CTL Script/ Top Stories of March 23rd            

Publish Date: March 22nd          

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

Today is Saturday, March 23rd and Happy 71st Birthday to singer Chaka Khan.

***03.23.24 - BIRTHDAY - CHAKA KHAN***

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

1. Woodstock Man Convicted of Strangling Child
2. A Farming Family's Legacy in Cherokee's Salacoa Community
3. Woodstock Named to Smart21 Communities

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! 

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STORY 1: Woodstock Man Convicted of Strangling Child

Andres Felipe Sierra of Woodstock was convicted by a Cherokee County jury on March 21 of multiple child abuse charges, including strangling a child. The charges, stemming from a Woodstock Police Department investigation, relate to an incident on February 26, 2023, in the Towne Lake area. Sierra was found guilty of family violence aggravated assault by strangulation, family violence battery, cruelty to children, and reckless conduct. The jury heard testimony from 11 witnesses during the four-day trial, including the victims, law enforcement officers, and medical professionals. Sierra was convicted on one count of aggravated assault, while the jury found him not guilty on another count and convicted him of reckless conduct on the third. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 8.

STORY 2: A Farming Family's Legacy in Cherokee's Salacoa Community

John Bennett Jr., a longtime resident of Cherokee County's Salacoa community, continues his family's farming legacy in the area. He, along with his wife Joy Adams-Bennett, resides on Salacoa Road, where they raise cattle on their farm. Bennett's family has deep roots in the community, dating back to 1846. He grew up in the area, spent time studying at local colleges, and eventually returned to continue the family's farming tradition. Bennett reminisces about the area's agricultural past, including the transition from cotton and corn farming to poultry production. Despite changes over the years, Bennett remains committed to preserving the rural character of the Salacoa community and passing down the farming legacy to future generations, including his son-in-law who will eventually take over managing the cattle operation.

STORY 3: Woodstock Named to Smart21 Communities

Woodstock has been recognized as one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2024 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). The city received this honor at the Smart Cities and Intelligent Communities Conference in Taipei, Taiwan. Woodstock is a semifinalist in the ICF's annual awards program, with the winner to be announced at the ICF Summit in November. The Smart21 communities have demonstrated their commitment to building inclusive economic prosperity, social health, and cultural richness. Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell expressed pride in representing Georgia alongside fellow honoree Warner Robins and highlighted the city's efforts to improve citizens' quality of life through smart technology initiatives. Woodstock's SMART Program focuses on various aspects, including transportation systems and innovative infrastructure technology.

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STORY 4: Highway 140 Could Get a New Traffic Signal by End of 2024

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a $10,995 amendment to an agreement with Keck and Wood, Inc. for a traffic signal at Highway 140 and Stringer Road intersection. The original agreement was for a traffic signal warrant study, which determined that a signal is warranted to improve traffic flow. Keck and Wood completed the study and began designing the signal. The amendment covers additional engineering and survey work needed to finalize the signal plans. The design has been submitted to the Georgia Department of Transportation for approval. The county anticipates the signal to be operational by the end of the year, pending GDOT's review.

STORY 5: Cherokee County Teen Named Tourette Association of America Youth Ambassador

Gavin Letendre, a 15-year-old from Cherokee County, has been chosen as one of 64 youth ambassadors for the Tourette Association of America. He represented the association during National Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., advocating for policies and services for people with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and tic disorders. Letendre aims to raise awareness and promote understanding of TS, which affects about 1 in 50 school-aged children in the U.S. As a youth ambassador, he received training on public speaking about the disorder. Letendre also educates his peers and local community about TS symptoms and acceptance through presentations at schools and community centers. His efforts contribute to increasing awareness and reducing isolation among individuals affected by TS.

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STORY 6: Over 40 Miles of Cherokee's Roads Scheduled for Resurfacing or Restriping

Cherokee County commissioners approved a $5.7 million construction agreement with Bartow Paving Company for a countywide road resurfacing project, covering approximately 14 miles of county-maintained roads. The project, in partnership with Canton, Holly Springs, and Woodstock, includes resurfacing main roadways like Union Hill Road and Avery Road, along with various subdivisions. Funding, largely from a Georgia DOT grant and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, will cover the majority of costs. Additionally, the county approved a $222,145 agreement with TRP Construction Group for traffic striping on nine roadways totaling 25.8 miles, using GDOT funds and a local match requirement. These projects aim to improve road safety and infrastructure in the county and are slated for completion by September.

STORY 7: Private-School Vouchers Win Final Passage from General Assembly

The Georgia Senate passed controversial legislation for private-school vouchers, with a 33-21 vote along party lines. The bill limits voucher spending to 1% of Georgia's education funding formula, with a cap of $140 million annually, targeting families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty limit. Proponents argue it aids working-class families, but critics, including Democrats, contend $6,500 vouchers aren't sufficient and divert funds from public schools. The bill also includes provisions on teacher pay raises and pre-kindergarten facilities. Governor Kemp, a supporter, is expected to sign the bill into law, prioritizing vouchers as part of his education agenda.

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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