary Lopez-Cisneros summed it up perfectly: “It’s like watching your house get remodeled. It feels special—like they care about us.”
And honestly? It shows.
STORY 3: Three arrested, charged in east Cobb Waffle House fight
It was chaos at a Waffle House on Sandy Plains Road last week, and now all three suspects involved in the early-morning brawl have been arrested, according to Cobb County jail records.
Sammy Dodd, 17, of Ball Ground, and Daniel Riley, 18, of Calhoun, are accused of climbing the counter, kicking plates, and assaulting a staff member—leaving him bruised and cut, with pain in his chest and back. Oh, and they allegedly broke 24 plates in the process.
Blake Talley-Stewart, 17, of Roswell, reportedly threw a plate of food and a drink into the fray.
All three face misdemeanor charges, with bonds ranging from $1,870 to $5,720.
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Break: INGLES 1
STORY 4: UPDATE: Cobb teachers on administrative leave for 'unacceptable comments' on Kirk shooting
The Cobb County School District is investigating “unacceptable” social media posts by educators about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Some posts, according to the district, appeared to celebrate his death—a claim that’s sparked outrage.
Nan Kiel, the district’s spokesperson, confirmed that employees involved have been placed on administrative leave. “They won’t be in classrooms or interacting with students,” she said, adding that the district will report the matter to Georgia’s ethics board for educators.
Jeff Hubbard, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, urged teachers to pause before posting online.
Other Georgia employers, like Delta and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, have also fired or suspended workers over similar comments.
STORY 5: Georgia Bureau of Investigation promotes Mableton resident
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has promoted Mableton resident Kimberly Jewett to lead the Trace Evidence Section of its Crime Lab—a big step for someone who’s been with the GBI since 2009.
Jewett, who started as a trace evidence scientist, has worked on everything from hair analysis to gunshot residue. Now, she’ll oversee the section’s staff and operations.
A University of West Georgia grad (biology, cum laude), Jewett is also an instructor for the GBI Resiliency Program. Her leadership? It’s already making waves.
Break:
STORY 6: Former Republican, Duncan, running for governor as Democrat
In a twist no one saw coming, former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is running for Georgia governor—as a Democrat. His campaign? All about financial stability and dialing down the political chaos.
In a YouTube video posted Monday, Duncan didn’t hold back, calling out Donald Trump as an extremist and wearing Trump’s criticism like “a badge of honor.” Duncan’s been on Trump’s bad side since rejecting his 2020 election claims and writing GOP 2.0, a book urging Republicans to move past Trumpism.
Now, he’s taking on big issues: child care costs, families struggling to afford medicine, and, of course, political moderation.
Duncan joins a crowded Democratic primary with Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Michael Thurmond. Meanwhile, the GOP race is heating up between Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr.
STORY 7: UPDATE: 16-year-old charged in Mableton killing
A 16-year-old has been arrested for allegedly killing 17-year-old David Daniel at a Mableton home Saturday evening, Cobb Police said.
Officers were called to a house on Milam Creek Road around 5:41 p.m. for a medical emergency. They found David on the front porch, suffering from a stab wound to his left torso. He was rushed to the hospital but didn’t make it.
The suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, was arrested without much incident and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a knife during a crime.
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens called the loss “heartbreaking,” urging the community to support David’s family and Pebblebrook High School, where he was a student.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: TRUCK A PALOOZA
Signoff-
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.mdjonline.com
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