CTL Script/ Top Stories of April 6th            

Publish Date: April 5th            

From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast 

Today is Saturday, April 6th, and Happy 54th Birthday to actor Paul Rudd.

***03.06.24 – BIRTHDAY – PAUL RUDD***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia. 

1. Former Cherokee County Daycare Worker Accused of Abusing 2-Year-Old
2. Caretaker Charged with Stealing from Elderly Cherokee County Resident
3. Trump, Co-Defendants Lose Bid to Dismiss Georgia Election Interference Case

We’ll have all this and more coming up on the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast, and if you’re looking for Community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! 

Commercial: CU of GA

STORY 1: Former Cherokee County Daycare Worker Accused of Abusing 2-Year-Old

Ashley Marie O’Connor, a former daycare worker at The Sunshine House in Cherokee County, was arrested on child abuse charges. The charges include one felony count of cruelty to children and one felony count of aggravated assault strangulation. The alleged abuse against a 2-year-old in her care includes holding a blanket over the child's nose and mouth, dropping him on his head, dragging him by his neck, shaking his head forcefully, and slapping him. The incidents, which occurred on March 13, were captured on security cameras. The daycare immediately terminated O’Connor's employment and notified authorities and the child's parents. O’Connor was released on a $15,000 bond after being booked into the Cherokee County jail.

STORY 2: Caretaker Charged with Stealing from Elderly Cherokee County Resident

Sharon Aline Young, a caretaker from Jasper, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including theft of prescription drugs and personal items from an elderly disabled woman she was caring for. The charges include theft of jewelry, prescription medications (Oxycodone and Xanax), cash, bed sheets, and unauthorized use of the woman's credit or debit card for grocery purchases. The alleged incidents occurred between April 13 and May 8, 2023, while Young was employed as a caretaker for Comfort Keepers. She was released on bond after being booked into the Cherokee County jail. Comfort Keepers, the employer, emphasized its commitment to client safety and stated it is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

STORY 3: Trump, Co-Defendants Lose Bid to Dismiss Georgia Election Interference Case

A Fulton County Superior Court judge rejected a bid to dismiss election interference charges against former President Donald Trump and 14 co-defendants, ruling that the indictments brought by Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis last summer do not violate First Amendment protections of political speech. Judge Scott McAfee stated that the defendants' expressions and speech were allegedly made in furtherance of criminal activity, including false statements and attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. McAfee dismissed six of the indictment's 41 counts but upheld the majority of the charges. Trump maintains his innocence and contends that the case is politically motivated.

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Back in a moment 

Break:  DRAKE

STORY 4: ‘It’s OK Not to Be OK’: Community Leaders Discuss Mental Health

A panel discussion on mental health in Canton, Georgia, hosted by the Rotary Club of Canton, highlighted progress made in increasing access to mental health care but emphasized the ongoing need to address stigma and improve access further. Panelists, including Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner, discussed the importance of breaking down barriers to seeking help and promoting awareness of available resources. They also addressed the growing mental health challenges faced by children and youth, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies to enhance mental health support in the workplace were also emphasized, such as creating a supportive culture and providing access to resources like telehealth services. The event underscored the importance of community collaboration and access to care in addressing mental health needs.

STORY 5: Reinhardt University Hosting Solar Eclipse Viewing Event April 8

Reinhardt University is hosting a solar eclipse viewing event on April 8, even though Georgia is not in the direct path of the total solar eclipse. From 1:47 to 4:21 p.m., a partial eclipse will be visible on campus, with the maximum coverage expected at 3:05 p.m., obscuring 81% of the sun. The event will take place on the lawn of the Bannister Glasshouse from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free eclipse glasses will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and attendees are urged not to look at the sun without proper eye protection. Reinhardt advises against using phones to record or photograph the eclipse to fully enjoy the moment.

STORY 6: Chattahoochee Tech Earns Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School Designation

Chattahoochee Technical College has been recognized as one of the top Military Spouse Friendly Schools for the 2024-2025 academic year, ranking eighth in the Large Community College category. With a commitment to supporting military families, the college offers resources such as the Veterans Education Career Training Resource Center at its Marietta Campus. Approximately 300 military family members and 300 active military or veteran students are part of the Chattahoochee Tech community each semester. The designation is based on factors like admissions, retention, career counseling, flexible learning options, and degree continuation programs. This recognition underscores the college's dedication to providing top-quality educational experiences for military spouses and their families. For more information, visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.

STORY 7: Cherokee County Opens New Tag Renewal Kiosk in Macedonia

A new tag renewal kiosk has been installed in Cherokee County's Macedonia community, located at the Kroger in Woodmont Village. This initiative, led by Tax Commissioner Denise Mastroserio, aims to provide convenience for residents in the area, including those in Macedonia, Free Home, Lathemtown, and Buffington. The kiosk operates during Kroger's business hours, allowing users to renew vehicle registration anytime between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Users can scan their renewal letter, driver's license, or enter their tag number along with the last four digits of their VIN number. Credit and debit cards are accepted, with a $4.95 fee per transaction allowing for up to 10 renewals.

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

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Thanks again for listening to today’s Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Get more on these stories and other great content at tribune ledger news.com. Giving you important information about our community and telling great stories are what we do.  

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