Community Corner

🌱 GA Cities Events + Driver Charged In Fatal Crash + County Meth Bust

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Canton-Sixes.

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Canton-Sixes Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. In today's newsletter, you'll read about these stories and more:

  • There are some great GA Cities Week events this week.
  • The driver in a March head-on collision has been charged.
  • A drug bust last week took 17 pounds of meth off our streets.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 68 Low: 53.

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

  1. As part of Georgia Cities Week, the city of Canton is holding an Open House this Wednesday from 4 - 7 p.m. The event will be held at City Hall and you can drop by whenever you'd like during the evening. Booths will be set up where you can learn about the city's Roadmap for Success, the services and resources available through the city and the staff that helps keep things on track. It'll be a great way to learn about the city, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the things that matter most to you. If you can't make it tomorrow, the event is being held again on Thursday, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Canton City Hall is located at 110 Academy Street. (Canton GA Calendar)
  2. One of the drivers involved in a March 18 head-on collision was arrested last week on charges related to the fatal accident. Kevin Phyfe of Marietta was arrested on April 21 but bonded out the next day, he is suspected of driving his truck in the wrong direction on an I-575 off-ramp, hitting a Honda occupied by two people. The crash caused the death of the Honda's passenger and seriously injured the driver. Phyfe is charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, serious injury by vehicle and 1st degree homicide by vehicle. The crash is still under investigation, and the Canton Police Department has asked that anyone with information please contact the department at 770-720-4883. The accident took place around 5:30 p.m. on I-575 northbound, right before the Riverstone Parkway off-ramp. (WSB-TV)
  3. A huge drug bust near Holly Springs took 17 pounds of fentanyl-laced methamphetamine off the market in Cherokee County. The investigation started back in February and culminated last week when a warranted home search uncovered a meth lab and drugs. James Alred and Lynnette De Becker of Canton are currently being held without bond, both charged with two counts of trafficking meth and trafficking fentanyl and one count each of manufacturing meth, manufacturing fentanyl, sales of meth, sale of Schedule I narcotics and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. (WSB-TV)
  4. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying a male possibly involved in a theft on April 15. The incident took place near the intersection of Bells Ferry Road and Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. The vehicle captured on surveillance camera is thought to be a blue 2013-14 Ford F-150 with grey trim on the bottom. The male pictured appears to be white and of average build, wearing a white and red baseball cap, a yellow shirt and dark shorts. You can see the picture at the link. If you have any information, please reach out to the Sheriff at 770-928-0239 or 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
  5. The Chick-fil-A Moo've It 5K is coming at the end of the summer, benefitting the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and the Cherokee County Special Olympics. Registration for the August 12 race is open, and everyone that registers by May 31 will get a free Chick-fil-A meal. The family-friendly race will also feature music, face painting and races for the young ones, with a "calf run" that's only one mile and a "nugget roll" for toddlers. If you'd like to sign up for the 5K, you can do so here, it is an official Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

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Today in Canton-Sixes:

  • Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • River Church Farmers Market: don't forget to grab your fresh produce and crafty goods at the market today and every Tuesday. The church is located at 2335 Sixes Road. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Storytime at the Gallery: head to the Reeves House Visual Arts Center in Woodstock for the special storytime featuring stories, art lessons and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult, you can register here. The Visual Arts Center is located at 734 Reeves Street. (1 - 2:30 p.m.)
  • Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. (1 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Tuesday Market at The Mill: head over to The Green for fresh produce, meats, oils, seafood and much more at The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway. (3 - 7 p.m.)
  • Rock Wall Climbing Zone: open to county residents ages 4 and up and 40-pounds and over at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • 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 at the link for the class at The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200 in Woodstock. (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Town Hall: the meeting is part of Georgia Cities Week and is a great way for the community to hear from Canton officials about ongoing projects. You'll also have a chance to ask the leaders in attendance any questions you might have. The event is being held at St. Paul AME, 390 Crisler Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
  • Gears & Beers: head over to Reformation Brewery, located at 225 Reformation Parkway, for the monthly meetup hosted by Outlaw Offroad. Meet other "jeepers," enjoy great food, drinks and checking out the jeeps and other 4x4's on display. (6 - 9 p.m.)
  • Music Bingo: join the fun with Lights Up! Entertainment at Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway. (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • Karaoke Night: every Tuesday and Thursday at Canton Icehouse, 150 Keith Drive. (8 p.m. - midnight)

From my notebook:

  • Taste of Canton is this Thursday! The event will be held from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. at The Mill on Etowah, located at 225 Reformation Parkway, and you'll get to enjoy some of the most amazing food around, live music and specialty drinks. Lots of local restaurants, bars and shops are participating, including Bizarre Coffee, Goin' Coastal Seafood, Joe's Lonestar Tacos and many more. The event is free, and you'll purchase food tickets once you arrive at the event if you want to sample the goods. Tickets must be purchased with credit cards. (Canton GA City Calendar)
  • This Saturday is Canton's Garden in the Park, and it'll be a great day to browse the handmade art, flowers, plants, treats and other goodies. The event will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Cannon Park, located at 130 East Main Street. (Canton GA City Calendar)
  • Don't forget to register for the Upriver Fest 5K. The May 13 event benefits Goshen Valley, and will feature vendors, the 5K, a kids' corner with fun for the whole family and live music from Kurt Wheeler, Chad Patterson, Ansley Fain, Cody Bolden and Bent to Fly. The festival is being held at The Mill on Etowah, and the 5K marks the start of the festival at 4 p.m. You can sign up for the 5K here. (The Mill on Etowah via Facebook)
  • Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services: "This morning FAO Brent Connell was presented with a letter of commendation for going above and beyond the call of duty on an emergency incident. Thanks Brent for all you do for CCFES and the citizens we serve!" (Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services via Facebook)
  • History Cherokee: "Coming soon to the History Center: Simple Machines! This interactive exhibit will feature a number of different playable machines that have been used in various industries and households across Cherokee County..." (History Cherokee via Facebook)
  • Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "Yesterday was #LostDogAwareness Day but we think EVERY DAY should be! So please #GetTHEMChipped this is an ongoing, everyday promotion, it is quick and easy (only takes about 10 minutes!) so just come on in during our open hours..." (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance:

  • Sequoyah Regional Library System
    • Wednesday: Reading Dog - for children ages 6 and up, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up here for a 15-minute spot for your child to read to Zoey the Reading Dog at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. (4 - 5 p.m.)
    • Wednesday: Tween Book Club - for ages 10 and up or those at a 5th grade reading level. This month, the group will go over "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick using discussion, games and more. You can register here. The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway. (5 - 6:30 p.m.)
    • Wednesday: Rose Creek Memory Lab Open House - take in a short presentation on how you can preserve your family's memories forever and watch a demonstration of the new memory lab equipment at the library, located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. You can register here. (5:45 - 6:45 p.m.)
    • Friday: Teen Ramen and Anime Night - head to the library for some hot Ramen and anime. You can bring your favorite anime to share, if you'd like. You can register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. (4 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Horizon Healing Center, 182 North Street
    • Saturday: Breathwork Experience with Alexa - you'll use conscious circular breath, reiki, music and vibrational sound during the session at Horizon Healing Center, 182 North Street. (11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.)
  • Other
    • Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Peaberry Film Festival - take in local and international films, and those in the filmmaking field will have the opportunity to network with government resources. You can find the entire schedule of events and purchase your tickets at the link, the film festival kicks off with a free screening outside at The Mill on Etowah at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the rest of the films will be shown at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street. (Various Times)
    • Friday: Adult Animal Happy Hour - for adults only, hang out with the animals and enjoy a drink or two at Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary, 208 Deer Run. (5:30 - 7 p.m.)
    • Saturday: Street Dog Dash 5K - benefitting the Soi Dog Foundation to further the education about and fight against the dog meat trade in Asia. The race will be held at Etowah River Park at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, and it's an official Peachtree Roadrace qualifying event. There will be an awards ceremony and adoption event, a live DJ and a raffle held after the race. (8 a.m.)
    • Saturday: Family Animal Happy Hour - for families, enjoy a guided farm tour and the company of adorable animals at Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary, 208 Deer Run. (2:30 - 4 p.m.)
    • Sunday: Walking On Sunshine 5K - benefitting the Sunshine Kids Foundation, an organization that works to provide free programs and events for children receiving cancer treatment in hospitals around the country. The race is an official Peachtree Roadrace qualifier and will be held at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway. (8 a.m.)
    • Sunday: Healthy Kids Running Series - for children in Pre-K through 8th grade to help promote an active and healthy lifestyle. You can register your child or make a donation to help support the cause here. The races all have a Sunday, 2 p.m. start time and are run at Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway. (2 p.m.)

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Featured events:

  • T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (April 25)
  • Estate Planning Seminar on May 1st and 5th at R.T. Jones Library (May 1)
  • Veteran Block Party! Veterans eat free! (May 20)
  • Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! 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

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