🌱 Storm Drain Failure, Road Damage + Church Sells Land To City

Hey, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Smyrna-Vinings Patch newsletter. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Some wind and rain. High: 82 Low: 66.

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

1. Severe storms on Monday led to the closure of Spring Hill Parkway south of Cumberland Boulevard in Smyrna due to a storm drain failure, causing significant damage to the road. The Cobb County Government shared an image of a large hole on Spring Hill Parkway caused by the storm drain failure. Transportation crews are addressing multiple flooded roads in the area, and the county recommends cautious driving at night, suggesting an alternative route via Mount Wilkinson Parkway as the road closure might extend for days during repairs. (WSBTV)
2. Smyrna First Baptist Church members have voted to sell their land to the City of Smyrna, with 59 percent in favor and 41 percent against. The sale aims to alleviate the church's financial burdens, including a $1.6 million debt and annual maintenance costs. The deal involves the church selling its nine-acre campus to the city for $15.8 million, while purchasing 5.5 acres of city-owned property for $3.3 million, allowing the church to continue operating on its current campus for two years as it constructs a new facility. The city's plans for the acquired land could potentially expand Smyrna's downtown commercial area while preserving the church's historic "rock chapel" for community use. (Subscription: MDJ Online)
3. During a lively performance by Bogey and the Viceroy at the Glover Park Concert Series down the road in Marietta, representatives from GoFundMe announced that Marietta had been recognized as America's Most Generous City by the organization. Marietta residents made more donations per capita than any other city in the U.S., with over 10,000 residents contributing to charitable causes in 2022. Marietta's City Manager, Bill Bruton, expressed pride in the designation, highlighting the community's ongoing spirit of support and assistance, especially evident during the pandemic. (Subscription: MDJ Online)

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Today in Smyrna-Vinings:

Wednesday, August 30

• Infant & Toddler Storytime At Smyrna Public Library (11:30 AM)
• Smyrna Tree Board Meeting At Brawner Hall (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• REMINDER: Smyrna's Food Truck Tuesday is canceled for Sep. 5. The next Food Truck Tuesday will be on Sep. 12. (City of Smyrna, GA Government via Facebook)
• Smyrna Parks and Recreation has printouts of its guide book "The Tap!" available at various locations around town. The latest issue covers upcoming Fall and holiday events. Click the link to see where you can find a copy. (Smyrna Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• When out walking with your pup, remember to pick up after your four-legged friend! Pet waste is a common factor in stormwater pollution, causing high levels of bacteria in local creeks and streams. (Keep Smyrna Beautiful via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Welcome to South Cobb Festival - Mableton Edition (September 2)
• Art in the Park—Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-4, 2023 (September 2)
• Kids Mindfulness Yoga Class ✨ (September 7)
• The Transition Network - Prospective and New Member Dinner (September 13)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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.