Visit Woodstock GA Welcomes New Marketing Manager Ingrid Smith has been promoted to Visit Woodstock GA’s marketing manager. In this role, Smith is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization, with an emphasis on communications, marketing, advertising, branding operations, and events. Smith’s previous experience includes work within a broad range of travel and tourism entities including marketing villa rentals in the south of France, promoting sustainable travel in Costa Rica, and planning philanthropic tours in South America. With double majors in public relations and sociology from the University of Georgia, she has spent her career working with companies, nonprofit organizations, and communities to enhance and clearly communicate their missions.
Girl Scouts Lead Park Cleanup and Leave No Trace Event at Olde Rope Mill Park The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's Riverwood Service Unit demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by organizing a successful park cleanup and Leave No Trace event at the City of Woodstock's Olde Rope Mill Park. Jamey Snyder, Recreation Operations Manager at Woodstock Parks and Recreation, played a pivotal role in educating the Scouts about the Leave No Trace principles, which are a set of guidelines aimed at promoting responsible outdoor ethics and minimizing the impact of human activities on the environment. The event was not only educational but also an excellent opportunity for the Scouts to actively contribute to their community. The girls enthusiastically participated in the cleanup of Olde Rope Mill Park, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area was preserved for both current and future visitors.
Cherokee County Earns Four NACIO Awards The National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO), part of the National Association of Counties (NACo), announced the 2023 Awards of Excellence during the NACo annual conference.Cherokee was one of three Georgia counties represented in the awards recognitions. Forsyth and Rockdale counties’ communications teams were also acknowledged for their work. This was the first year Cherokee entered the competition.“It’s an honor to be recognized on a national level for our work here in Cherokee. As a small two-person department, we serve as both an internal and external communications team,” said Communications Director Erika Neldner. “We work to assist county departments, staff, and elected officials with a variety of projects from news releases, coordination with media, graphic design and branding to training, social media, and newsletters. All of this is done with the ultimate goal of keeping residents informed and telling Cherokee County’s story.” A news release issued in November 2022 highlighting a training visit from probation officers from Turks and Caicos earned Best in Category for the Featured Article/Editorial category, which was written by Assistant Communications Director Andrea Barker.The Quick Facts document, a one-sheet informational piece created by Neldner, earned the Superior Designation in the Short One-Page/Trifold category. The document is available for elected officials and staff to use at community speaking engagements to keep residents informed. It features updated statistics like population, median income, public safety and law enforcement accomplishments, a list of the elected Board of Commissioners, and more.A short video geared at promoting public engagement for the Comprehensive Plan earned Cherokee County a Meritorious Designation from NACIO in the short video (under 60 seconds) category. The video featured drone footage from across Cherokee County and incorporated project-specific branding. The 2022 Annual Report earned the Meritorious Designation in the Printed Publications – Annual Report category. The Annual Report is created in only two months and during the holidays to incorporate complete data from the previous year and be ready for distribution at the State of the County Address held in late January each year. The Communications Division works with directors across all county departments, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the clerk of courts, the solicitor-general, district attorney, and judicial administration to gather and compose the 40-page book. The Annual Report is designed by local graphic designer Jodi Drinkard.
CCFES Recognizes 11 Firefighters Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) recently recognized 11 firefighters at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex in Holly Springs. Fire Chief Eddie Robinson swore in EMS Instructor Sandra Johnson as a firefighter with the agency. Instructor Johnson has served in the Training Division as an educator for several years, training members to the level of advanced emergency medical technicians. To better understand and relate to the job that firefighters do, she took it upon herself to complete the rigorous training needed to become a certified firefighter. Ten fire officers were promoted. Lieutenant Tony Simmons was promoted to the rank of captain and Captain Matthew Richter was promoted to battalion chief. Battalion Chiefs Chad Arp, Cheri Collett, Marc Liscio, Jamie McCord, Darrell Mitchell, and Nate Sullivan were promoted to the rank of division chief. Chief Arp serves as the county’s fire marshal, Chief Collett as the Business Intelligence chief, Chief Liscio as the Logistics chief, Chief McCord as the B-shift commander, Chief Mitchell as the Special Operations chief, and Chief Sullivan as the EMS chief. Division Chief Dean Floyd, who serves as the Community Risk Reduction chief and Mark Orr who serves as the chief of Personnel Services were promoted to the rank of deputy chief. The newly promoted members have already begun serving in their new roles.
Woodstock Police and Fire Departments Announce Citizens’ Public Safety Academy The Woodstock Police and Fire Departments are accepting applications for the Fall 2023 Citizens’ Public Safety Academy through September 12. Citizens’ Public Safety Academy is a series of educational classes designed to enhance the citizen’s understanding of various aspects within the police and fire professions. The program is also intended to strengthen the relationship between citizens and these public safety departments as well as spotlight the responsibilities and inherent risks associated with the professions. Classes Offered During This Series: • CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter) Seminar• Criminal Investigation Procedures• Patrol Operations• K9 Demonstration• Traffic Unit and DUI Enforcement Presentation • Extrication Demonstration• Live Fire Demonstration• Fire Safety and PreventionThe class will also tour the Woodstock Fire Department. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm, September 14-November 16. Anyone who lives, works, or has an expressed interest in the city of Woodstock may apply to attend the classes. Applicants are required to be at least 19 years old and submit to a background investigation prior to acceptance into the program. Once accepted, positions are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Citizens’ Public Safety Academy applications are available at the Woodstock Police Department (12453 Highway 92, Woodstock) or by visiting WoodstockGa.gov/academy. For more information, please contact Officer JoAn Willingham at 770-592-6000 x1172 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cherokee County School District Announcements CCSD Wins National Awards for Communications The National School Public Relations Association annually honors the best publications and electronic media produced by school districts nationwide as part of their communications efforts. The district earned a Merit Award for Focus on the Future, its first course catalog solely focused on high school Career Pathways, which was distributed to all eighth-grade students to use with their parents, as they review elective options for high school. The district also earned Honorable Mention awards for Class Act, its annual magazine published at the start of the school year, and Excellence in Writing for its annual Teacher of the Year finalist announcement. The Office of Communications is made up of Chief Communications Officer Barbara Jacoby, Director Carrie McGowan, Coordinator Penny Dempsey, and Administrative Assistant Anne Reed. School Board Approves Budget With Teacher Raises, No Millage Increase The Cherokee County School Board recently approved a budget for this school year that improves teacher and support staff compensation and keeps class sizes low without a millage rate increase. The general fund budget for day-to-day operating costs was approved at $538 million, which includes $20 million to increase salaries for teachers and support staff and fund a recruitment and retention bonus. The total budget, which also includes construction projects such as the new replacement Cherokee HS and Free Home ES, debt service, and a strong emergency reserve, was approved at $832.8 million. The full budget is posted online at CherokeeK12.net/open-ccsd, as is CCSD’s Financial Facts report, which explains the budget through short articles and infographics. The millage rate was approved to remain at 17.95 mills, which is the same as last year when the rate decreased significantly by 1.5 mills. Some property owners will see increased tax bills due to higher property assessments caused by increasing home and land prices. The school board does not determine property value. Cherokee HS Student Ranked Nationally for French Proficiency Senior Eylianis Gomez-Culbert earned the gold medal for French 2 and is ranked sixth in Georgia and seventh in the nation after earning an impressive score on her national world language exam. Her teacher is Dr. Claire L. Bell. Sixes ES Wins Prestigious School Bell Award The Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals presents the School Bell Award to no more than 10 schools in Georgia each year in recognition of outstanding curriculum and organizational leadership initiatives. Sixes ES, led by Principal Dr. Ashley Kennerly, earned the award for its Teacher Toolbox professional development program, which is for all the school’s teachers and is designed to “add additional instructional tools to their toolbox so that as they recognize needs among students in their class, they have a diverse repertoire and materials necessary to address individualized learning needs,” Dr. Kennerly said. Indian Knoll ES Teacher Receives International Technology Education Award Technology lab teacher Kristen Brooks was recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education as an ISTE 20 to Watch winner. The award recognizes 20 rising leaders in technology education worldwide. Honorees are selected based on their successful use of technology to improve education, and their dedication to improving the teaching profession through technology. Two Graduates Earn National Merit College Awarded Scholarships Cherokee HS’s Griffen Bon and Sequoyah HS’s Paige Falcomata are among the top 3,000 Class of 2023 graduates nationwide to win National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. The awards provide up to $2,000 annually for as long as four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. Both Bon and Falcomata earned National Merit University of Alabama Scholarships. Bon plans to study computer science, and Falcomata plans to study accounting and statistics. National Merit Scholars are selected based on their high school accomplishments and potential for college success. Etowah HS Students Place at International Career Competition Seniors Samantha Durst, Temilola Oloruntoba, Katie Shay, and Hannah Stack earned Excellence Awards and seventh place overall in the public service announcement contest at the recent HOSA Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference held in Dallas, Texas. It’s the first time the school’s chapter has earned a top 10 international ranking. The students, who are members of Etowah’s HOSA chapter, created a PSA focused on mental health awareness for the competition. The video earned first place in the state HOSA competition, which qualified the team to compete at internationals. The school’s HOSA advisors are Career Pathway healthcare science teachers Megan King and Amber Thayer. Scholarship Awarded to i-Grad Virtual Academy Graduate ABM Industry Groups, LLC, which provides custodial services for CCSD schools, each year awards a $1,000 scholarship to one graduating senior from each of CCSD’s traditional high schools. This year, the company announced it would expand its donation to include a winner from i-Grad, CCSD’s online high school. The inaugural winner is Class of 2023 i-Grad Virtual Academy graduate Kaliyah Thompson, who will be attending Georgia State University to study nursing. ABM scholarship winners are selected by a committee of retired CCSD educators and ABM representatives based on a student’s involvement in school and community activities and service, personal essays, and references. Thompson is a member of the Kennesaw State University-sponsored Black Student Union organization, volunteers with the Just Coding Consultants computer coding group, and works for her family’s catering business and at a local Torrid store.
Cherokee Recreation and Parks Hosts Countywide Recreation Summit Cherokee County Recreation and Parks hosted its first countywide Recreation Summit since the 2008 parks bond discussion. The summit brought together municipalities and community organizations to discuss the future of recreation and parks across the county. “The goal of this summit is for everyone to come together, collaborate, educate, and have fun while discussing current and future park projects,” said Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. Cherokee County Community Services Agency Director Bryan Reynolds provided updates on the county’s capital park projects. “Since the parks bond program ended in 2018, the county has started using funding from the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program and Impacts Fees to pay for parks projects,” said Reynolds. The county’s current capital park projects include park design and development plans for the Long Swamp Recreation Area in Ball Ground and the phase one design and development plans for both the Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area and trails located on Yellow Creek Road and for the Southwest Cherokee Community Park in Acworth. Also included is a master plan development for the future Hickory Flat Area Park located on East Cherokee Drive in Canton. Additionally, attendees heard park project updates from representatives with the cities of Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, and Woodstock. Those updates included numerous trail extension plans, improvements to playground equipment, and the future construction of pickleball courts. An update was also given on the SPLOST 2024 program, which will include $36.5 million for recreation and parks projects. Funding from the SPLOST 2024 program, with support from recreation impact fees, will fund the future conversion of natural grass fields to artificial turf for several county parks, the construction of a new baseball/softball complex at Cherokee Veterans Park, construction of the E.W. & Edith Cochran Park in the Free Home community, the future construction of a recreation/senior center at the SW Cherokee Park, and several other minor park improvements around the county. Reynolds closed the summit by announcing that the county is working with cities to develop a countywide trails plan that will include establishing future goals, trails that connect to additional trails, and establishing Memorandums of Understanding between cities and the county.
National Award Given for Cherokee Youth Basketball Program At an awards banquet held in Libertyville, Illinois, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) presented officials from Cherokee Recreation and Parks with the 2023 NACPRO Award in the Park and Recreation Program – Class II category. The awards banquet is an annual event that recognizes and honors excellence in parks and recreation at the county, regional, and special districts levels throughout the nation. “This award recognizes a NACPRO member agency that has provided an exceptional program, activity, or event, which serves to inspire other agencies,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley. “The Class II Award is a category based on a population size of 150,001 to 275,000. There are four population categories in all, and Cherokee Youth Basketball has been recognized as the best program in the country for our population category.” Cherokee Youth Basketball is a local recreational basketball league that is open to all eligible Cherokee County youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. Through partnerships with the Cherokee County School District, players in kindergarten through fifth grade play on teams that represent their current elementary school, while middle and high school players represent one of the county’s six local high schools in which the player is districted or is currently attending. Teams are provided a practice space and time at their local school for practices and games. Each player is given a complete uniform along with an eight-game regular season schedule beginning the first weekend in December. “In only its 11th season of operation, Cherokee Youth Basketball has grown to 556 teams with over 4,000 kids playing basketball in Cherokee County,” said Cherokee Recreation and Parks Athletic Director Shawn Schumacher. “The program provides a safe and competitive learning environment for recreational players of all abilities as well as helping them to develop character, sportsmanship, and teamwork.” Additional information and program details for Cherokee Youth Basketball can be found at PlayCherokee.org.
Cherokee’s DanceSport Team Performs at Special Olympics Summer Games In less than a year since Special Olympics DanceSport was declared an official sport in Georgia, the first Georgia Special Olympics DanceSport team from Cherokee County, the Warrior Cats, performed at the Opening Ceremonies at this year’s Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games. The Cherokee County Special Olympics Warrior Cats DanceSport athletes are Michelle Aikala, Devon Bledsoe, Cora Browning (captain), Lindsay Deane, Ryan Ellis, Nicole Fox, Caleb Guy, Shelby Hart, Meghan Kern, Kristin King, Jason Page, Jeremy Page, Jenna Pierce, Erica Revalski, Reed Rogers, Justin Swantek, and Leah Weatherby. The Warrior Cats unified partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) who train and compete as teammates alongside Special Olympics athletes include Gigi, Stella, and Sofia Alfieri, and Nina Grace Barbaree. The coaches for the Warrior Cats are Shelly Boss-Barbaree, Mollie Guy, Katie Lockett, Head Coach Laura Mikszan, Lee Ann Revalski, Jarron Scurry, and Susan Weatherby.
Skilled Professions Signing Day Celebration Be Pro Be Proud Georgia and the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, an initiative of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development that includes Cherokee County School District (CCSD), local businesses, and industries and colleges, recently presented the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day event. During the event, 36 graduating CCSD seniors with plans to pursue skilled professions careers signed those plans with employers or colleges and were celebrated by family, friends, teachers, and community leaders. “Congratulations to each of these students on making the choice to build a better future for our community through skilled professions,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “We’re proud of these students and grateful for our Career Pathways educators who have prepared them for this next step. Thank you to Be Pro Be Proud Georgia and the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative for your partnership and support of our students.” The school district offers a wide catalog of Career Pathway programs at every high school, which provide CCSD students opportunities to not only master specific job skills as well as soft skills helpful to all careers, but also to earn industry certifications. For more information, visit Cherokeek12net.finalsite.com. Congratulations to the following students: Cherokee HS Henry Alcon – Construction, Alcon Remodeling Jacob Anderson – Welding Blake Byess – Welding, Georgia Trade School Christian Cagle – Welding, Northwest Mississippi Community College Lucas Juan Cristobal – Welding, Georgia Trade School Kahseim Fisher – Audio & Video Technology & Film Carter Goodrow – Welding, Raydeo Braden Iovino – Welding Keaton Kimball – Welding Ethan Mann – Welding Kyarah Maxey – Nursing, Reinhardt University Joseph O’Kon – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Michael Pugachow – Welding Edi Ramirez – Construction, heavy equipment Ismael Carrillo Raymundo – Welding Bryan Sanchez – Welding, Tulsa Welding School Skyler Woodward – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Creekview HS Kevin Abarca – Machinery/line press, Universal Alloy Corporation Norman Alexander Ball – Welding, Georgia Trade School Connor Billish – Electrician, International Electrotechnical Commission Noah Brooks – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College and Mr. Clean Drain Plumbing Co. Hayden Eberhardt-Salinas – Welding, Universal Alloy Corporation Cesar Garcia – Electrician, H&H Electrical Brody Jones – Plumbing, Chattahoochee Technical College Gabriel Peterman – Welding Emma Sailors – Cosmetology, Gwinnett Technical College Jarrett McArthur – Diesel tech training (advanced manufacturing), Chattahoochee Technical College Milon Lee McCleskey – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Etowah HS Amy Carol Castro – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College Alondra Porcayo – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College Sarah Vanvoorhis – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College River Ridge HS Ethan Barrentine – Welding, Chattahoochee Technical College Billy Culberg – Wrecker driver/recovery specialist, Ryder Towing & Transport Sequoyah HS Will Scott – Electrical line worker, North Georgia Technical College Woodstock HS Kristian Colina – HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration), Chattahoochee Technical College Laila Hutchinson – Health care, Chattahoochee Technical College