🌱 Two Teachers And Their Crimes + RICO Act Violations In Woodstock

Good morning, hello. Nina here with your fresh copy of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in the community, including updates on...

• A Fulton lawsuit has ties in Cherokee.
• A former Woodstock teacher has been sentenced.
• A local woman was sentenced for RICO Act violations.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Cloudy with a passing shower. High: 63 Low: 54.
• Sunday: Considerable cloudiness. High: 68 Low: 58.

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

1. A lawsuit has been filed in Fulton County against the school system and the Fulton Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) for acting with "deliberate indifference" by hiring a teacher with a history that included five charges of sexual battery against children. Those charges stem from a 2003 case that led to a two-year suspension of his certification. The teacher, Robert Vandel, was employed at FAST in 2020 when he assaulted an 8th grade student in a classroom. Charged and ultimately found guilty for the 2020 rape, Vandel was employed at Lyndon Academy in Holly Springs when he was arrested for that offense. Vandel worked at several schools between the first and second offense, including Cherokee Charter Academy in 2016 and Lyndon Academy in 2020-21. (Atlanta News First)
2. A former Woodstock High School teacher has been sentenced for several sexual assault charges from incidents that took place in 2017-18. Ryan Parker McKendrick, who had been the chorus teacher at the school since 2007, pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault after he was charged with groping six minor students. The crimes were uncovered when school administrators became privy to text messages between the teacher and two students. McKendrick will now serve three years in prison, followed by 17 years on probation and he will be registered as a sex offender with the requirement that he have no contact with the victims or any other child. (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
3. A Woodstock woman has been convicted and sentenced for issuing prescriptions for controlled substances illegally during the time between January 2 - October 6, 2022 and violation of the RICO Act. Leslie Archambault was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by 12 years on probation. Four others have been officially charged for crimes related to her prescription fraud activity. A sixth person, Bryan Chirangu of Woodstock, has also been sentenced in relation to the crimes, he pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance through fraud or theft. He was sentenced to five years of probation in December. (Subscription: Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News)
4. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is searching for a man suspected of breaking into several vehicles on February 18 in the Hickory Flat area. The suspect was caught by multiple security cameras entering vehicles parked in driveways along Little River Drive, near Arnold Mill Road. Please take a look at the video here to see if you recognize the person, you can reach the Criminal Investigations Division at 770-928-2039 if you have any information. (Cherokee Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
5. The Sequoyah Regional Library System is holding three mini-conventions that will feature fandoms, panels, activities and fun programs in March. The all-ages events are free and they'll be held at the R.T. Jones Memorial, Gilmer and Woodstock libraries. "Sequoyah-Con" will even host special appearances by writer Delilah S. Dawson, storyteller Tracy Walker and Georgia Paranormal Investigations. You can register as an attendee or vendor at the link, and if you're an avid reader, there's also a Beanstack Reading Challenge where you can read books and earn digital badges. Be sure to check out the schedules for the events, each location has a different theme - the R.T. Jones Memorial Library event on March 4 features a Pokémon theme and the Woodstock Library event on March 18 features a cryptid theme. (Sequoyah Regional Library System)

Today and tomorrow in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Today

• Essential Gardening - Growing Mushrooms: learn how to grow mushrooms with Howard Berk of Ellijay Mushrooms. You'll hear about home and commercial growing methods and the uses of mushrooms both for food and for health. The talk is open to all and will be held at the William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
• Themed Book Club: for adults only, the theme for February is "Keep It Short." Pick a short story collection, novella or any book under 300 pages and discuss it during the meeting. You can log your reading in Beanstack here. The library is located at 7735 Main Street. (10:30 a.m. - noon)
• Woodstock Community Garden Volunteer Workday: help spruce up the garden and prep the site for the spring season. A new Donation Garden is also going to be installed at the garden, located at 311 Arnold Mill Road. (noon - 2 p.m.)
• Reformation IPA Day: the brewery is celebrating the 1-year anniversary of their Reformation IPA on Saturday! There'll be a 3 p.m. toast with Mayor Caldwell, the celebration is at 105 Elm Street. (noon - 10 p.m.)
• Paint and Chat Professional Art Classes: for all skill levels, all supplies will be provided for the painting class at Tranquility Fine Arts, 9194 Main Street. (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Bee Hive Maintenance 2023: learn how to manage your beehive in this once-a-month class headed up by Woodstock Community Garden Beekeeper Shannon Sorescu. The class for all skill levels meets three times, this second meetup will go over how and when to perform your first hive check and what to look for and will be held at the Woodstock Community Garden, 311 Arnold Mill Road. (3 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Artisan Wine Tasting: enjoy fine wines at The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 400. (5 - 7 p.m.)
• Honeybone Godson: catch the live show on the rooftop at PURE Taqueria, 405 Chambers Street. (6 - 10 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: this weekend is the last chance to catch the performance at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (7:30 p.m.)
• Grace Milton: the artist is playing live in The Listening Room at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (7:30 - 10 p.m.)
• Six Strings South: the band is playing live at Keegan's Public House, 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Suite 140. (8 - 11 p.m.)
• Reed Waddle: playing live at Donovan's Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive. (9 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
• Band X: the band will be playing live at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. (9:30 p.m.)
• 80's New Wave Night: unlimited gaming until 2 a.m., new wave music (my favorite!), dancing and a full bar at The Blue Ghost Arcade, 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (10 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Levi Ransom (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
  • Mason Parker (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Trent Avery (5 - 8 p.m.)
  • Juicebox Band (8 - 11 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • No Fences - The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)

Tomorrow

• Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co: create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music. (2 - 4 p.m.)
• Paint on the Patio, Inside Edition: all supplies will be provided, and there's an option for bottomless mimosas during the painting session at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street. (2 - 4:30 p.m.)
• Murder on the Orient Express: this weekend is the last chance to catch the performance at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street. (2:30 p.m.)
• Community Sculpture Reveal & Closing Reception: head over to the Reeves House Gallery to see the community sculpture unveiling that the residents of Woodstock helped create. This will be your last chance to view the "Echoes of Ecology" exhibit. (4 - 6 p.m.)
• Singer Songwriter Night: every Sunday at Guston's Grille, 12195 Highway 92, Suite 156. If you're interested in playing or hosting, please reach out to the restaurant via email at gustonssingersongwriter@gmail.com (6 p.m.)
• Music Bingo: every Sunday at Sidelines Grille - Woodstock, 300 Village Center Drive. (6 p.m.)
• Listening Room Session with Trey Odum and Kaitlyn Kroker: live music at Rootstock, 8558 Main Street. (6 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • Grace Milton (2 - 5 p.m.)
  • Ryan LittleEagle (5 - 8 p.m.)
• MadLife Stage & Studios
  • Big Band Jazz - Performing the Hits of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and More (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• All pets over six-months are free to adopt today at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter! The available animals can be seen online here. 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. All animals will go home with their spay or neuter, heartworm and leukemia testing, initial vaccinations, deworming, flea preventative and microchipping complete. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Little River Clothing & Outdoors has brought out their spring Free Fly collection for men and women! Come check out the new pieces the store is featuring. @littleriverwoodstock @freeflyapparel #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Try the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich at The Salt Factory Pub during your next visit to Downtown Woodstock! @saltfactorypub #woodstockga #woodstockgeorgia #downtownwoodstock" (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Arnold Mill Rd: "since it’s starting to look like snake season, please educate yourself on venomous and non-venomous types of snakes. too many snakes are killed for no good reason and its absolutely sickening. most are not dangerous and a majority if not all are more afraid of you than you are of it..." (Nextdoor)
• Here are the next few classes with tickets still available at Leaning Ladder
  • February 28: Bavarian Winter Feast with Chef Kyle - demonstration class (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
  • March 3: Southern Comforts with Executive Chef Daniel - demonstration class (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
  • March 7: March Wine Dinner with Chef Kyle & Lapis Luna Wines - a 5-course, interactive chef tasting menu (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
• Here are the next few events with tickets still available at Made Mercantile
  • March 9: Bubbles & Bubbly with the Dirty Unicorns - create custom personal care products and enjoy sparkling beverages and hors d'oeuvres. (7 - 8 p.m.)
  • March 9: Pick & Pour, Pick Your Vessel, Pour Your Candle - learn the basics of candle making, create a custom candle and enjoy dessert and a drink. (7 - 8:30 p.m.)
  • March 10: Wicks and Sips with Woodstock Candle Co. - create a custom candle, decorate your own fire starter and enjoy some snacks, drinks and music. (7 - 9 p.m.)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Queen Custom Couture www.Queencustomcouture.com — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• Aura Reading & Chakra Balancing (February 26)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 27)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! See you soon for your next update.

— Nina Lightcap

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