🌱 School Bus Driver Had Prior Drug Charges + Whataburger Opens

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now, including:

• Driver responsible for school bus crash had previous drug charges
• Whataburger opens in nearby Kennesaw
• Heroes of the Month honored for service to schools and veterans

But first, today's weather:

Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 66 Low: 42.

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

1. Officials have revealed a school bus driver who crashed a bus filled with children did not have prior drug charges appear on his background check for the position. Jeff Tucker was convicted of the crash, which occurred in August of last year; during an investigation it was revealed that due to Georgia's 'conditional discharge program,' prior charges had not been included in the official background check. Although Tucker pled guilty for drug charges in Canton back in 2008, school officials did not receive any notification. After the accident, Tucker left the scene of the crash almost immediately to complete his route, without waiting for paramedics or police to arrive. (KAKE)
2. Calling all prospective pet parents: The Cherokee Humane Society has plenty of adorable, adoptable cats and dogs awaiting their forever homes. You can browse the shelter's residents and filter by breed, age, gender, and size. All the available pets, including Sugar, the sweet and laid-back American Bulldog mix and BJ the adult domestic shorthair cat, are available at the link. (Cherokee Humane Society)
3. The first Metro Atlanta Whataburger has opened in nearby Kennesaw. The Kennesaw Whataburger is the first six planned locations to open in cities throughout the northern and eastern suburbs of Metro Atlanta. Located on Townpark Lane, the new Whataburger offers drive-thru, eat-in, and takeout options. Woodstock, Snellville, and Cumming are among the locations that will be getting Whataburger restaurants. (Eater Atlanta)
4. Marietta-based business Local Realty has announced the company's Hero of the Month awards for October and November. These awards go to locals who have served our country or the local community in some way. Teacher Christy Holter of Kemp Elementary, as well as Marine veterans Carrie and Ralph Roeger, were honored. Holter has been hailed as a remarkable and beloved teacher; the Roegers, meanwhile, have supported veterans with their numerous restaurants throughout the area, including The Veterans BBQ in Canton. All proceeds from the barbecue benefit the Homeless Veterans of Cherokee County. (Subscription: MDJOnline.com)
5. The local housing scene is buzzing with activity, and there are a variety of homes to choose from these days. To help, here are some of the newest houses to hit the market in the Canton-Sixes area as well as scheduled open houses that are coming up. Happy house hunting! (Canton-Sixes Patch)

Today in and around Canton-Sixes:

• Studio Gallery Exhibit: Nan Griffith At Alpharetta Arts Center, Alpharetta (8:30 AM)
• Pranayama At First United Methodist Church (1:00 PM)
• BlairOutLoud At Lola's Burger & Tequila Bar, Roswell (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Welcome to the newest officer to join the Canton Police Department! Congratulations, Officer William Cleveland! (Canton Police Department, GA via Facebook)
• Want to support a great organization on this year's Giving Tuesday? The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is looking for donations, volunteers, and of course loving families for their adorable rescue animals. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Clayton Elementary Students got to have a special lunch this past Thursday and Friday with their parents and grandparents. What a great way to celebrate family, school, and some delicious food. (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.