===== MDJ Script/ Top Stories for October 24th
Publish Date: October 24th
Commercial:
From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Today is Friday, October 24th and Happy Birthday to Kevin Kline
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on sweet tooths
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 Markets 2
STORY 1: Mableton candidates share plans to tackle homelessness amid rising concerns
Homelessness is a growing issue in Cobb County, and Mableton, as the county’s newest city, isn’t immune. As of February, five homeless encampments were identified in the area.
Local resources like Family Life Restoration Center and HOPE Family Resource Center are working to help, but the challenge is complex. In August, a former Wingate Hotel near Six Flags was converted into housing for homeless veterans, despite pushback from Mableton’s City Council.
With two contested City Council races on the Nov. 4 ballot, candidates were asked how they’d address homelessness.
District 2
Michael McNeely emphasized collaboration: “We need an asset map to identify resources and capacity, especially as the weather changes. I’ll work with elected officials, churches, and nonprofits like Family Life Restoration to create a sustainable plan.”
Incumbent Dami Oladapo focused on partnerships and community action: “We can expand resources with groups like HOPE Family Resource Center and Family Life Restoration. But it’s not just about institutions—neighbors coming together to collect blankets or food makes a real impact. Long-term, we need attainable housing and neighborhood revitalization.”
District 4
Patricia Auch acknowledged the complexity: “We direct people to nonprofits like MUST Ministries and Sweetwater Mission, but homelessness often involves mental health or substance abuse issues. It’s not just about finding a home—it’s about addressing deeper problems.”
Cassandra Brown, meanwhile, stressed connection over criminalization: “We need to link unhoused residents to local nonprofits already doing the work, like Family Life Restoration and HOPE. MUST Ministries is great, but it’s too far—over two hours by bus. We need solutions closer to home.”
Homelessness remains a tough, multifaceted issue, but candidates agree: it’ll take compassion, collaboration, and creativity to make progress.
STORY 2: Turnout remains steady in Week 2 of early voting
Early voting in Cobb County is off to a slow but steady start, with just under 6% of eligible voters casting ballots so far. Monday and Tuesday saw the second- and third-highest turnout days, with 1,410 and 1,495 voters, respectively. Friday still holds the top spot with 1,728 votes.
Some locations, like the Cobb Elections Main Office in Marietta, are seeing spikes—554 voters showed up Tuesday. East Cobb’s Government Service Center also had its busiest days, with 321 voters Monday and 329 Tuesday.
Early voting runs through Oct. 31 at seven locations countywide, with hours varying by day. Election Day is Nov. 4.
STORY 3: Brazilian steakhouse coming to Cumberland Mall
Fogo de Chão, the beloved Brazilian steakhouse known for its tableside meat service, is heading to Cumberland Mall, taking over part of the old Sears site.
This week, the Cobb Board of Commissioners gave the green light for the mall’s site plan update, paving the way for an 8,670-square-foot restaurant between Dick’s Sporting Goods and Cobb Parkway.
If you’re unfamiliar, Fogo de Chão is all about churrasco—Brazilian barbecue where meats are roasted over an open flame and carved right at your table. Guests use a green-and-red disc to signal servers: green means “keep it coming,” red means “I’m stuffed.”
This will be Georgia’s third Fogo location, joining Buckhead and Dunwoody.
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We’ll be right back.
Break: Ingles Markets 2
STORY 4: Cobb School Board vice chair ordered to repay $225,000 in lawsuit settlement
On Wednesday, a Fulton County judge ordered Cobb School Board Vice Chair John Cristadoro to pay $225,000 to Sagicor Life Insurance Company after allegations of misappropriated funds.
According to court documents, Cristadoro’s marketing firm, Alliance Activation, received $250,000 from Sagicor to fund an advertising campaign. Of that, $225,000 was meant for a third-party vendor, Sunburst Entertainment, but the money never made it there. Instead, it was allegedly used to cover Alliance’s operating expenses—and even Cristadoro’s personal credit card bills.
Judge Wesley Tailor ruled Cristadoro must pay $186,000 within three days, followed by $500 monthly payments until the full amount is settled.
Cristadoro denied wrongdoing, calling the settlement a business negotiation and accusing critics of “manufacturing outrage.” However, parents and activists, including Heather Tolley-Bauer of Watching the Funds Cobb, pushed for transparency, opposing Cristadoro’s attempt to seal the settlement details.
If Cristadoro defaults, the unpaid balance will accrue 10% interest until paid.
STORY 5: OUT AND ABOUT: 5 things to do this weekend in Cobb County — Oct. 24 - 26
Cobb Fall Festival of Fun
This Saturday, the Fall Festival of Fun is back at Jim R. Miller Park from 5 to 10 p.m. Expect hayrides, carnival games, a petting zoo, and yes, a haunted house ($5 entry). Parking and admission? Totally free.
Acworth’s Halloween JamBOOree
Dinosaurs, fairies, and who-knows-what-else will take over Logan Farm Park this Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Games, rides, live music, and a costume contest at 5 p.m. make it a must.
Spooky Movies at The Strand
Catch Hocus Pocus at Marietta’s Strand Theatre Saturday at 3 or 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
Kennesaw’s Nightmare on Main 5k
Run, don’t walk! The Nightmare on Main 5k kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown Kennesaw. Registration is $39.
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on sweet tooths
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: Ingles Markets 2
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 mdjonline.com
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