🌱 The State of Cherokee County + Accident Caused Arnold Mill Shutdown

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more...

• Highlights from the State of Cherokee County Address.
• The reason Arnold Mill was shut down yesterday.
• A Douglas woman is facing charges out of Woodstock.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 56 Low: 39.
• Sunday: A couple of afternoon showers. High: 56 Low: 48.

Business owners and marketers in Woodstock-Towne Lake: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

1. The State of Cherokee County address was held on Wednesday in Canton, where we heard updates from CCSD Superintendent Brian Hightower, Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) President and CEO Misti Martin and Cherokee County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston. The school district superintendent spoke about the ongoing achievement of the teachers, students and curriculum in his news that the graduation rate has increased to 92.3% in Cherokee County. Misti Martin, President and CEO of the COED, took a moment to highlight the Cherokee By Choice 2.0 initiative to bring jobs to the county and increase the number and skill of the local workforce to fill those jobs. We also learned that while the push to grow the area will continue into the near future, that growth, Commission Chairman Harry Johnston advised, will be gradually slowed over the next thirty years while the needs for an upgraded transportation system and improved roadways are addressed. You can view the State of Cherokee County Address here if you missed it. (Cherokee County Communications Division)
2. An accident on Friday morning shut down Arnold Mill Road near Mountain Road. The road was fully closed for most of the day while repairs were made. The accident damaged a telephone pole, calling out emergency personnel and the power company. The driver of the car was injured in the accident, though his injuries were described as non-life threatening. The road was opened back up around 8 p.m. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
3. A woman from Douglas was arrested last weekend, now facing a felony theft by taking charge after an October weapons theft in Cherokee County. The suspect met her new love interest in Woodstock for the first time that day in October and promptly stole three guns from him. The total value of the guns is estimated to be between $1,500 and $5,000. The suspect was released on bond Monday. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Soup and Bread: learn how to make your favorite soups using a pressure cooker with Sue Becker at Bread Beckers. The in-person ticket option is sold out, but there is a ticket option to watch an online stream of the class instead. (10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
• Themed Adult Book Club: all adult readers are welcome, January's theme is "winter." You can read any book set during winter and share your thoughts during the meeting at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• The Original Hot Chicken Grand Opening: join the party featuring Joey Chestnut, the world's leading competitive eater. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m., the chicken dance contest is at noon, and Joey Chestnut will display his eating skills with a five-minute mac 'n' cheese chow down at 1 p.m. There will also be a meet and greet with Joey Chestnut, a live DJ, swag bags for the first 50 people, a $200 prize for the winner of the chicken dance contest, live art from Roodoodles and free food samples. The restaurant is located at 180 Parkway 575. (11 a.m.)
• Budgeting 101 Workshop: for ages 18 and up, local author and personal finance expert Jessi Fearon will lead the workshop to help you fine-tune your personal and family budget. You can register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (2 - 3 p.m.)
• Bee Hive Maintenance 2023: learn how to manage your beehive in this once-a-month class headed up by Woodstock Community Garden Beekeper Shannon Sorescu. The class for all skill levels meets three times, the first meeting will be held at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Jack Box Game Night with Hot Chocolate Bar: for ages 12 and up, head over to the Rose Creek Library for a Jack Box game night and hot chocolate bar, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (5 - 6 p.m.)
• Get Twisted Wine Tasting Party: two-person games of Twister, the winners of the first rounds will get a free future wine tasting at The Gifted Ferret, located at 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. The first-round winners will play against each other, and the top winner will get a free bottle of wine to take home. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Open Mic Night with DJ Mo Livee: you can get your tickets here to network with other locals performing comedy, R&B dance, Hip Hop and poetry at Payton Jean Marie Urban Fashion & Art Station, 9550 Main Street, Suite 100. (7 p.m.)
• Magnolia Express: playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• "The Lightning Thief": performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Insomniacs: the band will be playing live at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows, no ticket needed):
  • Cody Bolden Trio (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Sugarfuzz (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • The Chili Poppers - Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • AR38 - A Tribute to 38 Special & Atlanta Rhythm Section (10 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Rich Gunderlock - Jazzy Sunday Brunch: on the Rooftop at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (noon - 3 p.m.)
• "The Lightning Thief": performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. Note: this is the last performance. (2:30 p.m.)
• Family D&D Night: for all ages, "learn how to build a character and participate in a one-shot adventure from an experienced dungeon master" at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (4 - 8 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.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Big Band Jazz - Performing the Timeless Music of Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "These pets and more will be available to Adopt at 10am today. All available pet information will be here: http://www.adoptapet.com/shelt..." (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Arnold Mill: "Hi everyone. My dog Jack has been missing for a few hours. He’s a miniature dachshund and is black and white. He is older and can barely see. His collar has his name and my number. If I remember correctly, he’s chipped. If you see him or find him, please hang on to him and call me. PLEASE…he’s my baby and I would love to get him back. 678-773-9388" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Arnold Mill Rd: "Genji is still missing. Lost late October. Please help me find my baby; I don’t know where else to go or look and I've contacted every shelter in the area. Went missing on E Cherokee Dr, across from the storage units." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Mantra HHC-Metaphysical Shop and Holistic Hea — (Visit website)
• Queen Custom Couture — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• OOH-RAH HA HA Comedy Night with Derrick Tennant! (January 28)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 30)
• Intuitive Painting Classes - Ignite the Healing Power of Your Creative Process (January 30)
• “Love Is in the Air” Exhibit & Chocolate Truffle Tastings - February at the Cumming Arts Center (February 2)
• Christian Singer Jeremy Rosado Live In Concert (February 2)
• Home Buyer Workshop - This is for ANY Buyer - Your First Home or Your Forever Home! (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
• Add your event

For sale:

• AKC registered Rottweiler puppies (Details)
• Add your item

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you next week with another update.

— Nina Lightcap

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