🌱 Cobb Co. Planning Comm. Developments + High School Graduations

Hey, everybody. It's Thursday in Smyrna-Vinings and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Periods of sun with a t-storm. High: 80 Low: 57.

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

1. The Cobb County Planning Commission has approved a zoning request by an Atlanta-based development corporation to build a 60-home subdivision in nearby Austell. The company in question, Drapac Investments, plans to build the new subdivision on what is currently an undeveloped lot dominated by woods. The rezoning of the lot was approved on Tuesday, Jun. 6, but final consideration will be left to the Board of Commissioners, which is set to confirm or deny at their meeting on Jun. 20. (WSB Atlanta)
2. Cobb County high school graduations are usually held at the Kennesaw State University Commencement Center, but the school system hopes to have a new facility completely dedicated to Cobb Co. events. Parents, students, and others involved in the Cobb Co. school system may not be interested, though — as Aisha Anwar, who came to the Kennesaw State Commencement Center to see her sister graduate, said, "That's not necessary whatsoever. There was plenty of seating." The new venue is controversial not just with residents but also with government officials, who have wrangled in the past few years over how to fund it. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
3. Down the road in Marietta, police are currently investigating a case of a man who has been charged with impersonating an officer. The offense allegedly occurred on the night of Saturday, Jun. 3, when Antonio Ocasio was walking in the center of the road along Wilson Drive and was spotted by a police officer. Per authorities, Ocasio told police he worked as an officer in New York but did not give any credentials, then changed his story. Marietta PD Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy said, "I believe this was just an individual trying to get out of a ticket." (WSB-TV)

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Today in and around Smyrna-Vinings:

Thursday, June 8

• Preschool Storytime At Smyrna Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Beat It! Bucket Drumming Group - Perfect Harmony Health At Northbrook United Methodist Church [Roswell] (5:30 PM)
• Justin Tyme Live At The Avenue West Cobb [Marietta] (6:00 PM)
• Kenyan Coffee Tasting At Rev Coffee (7:00 PM)
• Atlanta Comedy Club Thursdays At The Bermuda Bar [Duluth] (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Metro-area developers pioneering "biophilic design" - the use of natural elements in architecture - are making waves in the architecture industry and claim to be able to improve quality of life, productivity, and more with their designs! (The Business Journals)
• The City of Smyrna's offices will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Monday, Jun. 19. There will be no yard waste collection, and public safety will remain open. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Out of this World! 30th Anniversary Concert (Jun. 17)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— 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.