🌱 Four Sentenced In 2019 Robbery + Local Restaurant Failed Inspection

Good morning, everybody! I'm Nina, here with your weekend edition of the Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter. It's nice to meet you all! I'm a Cherokee County local and you can find me over at the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch as well. I'm here bright and early this morning with your weekend edition of the Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter, filled with all the community information you need to know right now. Including updates on:

• Sentences have been handed down for a 2019 robbery.
• Cactus Cantina failed its recent inspection.
• A truck was sent over the guardrail in a crash on I-75.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 57 Low: 35.
• Sunday: Sunny and beautiful. High: 62 Low: 42.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Office of the District Attorney and Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit have ended the freedom of four gang-affiliated defendants. The original robbery took place in July 2019, when the four held several people at gunpoint in an Acworth-area apartment to take various items from them, but Ajani Malik Harris of Powder Springs received further charges while in jail when he attempted to have others outside the jail intimidate and influence the victims into not testifying against him. Doriean McElheney of Kennesaw and Jayden Hickman of Marietta received 20 years, with 10 years to be served. Rachel Marek of Kennesaw will serve 5 years in prison of the 20-year sentence, and Ajani Malik Harris was sentenced to 60 years, with 30 to serve in prison. Upon release, Harris will not be allowed in Cherokee County and is to have no contact with any member or known associate of a criminal street gang. (Cherokee County District Attorney via Facebook)
2. Cactus Cantina, at 402 Argonne Terrace, received a failing score on its February 12 health inspection. The recent score of 46-U (unsatisfactory) was preceded by a 75-C in December and a 70-C in October, with proper holding temperatures one of the repeat offenses in all three inspections. The latest inspection notes several violations that are risk factors for foodborne illness, including hands being unclean and improperly washed and the lack of adequate, supplied and accessible handwashing facilities. (Atlanta News First and North Georgia Health District)
3. An accident on I-75 North at Woodstock Road caused delays into the afternoon yesterday, as drivers were cautioned to avoid the area if possible while the area was cleaned. There were only minor injuries in the five-car accident and though a vehicle was sent over the guardrail, the highway never had to shut down fully. The cause is still under investigation. (11-Alive)
4. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services held a "push-in ceremony" at Station 16 and Station 11 in Canton on Thursday. The time-honored tradition heralds back to a time when the horse-drawn carriages couldn't back into the stations, so they had to be hand-pushed into the bays. In modern times, the celebration welcomes in new fire engines. There were lots of locals on hand and all that wanted to got to touch the trucks. (Canton News)
5. Coming up on February 23, neighboring Woodstock Parks and Recreation is hosting a discussion on desegregation and integration in Cherokee County during the 1960s. Harvee White, education manager at History Cherokee and committee chair of History Cherokee's Black History Committee, will be leading the discussion at the William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, located at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. The event is limited to 35 people, so if you'd like to attend, be sure to register soon! Attendees must be at least 10 years old, and there will be coffee and dessert served. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: Woodstock Parks and Recreation)

Today and tomorrow in Canton-Sixes:

Today

• Car Cruise-In: an all-make, all-model event hosted by Car Community Connection today at The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway. (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Play Date at The Art Barn: for all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Head out with the kids for a unique experience with lots of farm animals around to say hi to and a peaceful tour of the farm. Please bring a picnic if you'd like, there's a great area to enjoy a bite - due to crows in the area, make sure to pack food and drinks in a cooler, lunch box or a tote bag with a zipper. Tickets are not required for children under 12 months, and the farm is at 208 Roper Road. (1 - 3 p.m.)
• Disney's "The Little Mermaid Jr.": presented by Aspire Dance Arts, performed at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street. (1 - 3 p.m. and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Dungeons & Dragons: for ages 12 and up, no experience required. Please register here for the new campaign at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (2 - 5 p.m.)
• LEGO Lab: for all ages and skill levels, create and build with LEGOs. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fun today at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. (3 - 4 p.m.)
• Lance Price: the artist is playing live today at The Salty Mule, 169 S. Church Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Laurie Jazzwine: the artist will be playing today at Riverstone Corner Bistro, 151 Reinhardt College Parkway, Unit 103. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Marty Manous: the artist will be live at J. Michael's Prime, 110 Mountain Vista Boulevard. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Mario Diaz: catch the music live at C'est la Vie, 361 E. Main Street. (8:30 p.m.)
• The Band Waleska: the band is back on the stage tonight at Canton Icehouse, 150 Keith Drive. (9 p.m. - 1 a.m.)

Tomorrow

• Cold Finger Band: the band is playing today for a free show at Canton Icehouse, 150 Keith Drive. (2 - 5 p.m.)
• Moon Yoga: please bring water, a journal and a snack to share. You'll "...learn a little astrology, set some intentions, and then energize them with gentle yoga poses, a sacred sound experience, meditation and discussion..." at Horizon Healing Center, 182 North Street. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is waiving adoption fees today! The available animals can be seen online here. A QR code at the front door of the shelter will become active at a random time around 10 a.m., please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. All animals will go home with their spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative and microchipping complete. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Homeowners of Cherokee County, here's a reminder that the deadline to file for real property exemptions for the current tax year is April 1. There are a few types of exemptions that homeowners in the county can take advantage of this year. The standard homestead exemption is for all homeowners. There's a senior school tax exemption for those over 62. There are exemptions for those that are disabled and more. You can find a full listing of real property exemptions and necessary documentation here. (Cherokee County Communications Division)
• The Cherokee County Aquatic Center is ramping up their seasonal offerings, and next up is the Dive In Movie night on February 24. Registration for this one closes today at 5 p.m. The movie will be "Moana," and from 6 - 8 p.m. You can watch the movie on the inflatable screen while you relax in the water. You can bring your own float, but it must have a diameter of 40 inches or less. Everyone must be able to swim and children in life jackets must be with arm's reach of a parent. For more information, call 678-880-4760. You can register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• The next Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class at the Aquatic Center is on February 26. The class is for ages 15 and up, and there is an online portion of the class you must complete prior to the in-person meeting. The class will be held from 1 - 3 p.m., and registration for the class ends this Sunday at 5 p.m. You can register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• If you're searching for a new path in your career, give Cherokee Recreation & Parks a look! They're hiring for a whole host of positions, including front desk assistant, athletic supervisor, camp counselors and lots in between. There are openings in both the Woodstock and Canton locations. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News: "CANTON — The Canton City Council has denied a zoning application to build an almost 300-home residential community along Marietta Highway." (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News via Facebook)
• Social Media Specialist A Jackson, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): "Starting 2/17 at 9 pm until the end of service on 2/22, Red Line service will be suspended south of Medical Center Station for track replacement. Lenox Station will be the transfer point for Red Line shuttle service. Follow @MARTAService on Twitter for service alerts and visit https://itsmarta.com/trackrepl... for schedules and shuttle information." (Nextdoor)
• Cherokee Youth Football Association: "Did you know that CYFA partners with Showtime Elite Atlanta to offer a competition team?? 💙LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!💙 Email competitioncheer@cyfa.org for more info!" (Cherokee Youth Football Association via Facebook)
• Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services: "Fire is burning hotter and growing faster! CCFES would like to remind you to close your door before you doze to slow down fire growth in case of a fire emergency in your home. Closing your door at night can make a 900-degree difference. Visit Closeyourdoor.org" (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services via Facebook)
• Cherokee Youth Football Association: "Applications for the Robert Ingram Scholarship are due by March 31! The application can be downloaded by visiting www.cyfa.org then clicking on CYFA Information then Downloads." (Cherokee Youth Football Association via Facebook)

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• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (February 21)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

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