The $125 Tree Tax, The Fugitive Capture, and Christmas Cheer (Issue #39)

Good morning Stewards,

Hope y'all managed to bundle up for the start of the week! As the temperatures drop, the action heats up across Smyrna-Vinings.

This week, we’re diving into the essential local updates you need, from the good news of 90 local students getting an early Christmas to the crucial news of a major fugitive capture that brings closure to a frightening August incident.

In Today's Edition

• ☀️ The Weather Report: A Cold Snap Before a Mid-Week Warm-Up

• 💡 Difference Makers: Police & Fire Team Up for a Community Christmas

• 🚨 Stewards Watch: FBI Tip Leads to Capture of Smyrna Shooting Suspect

• 🍗 Business Beat I: New Licenses Issued for Health, Beauty, and Food

• 🎄 Holiday Cheer: What Stewards Are Paying for Real Christmas Trees

• 🗓️ Community Calendar: Free Concerts, Book Clubs, and Running Groups 

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

THE WEATHER REPORT
❄️ A Cold Snap Before a Mid-Week Warm-Up

The start of the week brings a distinct chill, but temperatures will moderate quickly, giving Stewards a nice break before the weekend.

• 🥶 Today (Tue 09): Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 47°/Low 32°. A cold one—bundle up!

• 🌤️ Wed 10: Mostly sunny skies. High 59°/Low 35°. Winds will be breezy (10 to 15 mph), but the sunshine and warmer temperature will feel fantastic.

• ☀️ Thu 11: Generally sunny. High 51°/Low 30°. Cooler again, but a clear, beautiful day.

• 🌤️ Fri 12: Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High 59°/Low 42°. Enjoy this warm-up!

• ☁️ Sat 13: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers overnight. High 62°/Low 46°. The warmest day of the week, but keep an eye on the 40% chance of overnight rain.

• 🌬️ Sun 14: Partly cloudy skies. High 50°/Low 25°. Expect a chilly drop in temperatures with breezy conditions.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
💡 Smyrna Police & Fire Partner with The Braves to Bring Christmas Early for 90 Students

The spirit of giving arrived in Smyrna this week, demonstrating the very best of local collaboration.

This year, the Smyrna Police Department and Smyrna Firefighters teamed up with the Atlanta Braves Foundation to ensure Christmas came early for an incredible 90 Cobb County elementary school students—the highest number ever reached by the program.

The annual shopping event, hosted by the Smyrna Public Safety Foundation, kicked off at Walmart, where local heroes became shopping buddies.

This effort was more than just a toy run. Police and Fire officials escorted the children, watching as the students exemplified the community spirit by putting their families first.

Following the shopping spree, the students were treated to a second surprise: a trip to Truist Park. There, they received holiday meal kits to take home and share with their families, met team mascot Blooper, and took photos with Santa Claus.

The Takeaway: This massive effort, funded by community donations, shows the power of the Steward network. It’s a wonderful example of our first responders, local philanthropies, and the Atlanta Braves organization working seamlessly to lift up families right here in our own backyard.

BUSINESS BEAT
Real Christmas Trees: What Stewards Are Paying for a 7-Foot Fir

The holiday season is here, and the annual question is blooming across Smyrna: How much is a real Christmas tree this year in Smyrna-Vinings? A recent local discussion thread helped clarify the market, revealing a clear trade-off between convenience and cost right here in the area.

If you’re shopping for quality, here is what Smyrna-Vinings residents like you are reporting for typical 7-foot trees:

💡 The Local Price Insight

The consensus shows that securing a premium, well-shaped 7-foot Fraser Fir from a local Smyrna pop-up lot will typically run you between $125 and $160.

One Steward noted paying $160 for a great 7-foot tree at a pop-up, while others confirmed finding budget options at major retailers like Home Depot for as low as $60 to $100 earlier in the season.

STEWARDS WATCH
🚨 FBI Tip Leads to Capture of Smyrna Shooting Suspect 600 Miles Away

A major fugitive case connected to an August shooting in a Smyrna neighborhood has been closed, thanks to crucial collaboration between local and federal agencies. Denzel Peters, who was wanted for firing shots at three individuals, was captured more than 600 miles from the scene in Greene County, Missouri.

• The Crime: Peters was accused of targeting three people in the Smyrna neighborhood, missing his intended victims but striking a house and two cars, causing serious alarm among nearby residents.

• The Hunt: An arrest warrant was issued, but Peters remained on the loose until federal law enforcement stepped in.

• The Capture: The breakthrough came from a key tip given to the FBI, which was then shared with Missouri state troopers who successfully tracked Peters down and took him into custody.

The Bottom Line: Peters was booked into the Greene County Jail as a fugitive and will be extradited back to Georgia to face justice. Upon his return, he will be held at the Cobb County Jail without bond, facing serious charges including three counts of aggravated assault with intent to murder.

BUSINESS BEAT
🍗 November New Licenses: Health, Beauty, and a New Restaurant in Smyrna

The City of Smyrna issued a healthy slate of new commercial business licenses in November, demonstrating continued local economic vitality, particularly in the personal care/beauty and service sectors.

November's data shows significant clustering of new businesses dedicated to making Stewards look and feel their best. A total of seven new licenses were issued for beauty, barber, makeup, and esthetician services across multiple Wards.

📍 Ward-by-Ward Activity

Ward 1 & Ward 7: The Beauty & Self-Care Boom

The stretch along Spring Road SE (Ward 1) is becoming a destination for personal care, with three new licenses issued in the area:

• A&T Salon (2365 Spring Road SE, Unit STE 214)

• MiMi's Luxe Spa (2365 Spring Road SE, Unit STE 104)

• Smyrna Same Day Spa (1797 Spring Road SE, Unit STE 3)

• Ward 7 also saw similar growth with Studio P 4:19 and Celebrity Facials LLC opening along Highlands Parkway.

Ward 3: Food and Wellness Anchor South Cobb Drive

Ward 3 brought in the most diversity, anchoring a major new food option and critical wellness services:

• Ay Caramba (1080 Windy Hill Road SE, Unit STE 100) licensed as a Full-Service Restaurant. This is a significant addition to the local dining landscape.

• Zen Pathways (3499 S Cobb Drive SE, Unit STE 209) is establishing an office for Mental Health Practitioners, fulfilling a critical community need.

• Puparazi Boutique (3209 S Cobb Drive SE, Unit STE F2) will cater to local pet owners.

Community Assets and Services

Other key businesses licensed include:

• Fitness 2020 (4425 S Cobb Drive SE, Unit STE H) adding a new Fitness and Recreational Sports Center in Ward 6.

• The Academy GA (2750 Atlanta Road SE, Unit STE 201B) providing Educational Support Services in Ward 3.

• The licensing of Heely Brown Company (Wholesaler) and Arrow Waste (Parking Lots) highlights industrial and essential service growth in Ward 7.

🎉 Upcoming Events

Smyrna-Vinings Silent Book Club | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM, Dec 11

• Location: A Pot To Plant In, 4500 W Village Pl #2001

• Description: Join this global community of readers! There is no assigned reading—bring whatever book you're currently reading. The format is 30 min of socializing, one hour of silent reading and finally more socializing.

Blanket Concert Series | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Dec 13

• Location: Village Green Park (Reed House front lawn), 1250 Powder Springs ST SE

• Description: Relax and enjoy free, live music featuring Gwen & The Kats! Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for a perfect evening. No registration is required.

Run Smyrna | 6:30-8:30PM, Dec 15 and Every Monday

• Location: Stout Brothers, 1265 W Spring St

• Description: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run

Smyrna-Vinings Silent Book Club | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM, Dec 16

• Location: Sincerely Yours Bookstore, 2450 Atlanta Rd SE Suite 300

👋 See You Next Tuesday

📬 Ready to dig deeper? : Sign up for the scoop on Smyrna-Vinings delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM

— Ravi & Rinnah Patel

P.S. The Stewards Watch update on the Denzel Peters capture is a perfect example of what happens when law enforcement works together and utilizes citizen tips. While the suspect is in custody, this is a powerful reminder that if you see unusual activity or have information regarding any local crime, you can call our officers and trust in your anonymity. Help us continue to make Smyrna one of the safest communities in Cobb County.