🌱 Local Exploitation Arrest + New School Zone Cameras + Film Festival

Good morning, neighbors. It's Tuesday in Canton-Sixes and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening in our community, including news about:

• There's a suspected case of child exploitation here in town.
• New cameras are going up around school zones.
• The film festival in Canton has a new name.

But first, today's weather:

Clouds breaking; not as warm. High: 68 Low: 38.

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

1. A Canton man was arrested last week, charged with possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The initial charges include sexual exploitation of children, four counts of distribution and four counts of possession. The arrest came after tips were sent to the GBI Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and a search warrant of the suspect's home was subsequently executed. Together, the Canton Police Department, Cherokee Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations helped with the search, and the suspect was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing. If you or someone you know is a victim of child exploitation, you can reach out to the GBI at 404-270-8870, report the concern to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline here or make an anonymous tip by calling 800-597-8477 or online on the GBI website here. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. After conducting school zone speed studies in all Canton school zones with over 3,000 violations in one day alone, the Canton Police Department has announced the installation of more school zone speed cameras to help combat speeders. Additional cameras on Reservoir Drive, in the Teasley Middle School area, have been installed, but they won't be used until April 10, at which time there will be a 30-day warning period given prior to tickets being issued. The cameras will run Monday through Friday, from one hour before to one hour after the school day. The speed enforcement program is utilized in the Hasty ES, Teasley MS and Cherokee HS school zones, specifically on Marietta Highway, Cumming Highway, Brown Industrial Boulevard and Reservoir Drive. You can find the full listing of speed limits at the link. (WSB-TV)
3. The Peaberry Film Festival, which replaces the Etowah Film Festival, is coming to Canton next month. The annual festival features panel discussions, question and answer sessions and post-screening parties and it will be held at the Canton Theatre April 28 - 30. A documentary film shot in Canton will be shown, along with a horror film about pollen, documentaries, student films and more. You can grab your tickets here. There is also a chance to see some of the films for free at The Mill on Etowah on April 26. The full schedule will be released closer to the date, and there are still sponsorship and volunteer opportunities on the official Peaberry Film Festival website here. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. For the babysitters in the area, there are a handful of Red Cross Babysitting + Pediatric CPR classes coming up at the Cherokee Aquatic Center. The class is for ages 11 - 15 and will train participants on leadership skills, starting a babysitting business, basic child care and basic first aid. Keeping children and their sitters safe is the main goal, and on top of teaching crucial skills for safety and wellness, the training will also earn participants a Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification. The upcoming dates are April 22, August 12, July 8, June 24 and May 13, and all classes run from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can sign up here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)

Today in Canton-Sixes:

• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway. There is a nominal fee to play. (1 - 8 p.m.)
• Tween Book Club: for ages 10 and up or those at a 5th grade reading level, those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This month, the group will go over "Lalani of the Distant Sea" by Erin Entrada Kelly 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.)
• 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.)
• Three Women Who Changed the World with Historian Suzanne M. Litrel, Ph.D: hear about three women who helped create dynasties, kingdoms and empires, featuring Mongol Empress Chabi (1216 - 1281), Queen Njinga of Angola (1581 - 1663) and Empress Maria Leopoldina of Brazil (1795 - 1826). A Q&A session will follow the presentation at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (6 - 7 p.m.)
• Adult Men's Basketball Free Agent Night: if you want to join or form a team, head over to The Buzz, located at 7345 Cumming Highway. (7 - 8:30 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:

• The next Fermented University starts up today! During the Varietal Studies course, you'll learn about different grape varietals each month for 4 months, followed by a final exam in the fifth month. Each class will feature 5 wines and snacks, and you can purchase tickets for one or all of the classes. Fermented is located at 225 Reformation Parkway. (Fermented ATL)
• If you're a YMCA member, they have a really fun contest going on right now. Pick up an Easter Bingo card at the membership desk at the Y, located at 151 Waleska Street, and play to win a packed Easter basket. The Bingo boxes include questions about the Y, and there are two chances to win. (YMCA of Cherokee County via Facebook)
• Every Sunday starting this weekend, Canton Icehouse is holding a family-friendly Bike Night from 4 - 7 p.m. The little ones eat free and there's live music and specials, too. Head over with your bike and the family for some fun this weekend, Canton Icehouse is located at 150 Keith Drive. (Canton Icehouse via Facebook)
• City of Canton GA: "The City of Canton parking deck mural is underway! Selected after an RFQ process, the Canton Cultural Arts Commission chose artist Lauren Stumberg’s concept to bring this large wall to life..." (City of Canton GA via Instagram)
• Cherokee County, Georgia: "#ICYMI: at the March 21 meeting, more than 30 business items were addressed by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, including five public hearings and a design contract to realign Palm Street with Holly Springs Parkway and River Park Boulevard." (Cherokee County, Georgia via Facebook)
• CherokeeFamilyViolenceCenter: "If you've experienced domestic violence, you qualify for our support group! Contact Mimi find the support you need: noemi@cfvc.org. #cfvc #supportgroup #HelpHopeHeal #community #domesticviolenceawareness #dvawarenesss" (CherokeeFamilyViolenceCenter via Instagram)
• Cherokee Impact Recreational Soccer: "Spring Break is almost here ☀️😎Registration for both camps is open online at www.csaimpact.com, or use the link in our bio. We hope to see you on the fields! #Impactfamily #morethanaclub #makeanimpact #csaimpact" (Cherokee Impact Recreational Soccer via Facebook)
• External Affairs, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency: "Floodwaters can contain other hazards or be contaminated. Do not wade nor drive through floodwaters. Choose an alternate route or secure yourself where you are." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Indian Brook: "Two lost Labrador puppies. Found in the Indian Brook subdivision. No collars doubt if they are chipped. 770-329 5416" (Nextdoor)

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

• Cherokee Recreation & Parks
  • Wednesday: Easter Hiking Scavenger Hunt - 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. Registration closes on Tuesday at 5 p.m. (6 p.m. - midnight)
  • Friday: Flashlight Egg Hunt - bring the kids over to Cherokee Veterans Park to meet the Easter Bunny, have fun in the Kid Zone, make crafts, dance and get their face painted, and there will also be craft and food vendors. The egg hunt starts at 8:30 p.m., and there is a $10-per-child entry fee - they will only accept cash at the event. Registration closes on Thursday at 10 p.m. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Wednesday: Reading Dog - for children of all ages. 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. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Wednesday: Spring Egg Spoon Planter - for the adults in town, head over to the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, to create a spring planter using painted spoons. You can register here. (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Thursday: Who Dun It? Mystery Dinner Party for Teens - Find clues, investigate crimes, and enjoy some pizza and mystery at the Rose Creek Library. You can register here, the library is located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock. (6 - 7:30 p.m.)
• M&M Mercantile, 225 Reformation Parkway
  • Thursday: Floral Bunny Paint - paint a bunny on canvas and enjoy some light refreshments, all materials will be supplied. (6 - 8:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Decoupage Tray Workshop - paint and add decoupage to a wooden tray, all materials will be supplied. (1 - 3:30 p.m.)
• Other
  
  • Saturday: Watercolor Class with Joy Lyons - for those new to painting or getting back into it after some time, create a painting from beginning to end. All materials will be provided, and the class will be held at 305 Red Gate Lane. (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Sunday: DIY Spring Wreath & Bunny Pillow Workshop - create a wreath and a bunny pillow, all materials will be provided. If you have scissors and a glue gun, please bring them, and you can also bring along your own fabric and embellishments if you wish. The class will be held at THRIVE Coworking, 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 200. (1:30 - 3:30 p.m.)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— Nina Lightcap

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