🌱 The State Of The City Address + Locals Sentenced For Their Crimes

Morning, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick dive into the most important things going on around town, including updates on...

• Coming soon, the State of the City Address.
• Local man sentenced for $300,000+ wire fraud.
• County man sentenced for abuse of a minor.

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

1. Mayor Michael Caldwell will be giving his State of the City Address on January 20 in the Woodstock Arts Theatre, and you can grab your tickets to the event now. The address will be given in two parts, part one on January 20 during the State of the City Breakfast at the theater, and part two on January 23, when Mayor Caldwell will give the address to the City Council. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:45 a.m., and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. During the State of the City Address, Mayor Caldwell will go over how we did as a city in 2022 and what's coming up in 2023. If you'd like to attend the networking breakfast, there are a limited amount of tickets available. If attending the City Council meeting, the address will be included during the meeting. (Woodstock News Post)
2. A Canton man was sentenced to prison yesterday after pleading guilty to wire fraud, he will serve six months of a two year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release for his crimes. Scott Spilberg was hired as a manager at Houck's Grille in Roswell in August 2020, and from October of that year to around September 2021, he used a company debit card to pay for over fifty visits to two gentlemen's clubs. The bill for the visits totaled over $300,000, and he will have to pay that back in its entirety as restitution. (WSB-TV Atlanta)
3. A Cherokee County man received a prison sentence this week for repeated abuse against a relative. David Blackburn was found guilty of child molestation and cruelty to children and will serve ten years of his twenty-year sentence in prison, followed by ten years of probation. The abuse against his own relative spanned years, from 2014 to 2019, and at the end of the four-day trial, Blackburn was found guilty of three counts of child molestation and one count of cruelty against children in the first degree. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Free Coffee Fridays: drop by the Rose Creek Library for a free cup of coffee. You may use your own cup or one from the library, there is a limit of one cup per person. The library is located at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway. (10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.)
• Opening Night Reception: head over to the Reeves House Visual Arts Center for opening night of the Corrina Sephora: Echoes of Ecology - Prayers & Rituals exhibit. Meet the artist and enjoy a fine wine at 734 Reeves Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Every Brilliant Thing: performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• DJ Karaoke: every Friday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Will Tipton (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Jim Stapley (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Cash Unchained - A Johnny Cash Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • '84 - A Van Halen Tribute (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The next Homeschool Skate at Hot Wheels Skate Center is happening on Friday, January 13, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission includes either the playground or skating. The skate center is located at 228 Farm Ridge Road NE. (Hot Wheels Skate Center via Facebook)
• Take a look at these adorable fur babies! Lots of dogs and cats, babies and adults, need new homes in the area. Click the link to meet Bruno, Duckie and more. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Downtown Woodstock: "The Woodstock Beer Market has some great upcoming events this month. On Saturday, January 21st they are featuring a Uber Pretzel pop up, 5pm to 8pm. Come by and try one of Uber Bretzels delicious artisan style pretzels!" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "We have a BUNNY 🐰 available for adoption. His name is Milo and he loves 🫐 blueberries 💙 Stop by to visit with him today!" (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Big sale at Spirited Boutiques this Thursday Jan 5th - Sunday Jan 8th. 50% off everything in the boutique! @spiritedboutiques #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "New year, new juice! Kickstart 2023 with a freshly blended juice from Eden. Grab a Just Beet It, Maple Spice, Pure Bliss, or Celery Juice the next time you're in! @eden.woodstock #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Here are the next few events at Leaning Ladder with tickets still available:
  • January 11: Plant Power with Chef Megan - demonstration class (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • January 12: Daytime Lunch with Joanna Scott - demonstration class, hands-on at some points (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • January 14: January Dinner Party with Chef Alan - demonstration class (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
• Here are the next few events at Made Mercantile with tickets still available:
  • January 12: Pick & Pour - Pick Your Vessel, Pour Your Candle! (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • January 15: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. (2 - 4 p.m.)
  • January 21: Build Your Own Earrings with Broken Ankles (6 - 8 p.m.)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• OOH-RAH HA HA Comedy Night with Derrick Tennant! (January 28)
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Announcements:

• SMART townhome in Woodstock for sale! (Details)
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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nina Lightcap

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