Community Corner

🌱 Bear Visits Holly Springs Police + Free Downtown Concert Saturday

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Woodstock-Towne Lake.

Nina Lightcap, Patch Contributing WriterVerified Patch Staff Badge
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Hello, everybody. It's me, Nina, your host of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in town these days. Including news on...

  • A bear spotted at the Holly Springs PD.
  • Free concert Saturday at the amphitheater.
  • Local sentenced for drug trafficking, possession.

But first, today's weather: A thunderstorm in spots. High: 88 Low: 69.

Here are the top stories in Woodstock-Towne Lake today:

  1. Another bear sighting hit the news yesterday, this one right up the road in Holly Springs at the police department. The bear was spotted rummaging through a dumpster before moving on, the police department is near the Hickory Road and Main Street intersection. There seems to have been more of an obvious bear presence in the county this year, though the Georgia Department of Natural Resources advises we have a "healthy population of black bears" here. As stated in previous alerts, we should remove pet and bird food from outside areas, keep trash and compost bins tightly closed and allow the bear to move through the area. If you see a bear, go inside with the pets and kids and don't approach the animal. (Fox 5 News and Holly Springs PD via Facebook)
  2. It's time to start making plans for the next concert in the free Woodstock Summer Concert Series, it'll be here before we know it. This Saturday, the Van Halen tribute band, Completely Unchained will be performing on the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater stage with local band Guardians of the Jukebox. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., but the chair placement rush begins Friday morning at 6 a.m. You can find information on the venue, shuttles, parking and more at the link. (Woodstock Summer Concert Series)
  3. A county man has been sentenced for methamphetamine trafficking and cocaine possession after his March 2022 arrest while driving on I-575. The stop took some 100.8 grams of meth along with unspecified amounts of cocaine and marijuana off the streets. When James Fain, 42, was pulled over for not maintaining his lane, the deputy could actually smell the drugs ultimately found in the car and on Fain's person. The search recovered enough meth "to dose over 100 people," and Fain helped the case along by admitting the drugs were his and would have been sold. Fain was sentenced to 30 years, with 10 years to serve in jail and 20 to serve on probation. (WSB-TV)
  4. The most adorable firefighter, 3-year-old local Austin Herre, was named an honorary firefighter by Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) last week. The child is battling cancer and adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) at the same time, the neurological disorder is progressive and can cause loss of hearing, vision, mobility issues and can take the life of the person. The young firefighter and family were given a truck tour at CCFES headquarters, Austin received his own uniform and his honorary title. (Atlanta News First)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

Tuesday, August 8

  • Storytime at the Park: Head to the Event Green downtown for a special library system event with stories, music and more. Bring along a blanket and snacks, the event is great for all ages with an accompanying adult. The address for the Green is 111 Elm St. (11 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Ready, Set, Code! for Kids: For ages 6 and up, learn basic coding with Scratch. All children must be accompanied by an adult, the class is at the Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St. (4 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Big Stage Yoga: The month-long, outdoor yoga sessions are for those aged 16 and up and all skill levels, but those younger can attend with a consenting adult present. Classes meet on the stage at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater please bring a mat and water with you. You can sign up at the link. (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
  • Modern Mexico with Chef Kyle: The menu for tonight's demonstration class includes shrimp ceviche and roasted chicken breast at Leaning Ladder, 105 East Main St. (7 - 9:30 p.m.)
  • "Mario Kart" Tournament: For those that frequent the tournament at The Blue Ghost Arcade, please note that the tournament has moved to Tuesdays. Otherwise, the evening remains the same with prizes for the top-three winners. The arcade is located at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 p.m.)
  • RPG Night: New players welcome, please make a reservation on the arcade's Meetup page to ensure your spot. The admission fee includes unlimited gaming until midnight, The Blue Ghost Arcade is at 164 Towne Lake Parkway. (8 - 11 p.m.)
  • MadLife Grill Patio Stage - free shows, no ticket needed
  • MadLife Stage & Studios
    • Undiscovered Artist Showcase - A Monthly Spotlight on 6-8 Rising Musicians (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Today's the day to bring the family to Regal Cherokee for the first screening of the day at 10 a.m. and $2 tickets. The movies this week are "Kung Fu Panda 3" and "Curious George." The theater address is 355 Cinema View. (Regal Cherokee)
  • Coffee with a Cop is this Wednesday, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Truett's Chick-fil-A. Head over for an informal morning "hi and hello" with officers from the Woodstock Police Department. The address for Truett's Chick-fil-A is 9728 Highway 92. (Woodstock PD via Facebook)

Here are some events coming up this week that require a ticket purchase or registration in advance, be sure to check the venues' official calendars for their full schedules.

  • MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main St.
    • Wednesday: Songwriters & Storytellers, A Night of Songwriters in the Round (7:30 p.m.)
    • Thursday: Laugh-Lines & Stretch-Marks, Comedy for Women, Moms and Couples! (8 p.m.)
    • Friday: Sail On - The Beach Boys Tribute (7 p.m.)
    • Friday: Dueling Pianos with The Andrews Brothers (10 p.m.)
    • Saturday: Big Bam Boom - A Hall & Oates Tribute (7 p.m. and 9:55 p.m.)
  • Rootstock, 8558 Main St.
    • Thursday: 2023 Very Influential Artist Ceremony (5 - 7 p.m.)
    • Sunday: Serpent & Dove Listening Room Session (6 - 8 p.m.)
  • Made Mercantile, 8636 Main St.
  • The Gifted Ferret, 1910 Eagle Drive, Unit 400
    • Saturday: Artisan Wine Tasting Summer Chill Out (5 - 7 p.m.)
  • IN WDSTK - Open to non-members
    • Thursday: YPOW AM - Join the Young Professionals of Woodstock for coffee, networking and an informal chat with a local leader at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way. (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.)
    • Thursday: mINgle at Northside Hospital Towne Lake - An after-hours networking event for professionals in the Woodstock area. (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
  • Woodstock Parks and Recreation
    • Saturday: Discovering Paddleboarding - Murph's Surf, 6993 Bells Ferry Road in Canton (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
    • Saturday: Essential Gardening, Fall Gardening - William G. Long Senior Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road (10 - 11:30 a.m.)
  • Cherokee Recreation & Parks
    • Thursday: Hickory Flat Area Park Input Meeting - Hickory Flat Gym, 4835 Hickory Road in Canton (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
    • Friday: Parent's Night Out - Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 WellStar Way in Canton (5:30 - 10 p.m.)
  • Sequoyah Regional Library System
    • Thursday: Tween "Mario Kart" Tournament - Woodstock Library, 7735 Main St., you can register here. (4 - 5:30 p.m.)
  • Senior Center Programs - Most classes and events are held at the William G. Long Senior Center (WGLSC), 223 Arnold Mill Road

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Nina Lightcap

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch newsletter? Contact me at Woodstock@Patch.com

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