🌱 Freezing Temps Through Christmas + Gas Prices Lowest In Over A Year

Good morning, everybody! It's Tuesday in Woodstock-Towne Lake and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. In today's issue, you'll find news about these stories and more...

• An extended bout of freezing weather is about to hit Cherokee County.
• Gas prices are down in the county, state and nation this week.
• Three students were chosen to attend the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy.

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:

Cooler with a shower or two. High: 41 Low: 35.

⚡️ Attention, local business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake! I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to secure your spot now. Click here to learn more.

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

1. The National Weather Service has advised that our area will dip to freezing temperatures, with a wind-chill factor that will make it feel up to 20 degrees colder outside than the actual temperature from Thursday through Christmas. The possibility of freezing pipes is very high, so make sure to drip your faucets and keep kitchen and bathroom cabinets open if they hold plumbing inside. Many houses in the county have little to no insulation on the exterior wall in the kitchen, I tend to put a space heater on low in front of those open cabinets when a freeze is likely. If you notice a neighbor's house with water running from it while they are on vacation, please notify Woodstock Fire & Rescue at 9-1-1. Cherokee County Emergency Management has resources for you on how to prepare for winter storms and cold weather and how to enroll in the CodeRED service to receive weather alerts for your area. (Woodstock Government Press Release)
2. Just in time for holiday travels, the average gas price in Cherokee County is down to around $2.77 a gallon for unleaded, the lowest price we've seen in over a year. The state average is about $.35 less than it was last year at this time and the national average is around $3.14 a gallon. As of Monday, the lowest price in the area is at Texaco located at 101 Reinhardt College Parkway in Canton, with a $2.73 price tag. The Shell located at 9595 Main Street is currently selling at $2.75 and the Kroger at 6766 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton is $2.79. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. Three Cherokee County students have been selected to attend the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy and will be eligible to earn private pilot certification. The Flight Academy is an eight-week program that aims to improve recruitment and retention within the Air Force and flight industry. Two of the students won the Air Force Chief of Staff 2023 Flight Academy Scholarship worth $25,000, and one student was selected as an alternate. Congratulations! (CCSD Press Release)
4. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Monday, January 30. To make an appointment, please head over to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code "CSOHICKORY." The drive will be taking place from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Hickory Flat Precinct located at 7675 Vaughn Road. As a bonus, all donors will be entered to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl in Phoenix. The prize includes travel, hotel, a $500 gift card and pre-game activities. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Graham Cracker "Gingerbread" House Building: for children of all ages, though children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided for you to build graham cracker houses this evening at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (4 - 5:30 p.m.)
• "The Polar Express": read the book, relax in your pajamas and drink some cocoa. Please register here for the event at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (6 - 7 p.m.)
• Tabletop RPG, Winter Wonderland: for ages 13 and up, Dungeon Master Luke will host the Pathfinder campaign, all Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons and RPG players are welcome. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• Nick Howrey: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Family Bingo Tuesday: each game wins cash every Tuesday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92. (6:30 - 8 p.m.)
• Music Bingo with DJ CaseyD: every Tuesday at Truck & Tap, 8640 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Open Mic Night - you can sign up for a spot here. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon - John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• If you're planning on visiting the Reeves House this holiday season, they have updated their hours through December 31. On December 20, they will be closing at 6 p.m. and on December 24, they'll close at 7 p.m. The Reeves House will be closed on Christmas and the day after, and will close at 4 p.m. on December 31. (Reeves House via Facebook)
• Safe Kids Cherokee County offers free car seat checks, and with travel coming soon, it's a great time to get that done for the safety of your kids. You can make an appointment to get the check conducted at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton by heading to this website and clicking "Book Now." There is a great list of more safe travel tips on the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services website here. (CCFES Press Release)
• Give yourself the gift of a new start this holiday season by applying to a brand new job. It's tough to make a change, but sometimes it's just the best thing to do. You can find some of the latest job openings in our area here. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• The Blue Ghost Arcade is closing tonight at 5:30 p.m. for a private party, so the RPG Night and Mario Kart Tournament will not be held this week. (The Blue Ghost Arcade via Facebook)
• Reminder: County schools are on break from December 23 - January 6, returning on January 9. December 22 is an early dismissal day for all high school and middle school students, and the After School Program will not take place at any school that day. (CCSD Newsletter)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Lots of Woodstock T Shirts available at the Woodstock Visitors Center! A perfect gift for anyone who loves Woodstock! #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Join Rootstock on Thursday, December 22, at 6 PM for their Ugly Holiday Sweater Party. There will be festive holiday tunes with a DJ spinning from 7pm to 10 pm and prizes for the ugliest holiday attire! @rootstock_ga #woodstockga" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Mantra HHC-Metaphysical Shop and Holistic Hea — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (December 24)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— Nina Lightcap

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