🌱 Georgia State Of Emergency​ Declared + New Heritage Park Bathrooms

Good morning, neighbors. It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Canton-Sixes Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening locally. Including news on...

• Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declares a state of emergency.
• Woodstock Summer Concert Series returns in May.
• Medical marijuana oil testing approved.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 48 Low: 29.

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

1. On Thursday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and activated 1,000 National Guard troops. The declaration followed a response to ongoing violent protests in Downtown Atlanta, which started after last week's deadly shooting near the future site of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, nicknamed "Cop City." According to the document, the state of emergency is in effect until Feb. 9 unless the governor renews it. (CBS News)
2. The City of Woodstock has announced its Woodstock Summer Concert Series will return on May 13. The first performer of the series will be county singer-songwriter Craig Morgan, known for hits like “Redneck Yacht Club” and “International Harvester,” followed by Rick Springfield, known for "Jesse's Girl" on Jun. 10. The free concert series will take place at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Click the link to view the lineup. (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Attention parkgoers: New restroom facilities have opened at Heritage Park in Canton. The restrooms will be open to the public during regular park hours and are located at the park entrance on Canton Mill Drive. (City of Canton GA)
4. On Wednesday, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission unanimously approved the rules for medical marijuana oil testing, inspections, and sales. While the use of low-THC cannabis oil to treat various diseases has been legal since 2015, regulatory challenges have delayed the rollout of legal sales for years. Now, Trulieve Georgia and Botanical Sciences are licensed to grow marijuana and process it for use. In Georgia, more than 25,000 people have registered to use the oil. (GPB)
5. Are you looking to have some fun in the area? Browse this list of things to do in and around the Atlanta metro this weekend. Events include Color and Light Gallery Exhibit, which is open tonight (Jan. 27) and tomorrow (Jan. 28) at the Alpharetta Arts Center in nearby Alpharetta, and a Hot Chocolate Run taking place on Sunday (Jan. 29) at the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Click the link to view more fun events taking place nearby. ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Today in and around Canton-Sixes:

• Atlanta Camping and RV Show, At Atlanta Exposition Center South in Atlanta (9:00 AM)
• Enchanted Woodland Trail, At Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell (10:00 AM)
• Ladies Night, At The Dragonfly Lounge in Kennesaw (7:00 PM)
• Loose Shoes, At Wicked Wings (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Tuesday night, Cherokee County resident and “The Voice” Season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood joined the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for the presentation of a proclamation honoring not only his success but also the way he represented Cherokee County and the state of Georgia on a national stage. (Cherokee County, Georgia via Facebook)
• Last Friday, History Cherokee won two Special Projects awards — one for the Cherokee County History Center's exhibits and another for our documentary "The Way It Was: Stories of Cherokee County's Desegregation." Congratulations! (History Cherokee via Facebook)
• On Wednesday, the Cherokee County School District announced the winners of the district's first Minecraft Programming Challenge. (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News via Facebook)

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Events:

• No Cost Boot Camp 4 Divorcing Women Workshop (January 28)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (January 31)
• “Love Is in the Air” Exhibit & Chocolate Truffle Tastings - February at the Cumming Arts Center (February 2)
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That's it for today! See you 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.