🌱 Countywide Active Shooter Training Held + Be Heard On Millage Rates

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town. In today's newsletter, you'll read about these stories and more:

• County first responders attended active shooter training.
• Public hearings to be held on millage rates in July and August.
• Vendor and participant spots available for the July 4th Spectacular.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Michale Pena, Realtor at RB Realty

The Realtor will see you now

Imagine you had a realtor who was as attentive and caring to clients as, say, a great physician’s assistant was to patients in the operating room. The analogy might seem like a stretch, until you meet Michale Pena.

For much of her career, Michale has worked as a Surgical First Assistant to one of our area’s top orthopedic surgeons. It’s a demanding, high-stress job that requires the highest level of attentiveness, precision and service. Along the way, Michale, who has spent her whole life in the Woodstock area, started helping her medical colleagues solve another problem: figuring out where to live in our area’s tight housing market.

These days, Michale is a rising star at RB Realty, offering the same level of attention to detail, responsiveness and service she learned in the operating room to buyers and sellers in our area. Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a recent client says:

“Michale was fantastic from start to finish. She took all the stress off of us. She is a true professional, and we highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home.”

In this challenging market, whether buying or selling, work with a realtor with deep local ties, a demanding and satisfied client base and a surgeon’s attention to detail. Contact Michale Pena today, or call her at 678-848-4351.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Now, today's weather: A thundershower in spots; warmer. High: 82 Low: 64.

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

1. Members of law and fire agencies from around the county met at Teasley Middle School this week for active shooter training. Hosted by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, the three-day training program is held each year to help ensure county agencies are prepared for and have the knowledge, tools and experience needed to handle an active shooter scenario. After training on the response to and elimination of the active threat, participants were trained with members of Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services on the rescue and on-scene treatment of victims. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted on a proposed maintenance and operations millage rate of 4.985, down from the current 4.995. This decrease is expected to increase the county's property tax levy for the general fund by 10.14 percent due to the recent property assessment increases. The true rate won't be in place until August, when the BOC will also consider the fire millage rate and parks bond millage. County residents can present their views at public hearings scheduled for July 18 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Cherokee County Administration Building and Conference Center, located at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. You can watch the presentation on the millage rate seen during the BOC work session here. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Woodstock events bring neighbors, friends and family together, and vendors and sponsors help create experiences out of events. The July 4th Spectacular parade, festival and fireworks will be here before we know it, so now's a good time to sign up to participate in the festivities. If you'd like to enter your float to be in the parade, you can submit your application here. If you'd like to be a vendor at the festival, you can submit your registration here. To be a food vendor, you can apply here, and for information about the parking, parade route, road closures and schedule, head to the Parks and Rec website at the link. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
4. If you've been thinking about reading more, joining a book club is a great way to read and make social connections. For adult readers, the Themed Book Club is meeting tomorrow at the Woodstock Library, and everyone is welcome. You'll read a book with a different theme each month, this month's theme is "all together now." Read any book about friendship, kindness or community and come to the meeting to discuss, no registration required. You can also find the group on Beanstack, the library address is 7735 Main St. Be sure to check out other book clubs at the link, the library system has a few. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Friday, June 23

• Community Helper Days - City of Woodstock Fire Department: For all ages with an accompanying adult. Participants will get to meet local firefighters and see some of the fire department vehicles at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Farm Bureau Visit: This program is best suited for ages 3-11, but kids of any age are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn through fun, with a book and activity at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Intro to Block Printing with Beau Paper: For ages 16 and up, learn the basics of block printing and create your own stamp and stamped tote bag. You can bring your own design or fabric item if you'd like, the class will be held at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main St. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Tiki Night: Join the party at Reformation Brewery tonight. They'll have luau-themed beer and cocktails, including an experimental Mai Tai on tap, and a live Caribbean band. The band will play from 7 to 9 p.m., the brewery can be found at 105 Elm St. (7 - 11 p.m.)
• "Ordinary Days" - The musical tells the story of young adults looking for fulfillment, happiness, love and taxi cabs. The performance is best for ages 14 and up, due to adult themes and language, and will be held at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. (7:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Tabby Kirby Trio (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Steven Brooks Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Bent to Fly - 70s, 80s & 90s Rock Tribute Band (7 p.m.)
  • Nirvani - A Nirvana Tribute Experience (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Rescheduled from earlier this month, the "Animal Crossing" Island Judging Competition, part of the Woodstock Arts Video Game Tournament series, will be held today at 6 p.m. If you'd like to play, you can save your spot at the link. Spectators are free. The event will be held on The Green downtown, so be sure to bring a folding chair and your Switch, it will be docked to explore your island. For Switch Lite users, please have a dream code ready. (Woodstock Arts)
• Coming up next Wednesday at History Cherokee, it's "What's Up Wednesday: What's Up with Juneteenth?" The program starts at 11 a.m. and will include story time in the gallery and a craft. You can sign up at the link, the event is for ages 3-7 and will be held at The Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta St. in Canton. (History Cherokee)
• Get your Fourth of July threads at the Woodstock Visitors Center. The new "Star Spangled Woodstock" T-shirts are available in three different styles and in all sizes from youth extra small to adult 2xl, and there's also a silicone pint glass in the series. The visitor's center is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they're located at 8588 Main St. (Downtown Woodstock via Facebook)
• There are so many loving and loyal pets waiting for a family to call their own. If you've been looking for a pet to warm your home, check out these adoptable pets in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, West Oaks: "Multi Family Yard Sale - Saturday, June 24 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Ansley Forest neighborhood off Highway 92 Next to Culvers and First Baptist Woodstock" (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• 2023 Patriotic Celebration Concerts (June 23)
• Grand Opening Open House - a Stunning, Lakefront Estate Home on 2 Acres! (June 24)
• Health & Wellness Open House @ Body & Brain (June 24)
• God & Country (June 25)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Recruiter for Home Care Agency (Details)
• Add your listing

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday! I'll see you around.

— Nina Lightcap

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