🌱 Hit-And-Run Victim Given New Go-Kart + Unemployment Rate Unchanged

Good morning, hello! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy; a morning thunderstorm. High: 79 Low: 44.

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

1. A 5-year-old Smyrna boy was given a new go-kart after being involved in a hit-and-run by a neighbor in his family's apartment complex. The child, identified as Davis, was reportedly testing his go-kart on Thursday, Mar. 30, when he was struck by neighbor Victoria Conner, who has been arrested and charged. Davis was sent to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. His leg is in a cast and he is still healing from a concussion. When "The Fly Lawyer" (f.k.a. Jackie Patterson) heard about the story, he came by the home after Davis was released to bring the boy a new go-kart. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson reports that the Atlanta Metro area has had an unchanged unemployment rate from January to February this year. The rate of unemployment was unchanged in February at 3.2 percent, compared to 3.1 percent a year ago, when Georgia also saw all-time highs in the employed labor force. Despite these unemployment numbers, the metro area has seen a higher number of employed people and a higher amount of jobs overall: 93,000 more jobs opened up over the span of a year. Sectors that gained the most jobs over this last month were accommodation and food services, wholesale trade, and state government areas. (Metro Atlanta CEO)
3. If you're traveling for spring break, the Georgia Department of Transportation says to prepare for long delays on the road and at the airport. Mar. 31 marked the last day of school for most of Atlanta metro area schools and the GDOT expects 330,000 travelers to be heading out of town this weekend. Airport officials expect 4 million passengers to pass through the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport now through Apr. 9. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in and around Smyrna-Vinings:

• Easter Egg Hunt At Smyrna Community Center (1:00 PM )
• Mary Poppins! At Roswell Dance Theatre, Sandy Springs (11:00 AM & 2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Foodwell Alliance and Atlanta Botanical Garden conducted an educational workshop about growing and drying various herbs to use for brewing Tisanes on Mar. 31. Patrons enjoyed some different drink offerings and were able to make their own herbal blends to take home. If you missed this workshop the library will be having a second one on Apr. 22. Registration details to come. (Cobb County Public Library via Facebook)
• The Smyrna Streets Division will be closing King Springs Road at Concord Road to Pinehurst Drive to install an elevated crosswalk/speed breaker from 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Apr. 3 until 3:00 pm on Thursday, Apr. 6. The city has released a map with the location of the closure and alternate routes during the construction, which can be found at the link. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• The City of Smyrna is observing Good Friday on Apr. 7, which means city offices and services will be closed that day. As a result, there will be an adjustment to the regular trash pickup schedule. Visit the link for specific details on the changed schedules. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. I'll be back in your inbox Monday with your next 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.