🌱 Local 'Educator Of The Year' Finalist + Tattoo Scam Investigation

Hello again, everybody. It's Friday 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:

Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 70 Low: 51.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Smyrna-Vinings! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. A Smyrna educator has been named a finalist of Georgia's 2022-2023 Early Childhood Educators of the Year award. Tierra Faulcon teaches at Faulcon Prep Academy. She has been named a finalist in the Preschool Category. Each finalist will receive $500 from the program. If they win, they will receive $3,000 for personal use, $2,000 for a classroom makeover, and up to $2,500 for travel costs associated with the winner's duties. (Gwinnett Daily Post)
2. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a fraud case regarding a tattoo artist who claims to work at various Cobb County shops. The individual attracts potential targets through Instagram. The scam's victims will pay an electronic deposit for a tattoo appointment at a Cobb County shop, but the appointments do not exist. The scammer goes by "Ink by Flo" on Instagram and has about 90,000 followers. (WSBTV)
3. Some Cobb County high school students competed in the second Metro Atlanta Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge. The competition was held on Tuesday at the Cobb County Civic Center. Participants learned about various trade skills and trade career opportunities. (Yahoo News)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Smyrna Spookfest Trails & More At Taylor-Brawner Park (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you in the market for a new best friend? Consider this list of adoption-ready pets in the Smyrna-Vinings area that are searching for a forever home. Click to view the complete list. (Smyrna-Vinings Patch)
• Cortland at the Village recently celebrated the retirement of Senior Service Manager David LaCroix, who has dedicated 35 years of service to Cortland’s residents and staff. The Smyrna-based apartment home community dedicated the Resident Service Center in David’s name during a special ceremony. (Cortland Living via Facebook)
• Are you searching for a way to give back to your community? Click for a list of volunteer opportunities. (City of Smyrna)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Trunk or Treat (October 30)
• The Past, Present, and Future of Venture Capital Investing (November 1)
• Wood Acres School Fall Sneak-a-Peek Open House (November 6)
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Other classifieds:

• Housing for state representative (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer 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.