🌱Hames Road Closure Info + Blood Drive Contest + Fire & Rescue Jobs

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Today's briefing includes news about:

• Hames Road closure to last through March.
• Canton resident set to release his first feature-length film.
• Giving blood includes a chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl.

But first, today's weather:

Heavy rain and a thunderstorm. High: 69 Low: 43.

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

1. Hames Road will be closed to through-traffic until the end of March. The construction began on November 28 and traffic on Hames Road will be detoured via Highway 92, Trickum Road and Jamerson Road until the projected March 31 completion date. The construction will be completed in phases, with phases 1 and 2 addressing the stretch of Hames Road from Highway 92, south of the RaceTrac entrance, to the intersection of South Jett Road. Phase 3 will affect Hames Road from the South Jett Road intersection to 245 Hames Road. Phase 4 will affect 245 Hames Road to West Oaks Drive, and Phase 5 will conclude the project with the stretch of road from West Oaks Drive to Jamerson Road. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
2. A Cherokee County man is about to release his first feature-length movie, with several scenes filmed in locations around the county. The director and screenwriter of the film, Ken Merritt, based the movie and main character on himself and his musician brother. The story is that of a musician and his challenges in coming back after losing it all. “Jesse's Gift” features Ken Merritt's brother, Michael Merritt, in the lead role and Ken's son Gabriel in the role of Jesse's younger brother. The film is set to be released in February, you can find showings and updates on the official “Jesse's Gift” Facebook page and the production company's website. Scene locations to keep an eye out for include The Mill on Etowah, Green Line Brewery, Reinhardt University and Woodstock City Church. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. The Red Cross Blood Drive coming up on January 6 at the Canton City Hall includes a nice reward for your generosity and community spirit. All donors at the drive will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the Super Bowl in Arizona. You can sign up for your spot here, just choose a search by city/state, and enter "Canton." The City Hall is located at 110 Academy Street in Canton, and as of this writing, there are about 14 open appointment times for regular blood donation and seven for Power Red donations within the 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. window. During a Power Red donation, the red cells are collected, with most of the plasma and platelets returned to the donor along with some saline. This process allows a safe donation of 2 units of red blood cells, the part of blood most often needed by patients. Donors of this type must have type A Neg, B Neg or O blood. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
4. Cherokee Recreation & Parks has some exciting events, camps and classes coming up at the Aquatic Center. There is a Parent's Night Off at the Aquatic Center on January 13, from 5:30 - 10 p.m., and the next Red Cross Babysitting + Pediatric CPR class will be held on January 14, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also coming soon, the next scheduled Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED class will be held on January 29. Head over to their catalog to see the extensive list of offerings, and you can see announcements about upcoming events on their homepage here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Family Storytime: for families with children of all ages, children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Read stories, play games and make crafts at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Ladies Night, Live Music: live music every Wednesday. “The Radio Show” starts playing at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (5 p.m. - 1 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) is hiring! Applications are now being accepted for many positions, including entry level firefighter, lateral firefighter/AEMT or paramedic (with current FF and EMS credentials), human resources assistant, administrative assistant and and more. Their recruiting website can be found here. (CCFES News)
• The Woodstock Library is holding a Hot Chocolate Tasting Time on Thursday at 3 p.m. There will be several flavors of hot chocolate, toppings, cocoa-themed crafts and more. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Free Coffee Fridays are back at the Woodstock Library in the new year. Head over for a cup of free coffee every Friday in January, from 10 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. You can even use your own cup or one from the library, located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
• There will be a reception held before the January 9 Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council, welcoming the new Parks and Recreation director Brian Borden. The reception and meeting are open to the public, the reception will start at 6 p.m. at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• Looking for a new home? Want to see the upgrades your neighbors made before putting their house on the market? Check out these homes for sale in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Reminder: the kids go back to school in Cherokee County this coming Monday, January 9. (CCSD Calendar)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Canyons NEW Burger of the Month is The Rise & Grind! A Certified Angus Beef burger topped with cheddar cheese, a fried egg, coffee rubbed bacon, house made maple aioli, & honey butter! @canyonsfreshgrill #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Nina Lightcap

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