🌱Sheriff Searches For Missing Children + Sawnee EMC Sending Out Money

Hello, everybody. Nina here with your weekend edition of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community news you need to know right now, including updates on...

• Two children are missing out of Waleska.
• Sawnee EMC might have some money for you!
• It's time for the Guns & Hoses charity 5K! Have fun, all!

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Cooler with periods of rain. High: 51 Low: 36.
• Sunday: A bit of snow and rain. High: 45 Low: 31.

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

1. There are two missing children out of Cherokee County and the Sheriff's Office is asking for help in locating them. Jasmine McDowell, a 13-year-old Waleska resident, was reported as a missing person or runaway. She was last seen on Thursday around 9 p.m. at her residence. She was wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and white shoes. McDowell is described as a white female, five feet tall and 115 pounds with light brown hair. Emily Standridge, a 16-year-old Waleska resident, was reported as a missing person or runaway. She was last seen on Thursday around 9 p.m. at her residence. She was wearing grey camouflage sweatpants, a black and red hooded sweatshirt and Ugg brand boots. Standridge is described as a white female, five-foot-two and 110 pounds with black and purple hair. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact the Cherokee Sheriff's Office at 770-928-0239 or at 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. If you were a member of Sawnee EMC in 2005 or 2006 (or both), you'll be getting a return of patronage capital next month. The total amount to be returned to members is $8 million, and distributed among the 130,000 eligible current and former members will be a refund of around $60 each. The money will be sent out as a credit on March bills for current members and as a check in April for prior members. For more information, you can reach out to Sawnee by phone at 770-887-2363 or by email at customerservice@sawnee.com. You can read more about patronage capital here. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. The Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk at Hobgood Park starts at 8 a.m. today! If you didn't get a chance to register already, you can register this morning from 7 - 8 a.m. However, because t-shirt orders were sent to suppliers after the early registration period ended in January, late and day-of registrants aren't guaranteed their chosen t-shirts. Don't worry if your chosen t-shirt isn't available, though, a shirt order is going to be made after the event for late and day-of registrants. Those shirts will arrive about 2 weeks. The charity race is an official qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race. The charities that will benefit from the 5K were chosen by the Cherokee Sheriff's Office (Guns) and Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (Hoses) and include Sheriff Frank Reynolds Charities and The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. You'll pick the team you want to represent when you register. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)
4. Harvee White, education manager at History Cherokee and committee chair of History Cherokee's Black History Committee, is leading a discussion on desegregation and integration in Cherokee County during the 1960s. The Woodstock Parks and Rec hosted event on February 23 will be limited to 35 people, so if you'd like to attend, be sure to register soon! The talk will take place at the William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, located at 223 Arnold Mill Road. Attendees must be at least 10 years old. There will be coffee and dessert served. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News and Free: Woodstock Parks and Recreation)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Georgia Defensive Carry Course (women only): learn about the state laws on use of force and self defense, state laws on where and when you can and can't carry, handgun fundamentals like stance, grip and how to perform under stress and how to get your permit. The event is for those 14 and up and is presented by Focused Fire Training at Comfort Inn and Suites, 713 Transit Avenue in Canton. (9 a.m. - noon)
• Essential Gardening, Edible Landscaping: learn what plants you can use in your yard to create an edible and beautiful landscape. Cherokee County UGA Extension Agent Josh Fuder and the Cherokee County Master Gardeners will host the class, and participants will go home with a plant or seeds of their own. The class will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC) Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Saturday Storytime: for children of all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Have fun with stories, games and crafts at the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. Note: this storytime is a repeat of Tuesday's. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Yoga at the Library: for ages 17 and up, perfect for beginners. Certified yoga instructor Jigna Patel will lead. Please bring your own mat to the class at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Love Rocks! paint river rocks with hearts, encouraging words, Valentine's Day images or whatever you'd like and hide them around town for others to find. It's a great way to bring a smile to a neighbor's face this Valentine's Day! The event will be held in the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC) Multi-Purpose & Meeting Room, 223 Arnold Mill Road. This is a free event, but you will need to register. (11 a.m. - noon)
• Valentine's Photo Booth: there's a neat photo booth set up at The Outlet Shoppes, located at 915 Ridgewalk Parkway, why not capture some memories while you're out shopping this weekend. If you post the photo booth picture on social media, be sure to tag the Outlet Shoppes with @outletatl or #outletatl to be entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card. There will also be live music from Ashley Carson for you to enjoy. (noon - 3 p.m.)
• Maker Bar - Valentine's Edition: drop by every second Saturday of the month to create a project in 30 minutes or less. This month, you'll be painting your own Valentine heart earrings. You can drop in or register in advance for the event at Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street. (2 - 5 p.m.)
• Valentine's at J.D.'s: there's a special dinner tonight at J.D.'s Bar-B-Que, you can find the restaurant at 6426 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 160. The menu for the evening features smoked prime rib, orange bourbon glazed salmon, pan fried green beans, truffle mashed potatoes and special desserts and cocktails along with live music from 6 - 9 p.m. (4:30 p.m.)
• Annual Red Party, Artisan Wine Tasting: come dressed in your best red outfit and enjoy a little red wine and music with other locals. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: the play will be performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Audio Vault: the band is playing live tonight at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m.)
• Shadowplay: the arcade is going back in time to bring us a night of classic goth, industrial and new wave music. There will be live DJs, a dance floor, a full bar and unlimited gaming all night with the paid entry fee at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Benjamin Frank (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Will Tipton (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Tim Wolf (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Mother Legacy (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Rod the Tribute - Rod Stewart Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Maker Bar - Kids! with The Cloud Makers: drop by with the kiddos for this special, free Maker Bar at Made Mercantile. Today, they'll learn about 3D printing and make a 3D printed container. Made Mercantile is located at 8636 Main Street. (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: the play will be performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• Valentine's Wine Therapy's Sip & Paint: enjoy some nice wine while you paint either an oversized wine glass or a recycled frosted wine bottle lamp. A bottle of wine is also included with your ticket. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: double the prize, every Sunday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (6 p.m.)
• Dirty Date Night Design with Dirty Unicorn: for ages 18 and up, create a custom candle and soap scrub, then enjoy a live demonstration by Chef Stoney on how to prepare a romantic dinner together with your loved one. (6 - 7 p.m.)
• Super Bowl LVII Watch Party: the game will be up on the screens, watch with your friends and enjoy the food and drinks at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (6 - 10 p.m.)
• Superb Owl Watch Party: catch the Super Bowl live at The Blue Ghost Arcade. The bar will be serving up your favorites, and admission includes unlimited gaming all night. The arcade is at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (6:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Greg Shaddix & Friends (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Roger "Hurricane" Wilson (2 - 5 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Sun and the Stars - Presley, Orbison, Cash, Lewis & Perkins Tribute (1 p.m. and 4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is holding its regular adoption event today! The available animals can be seen online here. You have to take a look at Bennie and Mico, they are too adorable! A QR code at the front door of the shelter will become active at a random time around 10 a.m., please scan the QR code to enter the "virtual line." The shelter adopts on a first come, first served basis, and animals can't be put on hold. The adoption fee includes the spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative, microchipping and more. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• The Reeves House Book Swap is coming up quickly! The event will take place February 13 - 17 - you can drop off your gently used books during normal business hours, Monday through Wednesday, and the browsing and book pick-up portion of the event will be on Thursday and Friday from 4 - 7 p.m. (Reeves House at Woodstock Arts via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Cherokee County Republican Precinct Caucus (February 11)
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• Playhouse Family Show! (February 11)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nina Lightcap

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