===== MDJ Script/ Top Stories for December 12th
Publish Date: December 12th
Commercial:
From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Today is Friday, December 12th and Happy Birthday to Frank Sinatra
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on milk
As well as Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre
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!
Now here is Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre
BREAK: THE STRAND
STORY 1: Pedestrian safety improvements coming to south Cobb
Cobb County’s making moves to keep pedestrians safer in south Cobb, tackling two big projects: a pedestrian bridge near Factory Shoals Road and new bollards at Mableton Town Square Park.
Let’s start with Factory Shoals. That bridge over I-20? Built in 1963, and, well, it shows. No sidewalks, no bike lanes—just a narrow shoulder that’s barely walkable. Commissioner Monique Sheffield said it’s been a problem for years, especially for folks working at nearby businesses. Now, the county’s greenlit a plan for a new pedestrian bridge alongside the old one, connecting sidewalks on both sides.
And Mableton Park? Bollards are coming to stop cars from driving onto the grounds—because, yes, that’s been happening.
STORY 2: Gateway Marietta CID seeks public input on 12 projects
The Gateway Marietta CID wants your thoughts—yes, yours—on 12 infrastructure projects they’re planning. These aren’t just random ideas; they’re focused on Franklin Gateway, South Marietta Parkway, and Delk Road.
What’s on the table? Everything from streetscapes and trails to bridge replacements and new road connections. Some projects, like the Rottenwood Creek Trail extension ($20 million!) and Franklin Gateway bridge rebuild, are already in motion. Others, like adding Gateway signage or narrowing roads for multiuse trails, are still in the “what do you think?” phase.
Your input will help shape what gets prioritized. Got opinions? Take the survey before the master plan wraps next year. Visit engage.publiccoordinate.com/en/project/gateway-marietta-cid-project-prioritization.
STORY 3: The Georgia Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
The Georgia Ballet’s The Nutcracker is back, running Dec. 18–23 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, and it’s bringing all the holiday magic you’d expect—plus a little extra sparkle this year.
Here’s the twist: they’ve teamed up with Hamp & Harry’s, a Marietta Square favorite, to add some festive flair. Think Nutcracker-themed cocktails (yes, there’s wine and beer too) in the lobby before the show and during intermission.
The ballet itself? Pure enchantment. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Clara’s midnight adventure, snowflakes, sweets, and Daet Rodriguez’s choreography. There’s even a Sensory-Friendly performance on Dec. 18—perfect for kids or anyone needing a gentler experience.
Tickets start at $23. Don’t wait.
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.
We’ll be right back.
Break: Villa Rica Wonderland Train
STORY 4: North Cobb Christian student wins statewide essay contest
North Cobb Christian seventh-grader Samille Shy just snagged first place in Georgia for her essay, “What Is Patriotism to Me?”—a big win in the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen contest, which had over 120,000 entries nationwide.
Samille’s take on patriotism? It’s about giving back. She wrote about volunteering at a food pantry, helping out at The Humane Society, singing with her school chorus on Veterans Day, and being part of the Sea Cadet Corps.
The Georgia VFW loved it, awarding her top honors. Next stop? The regional competition. Not bad for a middle schooler, huh?
STORY 5: McEachern rolls into state championship game
Every time McEachern scores, the announcer calls out the updated score. And when the opponent has zero? Oh, the crowd lives for it. They stretch it out—“zerooooooo”—like it’s a victory chant.
They’ve had plenty of practice. Over the last two seasons, McEachern’s flag football team has gone 51-2, allowing just 2.9 points per game with 35 shutouts. Monday was no different. The Indians blanked Lithia Springs 19-0, then crushed North Forsyth 33-0 to punch their ticket to the state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Now, McEachern heads to the championship, chasing back-to-back titles.
GEORGIA TECH: No. 22 Georgia Tech is heading to the Pop-Tarts Bowl to take on No. 12 BYU on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Kickoff’s at 3:30 p.m., and you can catch it live on ABC.
This marks Tech’s third straight bowl trip—something they haven’t pulled off since 2012-14—and their 48th all-time, which ranks 14th in college football history. With a 9-3 record, it’s their best regular season since 2014.
BYU (11-2) comes in hot, despite two losses to Texas Tech. It’s a ranked-vs.-ranked showdown, Tech’s first since the 2014 Orange Bowl. History’s on their side—they’re 2-0 in this bowl.
I'm Keith Ippolito and that’s your MDJ Sports Minute.
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on milk
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: INGLES 6
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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