🌱 Voters To Decide On TSPLOST + Night Of Entertainment At Legends

Hi all. It's me, Phil Giltman, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now...

Fun fact: August 3 is National Watermelon Day!

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First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 71.

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Here are the top four stories in Cumming today:

1. Voters will decide this November whether to approve a $250 million Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST), which would fund various transportation projects throughout Forsyth County and the city of Cumming. An agreement between the county and city was approved at last week's board meeting, sending the referendum to the Forsyth County Board of Elections to be voted on Nov. 8. (Appen Media)
2. A Forsyth County man who was found in Mexico after fleeing the country has been indicted by the Forsyth County Superior Court on counts of rape, aggravated assault, battery and kidnapping. Alexis Ramanul Zecena allegedly kidnapped his child and the child's mother back in December. His trial will be heard by Forsyth County Chief Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley. (Forsyth County News Online)
3. Relay for Life of Forsyth County is hosting a night of entertainment with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. The Songwriters Night for Charity will be held Saturday, August 20 from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Legends Distillery, 210 Industrial Pkwy., Cumming. Ethan Phillips, April Rooks, Ken Forrester and Doug Harrell will be performing. (Relay for Life)
4. University of North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs will retire at the end of the coming academic year in June 2023. Jacobs was appointed president of then-North Georgia College & State University in July 2011. When the university consolidated with Gainesville State College to become the University of North Georgia in 2013, she became president of the multi-campus university. Today, UNG has campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County. The university serves about 19,000 students across its five campuses and online and employs more than 2,100 faculty and staff. (News at UNG)

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Today in Cumming:

• Georgia's Response to the Holocaust - Exhibit from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust - Post Road Library (All Day)
• Baby Play Day - Cumming Library (10:30 a.m.)
• American Red Cross Blood Drive -Sharon Forks Library (2 p.m.)
• BOOKMOBILE VISIT - Chestatee Ridge (3 p.m.)
• Lambert Varsity Softball vs. Parkview - Lambert High (6 p.m.)
• READY Women and Teen Safety & Self-Defense - Johns Creek Police Department (6 p.m.)
• FREE Youth Martial Arts Class - 3130 Mathis Airport Pkwy #306, Cumming (6:30 p.m.)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - School Street Playhouse [Promo inside] (8 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Oceans of Possibilities, Forsyth County Public Library's Summer Reading Program, had 7,017 participants of all ages read a total of 89,368 books and spent 5,136,978 minutes reading from May 25 - July 31 (Forsyth County Public Library).
• It's that time of year when Lake Lanier starts to turn over and naturally-occurring minerals or compounds can create changes to the water. While these minerals or compounds do not impact the safety of drinking water, Forsyth County Water and Sewer is taking proactive steps to address taste, smell and appearance issues they can cause. (Forsyth County Georgia Government via Facebook)
• Polo Fields Equestrian Center (5890 Polo Dr.) is accepting proposals for private organizations interested in providing complete management, maintenance and operational services of the stable building and equine programs. Proposals must be submitted by 2 p.m. on September 1. (Forsyth County Government)
• Forsyth County Schools: The USDA has ended free nationwide meals, which was started in response to COVID. View menus, payment options, and free and reduced info at http://ow.ly/u6XB50K6FCF (Forsyth County Schools)
• Forsyth County Government is hiring. Check out the opportunities available (Forsyth County Government)
• Forsyth County Schools start Thursday, August 4. See bus routes, stops and contact information at http://ow.ly/rEhQ50K6LXc (Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
• Rock Solid Brewing in Ball Ground will host a Teacher Appreciation Day Saturday, August 27, offering all teachers a $5 gift card with your order during the hours of noon- 6 p.m. (NextDoor).
• Parent's Night Out! Drop the kids (ages 5-13) off at Cumming Aquatic Center Saturday, Aug 5 from 6 - 10 p.m.. They'll enjoy supervised pool time, games and a pizza dinner. Lifeguards will be present and on duty. Children will be supervised both in and out of the water. $20. (Cumming Aquatic Center).
• If you need help, get it! A new mental health hotline is now active. You can now call or text 988 to reach the Suicide Prevention Hotline and get the care you need 24/7. You can also visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a caring counselor. This shortcut is not replacing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), but will serve as an easy alternative for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. (United Way Of Forsyth County via Instagram)
• Early bird tickets are now available for the 18th Annual Bark & Boogie Ball. This is the premier fundraising event for the Humane Society of Forsyth County. The ball will be held Saturday, October 15 at 6 p.m. (Humane Society of Forsyth County, GA via Facebook)
• Want to learn and play lacrosse? NorthEast Forsyth Youth Lacrosse is hosting a free clinic for 1st-8th graders Saturday, August 6 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Lanierland Park, 6115 Jot Em Down Road in Cumming. No prior lacrosse experience needed and loaner sticks will be provided. Experienced players are welcome as well. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Phil Giltman

About me: I've lived in Cumming since 2010. I'm married with two kids, both in Forsyth County Schools. I consider myself a jack of all trades. I love solid news reporting, scoring baseball games, playing golf, watching movies, reading books, doing crossword puzzles, listening to music, competing in fantasy leagues, commissioning said fantasy leagues, playing poker, trying new foods, traveling, and hanging with friends and family. I appreciate you stopping by.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Cumming Daily? Contact me at phil.giltman@Patch.com