🌱 Hit And Run Arrest + Shooting Suspect Search + GBI Impersonator

Hi all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Smyrna-Vinings Patch newsletter.

Today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 67 Low: 50.

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

1. On Tuesday night, a man was shot in the neck at a home located in the Vinings. The shooting occurred after an argument between the victim and his girlfriend, which drew the attention of nearby neighbors. A second man arrived, and an altercation broke out, resulting in the victim being shot in the neck. The suspect fled the scene, and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. The authorities are still investigating the incident, and anyone with information is requested to contact the Cobb County Police Department. (11Alive.com WXIA)
2. Police are searching for a woman named Tracy Allen who has reportedly been knocking on doors in Cobb County and identifying herself as a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agent. The woman is also alleged to have made threats against other agencies. Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a crime, and police are urging residents to report any suspicious activity. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. A driver in nearby Marietta has been arrested after hitting two construction workers who were setting up a traffic board on Roswell Road. The driver, identified as Malik Branch, is alleged to have fled the scene on foot before first responders arrived, but he was caught by police on Tuesday night after days of investigation. Branch is facing multiple charges, including two counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, DUI, and hit-and-run. One of the victims has been released from the hospital while the other remains in critical condition. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Chapel + Chat: Families Of Prospective Rising 6th Graders At St Benedict's Episcopal School (8:20 AM)

From my notebook:

• You can find lots to do on St. Patrick's Day around Cobb County. This includes Irish-themed live entertainment, drinks, and festivities at Live! at the Battery Atlanta and Park Bench, a charity event at Suburban Tap, an upscale pop-up dinner at Stem, and a family-friendly festival at Smyrna Market Village. Johnnie Maccracken's Celtic Firehouse Pub is another spot for an authentic Irish experience. (Cobb County Courier)
• The Smyrna Library now has a pickleball set available for checkout as
  part of its "Smyrna Strong" collection, which also includes other fitness equipment. The set comes with four paddles, two indoor pickleballs, and two outdoor pickleballs. Additionally, Smyrna Parks and Recreation offers indoor and outdoor pickleball courts at the Community Center and Tolleson Park. (Friends of Smyrna Library via Facebook)
• Shred Fest is scheduled for this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Aline Wolfe Adult Recreation Center on Church. The event aims to reduce the amount of waste generated in the area and is hosted twice a year. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
• 3hr Salsa Boot Camp at HDC Studio + Evening Latin Night Tonys Johns Creek (March 18)
• Rugby ATL's Bark In The Park (March 18)
• Music from Seven Continents (March 18)
• Gent's Lunch - A Benefit for the High Museum Wine Auction (March 22)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.