🌱 Christmas Zoo Ends + Dollar Tree Crash + Real World Real Money

Hello, neighbors. Miranda Fraraccio here with your Thursday edition of the Marietta Daily. Keep reading to find out all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and mild. High: 56 Low: 43.

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Here are the top three stories today in Marietta:

1. In nearby Parkersburg, the Christmas Zoo has officially come to an end after the Christmas weekend. During the 33rd annual event, over 500 stuffed animals and over $1,900 were collected. According to Ben Marshall, the Programming Director at WMOA, the money raised went towards the Christmas Day feast at KOFC, Marietta Community Foundation, and food pantries in Marietta. (WTAP)
2. On Monday afternoon (Dec. 26), a man crashed into the Marietta Dollar Tree. According to Marietta Police Captain Aaron Nedeff, a man was driving a 2017 Jeep Renegade in the parking lot when he experienced a medical issue and lost control of the vehicle. As of Wednesday, there is no word on the man's condition. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. (WTAP)
3. Washington County Career Center juniors recently participated in a Real Money Real World simulation. Students chose careers based on their current area of study and spent their monthly salary visiting the various booths making spending choices based on their family situation hoping to make ends meet. Community volunteers helped make the event possible by staffing 14 business booths. (Marietta Times)

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Today in and around Marietta:

• Open Sew/Machine Basics, At BB2C Makerspace (5:30 PM)
• General Trivia Night, At The Cocktail Bar in Parkersburg (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Have you been to the Muskingum Park Gazebo to see the beautifully decorated trees yet? This week is the perfect time to check them out as the weather warms up! (Visit Marietta Ohio via Facebook)
• The Waterford FFA Chapters Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team recently competed in two different contests that led them to become one the best parliamentary procedure teams in the state of Ohio. (The Marietta Times via Facebook)
• Who doesn't love an easy dinner in the Crockpot/slow cooker? The Marietta/Belpre Health Department shared some tips for keeping those meals safe! (Marietta/Belpre Health Department via Facebook)

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That's it for today! See you all soon for your next update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.