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Local News
New Signs Mark Adopt-A-Mile Sites
The county’s Keep Cherokee Beautiful (KCB) organization is replacing current signs that mark the areas where volunteers are working to keep the county clean.
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KCB officials replaced signage for Peggy Simpson and Bo Wallace, who recently adopted a section of roadway in the Sutallee area, and currently are planning their third roadside cleanup event.
Simpson, who had participated in the old program with her children, Rocky and Ree, was given the old road signs by KCB officials. “I plan to give the old signs to my children for them to have as keepsakes, because the signs have their names on them,” she said.
The new Adopt-A-Mile program began earlier this year, and several local families and organizations have committed to keeping sections of roads across Cherokee clean. Those interested in adopting a mile will need to identify a section of county road they want to adopt and sign an agreement committing to maintain the section for 12 months and hold a minimum of four roadside cleanups.
Once a cleanup has been scheduled, volunteers will be provided with cleanup supplies from Keep Cherokee Beautiful and Cherokee County, which include safety vests and grabbers. Trash and litter retrievals can be scheduled with the Cherokee County Recycling Center, or volunteers also can arrange for the disposal of the litter in private dumpsters.
For additional information on adopting a mile, email cleancherokee@gmail.com.
Students and instructors take a minute out of the water.
First Responders Earn Open Water Certification
Six Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) personnel recently were certified as Scuba Diver International (SDI) open water divers. The new divers are Capt. Jeff Adamek, Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) Brad McDonald, FAO Drew Turner, Lt. Joe Ray, FAO Brandon Watkins and Lt. Philip Carlisle.
“The open water certification course is the initial step in becoming a CCFES public safety diver. This is the first time this course has been instructed in-house by fire department personnel. This new program will increase the number of trained divers available to respond to water emergencies,” said dive instructor chief Ricky Collett.
The course also consisted of online learning and more than 20 hours of in-water skills. The pool and classroom portions of the class were conducted at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The final certification dives were completed in Williston, Florida at the Blue Grotto Springs.
Retirement Ahead for Library System Director
Anita Summers, executive director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS), has announced her plans to retire on Feb. 1. The new executive director, who is chosen by the board of trustees, will be named this month.
Summers joined the Sequoyah system in July 1989 as branch manager of the Gilmer County Library in Ellijay. She was named assistant director of the library system in 2008, and executive director in 2014. Anita Summers As executive director, she oversaw all aspects of public library operations in the three-county system, covering Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties. Under her leadership, the system experienced growth in circulation and program attendance, expanded service hours and digital resources, increased staff pay, expanded staff development and training, increased library outreach and visibility, established new partnerships, began the growth of a Library of Things collection, and added new library technology.
During her tenure, the library system obtained state capital outlay grants to supplement special-purpose local-option sales tax funds for the upcoming expansion/renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library. In 2020, Summers led the system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included virtual programming, outdoor Wi-Fi, sidewalk service, and a phased approach to the restoration of full library services and hours.
“I am very blessed to have been part of a forward-thinking system with supportive trustees, dedicated staff and library-loving communities,” Summers said.
Cherokee County Resident Appointed to ARC
Lifelong resident Steve Stancil will serve as Cherokee County’s citizen representative on the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), beginning Jan. 1. He will succeed Dennis Burnette, who has served as the District 15 representative for more than decade.
“Cherokee County greatly appreciates Dennis Burnette’s 14 years of faithful and diligent service as our citizen representative on the ARC Board. In particular, Dennis served on the Senior Services Committee of that board and ensured that Cherokee’s Senior Services programs have continued to be mostly funded through the ARC,” said County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston. Burnette began his service on the ARC Board in 2008. His professional life included 45 years in the banking Steve Stancil industry, with more than 30 years as a bank president. Before fully retiring, he worked as a certified mediator and arbitrator for businesses.
Stancil retired from the state of Georgia in 2019, following 11 years as a state property officer. Previous to that, he oversaw the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board, as its executive director, and served as a representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, including minority house leader.
Cherokee County is part of the 11-county Atlanta Regional Commission, a metropolitan planning organization that spearheads longrange planning from a regional perspective, disperses federal funding for transportation projects that impact the region, promotes a skilled workforce through training and skills development, and more.
Also during the November meeting of the ARC board, an updated at-large district boundary map was adopted that takes into account the population growth since the 2010 Census. District 15 includes the majority of Cherokee County and a portion of Fulton County. District 14 includes a small portion of Cherokee County and one-third of Cobb County.
A Cool Community Effort
Members of the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program recently stepped in to help a local veteran who has had no heat or air conditioning in his home for six years. Coming to his rescue were veterans program volunteers and members of the St. Vincent De Paul organization at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Woodstock. Vito LaSelva, owner of Mercury Control Heating and Air, donated his services and a unit at cost. To learn how to help veterans through this program, contact Jim Lindenmayer at jimlindenmayer80@gmail.com.
Marshal’s office representatives present statement of support to Chief Tim Prather.
Agency Workers Bond After Tragedy
Representatives with the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office recently visited the offices of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services to show their support for Jacob Hicks, the 2-year-old son of Justin and Amber Hicks, who tragically were killed by a shooter last month.
A letter from the Marshal’s Office was presented to Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather: “We cannot put into words how heavy our hearts are for the loss of Justin and Amber Hicks. Nothing we say or do would ease your pain, but we wanted each of you to know that you have our support. The loss of two precious lives has changed our community forever.”
“In October of each year we make a donation to one charity or foundation in Cherokee County, but this year we were uncertain about where we wanted the money to go, so we held onto it,” Deputy Marshal First Class Renae Goggans said. “However, when this tragic incident took place, we all came together and decided the money should go to Jacob’s trust fund.”
The representatives from the Marshal’s Office told Prather that Cherokee County Probation, Animal Control and the Marshal’s Office made a donation of $1,050 to the LGE Credit Union trust fund for Jacob Hicks.
The Academy Street Theatre Group 2020 production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
The Curtain Rises
Productions in 2022
As the spring semester begins, we’ve included a list of Cherokee County School District theater productions. For many shows, advance tickets will be for sale online. Whenever there is a link, it will be posted to www.cherokeek12.net/news/ ccsdtheatre2122. Otherwise, anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact the school front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. On Pages 14-15, you'll read about the experiences of directors and a parent and student, and how the theater program impacts everyone involved.
Jan. 21-22, 24-26
“G2K Footloose”
River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on Jan. 22. Tickets are $7.
Jan. 28-29
Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 28. Ticket price to be determined.
Feb. 10-11
Academy Street Theatre Group performs at River Ridge High School. Tickets are $5. Feb. 10-13
“Xanadu Jr.” and “Legally Blonde Jr.”
Creekview High School. 7:30 p.m., and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Feb. 13. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.
Feb. 16-17
“The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon”
Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
March 24-26
Sequoyah High School. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.
March 25-26
“Lost Girl”
Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
Etowah High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on March 26. General admission tickets are $12. Tickets are $10 for senior citizens and children, age 12 and younger. Tickets are $8 for thespians and drama club members.
Creekland Middle School. 5 p.m. on March 26. Ticket price to be determined.
April 21-23
“Big Fish”
Cherokee High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.
Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Ticket price to be determined.
April 22-23
Dean Rusk Middle School. There also is a 1 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $5.
April 22-23, 25-27
River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.
May 6-7
Etowah High School. General admission tickets are $10. Tickets are $7 for thespians and drama club members, senior citizens and children, ages 12 and younger.
June 2-4
Academy Street Theatre Group performs at Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
