Canton’s Harmon Field Park will get a new mini-pitch soccer field thanks in part to a $75,000 grant from Atlanta United Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s (LISC) first phase of awards.

Cherokee Youth Foundation, a Canton-based youth sports group, received the grant through GA 100, which is a campaign to create up to 100 mini-pitches across the state in Georgia’s underserved neighborhoods prior to the 2026 World Cup. The grants require a minimum community local match of one dollar for every GA 100 dollar (1:1) up to $75,000.

Atlanta United Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to LISC to lead installation of the first 20 mini-pitches in Georgia. Once built, the mini-pitch fields will include field surface improvements, goals, fencing, and lighting.

Law enforcement officials and family recently celebrated the swearing-in ceremonies for new Public Services Director Dana Martin and Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala. Superior Court Judge Tony Baker swore in both leaders at the Cherokee County Justice Center.

Martin, who served the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office for 23 years, said she appreciates the educational opportunities afforded to her by former Sheriff Roger Garrison and Sheriff Frank Reynolds. Martin plans to take that knowledge and her experience and use it to lead the Public Services Agency.

Gianfala joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1993, serving in many capacities including Uniform Patrol, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Traffic Unit, and Criminal Investigations. Many in attendance were fellow law enforcement officers with whom Gianfala had worked over the years. He shared his gratitude for the support of family, coworkers, and friends.

For more information about Director Martin and Chief Gianfala, visit Bit.ly/2GuULHM.

Since the Gobble Jog is MUST Ministries’ #1 fundraising event, the nonprofit has worked diligently to find ways to safely continue this annual tradition. For this reason, this year’s Marietta Daily Journal Gobble Jog will take place as a virtual race.

At the same time, MUST Ministries is experiencing the greatest food need in its 49-year history. Food sources are scarce. Inventory at food banks is very low, grocery stores have a limit on quantities, and the aluminum shortage has reduced the availability of canned goods.

“For 49 years, MUST Ministries has been called to offer help and hope, but we have never seen such an insurmountable need,” said MUST Ministries President and CEO Dr. Ike Reighard. “During the pandemic, we have done everything we can to serve those in poverty and those plunging into poverty for the first time.”

MUST has distributed more than 1.42 million pounds of food since March 16. The organization provides food for 38 school pantries and three client services pantries, sends food boxes to senior citizens in two counties, and finished the annual Summer Lunch program with a record 379,471 meals provided to at-risk children in five counties. But a lack of food is still a critical problem for many area residents.

“Families are trusting us in one of the most trying times of their lives, and yet we must have more help to meet the overwhelming need,” Dr. Reighard stated. “We are asking the local community to please sign up to run the Marietta Daily Journal Gobble Jog virtually, and post your time or donate money that will provide food for your neighbors in need.”

Runners and walkers can sign up for a 10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot (50 yards), or phantom runner, then run their own race anytime between November 1-26. Registration is $35 and includes a color-wash, long-sleeved T-shirt that will be mailed after Thanksgiving.

All proceeds support providing food for the local community. To register, please visit GobbleJog.org.

The District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia has announced that Kathleen “Kat” Tallent, an investigator for the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, was named Investigator of the Year.

Assigned to a trial team in the District Attorney’s Office, Tallent investigates felony cases including armed robbery, vehicular homicide, controlled substance trafficking, burglary, and other serious crimes. She works in collaboration with an assistant district attorney and victim advocate.

“Kat is an outstanding investigator who has an uncanny ability to analyze facts and make connections,” said Deputy Chief ADA David Holmes. “Last year, while listening to a jail call, she uncovered a murder conspiracy and initiated an investigation, likely saving a young man’s life. She is passionate about her work and is very deserving of this award.”

Prior to joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2019, Tallent worked as a uniformed police officer for Powder Springs Police Department, where she received the Rising Star of the Year Award, Life Saving Award, and Officer of the Year Award.

“Kat Tallent is a true public servant who fights for justice and the rights of crime victims. Every day, she brings an incredible level of dedication and commitment to her work. She is a model employee, and I am so proud that she is being recognized with this award,” said Shannon Wallace, district attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial District.

The WellStar Family Visitation Center at The Children’s Haven recently received the Hedi Levenback Supervised Visitation Provider of the Year Award from Supervised Visitation Network (SVN). The award was presented during the national SVN 2020 Annual Conference, held virtually September 29-30.

“The honor of being awarded Hedi Levenback Supervised Visitation Provider of the Year Award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our staff in serving Cherokee County children,” said Lewis Cline, board chair for The Children’s Haven. “We have such a warm and caring staff and on behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank each staff member at The Children’s Haven for their heartfelt service to our community and congratulate them on a well-deserved award and recognition.”

Named for one of SVN’s founding members, the Hedi Levenback Supervised Visitation Provider of the Year Award recognizes supervised visitation practices and/or programs that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and a commitment to SVN standards. Nominees must directly manage or work at a supervised access/visitation program, and the 800 SVN members from across the country select the winner from providers who are chosen as finalists.

Through his school’s FIRST Robotics team formed last year, Sequoyah High School senior Daniel McCrobie has figured out how he can be a part of life-changing work: making prosthetic limbs for those in need. The team recently formed an e-Nable chapter, joining the international online collective of “Digital Humanitarian” volunteers dedicated to using shared designs and 3-D printers to craft free and low-cost prosthetic limbs for adults and children.

“This project has dramatically affected me,” said McCrobie, who also has incorporated his e-Nable work into his Eagle Scout project. “The idea of designing devices to help people regain full function fascinates me and is something I would never have thought of pursuing had I not gone through with this project.”

Teacher Brent Hollers said the project has positively impacted all of his students – not just through the mastery of technical knowledge needed for STEM careers, but also by expanding their social and emotional skills like compassion, empathy, and communication – and it has changed his life for the better, too.

The team’s e-Nable dream became reality thanks to a generous donation by the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation, which gifted the team with a Dremel DigiLab 3-D printer to make the computer-designed plastic prosthetics.

Hollers said the team already has delivered a finished prosthetic to a man in Alabama and is fulfilling requests for individuals in India, Australia, Germany, and Tim Andrasy of Canton.

McCrobie said meeting Andrasy, hearing his story, measuring his arm, and working to help him has been an incredible experience.

Want to help? Please contact Hollers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information. The team also is looking for more people in need of prosthetic limbs, and those requests can be emailed to Hollers.

The Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council participates with national cemeteries across America in recognizing those who have fought bravely in serving America. Through the Wreaths Across America national program, wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves in December.

More than 20,000 military men and women are buried in the Georgia National Cemetery on a hilltop near Canton. Approximately 500 volunteers from the Boy Scouts of America, churches, community organizations, and families lay wreaths on gravesites prior to the annual memorial service, which will be Saturday, December 19.

Please support this special program recognizing the lives of those who have protected or given their lives for our freedom. Donations are tax deductible with a receipt provided by the Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council upon request. The fundraising goal of $200,000 enables the purchase of 17,000 wreaths to be placed at each gravesite. Checks can be made payable to Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council at GNCAC Post Office Box 5476, Canton, GA 30114-9998. For more information, contact Tom Wilder, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran and Cemetery Council member at 770-973-1422 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..