🌱 Long Afternoon Voting Lines + Man Sentenced For 2021 Crimes

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Nina, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including:

• Voting volume is heavy at times in Cherokee County.
• A man was sentenced in a 2021 domestic violence case.
• “A Christmas Carol”performances start today.

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

1. There was a very long wait to vote in the county yesterday, some locations had wait times as long as an hour during lunch hours. The wait time at the South Cherokee Annex did dip down to around 30 minutes after 4 p.m. The county added additional machines on Monday afternoon, so a smooth voting process was reported at all three voting locations, bringing the wait time to around 30 minutes each. As of Thursday evening, only about 13% of the county has cast their runoff votes. If you're heading out today, you can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elections Warehouse at 400 East Main Street in Canton, the South Cherokee Annex at 7545 Main Street, Building 200 in Woodstock or at Grace Community Church at 7770 Hickory Flat Highway in Woodstock. (WSB-TV and Cherokee GA Votes)
2. A Woodstock man has been found guilty of eight charges relating to several attacks he made against his girlfriend throughout 2021. The details are difficult to digest - the woman was held against her will, strangled and beaten multiple times, even with a protective order in place. Ultimately, the man will serve 30 years, with the first 20 in prison. Upon release, he will serve 10 years on probation with a no contact order in place, mental health and substance abuse assessments, completion of a family violence intervention program and a handful of standard probationary conditions. The point to me, though, isn't just in this one sentence imposed. The point is perhaps more in that domestic violence isn't held back by lineage, education, money or station, it happens everywhere. If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic violence, please reach out to the Cherokee Family Violence Center using their 24/7 hotline at 770-479-1703, or in an emergency, dial 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
3. Holiday Lights of Hope is now open for the season at Hobgood Park. Every night at 6 p.m., the holiday light display comes alive with more than 2 million lights, Santa, concessions and more. You can purchase tickets online here, children 14 and under are free. Proceeds from the event benefit the Anna Crawford Children's Center. Please check their Facebook page for weather updates, they are not open if the field is wet. You also still have the opportunity to sponsor the event by decorating a live Christmas tree that will be displayed at the park, the tree and electricity will be provided. If you're interested, please reach out by email to HLOHinformation@gmail.com. (Holiday Lights of Hope)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Stroll and Roll: for ages 5 and under. The little ones can join in a dance party, a craft and fun on the playground. Children may bring a ride-on toy, but no pedal bikes or motorized vehicles please. Hot Wheels Skate Center, 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (10 a.m. - noon)
• Your Small Business & TikTok: learn how to use TikTok to grow your business with Sabrina Kaylor from Bizarre Coffee. The event is free and includes breakfast at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• Free Coffee Fridays: Drop in for a free cup of coffee every Friday in December. You may use your own cup or one from the library, there is a limit of one cup per person. Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.)
• Homeschool Skate is held monthly for local homeschoolers, admission includes skating or the playground at Hot Wheels Skate Center, 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (noon - 4 p.m.)
• Festive Fridays at The Outlet Shoppes are every Friday during the holiday season, enjoy shopping and a live DJ, a light show and games for the kids at 915 Ridgewalk Parkway. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Locals Night Opening Reception - Jennifer Maud: meet December's featured artist and enjoy live music and wine at the Education Studio inside the Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• A Christmas Carol: it's opening night for the annual Woodstock Arts production of A Christmas Carol at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Hunter Blalock and The Sad Machine featuring Tim Moore and special guest Canon Tyler: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 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:
  • Walking Club - every Monday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Fit Over 50 - every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • CHESS (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Eric Hogan Duo (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Electric Avenue - The 80's MTV Experience (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The outreach choir from Hillside United Methodist Church will be caroling around the downtown area tonight! From 6 - 9 p.m., the Above & Beyond choir will travel around the area, even stopping to perform inside some restaurants. What a great holiday throwback - reminds me of holiday parties and caroling with the family as a kid. (Hillside UMC)
• Check out these five properties for sale in our area, the perfect home is right around the corner. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• There are lots of animals in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area that need a permanent home. Take a look at these sweet furry ones, you just might find your next best friend. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Canyons is kicking off December with their newest Burger of the Month, the Béarnaise Burger! A Certified Angus Beef Burger topped with cheddar cheese, pickles, grilled onions, crispy bacon, and house made béarnaise sauce! Come try one." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Christmas Pie Pre-Orders are OPEN at Pie Bar. Eager to see the Christmas Menu? The Info Sheet is posted at https://orderpiebar.com so you can read all about it and take your pick for this holiday season!" (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)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Roswell UMC Christmas Gift & Craft Show (December 2)
• Breakfast with Santa (December 3)
• Big Psychic Fair (December 3)
• Christmas Photos & Activities in Store this Saturday, December 3rd! (December 3)
• Free Holiday Concert (December 3)
• Chanukah & Holiday Bazaar (December 4)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

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