🌱 Spelling Bee Champion + Bryce Leatherwood Receives Proclamation

Good morning, friends! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Canton-Sixes Daily. Keep reading for the most important things going on in town. In today's issue of the Daily, you'll find these stories and more:

• Eighth-grader wins Cherokee County spelling bee
• Cherokee County resident Bryce Leatherwood received proclamation
• Gov. Kemp delivered State of the State Address Tuesday

But first, today's weather:

Cooler; cloudy, then some sun. High: 48 Low: 27.

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

1. Eighth-grader Joli Palmquist of Mill Creek Middle School earned the top spelled title in the 2023 Cherokee County School District Spelling Bee. Palmquist was able to successfully spell "ascension" and then "importunate" to claim the title. Rohan Pandya from ET Booth Middle School took second place while Charli Wallace of Creekland Middle School placed third. (Press Release Desk)
2. NBC's "The Voice" winner and Hickory Flat native Bryce Leatherwood was honored by Cherokee County. The season 22 winner received a proclamation by the county at the Cherokee County Board of Commissioner's Meeting on Tuesday to celebrate his win. Leatherwood said, "Thank you so much to everyone who voted and watched the show. I know I will be moving on to Nashville, but Georgia will always be home." (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Georgia Brian Governor Kemp delivered the State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 25. During the address, Gov. Kemp said the state has never been stronger or more resilient than right now. Gov. Kemp was proud to note his investments to education; he said, "We will have given hardworking educators a $7,000 pay raise in just five years." (GPB News)
4. Whataburger is opening in nearby Woodstock today. The location along Highway 92 is expected to draw a crowd at the 11:00 a.m. opening for its popularity and police are warning drivers of possible delays in the area. Police say two right lanes will be open to expedite traffic at the drive-thru but if things back up severely on the highway then police will tell those waiting to move along. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
5. The Sequoyah Regional Library broke ground on its Hickory Flat expansion yesterday. The 2740 East Cherokee Drive location in Canton is undergoing a renovation project to better serve the community. The library is adding an additional 7,800 square feet to the already existing 10,000. The funding for the project is $6.7 million. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

Today in and around Canton-Sixes:

• 'Que And Karaoke At Choate BBQ, Ball Ground (6:00 PM)
• Information Session At Cherokee Charter Academy (6:30 PM)
• Malibu Cowboys At MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Canton will hold its Public Art Master Plan Workshop at Reformation Brewery in Canton on Feb. 2 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Attend to have a say in where public art should be placed in the city! (City of Canton GA via Facebook)
• Eighteen high school sophomores have been selected to participate in the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce's 22nd Annual Teen Leadership Cherokee Class. See the list of students here. (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Mill Creek Middle School Principal Matthew May, who was selected as one of five finalists in the state's Principal of the Year award. (Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— 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.