🌱 Two Cherokee Runaways + Small Business Grant Info + CCSD Financials

Hello all. It's me, Nina, your host of the Daily. Here's what you need to know about what's happening in town. Today we have these stories and more...

• The sheriff is looking for two area runaways.
• Good news for local, pandemic-affected small business owners.
• The CCSD published its annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

But first, today's weather:

Mild with clouds and sun. High: 60 Low: 55.

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

1. Two youths have been reported as runaways in Cherokee County and the Cherokee Sheriff's Office is asking for help in finding them. Ryan Ortiz, a 15-year-old male, was reported missing on Monday. He was last seen on foot in the area of Emerald Court wearing yellow and green Nike shoes, a blue Michael Kors jacket and blue jeans. Ortiz is about 5-foot-6 and weighs around 160 pounds. The second youth is Gabrielle Rangel, a 16-year-old female who was reported missing the same day. She was last seen on foot in the area of Watkins Glen Circle carrying a suitcase and wearing grey and black pants and a black crop top. Rangel is approximately 5-foot-3 and weighs around 135 pounds. If you have any information on either missing person, please contact the Cherokee Sheriff's Office at 770-928-0239 or 9-1-1. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
2. If your small business has been affected by the pandemic, you may be eligible for the Cherokee Small Business Grant. The application window is open from January 16 - 31, and you can find the application for the grant here. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is in place to help small businesses in the county that have suffered a negative economic impact from the pandemic, have no more than 500 employees, are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their field. (Cherokee Office of Economic Development via Facebook)
3. The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) has released their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, in keeping with their ongoing practice of financial transparency. Last year, the school district received their second consecutive Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association for their 2021 fiscal year. The district's Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen and the Office of Financial Management creates the reports by compiling existing data, including budgets, audits and management reports. You can read through the report here. (CCSD Press Release)

Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• Ladies Night, Live Music: live music every Wednesday. “The Radio Show” starts playing at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (5 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• Family Storytime: for children of all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The little ones will have fun with stories, games and crafts at the Rose Creek Library at 4476 Towne Lake Parkway and the Woodstock Library at 7735 Main Street. (10:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Trivia Night with Lights Up! Entertainment: every Wednesday, prizes for first, second and third place teams each week at Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Plant Power with Chef Megan - demonstration class: learn to reset your diet using plants. The menu includes detox juice, broccoli soup, detox salad and blueberry delight dessert with cashew creme at Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main Street. (7 - 9 p.m.)
• Fight Club Wednesday: the top three winners in the tournament win prizes. The game this week is "Tekken 7" at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 10 p.m.)
• Golden Tee League: the league meets every Wednesday for 8 weeks, and there is a championship in week 9. Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate at The Blue Ghost Arcade. (7 - 10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage (free shows, no ticket needed):
  • Top Artists Extended Sets (6 - 9 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios:
  • Will Tipton Band - Local Singer/Songwriter (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Coffee with a Cop will be back this Wednesday, from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Black Rifle Coffee Company. Head over for some great coffee and an informal meet and greet with officers from the Woodstock Police Department. The coffee shop is located at 10971 Highway 92. (Woodstock Police via Facebook)
• There is Cherokee County Library Board meeting this Thursday at the Woodstock Library. The meeting is open to the public, and there may be time at the end for public comment. The library is located at 7735 Main Street, and the meeting is scheduled for 4 - 5 p.m. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)
• Saturday night is Adult Skate Night at Hot Wheels Skate Center! Lace up your skates and have fun with other adults from 9 p.m. to midnight. The skate center is located at 228 Farm Ridge Drive NE. (Hot Wheels Skate Center via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Belmont Trace: "Just want to brag on Downtown Kitchen Canton. We were first-timers tonight... • service - beyond • food - phenomenal • = we'll be regulars" (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Grand Opening - Artistically Modern (January 15)
• Pre-K Open House (January 18)
• OOH-RAH HA HA Comedy Night with Derrick Tennant! (January 28)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Nina Lightcap

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