Deputy Chief ADA Katie Gropper Appointed to Sexual Offender Registration Review Board Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Katie Gropper, deputy chief assistant district attorney, to serve on a state board dedicated to protecting Georgia residents from convicted sexual offenders.The Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB) meets monthly to review cases from throughout the state to determine if sexual offenders are likely to re-offend or engage in a crime against a minor. After conducting assessments, the Board classifies offenders as a Level 1, Level 2, or sexually dangerous predator.“I am honored to serve the state of Georgia on this Board,” said Gropper. “As a prosecutor, I am invested in protecting our communities from sexual offenders, but the role of the prosecutor in our system of justice is largely reactive. My appointment to SORRB is an opportunity to be proactive in preventing future victimization by ensuring the most dangerous sexual offenders in Georgia are identified and distinguished from those who are less likely to re-offend.”As deputy chief of the Special Victims Unit, Gropper handles crimes involving child and elder abuse. Gropper has dedicated her career to the prosecution of sexually based crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable populations. “We are pleased to see Katie Gropper take a leadership role in Cherokee County and beyond,” said District Attorney Shannon Wallace. “I am confident she will make an immediate impact on the important work SORRB performs in keeping our communities safe.”
Sequoyah HS Gets New Baseball Coach The Cherokee County School Board recently approved the hiring of Jason Eller to serve as a P.E. teacher and head baseball coach for Sequoyah HS. Coach Eller has previously coached at the University of Georgia, Augusta University, and Georgia College, and his many accomplishments include three College World Series, three conference titles, and Coach of the Year in 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University.
CCWSA's Essay Contest Winner and Photography Contest Announcement Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority (CCWSA) announced the winner of the “Imagine a Day Without Water” essay contest is Campbell Munsey from Etowah High School. To learn more about the value of water, visit TheValueOfWater.org.The CCWSA photography contest – Cherokee County Waterways Then and Now – is open to students in grades K-12. Two winners will be selected, one from K-6th and one from 7th-12th grades. You must have an old original photo from Cherokee County that contains a waterway, mill, dam, or fish weir along with a current photo of the same location. Submissions must include a 50-100 word narrative explaining the photo and the local resource used (e.g., family and friends who grew up in the area, Cherokee County History Museum, Funk Heritage Center, Allatoona Dam, Woodstock Visitors Center, etc.).Winners will receive $50 and a framed copy of their winning photo. Submission deadline is December 17. Email submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. along with the photo’s title, narrative, and the student’s name, school, and grade. Please call 770-479-1813 x246 for more information.
Cherokee Recreation & Parks Receives $250,000 Grant Pilgrim’s Hometown Strong initiative recently awarded the Kenney Askew Memorial Park and Richard Mauldin Sports Complex a $250,000 grant. Pilgrim’s, a leading global food company, operates seven Georgia plants including one in Canton. This company plans to invest $20 million in cities nationwide. “We applied for the grant several weeks ago and are thrilled to be announced as a recipient,” said Cherokee County Community Services Agency Director Bryan Reynolds. “The county will match the grant money, using funds from the Special Local Option Sales Tax, to make improvements to Kenny Askew Memorial Park and the Richard Mauldin Sports Complex.”Planned improvements include adding a walking track, picnic pavilion, playground, skate park, and an additional overflow parking lot. Existing features slated to be enhanced include the T-ball field, pickleball courts, and park landscaping.
Leading By Feeding The graduates of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee from 2012-2019 were recently challenged to secure contributions for local food pantries. The Leadership Cherokee Leading by Feeding campaign generated 10,455 donated items, ranging from fruits and vegetables to diapers and paper products, which was a 24.5% increase in collections over the 2019 campaign. “Leading by Feeding supported those in our community who need a helping hand by filling the pantries of both the organizations who coordinate the pantries and the families in need,” shared Pam Carnes, president and CEO of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. For the second year in a row, the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2019 collected the most items, totaling 4,188. The class received the Golden Can Award, signifying their commitment to the community and volunteerism. The local Chamber member food pantries supported through the Leading by Feeding initiative included Encompass Ministries – Papa’s Pantry, MUST Cherokee, and Never Alone.
Cherokee Parks Volunteers Earn State Honors Two Cherokee County Recreation & Parks volunteers were recognized during a Board of Commissioners meeting. Jason Nelms, former District 4 commissioner and longtime Recreation & Parks advisory board member, was awarded the Georgia Recreation & Park Association (GRPA) Volunteer of the Year, and Delaine Cagle, accounts and reports manager for Cherokee County, was presented the GRPA Programmer’s Network Volunteer of the Year award. “It is always an honor to recognize volunteers for giving back to the community, but to see two of our very own here in Cherokee County being honored at the state level is a tremendous honor not only for them, but us, too,” said Jay Worley, Cherokee Recreation & Parks director. “Both Delaine and Jason are staples in our community and are well deserving for what they do.”Cagle was selected as the GRPA Programmer’s Network Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Leisure Spectrum program. She volunteers on Tuesday evenings working with special needs youth. Nelms was recognized as the State Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding dedication to Recreation & Parks for the last 10 years. His volunteer work includes coach, board member, and president of Cherokee Youth Football Association; member and chairman of the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Advisory Board; and coach for Cherokee Youth Basketball.
Cherokee County Senior Services Reopens Senior Centers The Senior Center in Canton reopened last month on a limited basis: 10:00am-1:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Center will be closed Thursdays but will continue lunch delivery to its clients. “I can’t say enough about how difficult this time has been for our clients and especially our staff,” said Cherokee Senior Services Director Tim Morris. “We are so excited to get them back in the centers, so they can see and talk to their friends again. We have personally seen the devastation this virus has caused our seniors in their social life, which is so important to them. Our promise to everyone: we will do everything in our power to keep our seniors safe at all times. I am very proud of our staff for implementing the safety protocols for everyone to follow.”The Board of Commissioners approved a resolution, requiring masks for all Senior Center attendees and staff. There is a limit of 15 clients allowed each day set up by a schedule based on mode of transportation and home location. The Ball Ground Senior Center has also reopened, and clients are required to wear a mask.
Volunteer Aging Council Hosts Successful Golf Fundraiser This year’s Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) Golf Tournament benefiting low-income seniors of Cherokee County raised $18,723. VAC appreciates the event sponsors, players, and volunteers, with special thanks to Northside Hospital Cherokee for being the top sponsor. The first-place team (pictured) was Daryl Rice, Rusty Stephens, Charles Worley, and Joey Buice. The VAC is still in need of donations to continue its mission of helping less fortunate seniors. Please email Deanna Gale at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Creekview HS FFA Recognized as Top 10 National Model of Excellence Chapter The Creekview High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter has received official recognition as a Top 10 National Model of Excellence chapter during the National FFA annual conference. Creekview’s FFA was named a finalist for the honor earlier this fall in recognition of its exemplary efforts in growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. The Creekview HS chapter was led by the following officers for the 2019-2020 school year: President Ceri Trecartin, Vice President Cheyenne McIntyre, Secretary Andrew Carlisle, Reporter Jeb Stewart, Treasurer Emma Martin, Sentinels Matthew Martin and Ben Karcher, Historian Eli Cook, and Chaplain Maddy Addy. FFA President Jeb Stewart, Vice President Eli Cook, and FFA member Gabriella Rose made the presentation for the final competition. The Creekview FFA Chapter advisors are teachers Pauline Benton and Wyatt Wilkie.
Bethesda Community Clinic Mobile Testing Unit Assists With COVID-19 Testing Last spring, using funding from the CARES Act, the Board of Commissioners provided $175,000 to Bethesda Community Clinic (BCC) for the purchase of a mobile testing unit to assist with COVID-19 testing in Cherokee County. In addition to COVID-19 testing, the mobile testing unit will also provide services for routine physicals, health screenings, health education, women’s exams, and chronic care. “This year alone, Bethesda has treated nearly 5,000 patients, up from 3,300 in 2019, and has also distributed over $4 million in free medications using the Patient Assistance Program,” said BCC’s Executive Director Melissa Belfried.BCC is also working with the Cherokee County School District, food pantries, and churches to make the mobile testing unit available to families who are uninsured and in need of medical care. BCC is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in Canton, that is dedicated to providing quality, affordable health care services to Cherokee County uninsured and under-insured citizens. For more information, visit BCCCherokee.com or call 678-880-9654.
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