🌱 Local Officer Saves Child + McGrau Ford Battery Facility Approved

Hello and good morning, Woodstock-Towne Lake! I'm here with the latest edition of the Woodstock-Towne Lake Daily to help catch you up on today's local news and upcoming events. Here's what's going on around town...

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First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm; humid. High: 87 Low: 74.

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

1. Officer Barron Dixon of the Woodstock Police Department is being hailed for his life-saving efforts while responding to a call. When the officer's shift was over, he was driving home and heard a call over the radio for a location close by and responded. When he arrived at the scene, he found a 2-year-old child unresponsive. The officer administered CPR until the child began breathing and opened his eyes. (Inspire More)
2. Paris Landon Jr., owner of Woodstock Coffee Company, is working to create a new business called Second Chance Coffee to help open opportunities for formerly incarcerated people of color. After struggling to receive loans and open Woodstock Coffee because of his previous incarceration, Paris realized the societal need for a way around those walls. A little over $40,000 has come in so far through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at providing paths towards knowledge-building and financial opportunity. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. The Cherokee County Public Services Agency will be hosting a food drive on August 13 at 150 Chattin Drive in Canton. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the county is also accepting items at several drop-off locations during normal business hours until August 12. Please see the listing for drop-off addresses and specific items being requested. (Cherokee County Press Release)
4. Georgia Power's Integrated Resource Plan for 2022 has been approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. The plan includes the closure of all but two of the state's coal units, goals to invest in solar and hydroelectric power plants, and plans for the buildout of the McGrau Ford Battery facility in Cherokee County. The proposed lithium-ion facility will store energy for the state and is one of several steps towards renewable energy outlined in the plan. (Daily Energy Insider)

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Today in Woodstock-Towne Lake:

• "Upcycled Cat Planters" craft at the Hickory Flat Public Library, plastic bottles will be provided. If you choose to bring your own bottle, it should be one or two liter sizes. (3 p.m.)
• "Mini Beach Terrariums" craft at the Woodstock Public Library - refreshments, snacks and supplies will be provided. The event is for ages 10 and over, and children must be accompanied by an adult. (5:30 p.m.)
• Game night at Reformation Brewery Woodstock is on tonight and every Tuesday (6 p.m.)
• "Home Grown Artist Talk" with Brenda Pinnick, a local artist featured in the Home Grown: Artists from the Peach State exhibit, on the front porch of the Reeves House. Please register (6:30 p.m.)
• Meet Sean Jackson, candidate for Cherokee County School Board - District 5, at Reformation Brewery downtown (6:30 p.m.)
• "Summer Entertaining with Chef Kyle", a demonstration class, at Learning Ladder on Main Street (7 p.m.)
• Music bingo with DJ CaseyD at Truck & Tap tonight and every Tuesday (7:30 p.m.)
• Spaceballs trivia at Blue Ghost Arcade (8 p.m.)
• "RPG Night" at Blue Ghost Arcade with two Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and one Pathfinder campaign (8 p.m.)
• Mario Kart tournament at Blue Ghost Arcade (8 p.m.)
• On the MadLife Grill patio stage:
  • Greg Shaddix (noon)
  • Open Mic Night (6 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• The Cherokee County School District is hiring! CCSD is offering part-time positions for certified teachers, psychologists and speech language pathologists. (CCSD news)
• Cherokee County School District has opened the Back-to-School Gateway. Head over to fill out important forms and make any necessary changes before school opens on August 1. The CCSD school walk-throughs are taking place on July 28 and July 29. (CCSD news)
• Cherokee County has exceeded state averages for Georgia Milestones testing for the seventh consecutive year. Most areas of the testing show consistent improvement year over year in our county. (CCSD news)
• Union Hill will be closed between Hasty Trail and Spearman Lane from July 26 to late January for the replacement of the bridge over Canton Creek. (Cherokee County press release)
• National Night Out is coming up on August 2 on the Green downtown. You can meet your local safety agencies and enjoy free food, bounce houses, and activities for all ages. (City of Woodstock via Facebook)
• The Woodstock Police Department is holding a "Coffee & Recruiting" event on July 30 at Black Rifle Coffee Company on Highway 92. Officers will be there to talk about the department, job opportunities and training options. (Woodstock Police Department via Facebook)
• Downtown Woodstock: "Newt Gingrich returns to FoxTale Book Shoppe with his latest non-fiction work, Defeating Big Government Socialism, on Friday, July 29, 4 p.m. This is a ticketed, walk-through, meet and greet event." (Downtown Woodstock via Instagram)
• Check out some of the latest job openings in our area! (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• Looking for a new home? Here are five homes for sale in our area (Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch)
• The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is offering free adoptions from July 26 to July 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Cherokee County Animal Shelter via Facebook)

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That's it for now, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Nina Lightcap

About me: Nina Lightcap is a writer and editor with a passion for crafting and polishing business and creative content. When not weaving word and thought, she can often be found cooling off in a pool somewhere or enjoying downtown Woodstock with her family.

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