Marietta Cops Raise $24,000 for Special Olympics

1. The last week raised $24,603.45 during their "Cops on Doughnut Shops" fundraiser for Special Olympics. The department was the top fundraiser in the state for the program and raised more than it has over the past two years.

Employees from both the Marietta Police and Fire departments spent 48 hours at the Krispy Kreme for this eighth annual fundraiser. Check out our for the event and the doughnut eating contest!

2. In case you haven't heard, there has been a statewide ban on open burning since May 1 and will remain in effect until Sept. 30. The ban was issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and affects 54 counties in Georgia and includes Marietta and all of Cobb County.

During the ban period, residents cannot burn leaves, tree limbs, forestland or use air curtain destructors for land clearing. Recreational fires are allowed. If there is any question about the ban, call the Georgia Environmental Protection Division at 404-363-7000 or the Marietta Fire Marshal's Office at 770-794-5466.

3. Eight vacant, blighted properties near the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center will face the wrecking ball over the coming months. The Marietta City Council approved demolition of the houses on Hedges Street and West Dixie Avenue and hope to use the property for a redevelopment effort in the future.

The council approved using $128,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to tear down the homes. The city plans to tear all eight houses down by this fall.

4. The City of Marietta's Web site is putting a spotlight this week on the Marietta Redevelopment Corp., which guides city efforts to revitalize blighted or underdeveloped areas of the city.

5. Need to get your finances in order? Today might be the day since it is Accounting Day. What's the best way to show an accountant your appreciation? (Ok, that sounds like a set up for a joke, but I don't have a punchline.)