🌱 ATF Inspection + 85-Year Prison Sentence + State Voting Legislation

Hello there, Smyrna-Vinings! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 66 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories today in Smyrna-Vinings:

1. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is conducting a routine inspection of Adventure Outdoors, a popular gun store and shooting range in Smyrna. The store's management and Republican members of Congress have criticized the inspection, calling it an overreach by law enforcement. The ATF said the store was randomly selected for the inspection, which involves looking over records and conducting inventory, and that the store is not in trouble. The store's management is concerned about the number of agents involved and the fact that they came from out of state. (Yahoo News)
2. Willie Elbert Kidd Jr. has been sentenced to 85 years in prison for four counts of aggravated assault, one count of false imprisonment, one count of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, and one count of second-degree criminal damage to property. The charges stem from an incident on Jun. 20, 2020, when Kidd went to a staffing agency in nearby Marietta armed with a hunting knife and stabbed a woman who worked there in the neck, after having an issue with his compensation. Kidd also smashed windows and computers before fleeing. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. The Georgia Senate has passed a bill, SB 129, which expands upon an existing law that grants two hours of unpaid voting time for workers on election day. The bill will ensure that workers can take time off to vote during three weeks of early voting. The legislation also includes a requirement for audits of at least one statewide contest after primary, runoff, and special elections. (Subscription: Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Coffee & Connections at Smyrna First United Methodist Church (8:00 AM)
• Cigar Smoking Class Revised at The Patio Social Club (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Tolleson Park Easter Egg Hunt is being held in Smyrna, but there's a chance of inclement weather. The city is monitoring the situation and will make a decision on whether to move the event indoors by Friday, Mar. 31, at noon. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• The 2023 Jonquil City Jog 5K is scheduled for Apr. 15, and the race will benefit both the Campbell High School Educational Foundation and Support Smyrna. Don't miss the opportunity to sign up! (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• The Smyrna Fire Department has launched the Smyrna Safe Business Program, a six-session program designed to enhance safety and preparedness among the local business community. Mayor Derek Norton praised the program, highlighting the involvement of various collaborators, business-to-business support, and recognition that businesses will receive upon completion. (Smyrna Public Safety Foundation via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.