Cherokee Area Transportation Receives Perfect Triennial Review Score The Cherokee Area Transportation System (CATS) recently celebrated receiving a clean 2023 Triennial Review from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). The triennial review process for transportation is a rigorous and thorough assessment that evaluates various aspects of transit agencies’ operations. This assessment spans multiple areas, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, safety protocols, and operational standards.“The review process typically covers a three-year period,” said CATS Director Greg Powell. “In our case, it was extended to four years due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This adjustment allowed for a more comprehensive examination of CATS’ performance and adherence to standards.”During these evaluations, the FTA examines categories including but not limited to ADA compliance, procurement procedures, drug and alcohol policies, and vehicle maintenance. Each area is analyzed to ensure that transit agencies adhere to set guidelines and maintain high standards in their operations.Interdepartmental collaboration was key to the evaluation’s success. Several county departments that included Procurement, Finance, Risk Management, Fleet Maintenance, and Property Maintenance worked in contributing their expertise and efforts to facilitate a successful review process, ensuring that CATS met the necessary standards and requirements.To learn more about CATS, visit CherokeeGa.com/transportation.
Lt. Kennedy Recognized by Georgia Smoke Diver Association The Georgia Smoke Diver Association recently recognized Robbie Kennedy, a lieutenant with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES), for his exceptional commitment and contributions to the association. The association is a nonprofit organization that is known for providing advanced firefighter training through a program titled Georgia Smoke Diver Course.Lt. Kennedy attended and completed the Georgia Smoke Diver course in 1992. Since becoming a Georgia smoke diver, he has demonstrated dedication to the program, and fire service in general, by returning semiannually to assist with instructing students and staffing the program. About 10 years ago, he began cooking all meals for the students, instructors, and dignitaries through his catering company, which equates to preparing approximately 160 meals a day during the week-long course.Lt. Kennedy currently serves as a training officer for CCFES and has also served as a career firefighter since 1999. Before working as a career firefighter, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department.To learn more about the Georgia Smoke Diver Association, visit GeorgiaSmokeDiver.com.
When It Rains, It Pollutes — Protect Our Stormwater Stormwater runoff is rain that flows off streets, rooftops, and lawns, and it carries pollutants such as oil and grease, lawn fertilizers, chemicals, pet waste, litter, and other contaminants into our waterways. These pollutants are harmful to people, animals, and aquatic life. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 80% of water pollution is caused by stormwater runoff. What can you do to help?Never dump anything on the streets, down a storm drain, or into a drainage ditch.Clean up after your pet in your yard, on walks, and in parks. Canton Parks & Recreation provides pet waste stations in all its dog friendly parks.Always check your vehicles for leaks and repair them.Support Keep Cherokee Beautiful and other programs by throwing litter in its proper place. Questions? Reach out to Public Works by calling 770-720-7674.
City of Canton Appoints Cpt. John Lummus as Interim Police Chief Cpt. John Lummus has been appointed as the interim police chief for the Canton Police Department and will be leading the agency during the transition from the retirement of Police Chief Stephen Merrifield. Lummus joined the Canton Police Department in February 1997 and served as a sergeant and lieutenant before his promotion to captain in July 2022.The City of Canton engaged Reddish Executive Consulting (dba Mercer Group) to manage the search for the next chief of police. The application went live on December 18, 2023, and the application window will close on January 19, 2024. After applications are closed, selection of semifinalists and final interviews will occur over a six-week period. The city manager hopes to select a new chief in early March.
Cherokee County School District Announcements 12-23 National Signing Day for Student AthletesFifty-four student athletes recently signed commitment letters to compete at the college level. The students were honored with ceremonies at their high schools to celebrate their signings of National Letters of Intent. This National Signing Day was the earliest day on which high school seniors could sign a binding commitment to play competitive college sports other than football.Congratulations to participating student athletes at the following schools in Woodstock:Etowah HSDimitri Angelakos, Baseball, Georgia Tech; Danielle Bailey, Softball, Kennesaw State University; Oliver Bandy, Baseball, Hillsborough Community College; Katie Callaway, Soccer, University of Utah; Alexis Castle, Soccer, Jacksonville State University; Cara Holland, Softball, Berry College; Caleb Hughes, Baseball, University of Southern Mississippi; Camdyn Magrosky, Soccer, Jacksonville State University; Jake Zehner, Baseball, Florence Darlington TechRiver Ridge HSAmanda Fulton, Softball, Western Carolina University; Matthew Lipcsey, Baseball, St. Johns River State College; Bella McKinney, Lacrosse, Coker University ; Scotty Milbourn, Baseball, Coastal Alabama Community College; Caroline Moon, Volleyball, Brevard College; Kaitlyn Mulligan, Lacrosse, Coker University; Brelyn O’Hearn, Softball, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Ethan Osada, Baseball, Kennesaw State University; Avery Parker, Soccer, Mercer University; Emma Porterfield, Lacrosse, Mars Hill University; Allie Sweet, Volleyball, University of North Carolina Greensboro; Chandler Thiel, Baseball, University of North Georgia Woodstock HSDakota Beasley, Lacrosse, Newberry College; Oz Eckard, Baseball, Lenoir Rhyne University; Brooks McKenna, Baseball, Samford University; Kevin Maurer, Baseball, U.S. Naval Academy; Roy Shewmake, Baseball, Maryville College; Caden Tuck, Baseball, Wallace Dothan Community College; Mylon Uribe, Baseball, Albany State University; Brooklyn Walker, Lacrosse, Converse UniversityCongratulations to participating student athletes at the following schools located in Canton: Cherokee HSShealyn Baker, Soccer, University of West Georgia; Jackson Bradfield, Baseball, Kennesaw State University; Marissa Davis, Lacrosse, Young Harris College; Seth Grogan, Cross Country, Auburn University at Montgomery; Emma Harlow, Softball, Lagrange College; Reagan Horton, Soccer, Reinhardt University; Alley Jones, Lacrosse, Shorter University; Elyse Kresho, Softball, University of Oregon; Sophie Lyen, Beach Volleyball, University of South Carolina; Riley Simmons, Basketball, University of South Carolina-Aiken; Toni Warren, Basketball, Wofford College Creekview HSChris Aiello, Lacrosse, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Yasmine Arriola, Lacrosse, Liberty University; Tristan Brady, Softball, Truett McConnell University; Abbie Burkett, Softball, Young Harris College; Jack Burns, Baseball, Georgia Highlands College; Karina Harrington, Lacrosse, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Alec Hotaling, Baseball, Auburn University at Montgomery; Jake Hughes, Lacrosse, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Victoria Kjaerulff, Swimming, Georgia Southern University; Sydney Neff, Softball, Thomas University; Emma Pethel, Soccer, Northwestern State University; Christina Warren, Lacrosse, Winthrop University Sequoyah HSAbby Cleveland, Lacrosse, Mars Hill University; Catherine McCrobie, Lacrosse, St. Leo University ------------------------ Etowah HS Senior Named Semifinalist for National HonorIxchel Avila is one of only 1,500 high school seniors nationwide selected as 2023-2024 Coca-Cola Scholars Program semifinalists. She is one of only 37 seniors selected from Georgia.Semifinalists were chosen from more than 103,800 applicants based on academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. Ixchel now advances to the next stage in the review process to be named a Coca-Cola Scholar. The organization will name 250 regional finalists, with 150 becoming Coca-Cola Scholars and receiving a $20,000 college scholarship funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. ------------------------Woodstock MS Assistant Principal Honored With National Recognition Dr. Chad Flatt was recently celebrated in Washington, D.C., as a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The award recognizes one exceptional middle or high school principal from each state who has excelled in meeting the academic and social needs of all students and establishing strong ties with parents and local business organizations. Dr. Flatt, a 23-year educator who joined CCSD this school year, was named the Georgia winner in May for his success as principal of Pickens Junior High School. He and 36 other honorees from across the country participated in two days of events at The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., to share best practices, culminating in an awards banquet to honor their accomplishments.
2023 City of Canton Mayoral, Council, and Special Election Results The elections were conducted by the Cherokee County Board of Elections. In the race for mayor, Bill Grant defeated Andy Tubbs. Grant received 1,759 votes (57.5%) compared to Tubbs who tallied 1,298 votes (42.5%).In the race to succeed JoEllen Wilson as Ward 1 councilor, Travis Johnson ran unopposed. Shawn Tolan also ran unopposed to be reelected as councilor for Ward 2. In the race to succeed Brooke Schmidt as Ward 3 councilor, Farris Yawn received 1,411 votes (50.3%), defeating Tracye Busbee who collected 1,392 votes (49.7%).The winners of these four races will be sworn in for four-year terms at the January 4, 2024, Canton City Council meeting.In the special election to complete Will Carlan’s unexpired term, Bryan Roach won by receiving 1,766 votes (64%) compared to Sammy Baker’s 429 votes (15.5%) and Luke Smith’s 564 votes (20.5%). Roach was sworn in at the November 16 City Council meeting.All election results have been certified by the Cherokee County Board of Elections.
Many Items Accepted for Free at Cherokee County Recycling Centers Did you know that recycling is FREE on most items for Cherokee County residents? The Cherokee County Recycling Center offers two drop-off locations and, for your convenience, now encourages single-stream recycling, allowing residents to recycle cans, paper, and plastic products without the need to separate them. Glass must be separated by and placed in specified dumpsters. The Cherokee County Recycling Center (470 Blalock Road, Canton) is open 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday-Friday and 8:00am-4:00pm on Saturday. An additional drop-off site is located at Hobgood Park (6688 Bells Ferry Road) and is open daily from 9:00am-6:00pm.Items accepted at no charge: clean food and beverage cartons (dairy, soy, almond, broth, wine, juice, soup), paper, plastic, cardboard, food-grade glass (no candles, cookware, coffee mugs, etc.), batteries (Blalock Road only), and Styrofoam (must be bagged, Blalock Road only).Items accepted for a small fee at the Blalock Road location: metal, appliances, bagged household trash, flat Screen TVs (LED, LCD, or plasma only — no tube or projection TVs), flat screen computer monitors, mattresses, paint, Power Wheels kids’ vehicles, plastic play sets and sheds.
Two Cherokee Professionals Named Top Georgia 500 Influential Leaders Misti Martin, president and CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, and Reinhardt University President Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., were selected by Georgia Trend magazine to be two of Georgia’s most influential leaders. The “Georgia 500” edition of the magazine was published on November 1. Selections were based upon nominations, editorial committee recommendations, and extensive research and interviews, resulting in a selective guide to the Georgians who impact our state. Martin was recognized in the economic development category, and Dr. Roberts was recognized in the education category of the magazine.
Cherokee County Employees Create New Food Pantry Twenty-five Cherokee County employees participated in the Carl Vinson Institute of Georgia’s Management Development Program (MDP). As part of the program curriculum, participants complete a project that impacts their community. “As a class, we wanted to complete a project that would benefit our community and be sustainable for years to come,” said Cherokee County Human Resources Director Kathy Lambert. “We quickly narrowed down the underprivileged communities within Cherokee County and discussed what our greatest impact might be in those areas. We decided to build an outdoor food pantry that would be continuously stocked by organizations and private citizens with a heart to help those in need.”The pantry is located outside the Greater Church (5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth) and will be available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Energy Assistance Program Open for Homebound and Elderly The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services is now open to homebound and elderly households. Homebound households are defined as those in which every resident is confined to the home because of medical conditions or disabilities. Elderly households are defined as those in which every resident is aged 65 years or older (if anyone in the household is under age 18 and all other household members are 65 or older, that household will meet the definition).All households participating in the program must meet the income criteria, be responsible for paying the cost of energy for home heating directly to the supplier, and be U.S. citizens or aliens admitted to the U.S. for lawful permanent residence. Applicants must present their most recent heating bill and electric bill as well as proof of household income, valid Social Security number, and citizenship with a valid picture I.D. and/or alien status. Elderly households must also provide proof of age for all household members.To apply for assistance, call the Cherokee County Service Center at 770-345-6531. If you are unable to get through, please be patient and keep trying until you reach someone. Do not leave messages, as they will not be returned. The homebound/elderly "priority" is open through December 31, 2023.