Walker Sosebee earned a private pilots license after completing a Liberty University training course, which was funded by the Air Force Flight Academy Scholarship he won while in CHSs Air Force Junior ROTC program. He was one of 120 AFJROTC cadets around the world to receive the scholarship, valued at approximately $20,000.

There is truly no way to describe the honor one feels, he said. This whole program has truly been a blessing upon my life, and I cannot wait to see it change more lives in the future.

Lt. Col. Eddy Stanfill taught Sosebee in Cherokee High Schools AFJROTC program.

Walker Sosebee has been a crown jewel of this program, Lt. Col. Stanfill said. The four years he spent in our program helped him to mature, take leadership responsibilities to heart, and deeply root the core values of the USAF: integrity, service, and excellence. I wish I had a dozen Walker Sosebees.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Jay Street with Automated Solutions Consulting Group, Inc. has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2018.

Members of the Chairmans Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chambers board chair. In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairmans Council. Jay is a dedicated Chamber volunteer, and we appreciate the time he has devoted this year, said Julianne Rivera, Chamber board chair.

For information on the Cherokee County Chamber and its programs, visit CherokeeChamber.com.

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services recently recognized Battalion Chief Kerry Hughes for thirty years of service to the department.

Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather thanked Hughes for his dedication and service in the fire department and presented him with a certificate of appreciation. Hughes has done an excellent job for us, and we appreciate him for his devotion and duty that he has given to our department over the years, stated Prather. Hughes came to work in July of 1988, starting his career working at the Little River Fire Department. 

Hughes has seen a lot of changes in the fire department during those thirty years. Weve seen changes in the way you fight fires. Plus, we have seen the introduction of computers to help us, too, stated Hughes.

Cherokee County School District high school students who love rodeo now have the opportunity to participate and compete on a team! The rodeo team, sponsored by Cherokee High School, is open to all CCSD high school students. 

The teams successes have included students qualifying for national competition. Team member Morgan Feltham is ranked No. 1 in Georgia for barrel racing and pole bending.

We are so proud of our kids, said team co-sponsor Bethany H. Thomas, a Cherokee HS teacher. I would love to see more of our CCSD kids avail themselves of this opportunity.

The Georgia School Boards Association has awarded the Cherokee County School Board its 2018 Quality School Board designation. The statewide recognition program celebrates school boards that consistently model best practices and meet specific high standards of excellence.

We know our School Board members are of the highest quality, as servant leaders who show exceptional professionalism and compassion in all they do and who always put children first when making policy decisions, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.  They pay their civic rent every day through this extraordinary service and do so without any expectation for recognition.

The Cherokee County School Board is made up of Chair Kyla Cromer, Vice Chair Mike Chapman (District 6), Kelly Poole (District 1), Patsy Jordan (District 2), John Harmon (District 3), Robert Rick Steiner Rechsteiner (District 4), and Clark Menard (District 5).

In order to earn Quality School Board status, school boards must demonstrate its members meet or exceed specific criteria that shows their commitment to professionalism including adherence to a code of ethics, effective use of strategic planning, annually assessing their own performance and progress, and continuous participation in professional development.

Beginning August 1, Deidre Hollands will serve as the new program operations director for Georgia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

As the program operations director, Deidre will lead comprehensive affiliate support and services for the CASA network to improve quality advocacy and effectiveness as well as foster meaningful relationships and collaboration with affiliate leadership and state partners to further the mission and integrity of the CASA network.

Deidre is no stranger to CASA, having served in Cherokee County as a CASA volunteer in 2000, a volunteer coordinator for two years, a CASA director for ten years, and as the founding executive director of The Childrens Haven for the last four years, which is a center for family visitation, the local CASA program, and a convening and collection space for the larger community interested in supporting children and families in child welfare.

Deidre is widely known across the CASA network for sharing her expertise through trainings, ongoing support, and all-around general advice. She has led fundraising and community engagement trainings, new director orientations and mentorship, provided grant support, represented CASA at state-level meetings, and served as a COPs representative on the Georgia CASA board.

Deidres natural ability of engaging others in the CASA mission is contagious. Her genuine interest and personalized approach make an immediate connection, and while seemingly effortless, are actually a combination of thoughtful preparation, research, experience, and skill.

As a life-long victim advocate, Deidres work is driven by her commitment and compassion for children and families. She has long recognized that the success of individual affiliates benefits the entire CASA network. Deidre has been at the forefront of local and state initiatives that seek to strengthen the leadership within the network, has championed efforts that recognize and recruit volunteers, and has informed and pushed for training and support that improves quality advocacy.

Deidre is a continual learner who brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and innovation to the CASA network. While this position is based out of the Georgia CASA office, Deidre is looking forward to traveling the state in service to local affiliates.

Berts Big Adventure, a nonpro?t organization that provides a magical, all-expenses-paid, ?ve-day journey to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families, is now accepting applications and nominations for children to join the magic on the 2019 trip.

To qualify, children must be between the ages of five and twelve, be diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness, and have never been to Walt Disney World. The family must prove ?nancial need and live in the radio listening area of The Bert Show, a nationally syndicated morning radio show based in Atlanta.

The complete application and nomination forms are now available. There is also an option to nominate a family and remain anonymous. Nominations are not required for a family to apply. All applications must be submitted by September 10, 2018. The selection process is not based on votes, and only one nomination per child will be accepted. Families who are selected will be noti?ed no later than January 10, 2019. For more information on how to nominate a child and/or family, or apply for your own family, please visit BertsBigAdventure.org/nominate-a-child-or-apply/.

Northside Hospital in Atlanta has earned The Joint Commissions (TJC) Gold Seal of Approval for Lung Cancer Disease-Specific Care (DSC) Certification for a second consecutive survey.

Northside is currently one of five hospitals in the country that has received The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Certification for lung cancer, and the only program that focuses on thoracic surgical care, said Dr. Howard Silverboard, pulmonologist and physician lead for Northsides Lung Cancer DSC program. This recognition is a remarkable testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire lung cancer team, consisting of surgeons, pulmonologists, specialized nursing care, nurse navigators, respiratory therapists, and rehabilitation therapists.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

The vast majority of patients dont show up to see a doctor until the cancer is advanced stage, and theres significantly limited amounts of things we can do at that point, said Dr. Silverboard. Screening for early detection is key in improving the odds in the fight against lung cancer.

For more information about lung care at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, visit Northside.com/lungcancer.

The City of Canton mayor and council have officially amended the Municipal Ordinance expanding the areas of the city where smoking is prohibited including the use of e-cigarettes.

No smoking (including e-cigarettes) in or on the following:

• City buildings
• City sidewalks
• City parks
• City playgrounds
• City parking lots
• Streets within downtown Canton (Central Business District, as defined by the Canton Unified Development Code and Zoning Map)

Warnings will be issued initially, but a first violation will be subject to a fine of up to $50. A second offense within a calendar year could be subject to a fine of up to $100, and a third offense could be subject to a fine of $250.