🌱 I-75 Lane Closures Near Smyrna-Vinings + Shooting Near Kindercare

Hello, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Smyrna-Vinings Patch newsletter. Let's get this Saturday started off right, with a quick guide to the most important things going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 85 Low: 63.

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

1. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced lane closures on I-75 near Cumberland Boulevard that began May 12 at 10:00 p.m. and will continue until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, May 15. The closures are related to a $10.7 million bridge preservation project on I-75 near Smyrna and Vinings in Cobb and Fulton counties. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2023. (Cobb County Courier)
2. Police are investigating a shooting that occurred across from a Kindercare in Cobb County on May 12. Investigators believe that the suspect and the victim were in separate vehicles when the shooting occurred after an argument on Wade Green Road. Due to the circumstances, investigators speculate that the incident could be road rage and do not think this is an immediate threat to the public. The victim is in the hospital as of May 12 and is expected to live. (WSB-TV 2)
3. Smyrna's Committee chose the North Carolina-based team of David Wilson, Stephen Hayes, and Michael Gonzalez to construct a $125,000 memorial honoring Fanny Williams. Williams, a cook and maid for Smyrna's Campbell family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is an early civil rights icon in Cobb County. She helped found Georgia's first all-Black hospital, the Cobb Cooperative, and took on the Ku Klux Klan. On Jun. 5, the Smyrna City Council will vote on the committee's recommendation and then the artists will have 24 weeks to complete the memorial. (Yahoo News)

Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

• Crunch N Brunch At the Smyrna Market Village (10:00 AM)
• Good Juice Under $20 — Vineyard Class At The Oenophile Institute (12:00 PM)
• Spring Open House At Smyrna History Museum (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for something fun to do on Mother's Day, May 14? Check out the Smyrna Handmade Market from 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m. in the Market Village, located at 1265 W. Spring Street. Over 50 vendors will be selling a variety of goods. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• On May 11, Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton and Ward 4 Councilman Charles “Corkey” Welch disagreed during the process to replace former Councilman Lewis Wheaton. Wheaton resigned on May 9. (Subscription: MDJ Online)
• Late on May 12, East Cobb Democrat Laura Judge announced her campaign for the Cobb Board of Education. Judge, a parent of two Cobb County School District students and a local political activist, running for the Post 5 seat currently held by a Republican. The official kickoff event will take place at Tin Lizzie’s Cantina at The Avenue East Cobb on Wednesday, May 17. (East Cobb News)

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• a Jazzy Mother's Day Brunch & Show featuring CHRIS WILLIS (May 14)
• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (May 14)
• Maya Eventov Artist Show : Textures of Nature (May 20)
• GO Kickball Summer Social, Coed, Adult Leagues - Registration Deadline June 8th (June 8)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— 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.