Local News

Holly Springs Honors Former Fire Chief

Former Holly Springs Fire Chief Henry (Pat) Patrick was honored recently when the city of Holly Springs named the road to Fire Station #8 the Henry Patrick Drive. Officials from the city, along with chiefs and firefighters with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, attended a ceremony to mark the occasion. Patrick, 89, set up the Holly Springs Fire Department in 1977 and remained as the chief until 1996. He was the volunteer chief of Holly Springs for several years and served as the chairman of the County Fire Chief’s Association. “He was a highly respected Chief among our fire services and did a great job in Former Chief Henry Patrick leading the volunteer organizations,” Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather said. “He was part of the group that basically paved the way to today’s fire service. I greatly appreciate Chief Patrick’s service to Cherokee County. It is befitting to name a street in Holly Springs in honor of his service to the City of Holly Springs and Cherokee County. Thank you, Chief Patrick, for a job well done!”

“Chief Patrick served the citizens for over 49 years, not only as a firefighter, but also a proud Vietnam veteran. The world needs more heroes like him,” Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson added.

New Program Makes School Zones Safer

After a 30-day adjustment and warning period, the Canton Police Department officially has begun a program designed to promote traffic safety near the city’s schools. Automated Enforcement of School Zones uses cameras to detect unsafe practices; signage has been installed to alert drivers.

“We are hopeful that automated enforcement will encourage drivers to slow down and obey the law,” Chief Stephen Merrifield said. “Traffic fatalities are the number one cause of death for children aged 5-14 and for young adults (aged 15-29). Very minimal reductions in speed make the roads a lot safer, especially for children.”

Hasty Elementary is being monitored; Teasley Middle and Cherokee High schools are in the process of GADOT approval for the program. Penalties are mailed to the registrant owner of the vehicle. The program is funded by RedSpeed, the company who developed the camera system. The city posted a list of frequently asked questions to its website (www.cantonga.gov), and will provide updates and answer questions on social media. Residents with questions may call the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883.

Passes Available for the Reservoir

Annual passes are available for the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, which covers approximately 411 acres at full pool with approximately 15 miles of shoreline, surrounded by 150-foot buffer. The reservoir is located in Canton; the public access area is near the intersection of Bluffs Parkway and Fate Conn Road.

Activities allowed are: canoeing, kayaking, electric boating only, and fishing Swimming is prohibited. Hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and extended to 8 p.m. between Memorial and Labor days. Parking costs $5 per day per vehicle. Annual passes may be purchased for $50 at the engineering office in Canton City Hall, 110 Academy St. 770-704-1500. www.cantonga.gov.

Local News

Dr. Mark A. Roberts brings 25 years of private higher education experience to his role as Reinhardt’s new president.

Roberts Named Reinhardt University President

Reinhardt University’s Board of Trustees appointed Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., as the 21st president of the university. Roberts assumed his role on April 7.

“Throughout Dr. Roberts’s distinguished career, and during the past several years as Reinhardt’s provost, executive vice president and interim president, Dr. Roberts has proven to be a highly respected and effective leader, who can guide and elevate Reinhardt during a time of tremendous opportunity in providing the education for today’s students to thrive in a very complex and changing world,” Board of Trustees Chairman Ken White said.

Rental Assistance Available Through MUST

The online application portal for Cherokee County residents to apply for rental assistance is live.

MUST Ministries has launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on behalf of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners.

The board approved allocating $4.5 million received from the U.S. Treasury to MUST Ministries to distribute relief funds to eligible residents who are having trouble paying rent and utilities because of the pandemic.

The funds were part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 legislation, which included an allocation of $25 billion to states and local governments to aid with rent, utilities and other expenses related to housing.

Applicants must live in Cherokee County and must meet requirements highlighted by the Act, including income requirements, unemployment qualification and proof of hardship related to COVID-19.

Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months if it is determined that the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability and funds are available. The funding amounts will be determined by household income and total monthly rent and utilities.

MUST Ministries is hosting an online application portal at www.mustministries.org/cherokee-co. For more information, call 770-790-3926 or 770-790-3927.

Alumni Organization Announces New Benefits

The Reinhardt Alumni Organization, better known as The 1883 Club, is offering new benefits to members. Once an alum (or faculty, staff, friend) joins, they will receive documents and links to opportunities for the following benefits: • Entrance in and access to the new alumni directory to reconnect with classmates. • One preferred business ad in the directory. • Advanced invitations and promotions for cultural events, athletic competitions, arts experiences, and other campus events. • Exclusive invitations to on-campus and community-based alumni networking events. • Access to the Hill Freeman Library & Spruill Learning Center, and its computers, printers, copiers and more than 75,000 publications. • Reinhardt’s 7.5 miles of trails for hiking, biking and camping. • Reinhardt’s disc golf course. • Rental discounts on event spaces, such as the Reinhardt University

Theater and the Bannister Glasshouse. • Access to resume advice, job board listings, online career fairs, and connections to employers who are hiring, through RU Works Purple

Briefcase.

For more information, visit www.reinhardt.edu/give/alumni-org.

Local News

Boater Credits Life Jacket for Escaping Injury

When Ruddy Morrow spotted the new life jacket loaner station on Allatoona Lake recently, it reminded him to wear his life jacket while on his boat. That’s a move that possibly saved his life.

Morrow was returning to the boat ramp at Cherokee Mills Park park when he ran aground and was tossed overboard into Allatoona Lake. Although Morrow sustained no injuries, he credits the newly installed loaner station for keeping him safe.

Loaner stations have been installed at Cherokee Mills Park, located at 6900 Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock, and Field’s Landing Park, located at 600 Fields Landing Drive in Canton. The new “use and return” stations were provided through a partnership between Safe Kids Cherokee County and Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency.

Attending the dedication of the loaner station are, from left: Chief Chad Arp of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services; Lisa Grisham, Safe Kids Cherokee County Coordinator; Division Director Jordan Wood, Cherokee Recreation and Parks; Captain Hunter Baird, Tow Boat U.S.; Lead Ranger Chris Purvis, Allatoona Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“2020 was a record year for boaters, kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders on our lake, and it’s looking like 2021 will be no different,” Safe Kids Cherokee County Coordinator Lisa Grisham said. “With the increase in people, there is always an increase in risk. We hope the addition of the new and easily accessible loaner stations will serve as a reminder to remain safe in the water.”

Each of the new loaner stations includes information provided by the BoatUS Foundation to help users correctly size and wear the life jackets. For additional safety information, visit Safe Kids Cherokee County at www.safekidscherokeecounty.org.