🌱 Teen Missing From Woodstock Area + Suspected Dog Fighting In Canton

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• A 15-year-old is missing out of Woodstock.
• An arrest was made in a suspected dog fighting operation.
• A new Parent's Night Out is coming!

But first, today's weather:

An evening shower in places. High: 73 Low: 57.

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

1. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is searching for a runaway that was last seen near Emerald Court and Victoria Road in Woodstock. Ryan Ortiz is 15 years old, 5-foot-six, 160 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6. If you know of his whereabouts or have information regarding this case, please reach out to the Sheriff's Office at 770-928-0239 or via 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. A Canton man has been arrested, suspected of dog fighting and cruelty to animals. A search warrant for the home on Union Hill Road was issued as part of an animal cruelty investigation, and upon searching the location, the Cherokee Marshal's Office found alleged evidence that led to the arrest. The man has been charged with nine counts each of felony dog fighting and misdemeanor cruelty to animals. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter helped rescue the nine dogs from the home. (WSB-TV)
3. The finals are coming up next week for NBC's "The Voice," and local Bryce Leatherwood has advanced once again. The eight finalists will perform two songs and a duet with their coach on Monday, and then the voting lines will open up and viewers at home can cast their vote for their favorite. The winner of the vote will be announced on Tuesday evening's episode. Let's show the country how much we support our locals, tune in Monday at 8 p.m. and cast your vote when prompted. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. The next Parent's Night Out is taking place at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center on December 16. While you're out and about, the kids will be swimming, watching movies, eating pizza and playing games. Dress the kids in fun holiday clothes and enjoy your evening out! Drop-off for the event starts at 5:15 p.m. and pick-up ends at 10 p.m. promptly. Please send the kids with a change of clothing to change into after swimming. Registration for the evening closes on December 13, you can register here. (Cherokee Recreation & Parks)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• YPOW AM: join the Young Professionals of Woodstock every Thursday morning for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
• Senior Citizen Winter Ball: for those 55 and up, enjoy live holiday music, crafts and treats. You can reach out to rumblek@seqlib.org for more information on the event being held at Events on Main, 145 West Main Street, Suite 100 in Canton. (11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
• Tune Up Thursdays - Marty Manous: live blues music on the Rooftop at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 9 p.m.)
• Holiday Trivia & Ugly Sweater Party: wear your best ugly holiday sweater and have fun with some trivia, adult hot chocolate, light bites and more. There will be prizes for winning tables and best dressed at Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street. (6:30 - 9 p.m.)
• "Elf" Trivia Night: enjoy trivia all about the movie "Elf" with Lights Up! Entertainment at The Daily Draft, 8594 Main Street. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe - WIT: at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: double-elimination tournament, the entry fee includes access to all arcade, pinball and board games at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• DJ Trivia: every Thursday, the top three teams win cash at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs:
  • Line Dancing - every Monday and Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Nimble Fingers Sewing Group - every Thursday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows):
  • Canon Tyler (5:30 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • John Waite, Full Band Performance (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Downtown Woodstock: "New Woodstock Christmas Ornaments now available at the Woodstock Visitors Center! The Visitors Center (8588 Main St) is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Cherokee County Animal Shelter: "If you are going away for the holiday or just hosting a big get together, both of those are times when your pet could go missing. PLEASE get pets microchipped (and update information on any chipped pets) before that happens!! #WeChipCherokee4FREE" (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

Here are some events coming up that require registration or tickets in advance:

• Holiday Events
  • Saturday: Reindeer Run for the Children 5K - presented by the Service League of Cherokee County. The race will be held at Etowah River Park in Canton. (8 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Swim with the Grinch - presented by the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. There are two time slots, 9 and 10:45 a.m., and the event is for all ages. (9 a.m. - noon)
  • Saturday: Christmas Hiking Scavenger Hunt - presented by Cherokee Recreation & Parks. The morning hike at Lewis Park is for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. (10 a.m.)
  • Saturday: Payton's Breakfast with Santa - bring the kids to meet Santa at Payton Jean Marie, 9550 Main Street, Suite 100. (10 a.m. - noon)
• MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main Street
  • Friday: The Wildflowers - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Saturday: The Ultimate King Of Pop Experience - Michael Jackson Tribute (7 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Mock of Ages - Def Leppard Tribute (10 p.m.)
  • Sunday: School of Rock, West Cobb (1 p.m.)
• The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400
  • Saturday: Annual Elf's Loose in the Bar Tasting Party (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • Sunday: Christmas Ornament Wine Tasting Bingo (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Made Mercantile, 8636 Main Street
  • Friday: Wine and Design with Uptown - Winter Succulent Garden (7 - 9 p.m.)
  • Saturday: Maker Bar (3 - 7 p.m.)
• Woodstock Arts
  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday: A Christmas Carol, performed at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (Various Showtimes)
  • Sunday: Auditions for “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Company” productions. Auditions will be held Sunday and Monday. Video submissions will be accepted until Monday at 8:30 p.m. You can send those videos to zach@woodstockarts.org. Please see the posting to register and for more information. (6 - 9:30 p.m.)
• Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Saturday: DIY Christmas Gift Workshop - for ages 10 and up. Create DIY presents, all supplies will be provided, but you may bring your own supplies if you'd like. Please register here for the event at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street. (3 - 5 p.m.)
• Senior Center Programs
  • Friday: Walking Club - every Wednesday and Friday at the Dupree Park walking/running/biking track, 513 Neese Road. (8 - 9 a.m.)
  • Friday: Fit Over 50 - have fun with chair yoga, balance, bands, weights and core strength exercises every Wednesday and Friday at the WGLSC Activity Center Expansion. (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)
  • Friday: Garden Club - at the William G. Long Senior Center. (10 - 11 a.m.)
• IN WDSTK (open to non-members)
  • Friday: Morning INfluence - breakfast and a performance by the Woodstock Elementary School Chorus at their school, located at 230 Rope Mill Road. (7:45 - 9 a.m.)

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• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (December 10)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— Nina Lightcap

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