🌱 Farewell To A Local Fixture + Cherokee County Crime + Spring Break

Hey, everybody. It's Thursday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally, including news about...

• Freight Kitchen & Tap is no more.
• Two men are facing charges in Cherokee.
• Library events for Spring Break have been announced.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and pleasant. High: 72 Low: 50.

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Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity in Woodstock? The Children’s Haven is excited to announce their next training opportunity to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Next training will begin April 12 - May 10, Wednesday sessions from 9am-4pm. CASA volunteers advocate on behalf of children in foster care, ensuring their best interests are always at the forefront. Visit The Children’s Haven to learn more, or email Mandy here for more information and complete training details.

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

1. It was announced on Sunday that our beloved Freight Kitchen & Tap has closed. The restaurant has been a downtown staple for the past 11 years, the train car restaurant is a well known landmark in the area. It will certainly be missed. The restaurant's Facebook post can be seen here. The building that housed the restaurant falls under the umbrella of the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority (DDA), who leases the land to a private company responsible for the actual building. The DDA advises that the building will remain and be integrated into the ongoing development of Downtown Woodstock. Thank you for everything, Freight Kitchen & Tap. (Free: Freight Kitchen & Tap via Facebook and Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
2. An Atlanta lawyer has been formally hit with charges stemming from an incident in December 2019 involving an underaged female. During the incident, Enan Eliot Stillman, 45, allegedly picked up the 16-year-old female from her school and brought her to a Canton hotel to engage in sexual activity for pay. The accused is facing several felony charges, including two counts of trafficking for sexual servitude and one count of pandering for a person under 18. Stillman turned himself in and was entered into the Cherokee County jail in January 2020, though he bonded out that year. The suspect will be heading to court on April 12 for an arraignment hearing, where Stillman will hear the official charges against him. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. After shooting a man in Cherokee County in 2021, Nicholas Mimms of Powder Springs has been officially charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Mimms allegedly shot the victim, Eduardo Figueroa, at a Cherokee County home belonging to Mimms' parents during the time that the victim had a scheduled visitation with his child. According to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, the child and the child's mother weren't at the home, and Mimms was waiting for the victim in a bulletproof vest and armed. There are conflicting stories from the involved parties as to the details of the incident, though the suspect's lawyer has outlined a narrative that sets their side up for a self-defense claim. Mimms will have his next day in court on April 12. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. There are always great events going on at our area libraries and the Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced its Spring into the Library events. This Spring Break, head over to our area libraries to learn more about and honor Mother Nature through their themed programs. Cherokee County will be the place to attend a Mini Flower Pot Painting event on The Green downtown on April 4, a Nature Walk with Caleb Arnold at J.B. Owens Park on April 5 and a DIY Seed Balls for Bees class on April 6. For the book lovers, the Beanstack Spring into the Library Reading Challenge is tying up on April 15. You can find more information about these events at the link. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• YPOW AM: open to non-members, join the Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday morning for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Open Pickleball Play: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• LEGO Lab: for all ages and skill levels, create and build with LEGOs. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the fun today at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (4:30 - 6 p.m.)
• Who Dun It? Mystery Dinner Party for Teens: find clues, investigate crimes, and enjoy some pizza and mystery at the Rose Creek Library. You can register here, the library is located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (6 - 7:30 p.m.)
• Woodstock Community Garden Volunteer Workday: help spruce up the garden and prep the site for the spring season. The new Donation Garden installation will be continued as well at the garden, located at 311 Arnold Mill Road. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• 50+ Open Gym: open to county residents 50 and older at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Team Trivia: every Thursday at Sidelines Grille - Hickory Flat, 6199 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton. (7 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament with prizes for the top three winners, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10:30 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: every Thursday, the top three teams win cash at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Club - for all skill levels, learn to knit, crochet or cross-stitch every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Adult Coloring Club - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
  • Duplicate Bridge - every Thursday in the WGLSC Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room. (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Cody Bolden (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Double Take - An 80's Concert Experience (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Mayor of Woodstock, partnered with The Children's Haven, has proclaimed the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Not much is more important than protecting those that can't protect themselves, and as the mayor says, "children are our most valuable resource." Please join your friends, neighbors and families in learning about abuse and doing everything you can to prevent it. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• An accident shut down the I-575 on-ramp at exit 16 coming from Hickory Flat and one lane of Hickory Flat Highway yesterday. The traffic was diverted as they cleaned up an overturned dump truck. The mess was quickly cleaned up and travel restored. There is no mention of injuries in the posting. (Canton PD via Facebook)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "‼️THIS IS NOT A Cherokee County Animal Shelter EVENT ‼️ Please read flyer for more details: 4-H Rabies Clinic APRIL 15, 2023 $10 CASH ONLY (per animal) Various locations" (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Enjoy some delicious pizza at @partnerspizza.dtw" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

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