WPD K-9 Unit Recognized for Excellence at Recertification Conference At the recent 8th Annual South Georgia K-9 Training and Certification Workshop, Woodstock Police Department (WPD) K-9s were re-certified in narcotic detection, utility/tracking/trailing, and explosive detection. At the close of the conference, handlers and their K-9s are recognized for excellence in their field of expertise. This year, Officer Jarred Jackson and K-9 Exo competed in the obedience category. In this category, Officer Jackson and K-9 Exo demonstrated their outstanding partnership through command response. And, after competing against approximately seventy teams, Officer Jackson and K-9 Exo received first place. K-9 Exo, K-9 Rex, and K-9 Dugan are trained in tracking and narcotics detection. K-9 Rosa is trained in explosive detection.
Cherokee County Clerk of Courts & Staff Sponsor Senior Citizens for Christmas Jeans for Genes Cherokee County Clerk of Courts Patty Baker and her staff are sponsoring over fifteen senior citizens for Christmas this year. The Clerk of Courts staffs charitable project, Jeans for Genes, has already raised approximately $1,000 to directly benefit Cherokee County Senior Services. The donated funds are raised by the Clerk of Courts staff, who may contribute $3.00 each week to be allowed to wear jeans at work on Fridays. This is a project that many of the staff members hold dear to their hearts. The Clerks office has already made arrangements to give their sponsored senior citizens warm, new, heartfelt presents for Christmas and to continue to raise more money and create more gifts each week.
Cherokee Sheriffs Office Graduates Inaugural Citizens Academy Class The Cherokee County Sheriffs Office recently graduated its first Citizens Academy class after ten weeks of instruction about its uniform patrol division, administration and adult detention center, K-9 unit, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, court services, special operations, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and warrants, and gun safety and training. Deputy Josh Watkins conducted the overall course in which several personnel members of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office enlightened citizens about their specific area of expertise. The purpose of the Cherokee Sheriffs Office Citizens Academy is to provide citizens with a deeper understanding of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to be a deputy in modern day law enforcement. This course is only open to residents of Cherokee County. Additionally, Sheriff Frank Reynolds stated, This class is also for the Sheriffs Office to connect with Cherokee County citizens in an effort to partner with them in helping to keep our community safe. None of us is as smart or as strong as all of us.
First Ever Cherokee Celebrity Feud Raises Significant Funds for the Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club This years Boys & Girls Club annual fundraiser featured fabulous entertainment, fantastic food, an auction and great fun! In his best Harvey mode, Punchline Comedy Clubs owner and professional comedian Jamie Bendall served as game show host and moderator, and it was an evening of surprises, slip ups and zany answers provided by local celebrities from the Cherokee County community. According to their website, the local Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club serves as a home away from home for hundreds of local kids and teens each year. Dedicated staff members work with them to help them reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Programs focus on helping kids succeed in school, improving health and fostering future leaders. This years event raised nearly $90,000 to help the Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club!The fundraiser was chaired by board member, Laura Mikszan. Other members of the committee included Doug Foley, Steve Divine, Mike Byrd, Marla Prince, Jeff Mitchell and Joshua Lewis.
Toys for Tots Drop Off Your Donation at Family Life Publications! This year, Family Life Publications is an official drop-off location for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Family Life Publications is the only location in downtown Canton where you can drop off a new, unwrapped toy, Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, through December 18 at their NEW office location:630 E. Main Street, Canton, GA 30114The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.
Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 Awards Marine of the Year Award to Cherokee Resident At the Birthday Ball celebrating the 242nd birthday of the founding of the Marine Corp, John Newport was presented the Marine of the Year Award by Craig (Doc) McNabb, detachment commandant of Detachment 1311 in Woodstock.The event was the most successful event in the young Detachments history. There were 115 people in attendance to enjoy the evenings festivities.The Marine Corps League voluntarily renders assistance to all current and former Marines as well as to their widows and orphans. The League also works to perpetuate the history of the Marine Corps by observing the anniversaries of historical occasions that are of interest to Marines.
Fundraisers Raise Big Funds for Local Causes! Thanks to Cherokee County citizens, three recent fundraisers successfully raised significant funds to aid worthy, local charitable causes. Reinhardt Universitys 3rd Annual 5k for ADay raised more money than ever. The 2017 race brought out more than 300 runners and raised more than $20,000, all of which will go to student scholarships. ADay for Reinhardt is a scholarship program that was formed in the 1980s to benefit Cherokee County students attending Reinhardt University. The program was also expanded into Pickens County this year. Next Step Ministrys Run Walk or Roll 5k hosted 156 runners, raising $7635 including donations and sponsorships, which is a significant increase over last years event, and funds are still rolling in from grants and additional donations that will help Next Step Ministries reach their $10k goal! This race supports continued efforts to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in the community. This years proceeds will support the purchase of a new bus for transporting clients into the community. And finally, the 33rd Annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival is the historic cornerstone of the Service League of Cherokee Countys fundraising efforts. The festival has earned a notable reputation for its family-oriented approach and warm relationship with its vendors. Riverfest is a juried show, featuring original, creative, handmade work from artisans all over the region. Additionally, the event showcases incredible entertainment throughout the weekend as well as a fun-filled childrens area. This years attendance numbers were close to 26,000! Monies generated from Riverfest will go to help fund various childrens charities in Cherokee County. Past organizations include Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, MUST Ministries, Boys and Girls Clubs, Cherokee Family Violence Center and Anna Crawford Childrens Center to name a few.
Cherokee Chamber Announces Two Top Volunteers The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that John Aden with Aden Insurance Consultants has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for second quarter 2017 and Janet Ponichtera with Family Life Publications has been named the Chairmans Council Volunteer of the Quarter for third quarter 2017. Members of the Chairmans Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chambers Chairman of the Board. The Chairmans Council members are invited to attend ribbon cuttings and ground breakings, Coffee & Connections for new members and special invitation Chamber meetings that arent open to the general membership. In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairmans Council. John and Janet are dedicated Chamber volunteers, and we appreciate the countless hours of service they have provided this year, said Bryan Reynolds, Chamber chairman and director of Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency. The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing quality of life.
CCSD Awards 2018 Teacher of the Year Woodstock Middle School teacher Stephanie Vidrine shapes math lessons into stories that remain in students hearts and minds long after the equations are solved. Her extraordinary gift for teaching her students, especially those who struggle with math, resulted in her becoming Cherokee County School Districts 2018 Teacher of the Year. Mathematics, the 20-year teacher said, is so much more than manipulating numbers and following procedures. It is art, beauty, creativity, patterns and connections to other mathematical concepts and life experiences. Her addition of storytelling to math concepts totals a successful combination for students, who appreciate her so much that they stay in touch long after theyve advanced, graduated and even pursued their own careers in math. The CCSD Teacher of the Year is selected by a panel of community leaders who evaluate applications from each schools Teacher of the Year; school winners are selected by their peers. Ms. Vidrine will now serve as CCSDs nominee for Georgia Teacher of the Year; the winner will be named in the spring. Principal David Childress recruited Ms. Vidrine to Woodstock Middle School from Etowah High School, where he previously worked alongside her as a fellow math teacher. The proof of her powers, he said, is in the numbers: all of her students earned proficient or better scores on their State exams, and pulled CCSDs highest marks for performance growth.
Northside Hospital Offers Free Mammograms for Women in Georgia Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is currently offering no-cost screening mammograms and other breast diagnostic procedures for qualified women who cannot afford them. More cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and treated at Atlantas Northside Hospital than anywhere else in the southeast. Early detection of breast cancer saves the lives of thousands of women each year. However, medically underserved and uninsured women often lack access to care. At Northside, financial assistance is available for screening mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies and other breast diagnostic procedures for uninsured women who meet specific eligibility requirements. In 2016, more than 1,200 underinsured women in Georgia received breast cancer screening and diagnostic services through the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. Funding is made possible through generous grants from the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta, and the Northside Hospital Foundation. Services are available at select Northside Hospital imaging locations across Georgia, as well as aboard Northsides ScreenAtlanta mobile-mammography van. For more information, or to schedule a mammogram, call 770-667-4400.