🌱 Fatal Traffic Crash Under Investigation + Self-Guided Garden Tour

Hello again, everybody. It's Saturday in Smyrna-Vinings and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 66 Low: 42.

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

1. The Cobb County Police Department's Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision on Mar. 3, at around 12:09 a.m in nearby Austell. According to the police, Filiberto Ramirez-Hernandez, 53, was hit by a silver 2007 Mercedes CLK350 driven by a 39-year-old Atlanta man while crossing Austell Road within the marked crosswalk and was pronounced dead at the Wellstar Cobb Hospital. The driver of the Mercedes complained of injuries and was not taken to the hospital. (Subscription: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)
2. Keep Smyrna Beautiful is hosting a self-guided garden tour on May 6, offering the chance to explore five private gardens in Smyrna, as well as shop at the public plant sale and enjoy refreshments at the Tea Room. Proceeds from the event will support the Keep Smyrna Beautiful programs, with a portion being set aside for student scholarships. Ticket prices range from $20 in advance to $25 on the day of the event. (City of Smyrna)
3. Daya Brown, a senior at nearby Westlake High School, has received over 50 college acceptances and $1.3 million in scholarships. Brown served as student council president throughout high school, was a member of the Harvard Diversity Project, started a production company, and launched a nonprofit podcast called The Scholar Social. Brown attributed her success to starting early and dedicating three hours a day to applications, adding that colleges love the uniqueness and encourage applicants to participate in internships and volunteer work. (11Alive.com WXIA)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• La Fete - Afro Dance And Meditation At The Healing Environment (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Marietta Parks & Recreation is bringing back Bunny Brunch at Custer Park Sports & Fitness Center! Attendees can enjoy brunch, crafts, an egg hunt, and photos with the Easter Bunny in an intimate setting on Saturday, Apr. 1, at 10 a.m. Registration is required for all attendees over the age of 3, and the event is open to City of Marietta residents for $8 and non-city residents for $10. (Cobb County Courier)
• The Georgia Department of Transportation will close four right lanes on I-285 eastbound from Smyrna in Cobb County to Sandy Springs in Fulton County today, Mar. 4, to resurface and pave the roadway. The closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and two left lanes will remain open to traffic. (Cobb County Courier)
• Police in nearby Sandy Springs issued a warning to drivers about illegal U-turns at a Glendridge Drive intersection and stationed an officer with two posted signs to enforce the rule, but drivers continued to break traffic laws. In two days, around 100 traffic offense tickets were issued, and police will continue to monitor the area and enforce traffic violations, urging drivers to pay attention to signs. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

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Featured events:

• Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (March 4)
• Big Psychic Fair (March 4)
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You're all caught up for today! See you all soon for 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.