Farm Bureau Seeks Entries for 2024 Middle School Bookmark Contest Middle school students are invited to enter the 2024 Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Bookmark Contest. The state winner will receive $150, and 10 district winners will each receive $100. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau encourages students to enter the contest, which is open to all public, private, and homeschooled students in grades 6-8. Participating students will be given a blank bookmark and asked to draw a picture that depicts some aspect of Georgia agriculture. Students may use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to create their bookmarks. Drawings will be judged on artistic merit as well as how well the artwork represents modern agriculture found in Cherokee County or Georgia. Students may enter the contest in the county in which they live or attend school but not both counties. Only one entry per person. For more information, visit GFB.Ag/contests or call the Cherokee County Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481 for an official entry form and contest rules. All entries must be received at the Cherokee County Farm Bureau office by February 10, 2024.
Fire Department Receives Grant for Car Seats Safe Kids Cherokee County, led by Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES), was awarded the 2024 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program. Through the Mini-Grant, Safe Kids can provide car seats and education to financially eligible families in Cherokee County. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles.Since 2007, the education, car seats, and booster seats provided through the Mini-Grant prevented serious injury or death and saved over 425 of Georgia’s children who were involved in crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71% among infants and by 54% among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars. Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Nearly 3 out of every 4 car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.Safe Kids Cherokee County educates parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offers car seat inspections, and provides car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families. For more information about the Safe Kids Cherokee County car seat program, visit CherokeeCountyFire.com.
Noonday Creek Trail Extension Is Underway The Noonday Creek Trail Extension will connect Woodstock’s and Cherokee County's trail systems to Cobb County's trail network. Construction of the new segment of the trail began last month at its southern end near Noonday Park on Shallowford Road in unincorporated Cobb County and will progress northward, eventually continuing under Highway 92 to connect with Woodstock's existing Noonday Creek Trail. "Nine years ago, Woodstock leaders kicked off planning for this project in earnest," said Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell. "We are so excited to finally get to tie into a strong, existing, trail-focused community in Cobb County and become the bridge into the rest of Cherokee County through this connection. It's an exciting day when a city that is as vibrant and lifestyle-focused as Woodstock becomes part of a regional infrastructure network in a significantly larger way," stated Caldwell. "We are making a big impact in both recreational opportunity and transportation infrastructure for the region."Story maps of Woodstock's Noonday Creek Trail and Woodstock's Greenprints Trail System are available in the City's data hub at WoodstockGa.gov/gis.
Woodstock City Council Appoints New City Clerk Last month, Mayor Michael Caldwell read a resolution that appointed Administrative Services Director Robyn Adams as Woodstock’s new city clerk. The City Council adopted the resolution by a 6-0 vote.In Woodstock, the city clerk is a charter role appointed by the City Council. Responsibilities include keeping records of the proceedings of the City Council and maintaining all records and documents of the City’s affairs. Adams joined the City of Woodstock in January 2023 as manager of Grants and Administrative Services. Her new title will be city clerk/administrative services director. As administrative services director, Adams supervises the work of the deputy city clerk, the grants manager, municipal court services, and utility billing.
Announcing Visit Woodstock GA Event Dates for 2024 First, two new shopping events have been created: the Valentine Bingo Card Event, which runs February 1-14, and the Lottery Scratch-Off Discount Card Event in August (specific dates TBD). The 2024 Pub Crawl Series, featuring food and drink specials at downtown food establishments, is as follows: • February 10 - Mardi Gras• May 4 - Cinco (Quatro) de Mayo• July 6 - Independence Day• October 5 - OktoberfestVisit Woodstock’s Family Fun Night Series will return on the third Thursday of each month, May through August. These family-friendly theme nights include fun activities planned throughout downtown and culminate with a movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. In the Spring Sip + Shop on March 21 and the Holiday Sip + Shop on November 21 events, visitors to downtown Woodstock can enjoy specials and goodies offered by retailers and food establishments. Visit Woodstock GA also offers a Walking Tour Series — fun, informational, small group tours focused on a particular topic of interest such as history, trail system information, or architecture/development. The tours are scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month, April through October. For foodies, Taste of Woodstock will return to the Woodstock Arts Event Green and Market Street on September 12. This annual event brings Woodstock restaurants to one space to highlight their cuisines by offering small bites. The outdoor Farm. Fresh. Market. will also return for its 11th season in Woodstock. It will run every Saturday from April 22 through December 28. For up-to-date event information, please check VisitWoodstockGa.com.
Cherokee County School District Announcements Career Education Teacher HonoredSequoyah HS teacher Casandra Hembree, who leads the school’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) program, received the Outstanding Achievement in Career Awareness and Exploration Award from the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). The award was presented at the Georgia DOE’s WBL and Youth Apprenticeship Conference at which Hembree also was recognized for completing the department’s Top Gun Training for WBL teachers. The WBL program allows high school students to earn school credit while working in a job related to their Career Pathway studies.Superintendent Earns Prestigious Educational Leadership AwardSuperintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower recently was presented with the inaugural Dr. Gregory E. Arnsdorff Servant Leadership Award by the international educational accreditation agency Cognia. The award is named for the late Dr. Arnsdorff who served as senior director of client services for Cognia until his passing. The special honor was presented to Dr. Hightower at Cognia’s recent Impact Conference in Atlanta. The new award honors longtime outstanding service by an educational leader on behalf of Georgia’s students and families.Sequoyah HS Sets New Record for Music ProgramThe Sequoyah HS chorus saw a record 23 students selected for All-State Chorus. Students must audition for the elite choral program, which will be presented by the Georgia Music Educators Association in February at The Classic Center in Athens. Choral Director Joshua Markham said the achievement is a major accomplishment for the individual students and the program.Selected students are Max Aaron, Asher Bennett, Braylee Bryant, Sofia Castillo, Elena Dagostino, Teagan Durham, Paige George, Alex Gilliam, Kaitlyn Hartman, Lizzie Hatch, Blythe Hilliard, Parker Ingram, Emma Jira, Andrew Latimer, Matthew Lorenz, Madeleine Markham, James Markham, Ben Offenberg, Derik Pedro-Espinoza, Adrian Perez Arciniegas, Sasha Sins, Lily Ward, and Dakota Youngblood.Creekview HS Student Wins First Place in Statewide Spelling Quiz BowlAs part of the Georgia Career and Technical Instruction program’s Fall Leadership Conference, students from across the state participate in academic, career readiness, and leadership skills events including quiz bowl competitions on core academic topics. Creekview HS sophomore Thomas Wang earned first place in the statewide spelling quiz bowl. A member of the school’s Emerging Leaders program, Wang additionally entered the conference’s “Activate Dreams” T-shirt design competition.River Ridge HS Students Earn Honors at Statewide Career Skills CompetitionThe River Ridge HS SkillsUSA chapter earned the Chapter of Excellence Award at the Georgia SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference. The award recognizes career education programs that demonstrate exceptional integration of personal, workplace, and technical skills into their activities to prepare students for future success.Aidan Nemec, an honors student in the Career Pathway program for Audio Video Technology and Film, earned the Statesman Award at the conference. The award is the highest individual honor bestowed upon students at the state level. It recognizes students who have completed career leadership training and demonstrate outstanding leadership skills.Woodstock HS Student Wins First Place in State Academic Quiz BowlAs part of the Georgia Career and Technical Instruction program’s Fall Leadership Conference, students from across the state participate in academic, career readiness, and leadership skills events including quiz bowl competitions on core academic topics. Woodstock HS senior Owen Markette earned first place in the statewide social studies quiz bowl, which focuses on early American history. Active in the school’s JROTC program, Markette’s plans after graduation are to attend college, enter the military as an officer, and pursue a career as a drone pilot. Carmel ES Named a State Distinguished SchoolCarmel ES ranked among the top 5% of highest-performing Title I schools statewide to earn this recognition. The award honors students’ performance on the English language arts and math sections of the Georgia Milestones test. Title I schools serve communities with higher rates of students receiving free or reduced-price meals due to family income levels. Carmel is led by Principal Kim Hagood.Teams Excel at National JROTC CompetitionAt the recent Raider National Championships, the Etowah HS Air Force JROTC team won the Master Division Mixed Team National Championship, and team member Austin Brice was named No. 1 Raider. The River Ridge HS Air Force JROTC team won the Challenge Division Male Team National Championship. The multi-event military-style athletic competition includes a 4K run, half-mile physical fitness test, rope bridge test, and the gauntlet (a half-mile obstacle course).
Cherokee Recreation and Parks Wins Statewide Awards Cherokee Recreation and Parks was recently honored with awards at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Conference, which drew attendees from park agencies in cities and counties throughout the state. Of the awards received, Cherokee Recreation and Parks earned Outstanding Program for TRopical Night at the Oasis at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The program is designed for individuals with special needs and includes a night of swimming, games, and fun at the aquatic center’s indoor recreational pool. “We are very honored to have received this award,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “We have accomplished so much this year, and it is all in part to our hardworking staff who continue to take on new projects with excitement and enthusiasm.” Additionally, Yvonne Curtis was named Volunteer of the Year. Curtis volunteers for Cherokee Recreation and Parks’ Youth Athletics Programs, specifically Georgia Academy Baseball where she serves as the team visibility committee chair, ensuring the organization’s presence across multiple platforms.
Cherokee Fire Celebrates 50 Years of Service On December 8, 1973, the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department was established. Three years later, it became the first career fire department in unincorporated Cherokee County and has grown into what we know today as Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES). Nearly 300 fire department members, retirees, and friends of the fire service recently came together to celebrate CCFES’s 50th Anniversary. The event included a welcome message from Deputy Chief Kevin Lanier, presentation of the colors by the CCFES Honor Guard, invocation by Chaplain Dana McPherson, testimonials by citizens impacted by CCFES over the years, remarks from Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Harry Johnston, keynote speaker introduction by Deputy Chief Shane West, and an address by Fire Chief Eddie Robinson. The keynote speaker, Sean Georges, was invited to talk at this event due to his wealth of leadership knowledge and his personal life experiences that led him to have a great appreciation for public safety professionals. Georges spent several days before the event participating in a ride-a-long with the firefighters of CCFES. He opened his speech by saying “I am amazed by these men and women.” He added, “They are professional at the highest level.” During his address, Georges emphasized that leaders have a sacred responsibility to serve their teammates in the direction of a shared mission. He told the story about how his daughter’s life was saved by first responders who met their responsibility to lead as a team, stayed mission-focused, and had the audacity of belief. After Georges’ speech, Fire Chief Eddie Robinson recognized the fire department retirees in the audience as well as past and present elected officials, public safety agency directors, and the county manager. Chief Robinson closed out the event by reading the names of the Cherokee County firefighters who served in CCFES and are no longer with us. “Tradition has it that in the early days of firefighting, a company would receive an alarm by ringing in a code. The alarm code 5-5-5 would signify a company returning home to quarters,” said Robinson.Robinson invited everyone to stand and hold hands, as he rang a bell in the 5-5-5 sequence. A video highlighting the event can be viewed at Youtube.com/@CherokeeCountyFire.
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.