Resurfacing To Begin on I-575 in Cherokee Interstate 575 is about to get a major makeover. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently awarded C.W. Matthews, Inc. a $56 million contract to resurface approximately 20 miles of I-575 from I-75 in Cobb County to the Etowah River in Cherokee County.Resurfacing is expected to get started in the next few months. Along with the highway, all the on- and off-ramps will also be resurfaced. Motorists can expect lane closures during the project. However, there will be no lane closures between 6:00am and 6:00pm. The resurfacing is slated to be completed by December 31, 2024.
CATS Launches Micro-Transit, Rebrands Cherokee Area Transit Service (CATS) has undergone changes including a more efficient service for riders, a new look, and an updated name. Previously, CATS offered Fixed Route and Demand Response services. Fixed Route ran on a standard schedule, while Demand Response allowed riders to schedule their transportation ahead of time.“The traditional fixed route system is being replaced with micro-transit, which translates to shorter wait times and a larger service area for our riders. While this is a pilot program to replace the former fixed route system in Canton, the plan is to further expand micro-transit to other areas of the county in the future,” said Transit Director Greg Powell.The current micro-transit service area expanded on the area previously served by the former Canton fixed routes. It is generally in the Canton area with the northernmost point being the Chattahoochee Tech campus on Bluffs Parkway extending south to the Holly Springs Walmart at Exit 14. It stretches from the Canton Marketplace shopping center to Knox Elementary on Highway 20 west of Canton. The service area includes downtown Canton, the Laurel Canyon Village shopping center on Reinhardt College Parkway, the Riverstone Parkway area, Northside Hospital Cherokee, Empower Cherokee, the Cherokee County Senior Center, the Cherokee County Health Department, and the Cherokee County DFCS office on Univeter Road.Fares will remain unchanged from the October 2023 update. General fare is $2 per person for 0-5 miles and an additional $1 for more than 5 miles. Reduced fares, which apply to seniors ages 60 and older, veterans, and Medicare/Medicaid cardholders, are $1 per person per trip for up to 5 miles and an additional $1 for anything over 5 miles. Children ages 15 and younger ride free.Cherokee County partnered with Ecolane USA last September to purchase the software for both micro-transit and Demand Response, which services all of Cherokee County. The CATS micro-transit app operates much like private rideshare company models but for public transit systems. The Board of Commissioners approved the purchase, totaling $487,058 over five years. The Federal Transit Authority pays 80%, and the county pays 20% for the first year. For the following four years, the cost is split 50-50.Micro-transit not only streamlines the process for riders, but it also gives them access to the GPS location of their bus, so they will be less likely to miss their ride. Additionally, trip reminder notifications will provide a friendly nudge for people to cancel their rides if they no longer need them, and residents can schedule their rides even if the CATS dispatch office is closed for the day.Residents can download the app from the App Store and Google Play store. Simply search “Cherokee Area Transit Service.”In addition to the launch of micro-transit, CATS is getting a new look and an updated name to better reflect the operation. Over the next several months, riders will begin to see the new look on the CATS fleet and signage.For more information, call (770) 345-6238 Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.
Education Gala Fundraising Success and Alumni of the Year Winners Announced This year’s 70s-themed Cherokee County Education Foundation (CCEF) black tie event drew a record crowd of more than 400 attendees and raised just over $200,000 for Classroom Impact Grants, which benefit students, classrooms, teachers, and staff in the Cherokee County School District (CCSD).The community supported the CCEF through the purchase of tables to attend the event as well as donations for the silent auction, which featured sports memorabilia, jewelry, travel opportunities, and original works of art.The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as well as performances by local musicians Ethan Senger and Kurt Lee Wheeler. Guests were then treated to dinner and a concert by Beatles tribute band the Liverpool Legends. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2024 Alumni of the Year awards to businessman and philanthropist Ken White, Cherokee High School class of 1959, and Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, Cherokee High School class of 1970. Both winners have made significant contributions to the Cherokee County community, making it a better place for all to live, work, and play.Retiring Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower was also honored. For more information, visit CherokeeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org.
Woodstock Fire Department Deploys New AEDs The Woodstock Fire Department (WFD) has deployed five additional automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in each of the fire department staff vehicles. With the addition of the five new devices, every vehicle in the WFD’s fleet is now equipped with an AED. The devices were purchased with funds received from a national opioid settlement. The State of Georgia opted into national opioid settlements in 2022. Local governments also had an opportunity to join in to help address the effects of the opioid crisis. “When every vehicle in our fleet is equipped with this lifesaving device, the Woodstock Fire Department’s ability to provide crucial Basic Life Support (BSL) to those experiencing cardiac emergencies in our city will be greatly enhanced,” said Woodstock Fire Chief Shane Dobson. In 2023, WFD responded to 6,817 calls for service. Woodstock firefighter/EMTs provide standby emergency medical services for events in the community such as the Woodstock Summer Concert Series, high school sporting events, and community 5Ks. For more information about the WFD and its services, visit WoodstockGa.com/fire. To learn more about WFD job opportunities, visit WoodstockGa.gov/jobs.
The Children’s Haven Raises Funds at 70s Prom Event The Children’s Haven recently held their 3rd Annual Adult Prom fundraising event, and this year’s theme was a throwback to the 70s. Nearly 200 guests attended, dressed in groovy costumes from hippie to glam prom wear. The event raises much-needed funds for the nonprofit’s support and prevention programs for children in foster care and families facing challenges in our community. The evening included dancing, a silent auction, a live auction, and a wine pull. Chris and Amber Harden were crowned this year’s Prom King and Queen for helping to raise funds and awareness for the needs and the work of The Children’s Haven. Chad and Rachel Davis and Gregg and Heather Shelton were also on the prom court for providing much-appreciated support. Funds from this year’s event will support these specific Children’s Haven programs: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the WellStar Family Visitation Center, Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee, and the Chin Up mentorship program. To learn more about The Children’s Haven or to get involved, please visit CherokeeChildrensHaven.org.
Commissioners Approve Concept Plan for Future Hickory Flat Park In April 2022, Cherokee County purchased about 40 acres for a future park in Hickory Flat and engaged Lose Design to prepare a concept plan. County officials and Lose Design held three public input meetings and online public engagement during the process, yielding feedback from area residents.The concept for the park, located on East Cherokee Drive in the heart of Hickory Flat, shows plans for an open lawn area, recreation center, concessions and restroom building, a multi-purpose field complex, paved trail network, dog park, playground, interactive fountain, community garden, and 12 pickleball courts with spectator seating. Plans for the recreation center show a gymnasium, indoor walking track, fitness center, classrooms, meeting rooms, and administrative offices. The dog park is expected to feature shaded structures, bench seating, and a water fountain with a dog water bowl. The open lawn is a place for families and friends to gather for picnics and enjoy each other’s company. It will also feature a playground, pavilions, splash pad, ADA loop trail, and a restroom building. The multi-purpose field complex is expected to feature two 300-foot baseball diamonds, four 215-foot baseball diamonds, two rectangular sports fields, pavilions, and restrooms.The project will be phased in in three segments with a total expected cost of $43.3 million. The first phase is estimated at $15.9 million, the second phase at $9.7 million, and the third phase at $17.8 million. The next steps for the project include identifying funding and establishing a development timeline.
Woodstock City Council Adopts New Mission, Vision, and Values Following an annual retreat held in Greenville, South Carolina, Woodstock's elected officials recently approved a resolution to formally adopt a mission and vision statement for the City of Woodstock. Deputy City Manager Coty Thigpen said, "When Woodstock Chief Information Officer Katy Leggett and I led City leaders in a strategic planning process at our recent retreat, our goal was to come out of those sessions with a mission and vision statement as well as core values that we all agreed upon. We accomplished that in a very collaborative way, which is true to the values of our organization." The mission statement for the City of Woodstock is “Building a city that feels like home.” The vision is “Boldly pursuing what's next to build a thriving community.” The core values are “Bold, Collaborative, and Authentic.” The motion passed four to zero with Council Members Brian Wolfe and Rob Usher absent from the meeting. Upon approval of the resolution, Mayor Michael Caldwell said, "Congratulations to the whole City of Woodstock team. We have a brand new mission and vision, and I'm excited for what's next."
Cherokee County School District Announcements 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 test date of the SAT and who also ranks in the top 10% or top 10 students of his or her class based on grade point average. Each honored student is invited to select his or her favorite teacher to be named that school’s STAR Teacher. An overall CCSD winner additionally is recognized for earning the highest eligible SAT score of all the STAR Students, and this year’s honoree is Kinley Sikes of Creekview HS, who also is among only 5,000 students selected as a candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program from the more than three million graduating seniors in the nation’s Class of 2024. Only 207 students from Georgia were named candidates in the prestigious recognition program.This year’s STAR honorees are Finnegan Sheldon (student) and Wesley Queen (teacher), Cherokee HS; Kinley Sikes (student) and Jason Hardin (teacher), Creekview HS; Anvita Rautray (student) and Eric Burton (teacher), Etowah HS; Olivia Emling (student) and Heather Craighead (teacher), i-Grad Virtual Academy; Adrianna Musser (student) and Beckie Lee (teacher), River Ridge HS; Will Murphy (student) and Tabitha Evans (teacher), Sequoyah HS; Xavier Olsen (student) and Kellie Baglio (teacher), Woodstock HS.Three Seniors Earn Top JROTC ScholarshipsDavis Clanton of Etowah HS (top), Savannah Mouritsen of Sequoyah HS (middle), and Sydney Watson of Cherokee HS (bottom) are among only 100 students worldwide to earn the Air Force JROTC J-100 Character-in-Leadership Scholarship. This elite four-year scholarship pays full college tuition and fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC program and provides a $10,000 annual university housing allowance. Recipients are selected based on overall excellence as students and as JROTC, school, and community leaders along with their plans to pursue a service career with the U.S. Air Force or Space Force.Student Selected for All-State Art CompetitionWoodstock HS junior Kate Bean was one of only 50 Georgia high school student artists selected for the All-State Art Symposium, recently held at Columbus State University. More than 2,000 entries from students statewide were entered into the competition. She currently is studying painting as a student of Woodstock HS visual arts teacher Lori Thompson. The title of her award-winning painting is Still Life.Superintendent Presents Game Changer AwardsThe 2024 Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools’ Game Changer Award for Instructional Excellence honored Etowah HS’s media specialist Hal Funderburk in recognition of his work to support more effective use of instructional technology. The 2024 Game Changer Award for Instructional Advocacy was presented to Gwen Freeman, CCSD’s family and community services facilitator who currently leads family and community engagement for the district’s recently opened International Welcome Center after many successful years as a school-based parent engagement facilitator.Teacher Inducted Into State Coaching Hall of FameSequoyah HS teacher Matt Bartula recently was named to the new class of members of the Georgia Forensics Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. The honor is bestowed upon educators for “excellence in speech and debate and their support of high school speech and debate activities in the state,” according to the organization. Bartula, who joined CCSD in 1999, teaches advanced placement history and social studies classes and coaches the school’s nationally recognized speech and debate team.Director of Bands Earns Regional Music Teacher of the Year AwardSequoyah HS Director of Bands Casey Eubanks is the Georgia Music Educators Association’s District 9 Music Educator of the Year, which was announced at the organization’s annual conference recently held in Athens, Georgia. Eubanks was nominated by his fellow District 9 music educators.
2024 Woodstock Summer Concert Series Lineup Announced In his 2024 State of the City Address, Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell announced the lineup for the upcoming season of the Woodstock Summer Concert Series. From metal to grunge and from familiar chart-toppers to honky-tonk anthems, the 2024 Season has something for every music fan. May 11, Night Ranger June 8, The Guardians of the Jukebox (80s cover band)July 13, Tonic (The Verve Pipe opens) August 10, Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson tribute)September 14, Eddie Montgomery (of country duo Montgomery Gentry) For more information, visit WoodstockConcertSeries.com.
CCFES Recognizes Members for Outstanding Service Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) recently recognized eight members of the department. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson presented the following 2023 awards:Volunteer Member of the YearStan IceSupport Services Member of the YearSgt. Rick ScalesSpecial Operations Member of the YearSgt. RC VaughnEMT of the Year FAO Jonathan LaurichParamedic of the YearFAO Beau Witcher Firefighter of the YearFAO Alissa WhetstoneFire Officer of the YearCapt. Nathan BaumChief Fire Officer of the YearBattalion Chief Shannon Gibbs