🌱 River Ridge Bomb Threat + Krav Maga Anyone? + Sheriff's Office Info

Hello, Woodstock-Towne Lake! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news about...

• Details on the bomb threat at River Ridge.
• J.B. Owens Park is getting a new neighbor.
• The Sheriff needs your help on a case.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine and a few clouds. High: 70 Low: 47.

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

1. Students at River Ridge High School were evacuated yesterday morning due to a bomb threat made towards the school. The emergency clearing of the school began at 11:15 a.m. when students were sent to safe locations nearby, and just before noon, students were formally dismissed and sent home by bus or picked up by parents. A thorough sweep of the school by several K-9 units revealed no devices or actual threat, but after-school activities were cancelled while the investigation continued. School will start back up this morning. The Cherokee County School District Police Department has asked that anyone with information contact them at 770-704-4354 or make a report through the district's Vector Alert System by text, web, email or phone - you can find the alert system here, tips can be made anonymously. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
2. A rezoning request put before the Holly Springs City Council to create a martial arts training center next to J.B. Owens Park was approved. The property is a bit less than an acre and will be switched from residential to commercial so that the Krav Maga Forge training center can be created on the lot using the existing house. The 1,000 square foot upper level of the house will be used for reception, office space and storage, and the training space will be built out in the 800 square foot basement space. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is asking for help identifying a vehicle captured on security camera during an alleged trailer theft in Acworth earlier this month. On March 8, at the intersection of Old Alabama Road and Cherokee Parkway West in Acworth, what appears to be an early- to mid-1980s Ford pick up truck attached and removed a black, 2022 Gorilla utility trailer with metal mesh sides, a wood floor and may have the license plate TV41B93 displayed. If you have any information about the incident, pick up truck or trailer, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 770-928-0239 or 9-1-1. You can reference case #SO23-003438. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
4. There's a service offered by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office designed to provided check-ins for the elderly, handicapped and homebound people of the county. The "RUOK" program sets up a schedule of calls, and on each day, at the time requested by the subscriber, someone from the Sheriff's Office will call to verify that the person is, indeed, okay. In cases where no one answers the phone after repeated attempts, a deputy will go to the home in person to check on their wellbeing. If you're interested in this service for yourself or loved one, there's more information and a few required forms at the link. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office)
5. Woodstock Arts offers super fun summer camps, and now, they have a Visual Arts Camp to boot! I know, we're still trying to figure out spring camp for the kids, but now's the perfect time to sign them up for the summer session before it fills up. The Visual Arts Camp kids will be seeing a show at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, touring the Reeves Gallery, creating ceramics at The Kish, painting in the education studio and working on an exhibition to show their work. You can register or learn more about this and other camps and classes here. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• 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.)
• Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The little ones will have fun with stories, finger plays, songs and lots of fun at the Woodstock Library, at 7735 Main Street. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Open Gym: open to county residents at The Buzz, 7345 Cumming Highway in Canton. There is a nominal fee to play. (1 - 8 p.m.)
• Reading Dog: for children ages 6 and up, sign up here for a 15-minute spot for your child to read to Zoey the Reading Dog at the Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Celebrating National Agriculture Week with the Cherokee Farm Bureau: for all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. The special storytime today will celebrate National Agriculture Week at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)
• Ladies Night, Live Music: enjoy live music every Wednesday, The Radio Show starts playing at 7:30 p.m. at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (5 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• Team Trivia: every Wednesday at Sidelines Grille - Woodstock, 300 Village Center Drive. (7 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: every Wednesday at Sidelines Grille - Hickory Flat, 6199 Hickory Flat Highway in Canton. (7 p.m.)
• Trivia Night with Lights Up! Entertainment: prizes for first, second and third place teams every Wednesday at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Saini Vineyards Wine Dinner: enjoy a 5-course wine pairing dinner tonight in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• The Greatest Murder, A Murder Mystery: The Blue Ghost Arcade is hosting a murder mystery night this week, but you must be 18 and up to join. The circus theme sounds so fun! You can grab your tickets here, and included in the purchase is unlimited gaming until midnight. (8 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs - most events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road
  • Walking Club - every Monday and Wednesday at the Dupree Park walking/running track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Fit Over 50 - stretch and exercise with chair yoga, balance, bands, weights and core strength work every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Top Artists Extended Sets (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Songwriters & Storytellers, A Night of Songwriters in the Round - featuring CJ Prather, Carter Horne, Wilkes and Clay Duke (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• There's a Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries book sale this week at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, located at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. The sale is open to all, but there will be a preview sale Thursday from 3 - 6 p.m. just for members of the Friends of the Cherokee Public Libraries. You can become a member at the door if you aren't one already. The sale for everyone else will run from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday. The sale includes books, DVD's, puzzles, games and books on CD. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter holds special adoption events every Saturday, but did you know that you can adopt throughout the week as well? You can head over to the facility at 1015 Univeter Road Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. to find your new family member. Right now, they have a beautiful, sweet mama dog that needs a home and her eyes are so soulful. I'd love it if Hazel could find a caring family to call her own. You can see the shelter's available animals here, and the adoption fee includes the spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative, a microchip and more. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• It's time to grab your Cherokee Aquatic Center Oasis pass for the season! It may feel chilly right now, but soon enough, it'll be back to the usual Georgia heat, and that means pool time. I know we're getting ours soon, we love it there. You can learn more at their website here or by calling 678-880-4760 with any questions you might have. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks via Facebook)
• Reminder: The City of Woodstock is holding a LifeSouth Community Blood Drive on Thursday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There are still a good amount of spots left, you can sign up here for yours. If you're eligible, please consider donating. The drive is being held at The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street. (Woodstock Parks and Recreation)
• There's nothing quite like the smell of a freshly painted house. Why go through the trouble of painting yours, move into a freshly renovated home instead! Check out these homes for sale in the Woodstock-Towne Lake area, they'll have that new house smell for many months to come. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Last Thursday IN WDSTK held a ribbon cutting for the newest business in Downtown Woodstock, The Board and Box! The Board and Box specializes in luxury charcuterie & grazing tables for events. They are located at 115 Mill St. For more info on The Board and Box, check them out on Facebook and their website..." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

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