Grand Opening of Fire Station #13 and Sutallee Community Center Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) and Cherokee Recreation & Parks recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Fire Station #13 and Sutallee Community Center. Located at 134 Ficklen Church Way, west of Canton, the new facility spans over 12,000 square feet and includes a fire station, fire apparatus bays, and a dedicated community room.The ceremony, emceed by Captain Michael Sims, featured an invocation by Reverend Billy Edmondson and a Presentation of the Colors by the CCFES Honor Guard. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson, Recreation & Parks Division Director Shawn Schumacher, District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter, Board of Commissioners Chairman Harry Johnston, KRH Architects representative Matt Parton, and Cooper & Company Director of Construction Kurt Main each addressed the audience, highlighting the significance of the new station for the community.More than 200 community members participated in the celebration, which included a ceremonial hose uncoupling by firefighters to officially open the facility. Demonstrations showcased vehicle extrication, hose deployment, and rapid-dress techniques, while tours of the new station and apparatus were offered to guests.The new facility is designed to last 50-100 years and is equipped with a fire engine, ambulance, and swift-water rescue boat. CCFES invites the community to tour the new station when visiting the area.
AI-Powered Guide Launched To Help Businesses Start and Scale in Cherokee The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) has launched an AI-powered tool to help startups start and scale their businesses in Cherokee County at LaunchInCherokee.com.The Cherokee Entrepreneurship Guide is an AI-powered web app that is free to use. It is designed to guide startups through the initial stages of entrepreneurship and give AI-powered answers for business owners at all stages.Users new to entrepreneurship can start by exploring the “Business Starter Checklist.” This comprehensive list guides aspiring and new business owners through the early stages of entrepreneurship such as developing a business plan, choosing a business location, and registering a business.Business owners looking to scale can ask specific questions and receive AI-powered answers. Users have the power to input a business address to customize their content, providing business-specific help.Beyond AI, users can explore all 11 sections of the full business guide, which includes topics such as:• Defining Your Business Idea• Operating Legally• Marketing and Sales• Financial Management• Networking and Mentorship• ResourcesThis AI-powered web app is part of COED’s Cherokee By Choice 2.0 strategic plan, which aims to support innovative and enterprising businesses in Cherokee. Visit LaunchInCherokee.com to explore the possibilities and start growing your dream business.
Historic Canton Theatre Selected for Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers The City of Canton's historic Canton Theatre was recently selected by South Arts as a screening partner for the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Canton is one of six Georgia partners among 21 total venues selected in the Southeast. This long-running South Arts program connects US-based documentary filmmakers with communities throughout the South for screenings and conversations around important stories, topics, and the art of filmmaking. Through generous grant funding from Fox Gives, the Canton Theatre will co-host the event with the Fox. "The Screening Partner film selections for this season demonstrate the group’s commitment to fostering curious spaces and using film as a conduit for local conversations. Directly connecting independent filmmakers with community audiences amplifies the films’ impact while investing in the regional filmmaking infrastructure of the South and engaging local community members in critical conversations," said Program Director Jordan Young.Thirteen films and filmmaking teams were selected for the 2024-2025 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, six of which were chosen to be featured at the historic Canton Theatre. Here are the four remaining films and dates:11/17/24 Family Tree, Jennifer MacArthur (director) 2/16/25 Home is a Hotel, Kevin Wong (director, producer, co-cinematographer) and Yar Kin Tham (co-director, producer) 3/30/25 This World is Not My Own, Petter Ringbom (director, writer, cinematographer), Ruchi Mital (writer, producer), and Cathi Perry (family member) 4/13/25 North Putnam, Joel Fendelman (director) and Beth Benedix (producer) O Pioneer, Clara Lehmann (director, producer, writer) and Jonathan Lacocque (director, producer, cinematographer, editor)"The Canton Theatre has a long tradition with film — beginning with its opening in 1911," said Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green. From our Summer Family Movie Series to the Peaberry Film Festival to our Classic Film Series, Canton is proving to be hungry for film in all its forms. We are so grateful for a partnership with the Fox Theatre to allow us to further connect our community with independent filmmakers and their stories."For more information, visit the individual film tour pages on SouthArts.org. View the historic Canton Theatre showings at CantonGa.gov/cantontheatre.
Discover Downtown Canton's Golden Ginkgo Trees For a unique leaf-peeping experience, look no further than downtown Canton where the streets are lined with beautiful ginkgo trees. These ancient trees are a rare sight in many areas, making downtown Canton especially unique. The sole remaining species in a group of trees that date back to before the dinosaurs, ginkgo trees are referred to as "living fossils." They boast lush green leaves in the summer. In the fall, they transform into a remarkable bright yellow, making Canton’s picturesque historic downtown even more stunning. This colorful display offers a perfect backdrop for strolling through town.
GA Ag Partners Launch Joint Hurricane Relief Fund for Farmers Impacted by Helene The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in a partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and in support by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to aid farmers and ranchers facing devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. The fund aims to raise $1 million by December to provide direct financial aid to those impacted by the storm.The Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund is a cross-industry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers with recovery efforts. The campaign emphasizes resilience within the agricultural community and collaboration across the sector to ensure a strong recovery for the state's farming community. The fund will help address essential needs by covering gaps left by other forms of assistance for efforts such as repairing fences, restoring livestock operations, rebuilding essential structures, and eventually providing financial aid to those impacted.
GA Ag Partners Launch Joint Hurricane Relief Fund for Farmers Impacted by Helene (2) The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in a partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and in support by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to aid farmers and ranchers facing devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. The fund aims to raise $1 million by December to provide direct financial aid to those impacted by the storm.The Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund is a cross-industry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers with recovery efforts. The campaign emphasizes resilience within the agricultural community and collaboration across the sector to ensure a strong recovery for the state's farming community. The fund will help address essential needs by covering gaps left by other forms of assistance for efforts such as repairing fences, restoring livestock operations, rebuilding essential structures, and eventually providing financial aid to those impacted.
Cherokee County School District Announcements Little River ES Honored by National PTALittle River ES has been named a winner of the National PTA School of Excellence award. The two-year title recognizes successful partnerships between local PTAs and schools to help make schools more welcoming to all families and to offer more opportunities for families to support students.Led by Principal Joni Adams, Little River ES is among only 319 schools nationwide, and only 16 schools from Georgia, honored with this recognition. To be considered for this honor, a school and its PTA unit must commit to working together to set and meet year-long goals for improving family engagement.The designations were earned through efforts over the past year by the PTA and school leadership. Last year’s PTA leadership team was Co-Presidents Susan Byberg and Magida Habib-Gonzalez, Vice Presidents Kristina Gambino and Vivian Gaviria, Secretary Christina Albertus, and Treasurer Kristin Winzeler. The co-presidents, secretary, and treasurer are continuing in the same roles this school year, joined by new Vice Presidents Kajal Zechariah and Jennifer Ugolick and Corresponding Secretary Kelsey Geist.Last school year, the PTA board surveyed parents to identify the needs of Little River ES families. Several events emerged from the survey results including a Coffee Talk with Principals, Multicultural Night, and summer break resources. Principal Adams said the survey was again sent to parents at the end of the school year “to ensure a strengthened partnership between the school and families.”—————————————————Woodstock HS Student's Research Published in Science JournalJunior Manasa Shankar authored “The Harmful Effects of Chronic Stress on the Development of Cancer and The Strategies That Can Be Used to Mitigate It,” which went on to be published in the Journal of Student Research’s high school edition. Her work was supported by three advisors, Wayne State University professor Prahlad Parajuli, Jothsna Kethar of the Gifted Gabber academic program, and University of Southeastern Philippines professor Virgil Torremocha. It is posted online at JSR.org/hs/index.php/path/article/view/6703.Manasa is a third-year student in Woodstock HS’s scientific research program led by teacher Sarah Brennan.In the spring, Manasa was selected to compete at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair with her project “The Effect of Coding to Combat Antibiotic Resistance: Gene Editing Kanamycin-Resistant Plasmids” in the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics category. She earned a Cobb EMC/Gas South prize for her work. Brennan served as Manasa’s teacher advisor.—————————————————2024-25 Student Advisor and Delegates to the School Board NamedThe School Board has included a student advisor position on its board since 1999, and, for the past 14 years, a student delegate from each high school has also been selected. These outstanding seniors serve for one year to give input and feedback to the School Board and the superintendent of schools and her senior staff. A delegate from i-Grad Virtual Academy, CCSD’s online high school, was also added this year. Etowah HS’s Samantha “Sam” Stahler holds this year’s student advisor role, which is rotated among CCSD's high schools. The student delegates are Cherokee HS’s Will Rusbridge, Creekview HS’s Andrew Hammond, i-Grad Virtual Academy’s Alex Johnson, River Ridge HS’s Lavanya Shankar, Sequoyah HS’s Zahira Ambriz-Villela, and Woodstock HS’s Sophia Foisy.The delegates attend all School Board meetings as student representatives, and throughout the year, they advise the superintendent's senior staff on important issues that range from the code of conduct and student support services to technology resources and new entree planning by School Nutrition. The delegate selection process is determined by each school. Students interested in the opportunity are encouraged to speak with their principal.—————————————————Etowah HS Student Selected as Statewide Student Council Member Senior Laika Olwana is one of only 10 high school students statewide selected to serve on the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) Youth Advisory Council. Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis recently met with Olwana to hear feedback about her experience as a CCSD student and what she has learned so far through her GSBA service.The GSBA program allows outstanding Georgia high school students to provide meaningful input to school board members from across the state. Council members attend a summer retreat, participate in monthly meetings, and speak on behalf of their fellow students as part of panels at the association’s annual conference. The application process opens every March to students statewide. For more information, visit GSBA.com/youth-advisory-council.—————————————————Student Honored by National Down Syndrome SocietyCreekview HS sophomore Aniya Grace Symone Lott is among 500 children, teens, and adults selected from across the country to be highlighted in the organization’s video presentation in New York City’s Times Square. The featured photo of Lott was selected from nearly 3,000 entries. Her family shared that the photo of her was taken in Seaside, Florida, while she was holding balloons to celebrate her adoption day.The Times Square video presentation kicked off the New York City Buddy Walk in Central Park. More than 150 Buddy Walk events are held across the country and around the world each year. For more information, visit NDSS.org.—————————————————Creekview HS Career Education Program Earns National AwardThe Creekview HS chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) agricultural education program has been named a 2024 3-Star Chapter by the National FFA Organization, which recognizes outstanding FFA chapters nationwide. Three-Star is the highest rating awarded. Honored chapters demonstrate success in providing educational experiences for all members, growing student leaders, participating in community service, and raising awareness about the importance of agriculture. —————————————————The FFA program at Creekview is led by teachers Chloe Lynch and Wyatt Wilkie. “During the application process, students create goals and plans and track the progress of 15 different events that we host throughout the year. Out of the 15, our three highest-scoring events were hosting an FFA Fall Festival and Tractor Show with over 60 vendors, donating over 600 pounds of produce from our gardens and over 500 pounds of nonperishable items to local food banks, and hosting a school-wide FFA Animal Awareness Day. We’re incredibly proud of our members and all we’ve accomplished together!” said Lynch. Last school year’s officers involved in the award-winning work include President Jamie West, Vice President Kallie Reynolds, Treasurer MollyClaire Barber, Reporter Kristen Lively, Sentinel Sarah Hill, Historian Will Childers, Student Advisor Ryan Bearden, and Parliamentarian Charles Young.The Creekview HS FFA chapter will be recognized at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo this month.This school year’s officer team includes President Kallie Reynolds, Vice President Charles Young, Secretary Sarah Hill, Treasurer MollyClaire Barber, and Reporter Nolan Hendrix.
History Cherokee Honors Historic Preservation Award Recipients History Cherokee's annual Historic Preservation Awards Banquet honors outstanding work in historic preservation throughout Cherokee County. This year's banquet recognized several businesses, individuals, and owners of historic properties for their exceptional efforts in preserving the county's rich heritage. The awardees were selected by the 2024 Historic Preservation Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers who spent several months visiting nominated sites, engaging with property owners, and learning about the historical significance of each location.The 2024 award winners are:• Covington-Lusk House in Ball Ground, owned by Lee and Brittani Lusk• The Depot in Holly Springs, owned by the City of Holly Springs• Edwards-McClure-Pruitt-Midyette House in Frogtown, owned by Mark and Charity Midyette• Gaddis-Beacham-Sulborski Home in Union Hill, owned by Mark and Andrea Sulborski• Jones Mercantile Building in Canton, owned by Penn Hodge and Grant Schmeelk• Mathis-Thompson General Store Building in Union Hill, owned by Lashelle and John ThompsonHistory Cherokee introduced two new categories this year, which highlight individuals or organizations that successfully blend progress with preservation, ensuring that growth respects and enhances the character of the community. The 2024 recipients are:• Bunker Design House – Preservation Professional Award• Historic Canton Magazine, a partnership between Penn Hodge, Tri-State Communications, and the City of Canton – Preservation Partner AwardJuanita Hughes received the Judson Roberts Lifetime Service Award, which recognizes individuals with a lifelong commitment to preserving local history. Highlights of Hughes’ many accomplishments and contributions to Cherokee County include a 20-year career with the Cherokee County Public Library System, the first docent/tourism director at the Woodstock Visitors Center, author of three books, and columnist for the Cherokee Tribune since 1988. Bruce Baker was honored as History Cherokee’s Volunteer of the Year for his invaluable contributions to History Cherokee and its preservation initiatives. Since moving to Cherokee County in 2003, Baker has immersed himself in the area's history. As a volunteer for History Cherokee, he assists with many oral history and research projects, research requests, and writing blog posts. He’s also an active member of History Cherokee’s Black History Committee.
Cherokee County Communications Director Wins National Award During the recent National Information Officers Association’s (NIOA) Annual Conference, Communications Director Erika Neldner was awarded first place for Top Graphic Design Product. This prestigious recognition was in a highly competitive category, with more than 120 entries for the awards and more than a dozen submissions for the graphic design category.The NIOA Annual Conference attracts attendees from public safety and administrative agencies across the nation to encourage stronger media relations by providing educational information, training opportunities, and regional support for information officers.Neldner’s winning design was created for the 2023 Safety Superhero Day event. Tasked by the Fire Marshal’s Office to develop an event brand, she crafted a comic-book-themed design under the tagline "Not All Superheroes Wear Capes." This creative approach featured stock art graphics representing firefighters, EMTs/paramedics, police officers, and sheriff's deputies.
New Love Where You Live Initiative Is Live Love Where You Live is a heartfelt community initiative that celebrates the people who make Cherokee County a special place. Through a series of videos, residents share their personal stories, highlighting the strong sense of community and the reasons they love living in Cherokee. The initiative not only showcases the unique spirit of the county but also gives back to the community. Profits from the sale of specially designed T-shirts will be donated to local nonprofits, further supporting the compassionate actions that define the Cherokee County community.New videos will be posted to YouTube.com/@cherokeegagov on the first and third Fridays of each month.
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