🌱 Severe Storm Declared Tornado + Smyrna Offices Closed For Holiday

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in Smyrna-Vinings today.

But first, today's weather:

Increasing cloudiness. High: 56 Low: 49.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Smyrna-Vinings:

1. Last week, it was reported that severe storm damage caused damage across South Cobb; however, The National Weather Service has since determined that damage sustained to over 50 houses in South Cobb was caused by a tornado. On Thursday, severe storms passed through the area that included high wind warnings. After analysis of the damage, it was officially declared tornado damage rather than damage from high winds. Many in South Cobb returned to inhabitable homes after the storm passed. (Cobb County Courier)
2. Police continue to ask residents in surrounding metro-Atlanta areas to look for an orange or red newer-model Ford F-150. According to witnesses, this four-door truck was driven by the suspect involved in a fatal hit-and-run that killed nine-year-old Jamal Dean last week. According to police, the boy was getting out of his mother's car when he was hit. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. The City of Smyrna reminds all residents that its administrative offices will be closed today (Monday, Jan. 16) for the holiday. The curbside sanitation/recycling schedules will be adjusted accordingly. Monday routes will be picked up on Tuesday, Tuesday routes will be picked up on Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday routes remain unchanged. (City of Smyrna via Facebook)

Today in and around Smyrna-Vinings:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration At Children's Museum Of Atlanta, Atlanta (9:45 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Friends of Smyrna Library will host a book sale next weekend. Cash, check, and Venmo will be accepted. The sale starts Friday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. (Friends of Smyrna Library via Facebook)
• The Cobb County Government asks residents to report storm damage using an online tool. The reporting tool and details on the storm’s impact in Cobb can be found at this link. (Cobb County Government via Facebook)
• Want to get more active in the new year? You'll increase your fitness and the Cobb Animal Shelter will lose some shelter pounds. Dogs weighing 25 pounds or more and all cats are $20.23 in January. Get started finding your pet match at cobbcounty.org/pets. (Cobb County Government via Facebook)

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Events:

• Athletic Open House (January 20)
• Alexi Butirskiy 'Mystery & Belonging' (January 21)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow 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.