The City of Kennesaw is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Ben Robertson Community Center on Wed., May 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. All presenting donors are eligible to win roundtrip tickets to Hollywood and a tour of Universal Studios Hollywood™. [Additional info...]

The Kennesaw Police Department has taken a creative approach to battling rising gas prices, and their plan has the added effect of helping the environment and improving service to Kennesaw citizens.
With gas prices heading quickly toward $4 a gallon, Kennesaw officers came up with a number of ways to conserve fuel in their day-to-day operations. In April, the department began turning off the engines of patrol cars when on a call, on safety stops and other situations. The officers also began foot patrols in parks, subdivisions and apartment complexes. The result was a reduction of over 1,416 gallons of gas in April, compared to the previous month.
Starting last week, KPD implemented a new “flex” schedule, which will also help conserve fuel, as well as offer additional service and convenience to the public. With the flex schedule, the department’s support staff will work a 10-hour, four-day-week schedule, which will allow police department offices to open earlier – at 7 a.m., and remain open later – till 6 p.m. The offices will still be open Monday through Friday, but with the extended hours, which will allow citizens to pick up incident reports, records or conduct other business at police headquarters before or after regular office hours.
The department is continuing to look at ways to better serve Kennesaw residents by reducing costs and improving the service they receive. For more information on the Kennesaw Police Department, please visit http://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/index.asp?nid=31.
[Additional info...]

The City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Police Department are conducting a Can Food Drive during the next 30 days to assist MUST Ministries. MUST Ministries gives out approximately 2,000 lbs. of food daily to families in need from its three distribution centers in Cobb and Cherokee counties.

MUST Ministries said that demand for food has increased but food donations have been decreasing. The warehouse is currently only about 25 percent full, and demand is expected to keep increasing.

Any amount of donated food would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped of at the Kennesaw Police Department at anytime.

If you need more information regarding the food drive please contact Lt. Craig Graydon at 770-427-5151 or email cgraydon@kennesaw-ga.gov. [Additional info...]

The City of Kennesaw is offering a Jazz Camp for youth & teens (ages 9 & up) on June 2-6 at the Ben Robertson Community Center. Professional instruction in improvisation, combo playing and music theory will be provided by accomplished musicians and experienced teachers who are well-versed in a variety of jazz styles. The week will culminate in an evening performance on the last day of camp for friends and family. [Additional information...]

Not sure what to do with that old computer monitor? The Kennesaw Environmental Committee is hosting an Electronics Recycling Day, Saturday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Adams Park in Kennesaw. [Accepted Items...]

The City of Kennesaw is pleased to announce the appointment of William “Bill” E. Westenberger to the position of Chief of the Kennesaw Police Department.

Chief Westenberger started his career with the Kennesaw Police Department on August 30, 2004 after a 13-year career with the MARTA police department in Atlanta. Chief Westenberger served as a uniform patrol officer, was in the Tactical unit - S.O.R.T. (Special Operations Response Team), was a Sergeant and Lieutenant in the training division, a Lieutenant in the uniform patrol division and then served as Chiefs aide / Accreditation Manager. Chief Westenberger also teaches at Chattahoochee Technical College as an adjunct instructor in the Criminal Justice Program.

He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, Chattahoochee Technical College Criminal Justice Advisory Board and the Pandemic Flu Safety Committee chair for Cobb County.

“Bill has been a great asset to the City since he was hired in August of 2004 and we are pleased that we have him here to lead the Police Department going forward,” said City Manager Steve Kennedy. “Bill understands the direction that the City needs to move in and he has the skill set necessary to accomplish what is expected.”

Chief Westenberger is a graduate of South Cobb High School and received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from West Georgia College. While at MARTA, Chief Westenberger attended the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University and received a Masters degree in Public Administration.

Chief Westenberger and his wife Bonnie live in the Cobb County area where he grew up. Chief Westenberger’s sister, Sergeant Becky Westenberger, also works in the law enforcement field with the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department. [Chief Westenberger photo...]

The metro-wide outdoor burning ban goes into effect again on Thursday, May 1, in order to reduce hazardous ozone in the air.

Metro Atlanta, including the City of Kennesaw and Cobb County, is one of the areas of Georgia designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as "non-attainment" areas for ozone and particle pollution. Limiting open burning during the hot and sunny months of smog season will help decrease these pollutants and help improve air quality and health in Kennesaw.

No outdoor burning is allowed through Sept. 30. For more information and details about exceptions, call 770-528-8000 or visit fire.cobbcountyga.gov/marshal.htm. [Additional info...]

For a listing of the Kennesaw Mayor and Council's regular meetings and work sessions, please click on the following link. [Meeting Schedule]

Challenger Sports' British Soccer Camps offer the ultimate soccer experience; addressing the technical, tactical, physical and psychological requirements of the game at every level.

Each day, a team of international coaches will help players practice and master new individual skills. Equally important, the Challenger coaching staff provides lessons in self-discipline, good sportsmanship and respect for others and for the game. Challenger's ever-popular Camp World Cup Tournament allows coaches to introduce players to the geography, traditions and culture of other great soccer-playing countries. Simply put, amazing coaches, awesome accents and cultural ingredients combine for a one-of-a-kind camp experience. With each week-long camp, every child will receive a free camp shirt, free camp ball, personal player evaluation and an end of camp gift. British Soccer Camps will be offered at Adams Park from June 2-6 and August 4-8. Full day, half day and mini-soccer programs are available for youth ages 4-15.

The City of Kennesaw is also seeking host families for the coaches to take up residence for the duration of a camp week. [Additional info...]

The City of Kennesaw is offering a Jazz Camp for youth & teens (ages 9 & up) on June 2-6 at the Ben Robertson Community Center. Professional instruction in improvisation, combo playing and music theory will be provided by accomplished musicians and experienced teachers who are well-versed in a variety of jazz styles. The week will culminate in an evening performance on the last day of camp for friends and family. [Additional information...]

The City of Kennesaw will be closed Monday, May 26, 2008 for the Memorial Day holiday. There will NOT be any Garbage or Recycle services.

Monday garbage route will be moved to Tuesday and Tuesday garbage route will be moved to Wednesday. If your scheduled recycle day is Monday, you will not have a pick up this week. Monday route will have recycle picked up next week on its regular scheduled day. [Additional info...]