April 2026 Community Life Canton Key Primary Election Dates for Cherokee County VotersVoters must go to their assigned polling location on Election Day. Check MVP.SOS.Ga.gov for your polling location address and voter registration information. Visit CherokeeGaVotes.com to register to vote and for additional information about early voting locations.April 20 - Last day to register to vote in the May PrimaryApril 27 - First day of early votingMay 2 & 9 - Mandatory Saturday voting days for the May PrimaryMay 3 or 10 - Optional Sunday voting dayMay 8 - Last day to request an absentee ballot for the May PrimaryMay 15 - Last day of early voting for the May PrimaryMay 19 - Primary Election DayEarly Voting Dates and Hours April 27-May 2 and May 4-May 9, 8:30am-5:00pmMay 11-May 15, 8:30am-7:00pmElection Day HoursMay 19, 7:00am-7:00pmEarly Voting LocationsCherokee County Elections & Voter Registration Office193 Lamar Haley Parkway Canton, GA 30114Ball Ground Public Library435 Old Canton Road Ball Ground, GA 30107Hickory Flat Public Library2740 East Cherokee Drive Canton, GA 30115Rose Creek Public Library4476 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, GA 30189Oak Grove Fire Station Community Room100 Ridge Mill Court Acworth, GA 30102South Cherokee Annex/Recreation Center*7545 Main Street Woodstock, GA 30188The Buzz Ahrens Recreation Center*7345 Cumming Highway Canton, GA 30115*Voting and Drop Box Locations___________________________________________________________Empowering Voices: A Community Guide to ElectionsA free information session and tour for eligible voters, poll workers, and poll watchers (as a supplement to the mandatory training provided by a political party pursuant to Georgia Election Law) is being offered:April 16, August 13, and September 1010:00am-12:00pm193 Lamar Haley ParkwayCanton, Georgia https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C044CADAE2EA2F4C34-60389354-empowering ___________________________________________________________History Cherokee Executive Director Takes New Position History Cherokee announced this week that long-time Executive Director Stefanie Joyner is leaving the local nonprofit to accept the position of director of finance and operations for the Historic Macon Foundation. Historic Macon's mission is to revitalize communities by preserving architecture and sharing history. Joyner joined the Cherokee County Historical Society in 2005 and was the first executive director, growing the all-volunteer organization into the dynamic operation it is today. During her tenure, the Cherokee County Historical Society grew substantially in membership and was headquartered in downtown Canton’s white marble courthouse, where the organization operated a small history museum for many years. The nonprofit was rebranded in 2020 as History Cherokee, and a capital campaign raised $4.7 million to build a permanent museum and educational facility in Canton, which opened its doors as the Cherokee County History Center in 2022. Joyner also led efforts to have both Canton and Ball Ground listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Preservation efforts under her leadership helped save many historic sites and buildings throughout Cherokee County.A search committee is already working to find the most qualified candidate for History Cherokee’s executive director position. Board Vice President Chuck Douglas, who has more than 25 years of museum management experience, will act as interim director during the search.___________________________________________________________New Exhibit Celebrates 70 Years of Cherokee High SchoolA new Cherokee County History Center exhibit celebrates the legacy of Cherokee High School (CHS). Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior: Cherokee High School Then, Now, and Next marks the school’s 70th anniversary and explores the memories, milestones, and traditions that have shaped generations of students, teachers, and families. It will remain on display through October.The exhibit arrives during a historic year for CHS. The 2025–2026 school year will be the final year students attend classes in the current building, which opened in 1956. When the 2026–2027 school year begins, CHS will open at a new location.Through photographs and artifacts, the exhibit highlights the important role CHS has played in the life of the community for seven decades. The exhibit was guest curated by Betsy Teasley Trope. For more information, visit HistoryCherokee.org.___________________________________________________________New Amphitheater for Cherokee Veterans Park At its March 3 meeting, the Cherokee Board of Commissioners awarded the contract for the new amphitheater, which will cost $390,662. The county will use proceeds from a right-of-way land sale at the park for the Georgia Department of Transportation’s widening of Highway 20 to pay the construction costs. “The amphitheater was part of the master plan for Veterans Park, but it was always slated for a later phase as funding became available,” said Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “We are excited for this addition to Veterans Park. We plan to unveil it to the public with a soft opening on Father’s Day weekend.”A raised open-air amphitheater/pavilion will be constructed with an approximate 20x30-foot footprint near the playground in the middle of the park. The location is currently surrounded by drives, parking, and sidewalks. ___________________________________________________________CCFES Announces Annual Award Winners and Names New Fire Chief Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) proudly recognized seven exceptional members of the department during its annual Breakfast with Our Best event, hosted by the Cherokee County Fire Foundation at First Baptist Church Woodstock. The annual ceremony celebrates the dedication, professionalism, and outstanding service of department personnel who exemplify the highest standards of the fire service. This year’s event was highlighted by the presentation of the 2025 “Of the Year” awards to the following honorees: Administrative Member of the Year - Budget Manager Amanda Postelle Special Operations Member of the Year - Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) Brody Miller EMT of the Year - Firefighter Gabriel Lopez Paramedic of the Year - FAO Tate Dill Firefighter of the Year - FAO Joel Saunders Fire Officer of the Year - Captain Cody Wilson Chief Fire Officer of the Year - Battalion Chief Jason Williams CCFES also announced the appointment of Kevin Lanier as its next fire chief. Lanier, who currently serves as deputy chief of support services, will assume the role in May 2026 following the retirement of Chief Eddie Robinson. Lanier began his career with the department in 2000 and has served in several leadership roles, including division chief, deputy chief of field operations, and deputy chief of support services.___________________________________________________________Education Gala Fundraising Success and Alumni of the Year Winners Announced This year’s Shamrocks-and-Shenanigans-themed Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) black-tie event drew a crowd of 430 attendees and raised more than $250,000 for Classroom Impact Grants, which benefit students, classrooms, teachers, and staff in the Cherokee County School District. The community supported the CCEF by purchasing tables to attend the event and by donating items for the silent auction. All proceeds from purchases made during the silent auction also benefited the cause. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Alumni of the Year awards to retired Ball Ground Mayor A.R. “Rick” Roberts, III, and Debbie Groover Buckner, a local sports legend and retired teacher. Roberts was honored for his contributions in business and public service, including serving nearly 40 years as the mayor of Ball Ground. Buckner was honored for her impact on the world of sports and for her dedication to helping other young people achieve their goals through education and athletics. For more information about the Gala, the CCEF, or how to get involved, please visit CherokeeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org.___________________________________________________________Woodstock Earns 2025 Tree City USA Recognition The Arbor Day Foundation named Woodstock a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community. The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. In cities and neighborhoods, trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower homeowners’ energy costs. Learn more about Woodstock's Tree Preservation and Replacement Standards at WoodstockGa.gov/trees.___________________________________________________________Bikes and E-Bikes in the City of WoodstockAs Woodstock residents and visitors begin to enjoy April’s warmer temps, bicycles and electric bicycles (e-bikes) will become increasingly popular ways to travel, exercise, explore, and commute. Since the trail network, downtown district, and mixed-use areas continue to grow, the City of Woodstock is committed to ensuring that all riders and pedestrians can safely enjoy these shared spaces.Scan the QR code for a clear overview of local ordinances, state law, safety tips, and ongoing work to clarify how different types of bicycles and e-bikes may operate in Woodstock. ___________________________________________________________Cherokee County School District AnnouncementsLocal Teacher Named Top 10 State Finalist Of more than 115,000 educators in Georgia’s public schools, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy art teacher Dr. Lisa Spence was surprised with the announcement that she is a top 10 finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year. Dr. Spence, who is the current Cherokee County School District Teacher of the Year, will be honored along with her fellow state finalists at a gala celebration in May, where the overall winner will be announced.School Board Approves Future Use for Cherokee HS At its regular meeting, the Board considered the future use of the current Cherokee HS campus and unanimously voted to renovate the current Cherokee North to reconstitute it as an elementary school, and reopen it in August 2028 as Canton Elementary School. The schedule to reopen Canton ES requires time for renovations as well as for conducting the process to determine which homes will be included in the school’s attendance area. The remaining campus of Cherokee HS will be appraised and advertised for sale, with proceeds designated for the advancement of career and vocational training programs to be added to each of CCSD’s high schools and programs. The new Cherokee HS campus will be ready for student occupancy on the first day of school on August 3, 2026. On April 28, the School Board will celebrate the new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:15pm, followed by a community open house from 4:00-6:30pm. Learn more about the transition from the current campus to the new campus at CherokeeK12.net/divisions/support-services/once-always.CCSD Leader Earns State Recognition Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) Tonya Sebring, district supervisor of student athletics and activities, is the recipient of the Frances Bryan Woman in Athletics Award presented by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association at its annual conference. The prestigious award recognizes an honoree who “embodies leadership, professionalism, and champions for opportunities of inclusivity within their school, their community, and beyond.”
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