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Waleska Man to Serve Five Years in Prison for Terroristic Threats
A Waleska man convicted of terroristic threats will serve five years in prison, the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced. Christopher Dean Bowling, 29, was found guilty June 13 of terroristic threats. On June 21, Superior Court Judge Shannon Wallace sentenced Bowling to serve five years in prison, the maximum sentence under Georgia law for this charge. ...
Cherokee Animal Shelter Offering Free Pet Adoptions
The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is offering free adoptions July 2 and 3, giving visitors a chance to adopt some of the almost 200 cats and dogs at the shelter. As of July 1, the shelter has 195 animals in its care, and more than 75% of them are cats or kittens. Of the 195 animals, 21 dogs, 22 kittens and 18 cats are ready for adoption. The shelter will...
Nonprofit Presents Scholarships to Cherokee County Student Athletes
A local nonprofit, Building Fires, recently presented $2,500 scholarships to Cherokee County graduating high school seniors. Addie English received the Brandon English Memorial Scholarship, and Garrett Smith received the Jamie Horton Memorial Scholarship, the nonprofit announced. Addie English, Brandon English’s daughter, plans to attend Samford University, where she will study exercise science. Garrett Smith plans...
Cherokee County Starting Public Hearings on Property Taxes
Cherokee County is holding the first of three public hearings July 2 to discuss a potential millage rate increase for fiscal year 2025. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 June 18 to advertise a tentative maintenance and operations millage rate of 5.224 mills, up from the current rate of 4.954. If approved, a higher millage rate would result in an increase in property taxes. If the advertised rate...
Woodstock's Hub Transformation Named Project of Excellence
City of Woodstock's Hub Transformation Project was named a 2024 Project of Excellence by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the city announced. Assistant to the City Manager Jamie Palmer, Engineering Manager Janis Steinbrenner, Cherokee County Community Development Director Brantley Day, and Matt McDow with project partner Arcadis accepted the award at the ASCE Georgia Section Annual Awards Gala on June 21. The Hub Transformation Project improved traffic operations in...
GA man sentenced to five years in prison for terroristic threats after 2-day trial
Christopher Dean Bowling, 29, has been under investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office since July of 2023 when deputies responded to a domestic violence call disconnected 911 call from a Waleska home.
Cherokee Animal Shelter Hosts Free Pet Adoption Event July 2-3
If you’ve been considering adding a furry friend to your family, now is the perfect time! The Cherokee Animal Shelter is offering free pet adoptions on July 2nd and 3rd, making it easier than ever to bring home a new companion. This special event aims to find loving homes for the many dogs, cats, and ... Read more
Cherokee County Goodwill Store Reopens After Renovations
Goodwill of North Georgia celebrated the grand reopening of its Bells Ferry Road store in Cherokee County June 26 after undergoing internal renovations. The Bells Ferry store and donation center, located at 6719 Bells Ferry Road near Woodstock, opened in 2014. Renovations to the store began May 6 and were completed June 24, as part of Goodwill of North Georgia’s Refresh, Reset and Refocus initiative. ...
Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting of Crowley ISD JROTC Instructor
Authorities have arrested a family member in connection with the tragic fatal shooting of a Crowley ISD JROTC instructor. The incident has shaken the community, prompting an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Law enforcement responded to the scene following reports of gunfire, where they discovered the deceased instructor. Details regarding the motive ... Read more
Aylo Health to Celebrate Opening of New Primary Care at Ball Ground Location
Aylo Health, a family-owned medical group committed to redefining healthcare, announced the opening of its second primary care office in Cherokee County. Located at the corner of Ball Ground Highway and Howell Bridge Road, the new facility aims to bring improved healthcare services to the local community. "Ball Ground has...
The big red barn making homes warmer, drier, and safer in Western NC
Almost 10 years ago, the Hinton Rural Life Center partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) and released a quality of life study for Clay County, Cherokee County, and Towns County (in Georgia). The study uncovered many statistics, most of which the people of Clay County could...
Aylo Health Opening New Primary Care in Ball Ground
Aylo Health is soon opening the doors of its Ball Ground primary care office, its second location in Cherokee County. “Ball Ground has a rich history that goes back over 140 years in north Georgia. Aylo Health is very excited to be part of this city’s bright future,” said Tim Reichert, Aylo Health’s vice president of marketing. “The opening of our second Cherokee County location, with plans for a third and fourth this year, signifies Aylo Health’s commitment to delivering conveniently located comprehensive preventive primary...
Judge Cannon Re-Elected to State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors
Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge David Cannon Jr. of Canton has been re-elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the 55,000-member State Bar of Georgia. He was installed June 8. Cannon, a board member since 2002, will continue to serve in the Blue Ridge Circuit, Post One seat on the board, representing Cherokee County. Cannon earned his law degree from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1995. He previously served as solicitor general of Cherokee County. The Board of Governors is the 160-member policymaking authority of the State Bar, with representation from each of Georgia’s judicial circuits. The board holds regular meetings at least four times per year.
Cherokee Fire Earns Top Honors at Georgia Police and Fire Games
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services has earned first place at the Georgia Police and Fire Games. The games were held last week in Columbus. The department's three-on-three basketball team clinched the first-place title. The basketball team, which consisted of Sgt. Eddie Barajas and Fire Apparatus Operators Bonn Ellerbee and Michael Hood, went undefeated throughout...
Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority Reports Sewage Overflow
The Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority has reported an estimated 5,500 gallon wastewater sewer overflow occurred on June 24. According to the water authority, the overflow occurred on Dogwood Lane near Acworth, next to lot 417, in the Hidden Falls neighborhood off Bells Ferry Road. It was caused by a blockage in the line from rocks, insulation, rags, a screwdriver and grease. The spill discharged into Owl Creek. Water system employees jetted the line to remove the blockage, CCWSA reported. For more information, contact CCWSA at 770-479-1813.
Cherokee Public Safety Workers Graduate from Police Academy
A Cherokee County firefighter and two sheriff’s deputies graduated from police academies June 21. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services firefighter and paramedic Sgt. Matthew Bennett and CSO Deputy John Johnson graduated from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Pickens County. CSO Deputy Seth Fitzpatrick graduated from the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy in Cobb County. Johnson and Fitzpatrick are currently assigned to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, according to CSO. Bennett primarily works at Fire Station 3 in Hickory Flat, and also serves as a medic on the Cherokee County Multi-Agency SWAT Team. All three were sworn in by Sheriff Frank Reynolds after the graduation ceremonies.
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