🌱 Former K-9 Handler Charged With Molestation + Deadly Five Car Crash

Hello, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Smyrna-Vinings Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick dive into everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 81 Low: 52.

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

1. A former Cobb County police K-9 handler has been charged with child molestation. Michael Yancy, 66, has been accused of child molestation in two counties and has been arrested and charged in Paulding County with one count of child molestation and one count of enticing a child. Yancy has also been booked into the Cobb County Jail on two counts of child molestation for an incident that occurred last May. The Police Department says that Yancy has been retired from their department for several years now but that he was once a K-9 handler for them. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
2. Multiple people were killed in a crash on I-75 in Cobb County yesterday morning. On Tuesday morning at around 5:15 a.m., at least two people died in an accident traveling northbound on I-75 at Delk Road. The accident began when a car stalled on the interstate and the passengers got out of the vehicle and were hit by another car. That second car was involved in another collision after hitting the two individuals. In total, five cars were involved in the crash, shutting down most of the lanes on the freeway. Police have not released the names of those involved in the crash or their conditions. As the investigation continues, more information will be released. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. 17 firefighters were sworn in on Apr. 14 at Cobb County's recently renovated Fire Training Academy. Recruit class 60’s journey at the academy began on Aug. 22, 2022, where they completed 12 weeks of physically demanding fire school. They then had to complete 24 weeks of EMT training, earning them their National Registry Advanced EMT Certification. They have now been assigned their stations throughout the county and are ready to serve the community. (Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Chapel + Chat: Families Of Prospective Preschool 2's At St. Benedicts Episcopal Church (9:15 AM)
• Family Chess Night At Vinings Library (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Keep Smyrna Beautiful will be having a self-guided Garden Tour on Saturday, May 6. Ticketholders will have the chance to explore five of Smyrna’s most beautiful private gardens, enjoy refreshments at the Tea Room, and shop at the Plant Sale. Proceeds will be used for Keep Smyrna Beautiful's programs and scholarships for students. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• On Tuesday, low relative humidity led The National Weather Service to send out a high fire danger warning in Cobb County. (Cobb County Courier)
• The Smyrna Jonquil Jog was held this past Saturday, and one Firefighter brought his father who's in a wheelchair to the race. The son and several other members of SFD, in full gear, took turns pushing the father all three miles of the jog to the finish line. (Smyrna Fire Department)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.