🌱 Board Of Elections Changes + Cold Weather Pet Safety + County Bust

Hello and happy Monday! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in town these days. Today you'll read about...

• House Bills 644 and 642 were passed.
• Cold-weather safety tips for your pets.
• Cherokee sees its largest heroin bust ever.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and warmer. High: 54 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories in Canton-Sixes today:

1. House Bill 644 and House Bill 642 were passed last week in the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate, replacing the current method of appointing elections board members. Until now, the Republican and Democratic parties appointed two members from each side, but a lawsuit against the Cherokee County Board of Elections questioned the process and the procedure of private organizations having a hand in it instead of a public entity. Assuming the lawsuit would likely be won against the board, the bills were passed to dissolve the current board and instead, local parties will nominate candidates, with the board of commissioners then choosing. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter posted some important information from the ASPCA on their Facebook page. The cold weather is extremely dangerous to animals, even though they have fur. Please contact law enforcement if you see a dog outside without proper shelter in extreme temperatures, note the time, date and location of the animal with as many details as you can write down. Be sure to follow up in a few days if the animal is still outside with no changes. Knock the hood of your car before you start it up on a cold day, animals often climb inside the engine compartment to keep warm. Another great one, keep your dog's paws covered and moisturized during the cold weather. Not only can it injure their feet, salt, anti-freeze and ice-melting chemicals can be very harmful to them through contact or licking. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
3. In a competition nobody wants to be in, a Woodstock man was charged and sentenced in what officials call the largest heroin bust in Cherokee County to date. In addition to the winning title, Edward "Jay" Lionel Ball received a 60-year sentence, with 45 years to be served in prison and 15 years served on probation afterward. Ball was sentenced as a reoffender, making him ineligible for parole during the 45-year prison stint. Ball was arrested in 2019 when agents performing a search found over 245 grams of heroin in the home, the law only requiring 28 grams for the highest trafficking charge. Agents also found methamphetamine, scales and baggies, handguns and ammunition. There were two others sentenced in relation to the crimes, each was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 to be spent in prison. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

Today in Canton-Sixes:

• Community Yoga: the free class is open to all fitness levels and takes place every Monday morning and Tuesday evening. Please bring your own mat. You can sign up here for the class at The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200 in Woodstock. (10 - 11 a.m.)
• Farm Bureau Storytime - Plants: for children of all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn about the parts of plants, how to care for them and more during the special storytime at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Intro to Nature Journaling: for ages 13 and up, learn to start your own nature journal. Please bring a blank journal and supplies for art and writing, though supplies may be available for those without. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street in Woodstock. (4 - 5 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: every Monday at Sidelines Grille - Canton, 147 Reinhardt College Parkway. (7 p.m.)
• Line Dancing: the evening begins with lessons and the dancing goes all night every Monday at Canton Icehouse, 150 Keith Drive. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Hello, neighbors! I'm moving the upcoming events listing to Tuesdays from here on out. Keep an eye out for the upcoming events in tomorrow's newsletter.
• The Easter Hiking Scavenger Hunt, presented by Cherokee Recreation & Parks, is happening on Wednesday, March 29. From 6 p.m. - midnight, you'll hike the trails of Lewis Park in Woodstock while hunting for Easter-themed items. The event is for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Another fun event from Cherokee Recreation & Parks, the Flashlight Egg Hunt event is going to be held on Friday, March 31, at Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton. The kids can meet the Easter Bunny, have fun in the Kid Zone, make crafts, dance and get their face painted, and the parents will love the craft and food vendors! The event starts at 6 p.m., and the egg hunt starts at 8:30 p.m. There is a $10-per-child entry fee, and they will only accept cash at the event. If you'd like more information, please reach out to Jessica Ascenzo at 770-924-7768 or jnascenzo@cherokeega.com (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• The Cherokee County Aquatic Center is holding a Sensory Time Egg Hunt on April 8, from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. You can register here until registration closes on April 1 at 5 p.m., and the event will take place in the Rec Pool at the Aquatic Center, 1200 WellStar Way in Canton. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• On April 19, you can head over to The Mill on Etowah with all your best friends, favorite family and fantastic neighbors for a "Girl's Night - Taylor Swift Edition" featuring Taylor Swift-themed karaoke, trivia and music. Tickets can be found here. (The Mill on Etowah via Facebook)
• Canton Police Department, GA: "Please join us in congratulating Ofc. Rogers for completing three (3) years with our agency. We want to thank you for your commitment, and heart for service to our department and the community we serve. Happy Anniversary, Ofc. Rogers!" (Canton Police Department, GA via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (March 21)
• "Game of Clue Scavenger Hunt"-Fun Family Day & Art Supply Yard Sale (11am-5pm) (March 25)
• Easter Egg Hunt (March 25)
• Kidstuf! (March 25)
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Featured job listings:

• Receiving - kitting person (Details)
• Add your job listing

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter? Contact me at Canton-GA@Patch.com