🌱 Voice Of Cherokee Dies + Local On True Crime Show + Trafficking

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Canton-Sixes Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening in our community today. Let's dive right in.

First, today's weather:

Humid with clouds and sun. High: 91 Low: 72.

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

1. The WLJA radio station announced that Byron Lamar Dobbs of Canton died peacefully at 86 years old yesterday, Jul. 28. He was the "Voice of Cherokee," a longtime local radio broadcaster, and Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame member. (Cherokee Tribune Ledger News)
2. A Canton woman is sharing her story on a Discovery true crime show airing on Jul. 31. She reportedly survived a brutal attack by her ex-husband, Rodney William Metzer, who broke into her home wearing a mask, bound her and tied her with a pillow, then faked a "rescue" by changing his clothes and calling 911. Last year, Metzer was convicted of 14 charges related to the attack and sentenced to 25 years in prison. (Cherokee Tribune Ledger News)
3. Yesterday, 35-year-old Christopher Darren Weldon was sentenced to 25 years for sex trafficking and rape involving a 15-year-old girl. Weldon will serve 15 years in prison and the remainder of his sentence on probation. Recently, two more men were arrested in connection with the crime. 30-year-old Daniel Lee Horne, who was arrested in Canton, and 27-year-old Gregory Michael Benoit have been charged with trafficking persons for sexual servitude, solicitation, statutory rape, and aggravated child molestation. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
4. On Jul. 27, the Cherokee County School District announced a new awards program for the School Nutrition department. The inaugural School Nutrition Team of the Year initiative gives cafeteria teams the opportunity to win prizes by achieving specific goals, "Six Servings of Success," that improve their service to students, teachers, and staff. (Cherokee County School District)
5. Today, Jul. 29, at 2:30 p.m., "Filbert and Wally: Chattahoochee Daydreams Live" is coming to the Hickory Flat Public Library, located at 2740 East Cherokee Drive in Canton. Guest star, Alizah Anne Kaite, will sing and tell stories about the Chattahoochee River and local wildlife. (Sequoyah Calendar)

Today in Canton-Sixes:

• Filbert and Wally: Chattahoochee Daydreams Live! At Hickory Flat Public Library (2:30 PM)
• Half Hot/Wet Jeans/Tyler Lee Frush: Live At Canton Theatre (7:00 PM)
• Moon Yoga At Horizon Healing Center (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for fun plans this weekend? View the link to check out five things to do in Cherokee County this weekend, Jul. 29 to Jul. 31. (Cherokee Tribune Ledger News)
• Yesterday, Jul. 28, Cherokee Sheriff's deputies reported a motor vehicle accident with minor injuries on Wade Green Road just south of Highway 92. (Twitter)
• On Jul. 27, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services promoted four firefighters at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex! Larry Stephenson Jr. and Nicholas Woodall were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Jonathan Gottfried and Barry Howell were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with 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.