Keep Cherokee Beautiful Awarded Governor’s Circle Award

Keep Cherokee Beautiful recently received a 2025 Governor’s Circle Award for its outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation presented the award in recognition of exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.

Business Announces Major Expansion in Cherokee County

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) announced that Commercial Bank & Business Equipment, a premier provider of architectural millwork, will expand its operations in Cherokee County by constructing its state-of-the-art headquarters in the newly developed Canton Corporate Park. The project represents $25 million in capital investment and will create 70 new jobs.

The new headquarters will be located on the first developed tract of Canton Corporate Park, marking a milestone not only for the company but for the community’s future growth. The 50-acre park, designed to attract high-quality employers, still features two additional sites currently being marketed by COED – offering opportunities for innovative, growth-oriented companies that align with Cherokee’s needs.

First Citizen of Cherokee County Named

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce announced that G. Cecil Pruett is the 51st recipient of the First Citizen of Cherokee County Award.

Pruett moved his family to Canton more than 61 years ago. He found business success with StarKist and Henny Penny and later built a career in the insurance industry. His leadership extended to regional and statewide organizations, including the Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, Georgia Municipal Association, North Georgia Regional Commission, and Atlanta Regional Commission. Locally, he served as a trustee at Reinhardt University, board chair of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the Bank of Canton and Crescent Bank.

Pruett also served 12 years as mayor of Canton, preserving its small-town character while leading projects such as the Hickory Log Creek Dam and renovation of the historic Canton Theatre.

A member of Canton First Baptist Church for more than six decades, he has taught Sunday School for 60 years and served more than 50 years as a deacon, earning lifetime status.

2025 Annual Report
The 2025 Cherokee County Annual Report is available. The comprehensive document provides citizens with information about the county’s performance in the preceding year, including information such as performance highlights, a letter from the chairman, and financial information. Scan the QR code to see the report.

2026 Woodstock Summer Concert Series Announcement 

May 9, Black Jacket Symphony presents Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet and other hits. 

June 13, Grammy, ACM, CMA, and CMT award-winning country star Carly Pearce takes the stage. 

July 11, legendary R&B and funk powerhouse Midnight Star will captivate downtown Woodstock.

August 8, the Pop 2000 Tour with Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, and LFO will bring you right back to the early 2000s. 

September 12, electrifying Face 2 Face (an Elton John and Billy Joel tribute band) will pay homage to the two iconic piano legends.

Visit WoodstockConcertSeries.com for more information. 
All shows are at Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater. They are free to attend, general admission, no tickets necessary.

Community Input Sought for Pearidge Small Area Plan

Cherokee County, in partnership with the Charlie Ferguson Community Center, the City of Canton, and the Atlanta Regional Commission, is developing a small area plan to help shape the future of the historic Pearidge community.

The Pearidge study will consist of an analysis of existing conditions and thorough community engagement to formalize the community’s vision. Once completed, a planning report will provide the community with a blueprint to preserve and maintain the neighborhood’s historic vibrancy while preparing for the future.

The public is invited to share thoughts, concerns, and hopes for the Pearidge community by participating in an online survey, which can be accessed by scanning one of the QR codes below.

First Phase of Elm Street Pedestrian Crossing Project Underway

On March 2, Elm Street between Main Street and Wall Street was permanently closed to vehicles, and preconstruction work began. Full construction starts March 16. The first phase of the project introduces a 12-foot-wide pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street. Construction will take approximately 90 days, improving safety and accessibility for everyone. Once the crossing is finished, the signal and mast arm over Main Street will be finalized within the following 3–4 months.

After the crossing and signal installation are complete, the City will move into the design phase for a stunning pedestrian plaza that will stretch from Main Street to Market Street. This next step will include a robust public input process, inviting residents, businesses, and stakeholders to help shape the future of downtown Woodstock.

During construction, drivers and delivery vehicles can still access the public parking lot next to Reformation Brewery via Mill Street and Wall Street. Expect occasional single-lane closures on Main Street while crews are working.

Follow the City of Woodstock on social media and subscribe to email/SMS alerts at WoodstockGa.gov for updates and opportunities to share your ideas.

County Breaks Ground on Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area and Trail System

A new conservation-use area with trail systems for pedestrians, mountain bikers, and horseback riders is coming to northeast Cherokee County. Cherokee Recreation and Parks broke ground on the Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area and Trails last month. While eight acres of the overall 538 acres are currently disturbed for parking, restrooms, and a horse paddock, the project will conserve more than 530 acres in the rural area of northeast Cherokee County. When the park opens later this year, half of that disturbed acreage will have been replanted.

“We are very excited to offer this passive recreation opportunity in this beautiful area of our county,” said Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “We will have two sets of trails to keep horse riders and mountain bikers separate for safety purposes. Hikers will be able to use either trail system.”

The overall project will include 15-20 miles of trail. With the help of Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, staff from the Natural Resources Division, and volunteers will create the trails over the next few months. The Conservation Area and Trails are expected to open to the public in fall 2026.

Cherokee Student Film Summit Prepares the Next Generation of Filmmakers

A continued partnership between the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) and the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) is strengthening both the local film industry and the future workforce through the eighth annual Cherokee Student Film Summit.

Designed for upper-level audio/visual technology and film (AVTF) students from across all CCSD high schools, the summit offered an immersive, in-county experience that blended industry exposure, professional skill-building, and real-world insight — whether students pursue careers in film or apply their creative and technical skills in other industries.

This year’s summit featured an impressive range of industry professionals, from sculptors who have worked on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things to motion capture engineers who developed award-winning software used in major blockbusters such as Avatar and Happy Feet. Through workshops and panel discussions, students gained firsthand insight into the many career paths that exist within — and beyond — the film industry.

By connecting students directly with working professionals, the summit reinforced how skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, technical proficiency, and creative thinking are transferable across a wide range of professions, preparing students for long-term success in the workforce.

Summit highlights included:
• Industry-Led Workshops and Panels: Georgia-based professionals shared insights on careers ranging from motion capture and sculpting to live sports production, camera motion technology, and vertical storytelling.
• Post-Secondary Pathways and Networking: Students connected with regional colleges, universities, and training programs to explore next steps after high school.
• Hands-On Learning Experiences: Interactive experiences helped students build practical skills behind the camera.

The summit also served as a launchpad for the upcoming Cherokee Student Film Festival, where students will premiere their original short films. The festival is free and open to the public on March 24 at Woodstock Arts, and students will be recognized with awards celebrating their creativity, storytelling, and technical achievement.

Visit CherokeeGa.org/key-business-sectors/film-media to learn more about Cherokee’s film community.

Cherokee County School District Announcements

New Class of Educators Inducted Into the Hall of Fame

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 inductees: Kelly Burleson, Fred Forsh, Deborah Frost, Charles Hopkins, and Lucille Rich. The CCSD Educators Hall of Fame recognizes retired educators who made significant contributions to public education during their career in CCSD and left a lasting positive impact on the lives of students, colleagues, and our community.
(L-R) Charles Hopkins, Kelly Burleson, Lucille Rich, Fred Forsh, and Deborah Frost

2026 STAR Students and Teachers Announced

The STAR, or Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, student honor is awarded to the high school senior from each Georgia public and private high school with the highest score on any single SAT test date and who also ranks in the top tier of their class for GPA. Each honored student is invited to select his or her favorite teacher to be named that school’s STAR Teacher. Additionally, an overall CCSD winner is recognized for earning the highest eligible SAT score of all the STAR Students, and this year’s honoree is Levi Cone of Creekview HS.

CCSD honorees: Cherokee HS STAR Student Grace Dai, STAR Teacher Morgan Clifton; Creekview HS STAR Student and CCSD STAR Student Levi Cone, STAR Teacher Drew Lawson; Etowah HS STAR Student Alexander Lu, STAR Teacher Kristy Wiggins; i-Grad Virtual Academy STAR Student Michael McGuire, STAR Teacher Hannah Mitchell; River Ridge HS STAR Student Claire Park, STAR Teacher Tracye Bulger; Sequoyah HS STAR Student Ben Koster, STAR Teacher Dr. Cathy Murphy; and Woodstock HS STAR Student Daniel Cabra-Lara, STAR Teacher Kate McIntyre.