🌱 Citizen Reporting Process Upgraded + Time To Grab Your Seedling!

Good morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in the community today. Today's issue includes...

• Woodstock just made it easier to report city issues.
• It's not Arbor Day everywhere, but to Georgia it is!
• The jury has decided the fate for four in a 2019 robbery.

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

How do you take advantage of the most complex real estate market in years?

Barely a year ago, the real estate market in the Woodstock area was straightforward. If you were selling, you priced your home at an all-time high and let the buyers compete. If you were buying, you took advantage of historically low interest rates, made an offer above asking, then crossed your fingers that the seller would accept. Oh yeah – and everyone was suddenly a real estate agent.

Today’s market is more complex. Interest rates went up — but are now coming back down. Inventory went down — but now new homes are coming on the market. In these rapidly fluctuating conditions, deep knowledge of our market and the best financing strategies is at premium. And as for part-time realtors — well, would you go to a part-time doctor?

Leslie Spennato has been in real estate in our area for over 22 years. She’s in the top 2% of producers nationwide for Berkshire Hathaway because she’s extremely good at what she does: getting transactions done for clients, no matter how challenging the market. That’s why she has dozens of 5-star reviews, like this one:

"Leslie is by far the most professional agent we've ever worked with. Accessible, informed, experienced and quick to respond…Highly recommended."

Whether buying or exploring a sale, in a complex market, you need an experienced professional you can trust. Visit Leslie today to see her listings and to learn more.

Now, today's weather:

Breezy and cooler. High: 55 Low: 28.

Business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. It's easier than ever to report concerns to the city of Woodstock! The city has updated its Citizen Request for Action program in an effort to speed up issue resolution and improve response timelines. Through the system, you can report issues like pot holes, debris on the road, traffic signal issues, abandoned vehicles and even concerns like overgrown lawns and garbage. Once the city receives your request through the website form here, the request will be sent to the department or agency that can handle the concern and then contact you regarding the resolution. (Woodstock News Post)
2. Today is the 2023 Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway, and you can get your free seedling from the Visitors Center and the City Hall Annex until 5 p.m. or the William G. Long Senior Center until 4 p.m. There will be over 700 seedlings handed out to the city's residents, and seedling varieties include Eastern Redbud, Bald Cypress, Crepe Myrtle and more. There are booklets available online here with tips on tree care and pruning and water restriction information. A tree will also be planted in celebration of two city employees that are celebrating 20 years of service with the city, Assistant Chief of Police Mark C. Hand and Fire Department Sergeant Benjamin Daniel. Please click the link to see detailed pick-up location information. (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook)
3. Through a joint effort, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Office of the District Attorney and the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit have effectively ended the freedom of four gang-affiliated defendants. The original robbery took place in July 2019, when the four held several people at gunpoint in an Acworth-area apartment to take various items from them, but Ajani Malik Harris of Powder Springs received further charges while in jail when he attempted to have others outside the jail intimidate and influence the victims into not testifying against him. Doriean McElheney of Kennesaw and Jayden Hickman of Marietta received 20 years, with 10 years to be served. Rachel Marek of Kennesaw will serve 5 years in prison of the 20-year sentence, and Ajani Malik Harris was sentenced to 60 years, with 30 to serve in prison. Harris is also banned from Cherokee County and is to have no contact with any member or known associate of a criminal street gang. (Cherokee County District Attorney via Facebook)
4. If you'd like to be a vendor at the coming season at Farm. Fresh. Market., applications are now being accepted. You can fill out the application here, or you can head down to the Visitors Center on Main Street to grab a paper copy. If you know anyone that would like to showcase their produce at the market, please pass the application along. The 2023 season will start on April 22 and end on December 30, and the market will be set up on Market Street with Saturday 8:30 a.m. - noon operating hours. All applications must be submitted before the end of this month because vendors will be selected in early March, please click the link to see a list of vendor requirements and produce regulations. You can reach out to Kyle Bennett for more information by phone at 770-924-0406 or by email at kbennett@woodstockga.gov. (Free: Visit Woodstock and Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Morning INfluence with Woodstock's Assistant City Manager Coty Thigpen: learn about future plans for the city. Non-members are welcome, but an RSVP is required. Breakfast will be served at the networking event and it is being held at the Woodstock Chambers at City Center Building, 8534 Main Street. (8 - 9 a.m.)
• Art On The Spot: local artists David Carlton and Maritza Gutierrez-Ray will create pieces of art in under three hours, the pieces will be raffled off at the end of the event at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Mitchell Phillips: the artist is playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: catch the performance tonight at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• DJ Karaoke: every Friday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Walking Club - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Fit Over 50 - stretch and exercise with chair yoga, balance, bands, weights and core strength work every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • McPherson & Company (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Steven Brooks Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • All My Rowdy Friends - Hank Williams Jr. Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• If you're searching for the perfect job, why not give Cherokee Recreation & Parks a look. They're hiring for a whole host of positions, including front desk assistant, athletic supervisor, camp counselors and lots in between. There are openings in both the Woodstock and Canton locations. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
• Social Media Specialist A Jackson, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): "Starting 2/17 at 9 pm until the end of service on 2/22, Red Line service will be suspended south of Medical Center Station for track replacement. Lenox Station will be the transfer point for Red Line shuttle service. Follow @MARTAService on Twitter for service alerts and visit https://itsmarta.com/trackrepl... for schedules and shuttle information." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Wyngate at Towne Lake: "Name on card ROBIN JUSTICE. Your card is safe with the Kroger gas attendant on Towne Lake Parkway!" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Queen Custom Couture www.Queencustomcouture.com — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Rae and the Ragdolls (February 18)
• BJ's Wholesale Club Pre-opening Limited-time Offer (February 23)
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Featured job listings:

• CNA / MEDICAL ASSISTANT needed for private medical office, Part Time (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Nina Lightcap

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