🌱 Canton Chosen For Housing Program + School Construction Approved

Hi, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today's issue includes updates on:

• 🏠 Canton is taking part in Georgia's GICH program.
• 🚧 Site work for the new Cherokee HS has been approved.
• 🚔 The CCSD Police Chief was chosen for the POST committee.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Leslie Spennato of Berkshire Hathaway

What’s really happening in the local real estate market?

If you listen to some, you might think the current real estate market is in free fall.

The picture is more complex. Compared to last year, in the second week of October:

• Pending sales are down 43%
• Closings are down 22%
• Prices are up 10%, and up 14% year-to-date on tight inventory, as homeowners stay put

These changes present opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Sellers can offer their homes with less competition. Buyers have more flexibility to negotiate prices. And with the right guidance, buyers have options to lower their interest rates as well. But to take advantage of these opportunities you need a trusted advisor with deep experience in our market and at getting deals done.

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To get a trusted advisor on your side, visit or call Leslie today: 770-330-0291.

Now, today's weather:

Chilly with times of rain. High: 47 Low: 38.

📢 Are you a local business struggling to stand out in your community? Our newsletter sponsorships can help boost your visibility and attract new customers. Contact us now to learn more about this sponsorship opportunity.

Here are the top three stories today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

1. Canton was chosen to participate in a three-year program aimed at addressing the housing needs of cities across Georgia. To combat homelessness and boost revitalization, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program offers cities technical assistance, training, facilitation, networking and mentoring opportunities while the chosen cities work together to identify their issues and needs, develop new ideas and solutions, learn about best practices and available resources, produce a community housing plan and begin the implementation of the action plan. (Atlanta News First and Georgia Community Affairs)
2. Cherokee High School will have a new campus soon. The school board approved the next step in construction and voted to hire a contractor to complete the site development work during the October 20 school board meeting. Moving forward quickly, construction may begin as soon as just prior to the Thanksgiving school break. Along with the approval of the high school construction, the board also introduced two new elementary school police officers as part of the departments ongoing expansion efforts towards assigning more officers to area elementary schools. (CCSD Press Release)
3. The police chief of the Cherokee County School District has been asked to serve on a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) committee tasked with reviewing school safety in the state. Chief Buster Cushing has led the CCSD Police Department since 2019 and was an officer with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office for 22 years prior to that. The council consisting of three Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, including Chief Cushing, and three representatives from the Georgia Sheriff's Association will review possible changes to POST training programs in response to the lessons learned from the Uvalde tragedy. (CCSD Press Release)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Toddler Sensory Hour: for children ages 4 and under, please register here for the play hour at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Family Storytime: for children of all ages. Read stories, play games and make crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult to the event at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• NaNoWriMo Write-In: for those of all ages taking part in National Novel Writing Month, you can relax and get some of your writing done this evening at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. There will be snacks, drinks and music. The last NaNoWriMo write-in is scheduled for November 29. (5 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Laser Tag at the Library: for ages 12 and up, please register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library. (5 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Game Night with Lights Up! Entertainment: the $5 game pass is good for unlimited games at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Music Bingo with DJ CaseyD: every Tuesday at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• Mario Kart Tournament: all ages welcome. Prizes for first, second and third place every Tuesday at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Painter's Club - receive professional instruction and share ideas every Tuesday. (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Open Mic Night - you can sign up for a spot here. (6 - 9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The next Parent's Night Out at the Cherokee Aquatic Center is Friday! You can drop off the kids from 5:15 - 10 p.m., and while you are out and about, the kids will be enjoying a swim, dinner, crafts, games and a movie. You can read more about the event and register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• There is still time to sign up as a goods vendor or parade participant for the Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights on December 3. The deadline to sign up is November 21, and spots are filling steadily. If you're interested in participating, click the links to see more information and to submit your application. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• Are you looking for a fun way to support your child's school? Each school holds Spirit Nights throughout the year, where local restaurants donate a portion of the proceeds to the school. Tonight, the ET Booth PTSA is holding a Spirit Night at McAlister's Deli, located at 2006 Eagle Drive. Head out for dinner with the family tonight at McAlister's and take advantage of the spirit wear sale going on during the event. (3 - 8 p.m.)
• December 6 will be a Digital Learning Day for all CCSD students due to the General Election Runoff. Your child's assignments and any messages from teachers will be posted on Canvas. (CCSD Press Release)
• Is it time to find a new job? There may be greener pastures ahead, take a look at these new job openings in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Shop local and find the perfect gifts for the holidays in Downtown Woodstock at the Holiday Sip + Shop The Holiday Sip + Shop takes place in Downtown Woodstock on November 17. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at https://wdstkbrandstore.square..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Sales + Marketing = Growth Multiplier (November 17)
• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (November 19)
• Cherokee County Master Gardeners Holiday Wreath Workshop (December 3)
• Add your event

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

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com